The Cognitive Revolution

The term “Cognitive Revolution” refers to a significant turning point in the history of Homo sapiens, occurring roughly 70,000 years ago.

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Recently, I stumbled upon a quote by Yuval Noah Harari:

You could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven.

This statement, seemingly simple yet deeply profound, sparked a cascade of reflections in my mind. It led me to ponder the vast chasm that separates human cognition from that of our closest animal relatives — a gap largely attributed to the Cognitive Revolution.

This revolution, a pivotal turn in human history, marks the emergence of Homo sapiens from their more primitive state, enabling them to dominate the planet in a way no species had before. Central to this transformation was the development of complex language, a tool that allowed not just for communication, but for the creation and propagation of ideas, beliefs, and myths far beyond the tangible realities of life. As I delved deeper into this topic, I realized the profound impact of the Cognitive Revolution on our current societal constructs, our modes of communication, and our very…