The theory of human cognition that is presented in the first chapter here is fascinating.  The "ratchet effect" that Tomasello described made a lot of sense to me.  The process of progress in this example is rooted in prior success that is the foundation of the current success.  This is how humans have learned and continue to learn.  Though the ratchet effect occurs in other species it doesn't appear on a cultural level like it does in humans (5) Humans are the only species able to learn without actually do something themselves, they can be taught.  His hypothesis of species unique qualities that make up how we have managed to learn so much in a (relatively) short period of time is put in a very approachable way.I think the most important thing to take away from this introduction is that this phenomenon of cultural learning isn't solely the result of genetics but it developed over time to create the unique cognitive skills that our species has today. (11)