How Movement Drives Evolution – with Matt Wilkinson

Embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of movement in this 58-minute lecture by zoologist Matt Wilkinson at The Royal Institution. Explore the fascinating reasons behind the absence of flying monkeys and natural wheels on Earth, and discover how humans can outrun antelopes. Delve into the four-billion-year history of life, learning why our ancestors became bipedal, the origins of opposable thumbs, backbones, and brains, and even how trees are obsessed with movement. Uncover the mysteries behind chimpanzee and cheetah locomotion, the evolution of wings, and the intricate workings of the nervous system. From the Greek trireme to the Portuguese siphonophore, and extending into the plant kingdom, gain a comprehensive understanding of how movement has shaped the history of life on our planet.

Introduction
What makes us different
How we move
Not just the direct
Chimpanzee pelvis
How do chimpanzees move
How do cheetahs move
Why dont we have wheels
Why dont we have legs
Why dont we fly
Evolution of wings
Opposable thumbs
Madagascar hissing cockroach
Mexican waves
The nervous system
Greek trireme
Portuguese siphonophore
Plant kingdom
The history of life