Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Physically, Homo sapiens isn't that special in the animal world. But our species has discovered ways of beating the odds of survival in every habitat, from jungle to Arctic wasteland. In our latest interview with biological anthropologist and broadcaster Alice Roberts, we discuss the wonderful benefits bestowed on us by animals from our evolutionary past. The biochemistry in our cells goes back to the earliest single-celled creatures living in the ancient oceans, and our arms and legs date back to when the first amphibians crawled onto land around 360 million years ago.
Learn more ➤ youtu.be/aCfmEJOh5t0
❤️ Love New Scientist? For a specially discounted New Scientist digital subscription, go to bit.ly/3OFhwvL
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MORE FROM NEW SCIENTIST
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🌐 Website: newscientist.com
📸 Instagram: bit.ly/NSYTINSTA
📘 Facebook: bit.ly/NSYTFB
🐦 Twitter: bit.ly/NSYTTW
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About New Scientist:
New Scientist was founded in 1956 for “all those interested in scientific discovery and its social consequences”. Today our website, videos, newsletters, app, podcast and print magazine cover the world’s most important, exciting and entertaining science news as well as asking the big-picture questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human.
New Scientist
newscientist.com
00:32 We are all animals
03:39 The end of human exceptionalism
05:14 The animal remnnants in our bodies
09:22 The human brain
14:33 Our human ancestors
19:04 Why are we still here?
22:08 Human cooperation
28:27 How we will change in the future
30:40 The imperfections of the human body
34:00 Defunct organs from our evolutionary past
38:20 The placenta exixts thanks to a viral infection
40:39 The creativity of evolution
43:37 Tool use and genetic accidents
45:41 The physiology that allows us to run
50:36 Culture shapes behaviour
51:45 The importance of play, children and women
54:58 A fictional talek
56:40 Our relationship with nature
#homosapiens #humanevolution #homoerectus #evolution #humanity #human
Physically, Homo sapiens isn't that special in the animal world. But our species has discovered ways of beating the odds of survival in every habitat, from jungle to Arctic wasteland. In our latest interview with biological anthropologist and broadcaster Alice Roberts, we discuss the wonderful benefits bestowed on us by animals from our evolutionary past. The biochemistry in our cells goes back to the earliest single-celled creatures living in the ancient oceans, and our arms and legs date back to when the first amphibians crawled onto land around 360 million years ago.
Learn more ➤ youtu.be/aCfmEJOh5t0
❤️ Love New Scientist? For a specially discounted New Scientist digital subscription, go to bit.ly/3OFhwvL
⭐️ We have a podcast, too: Subscribe to @TheWorldTheUniverseAndUs
🛍️ Check out our shop for the smartest gifts - shop.newscientist.com
MORE FROM NEW SCIENTIST
─────────────────────────────
🌐 Website: newscientist.com
📸 Instagram: bit.ly/NSYTINSTA
📘 Facebook: bit.ly/NSYTFB
🐦 Twitter: bit.ly/NSYTTW
📈 LinkedIn: bit.ly/NSYTLIN
About New Scientist:
New Scientist was founded in 1956 for “all those interested in scientific discovery and its social consequences”. Today our website, videos, newsletters, app, podcast and print magazine cover the world’s most important, exciting and entertaining science news as well as asking the big-picture questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human.
New Scientist
newscientist.com
00:32 We are all animals
03:39 The end of human exceptionalism
05:14 The animal remnnants in our bodies
09:22 The human brain
14:33 Our human ancestors
19:04 Why are we still here?
22:08 Human cooperation
28:27 How we will change in the future
30:40 The imperfections of the human body
34:00 Defunct organs from our evolutionary past
38:20 The placenta exixts thanks to a viral infection
40:39 The creativity of evolution
43:37 Tool use and genetic accidents
45:41 The physiology that allows us to run
50:36 Culture shapes behaviour
51:45 The importance of play, children and women
54:58 A fictional talek
56:40 Our relationship with nature
#homosapiens #humanevolution #homoerectus #evolution #humanity #human
