How Likely is Intelligent Life?
January 16, 2020
Two new books tackle the question of life and sentience and, together, they make a strong argument that neither may be as improbable as we thought. … More How Likely is Intelligent Life?
Tag: anthropology
The Beauty of Imperfection: Why I Wrote “Human Errors”
November 12, 2018
Our flaws show the limits of our biology and the way in which our past shapes our present. … More The Beauty of Imperfection: Why I Wrote “Human Errors”
The Value of Social Relationships During Aging in Female Rhesus Macaques
April 9, 2018
Rhesus monkeys have an intricate social structure. There is a dominance hierarchy, meaning that not all individuals enjoy the same rank in the group. This also effects the value that individuals gain from each of their relationships. Obviously, having powerful allies is of great value. And to maintain a powerful position requires allies. These are all … More The Value of Social Relationships During Aging in Female Rhesus Macaques
Video: An Impromptu Skype Call with Lee Berger and John Hawks from inside the Rising Star Caves as They Excavated More Homo naledi Fossils
September 18, 2017
Perhaps the most famous paleoanthropology team are now live-streaming their fossil excavation efforts from South Africa … More Video: An Impromptu Skype Call with Lee Berger and John Hawks from inside the Rising Star Caves as They Excavated More Homo naledi Fossils
Exclusive Interview with Lee Berger: A Second Cave, Homo naledi Fossils Only 236-355k Years Old
May 9, 2017
Researchers in South Africa have discovered another cave with remains of Homo naledi and the dating of the fossils reveals a big surprise. … More Exclusive Interview with Lee Berger: A Second Cave, Homo naledi Fossils Only 236-355k Years Old
From Woodpeckers to Apes: Competition Drives the Correlation between Brain Size and Group Size
March 8, 2017
A new study of woodpeckers adds nuance to the relationship between brain power and social interactions. … More From Woodpeckers to Apes: Competition Drives the Correlation between Brain Size and Group Size
The Body Language of Bonobos and the Evolution of Human Language
February 27, 2017
Researchers have catalogued body language in bonobos, providing key insight into the evolution of human language. … More The Body Language of Bonobos and the Evolution of Human Language
The Biological Foundations of Justice
October 14, 2016
On November 15th at 4:30p, I will be giving a lecture regarding how the study of animal behavior and human evolutionary history provide powerful clues of how to design a criminal justice system that works with our inherent nature instead of against it. … More The Biological Foundations of Justice
Borrowed Signals: A Discussion of the “Guilty Dog” Look
September 12, 2016
That “guilty dog” look is the product of millions of years of evolution and is actually a sophisticated social communiqué. … More Borrowed Signals: A Discussion of the “Guilty Dog” Look
Why do We and Other Animals Wince When in Pain?
August 8, 2016
The “pain grimace” is quite similar in many mammals, but where did it come from and why do we do it? … More Why do We and Other Animals Wince When in Pain?
