(2/16/18)
Iris
(@Tashi) Why Sapiens migrated out of Africa?
The book did not ascertain the reasons of Sapiens’ migration and dispersion. Maybe it’s because there isn’t determined archeological evidence to clearly explain the process, but most of archeologists seem to agree upon some possible reasons, such as
- food availability due to climate change, competition, disaster, disease and
- the normal nomadic movement
In addition, I think, similar to the refugees in current societies, people who were not accepted by their group pursued their new lives voluntarily or involuntarily somewhere else.
True, the journey was risky, but as the author pointed out, mastering the usage of fire and being able to acquire fur, animal skins to keep themselves warm made the migration a bit easier. As Rock pointed out, the dispersal of Sapiens from African to other continents was not a journey of decades, it took tens of thousands of years and many, many generations.
Can we say, “The grass is always greener on the other side” is kind of common mentality motivating antient and modern Sapiens to move from place to place?
(Notes: "The glass is greener" mentality probably includes Michael's points about human's curiosity and desire for adventure, in addition to the mentioned involuntary reasons.)
Anne (2/19/18):
Hi all, this book is far more interesting than I think.
The author give us many examples of archaic sapiens' behavior and cognitive development echoed the modern humans behavior and culture.
The ability of gossiping enables human networking with others to establish the society and to create fiction, ghost, religion etc.
Joseph:
@Anne Lin imaginative reality shares by Sapiens is the determine ability that form groups that above 150 members. That made our ancestors strong enough to bring down everything and drive nearly every species to extinction.
Anne:
@余思亮Joseph Human species is a incredible creature on planet. Our high intelligence enable us to rule the world.
Joseph:
@Anne Lin imaginative reality shares by Sapiens is the determine ability that form groups that above 150 members. That made our ancestors strong enough to bring down everything and drive nearly every species to extinction.
Rock:
Not always extinction. Domesticated animals boom a lot.
Mice and roaches prosper, too.
Joseph:
Yes, "Among all the world's large creatures, the only survivors of the human flood will be humans themselves, and the farmyard animals that serve as galley slaves in Noah's Ark," (The last sentence of Part One)
Iris:
Right, Sapiens is the only species that can create fictional reality. Gods, religions, business corporations, law and order, according to the author, are all fictional reality that we believe in collectively. It makes us powerful in both good and evil directions.
Domestication is an interesting concept. Who do you think got domesticated? The plants (wheat, rice...), domesticated animals or Sapiens ourselves? It is very fun to see from the author’s view point in the very beginning of Part II.
(Go, Go, our dear readers! Soon you will find out the answer!
Tashi:
I feel like the key to keep survive is to keep prove our species' potential