Brawn and Engineering, Not Brains, Led to Human Domination
Psychology Today
by Marc Bekoff Ph.D.February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Roland Ennos' groundbreaking book *The Powerful Primate: How Controlling Energy Enabled Us to Build Civilization* challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that human dominance on Earth was driven not just by intellect but by physical strength and engineering ingenuity. Ennos, a renowned biomechanist, presents a compelling case that our ability to manipulate energy—through tools, machines, and systems—has been the cornerstone of our species' success. This perspective flips traditional narratives that often emphasize brainpower over brawn, offering fresh insights into how humans evolved and conquered the planet.
Ennos draws from his extensive research in biomechanics, linking the evolution of early hominins to their physical capabilities. He highlights how bipedalism and tool use allowed early humans to thrive in diverse environments. For millions of years, natural selection favored bodies that could throw, hit, and manipulate objects with precision. This physical prowess enabled survival on the African plains, where early humans scavenged, foraged, and eventually developed sophisticated tools. Over time, as brains grew larger and more complex, humans harnessed their intellect to create advanced technologies, from agricultural tools to wheeled vehicles.
The book also explores how human ingenuity brid
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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/19/2026