“The most important thing to know about prehistoric humans is that they were insignificant animals with no more impact on their environment than gorillas, fireflies, or jellyfish”
— Yuval Noah Harari
Simplified Meaning:
In the very distant past, humans weren't that different from other animals. They didn't have much power or influence over the world around them. Just like gorillas, fireflies, and jellyfish, they lived their lives without changing their environment in big ways. For example, they didn't build cities, create machines, or change landscapes. This tells us that humans started out as simple creatures in nature, slowly growing and learning over a very long time. If we remember this, we can appreciate how far humanity has come and how our actions now have much bigger consequences for our planet. This understanding can make us more careful and thoughtful about how we treat the Earth today.
Related tags
Ancient history Anthropology Early humans Ecosystem Environmental impact Evolution Human evolution Natural historyFEATURED QUOTES