The Big History Project challenges us to make a fun, engaging, and thoughtful video about what does it mean to be human : http://school.bighistoryproject.com/contest
What does it mean to you, Hubski, to be human ?
Are we truly very different from all the other animals? We are just animals, and a lot of other animals share the same features we have: ability to dream, desire, compassion, ability to suffer, regret and hope, et.c We have accomplished more as an aggregate species so far, but I am not sure if that makes us more specials. Is one nation more special than another one just because it is more "advanced"? Probably not.
We've accomplished so much as an aggregate species for a reason, though. There's something undeniably special about humans biologically that has allowed us to create and expand far more than any other species on Earth. Perhaps it's just our intelligence. Or maybe there's a quality derived from that intelligence-- perseverance? Critical thinking? Most animals show these things at some level, I think it's just a matter of where their limits are. Humans are just less limited in what they can do and understand.
I think it isn't communication as a whole, but more specifically the ability to ask questions. IIRC no primate has ever asked a question, they've only answered ours. That might raise our aggressive curiosity in itself as a distinguishing feature. Humans spend their entire lives in the pursuit of knowledge. Do animals?
Being human for me means being able to not just survive, but also to learn from my past and change myself for the better. In this aspect, I am different from other animals. I have my own opinions, my own questions, and my own beliefs. I am able to improve my capabilities and advance my knowledge. Animals just survive by utilizing whatever is within their reach, whereas humans survive AND progress beyond what is physical.
To be human is to seek something beyond your own survival. Humans are defined by their high level of intelligence--this intelligence is what separates us from other animals. This intelligence means that we are aware of certain things, like death, which drive our creative enterprises. Recognising our own mortality, we strive to achieve something that will last beyond ourselves. To transcend death. To be human is to be transhuman.
Recognizing mortality isn't singular to the human species though.
What does it mean to me to be human? That's a tough question. Firstly, being human means to me that I reflect about myself, my actions, and my environment. I can even reach a meta level and reflect about me reflecting about this question right now. Secondly, I think that people want to reach bliss (I hope this is the correct English term for this notion). Most of our life consists of the pursuit of happiness. Bliss would be something like permanent happiness, if you excuse my sloppy explanation.