Main description:

This book offers fascinating insights into the lives of our ancestors and investigates the dynamic processes that led to the establishment of complex human societies. It provides a holistic view of human history and social evolution by drawing on the latest evidence from a wide range of disciplines and proposes new hypotheses on the origins of human behaviour. After exploration of the encounters of Homo sapiens with other human species, diverse aspects of life in emerging societies are examined, including clothing, work, leisure, learning, diet, disease, and the role of women. Attention is drawn to the key role of self-domestication - the process of reducing natural aggression and increasing playfulness - in enabling survival. Another focus is Homo oeconomicus. The significance of symbolic thought for the emergence of surpluses in goods and services is highlighted, with analysis of how this led to private accumulation of wealth and development of the first hierarchical societies. Finally, the discussion turns to humans of the future and the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence. The aim is to unveil the deep roots of our social behaviour and how it is going to intertwine with the development of digital technologies and social networks.

Contents:

CONTENTS
Introduction1 Our deep history: a short overviewThe human pastDescended from the apes?
2 Human biodiversity and close encountersSapiens: the African originsSapiens the conquerorThe NeanderthalsThe DenisovansThe HobbitsHomo nalediRaces and racism
3 The march for hegemonyThe first "hybridization with domestication": tools, fire and the environmentOnce a player, always a playerDisappearance of the NeanderthalsMan's best friendSelf-domestication of Homo sapiensLast act

4 The naked ape dresses upThe naked apeCoats, shoes and shedsDress, shame and symbols
5 The evolution of womanGiving birth: a risky businessMonogamy or polygamy?Taming the femaleSexual selection: the role of women
6 Work, leisure and learningGrowing up too fast?Art and entertainmentTeaching and learningTrust, gossip and shared beliefsWork leisure and learning today
7 Food for body and mindRitual foodVegetarian or carnivorous? OmnivorousFarmers and breedersUs and themTurning our genes on and off
8 Diseases and griefDiseases and therapies from the pastDiseases of the present: a possible mismatchFunerary ritesThe first hierarchical societiesBones, tombs and relics
9 Brain and mindInside the grey boxBrain and mind in deep timeThinking of thinkingModelling and imagining
10 Imaginary worldsNew realitiesOvercoming perceptual barriersExcess of representation: the economic sphereSymmetric and asymmetric warfare
11 Homo economicusWhen it all beganWhat is money?Goods and servicesThe private accumulation of wealthThe destruction of collective wealth
12 Humans of the futureDigital networksSocial networks, digital games and search enginesMarket driven digital gurusSocio-economic networksSocial networks of knowledgeGlobal networks and territorial networksShrinking the brainPower and pleasureTruth and post-truthIntelligent weapons and preventive warTranshumanism and immortal networksPost-humanismDeep neural networksTamed by the machines?
Bibliography