In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything," he reflects on the unique circumstances that led to the emergence of human intelligence. He suggests that if the course of evolution were to start over, the likelihood of developing anything resembling human intelligence would be extremely low.

This statement emphasizes the randomness and improbability of evolutionary paths, highlighting how specific conditions and events in history contributed to our existence. It encourages readers to ponder the fragility of life and the serendipity involved in the evolution of complex beings like humans.