Rutger Bregman

Because we have these huge brains that take up, what is it, 20, 25% of our energy. But then, you know, scientists started studying other animals. And again, as you just said, they're pretty similar to us in many respects. There's now a new group of scientists who think that what has made us special as a species is something called survival of the friendliest.

Because we have these huge brains that take up, what is it, 20, 25% of our energy. But then, you know, scientists started studying other animals. And again, as you just said, they're pretty similar to us in many respects. There's now a new group of scientists who think that what has made us special as a species is something called survival of the friendliest.

It's really the case that throughout our history, it was actually the friendliest among us who had the biggest chance of passing on their genes to the next generation. Because that basically helped people to work together on a scale that no other animal has been able to do. Now, the technical term for this is self-domestication syndrome. We know this with animals that we have domesticated, right?

It's really the case that throughout our history, it was actually the friendliest among us who had the biggest chance of passing on their genes to the next generation. Because that basically helped people to work together on a scale that no other animal has been able to do. Now, the technical term for this is self-domestication syndrome. We know this with animals that we have domesticated, right?

Seep and dogs, they've turned very friendly. And what Charles Darwin already noted is that these domesticated animals have certain traits in common. You know, you can see that it's in their genetic profile, but they also get like these floppy ears or white spots in their fur. And most importantly, they look a little bit more childlike and they also become more playful.

Seep and dogs, they've turned very friendly. And what Charles Darwin already noted is that these domesticated animals have certain traits in common. You know, you can see that it's in their genetic profile, but they also get like these floppy ears or white spots in their fur. And most importantly, they look a little bit more childlike and they also become more playful.

Now, what's so interesting, if you study the skeletons of humans over the past thousands of years, what you see is the popification of humanity. So we literally look much friendlier, more childish than we look 50,000 years ago. Humans have become cuter over time. Exactly, exactly. So... This is my grand theory of human nature. I call it homo puppy.

Now, what's so interesting, if you study the skeletons of humans over the past thousands of years, what you see is the popification of humanity. So we literally look much friendlier, more childish than we look 50,000 years ago. Humans have become cuter over time. Exactly, exactly. So... This is my grand theory of human nature. I call it homo puppy.

That's the term I hope to be remembered for in the annals of science. But it's very much contrary to the way people often think about how we have conquered the globe, right? That we murdered all the Neanderthals or something like that. Well, actually, modern scientists think pretty much the opposite. So I believe that theory.

That's the term I hope to be remembered for in the annals of science. But it's very much contrary to the way people often think about how we have conquered the globe, right? That we murdered all the Neanderthals or something like that. Well, actually, modern scientists think pretty much the opposite. So I believe that theory.

You've got a picture of him on... Of course! ...near your bed or something.

You've got a picture of him on... Of course! ...near your bed or something.

Hmm. So often people say, oh, becoming a parent really made me more idealistic because, you know, that was the moment when I realized that we really need to take care of future generations. You know, actually, quite often I see the opposite is that people, I don't know, maybe turn inward a little bit. So I've been actually trying to fight that. Oh, but you feel it, though. It's pulling you then.

Hmm. So often people say, oh, becoming a parent really made me more idealistic because, you know, that was the moment when I realized that we really need to take care of future generations. You know, actually, quite often I see the opposite is that people, I don't know, maybe turn inward a little bit. So I've been actually trying to fight that. Oh, but you feel it, though. It's pulling you then.

I think it's fine. You know, this discussion really reminds me of this news story from, I don't know, maybe 10 years ago when a Danish woman was arrested in the US because she had parked her stroller with, I think, her baby in it next to a cafe while she was getting takeaway coffee. And she was arrested for child neglect.

I think it's fine. You know, this discussion really reminds me of this news story from, I don't know, maybe 10 years ago when a Danish woman was arrested in the US because she had parked her stroller with, I think, her baby in it next to a cafe while she was getting takeaway coffee. And she was arrested for child neglect.

While in Denmark, where she's from, you know, that's like entirely normal to do. I mean, that's life.

While in Denmark, where she's from, you know, that's like entirely normal to do. I mean, that's life.

Yeah, and important that it's in the interest of those in power for us to be cynical about human nature, right? Because that justifies the hierarchy, that justifies all these power differences.

Yeah, and important that it's in the interest of those in power for us to be cynical about human nature, right? Because that justifies the hierarchy, that justifies all these power differences.