Not So Simple After All? Apes, Einstein, and the Many Mysteries of the Human Brain ~ Dean Falk

Here is a simple story about the origins of the human brain: All primate brains are dense with neurons—they are the supercomputers of the animal world. What's more, the human brain is just what you’d expect from a primate of our size: big, packed with neurons, but no more special than that. It's the chimps and gorillas who are special: without cooked food, their brains lacked the fuel to keep up with the growing body.Or so argued Suzana Herculano-Houzel, my guest in last week's episode. In today's episode, paleo-neurologist Dean Falk explains why she thinks this is only part of the story. I'll let her tell you why.Enjoy!DIG DEEPERThis episode is part 2 of this autumn's brain science series. See more at OnHumans.Substack.com⁠/BrainSee also last spring's episode with Dean Falk on toolmaking and childhoods, as part of the Origins of Humankind -series. SUPPORT THE SHOWOnHumans.Patreon.comMENTIONS AND KEYWORDSScholarsCharles Darwin | Dietrich Stout | Robin Dunbar | Katarina Semenderfi | Weiwei Men | Joseph Ledoux | Jane GoodallTechnical termsEndocasts | Sulci and gyri | Broca's area | Brodmann Area 10, also known as BA10 and the frontal pole | Acheulean hand axe technology KeywordsBrain science | Neuroscience | Neurology | Paleoneurology | Evolutionary Anthropology | Comparative Anatomy | Cognitive Archaeology | Origins of Consciousness