Humanity's First Invention that Changed our Species and the World - The Story of Fire

How humans stopped relying on evolution and became the controllers of their own destiny.

In this episode of 'How to Change the World,' Sam Webster Harris discusses the profound impact of fire on the evolution and societal development of humanity. From transforming our bodies and brains to influencing gender roles and social structures, fire has fundamentally reshaped our way of life. Harris delves into the historical, biological, and cultural significance of fire, exploring how it has served as a tool for cooking, safety, and community building. Tune in to discover how fire drove early human innovations and set the stage for future technological advancements.

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If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation".

Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today.

Available on all podcast players:

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Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com

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As we peer into the future, sometimes the best strategy is to look back into the past. The further and deeper we look, the more comprehensive our understanding of how technology and invention can shape the future.

The world's greatest minds didn't just innovate by accident. They studied the great thinkers before them and built upon their work. If you want to achieve greatness or understand what's going on around us, this podcast is your guide.

Chapters

00:00Introduction: Who is in control

03:51 The Role of Fire in Civilization

04:31 Fire's Impact on Predators and Prey

06:36 First Fire - 500 million years ago

10:00 Humans and fire - ~2 million years ago

12:12 The Discovery of Fire

13:44 When did we discover Fire

14:25 Stadium of Grandmothers

15:28 Fire's Influence on Human Biology

17:59 Fire and Human Digestion

20:18 Light and Campfires

22:27 Mealtimes

23:35 Fire's Role in Human Birth and Survival

25:26 Why Only Humans Mastered Fire

27:57 Fire, Social Structures & Gender Roles

29:00 Wrap up and subscribe to How to Change the World

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