This program examines the “selfish gene” hypothesis, laying out an interconnected tale of Western imperialism, African genocide, and the unusual psyches of the men who developed the theory. Working in an era that dubbed human beings “soft machines controlled by onboard computers,” William Hamilton wondered why, if we are genetically programmed merely to survive, do some people behave altruistically? Together with computer scientist George Price he determined an evolutionary advantage for self-sacrifice, borrowing concepts from technology to do so—their idea was later popularized by ex-computer programmer Richard Dawkins. Woven throughout the video is a brutal exploration of warfare in central Africa that raises questions about motivation and free will, and puts theories of mechanistic biology to the test. A BBC Production. Part of the series All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace. (52 minutes)