Tesla Flips the Switch on the Gigafactory

Re:Tesla Flips the Switch on the Gigafactory by dotancohen on Thursday January 05, 2017 @01:09AM (#13325123)

The 40,000 years probably refers to "behaviorally-modern humans", which according to one theory appeared suddenly 50,000 - 60,000 years ago, and according to another theory developed slowly starting 2 million years ago and ended 50,000 years ago. The 50,000 year mark is generally accepted as the latest time when speech and language were developed, though that could have in fact happened earlier.

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Re:Tesla Flips the Switch on the Gigafactory by grzm on Thursday January 05, 2017 @07:41AM (#13326642)

Thanks for this. Interesting concept. For reference to others, there's a Wikipedia page on the topic:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_modernity

In order to classify what traits should be included in modern human behavior, it is necessary to define behaviors that are universal among living human groups. Some examples of these human universals are abstract thought, planning, trade, cooperative labor, body decoration, control and use of fire. Along with these traits, humans possess a heavy reliance on social learning.

...

Archaeological evidence of behavioral modernity are:

- burial

- fishing

- figurative art (cave paintings, petroglyphs, dendroglyphs, figurines)

- systematic use of pigment (such as ochre) and jewelry for decoration or self-ornamentation

- Using bone material for tools

- Transport of resources over long distances

- Blade technology

- Diversity, standardization, and regionally distinct artifacts

- Hearths

- Composite tools

Of particular interesting is how they show criteria like abstract thought and planning, which at first blush don't seem very amenable to leaving direct archeological evidence.

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