That set us off on a whole new direction,從此人類有了新的進化方向

set off出發，動身

What time are you planning to set off tomorrow?

你打算明天幾點鐘啟程?

They've set off on a journey round the world.

他們已經開始環游世界。

They think that the ability to adapt to new environments他們認為適應新環境

adapt to適應

You must adapt to the norms of the society you live in.

在社會中生活就要遵循社會行為準則。

The new students are very slow to adapt to the rules.

新生對于那些規定適應得很慢。

we evolved our large, complex brains to cope with our social environment.我們進化出大而復雜的大腦以適應社會環境的變化

cope with對付；應付；處理

For all his learning, he didn't know how to cope with the situation.

他雖然學識淵博，但對這種情況他也不知道如何應付。

Inexperienced she was, she could cope with the difficulties wonderfully well.

盡管她沒有經驗，但她能巧妙地克服這些困難。