What makes us human? What distinguishes us from other animals, especially those closest to us, i.e. primates, considered «non-human»? With the latter we share many characteristics, such as sociality and the ability to communicate. Yet humans have developed a distinctive language, a wealth of words used to communicate with others and with themselves. The uniqueness of humans and human civilization is expressed in «a string of words that reason threads together into the necklace of history». Technological progress and the advent of the digital age have undoubtedly benefitted humanity, but not without side effects, including a flight from speech and conversation. This book’s author accompanies readers on a journey to the centre of our humanity, highlighting opportunities and risks associated with a completely new world transformed by smartphones, social networks, the Internet, and new digital media.

Lamberto Maffei is professor emeritus of Neurobiology at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa and a former president of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.