Homo Sapiens: From Wence We Came

The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens, from the Latin homo ("man") and sapiens ("wise"). Yet despite this label, human evolution is still in its infancy. For most of our history-until about 12,000 years ago-we lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers. We were part of nature, not separate from it. We hunted and were hunted. We contributed to the balance of the ecosystem rather than dominating it. Then came the cerebral cortex: language, writing, and self-awareness. Intelligence gave rise to civilization. And with civilization, a new myth: that we were separate from and superior to the natural world. Armed with advanced tools and growing cooperation, we became Earth's dominant predator. But we also inherited something darker: a unique capacity for aggression-especially toward our own species. "For most of human history, our brains dealt with straightforward problems. We looked for food and tried not to get eaten. That same brain is now used to post pictures of pets, fill out spreadsheets, and worry about credit card bills. No wonder it struggles in this complex modern world, bringing stress, anxiety, and depression." (Curiosity Stream: The Imperfect Brain) Evolutionary science traces our lineage to the great apes. Between six and eight million years ago, our ancestors split from the common line we share with chimpanzees and bonobos. The similarities between us remain unsettlingly close. Chimps are social, hierarchical, and fiercely territorial. We share nearly 99% of our DNA-and much of their behavior. We call ourselves "civilized," meaning we have systems of governance, culture, and moral codes. We also like to believe we're "humane"-compassionate, ethical, and just. But history tells another story. From genocide and slavery to religious wars and systemic cruelty, our record suggests that neither "civilized" nor "humane" are accurate descriptions of Homo sapiens.

About the Author :
Nathan Shasho is a multifaceted individual with a diverse background. He is an accomplished musician who attended the Mannes College of Music. He earned undergraduate degrees in sociology and psychology with a minor in anthropology from Brooklyn College. Shasho also holds a master's degree in psychology. Shasho is also a published author, with two books: -Perspective: Making Sense of It All (2015)-Homo Sapiens: From Whence We Came (2021) -The Fragile Human: Stress - Anxiety - Depression He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and has two sons. His professional experience includes taking over his father's retail business and potentially involvement in crisis counseling, mentoring, and tutoring based on information from his website "nathanshasho.com". He is listed as an expert on Marriage.com, where he offers services such as client-centered therapy. His published works explore themes of human evolution, history, and the paradoxes of life. In Perspective: Making Sense of It All, Shasho presents an honest, unbiased look at history and encourages critical thinking to combat indoctrination. His most recent book, Homo Sapiens: From Whence We Came, delves into the evolutionary history of humans and challenges the notion of a civilized species, given our history of violence and conflict.