Tag: evolution

• Man the Hunter Debunked

  A common trope in evolutionary anthropology is the notion of the male as hunter and the female as gatherer. But was this binary division of labor actually in place among developing cultures? New research challenges this all too accepted belief, and forces Anthony and Jeff to reexamine one of science's most common misconceptions. [more]

  November 6, 2023Episodes

• The Ads of Your Dreams and Evolving Culture

  A group of dream researchers are calling for the regulation of commercial dream manipulation, so Jeff and Anthony take a look at whether we need to worry about brands incepting our dreams. Then, a new study suggests that human culture may be driving evolution faster than genetic mutations. Anthony and Jeff examine the ramifications of looking at global culture as the next evolutionary step. [more]

  June 18, 2021Episodes

• Kid Justice and Stone Age Monkeys

  A new Yale study shows that many children are willing to make personal sacrifices to punish wrongdoers — and even more so if they believe punishment will teach the transgressor a lesson. Anthony and Jeff are heartened by the findings and wonder if there is encouraging evidence about how humans perceive justice. Then, researchers have discovered that one population of white-faced capuchin monkeys in Panama have entered the Stone Age. Jeff and Anthony talk about what this means for how we conceptualize evolution, until Jeff ruins everything with a pun. [more]

  December 11, 2020Episodes

• Some Snail a Prey

  Conservationists have been sounding the alarm over invasive species for years, warning of the damage they can cause to habitats and native animals. But in Florida, an invasive snail might be helping an endangered bird species come back from the brink. The Snail Kite, an endangered species of bird that feeds on snails, responded to an invasive species by evolving quickly. Jeff and Anthony swoop in to chew on this tasty story. [more]

  February 21, 2018Episodes

• Living That Brock Life

  The construction of the world’s largest water slide gets Jeff and Anthony thinking about daredevil mentality, the line between brave and stupid, and the secret wish to be an alpha male. The story: http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-trb-verruckt-worlds-tallest-water-slide-20140702-story.html [more]

  July 9, 2014Episodes