Early Voices: The Leap to Language, July 15, 2003

Dear Sir/Madam,

I disagree with Nicolas Wade's claim that language is the only major talent unique to humans.

The one thing that really distinguishes some humans, at least, from other animals is beautifully described - of all places! - in the Bible, Genesis, Chap. 3, the story of Adam and Eve, ". . . the eyes of both of them were opened and they discovered that they were naked".

The author (God?) then goes on to describe how Adam and Eve are cursed for their (i.e. Eve's) independent and curious spirit, along with her desire for knowledge and understanding - things which until then, no human, and to this day, no animal (we presume) possessed.

Christians have spent the past 2 millennia feeling guilty and sorry for the greatest step than man (led by woman) ever made, away from his animal nature and instinctive (even when learned) animal behaviour, towards . . . . what?

God said: "The man (and woman) have become like one of us . . . . "

It is time to shake off the guilt and countless distractions we have devised to escape our animal fears, which now, magnified by modern technology, are causing us to ravage and be a threat to our planet. It won't be easy, because our economy is largely based and dependent on them, but we must face up to our responsibility for what we do, particularly in respect to money (how we earn, spend and invest it), and finally live up to the name given to us by 18th Century science: Homo sapiens (wise man).