The evolution of the homo sapiens

The evolution of Homo sapiens has taken an exciting new turn in recent times. Our species has moved from its hunter-gatherer roots to a new breed of individuals known as Homo Experiencers. The Homo Experiencer is characterised by their desire to collect experiences, rather than accumulate material possessions. This shift in priorities is backed by a growing body of research that suggests experiences bring deeper fulfilment and happiness than material goods.

Studies have shown that experiences provide a sense of happiness and fulfilment that lasts much longer than that provided by material possessions (Van Boven, 2005). In fact, experiences tend to bring people closer together and create memories that last a lifetime (Kim et al., 2018). In contrast, material goods provide temporary pleasure, but they don’t offer the same level of satisfaction or leave a lasting impact (Dunn et al., 2008).

This shift in priorities has resulted in an explosion of the travel and tourism industry, as well as new experiences such as virtual reality and adventure sports (UNWTO, 2021). The Homo Experiencer values these experiences because they understand that they provide a deeper connection to the world around them (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).

In conclusion, the evolution of Homo sapiens into Homo Experiencer is an exciting development that is changing the way we think about our priorities. The pursuit of experiences is providing a deeper sense of fulfilment and happiness, and it is leading to the creation of new and exciting ways to collect them. As our species continues to evolve, it is likely that the focus on the pursuit of experiences will continue to grow.

Original ideation from Rodger Beekman & expanded on my David Martin

Watch this space more to come soon…

References:

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.

Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688.

Kim, H. S., Sherman, D. K., Sasaki, J. Y., & Li, Y. (2018). The experience of being moved: A review and research agenda. Psychological Bulletin, 144(9), 948–982.

UNWTO (2021). World Tourism Barometer, Volume 19, Issue 1. Madrid, Spain: World Tourism Organization.

Van Boven, L. (2005). Experientialism, materialism, and the pursuit of happiness. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 132–142.