The Artificial Ape: How Technology Changed the Course of Human Evolution - by Dr Timothy Taylor September 11, 2010

The Artificial Ape: How Technology Changed the Course of Human
Evolution - by Dr Timothy Taylor

2pm-4pm, Sat 11th Sept, 2010.

Room 414, 4th floor, Birkbeck College, Torrington Square, London WC1E 7HX.

About the talk:

There are seven species of great ape on the planet. How did the
weakest ape come out on top?

With breathtaking scope and depth, archaeologist and prehistorian
Timothy Taylor presents a new and much-needed theory of technology. It
not only turns Darwinian theory on its head, but also argues that
(alongside physics and biology) it is the human relationship with
artifice that has as powerfully framed and formed human evolution.

About the speaker:

Timothy Taylor, MA PhD FSA FRSA, is currently Reader in Archaeology at
the University of Bradford. He is also editor-in-chief of the Journal
of World Prehistory.

Taylor is known for his closely reasoned, wide-ranging, and
provocative ideas, and for his ability to connect with general readers
and viewers. He has an award winning track record in radio and
television in UK, US and Canada on programmes including History
Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, BBC Timewatch.

Taylor is the author of The Prehistory of Sex: Four Million Years of
Human Sexual Culture and The Buried Soul: How Humans Invented Death.
His latest book, The Artificial Ape: How Technology Changed the Course
of Human Evolution, is being published in September.

About the venue:

Room 414 is on the fourth floor in the main Birkbeck College building,
in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington
Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge
St tube stations.

About the meeting:

There's no charge to attend, and everyone is welcome. There will be
plenty of opportunity to ask questions and to make comments.

Discussion will continue after the event, in a nearby pub, for those
who are able to stay.

Why not join some of the Extrobritannia regulars for a drink and/or
light lunch beforehand, any time after 12.30pm, in The Marlborough
Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ. To find us, look out for a
table where there's a copy of the book "The Artificial Ape" displayed.

Blog: www.extrobritannia.blogspot.com
Website: www.transhumanist.org.uk
Mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extrobritannia/
January 2011 event: http://humanityplus-uk.com/wordpress/