Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Europan Ocean on 08/10/2020 15:05:09

Title: The meme of fire?
Post by: Europan Ocean on 08/10/2020 15:05:09

I would like to discuss the meme of fire in the evolution of humans. The first humans to control fire, start fires and cook food and possibly fight with fire.

Fire has effected the development of the brain and digestive system.

When did this start and what differences did it make?

Title: Re: The meme of fire?
Post by: chris on 08/10/2020 18:35:35

This might help:
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/when-did-humans-first-use-fire

Title: Re: The meme of fire?
Post by: Europan Ocean on 09/10/2020 16:45:45

So 400 000 years of control of fire in Europe. And now we can engineer cars and rockets... We can no longer digest raw meats and survive for more than a few months.

Title: Re: The meme of fire?
Post by: Bored chemist on 09/10/2020 17:20:55

Quote from: Europan Ocean on 09/10/2020 16:45:45

We can no longer digest raw meats

We never really could.

Incidentally, is "fire" a meme?
I can see how a particular fire starting technique might be, or a design of hearth, but I think "fire" is a bit too broad.

Title: Re: The meme of fire?
Post by: alancalverd on 10/10/2020 01:14:37

So for 399,000 years, "control" meant igniting heaps of wood for cooking, followed by 1000 years of manufacturing explosives and incendiaries, and in the last 400 years moving from steam engines to interstellar rockets. Last week, The Boss bought a pizza oven, so we are back where we started! Remarkable.

Title: Re: The meme of fire?
Post by: Europan Ocean on 10/10/2020 19:23:39

Then, the meme of starting and using fire as a tool.