The Past is Never Dead
How does the culture in which you live shape the life that you lead? We all know that culture affects the languages we speak and the foods we eat. But anthropologist Joseph Henrich says the impact of culture goes even further, reaching into our bodies and our minds. He takes us on a journey through time to show how human cultures create a "collective brain," and how that shared knowledge profoundly shapes who we are and how we live.
- Duration
- 53m
- Broadcast on
- 25 May 2026
- Audio Format
- other
This episode appears to contain dynamically inserted ads. Transcript timestamps may be approximate.
How does the culture in which you live shape the life that you lead? We all know that culture affects the languages we speak and the foods we eat. But anthropologist Joseph Henrich says the impact of culture goes even further, reaching into our bodies and our minds. He takes us on a journey through time to show how human cultures create a "collective brain," and how that shared knowledge profoundly shapes who we are and how we live.
Hidden Brain is headed back on the road this summer, for the latest leg of our Perceptions tour! Join Shankar as he shares key psychological insights from the first decade of the show. More information on tour stops and tickets can be found at our tour page.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Hey there, Shankar here with some exciting news. Our Live Perceptions tour is returning the summer in partnership with public radio stations around the country. This time we're heading to Northampton, Massachusetts, Burlington, Vermont, Boulder, Colorado, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Blacksburg, Virginia, San Luis Obispo, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More information is at hiddenbrain.org/tour. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming stops. Okay, here's today's show. This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedanta. Think about a time you flip through an old family album. Maybe you paused on a photo of your grandparents as young adults. Their clothes look outdated. Their expressions too formal. Perhaps you imagined what it was like to live in that time and found it impossible. Or think of a film set in medieval times. You may have thought, "Wow, these people lived in a completely different universe. I have so little in common with them." It's easy to believe the past is sealed off from us. That those lives, those cultures, those ways of thinking have vanished from the world. But is that true? In ways we don't even notice, the choices, beliefs, and habits of people who lived long before us continue to shape how we see the world today. They influence what we value, the kinds of societies we live in, even how we relate to one another. This week on Hidden Brain, and in a companion story on Hidden Brain Plus, how culture and history shape the way we think. When it comes to my policy, farmers gives it to me straight, so there's no surprises. It's your coverage. You should never be confused. You hear that? An insurance provider with a conscience. We're a choir, but yes, we have that too. Straight forward coverage you can literally understand. That's what you get when you have farmers, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump. Learn more at farmers.com, underwritten by farmers truck or fire insurance exchanges or affiliate products not available in every state. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Defender. Even the boldest journey starts small, with a single decision to go somewhere new. The Defender 110 is a vehicle built for those moments, for drivers capable of great things, whether they're headed toward uncharted territory or just a weekend away. The Defender 110 combines on-road presence with off-road capability. It looks tough because it is, with an exterior engineered for durability. Inside, capability meets comfort, with seating for five and the option for seven, plus refined finishes and thoughtful design. It's also packed with intuitive tech, like 3D surround cameras with clear-side ground view to help you navigate rough terrain, and the next-generation PIVI Pro infotainment system, designed to keep you informed, connected, and in control, no matter the path. The Defender 110 is naturally capable, expedition ready, and build for those ready to move forward. Explore the Defender 110 at Land Rover USA dot com. Mr. Monopoly here. Miss me? Monopoly is back at McDonald's, with millions of prizes. A 2027 cheap charitable, a carnival cruise vacation, gift cards from DoorDash, and Best Buy. Feel, then play in the McDonald's app. Get your bag. No purchase necessary. 50 US and DC age 18 plus. See play at mcd.com for rules and play at mcd.com/amoe for info and playing without purchase by mail by November 2nd. Chance card game ends November 8th. Game ends November 22nd, 2026. See rules for prize details. Monopoly is a registered trademark of Hasbro. When you woke up this morning, you turned off your alarm and brushed your teeth.
Transcription truncated.
How does the culture in which you live shape the life that you lead? We all know that culture affects the languages we speak and the foods we eat. But anthropologist Joseph Henrich says the impact of culture goes even further, reaching into our bodies and our minds. He takes us on a journey through time to show how human cultures create a "collective brain," and how that shared knowledge profoundly shapes who we are and how we live.