We’re Not That Different [But We Should Be]…

April 17, 2008 | 9:39 AM

Jane Goodall (Wikipedia, TED) at TED says that humans and primates aren’t so different… and that one of our most distinguishing differences is that we communicate with spoken language:

Traveling from Ecuador to Africa, Jane Goodall takes the audience on an ecological journey, discussing highlights and low points of her experiences in the jungle. She shows how progress is helping research (DNA analysis) and hurting the environment (clear-cutting). And she draws a dozen parallels between primate and human behavior, making the point that we really aren’t all that different. Our big advantage, she says, is the ability to communicate with sophisticated spoken language — yet, sadly, we are abusing this power and destroying the planet. She urges the TED audience to behave differently, and use their higher powers to correct the planet’s course.

It’s time we start asking ourselves what it really means to be human, starting first at what seems to be God’s plan for humanity- and how we’re fulfilling our purpose in Creation. Humanity’s depravity has bent us more toward animalistic behavior and away from the higher calling intrinsic to the image of God.

The video is just shy of 30 minutes, so set some time apart to watch it. You can go see it or download it from here, too.

Posted in Christianity, Human Dignity Series, Life, Science