from where we came: a physicist's perspective on human origin, adaptation, proliferation, and development

Did you know that a significant percentage of us are part Neanderthal in our genetic makeup?So, were they as smart as we are? Why and how are we different? Could we talk to them? Or more interestingly, did we? What do these questions have to do with "from where we came?"A comprehensive overview of how we came to be.If you're searching for answers and tired of information overload from the media, you are not alone. Fortunately, despite all the noise, evolution boils down to a few physics and math principles. A significant part of the basic process by which we evolved from molecules can be summed up with math similar to the process of boarding a city bus.Through pop culture references, personal experiences, humor, graphics, and common sense, let's explore this topic through one physicist's eyes, wrapped in plain English. We will dive through evolution at the molecular and human levels connected by cause and effect.Follow along as we explore how humans have survived and even prospered, against all odds, through millions of years. It should become apparent that we are all alike in every way, except for minute differences in our genes. We cannot help but be motivated to find ways to better ourselves as a species. We are all blood brothers and sisters, all 7.8 billion of us, after all.