Ep 1. What Makes Us Human?

What Makes Us Human? is the first episode in the sixth season of NOVA scienceNOW, a show that explores cutting-edge science and technology and the personalities behind the research. In this episode, host David Pogue delves into the question that has long puzzled scientists and philosophers alike: what makes us human?

To begin his investigation, Pogue travels to the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, where he meets with researcher Svante Pääbo, who is leading the charge in decoding the DNA of our extinct human relatives, the Neanderthals. Pääbo's team has managed to sequence the entire Neanderthal genome, giving insight into the genetic differences between humans and our Neanderthal cousins. Pogue himself even gets to see a real Neanderthal skull up close, which he finds both fascinating and eerie.

Next, Pogue visits a laboratory in Southern California where researchers are studying the brain, specifically the neurons related to empathy and social behavior. Pogue meets with Antonio Damasio, who is investigating the neurological basis for emotions and decision making in humans. Damasio's work suggests that empathy is a crucial factor in what makes humans distinct from other animals, including our closest relatives, the great apes.

Moving beyond the lab, Pogue takes a look at real-world examples of human behavior that may be reflective of our unique qualities. He visits a school in Brooklyn that uses a program called "Tools of the Mind" to help young children learn how to regulate their own behavior, a key component of human socialization. Pogue also examines the phenomenon of altruism, which he says may be a hallmark of human behavior. He meets with Jennifer Jacquet, who studies the evolution of cooperation and generosity in humans, and learns about the "Mafia hypothesis," which proposes that giving to others actually benefits ourselves in the long run.

Finally, Pogue looks to the future of what it means to be human. He meets with a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University who are working on developing a computer program that can learn and reason like a human, a concept known as artificial general intelligence. Pogue admits to feeling a sense of unease at the prospect of machines becoming more human-like, and wonders if it may ultimately erode what makes us unique as a species.

Throughout the episode, Pogue emphasizes the idea that there is no one single thing that makes us human, but rather a complex interplay of genetics, behavior, and socialization. He ends on a note of optimism, pointing out that the human brain is constantly evolving and adapting, and that it will continue to do so long into the future.