The Human Spark

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The Human Spark

The Human Spark is a television series developed by Alan Alda that deals with scientific discovery. As an actor and author, he is enthusiastic in both professions; he brings his humor and curiosity into picture. He interviews and engages in face-to-face conversations with the leading researchers and fellow archeologists in the pursuit of discovering the existence of the human spark. Primatologists who study the closest living relatives and the relations we have and the differences are also interviewed. The series is divided into three parts; first session Alda discovers paintings; in the second series, Alda undertakes researches on apes and in the third, the researchers carry out an experiment on Alda to find his human spark.

Alan witnesses the amazing carvings and paintings that date back to 30,000 years ago. He discovers the artwork in the caves and rock shelters based in the Dordogne region of France. The records discovered by the archeologists were once thought to be the first done by the people with minds similar to ours. The Neanderthals are believed to have been responsible of the artwork. Alan visits the sites where the Neanderthals once lived and discovers that they were determined and resourceful people (Human spark 2008). However, they appear to have lived for the moment and produced no art. The only thing they did was create a stone technology that brought minimal change over the millennia.

In the first program, Alda witnesses the presentation of human spark in an ancient artwork. The people who painted the caves had an outstanding difference and uniqueness that is referred to as the human spark. The capability goes beyond artwork to symbolic communication and inventive technology. The questions he intends to find answers to are when did the human spark come into existence, the archeologists believe, the temperament of human uniqueness and the reason for the spark ignition. All the questions aim at discovering what man possesses that the Neanderthal man lacked.

In the second part of the program, he joins the researcher in studying the apes who are said to be our closest relatives. The main reason for the study is to discover what we have in common with them and what has changed since the evolution time when we parted ways. He keenly observes and participates in the experiments the researchers carryout. The research indicates the chimpanzee massive skills and an indifference of how things work. Cultures and tools of the chimpanzee are expressed but also indicating a great difference between their culture and the human culture. Chimpanzees also have similar characters as human such as cooperation and empathy but their levels differ, which is shown in the experiments (Mirsky 3). Finally, Alda again takes a visit to a dog lab based in Germany to carryout an experiment. The experiment shows how they are substantially developed than the apes. Their development has lasted even after separation that lasted ten millions of years ago.

The final program is the third where the scientists undertake many experiments including detailed examinations of the brain with Alan volunteering to be part of the exercise. From inside his brain, discovery of the unique structure associated with speech and language development is seen. FOXP2 gene complex story is straightened out providing the researchers with a few brain mechanisms that help in language. The scientists search for clues in all places including the fossil bones and the ancient tools they used. The viewers and the researchers also find out the areas that enable Alda to use complex tools and understand the minds of others, one essential human attribute.

Works Cited

Mirsky, Steve. “Alan Alda looks for the human spark.” Scientific American 6 January. 2010: 1-5. Print.

“The human spark.” Scientific American Frontiers. Pbs. Atlanta. 1 June. 2008. Television.