Hey there, my distant cousin!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The Flying Atheist on June 16, 2012 at 3:04pm

Fascinating!!  This is why I love science over religion.  The truth is a far more interesting and marvelous story than any made-up religious myth.  I remember reading in Dawkins' "The Ancestor's Tale" that if you go so far back in evolution, we share a common ancestor with redwood trees!  How freakin' cool is that?!  

Permalink Reply by Tony Carroll on June 19, 2012 at 8:49am

Ain't science cool! Shout out to my 'extended' family. Peace.

Permalink Reply by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on July 5, 2012 at 3:05pm

Jeremy Rifkin develops the theme of our interconnection with a view of human empathy expanding in response to our greater access to information. As McLuhan said that media of communication extends the nervous system, Rifkin goes into detail as to how it extends the function of our mirror neurons. His hopeful view of human advancement makes my day.

Permalink Reply by Alan Perlman on July 6, 2012 at 6:19pm

Great stuff, and I agree with the comment on the wonders of science.  I sort of knew most of this, but it was nice to hear it so concisely and quantitatively put.  I'm particularly aware of the relatedness.  E.g., Detroit's Jewish community is so close-knit and inbred that I swear they all look like cousins!