Our unique ability to create and believe in shared myths, religions, and social constructs has enabled large-scale human cooperation. This cognitive revolution allowed humans to form larger groups, create complex societies, and establish systems like money, laws, and nations - all based on collectively believed stories.

What we often consider human progress came with significant trade-offs. The transition from foraging to farming, while enabling population growth and civilization development, actually made individual human lives more difficult and less satisfying, creating new forms of dependency and social hierarchy.

The marriage of science and empire has dramatically accelerated human development over the past 500 years, leading to unprecedented capabilities but also existential challenges. This theme explores how modern humans are becoming increasingly dependent on technology while simultaneously gaining the power to reshape their own evolution.