👂 In How to Change the World, British entrepreneur and podcaster Sam Webster Harris summarizes and explores humanity’s most pivotal milestones. Through these milestones, the podcast satiates curiosities and reflects on their implications, past and present. Despite the podcast’s novelty, having debuted in May, it’s already managed to capture our attention.

The podcast kicks off from square one, dissecting humanity’s earliest innovations all the way back from the Stone Age. What were early humans doing before way back then? That is the question posed by Harris. The host begins by dissecting the first discoveries that altered humanity and exploring why it took us so long to start inventing. Harris discusses the Technological Richter Scale, where he notes that some ideas, while innovative, might not carry equal weight as far as history is concerned. For example, how could one possibly determine whether Steve Jobs was more innovative than, say, Henry VIII?

It all started with fire. In one episode, Harris dissects the discovery of fire — a serendipitous finding that would see humans go from prey to predator. Fire was how humans shaped the future, manifesting a completely new way of life. Early humans realized fire could warm their caves and scare away predators, opening new doors for hunting, and eventually, cooking.

The podcast’s episodes are engaging and entertaining, and Harris’ passion makes them all the more enjoyable. With subtle background music and an engrossing narrative style, Harris offers a window into the deep past, often pausing to reflect on the past’s modern-day (and future) impact. Just as ancient humans discovered fire, changing the course of history, he argues that Artificial Intelligence may lead to a similar revolution, even if it pales in comparison in terms of revolutionary magnitude. In short: the podcast is a well-deserved treat for all curious minds eager to learn.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Deezer | Audible | Amazon Music | YouTube | YouTube Music.

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