How Plants Domesticated Humans - AMNH SciCafe 

There is already lots of scientific data showing how diet can affect epigenetic expression, the gut biome, and behavior. And we have lots of evidence of many kinds of animals, as well as ancient humans effectively self medicating to deal with various ailments. We also have lots of data on mutualism and symbiosis in nature. She brings it all together brilliantly.

Fascinating topic. I would love to hear more from Fatimah Jackson, she is charming and brilliant.

Such a beautiful presentation and topic at hand. Thank you Fatimah Jackson!

Great human-centric presentation, but it can mislead the public by not stating at the outset that plants did not co-evolve chemicals primarily in relation to us, but to fend off predatory insects (and other animals). What we find medicinal in small doses, or consumable as a major portion of our diet if we boil or roast it or add clay to it, insects are largely dissuaded from entering. Consider how well our stomachs handle the pulp of a lemon or a papaya -- but insect larvae that try to live in those fruits would dissolve. The South American native Cassava encountered humans a mere 13,000 years ago. It evolved powerful toxins to deter predation of its carbohydrate-rich root. The fact that humans have found ways to consume (and now symbiotically propagate the Cassava) is merely incidental.

Very intelligent woman. Thanks for sharing.

I love this conversation. Smart and funny is my favorite. Anthony Bourdain did more than travel to eat good food. He actually cared about the cultures and the people and tried to educate us on them. He was a beautiful, troubled soul and is still missed.

Where can I find the video with the Q&A portion? Inshallah, I will study with Dr. Fatima Jackson in the future!

Such a thought provoking presentation 👌🏽

Fascinating, thank you for sharing your work with us Dr.Jackson.

Rich and informative 👍

Such a brilliant mind

THANK YOU. Wonderful to learn so much from you.

How do I find out about future lectures? This topic has has my interest since college

Did she ever write that book? I can't find it anywhere.

It's sad that so many great videos like this that have been around for so many years have so few views and comments. Lost to the algorithm. Never to be recommended. I'm just glad that it's still here. Waiting patiently. Ready to share its contents indiscriminately. Open to engagement. It's just too bad there isn't an audience to engage with anymore.

I love this

Lierre Keith writes brilliantly and eloquently in her book "The Vegetarian Myth" on who domesticated who.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🌱 Introduction to the Speaker's Journey - Speaker shares her background as a biological anthropologist and her journey into the study of plants. - Emphasizes the integration of science and the interconnectedness of knowledge. 01:22 🌿 Phytochemicals in Plants - Plants' sophistication in producing a wide range of chemical compounds. - The speaker's work on a book called "How Plants Domesticated People." - The impact of phytochemicals on biology and behavior, including epigenetic effects. 04:40 🌎 Human-Plant Co-evolution - Human-plant relationships and the emergence of plant domestication. - Early human populations' reliance on plants for food and the development of neural networks. - The idea that different populations independently developed close relationships with plants. 09:21 🌱 Cassava's Role in Sickle Cell Anemia - Observations in Liberia regarding the frequency of sickle cell anemia. - The role of cassava consumption in different parts of the country. - How cassava's cyanide content influenced both sickle cell traits and malaria resistance. 16:49 🌱 Co-evolutionary Relationships - Explanation of co-evolution and how two species influence each other's evolution. - Discussion of the influence of the diet on the human genome, parasite, and other species. - The role of epigenomics in gene expression and its connection to dietary phytochemicals. 21:09 🧬 Epigenetic Influence of Diet - The significance of epigenetics and its inherited nature. - The potential impact of dietary phytochemicals on epigenetic markers and gene expression. - The importance of understanding gene expression patterns and their link to evolution. 24:01 🌱 Plants' Influence on Human Behavior - Plants' influence on human behavior and biology. - The distinction between friend and foe based on plant consumption. - How our behavior and biology are shaped by the foods we eat. 27:16 🎤 Conclusion and Questions - Speaker's conclusion on the interconnectedness of humans and plants. - Opening up the floor for questions and feedback from the audience. Made with HARPA AI

The book "Botany of Desire" left that as an open question. Who domesticated who?

Its not so much of a left brain discussion it’s intuitive it on a spirit level the left brain out look on trail and era would have left us extinct! We’re in denial of an intuitive connection that accrued between humans and nature! We’re so refined into the the analytical process that we’ve have shut down the intuitive connection!

I know, and have known for centuries, I am nought but the legs of a giant cosmic corn plant, a stupid pie hole, to be filled with some seeds only to go plant MORE CORN

The plant cant run away. They could stay by water.

That's what the bag is. It, like Noah's Ark, carries abstract knowledge.

Just wonder if plants can evolve let's say in billion years and surpass humans in terms of intelligence .

2020

At 4:35 You haven't marked India where Ayurveda, a plant based ancient medication system evolved. That's funny....! Everyone is praising you for your knowledge about Evolutionary Biology but I will say your choice of cloth is unmatchable.😎

Hmmm... In his book published in 2004: Against the Grain, author Richard Manning stated on pg.186 par.3: "We did not create it; in a very real sense, it created us. Plants domesticated us." What a novel idea Fatimah...

Who domesticated who? That is the question.

This debunks the theory of evolution.