2006-12-07 05:57:33 · 30 answers · asked by mandy 1 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
Well, the two biggies are obvious...beer and cigarettes should be at the top of everyone's list...right?.. of course!...after those two, I just don't know...lemme think...ok...I think bologna sandwiches would have to be third... or at least in the top 5...
2006-12-07 10:56:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
1. Harnessing fire. There is speculation that regular use of fire by our ancestors was vastly important to the development of humankind in many ways. Cooking softens meat, which decreases the time needed for chewing and thus increases the calories-- and protein, a brain-boosting nutrient-- available for use. It's also probable that it increased the amount of socializing hours, thus aiding the evolution of human society as we know it.
2. Spoken language. People underestimate language, but it has a great impact. Language allows us to communicate about times and places that are distant, and even about events that have never happened. The power language has to facilitate communication of ideas is at the root of all human invention and cultural transmission/continuity.
3. Culture. Culture gives human beings an added dimension of adaptation. It has allowed us to travel to all corners of the globe and survive in all various conditions. It gives us the flexibility to change when circumstances change, instead of relying on natural selection alone (though these pressures still exist on human beings).
(While some of the ones above are great achievements, these 3 are accomplishments that are common to all human beings; elevating things like the wheel and agriculture as the best thing human beings have accomplished are elevating one group of people over another as being more "human" or more "evolved", something that's simply not fair or true.)
2006-12-08 11:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by desiroka 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3. Pyramids
2. Moon landings
And the number 1 achievement of humankind:
Surviving
2006-12-07 16:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Bodhisattva 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Humankind really has no great achievements without God's help and direction. We are still groping around in the dark hoping to find the light switch"
You're an idiot, but you raise a point. God is one of man's great creations, not the other way around.
2006-12-08 07:29:08 · answer #4 · answered by blakenyp 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
1.) The wheel
2.) The printing press.
3.) Flight
2006-12-07 06:05:55 · answer #5 · answered by HeyDude 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Humankind really has no great achievements without God's help and direction. We are still groping around in the dark hoping to find the light switch.
2006-12-07 12:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
1.) The ability to think and communicate rationally
2.) Developing culture
3.) Passing on knowledge and an understanding of our humanity
2006-12-07 09:42:29 · answer #7 · answered by TomServo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Language
2. Harnessing fire
3. Space travel
2006-12-08 03:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by CraigRC 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. The alarm clock snooze bar.
2. Express lane checkout, six items or less.
3. The clapper.
2006-12-07 06:02:23 · answer #9 · answered by cancelcodeyellow 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Written Language
Pyramids, Stonehenge...(other places like this)
Moon Landings...space travel
2006-12-07 17:21:50 · answer #10 · answered by kingelessar2 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋