Humans have expanded across the globe in the last 60,000 years, occupying a wider range than any other terrestrial species. This success is often attributed to human cognitive abilities, such as larger brains and greater computational power. However, the authors argue that no single human is smart enough to acquire all the knowledge needed to survive in any habitat. Instead, humans rely on social learning to gradually accumulate information across generations, developing complex tools, beliefs, and practices that no individual could invent alone. This ability to learn from others is crucial for human adaptation and has shaped human evolution. The authors challenge the "cognitive niche" hypothesis, which suggests that human success is due to superior intelligence. They argue that this hypothesis overestimates individual cognitive abilities and underestimates the role of culture. Instead, they propose that humans occupy a "cultural niche," where social learning allows the gradual accumulation and recombination of adaptive knowledge. This process enables the development of complex, locally adapted practices that individuals could not achieve alone. The authors provide evidence from Inuit adaptations, showing how complex knowledge is necessary for survival in harsh environments. For example, Inuit people developed specialized clothing, shelters, and hunting techniques that required extensive knowledge passed down through generations. This highlights the importance of cultural transmission in solving adaptive problems. The authors also discuss the role of social learning in cultural evolution, noting that while learning from others is usually cheaper than individual learning, it can lead to the spread of beneficial innovations. However, evolutionary models suggest that social learning may not always lead to better adaptation if it results in "free riding" where individuals benefit without contributing. Nevertheless, the ability to selectively learn from others and recombine information has allowed humans to develop complex cultural adaptations. The authors conclude that cultural learning is essential for human adaptation and has profoundly shaped human evolution. Unlike other species, humans have developed the capacity to learn from others, allowing the gradual accumulation of knowledge and the creation of complex, adaptive practices. This cultural niche has enabled humans to occupy a wide range of habitats and has been a key factor in human evolutionary success.Humans have expanded across the globe in the last 60,000 years, occupying a wider range than any other terrestrial species. This success is often attributed to human cognitive abilities, such as larger brains and greater computational power. However, the authors argue that no single human is smart enough to acquire all the knowledge needed to survive in any habitat. Instead, humans rely on social learning to gradually accumulate information across generations, developing complex tools, beliefs, and practices that no individual could invent alone. This ability to learn from others is crucial for human adaptation and has shaped human evolution. The authors challenge the "cognitive niche" hypothesis, which suggests that human success is due to superior intelligence. They argue that this hypothesis overestimates individual cognitive abilities and underestimates the role of culture. Instead, they propose that humans occupy a "cultural niche," where social learning allows the gradual accumulation and recombination of adaptive knowledge. This process enables the development of complex, locally adapted practices that individuals could not achieve alone. The authors provide evidence from Inuit adaptations, showing how complex knowledge is necessary for survival in harsh environments. For example, Inuit people developed specialized clothing, shelters, and hunting techniques that required extensive knowledge passed down through generations. This highlights the importance of cultural transmission in solving adaptive problems. The authors also discuss the role of social learning in cultural evolution, noting that while learning from others is usually cheaper than individual learning, it can lead to the spread of beneficial innovations. However, evolutionary models suggest that social learning may not always lead to better adaptation if it results in "free riding" where individuals benefit without contributing. Nevertheless, the ability to selectively learn from others and recombine information has allowed humans to develop complex cultural adaptations. The authors conclude that cultural learning is essential for human adaptation and has profoundly shaped human evolution. Unlike other species, humans have developed the capacity to learn from others, allowing the gradual accumulation of knowledge and the creation of complex, adaptive practices. This cultural niche has enabled humans to occupy a wide range of habitats and has been a key factor in human evolutionary success.