[Stone Age] - Innovation Locks: The 5 Progress Blockers for 97% of Human History

What lies at the core of human progress? This episode asks ancient history what created human innovation and what stopped it for so long?

For 3.5 million years, humans and our ancestors were stuck in the Stone Age until 10,000 years ago we finally broke out of it and all manner of inventions was let loose.

We study tribal life across the world from anthropological records and archeology of the stone age to reconstruct the lifestyle of our ancestors and the forces against them. From personal pressures to global currents, we trace the blocks on human development. The answers hold many insights for today when we think about innovation, technology and how to make progress..

We cover: What were we busy with for 97% of our existence? Why were we so slow at innovating? How did we eventually overcome these fundamental forces?

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 to document the most important inventions in history in chronological order. We hope you join us for the ride to learn how the world changes and inspire you to build the future of technology.

It is written, recorded, re-recorded, rewritten and re-re-recorded entirely by Sam Webster Harris. (He also makes the music.)

Find out more or contact the show - ChangeTheWorldPod.com

Designs were crafted by Francisca Correia (Available to hire) Podcast strategy from Jeremy Enns (Available to hire)

BOOKS The World Until Yesterday: What we can learn from traditional societies - Jared Diamond An overview of the world last uncontacted tribes and their ways of live compared to today.

Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and language in the Amazonia jungle - Daniel L. Everett Astonishing experiences and discoveries by missionary Daniel Everett in the Amazon jungle in 1977

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 35:51 #5 - POPULATION DENSITY 37:27 Evolution of Multicellular Life 39:54 Dunbars Number 41:25 Mortality Rates 42:46 Systems Feedback effects 44:31 LESSONS - How we beat the locks 48:00 Conclusion - Innovation isn't about Geniuses 50:50 What can you do Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.