THE SHIFT

Introduction We have a surprising amount of unexpressed DNA lurking within our human bodies. A stunning 98 percent of our DNA has no known purpose. It is evolutionary detritus. What might happen if, for some of us, a portion of that silent DNA was suddenly not so silent? Part 1 Beth Lincoln, Ohio 2019–2020 August 12, 2019 Dear Child, I can’t wait to meet you. I want to hold you, love you, look into your face, hold your hand, watch you grow, and keep you safe. I am writing this journal for you. If it turns out I am not around to tell you, I want you to understand how and why you came to be. I owe you that. I like to keep track of things. I have been told I am meticulous. Despite the odds, the home pregnancy test tells me I am pregnant. With you. You were conceived on July 7, 2019. You will be here in eight months. I don’t know how I am going to wait that long. To be clear, this is not a diary. I find diaries to be boring. I am only going to tell you what I think you need to know. Dr. Catherine Taylor, Professor Department of Anthropology Canadian Eastern University Toronto, Ontario Anthropology 212: Human Evolution in North America Fall Quarter Recorded Lecture September 18, 2145 I want to thank everyone for signing up for this class. I did not put a limit on the number of students for this quarter, and as you can see, we are in the largest lecture hall that Canadian Eastern University has to offer. A few housekeeping matters: Although my lectures will be recorded, I appreciate in-person attendance. There is value to physically immersing yourself in the learning process. For obvious reasons, this is a popular class, even for non–anthropology majors, and I would like to think that is due in part to the quality of the lectures. [Some polite but nervous laughter ripples through the lecture hall.] There is no textbook for this class, which also probably contributes to its popularity. [More confident laughter this time.] Citations to some of the published works I have used as references in preparing these lectures may be found on my webpage; I do expect you to read that material. Feel free to do your own research as well. I know you will approach this class with enthusiasm because that is your nature. There is no midterm or final exam, but you will be asked to write three essays. [A few isolated groans.] Most of my lectures will focus on the events as they unfolded in the United States of America and Canada in 2020 and the following years. As an anthropologist, I find this to be the most intriguing period in the history of humankind, even though it was only 125 years ago. So much was happening and so little was known. People generally dislike unknowns. My colleague, Dr. Marguerite Sanchez, teaches a companion class that covers the same period in Europe and Asia. Taking both classes will allow you to compare the differing political and cultural responses to this remarkable evolutionary phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere. Dr. Sanchez’s class will be available in the spring quarter. Despite what you may have heard from your fellow students, this class is not to be considered an easy A. Whether you intend to pursue a career in the field of biological anthropology or not, it is important that you become critical thinkers. There is a difference between being smart and being intelligent. You might have been born with a high IQ, but being wise requires patience and effort. More than you might think. Let me define anthropology. Simply put, it is the study of humanity. But it is the study of humanity in two temporal directions. It is a study of the past to understand where we came from, and it is a study of possible and probable futures for humankind. It is a gloriously messy combination of biology, sociology, psychology, history, and genetics. I realize the term “human” can still be somewhat controversial, but I use the word in its broadest sense at this point. Shall we begin?