On Mount Athos, in northern Greece, a monk rises before dawn to chant the same prayers that have echoed through the mountain for over 1,000 years. This tradition, passed down through generations of monks, dates back to Athanasios the Athonite in AD963. Despite the passage of time and the departure of countless individuals, the chants, rituals, and customs remain unchanged. This continuity highlights a deeper truth: cultural traditions, like living organisms, can persist and evolve over time. Some scientists argue that human culture is not just an extension of life but a distinct form of life in its own right. To understand this idea, we must first define what life is. While biologists have long debated a clear definition, most agree that life involves the encoding, processing, and transmission of information. In biological life, this function is performed by DNA, which carries genetic instructions for survival and reproduction. Over millions of years, these genetic instructions have evolved, giving rise to the vast diversity of life on Earth. However, a second form of self-replicating information began to emerge: culture. Unlike DNA, culture is not stored in genes but is passed from person to person through social learning and shared knowledge. Cultures can be found in many species, not just humans. For example, chimpanzees in different parts of Africa use tools in unique ways—some use rocks to crack nuts, while others use sticks to fish for termites. These behaviors are learned and passed on within groups. Our human ancestors, who were once apes, likely had similar cultural complexity. But as the Earth experienced cycles of ice ages starting about 2.6 million years ago, culture began to play a more dominant role in shaping human evolution. While our genes were not well-suited for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle, our growing cultural knowledge allowed us to thrive. This cultural evolution led to innovations like stone tool-making, fire control, and food preparation, which in turn influenced the development of our brains. The most significant breakthrough came with the emergence of language. Language is not only a cornerstone of culture but also the most powerful tool for transmitting knowledge. As language evolved from simple communication to complex forms, it enabled the rapid spread of ideas, skills, and techniques. This led to a "cultural virus" effect, where knowledge spread quickly and efficiently. As brains adapted to a world filled with language, they became better at learning and using it, leading to even more complex languages and cultural systems. This feedback loop between language, culture, and the brain transformed humans into beings capable of creating vast and diverse cultural expressions, from music and art to technology and religion. Today, humans are on the brink of yet another transformation. We are witnessing the rise of a new form of self-replicating information—machines that can write their own code. This may mark the beginning of a third phase in the evolution of life, one that could reshape our understanding of existence itself. As we stand at this pivotal moment, the question remains: what will this new form of life mean for our future, and how can we learn from the past to navigate this uncharted territory?