[MUSIC] As we enter into evening here on Samos, we approach one of the deep mysteries at the center of every traditional cosmic story, the nature and ultimate meaning of the human. [MUSIC] We humans have our origin in the birth of the universe 14 billion years ago, and thus we are composed of the same energy and quanta is that which composes everything in the universe. And we follow from the first cell emerging 4 billion years ago. So we're genetic cousins to every living being. So what is distinct about us, what is uniquely human? [MUSIC] Our current best evidence suggests that something took place between 6 and 7 million years ago in Africa. Something happened to ignite the human lineage in the primate world. A new line of energetic apes emerged that would over several million years bring forth massive brains and learn to dwell in a world saturated with dreams. Nothing like them had ever existed before. So, what gave rise to us? We don't really know. We don't have the detailed knowledge of that transformation. We're forced to speculate on the data. And perhaps that's entirely appropriate, here in the night. To be forced to dream about the origins of this dream making animal. One theory offered by the scientists is particularly fascinating. It suggests that humanity had its origin in the prolongation of childhood. [MUSIC] The idea is that mutations took place which slow down our development. Humans went through the same phases as, say, the chimpanzees, but they remained in each stage for a longer period of time. In particular, this meant that the humans were childlike for more of their lives than other mammals. [MUSIC] So, to understand what makes a human human, we can study the children of any mammalian species. They jump to play, they explore the world with their eyes, and they taste the world with their mouth. Simply existence thrills them. [MUSIC] Their reactions are in some seems free. So after nearly 4 billion years an animal emerge that could remain free, spontaneous, curious, flexible, open, impaled to try everything. So what was going to happen now? [MUSIC] Early humans are walked to an incandescent consciousness. But where other animals were controlled by instincts, humans were liberated from such set reactions. Captivated by the thrill of movement, we can make dance or sports central to our lives. [MUSIC] Astonished by the sounds of earth, we can dedicate ourselves to the joy of making music. [MUSIC] Or making love. [MUSIC]