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Is human evolution speeding up or slowing down? - Laurence Hurst

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TEDEd Animation

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In the past 3,000 years, many populations have evolved genetic adaptations to their local environments. People in Siberia and the high arctic are uniquely adapted to survive extreme cold. The Bajau people can dive 70 meters and stay underwater for almost 15 minutes. So what are other recent changes? And will our technological innovations impact our evolution? Laurence Hurst investigates.

The process by which populations genetically adapt to their environments was termed “survival of the fittest. Can you explain what this might mean in your own words?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Laurence Hurst
  • Director Philip Piaget, Rikke Planeta
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Animator Philip Piaget
  • Storyboard Artist Philip Piaget, Rikke Planeta
  • Compositor Rikke Planeta
  • Art Director Federico Pirovano
  • Producer The Animation Workshop, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Music André Aires
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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