Main content

The Infinite Monkey’s Guide to... Being Human

Brian and Robin consider the quirks that make human beings unique while Bill Bailey learns how to speak like a chimp and Conan O’Brien explains how his brain is wired for comedy.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince consider the quirks that make human beings unique and check in with experts from The Infinite Monkey Cage back catalogue. Prof Alice Roberts explains that our ancestors interbred with Neanderthals to make us who we are today. We’re also excellent at communicating with other species, as comedian Bill Bailey learns when he gets a lesson in chimp speak from the legendary primatologist Dr Jane Goodall. Then there are the bits of us that are pretty different, like our large brains and Conan O’Brien says his has been wired for comedy. Everyone agrees natural selection hasn’t always equipped us with the best tools for the job and David Baddiel argues the eye is a perfect example of a human design flaw.

Episodes featured:
The Infinite Monkey Cage 100
Series 22: When the Monkeys met the Chimps
Series 22: The Human Brain
Series 19: Are Humans Still Evolving?

New episodes will be released on Wednesdays, but if you’re in the UK, listen to new episodes, a week early, first on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sounds: bbc.in/3K3Jzy

Producer: Marijke Peters
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Release date:

Available now

18 minutes

Watch: UFO Special

Watch: UFO Special

Brian Cox and Robin Ince ask if UFOs and aliens have visited Earth.

10 reasons why aliens probably exist

10 reasons why aliens probably exist

Does alien life exist? Probably yes. But will we be making contact anytime soon?

Why we laugh: 9 things you didn’t know

Why we laugh: 9 things you didn’t know

What makes us laugh, why we do it, and how a good guffaw can help us feel healthier.

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast