Neither strength nor intelligence: An anthropologist reveals why humans rule the world

From the songs of humpback whales to the fungus-growing abilities of leaf-cutting ants, it is apparent that the ability to transmit culture is not unique to humans. But what sets our species apart from the rest of the animal world?

According to Thomas Morgan, an evolutionary anthropologist at Arizona State University, the answer lies in our “openness”: a unique ability to imagine an infinite number of possibilities and combine them in innovative ways.

Morgan argues that while other species also accumulate cultural knowledge, human flexibility and creativity are what really drive our cultural evolution and allow us to constantly push our own boundaries.

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Cultural adaptation examples in nature

Intelligent and adaptive behavior can be observed among animals. Chimpanzees, for example, learn to use tools to mine termites and pass this skill on to their offspring. Similarly, humpback whales modify their songs over time, while leaf-cutter ants cultivate fungi for sustenance, a process that has evolved over millions of years.

However, these cultural adaptations tend to remain static. Chimpanzee tools have not changed significantly over generations, and while whale songs have become richer, they have not undergone radical transformations.

In contrast, humans do not simply accumulate knowledge, but constantly reinvent and expand its boundaries.

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Openness and sequential planning

Morgan explains that human openness allows us to visualize and execute complex sequences of steps to reach an end goal, adapting them on the fly.

This type of reasoning is reflected in everyday tasks such as cooking: a process that requires identifying utensils, measuring ingredients, controlling temperatures and adjusting according to the results.

This ability to imagine, adapt and combine sequences is unparalleled in other species. It is what allows us to solve immediate problems and also to project solutions for future challenges, such as the design of technologies or space exploration.

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While animal culture can reach an evolutionary ceiling, human culture seems to have no limits.

The invention of the wheel, for example, marked an initial milestone that led to advanced vehicles; the discovery of fire led to the development of complex energy technologies.

Each generation takes advantage of previous knowledge to build a more sophisticated world adapted to its needs. This cycle of cultural accumulation has allowed humans to dominate the planet and shape their world in ways unimaginable for other species. Other animals adapt to their environment: humans transform it.

From the invention of airplanes to the construction of space stations, humanity does not advance in a linear fashion, but through spectacular leaps.

These advances are fueled by a collective imagination that combines individual innovation with social collaboration. Thus, the true secret of humanity’s global domination lies not in strength or intelligence, but in our ability to imagine and create a limitless future.

Implications and future perspectives

The concept of openness not only redefines our understanding of cultural evolution, but also raises key questions about our future. In a world constantly being transformed by artificial intelligence, robotics and new technologies, this capability could be crucial to addressing the challenges ahead.

Furthermore, better understanding how our creativity and adaptability have shaped our history may inspire research into how to leverage these qualities in other contexts, such as the design of technological systems and global collaboration.

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