Dr Matt Ridley Published 2 August 2011 | University of Melbourne
Matt Ridley: Genes, Technology and the Evolution of Culture
Science and Technology Matt Ridley: Genes, Technology and the
Evolution of Culture  Thinkers, writers and academics came from
all over the world to discuss themes of identity, history and
genetics at Melbourne University's Festival of Ideas. Delivering
the opening night keynote was British science writer Matt
Ridley, who put his mind to genetic and cultural evolution.  As
human beings, we enjoy a privileged position on the top of the
food chain. But how did we achieve this global domination? The
received wisdom has been that we have evolved superior bodies
and brains over millennia.  But here, Matt Ridley argues that
our cultural development leads to our genetic evolution. Or to
put it more simply, as we humans have developed different
skills, our biological makeup has evolved to match them.  One
curious example is our ability to digest lactose as adults,
which spread among Africans a