The Human Arc of War: Evolutionary Origins and Coalitionary Killing
Explore the evolutionary origins of conflict in The Human Arc of War. Discover how chimpanzee patrols and the Nataruk massacre reveal the roots of human warfare.
Best quote from The Human Arc of War: Evolutionary Origins and Coalitionary Killing
War isn't just about the invention of the state or the plow; it’s rooted in what biologists call 'coalitionary killing.' Evolution tends to favor things that work, even the 'nasty' traits.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
History of human warfare from pre-human ancestors and early tribal conflict to modern world wars, exploring why conflict persists despite social evolution and the concept of shifting focus to extra-terrestrial threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ngogo War among chimpanzees demonstrates that our closest relatives engage in sophisticated, coordinated campaigns to expand their territory. These chimpanzee patrols form strategic coalitions to increase their land by over twenty percent, suggesting that the impulse for war is a shared evolutionary heritage. This behavior indicates that the blueprint for 'us versus them' dynamics likely dates back millions of years, long before the emergence of modern human civilization.
The Nataruk massacre is a critical archaeological discovery in Kenya that dates back approximately 10,000 years. This site provides evidence of a violent conflict occurring long before the rise of traditional civilization or the invention of the state. It challenges the 'noble savage' myth by proving that hunter-gatherer societies engaged in organized violence, suggesting that warfare is not merely a modern failing but is deeply rooted in our ancient history.
Coalitionary killing is a biological concept used to describe how groups coordinate to eliminate rivals, a behavior observed in both humans and chimpanzees. In the podcast The Human Arc of War, this term explains that conflict is not just a result of the plow or the state, but is rooted in our biological past. This evolutionary trait suggests that the drive for organized group violence was baked into our DNA before we even became fully human.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
