I think _persistence of thought_ is the thing that separates us. We are able to look back on ideas first thought by thinkers thousands of years ago and continue

I think _persistence of thought_ is the thing that separates us. We are able to look back on ideas first thought by thinkers thousands of years ago and continue to riff off/transform ideas of old. That enables us to keep a catalogue not only of ideas that work, but ideas that no longer work and _why_.