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Published Aug 8, 2023

875: Jonathan Kennedy | How Pathogens Have Shaped Our World

Jonathan Kennedy delves into the profound influence of pathogens on human evolution, societal structures, and historical events, revealing how diseases have not only shaped traits like memory and immunity but also driven economic upheavals, religious shifts, and cultural transformations from ancient conquests to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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  • Pathogens & Evolution

    reveals the profound impact pathogens have had on human evolution. He explains that about 8% of the human genome is derived from viral infections, which have endowed us with crucial abilities like memory and live birth 1. This genetic exchange is akin to prehistoric biohacking, where viruses have contributed to our evolutionary advantages. humorously notes the bizarre nature of these interactions:

    It's a parasitic relationship.

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    Additionally, Kennedy highlights the remarkable ability of bacteria to engage in horizontal gene transfer, allowing them to rapidly adapt and evolve, posing challenges like antimicrobial resistance 2.

       

    Neanderthal Genes

    The genetic interplay between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals significantly influenced human immunity. Kennedy explains that humans inherited about 2% of their genes from Neanderthals, which provided a survival advantage in new disease environments 3. This genetic exchange, described as a prehistoric form of biohacking, allowed humans to acquire immunity to diseases prevalent in Neanderthal populations. Harbinger is intrigued by the complexity of these interactions:

    I'm shocked. They made boats. I hadn't heard that. I had no idea about that.

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    Kennedy further elaborates on the "poison antidote model," where Neanderthals introduced new diseases but also provided the genetic antidote necessary for survival 4.

       

    Agriculture & Disease

    The shift from hunter-gatherer societies to agriculture marked a pivotal moment in the history of infectious diseases. Kennedy describes how this transition led to humans living in close proximity to animals, creating new opportunities for zoonotic diseases to emerge and spread 5. This era, referred to as the "golden age of infectious diseases," saw the rise of diseases like plague and smallpox. Harbinger reflects on the implications of this transition:

    I mean, it all makes sense, right?

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    Kennedy notes that the emergence of infectious diseases often followed a population boom, as evidenced by archaeological findings of increased mortality rates in early agricultural societies 6.

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