The 5 Stone Age Locks on Innovation

Timeless lessons on what lies at the core of human progress.

This episode sets the scene:

• What were we doing for 97% of our existence?
• Why were we so slow at innovating?
• How did we eventually overcome these fundamental forces?

By asking these questions, we follow a natural journey. From personal pressures to global forces that blocked development. The answers hold many insights for today when we think about innovation.

As we begin our expedition through history, following the creation of our modern world.

This episode is ground zero.

Chapters:

00:00 The Hand Axe Conundrum

01:53 Episode Goals

03:45 #1 - SURVIVAL

04:21 Energy requirements

06:30 Time Scarcity

08:59 Risk and Psychological Safety

11:17 #2 - Culture

12:41 Why people hate new ideas

15:25 The Grandmother Hypothesis

16:21 Widowhood statistics

17:46 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing

19:27 Catalhayuk - 1000 years of stasis

20:36 #3 - Knowledge

22:42 Losing knowledge

24:04 Maths

24:52 Communication and Language

25:53 Ice Age Picasso Paradox

27:06 #4 - Mobility Constraints

28:05 Nomadism

30:22 Racism, war, and travel complications

32:07 Trade Issues

34:02 Feasting examples

35:39 Eurasia vs America Development

37:45 #5 - Population Density

39:20 Evolution of Multicellular Life

41:48 Dunbars Number

43:43 Mortality Rates

46:37 Historical demographics

48:18 Lessons - How we beat the 5 locks

51:47 Conclusion - Innovation isn't about Geniuses

54:36 REFLECTIONS - Innovation cycles

57:43 Modern Innovation Blockers

01:06:01 What can you do

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