What does it signify to be human?
It’s an uncomplicated inquiry, merely a few succinct words, yet it unravels the intricate tapestry of complexity, paradoxes, and enigma that constitutes human existence and human beingness.
It’s a query we have been pondering for millennia. Clergy and bards, thinkers and statesmen, researchers and creators alike have sought to decipher this ultimate conundrum, yet all have stumbled, unable to fully encapsulate the vastness of human beingness
the human journey.
Some have approached it more closely than others.
Charles Darwin possessed one of the most profound revelations regarding the human experience that any of our species has ever had, revolutionizing millennia of thought with the stroke of a pen; however, he offered no insight into how we actually perceive being human.
It would take another fifty years for an Austrian physician to begin discussing the elusive forces of the subconscious mind, but even Sigmund Freud fell short of providing a satisfactory account for consciousness. In fact, to this day, no one has come near articulating the sheer breathtaking wonder of being alive—the electric jolt we feel when kissing a lover, the deep resonating of the spirit when listening to Mozart’s Requiem, and the exuberant delight of laughing uncontrollably with our closest companions as we share a jest.
Being Human is a groundbreaking new season debuting on BBC Earth, designed to draw us closer to understanding our essence human beingness
Why do we act the way we do? How can we improve our lives? How did we arrive at this moment? What lies ahead for us?
Throughout the year, we will guide you on a journey to explore these questions with wide-eyed curiosity, delving into every aspect of humanity. We will explore the depths of the mind to uncover what drives our actions, encounter remarkable individuals who have unveiled the secrets to a long and healthy existence, traverse 2000 years of civilization, journey through the human body on our transition to adulthood as we progress from infants to procreating adults, witness the drama of extraordinary human ceremonies that strive to defy death, and observe what occurs to our bodies in the hours, days, and months following our passing.
We have exceptional series from world-class creators on the horizon, brimming with remarkable concepts at the forefront of scientific thought. We aim to provoke thought, but also to evoke feelings.
Being Human will be a tribute to humanity.
We want to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up at the improbable fortune of our own existence.
So what is our tale? Let’s begin with the facts. We are one species of primate that emerged from the arid plains of East Africa just over 100,000 years ago and embarked on a migration that persists to this day.
We weren’t the strongest creatures
, but we possessed an unusually hefty brain and stood upright, granting us an elevated view to scan the distant landscape for threats and the dexterity to use our hands for various tasks. Over time, we began to craft tools. These were rudimentary, yet capable of slicing through skin and flesh, providing us an edge as we roamed our wild habitat in search of prey.
We might have continued our brief life of hunting, savagery, and brutishness to the present day, if not for one pivotal advancement—language. Other creatures could transmit signals, but we developed astonishing vocal capabilities, able to produce sounds that symbolized not merely objects but also concepts.
We learned to express thoughts. We could discuss peril, aspiration, and affection.
We became narrators, able to weave shared stories about who we are and how we ought to exist. From that moment forward, the pace of transformation was electrifying.
Twelve millennia ago, we discovered how to cultivate plants and domesticate animals for sustenance, enabling us to settle in one place. We turned into social beings, forming complex communities that evolved into kingdoms, learning to exchange goods through a concept known as money.
By 2500 years ago, a small group of individuals in Southern Europe and the Middle East began to pose significant questions regarding our identity.
What constitutes the best way to live? What is a commendable life? What does it mean to be human
? Our responses to these inquiries shaped the foundation of our civilization, art, and philosophy. Five hundred years ago, the scientific revolution commenced, allowing us to harness the resources of our planet to extend our lifespans and enhance productivity For More Click