NOVA scienceNOW S06E01 · What Makes Us Human?

Overview

Scientists have struggled for centuries to pinpoint the qualities that separate human beings from the millions of other animal species that have evolved on this planet. David Pogue explores the traits we once thought were uniquely ours—language, tool-making, even laughter—to uncover their evolutionary roots. He'll trace some of the crucial steps that transformed cave men to accountants, and find out if any of his own DNA came from a Neanderthal ancestor.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. What Makes Us Human?2012-10-10Scientists have struggled for centuries to pinpoint the qualities that separate human beings from the millions of other animal species that have evolved on this planet. David Pogue
2. 2 2. Can Science Stop Crime?2012-10-17What's the secret to stopping crime? David Pogue gives the third degree to scientists pushing the limits of technology, not only to solve horrific murders but also to try to preven
3. 3 3. How Smart Can We Get?2012-10-24How do you get a genius brain? Is it all in your genes? Or is it hard work? Is it possible that everyone’s brain has untapped genius–just waiting for the right circumstances so it
4. 4 4. Can I Eat That?2012-10-31What are the secrets behind your favorite foods? Why are some treats, like chocolate-chip cookies, delectable, while others, like cookies made with mealworms, disgusting? You might
5. 5 5. What Are Animals Thinking?2012-11-07Probe animal morality, the "swarm intelligence" of a beehive, the amazing navigation talents of pigeons, and more.
6. 6 6. What Will the Future Be Like?2012-11-14Meet the people building tomorrow's robots, 3-D virtual environments, mind-reading machines, and more.