Sam Webster Harris chronicles the complete history of innovation from the Stone Age to the modern day. Learn how transformative ideas build upon each other to change the world and shape the future of humanity.
Every breakthrough that changes civilization begins with curiosity. From the first controlled fire to artificial intelligence. Follow the journey, step-by-step, tracing the evolution of human progress and society. On the way, uncovering the nerdy stories and fun facts behind world-changing inventions and the mental models that drive systemic change.
Each episode is a deep dive into innovation patterns and the threads that shape our world:
- From Leonardo Da Vinci dissecting human bodies to editing our own DNA
- Maritime Navigation sets the course for Interstellar exploration
- Hammurabi's legal code is relevant in algorithmic governance
Modern revolutions in technology and the future of AI are a continuation of core needs of their human creators. Our desire for leverage shows up time and again in the history of civilization.
Drawing insights from psychology, economics, and anthropology, we explore how change makers in history like Galileo, Newton, and Tesla didn't just discover big ideas. They transformed civilization itself. Their playbooks reveal timeless strategies for anyone seeking to understand how the world works.
This isn't surface-level history. It's intellectual history told through narrative learning—connecting past invention stories to the future of technology, future of society, and patterns of history that will define the Anthropocene.
Whether you're fascinated by the timeline of human history, founder stories, or the psychology of change, each episode delivers actionable mental models wrapped in engaging storytelling. Learn something new about human progress while discovering your own potential to change the world.
For the intellectually curious seeking to understand innovation, drive progress, and glimpse the future of humanity.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sam Webster Harris chronicles the complete history of innovation from the Stone Age to the modern day. Learn how transformative ideas build upon each other to change the world and shape the future of humanity.
Every breakthrough that changes civilization begins with curiosity. From the first controlled fire to artificial intelligence. Follow the journey, step-by-step, tracing the evolution of human progress and society. On the way, uncovering the nerdy stories and fun facts behind world-changing inventions and the mental models that drive systemic change.
Each episode is a deep dive into innovation patterns and the threads that shape our world:
- From Leonardo Da Vinci dissecting human bodies to editing our own DNA
- Maritime Navigation sets the course for Interstellar exploration
- Hammurabi's legal code is relevant in algorithmic governance
Modern revolutions in technology and the future of AI are a continuation of core needs of their human creators. Our desire for leverage shows up time and again in the history of civilization.
Drawing insights from psychology, economics, and anthropology, we explore how change makers in history like Galileo, Newton, and Tesla didn't just discover big ideas. They transformed civilization itself. Their playbooks reveal timeless strategies for anyone seeking to understand how the world works.
This isn't surface-level history. It's intellectual history told through narrative learning—connecting past invention stories to the future of technology, future of society, and patterns of history that will define the Anthropocene.
Whether you're fascinated by the timeline of human history, founder stories, or the psychology of change, each episode delivers actionable mental models wrapped in engaging storytelling. Learn something new about human progress while discovering your own potential to change the world.
For the intellectually curious seeking to understand innovation, drive progress, and glimpse the future of humanity.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What lies at the core of human progress?
This episode sets the scene for all human innovation. For 3.5 million years, humans and our ancestors were stuck in the Stone Age.
We cover:
From personal pressures to global forces, we trace the blocks on human development. The answers hold many insights for today when we think about innovation and how to make progress..
This episode is ground zero as we begin our expedition through history and the creation of our modern world.
ABOUT
This show is an independent podcast on a mission.
It is written, recorded, re-recorded, rewritten and re-re-recorded entirely by Sam Webster Harris.
He also makes the music.
Designs were crafted by Francisca Correia.
Chapters:
00:00 The Hand Axe Conundrum
01:53 Episode Goals
03:45 #1 - SURVIVAL
04:21 Energy requirements
06:30 Time Scarcity
08:59 Risk and Psychological Safety
11:17 #2 - Culture
12:41 Why people hate new ideas
15:25 The Grandmother Hypothesis
16:21 Widowhood statistics
17:46 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing
19:27 Catalhayuk - 1000 years of stasis
20:36 #3 - Knowledge
22:42 Losing knowledge
24:04 Maths
24:52 Communication and Language
25:53 Ice Age Picasso Paradox
27:06 #4 - Mobility Constraints
28:05 Nomadism
30:22 Racism, war, and travel complications
32:07 Trade Issues
34:02 Feasting examples
35:39 Eurasia vs America Development
37:45 #5 - Population Density
39:20 Evolution of Multicellular Life
41:48 Dunbars Number
43:43 Mortality Rates
46:37 Historical demographics
48:18 Lessons - How we beat the 5 locks
51:47 Conclusion - Innovation isn't about Geniuses
54:36 REFLECTIONS - Innovation cycles
57:43 Modern Innovation Blockers
01:06:01 What can you do
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.