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Evolution and Spread of the Most Cooperative and Invasive Species: Us
October 10, 2016 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
$12 – $15
Scientists have identified several milestones in the evolution of the way humans find and consume food: increased meat portions, diet diversity, and the transition to food production. These changes have had far-reaching impacts on biological, behavioral, and culture evolution.
In this talk, Dr. Curtis Marean argues for another food-related milestone: the turn toward foraging dense and predictable food resources. This shift in behavior led to elevated levels of group territoriality and conflict, which may have provided the ideal conditions for the evolution of the hyper-cooperative behaviors unique to modern humans. This coupled with the uses of newly invented projectile weapons contributed greatly to our ancestors’ ability to spread rapidly throughout the world, eliminating other competitors and driving many prey species to extinction.
This lecture is presented in partnership with the California Academy of Sciences. With generous support from:
Ann and Gordon Getty
Camilla and George Smith
The concourse parking garage will be open for this event.