The Evolution and Meanings of Human Skin Color | Nina Jablonski

Variation in human skin color has fascinated and perplexed people for centuries. As the most visible aspect of human variation, skin color has been used in the past as a basis for classifying people into “races.” In this lecture, Leakey Foundation grantee Nina Jablonski discusses the evolution of human skin color and how color-based race concepts have influenced societies and impacted social well-being.
"The Evolution and Meanings of Human Skin Color" was presented at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on September 27, 2018, as part of The Leakey Foundation's Speaker Series program in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Sponsored by:
Ann and Gordon Getty
Camilla and George Smith
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
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[@NGC7000]

This’s why education is a must for humans. So much prejudices would just vanish if we were more educated. Only education can save us from ourselves. Beautiful lecture.

[@billfarley9167]

Tell that to the German educated when they were deeply involved in the holocaust.

[@katarinavidakovic4718]

Bravoo

[@PrivateSi]

How then can we answer questions such as 'Why are there distinct Ethnic Majorities in most areas at most times?'.... Wokeness and Liberal Values must not be allowed to infect anthropology, history and hominid genetics as Racism is a major factor, if not the main factor. Self-segregation happens as much as forced segregation, historically.. Using academic subjects to preach Leftist drivel should be banned on brain-numbing, nasty political grounds. Your lots are pushing a Transhumanist Revolution from every angle, as a Natural Human Racist.

[@gelbsucht947]

Experience is the best school there is and if it gives rise to prejudices that serve to protect us, then it has been beneficial to us.

[@davidnjohn]

So many prejudices or so much predudice, plural -many, much - singular, youre welcome 😊

[@stacy5243]

I’m just a regular lay person that happened upon this….it’s SUPER interesting and particularly so because of how it’s presented…it’s extremely obvious that you, madam lecturer, are intensely excited about the subject and you make it clear, interesting and even entertaining to listen…thank you so much!

[@dannylavoy9035]

Even someone with limited science background,such as myself could follow and become engrossed in the topic. Superlative!

[@thesjkexperience]

Thank you! I’ve wanted to know this for 50 years. I’m of Norse heritage and have supplemented with Vit D for years during the dark half of the year and feel so much better. Just fascinating.

[@paulskehan693]

Yeah for sure. I've been doing the same thing here in Ireland.

[@micheledix2616]

Even in an Australian sunny for almost 100% of the year climate, , many of us with lighter skins must supplement with Vit D. In my own situation where I have a light skin from a Scots heritage 5 generations back and very rarely properly use sunscreen ( laziness mostly) and do get daily sun exposure, and yet, test VitD low unless supplemented.

[@goodlookinouthomie1757]

In the UK we call it SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Basically meaning you feel crap in the winter.

[@anneconyers-hom4172]

Agree with commenters who agree this all should be taught in all the schools. We are all alike.

[@felixmidas3245]

@@micheledix2616 I'm not sure you've understood the video. The problem to produce vitamin D is not the light skin. Light skin actually makes it easier to get as much vitamin D as possible because it is an adaptation to living in the north where there is not enough sunlight. It is exactly the lack of sun that causes the lack of vitamin D. Dark skinned people living in the north have a much bigger problem producing high levels of vitamin D than white skinned people because their skin colour is adapted to more sun. What really is dangerous though is, as you do, not to use sunscreen. There are high levels of skin cancer in Australians with white skin who don't use sun screen, so you should reconsider this habit however lazy you may be.

[@OneOfUsHere]

My science teacher showed her 3rd to 6th grade students many progressive ideas. After I learned about this skin color it led me to take on a personal philosophy of "We're all the same under our skin." Thank you for sharing your hard work.

[@M-T-123]

That’s because you’re compassionate and reasonable! thank you for sharing!

[@Seagirlcheri]

Yes only cultural differences, which leads to a differing view, but those open can be receptive to that.

[@scottherod7732]

This is so fascinating!! As black people, my parents and I often expressed an inquisitiveness and had intense discussions about how and from where varieties of pigmentation were derived throughout human history around the globe. I love how Dr. Jablonski explains this complex phenomena in terms that any layperson can understand, and with so much enthusiasm and passion about her subject.

[@Lostmissionary]

@@leekenyon8705 I say that colour has no bearing on intelligence but access and drive for education is the answer. Your average European African or Asian living in poverty with little access to education and a drive for survival rather than intellectual betterment, which all are capable of, are in the same intellectual boat. Less poverty and more education is essential to lifting all peoples. It's not a colour differential its a wealth one.

[@leekenyon8705]

@@Lostmissionary Your view is not based on real unbiased science but politics.

[@Lostmissionary]

@@leekenyon8705 Yup social, environmental and economic politics. There is no empirical scientific evidence proven to show otherwise, race being a social construct, whereas, there is science and study to back up environment, lack of poverty and education. There is no difference theoretical or empirical. humans are not different. Race is a social construct not a biological one. Race exists because of conscious or unconscious bias inventing it.

[@leekenyon8705]

@@Lostmissionary people believe this or pretend to that their are no races , abandoning both reason and science.

[@Lostmissionary]

@@leekenyon8705 I disagree. I brought reason and science whereas you've brought nothing to the table to forward your argument.

[@burnylowe-miller4012]

Awesome. This information should be required in all schools. We are more alike. Period.

[@killgatescovidlie1301]

No we are not. I refuse to be labeled as such.. why would I want to be like you?? I see so many irresponsible obese individuals that refuse to take responsibility in the way they live. There are many cultures and societies that I will never be able to associate. No WE ARE NOT THE SAME.. it is not about education, it is a reality.

[@vickilawrence7207]

Absolutely agree 💯%

[@dny_will4857]

100 percent. I'm a millennial black American male. we are all connected.

[@burlingtonpark4136]

This woman is a brilliant teacher.I loved taking her tour through hominid history.I thought her treatment of Kant was quite fair and balanced.Evolutionary Biology really rocks when this lady sings!

[@africanhistory]

She went after Hume and Kant, and showed them for what they really were. What a profound presentation.

[@alecmisra4964]

Yeah but other characteristics corelate with skin colour, probably due to corelated pressures - this she cannot acknowledge in an honest way. These additional pressures probably relate to those differences noticed (and admittedly exagerrated) by kant, hume etc, dating back to the ancient world.

[@uwanttono4012]

@@alecmisra4964 Care to give a fact based example to support your thesis?

[@pathfinderwellcare]

@@alecmisra4964 please provide examples of these "other characteristics". My request is sincere. I am trying to understand. Thank you.

[@dianewhalen9721]

This should be taught in all education systems.What a huge deconstruction of thinking and rethinking about skin color!Thank you so much for this lecture.

[@jamesschneider2091]

Outstanding lecture. Professor Jablonski skillfully shows us that the science of evolutionary biology is education which works to unite . . . as opposed to divide humanity.

[@stevesimkins3918]

lacks historytho

[@dbabini1]

It's modern science- come up with a theory that is politically correct, then look for evidence to support it; as opposed to real science which is- gather facts and observe nature, then propose a theory. Her ideas are great, they make most people feel warm and fuzzy there's only one problem with what she's saying and that is...REALITY

[@jahguide1122]

You are who we needed to lecture us with this magnificent work. IM PROUD OF YOU. Thank you

[@BloobleBonker]

Absolutely fantastic presentation. For sure the vitamin d issue is key. As a physicist I was taught that thermodynamics also is a factor. Light skin helps us radiate less heat in the cold north while dark skin helps people get rid of heat in the tropics (provided they aren't mad dogs and englishmen going out in the midday sun!)

[@KayAteChef]

I thought that the effect of how dark a body is is mainly in absorption of heat rather than the rate of radiation from that body. I.e. the radiation is a product of the temperature of the body. However the darker object will heat up faster in the glow of the Sun or a lamp etc.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

Dr. Jablonski used the term thermoregulation to describe our ability to "remove/retain" heat. Skin color has little effect on heat loss, relative to predicate methods of relying on fur. Skin color's impact is there, but minor. Heat loss from fur-less skin is much more (orders more) than by skin color alone. So it's minor. And the Vit. D issue isn't key. Melanin & Vitamin-D production are "yin/yang" symbiotic - *_both_** are key* to survival.

[@BloobleBonker]

@@keep-ukraine-free Thanks for that. Clearly there are many factors involved.

[@BloobleBonker]

@@KayAteChef The effects of colour on absorption and emission are exactly equal. Otherwise if you put a dark object next to a light one the light one would spontanously heat up and the dark one cool down. A very fundamental symmetry in thermodynamics!

[@KayAteChef]

@@BloobleBonker Interesting

[@BananaCake26]

Wonderful, knowledgable speaker. What I appreciated most is that all this knowledge was connected via the cooperation of different scientific disciplines, from anthropology, genetics to geography.

[@alanmcneill2407]

It is sad that we still have people that will refute scientific analysis and cling to the Hume;Kant perspectives. Some people will always refuse to believe science and the statements this inteligent and compassionate lady has well verified. So, it is so very true, we must educate our small children about these facts, and the history of our "Founding fathers" needs to be told.. Thank you for the fine presentation and your continued work!!

[@joshuagharis9017]

As a headshot photographer, skin tones are incredibly important, difficult to replicate and beautiful 😊

[@mariacoronel2547]

Masterfully explained. I have been interested in genetics, human adaptation abilities, skin color, etc. She is so good at transferring her knowledge of these topics. Great master class!

[@MrGsteele]

The lecture drifted from interesting science to clownish chiding and virtue signaling - admonishing us to make a perhaps dishonest change in society that can't work if there is, indeed, a difference; a difference now clouded by the radioactively-charged word "race" but that is, in fact, a difference that is simply "difference." Ignoring a real difference, if it exists, is dishonest and counterproductive and cannot lead to the solution of problems which have arisen from that difference. It must be addressed head on, whether doing so is politically correct or not. To preach otherwise is to be cowardly - at a moment in time that calls for bravery, lest we perpetuate injustice because we refuse to address a reality-based course of action. And if you can't even talk about it because someone's feelings might be hurt, or you will be shouted down, the solution will never be found.

[@Alan-71351]

Before listening, somebody tell me: Did she mention folks moving from Africa and spreading across the globe and acquiring differing physical features, succesibilities to diseases , skin colors, etc? PBS did a thing on that I the last few years of the 20th century and it was NEVER SHOWN AGAIN! THIS FROM A STATION THAT REPEATS EVERYTHING OVER AND OVER. I've often wondered why they never brought that show back. Was it because a scientist on the program came out and and said there is only one race;that the physical differences only represent the geographic areas we settled in.? If she emphasized what I just wrote, I can't wait to watch and listen. If not, she's dodging the truth like all those others , who unlike that scientist I brought up, are too scared to admit it!

[@bouffant-girl]

Ancient Land Bridges account for the physical characteristics and cultural similarities between Native American cultures and Asian Cultures

[@suellanewell1177]

@@Alan-71351ÿv C ze’d CD 😅

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

@@MrGsteele Right, so you’re going to keep searching for a reason-confirmation-of your inculcated biases. Got it.

[@charmaineclayton2018]

What a clear and interesting lecture. She is clear, and she backs it up with respectful research.

[@teddibeard9346]

It’s rare for me to stick with a video due to attention span & (dis)interest level. Happy to say that this wonderful teacher had me hooked the whole way through and I learned so much! I’m grateful for this video.

[@bonsummers2657]

ACKNOWLEDGE ALBINOS OF ALL RACES. APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCES OF THE DIFFERENT RACES.

[@TheLeakeyFoundation]

Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@tigertiger1699]

Lol, me to.. I’m super interested but just never last long😂👍

[@veronicapagelaflin]

As a former High School teacher I feel you and I chose what I would present very carefully for that very reason

[@VinnieS2057]

I personally discovered Dr. Jablonski, not by accident, but by being curious on different lectures on TedTalk! I always had a deep interest on why are we here , and where did we all (or who) come from. Thank you so much for sharing this lecture. I did subscribe….

[@errollwalker9151]

Great lecture! This needs to be added to our children’s curriculum!

[@stevesimkins3918]

lacks real history

[@arielvalencia4583]

hahaha! just to disorientate kids? or to ideologize them with her wokism?

[@curtisthomas2670]

The opposite of being woke is being asheep

[@Malvegil357]

Can't they tell the race of a skeleton based on the bone structure?

[@jethrobodineus]

@@Malvegil357 facts. However, there are a plethora of factors surrounding cranial separations of humans involving natural selection. What we call “races” are societal constructs and not grounded in scientifically proven facts.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

This talk is such a gem, for its simple and clear explanations! Dr. Jablonski explains the science so well, making it fully engaging. She explains an area of our shared humanity, clearing the nonsensical ideas of race and racism. There's only one human race - and it's beautiful.

[@terryhuffaker3615]

And we are all family...

[@timotheewilliams9086]

I learned more in one hour watching this than all my years in that complete failure known as public school, also as she said why isn't this being taught in school ???

[@26beegee]

The Florida governor surely would not allow it to be taught there.

[@timotheewilliams9086]

@Beegee I know, I'm live in Florida😄, he[ DeSantis]thinks he's going to become president talking about WOKE at every news conference, that may work on Florida Man/Woman because they're a bunch of ignorant racists, but it's not going to fly nationally.

[@goodlookinouthomie1757]

Banning critical race theory is a step toward it. That's an ideology that seeks only to divide.

[@StephBer1]

This lecture and lecturer is wonderful. My summary of this is that there is no one colour or pigment that is superior, rather that humans are superior is adapting to their environments and each "race" has been the best adaptation for the climate and geographical area of Earth in which they live. In this way, there is no difference between us, we are just humans being the best we can be. Thank you Dr Jablonski.

[@normandubowitz1965]

Your logic ,your articulation , makes you an utterly engaging lecturer.I am captivated by your brilliant lecture .

[@OldLadyOnTheInternet]

Thank you for your lecture! This is the best explanation of human pigmentation I’ve ever heard and must admit I had a faulty theory without understanding vitamin D connection. I’m so appreciative of this study and The education provided by The Leaky Foundation. I was aware early in my childhood of Dr. Louis Leaky and have continued to value the scientific awareness and continued research content published in various resources my entire life. I love this. ❤

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

58:55 - The phrase “Incomplete data but lots of attitude” perfectly describes many of my family get-togethers - this ought to be on a T-shirt...

[@leekenyon8705]

Why do people with different skin colors have such vast difference intelligence and this is not only true with whites but also asian groups that have paler or darker skin colors?The ideals of evolutions suggests that the environments of europe made life challenging enough that europeans had to evolve a higher level of adverage intelligence to survive . Afrcia had a very gentle climate during the ice age. Their is a saying about the wolf keeping the deer fleet of foot by eating the slowest deer.

[@JimBalter]

@@leekenyon8705 "Why do people with different skin colors have such vast difference intelligence" Why do racists tell this lie?

[@naturalinstinct4950]

​@@leekenyon8705Because epigenetic (the environment, even yourself demonstarted with the ice age example) factors also affects phenotypes (in this case intelligence). I notice youve been typing the same message in many comments and at least try to articulate yourself in a scientific way so you should know better than believing the racial difference of intelligence is more than genetic, but instead epigenetic factors that are continuing to be at play in contemperary era in the form of accessing to education, economic status etc.

[@leekenyon8705]

@@naturalinstinct4950 How can anybody argue with Genetics having a strong effect on intelligence and behavior. use of the intelligence and the person mental state can very much effect the mind that is both influenced by genetics and environment. Nature requires some amount of flexibility for survival and adaption to changing and more challenging environment. like the ice age and such adaption can even result in the death of most of the species with to much failure resulting in extinction.

[@naturalinstinct4950]

@@leekenyon8705 first we are talking about within random distribution range of IQ, not mental retardation due to genetic diseases, therefore it is a multi-gene and environmental effect on the overall phenotype of IQ. Second the method of which IQ is tested has been shown to be biased in favour of western education. Theses two facts together demonstrates how wrong it is to assume inter-racial genetic difference as the main factor affecting IQ

[@VinnieS2057]

History from her studies must be taught in all schools from all levels!!!!

[@vm5954]

Why?

[@thenativist6330]

It’s mostly lies ..

[@chuckleezodiac24]

settle down, Beavis.

[@brainworthy]

Nina Jablonski is very passionate and knowledgeable on the subject of skin colour. Sun and UV rays can explain why we are darker in the equator areas and lighter in the northern regions. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

I'm not debating the info etc. I'm strictly commenting on this woman's ability to clearly get across the presentation...as a former teacher I appreciate a well executed lesson..great job

[@vincentstackohare1082]

She could sum this up in about 10 seconds and let the poor audience get their lives back :)

[@markpkessinger]

@@vincentstackohare1082 -- Sure, she could have presented her basic thesis in 10 minutes, or even less, most likely. But she is also explaining the basis of it by providing examples. This is what any competent teacher does!

[@devorahcohen7456]

She presents scientific theory of evolutionary biology, history, social organization/constructs and human capacity, such as vision, to correct the fallacies of racism. Bravo. I hope her pathway is successful for educating children, who are our future.

[@kathyl3918]

Such a great speed and tone in her voice. I agree with you!

[@kathyl3918]

@@vincentstackohare1082 I enjoyed the entire lecture. I'm sorry you did not.

[@arlenedrakes3620]

Wonderful lessons, need to get rid of the ignorance in mankind hope that evolves

[@ivin6415]

No im not ignorant of the lie of macro evolution

[@JesusChrist5000]

The media is keeping racism alive. The truth is, white people admire a tan and they admire naturally dark skin and big lips. So it is a hateful fallacy that white people hate people simply for being darker skinned.

[@lrayvick]

@@JesusChrist5000 It is relatively simple to describe the evolution of skin color compared to the evolution of tribal cultures. Tribes, the fundamental organization of human groups, have always "hated" many other tribes. I venture to say it is an evolutionary trait as natural as skin color, a trait that in its positive is called tribalism.

[@emmanuelm7]

@@lrayvick he’s talking about in the 21st century… humans are intelligent enough to know the fact that skin color is natural. Most of us are not racist aka, the media has an agenda to keep us divided…

[@lrayvick]

martinez humans have not suddenly evolved the ability to minimize physical differences. It is a fundamental survival instinct to categorize those who are different than ourselves whether skin color, hair type, facial characteristics, sex, age, religion, etc.

[@lindathomson3270]

Should be taught worldwide. Riveting from start to finish. ❤

[@rogeremmerson]

Fabulous. Both the information and its presentation. An absolute model for connecting the non-scientist with science. On a more personal note, my wife was born in the Orkney Islands and has typically Nordic pale skin and coppery hair. Even now, living only as far south as Edinburgh (the 56th parallel), she cannot expose her skin to our 'summer' sun. My children, barring my youngest daughter who has my more pigmented complexion which tans, are all fair-haired, while my eldest grandson has the full Scottish complement of red hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Thank you for making it all clear.

[@infini1970]

Should be a required watch in all Jr. High or High schools in the USA.

[@BOLOforJESUStheTRIBULTIONear]

Why-so they can spread more lies!! I couldn’t even make it 2 minutes. Evolution is a lie we did NOT come from monkeys or apes. Everything we have ever been taught has been a lie. Stop 🛑 believing their BS lies!!

[@FelonyVideos]

What careers can our kids use this information in? The answer is none. We don't need to brainwash our kids with theories, when it's already hard enough to teach them to read and write and do basic math to balance their checkbooks.

[@FelonyVideos]

Should we also teach public school kids about the IQ maps of native people's, which almost exactly matches the UVR maps?

[@iwillroam]

@@BOLOforJESUStheTRIBULTIONear To my knowledge, nobody's ever made that claim; so you're free to stake a flag in it, if you feel that strongly about making sure people don't ever begin to believe that. But, back to the claim - of course we did not; to the best of my knowledge, nobody but the religious groups have claimed we come from monkeys and apes. Anyone with a mind and a moment of introspect can come to the conclusion that we did not; but that we are related, genetically, to the life on this planet. We did not come from bananas, either, but we share a genetic code outside of our own control. We are a part of the flow of life on this planet; it's our big, beautiful family of Earth.

[@YAHsWay]

DO A REPORT ON ALBINOS YOU WOULD ACTUALLY LEARN MORE!!! This is another cavemen-psuedo-science.

[@vedashriram39]

I am from India. Tq for the excellent lecture. Wish more and more people watch it and absorb the message propagated by you.

[@ytalchemy]

Vedashi ram, I am in total agreement, as an Asian. This is an important lecture which should be shared as much as possible. Humans are one race. One people. Our African, Indian and Polynesian brothers and sisters are all melanin-rich people, with natural Vitamin D protection. It's a good sign of progress when we all can embrace our common brotherhood. Peace and love to us all, including our de-pigmented fellow humans also.

[@charleskennedy7951]

Vedashri Ram Indian society discriminates against their dark skinned people and place them into Lower class castes.

[@vedashriram39]

@@charleskennedy7951 I am dark skinned and so are many people South of India and maybe lesser people North of India. And we are not discriminated, except in the business of movies. So put a hold to your horses. Mixing caste and class that's a wonderful idea to demean us.

[@GM-kz5bk]

Forward it to Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump and his Family.

[@laurahoshaw7188]

@@ytalchemy 🤣

[@GingerJesusSaves]

I served under Col Richard Leakey, his grandfather discovered the oldest human skull in the Great rift valley. Would love to hear her talk about hair colour for an hour too!

[@MANSAH-DaGr8]

This information is so important to biological science and explains so much.

[@chrissnyder2091]

I periodically have to remind people that skin color is irrelevant, if you can interbreed it means you're the same. Though I have to admit that different skin tones can add an element of novelty. I'm an average pinky-beige Caucasian and my girlfriend is a wonderful light brown Hispanic. To me her skin tone is a delicious side benefit.

[@samhall3821]

Kinda takes me back to a field trip in grade school, seeing a sign on the bus stating that the seats were available to all "regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin". Ah, innocence; didn't understand the need, the meaning, or the history. But a couple of bullying incidents later, I did know _too well_ the face of hate. But not the why.

[@lisaadams2118]

This is the most educational video I’ve seen! I’ve always thought the color of our skin had to do with where we lived. This video should be taught in schools everywhere. It’s wonderful information!

[@jennyfulcher8035]

Dear Prof. Jablonski: Wow! This was a most fascinating and enlightening presentation on the evolution of skin color. It's amazing how our different skin colors evolved as our bodies' adaptation to varied climates and levels of UV exposure. Also how originally skin color wasn't important as a value judgement until Hume and Kant came along and published their hubristic, prejudicial opinions that became the basis of hierarchal racism. We need to teach ALL of our children to celebrate and embrace their beautifully-diverse skin colors and to value their own intrinsic self worth. Thank you for your thought-provoking presentation. Sincerely, Jenny

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

When I was young I made friends with people who had different skin colors. I really didn't know the difference. My parents didn't talk about people's skin colors and my dad worked with a lot of black and brown people. When I found out about prejudice I was astounded. I've never judged anybody by their skin color and it seemed so ridiculous to me. I always thought it had something to do with the sun but I wasn't sure. After hearing your talk I am much more sure of myself and my beliefs. And skin color has nothing to do with other physical characteristics, as you pointed out. That's why you can't say, "black people have kinky hair," or "black men have large penises," because there are just as many differences in blacks as in people of any other race.

[@saul2007t]

A great and well needed lecture.

[@joannamupalouw5979]

Wait not all humans evolved from "the monkeys" some are created in the image and likeness of Yahweh so we believe.

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

@@joannamupalouw5979 Well, nobody knows what God, Allah or Yahweh looks like so I guess that's a safe bet.

[@jamies7899]

@@johnallenismynameandmusici2796 Muslims don’t believe that humans and God look alike. In Islam, God is beyond comprehension, beyond anything in creation, and cannot be reduced to descriptions that human language require of beings, like having a body; furthermore, any use of this type of language in relation to God in Islam is metaphorical, again due to the limits of human language. As an example of an effect of a limitation in human language, in English I am forced to use S/He to refer to God, but in Arabic, God is gender neutral because the language is less limited in this respect ( re: expressing gender); this has resulted in English language culture and other European language cultures to conceptualize God as male (as the masculine form was predominant). So, what we have here is both language and theology working together to create a male, humanoid God. Just an FYI :)

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

@@jamies7899 You are correct. Language is very clumsy. I think of "God" as "It." Neither male or female. It is on a level of consciousness that is so far above ours that it is incomprehensible. I think It is in every rock, every human, every tree and is all-knowing. But we're not here to worship God, It doesn't need that. What It wants is for us to utilize all of our comprehension to fight for good because evil lies in the hearts of men. It did not create evil, we did.

[@Perthgirl00]

Hi Nina, I knew you were destined for greatness when we met at UWA many years ago, and it was a joy to visit you at the Academy of Social Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Best Wishes for 2022!

[@OldLady-um9kt]

Wonderful video, thank you. I had watched Dr. John Campbell last year when he had mentioned this subject and it sparked my intrest. I ran across your lecture / video and immediately ordered your book and told my friends to watch. This should be taught in every school. Thank you so very much.

[@carolinepitts1169]

Oh the timing. I saw a Dr talking about Folic Acid for adults recently and as a person suffering with post Lyme and now long COVID I chose to start taking it. WOW! I have started rebuilding muscle structure! It's tiny, but I can tell in strength and endurance! And I'm turning 70 in Sept!

[@fretnesbutke3233]

It's likely Ms.Jablonski has a Doctorate. I have a sister whose a professor,and I can tell you,being of Polish heritage,am so proud of her. It's always so good to see 'ski' followed by 'PhD'. It's a sad fact that so many people never hold the racial falsehoods implanted since infancy under critical analysis. It was a long process for myself, which couldn't have happened without life experience,for me to come to an appreciation of how individual identity and heritage,in all its variety,is one of the most fascinating aspects of our human tribe. Anyone whose had a surprise insight hiding in their DNA test results knows that sudden illumination. We are our own greatest enigma.

[@firecatgreg]

If you think that we are predisposed to being a certain way by DNA that is scientific Calvinism and it's very much related to a mindset that spawned the NAZI party. Replacing fate with DNA programming does not represent freedom. Each human has potential we do have differences but we are not programmed to be superior. All that pride is often used to start wars and is no more scientific than any other prejudice.

[@cloutlordree3057]

Like this video? Its full of bs

[@kimlowe705]

Thank you, Nina Jablonski, for such a wonderful, engaging, educational presentation.

[@johnchristopher7697]

What an outstanding presentation/lecture! This should be required learning for elementary school social studies.

[@deniaridley]

Agreed!

[@nknatewood8226]

John Christopher: *_ONLY_* to the point of the _specific_ science. The science has been in place for a number of decades and explains much about why we humans are different colors. That said, there is little "new" here; possibly better/more fully explained than previously. *_However---_* The near *pejorative lecture* (misplaced _anger_ can be seen quite plainly on the speaker's face on a number of occasions during said talk/lecture) should be _left out/deleted_ in entirety, including the disparaging attacks on Kant, Hume, et al.

[@socialworkersanonymous]

What a beautiful, evidence-based presentation. I watched in its entirety. As a recent MSW graduate, I appreciate this research from a scientific and social perspective. I’m definitely downloading.

[@fdickens3659]

I liked the explanation of the UVA, B, and C significance. I was intrigued by how a person from Southern India, Australia, and the Africa can all have the same skin tone but totally different facial features. I would love to hear how eyes, nostrils, muscle tone, and hair came to be different although I think I know some of it. I would like to hear the science of it.

[@Joel-uv5tg]

@@fivestar000 I think her whole point is that we shouldn't be putting all Africans in one basket: they are a diverse group of peoples, out of which all other peoples came.

[@markcredit6086]

@@fivestar000 wrong

[@KathyPrendergast-cu5ci]

Differences in facial features, just like differences in skin tone, come about over long periods of time among populations of the same species geographically separated from one another, and it's seen in many species other than humans. Skin colour is considered a very superficial characteristic, meaning it can change in a very short time in a population; we can see that ourselves when a biracial couple have children. Their children usually have skin colour lighter than one parent's, and darker than the other. If they go on to have children with other dark-skinned people, all of the white parent's descendants could be dark-skinned in a couple of generations. It goes the other way, too. The very dark-skinned people of some parts of Southern India and Sri Lanka may have had ancestors who lived further north and had lighter skin. There is still a lot we don't know and can only theorize about. Sometimes there are adaptive reasons for a characteristic - eg., a larger or thinner nose, or a wider face with higher cheekbones, or a smaller mouth or eyes - being favoured and spreading throughout a population, but not always. There is a great deal of difference in features even among African people; in fact the people of the continent are far more diverse, genetically, than all the human beings outside Africa, indicating our species inhabited only that continent for most of our existence and the migrations out of it happened only relatively "recently". Anthropologists and other scientists keep setting back these timelines; it used to be more or less agreed that the first human migrations out of Africa happened no earlier than 60,000 years ago, but there are now some theories that they started as long ago as 100,000 years ago, and that anatomically modern humans - i.e., humans no different physically or mentally from humans today - could have existed on the African continent for as long as 600,000 years. Fossil records tell us very little, and they don't even exist in many kinds of environments.

[@gabriele1052]

great....great....great!!!!!!thank you very very very much!!! i was wondering for years how to explain it especially to the children of the world. so beautiful to see this! i am very happy!

[@dny_will4857]

The amazing Nina Jablonski. She is a true trailblazer and humanitarian in every sense.

[@georgegrubbs2966]

Excellent presentation. Thanks. I learned quite a bit about the origin of racism, especially the roles of David Hume and Immanuel Kant.

[@paul9156c]

THANK YOU ! wonderful, informative, and so, so true !! I sure hope "they" listen closely, with good comprehension, because if they do, peace may break out, and spread, all over the world...and if "they" don't listen, or comprehend...I shudder the thought. Thank you again. The true heros of humanity, if humanity survives itself, will be the peace makers.

[@DoctorHemi]

Very interesting talk. Dr. Jablonski has a very effective, enthusiastic way of speaking. Other science speakers would do well to adopt her style.

[@scottscott232]

Wow, this has got to be the VERY BEST OF THE BEST in explaining skin colour, and the consequences of how ignorant men capitalised on their ignorance, and social standing.

[@montymartell2081]

This is my second time watching this this is so incredibly fascinating and makes me realize just what a genius Darwin is this is pure and simple evolution just like the finches

[@criticalthought7527]

Thank you Nina for an excellent presentation of your evolutionary hypothesis explaining melanation in Human Beings. I was unaware of the folate argument and will study further. Peace and love, j

[@26beegee]

Fascinating explanation of the reasons for the beautiful array of skin colors.

[@PEPESCON]

Beautiful presentation. Loved it. Should be school curriculum must in North America. Thank you for it.

[@vivthespiv1]

Brilliant. Ive been waiting for such a study for some time and will be saturating mysèlf into it again. How fortunate we are to be granted access into this research. Thank You.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

This is not new research. This info has been known in the scientific community (taught in colleges) for decades. Dr. Jablonski's presentation summarizes decades of work, done by 100s of scientists in many scientific fields. Her presentation is for the public, because even today, many in the public do not know these obvious facts.

[@poladelarosa8399]

Well presented and quite elucidating. Lots of new information for this viewer about the evolution of melanin across temperature zones, plus the function and importance of folic acid for the development of the neural tube. Many thanks.

[@FredHsu]

Wow. This is an exquisite talk. She is so passionate about the topic such that one can't stop listening to this great story.

[@paulettewoodard9318]

@Autumn Cast Apparently you missed the beginning of her talk. Human evolved from same line as chimpanzees and had fur. When creatures started becoming more human the legs lengthened so they could run instead of mostly hanging out in and around trees. Then there was less shade, so bare skin with more sweat glands kept them cool as they ran. Then that bare white skin was too vulnerable to sun damage so darker skins provided protection. Each step in those directions kept more alive to reproduce.

[@GrandmaCathy]

@Autumn Cast Are you crazy? Not all animal skin is white. Not all human skin is white. Northern areas need less UV protection and more vitamin D accessibility. Southern areas need more UV protection and have more D available. All shades are suited to their climate. Imagine if evolution happened as fast as modern travel. You could be dark and light in one day. JK.

[@leliacogar9051]

Wonderfully stated and easy for most to understand and I agree with you 100%😗 I am happy to have this GOLDEN nugget of information...thank you.

[@newkamanda3884]

What a beautiful and mind boggling information. Indeed, this needs to be taught not Only in schools, but in every home.

[@Doloresdavis1971]

Thank you so very much for such an engrossing topic. Years ago, after learning in biology that sunlight triggered the body to make Vitamin D and also having observed that people were lighter or darker depending on their proximity to the Equator, I theorized that the availability of the sun was directly responsible for the multitude of skin colors. I also concluded that some lighter toned peoples also re-gained the ability to process milk due to the lack of sun in northern climates. I would carefully explain my theory to people but, unfortunately, living in Texas my thoughts were shot down and claimed heretical. Your presentation has vindicated me.

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

I totally agree with you and I left a comment above. All this hatred and animosity because of the sun. It is not logical thinking. You know nothing about a person, whether he or she is good or bad or anything, but you automatically hate them because of their skin color? Texas was the last bastion of the Civil War and many white people moved there to escape the War. But Sam Houston was a great man and I don't know what his position on slavery was. I hope he didn't support slavery.

[@kodowdus]

The fascinating parallel history of the development of lactase persistence among dairying people (including certain African cultural groups) also vindicates your point of view.

[@JosepCardedeu]

I agree, and I would add that in colder climates people tend to cover their skin, making it more difficult to absorb light. The exception are the Inuits, but they get a lot of vitamin D through their diet.

[@leonhardtkristensen4093]

@@johnallenismynameandmusici2796 The topic of this video about skin color I believe is right. Racism and slavery however is much older I believe. Wars between tribes have probably existed long before white people and slavery came from the beaten people being taken as loot from the war. Also we keep forgetting that things where different back then. The rulers didn't think much of the common people. Just look at the millions of people being killed in WW1 and WW2. I believe in that we should allow every body to have a reasonably good standard of living but we must also allow some to get ahead because other wise we will never develop. If some body does some thing extra he must be rewarded. My experience from having worked in the Soviet Union in the 70's was that people wasn't very productive when working for the state. I was told that 5% of the land was still in private hands but 30% of the food was produced on these 5%

[@bonsummers2657]

ACKNOWLEDGE ALBINOS OF ALL RACES. APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCES OF THE DIFFERENT RACES.

[@sgrinev]

Wonderful and very relevant work done by Dr. Jablonski and her team

[@waynethompson1115]

Thank you to my 6th grade teacher for teaching this to me 40 yrs ago,,,,,,this just encourages my diet more

[@afiherman6053]

Finally, I get an answer to skin colour types. What an awesome lecture and great research.

[@hopelessnerd6677]

The absolute best information we could have right now. Thanks!

[@marymcneill779]

Wonderful talk that everyone needs to hear.

[@jonathanjordahl1681]

Thank you very much for this detailed presentation. I have long pondered this question, and as a teacher, especially appreciate the freely downloadable curriculum you offer at the end. Kudos! ❤

[@i.b.blithe3263]

Dr. Jablonski, thank you for an interesting lecture. I thoroughly enjoyed your believable interpretation and explanation of evolutionary skin pigmentation and de-pigmentation. As a black man, I want to add that the United States system of government and 99% of the citizens have in my opinion removed all regulatory bias regarding skin color. It is up to the citizens to remove color bias in the minds of our children. God bless you and God bless the USA.

[@Belle19700]

This lady is just fabulous. How smart is she!.

[@achimwokeschtla7582]

That we have shades of color shouldn’t be a surprising realization as it is so obvious. 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️ Once we lost our hair we needed sun protection, that’s what melanin is all about. I am surprised that it sounds like a new breakthrough understanding when I already knew in school some 50 years ago that different skin color is just different sun protection.

[@rtee4086]

Achim Wokeschtla; Have ever stop to think that this Video isnt just for you, There may be many people around the world who never knew this, try and check your arrogance.

[@starlyght_illumine144]

Completely & respectfully disagree! No disrespect but that’s what you were taught to believe in this materialistic epoch. Melanin is MUCH more than skin colour! Melanin represents the HIGHER spiritual universal ORDER. EVERYTHING comes from darkness!! There are laws that governs the universe, one of those laws is the universal law of polarity (duality/law of opposites) look keenly & you will see this manifested all around you, even in the abstract, your mind is also a polarity. What this means in metaphysical terms is, black skin & white skin exists before environment (material world) because they are polar opposite of each other, just like; Hot & Cold Love & Hate Man & Woman Good & Evil Etc, etc.. Darkness & light are polar opposites of each other, darkness was before light, but light always existed in darkness until it was time to manifest in a particular epoch (a particular time of evolution or devolution). W-Man always existed in B-Man as a polarity metaphysically, until a particular epoch when he was going to be manifested because he’s the opposite, he came after (the omega) & would inevitably come without a high degree of melanin because he manifested for a particular reason as a polarity (OPPOSITE; different in nature, quality or significance. Completely opposed). Nothing happens in the universe without a reason everything is an expression of DIVINE CONSCIOUSNESS & serves a purpose for the end game of GROWTH (cultivation is the universal dynamic). MAN (humanity) is the universe in human form & the same laws regulate & govern him. As well he goes through cycles of regeneration & degeneration of consciousness of SELF & FORM. Seeing what you believe to be true, this is going to be hard for you to digest. Anyway, PEACE.

[@paul9156c]

Ok, then why didn't I get darker as I progressively lost the hair on the top of my head as I aged? I like the theory though.

[@achimwokeschtla7582]

@@starlyght_illumine144: Sorry, but that’s a lot of esoteric BS 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@achimwokeschtla7582]

@@paul9156c: Because evolution doesn’t happen in a instant. If you moved to the African savanna and you and children, grandchildren etc. would stay there, over time and generations they would turn darker again or die out because of skin cancer … but with modern technology like sun tan lotion or vitamin D pills we prevent the necessity of evolutionary adaptation.

[@SecretEyeSpot]

Thank you so much for this talk. This has truly changed my outlook on Philosophy and how to understand Anthropologic Cosmogenesis. More of this information is needed across the globe

[@WalkingEng]

This was absolutely brilliant, Thank You. I’m hoping that in some years this knowledge will be part of everyone

[@ruby505]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@angelamurnane2334]

A wonderful talk. I especially liked your analysis of Linnaeus' shift from simple description to the ascribing of further traits taken from the early Greeks and completely different context. Thank you.

[@MsTiLaJ]

Excellent talk. There’s such richness in it that you have to watch it at least twice. Thank you for doing such extraordinary detailed work that we all benefit from🙏🏽

[@aprilcooke8340]

I lived in Alaska for 5 years, the kids were young. We ate a lot of king salmon. Every week, year around. Fresh, frozen and canned. Hubby would bring home huge king salmon. Lots of D in king salmon, a very fatty fish.

[@TAHawe-ms7ki]

thank you 4 your lecture a very beautiful presentation.

[@mariecarmecademis8270]

Thank y’all for this wonderful work I’ll share it to all my friends and family

[@BohemianBeatster]

I've always been an artist, so I enjoy mixing beautiful colors together.

[@mjean6762]

Essential information to move forward with. All the time evolving into humans, having different species of hominids and all different skin pigmentations, then to think of all the horror that has emerged from a concept that has only come about in the last 300 or so years.

[@eddypaul8959]

She's an amazing lecturer.

[@williamjoyce7168]

God created all the races. And it was good .Not evolution.

[@kirkknight5308]

That was awesome! Great info and a great message.

[@ralpsimpson3925]

I was born 72 years ago in the crucible of mankind, The Rift Valley, in Kenya. Scottish parents. What an enlightening Woman!

[@patticarpenter2001]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you for this wonderful work.

[@nagaraworkshop]

Thank you Nina for this excellent lecture covering much of my previous knowledge but condensed down into a brilliantly manageable hour. Superb!

[@daxinventor3542]

Thank you for making this video Nina C. Jablonski. We may be approaching the Event Horizon of our own self inflicted demise once again because we still have not learned from the errors of our ways.

[@tqoliver]

This is information that should be taught from early learning thru higher education. This was very well done. Thank you!!

[@ChillVanille]

What a great lecture. Could listen all day to this.

[@KarenMartinez-mo8bu]

Great presentation! Thank you!

[@nycbearff]

Solid science, and an excellent way to use it - thanks Professor Jablonski! If this had been taught in all elementary schools when I was a boy (a long time ago) the world would be a different and better place today.

[@davidgreen6490]

The world is a better place than you think, its only places like the US that are obsessed with skin colour that is a problem.

[@petefluffy7420]

If elementary school is for youngsters, how many could understand or would they scrunch up paper and throw it at each other? Teacher, what is evolution?

[@monicaluketich6913]

@petefluffy7420 It's in the way you present the ideas. You don't use technical jargon, but easy to understand words for the children. I have taught and written training materials for 6th graders to engineers and astronauts. To me, being intelligent and knowledgeable about the topic means that I can explain it to most people at an appropriate and understandable level. Many professors cannot do that. They want the students to come up to their level instead of going down to theirs.

[@incognegro4229]

Science is observable, repeatable and measurable. Evolution is not science.

[@nycbearff]

@@monicaluketich6913 The ideas in this video were not present in any form in my public school years. In my high school I was taught that humans are separated into four distinct races. The racial categories in my Health Class text book were the same as the races described by Kant. And that was in California, in the 1960s, in Indio, which was a segregated town - African Americans in Indio couldn't rent or buy a house outside of a subdivision called (and I'm not making this up) Nairobi Estates.

[@wintersummers3878]

This is a fantastic explanation of our skin colors/pigment and its origins.

[@margaritaarreola235]

Excellent information. This lady explained this subject in an exceptional manner, intelligently, clearly, with great pronunciation and diction. I don’t think it could have been done in a better way.

[@faylouise8169]

Absolutely fantastic presentation! very moving. I am so pleased to see her update and convey correct vitamin d information. Kudos! i watched the other presentation and was quite taken back at her lack of vitamin d accuracy. I am so happy to see the efforts she made. Thank you.

[@evederooy]

Wow. Loved this clear presentation and framing it in a connective way forward. Lets celebrate our diversity and harness its true strengths.

[@christophertogbah484]

thank you so much; I have heard of those to guys in other formats, but, This illustrates the topic better, and in a way that I can understand. thank you.

[@5kehhn]

More people need to see this presentation.