The Last Natural Man

Book excerpt: This book explores cultural evolution and the meaning of the word 'natural'. We are at the crossroads of a major transformation. Why is our current time so important in the history of man? We are at a point where we may be the last generation that is not partially or fully bionic. The last natural man: natural in what way? What is “natural”? Is it a catch phrase like “integrative” or “holistic” that transmits a certain magical warm glow? If the word “natural” was a plant, it would be beautiful, green, luxuriant, and edible.Does it mean we are the last to not replace or modify our parts? What about laser surgery? Knee or hip replacement? Botox and fillers? Chemical therapy? Or a directional chip in the brain?Do we really mean the very last natural man? Cultural evolution has been the major driving force over the last several thousand years and enormous in its influence compared to almost invisible changes in our physical adaptations. If cultural and religious evolution was the driver for human history, are we now entering the phase of physical transformation – where humanity refuses to accept mortality and seeks to make changes to defeat nature. In this book the authors are describing a paradigm shift of all of humanity—just as hunter-gatherers had their stellar features, the future man will have many attractive qualities, even if many artificial. We are often balancing on the precipice between science and science fiction, now ready to tip the scales and slide comfortably into the future of great discoveries and wonderful changes. But are these changes all for the good? What will being human mean? "A lively, superbly informed, compassionate conversation between two accomplished physician-writers about the human past and the human future, carefully grounded in the sciences of medicine and evolution. If you care about who we are and what may save us from ourselves, read this enormously informative and entertaining book." Melvin Konner, MD, PhD, author of The Tangled Wing: Biological Constraints on the Human Spirit and Women After All: Sex, Evolution, and the End of Male Supremacy