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Understanding the Human Factor: Life and Its Impact cover art

Understanding the Human Factor: Life and Its Impact

By: Gary A. Sojka, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary A. Sojka
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Publisher's Summary

The year is 8000 B.C. A man wanders across a field of prairie grasses in search of edible berries and roots and wild game to feed his family. As he walks, the tips of the grasses brush against him, releasing seeds. He collects a few of these seeds and brings them back to his camp. Later, he notices that when they fall on earth, they begin to sprout, and a new plant grows.

In small moments like these, the path of Homo sapiens is changed forever. The process of domesticating plants and animals reflects the greatest transition in the history of humankind - one that served to make us the humans we are today. In this series of 24 thought-provoking lectures, an award-winning educator takes you on a journey through this fascinating story, surveying the remarkable innovations that transformed humankind into the sole agriculturists on our planet - an innovation the human race feels to this day. Drawing on the latest science from a wide variety of fields - including microbiology, genetics, archaeology, and sociology - Professor Sojka offers a seldom-seen, multidisciplinary perspective on human life. The result is a complex and remarkable synthesis of science and history that stretches from the ancient roots of human culture to some of the most significant issues facing the modern world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Understanding the Human Factor: Life and Its Impact

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Interesting and easy to follow

A really good chronological overview of humanity's interaction with other living organisms since the over the past 10,000 years. The main focus was on the interdependence between humans and domesticated animals and plants, however it went beyond to examine positive and negative impacts on the environment. The use of the word "okay?" at the end of sentences could be irritating. However the speaker came across as sincere, interested and knowledgeable in his topic. On the balance, well prepared, thought out course that provided much food for thought. Highly recommended.

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  • Nic
  • 07-06-2017

Not what I thought it was only better

I purchased this thinking it was about human physiology and ergonomics. Not at all. It's about humans and all the things we have domesticated big and small and how reliant we are on each other. An eye opener to modern agrinomics

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