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What Makes Us Human: A Scientist’s Guide to our Amazing Existence
What makes us human? Ireland’s favorite scientist is here to tell you!
What do you have in common with the 7.75 billion other people on the planet? This is the question that Professor Luke O’Neill attempts to answer in this exciting new book for young readers, adapted from his bestselling book for adults, A Scientist’s Guide to our Amazing Existence .
Starting with the origin of life and how we as a species evolved on the plains of Africa some 200,000 years ago, Professor Luke explores what makes us interesting as a species, why we sleep, laugh and enjoy music, and our efforts to stop disease. He also ponders whether we will create superhumans, how and why we age, if we can escape death and whether our eventual extinction is inevitable.
With Luke’s trademark infectious enthusiasm - and plenty of laughs along the way - What Makes Us Human is the perfect book for curious minds.
What do you have in common with the 7.75 billion other people on the planet? This is the question that Professor Luke O’Neill attempts to answer in this exciting new book for young readers, adapted from his bestselling book for adults, A Scientist’s Guide to our Amazing Existence .
Starting with the origin of life and how we as a species evolved on the plains of Africa some 200,000 years ago, Professor Luke explores what makes us interesting as a species, why we sleep, laugh and enjoy music, and our efforts to stop disease. He also ponders whether we will create superhumans, how and why we age, if we can escape death and whether our eventual extinction is inevitable.
With Luke’s trademark infectious enthusiasm - and plenty of laughs along the way - What Makes Us Human is the perfect book for curious minds.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published February 22, 2023
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 4, 2022
Very enjoyable and informative. I listened to it on audiobook and it is just as enjoyable for an adult as I'm sure it will be for younger readers. Lots of lovely gory bits left in too!
December 15, 2022
Enjoyable book. Informative but still light hearted and funny.
January 15, 2025
I will definitely love the way O'Neill narrated this book if I am an English-speaking, eight years old kid. Each page makes me smile from ear to ear. He is quite brilliant when it comes to simplify each research he quoted and he has puns for every notion using fresh vocabulary lists as a scientist. I am conviced he was a comic in his previous life. Because what do you mean a book written by a biochemist still manage to make lists of Top 5 Play and Top 5 to Probably Avoid in operating theater? WHAT DRUGS HE WAS DRINKING WHEN HE WROTE THIS, EXCUSE MOI?!
His identity as an Irish captured well as he put some first sentences in each chapter of the book by mentioning research conducted in Ireland. Yes, O'Neill, we noticed you. Moreover, the whole illustrations layout and the description among them are amusing. I can juat stare each illustration for around 5 minutes to reimagine the description written on that page, as the animated version. Not to mention that at the end of each chapter, he will strengthen his ideas but at the same time, he will remind us to "take nobody's word for it". Very classic scientist.
As an adaptation from his bestselling book, Humanology (which I haven't read yet, sorry O'Neill), the biggest question was stated as the book title "What Makes Us Human: A Scientist Guide to Our Amazing Existence" and he split the answers into 19 chapters. He is a historian-in-disguise, believe me, as he neatly knitted each topic in a structured phase, from the beginning of time to the prediction of our extinction. Unfortunately, each time he mentioned those who deserves the credit to our existence and our future are only those people from STEM fields, minor tribute to teachers maybe (?) but never to mention those who are experts in humanities and arts. Well, put that on your notes, scientist writers. However, take this opinion as a grain of salt.
By the way, if you are allergic to sweet things, do not read page 107. And oh, I knew this book is not marketed for an eight plus twenty year old person but TAKE MY MONEY!
His identity as an Irish captured well as he put some first sentences in each chapter of the book by mentioning research conducted in Ireland. Yes, O'Neill, we noticed you. Moreover, the whole illustrations layout and the description among them are amusing. I can juat stare each illustration for around 5 minutes to reimagine the description written on that page, as the animated version. Not to mention that at the end of each chapter, he will strengthen his ideas but at the same time, he will remind us to "take nobody's word for it". Very classic scientist.
As an adaptation from his bestselling book, Humanology (which I haven't read yet, sorry O'Neill), the biggest question was stated as the book title "What Makes Us Human: A Scientist Guide to Our Amazing Existence" and he split the answers into 19 chapters. He is a historian-in-disguise, believe me, as he neatly knitted each topic in a structured phase, from the beginning of time to the prediction of our extinction. Unfortunately, each time he mentioned those who deserves the credit to our existence and our future are only those people from STEM fields, minor tribute to teachers maybe (?) but never to mention those who are experts in humanities and arts. Well, put that on your notes, scientist writers. However, take this opinion as a grain of salt.
By the way, if you are allergic to sweet things, do not read page 107. And oh, I knew this book is not marketed for an eight plus twenty year old person but TAKE MY MONEY!
September 13, 2025
這本書的「更深入」之處在於，它不只是列舉「我們是什麼」，而是試圖解釋「我們為什麼是這樣」。作者將抽象的特質，與其背後具體的生物學、神經科學和演化機制連結起來。
1. 意識與大腦：不只是硬體，更是「軟體」
大腦的演化奇蹟：作者強調，人類大腦的獨特之處不僅在於它的大小，更在於**新皮質（neocortex）**的高度發展。這部分大腦負責語言、高級認知功能和自我意識。
意識的生物學根源：書中解釋，意識並非單純的靈魂，而是數十億個神經元之間複雜的、同步的「交響樂」。它是一種從混亂中湧現的組織性行為。作者透過探討記憶（如何編碼與存儲）、夢境（大腦的「離線整理」）等現象，揭示了意識如何作為一種工具，幫助我們理解和預測世界。
2. 同理心與合作：從生存本能到道德基石
演化上的生存優勢：作者指出，同理心和利他主義並非單純的美德，而是演化選擇的結果。在原始社會，一個能夠理解同伴情緒、並與之合作的個體，其生存和繁衍的機率更高。
神經科學的佐證：書中提及**鏡像神經元（mirror neurons）**的作用。當我們看到他人做出某個動作或表現出某種情緒時，我們大腦中相對應的區域也會被活化，這就是同理心的神經學基礎。
3. 幽默感與快樂：化學物質的社交獎勵
幽默的生物學功能：作者將幽默感視為一種高級的認知能力。它不僅僅是為了好玩，更是一種強大的社交工具。笑聲可以緩解緊張、建立人際連結、並釋放內啡肽（endorphins），從而產生愉悅感。
多巴胺的獎勵迴路：書中解釋了幽默感如何與大腦的獎勵迴路相關聯。當我們發現一個笑點時，大腦會釋放多巴胺，這種化學物質會讓我們感到快樂，並強化這種社交行為。
4. 免疫系統：體內的智慧軍團
不僅是防禦，更是認知：作為免疫學家，作者將免疫系統視為人類獨特性的重要部分。它是一個能夠「學習」和「記憶」的系統。當它遇到病原體時，會記住其特徵，以便下次更快速地反應。
免疫與大腦的連結：書中探討了免疫系統與大腦之間的「對話」。這解釋了為什麼當我們生病時，會感到疲憊、情緒低落，甚至影響思維。
總結來說，這本書的深度在於它用科學的「Why」去回答哲學的「What」。它讓我們明白，那些看似抽象的人性特質，其實都深深植根於我們的生物學結構中。這種視角不僅讓人感到震撼，也讓我們對自己的存在產生更為具體和科學的敬畏。
1. 意識與大腦：不只是硬體，更是「軟體」
大腦的演化奇蹟：作者強調，人類大腦的獨特之處不僅在於它的大小，更在於**新皮質（neocortex）**的高度發展。這部分大腦負責語言、高級認知功能和自我意識。
意識的生物學根源：書中解釋，意識並非單純的靈魂，而是數十億個神經元之間複雜的、同步的「交響樂」。它是一種從混亂中湧現的組織性行為。作者透過探討記憶（如何編碼與存儲）、夢境（大腦的「離線整理」）等現象，揭示了意識如何作為一種工具，幫助我們理解和預測世界。
2. 同理心與合作：從生存本能到道德基石
演化上的生存優勢：作者指出，同理心和利他主義並非單純的美德，而是演化選擇的結果。在原始社會，一個能夠理解同伴情緒、並與之合作的個體，其生存和繁衍的機率更高。
神經科學的佐證：書中提及**鏡像神經元（mirror neurons）**的作用。當我們看到他人做出某個動作或表現出某種情緒時，我們大腦中相對應的區域也會被活化，這就是同理心的神經學基礎。
3. 幽默感與快樂：化學物質的社交獎勵
幽默的生物學功能：作者將幽默感視為一種高級的認知能力。它不僅僅是為了好玩，更是一種強大的社交工具。笑聲可以緩解緊張、建立人際連結、並釋放內啡肽（endorphins），從而產生愉悅感。
多巴胺的獎勵迴路：書中解釋了幽默感如何與大腦的獎勵迴路相關聯。當我們發現一個笑點時，大腦會釋放多巴胺，這種化學物質會讓我們感到快樂，並強化這種社交行為。
4. 免疫系統：體內的智慧軍團
不僅是防禦，更是認知：作為免疫學家，作者將免疫系統視為人類獨特性的重要部分。它是一個能夠「學習」和「記憶」的系統。當它遇到病原體時，會記住其特徵，以便下次更快速地反應。
免疫與大腦的連結：書中探討了免疫系統與大腦之間的「對話」。這解釋了為什麼當我們生病時，會感到疲憊、情緒低落，甚至影響思維。
總結來說，這本書的深度在於它用科學的「Why」去回答哲學的「What」。它讓我們明白，那些看似抽象的人性特質，其實都深深植根於我們的生物學結構中。這種視角不僅讓人感到震撼，也讓我們對自己的存在產生更為具體和科學的敬畏。
June 22, 2023
So I didn't realise until I started reading that this was aimed at kids! But I really don't think the content is right for kids, certainly not my 9 and 12 year olds. I learnt a thing or two myself though, so no complaints!
February 7, 2025
I really enjoy a children’s science book on audio… who doesn’t love giggling about farts on the commute?
July 31, 2025
Great book. Informative and funny. Perfect for younger ones and adults alike.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews