Rewriting the Story of Humankind

What attributes set our species apart? Taming fire? Expressing artistically? Solving problems creatively? Recent discoveries that have already upended humankind’s origin story by expanding our family tree, are now challenging long-held assumptions about what makes us special. Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger is a leading figure in these breathtaking developments and he joins Brian Greene to discuss how new discoveries are now rewriting human history.
This program is part of the Big Ideas series, supported by the John Templeton Foundation.
The live program was presented at the 2023 World Science Festival Brisbane, hosted by the Queensland Museum.
WSF Landing Page Link: www.worldsciencefestival.com/...
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#leeberger #briangreene #homonaledi #science

[@keithjones2379]

That's how you do an interview. Ask, shut up and listen and occasionally ask a brief question for clarification. You don't don't put your opinions out there or constantly interrupt the person when they're about to say something interesting or just start talking yourself about what you think. It's very rare to see an interview like this. Good job!

[@mkor7]

You're so right!

[@machinarum]

I agree with you 100%. On a funny note, this guest doesn’t need an interviewer just someone to keep him between a 2 hour limit. This guy could talk for hours. 😂

[@250txc]

Mr Green has nothing to say because all the digging stuff CAN NOT prove or even add up to anything real other than a pile of bones... All this stuff is no better than educated guesses \ common sense other than the dates that ARE scientifically proven numbers..

[@erichodge567]

I am mostly a physics geek, and have watched many previous episodes of WSF, but this is the best program yet. Absolutely a "must watch" show.

[@pattismith6958]

Space and neurobiology geek here - fully agree!!

[@edwardlulofs444]

There are a few other channels that more technical and up to date information. But this program is a good introduction for a general audience.

[@koroko999]

Same here ​@@pattismith6958

[@nihaalify]

@@edwardlulofs444such as?

[@edwardlulofs444]

@@nihaalify I am subscribed to “Evo Inception”. I have been watching their coverage of especially their episodes on Neanderthals. Since current evidence suggests that that many modern humans have 1-4% of Neanderthal DNA. I spend more time on other subjects such as physics, math, technology, and other mostly science related topics.

[@hifibrony]

Greene is such a good interviewer. He draws great explanations from guests outside of his own field of expertise.

[@eirintowne]

What a gift that man is; a scientist that is also an expert storyteller is what the world needs more of! He had me enthralled throughout, and I might go looking for more later.

[@dreejz]

What a magnificent story, Hollywood couldn't have wrote it better. This is the stuff that needs to be shown and taught in schools! Thank you World Science Festival, Mr. Berger and the wonderful host Mr.Greene!!

[@AudioPervert1]

they keep rewriting the same story over and over and over again. And they still don't get it right. However mainstream science is still at the same rat-game of "breathtaking developments" as if it was a some hollytrash movie. We might as well ask Chat GPT instead of the experts who basically remain within their expertise and nothing else much.

[@bryan__m]

@@AudioPervert1you keep rewriting the same comment over and over again and you're still not right.

[@mosijahi3096]

@@AudioPervert1 do you get it right , what say you?

[@ChimpPeensRevunge]

Utterly mind blowing discoveries. Thank you Dr Berger and everyone at WSF for making communicating scientific discoveries to us in such an engaging, understandable way.

[@AudioPervert1]

they keep rewriting the same story over and over and over again. And they still don't get it right. However mainstream science is still at the same rat-game of "breathtaking developments" as if it was a some hollytrash movie. We might as well ask Chat GPT instead of the experts who basically remain within their expertise and nothing else much.

[@bryan__m]

@@AudioPervert1would you rather they just stick with the first thing and then never change? Think about it for 5 seconds and you'll realize that all progress is based on rewriting what you thought you new before.

[@Pranalonna]

This might be my favorite interview ever. I am speechless and can’t wait for further discoveries. Thank you to everyone involved.

[@seriouslypagan6904]

This has become my favorite story of adventure and scientific discovery even beyond the moon landing. What a privilege to have been a part of this. I would have given up a lot to be there, but I would never fit into those caves. I'm really grateful to all who did the job, of making it possible for all of us could see this take place.

[@mdbssn]

I've heard at least some of Dr. Berger's story before, but I've got to say this rendition really outshines the stuff I've already heard. What a career, a story, and what far reaching implications for understanding our origins and ourselves. Thank you again, World Science Festival, for such clear, detailed, and interesting content.

[@bonnie3937]

Inati Fascinating.

[@peterakkermans1530]

​@@bonnie3937tytťyiì😊

[@cynthiashepherd7754]

I love Brian Greene in that he is so good in this type presentation. I have seen many other interviews but this one was absolutely the best. He needed this much time to tell the whole story and we were missing or I was missing very interesting parts.

[@AudioPervert1]

they keep rewriting the same story over and over and over again. And they still don't get it right. However mainstream science is still at the same rat-game of "breathtaking developments" as if it was a some hollytrash movie. We might as well ask Chat GPT instead of the experts who basically remain within their expertise and nothing else much.

[@alenvrlazic8726]

Kiki

[@johnp1]

Best interview on WSF. Dr. Berger is a great inspiring, story teller.

[@Jay-ft3xh]

Look just a little bit further...

[@bryan__m]

@@Jay-ft3xh care to expand on that?

[@SuchGoodVibes]

Thank you Lee Berger, for supplying those curious young scientists with the opportunity of a lifetime and for supplying the world with your passionate determination! I feel terrible seeing the controversy surrounding Cave of Bones everywhere and the immediate rejection of revolutionary ideas from your team. None of them have watched this interview and have a absolutely distorted view of you all. Keep up the good work! Let rumours be rumours as the truth will come out with further discoveries to finally revise the timeline.

[@kenadams5504]

One definition of human , is to be able and willing to discover new things , and then enthrall your audience with what you found.

[@coryanderson5210]

Human: of dirt.

[@bethbartlett5692]

#1 "release Fear"

[@christophervaughan2637]

A cat or a dog can do this

[@emillyhatfield456]

@@christophervaughan2637a cat or dog goes in front of an audience of other cats and dogs?

[@bobross2496]

Brian Greene is the great story teller of science

[@godzilla12325]

I disagree. I find him to be patronizing. His voice pitch and tone is akin to broken glass scraping my ears off.

[@bobross2496]

@@godzilla12325 a likely response from godzilla

[@behr121002]

Absolutely fascinating and captivating to this 67 year old former science/engineering student and geek. It's stuff like this that keeps my mind and inspiration young and vibrant, and recharges my spirituality ( not in the religious sense). (I think *PBS'* _NOVA_ , or some other PBS presentation aired a film about this expedition, if my memory serves me correctly, within the past 5-7 (?) years.) And kudos always to *_World Science Festival. _* It's great to see so many science sources carried on You Tube.

[@rickiefuwanfui145]

It is not that hard to believe Naledi could care for their dead....just look at how some mammals from elephants, whales, etc that grieve over a dead baby. They just didn't have appendages to perform burial rituals. Bravo!

[@nbenefiel]

I’ve seen or read a lot of Dr. Berger work, but I never heard his life story before. He’s a fascinating character.

[@cynthiashepherd7754]

He definitely is interesting. I listened to many of the University lecture series and have seen dr. Berger quite a few times. But Bruce Green allowed him to tell so much more

[@Canard712]

Who is Bruce?

[@jannehanhela9607]

This was an amazing discussion to watch. I hope Mr Berger gets to tell his story many times more in various podcasts, I'd listen to it all over again.

[@AudioPervert1]

they keep rewriting the same story over and over and over again. And they still don't get it right. However mainstream science is still at the same rat-game of "breathtaking developments" as if it was a some hollytrash movie. We might as well ask Chat GPT instead of the experts who basically remain within their expertise and nothing else much.

[@emillyhatfield456]

@@AudioPervert1not rewriting but adding and evolving just like everything else on earth

[@ChuckHickl]

His delivery kind of turned me off initially but as he told the story it made more sense the way he was telling it and by the end I was almost crying and clapping so allowed the dog left the room. What a story!

[@dopplerduck]

When he saw those etchings in black light and when he went down on his knees and saw the 'hashtag', the moment of realization... I can imagine what that moment must have felt like. This talk is so damn inspiring. Thank you.

[@garypuckettmuse]

sadly he had to equivocate about what it was like for him claiming it was probably this physical phenomena and that physical phenomena that made him feel like he was having an intense spiritual experience. I hope someday people don't feel like they have to hide those experiences in order to be "scientists." But, yep, to your point -- just try to imagine that moment!! Thrilling!

[@peggiulibarri4747]

Outstanding presentation! And discovery, Lee Berger. Thank whatever gods may be for people like you. Keep on keeping on and telling us about it.

[@pastrop2003]

Great conversation! Prof Berger is entitled to get royalties from the Indiana Jones franchise forever and ever. He is the real one!

[@Hiphiphooray490]

But without the destruction and racism 😊

[@thomasdequincey5811]

Did he write the screenplay? Spielberg Directed and he didn't star in the film. Oh, was he a Producer?

[@emillyhatfield456]

@@thomasdequincey5811he wasn’t involved he just gets compared to Indians jones

[@robo7756]

Go look up presentism and then you can stop crying about stupid shit on the internet@@Hiphiphooray490

[@DanceBeforeTheStorm_]

Gosh, I love this series...I want more! Thank you for doing it and making it accessible

[@consciousnessinanutshell]

This is one of the best World Science Festival videos I’ve seen (and I’ve seen quite a lot) 😊

[@karenthaler7741]

Dr. Berger is my new hero. His story is awesome and his dedication to understanding his discoveries. Thank you. This is fascinating.

[@bhagmeister]

Video should have been entitled “Writing the Story of Lee Berger”

[@cosmicdancer]

Mind blowing discoveries and motivational.

[@honkeykong9592]

Matthew has done more for paleontology in his adolescence than most experts their whole lives!

[@astrospect]

What a lucky kid. He got to find fossils with his dad, and I got to "hold the flashlight" and fetch beer lol.

[@jestermoon]

Thank you, Drofessor Green You are a teacher who paints pictures with your words. Stay Safe and Stay Free ❤

[@M0U53B41T]

Absolutely amazing! Human exceptionalism - we're not so exceptional after all. It's literally awe inspiring to see just how much we still have yet to learn.

[@magster6022]

I see examples of how much we have to learn every day. Hanging out with cats.

[@johnmartin3735]

We’re a species with amnesia something destroyed our long history records/archives to leave us ignorant suspersticous and egotistical dogmatic and stigmatized lil children on a planet that will believe in Santa forever never knowing our true history

[@errollleggo447]

Wow, thanks for this. Starts off a little slow, but after a half hour in I was riveted.

[@DogWalkerBill]

I am 74 years old now. When I was young, from about age 5 or 6, I wanted to be a paleontologist or archeologist. (Somebody gave me a dinosaur play set for Christmas. I had a book on natural history & dinosaurs that was my favorite "bed time story.") In high school my parents & teachers convinced me that there was no future in either since everything had been discovered. (We had King Tut's tomb & T-Rex & Brontosaurus. What else was there to discover?) I graduated high school in 1967. Lots of interesting things have been discovered, in both fields, since then. I worked in insurance & reinsurance most of my life and often found myself digging into the history of those subjects. Here you have one of the greatest discoveries ever: an improbable human species from before there were humans!

[@dm3on]

What a great story and a story teller, this takes number one spot of all world science festival videos.

[@PlakaDelos]

Wow! I was riveted by the information presented. Makes me wish I were starting out first time.

[@ianmarshall9144]

A fantastic talk , lets hope it inspires young people to keep the quest for knowledge burning bright .

[@DaboooogA]

Endlessly fascinating subject - we are on the verge of a major new understanding of human history.

[@GlenHunt]

This one was absolutely enthralling! I know a few grad school advisors who need to watch, not for the paleontology, but for the stellar example Lee sets.

[@albertakesson3164]

Wow, this was one of the best episodes I've see 'till now!

[@C-delaC]

Thank you Brian Greene & WSF for bringing those of us from other milieu and neophytes in sciences (like myself) closer to it. I am learning enormously from these talks. 🥰

[@brookels66]

Thank you Dr. Berger for your research &Brian being the best host ever. This kind of research is amazing because they're risking their lives for the betterment of the human race!

[@nycpaull]

Like a "who done it?" that you can't put down, this "who is it" story keeps you entranced to the last frame. Thanks so much for taking the time for great story telling.

[@Okijuben]

Roughly 50,000 generations for ever 1 million years. We have only just begun to dip our toes into the incredible story of our ancestors.

[@brianswelding]

Just finished watching, absolutely awesome! It's 11:42 p.m., I'm going out to dig in the yard right now.

[@trebledog]

Brian Greene when he is giving these introductions always reminds me of capt Kirk in Star Trek.

[@sebastiantorker4930]

Amazing talk! Totally captivating! I wasn’t bored a single second listening to it. Curious to see what mankind will still discover about our human origins!

[@wendyhill4757]

Iv'e watched every Lee Burger interview, lecture, movie I can find but this is the best. Maybe because Brian Greene is so good.

[@juanantonio1902]

Great presentation. I am in finance and have been driven by the same mindset. I always say: “Never let anyone make you believe that there is nothing else you can do to contribute or improve.”

[@pcstar123]

Dr. Berger pursues a career of one in 10 millions of finding a fossil, and his achievements of discovery is one in 8 billions!

[@jimbevan4107]

YES!!! Thank you for having this discussion and sharing it. It’s about time we looked into the past with a different lens. Thank you Brian!!!

[@javahead8]

An excellent and stunning interview.

[@Jerret17]

Man, those ancient people were brave to be crawling through such tight spaces. My hands are sweaty just watching.

[@depalans6740]

they were much smaller

[@Suzume-Shimmer]

​@@depalans6740 They werent much smaller than the women in these shots. According to what we know so far the smallest archiac humans were 4.7 as adults, yet plenty were as tall as 5.6. However this tunnel cave would be a tight squeeze for even a 4ft child. This was ,of course , a long time before lights and carrying some form of torch , if thats what they did , would have made it even more difficult.

[@deborahsimpson4968]

They weren't so detached from the earth as we have been raised to be

[@iraawtf]

@@deborahsimpson4968our connection to the earth has absolutely nothing to do with fitting in small spaces 😭😭😭 I agree with the thought process but let’s be for real

[@deborahsimpson4968]

@@iraawtf but agility and flexibility and lean muscle all developed through living and eating/foraging at earth level gives natural skills and abilities and body builds and physical and mental intrinsic understanding and comfort that first world living destroys.

[@riogalore]

Amazing storyteller about life experiences and discoveries! 🌟

[@jackielanglois8945]

Curiousness is such an essential trait to have. Encouraging that in children is the most important job in parents and teachers, it gives a yearning for something outside of ourselves and that gives one the itch to learn more. Sets a life of passion that is the spark to keep us moving forward ! Dr Berger rose to the challenges and continues to discover the lineage of man by his commitment to research and finding new technologies to find sites. And what discoveries!! So fascinating!

[@garypuckettmuse]

Great, amazing story! And on top of everything else he's accomplished he's really a master storyteller! You'll be glued to your seat!

[@abhirahulcena]

I've been waiting for this since morning. Greetings from Sweden

[@abhirahulcena]

@Pin Ky Yeah. It was a day off for me and had a lazy day. Needed something of value for my brain.

[@Lillaloppan]

Hej från Sverige👋😊!

[@abhirahulcena]

@@Lillaloppan Hej! Hur mår du? 😃

[@loushark6722]

Wow, this was thrilling 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@galeocean4182]

thank you for this remarkable conversation! it boggles the mind - in a good way🙂

[@ThoughtsAreReal]

This was SO good. I came expecting some middling-dry material that would teach me more about the deep history of humans on this little rock. By a few minutes in I was *hooked* on Dr. Berger's fascinating story. As a result of loving this episode so much I went and watched another WSF episode published a month earlier on the same topic and loved it also, though not quite as much as this one. Fantastic job, Dr. Berger and, as usual, excellent and exemplary hosting Dr. Greene. 🎉🎉🎉🎉😍😍😍😍

[@Jerret17]

I like the variety of study offered by this channel.

[@jrojala]

I’m loving all the coverage of this amazing discovery - I’m so glad this team are so PR savvy, we need more of this in science.

[@amdredlambda]

well captivating speaker, I learn a lot today. Excellent conversation, thank you.

[@norcalridgerunners4206]

Awesome amazing story! Wow

[@PhilipRhoadesP]

Fantastically interesting!

[@willmpet]

Brian Greene deserves to be on the cover of everything!

[@JonnoPlays]

What makes us human is cooking. No other animal cooks. The calories available from food go way up after cooking. Nobody ever seems to mention this incredibly obvious fact. There's a book called "catching fire: how cooking made us human" which explains this concept in depth through a collection of stories that are very interesting to read. If our brain is what makes us human then how did we get this brain? That's the real question which is totally ignored by modern science. It's not about the brain, it's about the length of the intestines. Once you understand how human energy works you'll realize this is true.

[@jimj9040]

Funny…I’m fairly sure humans can (and have) gotten by just fine without eating cooked foods. They can be soaked, frozen and thawed, sprouted, fermented and consumed in all kinds of ways that break down, propagate, or unlock nutrients otherwise unavailable. Cooking is just one (albeit more convenient) limited method of doing so.

[@aaronmbowden]

Such a brilliant mind and story teller

[@RafaelRTesta-nx5jp]

This was the best interview I´ve seen in World Science Festival...And I´ve seen dozens....Congratulations Brian...Very well managed. And of course a superb applause to Lee Berger...A fascinating journey....

[@sudhakarreddy1453]

Brian Greene has what it takes to be a great interviewer ❤❤

[@wildelizabeth]

Wow amazing. Down to earth explanation.

[@global_nomad.]

that was a great watch...and a great story....whatever you want to think about ego and performative story telling, you have to agree that the shift in understanding is incredible.

[@kingwillie206]

Hearing this stuff is extremely interesting, but seeing it is absolutely incredible!

[@larrycarino4903]

This is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing it.

[@patdee5124]

I always enjoy hearing this account about this astonishing discovery.

[@yesyoga]

Amazing! Goosebumps. Wow! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼✅💖

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

This is super emotional for me, even bigger than the first time I looked at what was found in Rising Star Cave. This ties all the ends of this exploration thanks to this human. These are not human, these people are pre human. Same with our new ai. It is not human, will never be human, no matter if it wished to be, it will not be us.

[@patrickwrx]

Thank You WSF!

[@XX-qi5eu]

Amazing discovery--those early 1970's chairs!

[@bastabey2652]

cool interview and fascinating discovery

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

I suspect there's a lot of envy in the profession due to Professor Berger's extraordinary success and charisma.

[@MrMrduke1975]

The human origin story is as awe inspiring and mysterious as the universe. I can’t imagine what the landscape, and how amazing the night sky must have looked! Awesome interview!

[@hochathanfire0001]

What an incredible journey with as jarring ups and they are downs.

[@annamariacarusone6619]

Amazing talk!

[@Drunk3nMonk3y72]

I remember when they first did the presentation of the discovery. Was a fascinating watch.

[@Idellphany]

Wow what an Amazing Story!

[@sunbird7349]

How wonderful Lee, your teams, your children, your account of these remarkable discoveries. for getting thin and then getting in-side that tiny space then finding those carvings on the wall. long may you continue to inspire great science and discovery, and just so you know, I am officially adopting you, so that you can..."Oh please tell me that all over again" Just brilliant and Kindest regards, Keith, Drakensberg South Africa.

[@jorgearango6108]

Extraordinary! Thank you

[@KellyBell1]

I absolutely could never go into caves like they do. Just sitting here watching the video and thinking about what it feels like to be way far back and then down into the Earth like this in tiny spaces, tunnels, tiny rooms is making me ill and claustrophobic right here in my living room.😧I could never do that as much as I wish I could! Bless these people who are willing to risk their lives trying to help us learn and understand species! 😊I did want to see many more pictures though. 🥴

[@invisibletoyou00]

Very interesting i love this stuff. I like Brian green when he talks about physics ect..he makes the talks even better in my opinion

[@czarina7786]

What a fabulous interview!

[@jaitanmartini1478]

Phenomenal!!

[@markring40]

Great episode!!

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting.

[@wesleypatterson2883]

You need to be there, this is a way. So well done.

[@alzmcfluffy]

Amazing find and story. Human arrogance is amazing - why is it so unbelievable that a species with a small brain could engage in such a ritualistic or "programmed" behaviour of bringing their deceased to a gathering place? Just as birds migrate every year to a specific gathering place or build amazing nests...and other animals have programmed behaviours - perhaps this behaviour is programmed into the human psyche. We big-brained humans carry it on thinking it is culture when it could be something much, much deeper than that.

[@NMansetJWard]

I had friends that were house sitting at Donald Johansan's apartment in Berkeley when he was in Africa...so my girlfriend and I visited one evening...I had no idea who Donald was, we were eating pizza in the living room...and we put in a vhs tape (National Geographic) ...about his work...and I noticed this book on the shelf...Lucy...so I bought it and it introduced me to that type of occupation...I had already read about Çatalhöyük... I remember this moment and it was just friends spending time together...I am 64...I was 26 then...memory is amazing

[@sricharannch4075]

This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. Shit I felt like a character in One Piece listening to Gol D Roger at the end. What an amazing story. Tears in my eyes watching this video. Thank you Brian Greene and WSF for bringing this content to us

[@katinapac-baez5083]

These were a people.... humbling... feeling kinda choked up.

[@pelida77]

-this guy is amazing

[@Allplussomeminus]

43:42. I'm glad we were allowed to see that. Makes you look at archeologists in a different light.

[@quinto3969]

Awesome video. I sew a lot of Capt. Kirk in Brian's exposition.

[@randy1984d]

This was fascinating!