Podcast appearances and mentions of Brian Hare

Tommy spends some time with Dr. Brian Hare, author of Puppy Kindergarten and a Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University. He runs the Duke Canine Cognition Center You can get a copy of Dr. Hare's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Puppy-Kindergarten-Science-Raising-Great/dp/B0CGS38TNG

Evolution is not what it used to be. A lot has changed since Darwin's day. In the first half of the 20th century, evolutionary theory was integrated with an emerging understanding of genetics. Late in the 20th century, biologists started taking seriously the idea that organisms don't just adapt to their environments, they change them. Recently, researchers have started to acknowledge the role of culture in evolutionary processes. And so slowly our understanding of evolution has been reconsidered, updated, expanded. And more updates are underway. But it's not just our understanding of evolution that has changed over time. Evolution itself has changed, too. My guest today is Dr. Kevin Lala. Kevin an evolutionary biologist at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Over his long career, Kevin has been at the forefront of key debates about—and updates to—evolutionary theory. He's known, for instance, for his pioneering work on niche construction as well as for his work on gene-culture evolution. In a new book titled Evolution Evolving, Kevin and his four co-authors present a new synthesis of evolution, one that places developmental processes front and center. Here, Kevin and I sketch the notion of a "developmental bias" and why it's central to this new understanding of evolution. We talk about the orthodox gene-centric way of thinking about development—and what it get's wrong. We discuss so-called exploratory processes in development. We dig into the increasingly popular, but  much debated construct of "evolvability." And we consider what this newest update to evolution theory might tell us about the origins of human cognition. Along the way, Kevin and talk about floppy ears in mammals and fragmented faces in fish; symbionts and soft inheritance; Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Richard Lewontin, and August Weismann; development as an artist and evolution as curator; maps; plants; manual dexterity; brains size; and why evolution is a bit like walking on a trampoline. A final reminder about the 2025 Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, or DISI. DISI is a three-week long summer institute held in St Andrews, Scotland; it's a place for the wide-ranging, transdisciplinary exploration of ideas about mind, cognition, and intelligence. It's a place where early career scholars get to hobnob with thinkers like Kevin Lala, who was a faculty member with us in 2019. There's still time to apply, but do act fast—review of applications begins March 1st.   Alright friends, on to my conversation w/ Dr. Kevin Lala. Enjoy!   A transcript of this episode will be posted soon.   Notes and links 4:00 – A paper describing so-called domestication syndrome. For more on domestication (and self-domestication), see our earlier episode with Dr. Brian Hare. 11:00 – A paper describing cavefish as a new model organism in the study of evolution and development. 15:00 – An influential 2015 paper, led by Dr. Lala, describing the “extended evolutionary synthesis.” 22:00 – A 2016 overview of niche construction theory, led by Dr. Lala. 27:00 – An early report on “lobtail feeding” in humpback whales. 33:00 – A paper describing “gaping behavior” in cichlid fishes. 35:00 – A review of “soft inheritance.” The study showing that mice pass on learned associations to offspring. 41:00 – A study on the gut microbes that allow woodrats to digest toxic creosote. 44:00 – See our earlier episode with Dr. Erik Turkheimer. 50:00 – See Winther's book, When Maps Become the World. 56:00 – A paper reviewing the idea of “exploratory mechanisms” in development, as well as other ideas associated with the concept of “plasticity-led evolution.” 1:05:00 – A classic paper on the notion of “evolvability.” 1:13:00 – For one example of a “major transitions” framework, see our earlier episode with Dr. Andrew Barron. 1:17:00 – A news article about how dogs developed the ability to digest starch, initially by acquiring symbionts. 1:20:00 – For discussion of the evolution of human brain size, see our earlier episode ‘Fermentation, fire, and our big brains.' 1:28:00 – A recent review of the idea that humans are “self-domesticated.”   Recommendations Developmental Plasticity and Evolution, by Mary Jane West-Eberhard   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation to Indiana University. The show is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala. Subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here! We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com.  For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Twitter (@ManyMindsPod) or Bluesky (@manymindspod.bsky.social).

Why are dogs so exceptional at understanding humans? Dr. Brian Hare, professor of psychology, evolutionary anthropology, and neuroscience at Duke University, joins the Delta Waterfowl Podcast to share what science has to say about canine intelligence. From his youth in Atlanta, Georgia where he grew up with hunting dogs, to Duke research labs, Dr. Hare brings a lifetime of interest and expertise to the conversation. Discover how dogs communicate, collaborate, and excel in tasks ranging from pets and hunting to serving alongside the U.S. military. Whether you're a duck hunter, dog lover, or science enthusiast, this episode delivers insights and stories you won't want to miss.Host: Joel BriceGuest: Dr. Brian HareGuest: Kyle WintersteenDelta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Researchers are working to identify early signs that a dog is cut out to be a working canine.  Brian Hare - professor of evolutionary anthropology and psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center joined Dan Rea.Let's Rock Cancer! A Rockin' Night to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Cancer Care Equity Program with the event organizer and specialist in lung cancer treatment Dr. Christopher Lathan checked in with Dan.Reports of an upcoming snowstorm to hit New England around the Thanksgiving holiday! Brian Thompson - Accuweather Meteorologist discussed the weather with Dan.Great Gulf's LiveKillington development is going to redefine mountain living at the northeast's premier ski destination with Michael Sneyd, President of Resort Residential for Great Gulf.Ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio and listen to NightSide with Dan Rea Weeknights From 8PM-12AM!

The way we live with dogs has change significantly over the past few decades.  Our pets are a part of the family, and as such, we want to give them every advantage possible, including a great education.  Dr. Brian Hare has been studying dog cognition for years, and his recent project involves monitoring the cognitive […]

The puppy kindergarten at Duke University is discovering how to spot a future great service dog while the dog is still a puppy. And it turns out that what makes a great service dog can also make your dog great.

Everything seems crazy and awful right now in the world and then, on top of it all, people are… putting costumes on dogs. Anamarie and I delve into the weirdness and ethics of dressing up dogs. Additionally, we talk about Brian Hare and Vanessa Wood's Atlantic article about a third wive of domestication in dogs, and the Monks of New Skete's feature in the Associated Press. Ultimately, my 5-year-old sums up the spirit of the episode by sharing her own impromptu thoughts on how we should consider our dogs comfort above all else. Notes:Join me this Saturday 11/2 at The Museum Of The Dog where I will be interviewed by Alex Pasternack of Fast Company, and signing books and Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods in the Atlantic The Monks of New Skete in the APGenealogy of Obedience by Justyna WlodarczykThe Ewok Costume Time stamps:00:00  Halloween cnversations with a three year old00:49 Upcoming Events and Announcements02:32 Dog Halloween Parade Concerns06:57 Dog Training Philosophies and Stereotypes12:00 Service Dogs and Domestication16:00 The Monks of New Skete in the news31:31 Halloween conversations with a five year old This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dogtraining.substack.com

Vanessa Woods is the Director of Duke University's Puppy Kindergarten program, which studies what qualities are important in becoming a great service dog. The program is funded by the National Institute of Health and works with puppies from Canine Companions, the largest service dog provider in the United States. While this is primarily intended to learn what makes the best service dogs, it has also been informative about all dogs. Her husband, Brian Hare, is the Founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center, the first academic program dedicated to studying dogs in the country. Together they co-wrote a new book, called Puppy Kindergarten, where they take the valuable lessons learned from their years of research studying service dogs as the ideal model for how dogs live with us in today's culture. They share tips, activity ideas, and more insights on for all dog parents raising puppies.Their goal is to help everyone develop a happier and healthier relationship with their dogs from a young age, which carries on throughout the rest of their lives.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/vanessa-woods-2024 

This week Michelle Fern is joined by Vanessa Woods, co-author of Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog. Written with Brian Hare, Puppy Kindergarten is the first book about raising puppies to be written by evolutionary scientists - moreover, Duke University's Puppy Kindergarten is the first large-scale study tracking puppy development since 1950. This husband-and-wife team, along with a retired service dog named Congo, have meticulously observed and documented the growth of one hundred and one puppies at the Duke Puppy Kindergarten. Their mission was to unravel what it truly takes to raise a great dog, and the findings are as enlightening as they are charming. EPISODE NOTES: Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog

Brian Hare is a professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and is the co-author of the book "Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity."------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackSpotifyApple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Intro(00:46) The origin and ideas of "Survival of the Friendliest"(07:38) The story of human survival and dominance(20:20) What is meant by "friendliness"?(26:40) Tribal identity and darker aspects of human cooperation(35:15) Political polarization in America(46:12) The work of Braver Angels and overcoming political division(52:30) Is it ever appropriate to dehumanize?

From the New York Times Best Selling Authors of “The Genius of Dogs,” Vannessa Woods and Brian Hare, comes “Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog.” Chris and his trusty co-host Eric unpack “dognition” with Vanessa, a research scientist who runs a “Puppy Kindergarten” at Duke University. She also happens to be an award-winning journalist and author of Bonobo Handshake. Brian is a professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke, where he founded the Duke Canine Cognition Center. ------------------------------ Find the books discussed in this episode: Hare, B., & Woods, V. (2024). Puppy Kindergarten: the new science of raising a great dog. Random House Trade Paperbacks. Hare, B., & Woods, V. (2021). Survival of the friendliest: Understanding our origins and rediscovering our common humanity. Random House Trade Paperbacks. Learn more about Puppy Kindergarten here. ------------------------------ Contact Vanessa: v.woods@duke.edu ------------------------------ Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and Human Biology Association: Facebook: facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation/, Website: humbio.org, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc Chris Lynn, Co-Host Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, E-mail: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter:@Chris_Ly Eric Griffith, Guest Co-Host E-mail: eric.griffith@duke.edu Cristina Gildee, HBA Junior Fellow, SoS Producer Website

There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI's reveal in terms of a dog's attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.

Today on AirTalk, a California bill would give doxxing victims the right to sue. Also on the show, we check-in on the cleantech industry and the challenges they're facing; authors Vanessa Wood and Brian Hare talk about their new book ‘Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog;' we examine the future of the California Dream for All program; grammy-winning singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade stops by to talk about her upcoming Hollywood Bowl shows; and more. CA bill would give doxxing victims the right to sue (00:17) Checking-in on cleantech (17:26) New book examines what makes a great dog (33:04) Update on CA program helping first-time home buyers (51:22) Larry interviews singer Natalia Lafourcade (1:11:52) Best places to dine alone (1:28:55)

Discover the transformative power of dog training from the insights of Cameron Ford, the brilliant mind behind Ford Canine. This episode is a thrilling journey through the evolution of canine training, blending heartfelt personal narratives with groundbreaking scientific research. Prepare to be inspired by Cameron's transition from military to civilian life, his forward-thinking approach at Duke University with Dr. Brian Hare, and the dynamic interplay of traditional and scientific methods in enhancing the art of dog training.Feel the pulse of the dog training industry's ever-changing landscape, as we unwrap the stories behind podcasting's shift from audio to YouTube, examining the effect of technology on how we share knowledge. My own path intertwines with Cameron's, bringing to light the nuanced experiences—from a childhood fear to guiding others in the field—that have shaped our philosophies. The episode peels back the layers of our careers, revealing the pivotal moments that sparked growth and the synergy of fusing passion with technological innovation.Join our celebration of collaboration, where respect and openness in dog training are not just encouraged but proven to be essential. This conversation is a treasure trove of shared wisdom, touching upon the compassionate human element that drives successful training and the powerful connections formed between handlers and their canine companions. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring trainer, this episode is a testament to the collective spirit that propels the dog training community forward.

If want to have a rich social life, you're going to need to know who's who. You'll need to distinguish friend from foe, sister from stranger. And you're going to need to hold those distinctions in your head— for at least a little while. This is true not just for humans but—we have to assume—for other social species as well. But which species? And for how long can other creatures hold on to these kinds of social memories?  My guests today are Dr. Laura Lewis and Dr. Chris Krupenye. Laura is a biological anthropologist and postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley; Chris is a comparative psychologist and an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins. Along with a larger team, Laura and Chris recently authored a paper on memory for familiar faces in chimpanzees and bonobos. In it, they show that our closest cousins remember their groupmates for decades. Here, we chat about the paper and the backstory behind it. We consider the anecdotes about long-term memory in great apes—and how Laura and Chris decided to go beyond those anecdotes. We talk about the evidence for complex social memory across the animal kingdom. We discuss the use of eye-tracking with primates and its advantages over earlier methods. We also talk about why long-term social memory might have evolved. Along the way, we touch on dolphins, ravens, and lemurs; voices, gaits, and names; the different gradations of recognition; and how memory serves as a critical foundation for social life more generally.  Alright friends, without further ado, here's my conversation with Laura Lewis and Chris Krupenye. Enjoy!   A transcript of this episode will be available soon.    Notes and links 4:30 – Dr. Lewis and Dr. Krupenye worked together in the lab of Dr. Brian Hare, a former guest on the podcast.  8:30 – The video of Mama and the primatologist Jan van Hooff. 12:00 – For research on the remarkably long social memories of dolphin, see here.  14:00 – For research on long-term voice recognition in bonobos, see here. 19:30 – Another collaborator on the paper we're discussing was Dr. Fumihiro Kano, affiliated with the Kumamoto Sanctuary. 29:30 – For more on the use of eye-tracking with primates, see a recent review paper by Dr. Lewis and Dr. Krupenye.  34:00 – For the previous study by Dr. Lewis, Dr. Krupenye, and colleagues about how bonobos and chimpanzees attend to current groupmates, see here.  41:00 – A popular article reviewing bonobo social behavior.  54:30 – A research paper on individual recognition by scent in chimpanzees. 55:30 – A research paper on individual recognition by butt in chimpanzees.   Recommendations ‘Long-term memory for affiliates in ravens' ‘Decades-long social memory in bottlenose dolphins' ‘Enduring voice recognition in bonobos'   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation to UCLA. It is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala. Subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here! We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com.  For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Twitter: @ManyMindsPod.

W drugiej części podcastu o lisach Bielajewa docieramy do momentu, kiedy w lisim świecie Dmitrija Bielajewa zaczęło się źle dziać. Połowa lat 80-ch przyniosła nie tylko zmiany polityczne w ZSRR, ale też śmierć naukowca oraz pierwszy poważny kryzys gospodarczy w kraju. Ludmiła Trut, próbująca za wszelką cenę ratować setki "udomowionych" lisów, pozostaje na farmie wraz z kilkoma oddanymi sprawie pracownikami. Reszta naukowców i zwykłych pracowników ośrodka badawczego pod Nowosybirskiem próbuje ratować swoje rodziny. Ludmile udaje się wtedy uratować nie tylko swoich podopiecznych, ale też nie stracić wyników trwającego od kilkudziesięciu lat eksperymentu. Kolejnym ciosem był koniec lat 90-ch... Wtedy z ratunkiem przyszli zwykli ludzie, mieszkających w różnych zakątkach świata, którym los lisów Bielajewa nie był obojętny. Gdy czytałam o tych trudnych, tragicznych doświadczeniach, nie mogłam nie pomyśleć o tych, którzy dziś znajdują się w jeszcze gorszej sytuacji, niż Ludmiła Trut zimą 1998 roku. I tym razem to my mamy szansę komuś pomóc - być może sprawić, że pojawi się chociaż promyk nadziei. Mam na myśli Marynę, która dziś walczy o życie psów w schronisku w Dnieprze: https://www.facebook.com/shelterFriendDneprWesprzeć Marynę i pomóc jej ratować psy w Ukrainie można poprzez udział w licytacji przedmiotów na bazarku pod linkiem: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2061831827433938/Zbiórkę na ratowanie psów w Ukrainie można też wesprzeć poprzez:https://zrzutka.pl/6787xnMoże to będzie najlepsze rozpoczęcie Nowego 2024 roku?Oczywiście, w podcaście opowiem Wam również o badaniach, które udało się kontynuować, gdy część populacji lisów Bielajewa udało się uratować. Będzie o serotoninie, hormonach stresu, lisim śmiechu, a także o tym, że śmiałe tezy Bielajewa o procesie udomowienia zwierząt, postawione w połowie lat 50-ch XX wieku, zostały potwierdzone przez badania współczesnych naukowców. O tym właśnie będzie dzisiejszy podcast - serdecznie Was zapraszam do posłuchania. Książki, z których korzystałam: Lee Dugatkin, Ludmila Trut "How to Tame a Fox (and build d Dog)"; Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods "Przetrwają najżyczliwsi. Jak ewolucja wyjaśnia istotę człowieczeństwa".

Wyobraźmy sobie taki eksperyment - przygarniamy młodego wilczka z rodziny dzikich wilków i karmimy go karmą dla psów. Czy wyrośnie na psa? Raczej nie. A Trofim Łysenko - pseudonaukowiec z czasów Związku Radzieckiego wierzył, że tak. Że liczą się nie geny, a środowisko. Wychowanie. Niestety, przez kilkadziesiąt lat to właśnie jego ekscentryczne podejście do biologii wiodło prym w ZSRR. Tymczasem prawdziwi naukowcy, w tym wybitny genetyk Dmitrij Bielajew, musieli w ukryciu prowadzić swoje badania. W tym odcinku opowiem Wam historię niezwykłego, trwającego ponad 60 lat eksperymentu, który dotyczy procesu udomowienia zwierząt. O lisach Bielajewa głośno było od lat 70-ch na całym świecie. To właśnie Dmitrij Bielajew postanowił udomowić dzikie lisy srebrne, dobierając do dalszej hodowli osobniki mniej agresywne. Jak się okazało, selekcja pod względem tej jednej cechy - agresywności - doprowadziło do daleko idących zmian nie tylko w zachowaniu zwierząt, lecz także w ich wyglądzie. W kolejnych pokoleniach lisy Bielajewa zaczęły coraz bardziej przypominać psy. Ich futro zaczęly zdobić białe planki, pyszczki się zkróciły, a czaszki się zaokrągliły. Ogony zaczęły się zawijać w precelki, skróciły się łapy i zęby. Lisy zaczęły szczekać niczym psy i zaczynały bronić swoich ludzi przed intruzami. W ciągu kilkudziesięciu lat wyhodowano całą linię niezwykłych zwierząt, odtwarzając tym samym proces udomowienia, jaki mógł mieć miejsce 14 albo i 40 tysięcy lat temu, kiedy z wilka narodził się pies. W dzisiejszym odcinku opowiem Wam zaledwie część tej niezwykłej historii. Przy okazji powspominam sobie moje doświadczenie z lisami, w tym historię Milki - łaciatej piękności z Syberii, z farmy Bielajewa. Serdecznie Was zapraszam do posłuchania.Książki, z których korzystałam: Lee Dugatkin, Ludmila Trut "How to Tame a Fox (and build d Dog)"; Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods "Przetrwają najżyczliwsi. Jak ewolucja wyjaśnia istotę człowieczeństwa".

Be Skeptikal Dammit:  The Damage From Sound of Freedom to Actual Anti-Trafficking Organizations Environment:  The Dangers of Our Slowing Ocean Currents Researched:  How the American Nazis of 1939 Were the Same as the Republicans We See Today Positive:  Iclendic Townsfolk Tossing Pufflings Show Notes: 60 Minutes: 11/27/2022   https://www.newsweek.com/mira-sorvino-horrified-sound-freedom-funders-arrest-1817699   https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/sound-of-freedom-child-trafficking-experts-1234786352/   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66169916   https://insidethemagic.net/2023/08/anti-trafficking-film-funder-found-engaged-in-child-trafficking-sound-of-freedom-jnw1/   https://screenrant.com/sound-of-freedom-movie-child-trafficking-fact-check/   https://www.reddit.com/r/socialism/comments/15eormh/thoughts_on_the_sound_of_freedom_and_child_abuse/?rdt=62546   https://anightatthegarden.com/   https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/revisiting-the-american-nazi-supporters-of-a-night-at-the-garden   https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/revisiting-the-american-nazi-supporters-of-a-night-at-the-garden   https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/02/20/695941323/when-nazis-took-manhattan   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Hare   https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-a-mega-ocean-current-about-to-shut-down/   https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/huge-atlantic-ocean-current-slowing-down-if-it-collapses-la-ni%C3%B1a-could-become-norm   https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/amoc-atlantic-ocean-conveyer-belt-climate-change   https://longreads.com/2023/03/07/an-icelandic-town-goes-all-out-to-save-baby-puffins/#:~:text=There%20is%20an%20island%20in,in%20this%20time%2Dhonored%20ritual.   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/icelandic-town-goes-all-out-save-baby-puffins-180981518/   https://www.npr.org/2022/09/26/1124759293/puffling-season-iceland  

Hi friends, we will be on hiatus for the fall. To tide you over, we're putting up some favorite episodes from our archives. You may not be surprised to hear that the paper featured in this archive pick attracted a lot of attention. In the time since we first aired this episode, it prompted at least one direct critique, which then occasioned a reply by the authors.   Enjoy! ———  You have a big brain. I have a big brain. We, as a species, have pretty big brains. But this wasn't always the case. Way back when, our brains were much smaller; then they went through a bit of growth spurt, one that lasted for a couple million years. This steady ballooning of brain size is one of the key themes of the human story. But then there's a late-breaking twist in that story—a kind of unexpected epilogue. You see, after our brains grew, they shrank. But when this shrinkage happened and—of course, why—have remained mysterious.  My guest today is Jeremy DeSilva, a paleoanthropologist at Dartmouth College. He's an expert on the evolution of the foot and ankle. But, it turns out the body is all connected, so he also thinks about brains and heads. In a recent paper, Jerry and his colleagues took up the mystery of human brain shrinkage. They first set out to establish more precisely when in our past this occurred. Using a large database of crania, spanning few million years, Jerry's team was able to establish that this shrinkage event happened much more recently than previously thought—a mere 3000 years ago. Naturally, the next question was why? What happened around that time that could have possibly caused our brains to deflate? To answer this, Jerry and his collaborators turned to an unexpected source of insight: Ants. That's right, ants. They argue that these ultrasocial critters may offer clues to why we might have suddenly dispensed with a chunk of brain about the size of a lemon.  This is a really juicy paper and a super fun conversation, so we should just get to it. But I did want to mention: Jerry has a recent book from 2021 called First Steps that I whole-heartedly recommend. It's about origins of upright walking in humans—which it turns out, is bound up with all kinds of other important aspects of being human. So definitely check that out! Thanks folks—on to my chat with Dr. Jerry DeSilva. Enjoy!   The paper we discuss is available here. A transcript of this episode is available here.   Notes and links 3:00 ­– A podcast episode from the Leakey Foundation about the so-called “obstetrical dilemma.” 5:40 – A refresher for those who have trouble keeping their ‘cenes' straight: the Pleistocene refers to the period from 2.58 million years ago to 11,700 years ago; immediately after that came the Holocene, which we are still in today. 7:00 – An article discussing the issue of unethical collections of human remains. 10:30 – The key figure form Dr. DeSilva's paper—showing the changing “slopes” of brain size over time—is available here. 19:30 – The original article by Leslie Aiello and Peter Wheeler on the “expensive tissue hypothesis.” A more recent popular article on the hypothesis. 20:45 – An article by a major proponent of the social intelligence hypothesis, Dr. Robin Dunbar. A more critical review of the social intelligence hypothesis. 23:00 – A recent paper by Jeff Stibel and an older preprint by John Hawks evaluating the “body size” explanation of recent brain shrinkage.   24:00 – See our earlier episode on human self-domestication with Brian Hare.   29:00 – One of Dr. DeSilva's collaborators on this research is Dr. James Traniello, who specializes in ants. 34:45 – An overview of the earliest history of writing. 37:20 – Dr. DeSilva's book, First Steps, came out in 2021. 39:00 – A recent paper discussing the evolution of rotational birth in humans. Dr. DeSilva recommends: Kindred, by Rebecca Wragg Sykes (featured in an earlier episode!) Origin, by Jennifer Raff   You can find Dr. DeSilva on Twitter.   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute (DISI) (https://disi.org), which is made possible by a generous grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation to UCLA. It is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd (https://www.mayhilldesigns.co.uk/). Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala (https://sarahdopierala.wordpress.com/). You can subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. **You can now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here!** We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com. For updates about the show, visit our website (https://disi.org/manyminds/), or follow us on Twitter: @ManyMindsPod.

Can dogs understand humans even if they can't speak our language? As a dog trainer, I have met thousands of dog owners whose eyes yearn to be told that yes, dogs can understand humans. Dogs don't speak English, so it's always a question of whether dogs can truly understand the hugs, or the “I love you!” expressions. Here's the good news: YES, they understand us! But dogs understand humans differently. It's amazing. But this beautiful realization also comes with a big responsibility. Read on to learn more. Key Takeaways: Dogs do not have an automatic understanding of the human language, but they use observation to decipher what we mean. Can dogs understand humans? Our pets have an innate ability to sense and take on energy. As dog owners, we are the ones that are always with our dogs. Because they take on energy, we have to also make sure we keep our emotions and energies in check. LEARN HOW DOGS UNDERSTAND HUMANS WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE™️ Table of Contents: Can Dogs Understand Humans: The Story of Buster Can Dogs Understand Humans: Can Dogs Understand English? Do Dogs Understand Affection, Hugs, and Kisses from Humans? Can Dogs Understand Humans: How Dogs Feel Their Owners' Happiness, Sadness, Grief, Fear Do Dogs See Us as Leaders or Parents? 8 Things to Do to Help Dogs with Their Emotional Health Can Dogs Understand Humans: Yes, They Do. All The More Reason To Connect and Communicate With Them In a Healthy, Healing Way   Can Dogs Understand Humans: The Story of Buster Buster's story holds a golden lesson because it vividly illustrates the incredible understanding and emotional connection dogs have with their humans. (Watch the video below for Buster's story.)   It also is a great story to answer the question “Can dogs understand humans?” In this particular case, Buster's owner was enduring a tremendously difficult period in her marriage. She confided in me about the mistreatment she and her dog endured at the hands of her husband. Throughout the prolonged ordeal, Buster was a silent witness, absorbing all the negative energy and emotions swirling around him. But one day, when his owner finally decided that enough was enough and it was time to walk away, Buster seized the opportunity to convey a powerful message to her husband. In a deliberate move, Buster headed toward the area where the husband was engrossed in watching something on the TV. LEARN HOW DOGS COMMUNICATE WITH HUMANS WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE With a determined gaze, he positioned himself directly in front of the screen and, to everyone's surprise, left a sizable poo behind. Now, I can only speculate, but it seems clear that Buster's gesture was his way of declaring, "We're finished here. This is my parting gift." Throughout the difficult journey, he had been attentively observing everything, and this was his final act to communicate his unwavering support for his owner and his disapproval of the husband's actions. Buster's memorable action serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of understanding and empathy that dogs possess. They have an uncanny ability to perceive and respond to our emotions, even in the most challenging circumstances. In this case, Buster's poignant message conveyed not only his loyalty but also his unwavering support for his owner, leaving an indelible mark on their shared journey. Can Dogs Understand Humans: Can Dogs Understand English? Whenever I tell people about the story of Buster, I'm often asked: “So, Doggy Dan, does it mean that dogs understand our language?” Apart from the question of whether dogs can understand humans, I'm also frequently asked if dogs get the English language. Or just about any other language! A quick answer is this: no. Understanding human language for dogs isn't a natural talent, but instead a skill developed by constant observation. How Dogs Understand Words Dogs are amazing with familiarizing with words, including intonations and tone. The understanding of dogs is shaped not only by what we say but also by how we say it. CAN DOGS UNDERSTAND HUMANS? YOU CAN HELP YOUR PET WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE. In their quest to understand humans, dogs skillfully interpret both human spoken language and body language. Just like in Buster's case, the dog knew that the household was on high stress probably because of the shouting, the arguing, and the fear of his owner. Dogs possess a remarkable ability to read beyond our literal words, instead placing greater emphasis on our tone and body language. When trying to understand human words and body language, they attentively focus on us, keenly observing our physical cues. They carefully analyze our facial expressions, posture, and body movements, while also listening intently to the tone of our voice. By combining these various observations, dogs form a comprehensive understanding of our meaning and desires. And then they get us! Do Dogs Understand Affection, Hugs, and Kisses from Humans? What does your dog feel when you nuzzle them close? When you hold them and give them kisses? Dr. Brian Hare, a canine cognition expert, confirms that dogs mentally understand human affection. In fact, dogs have the ability to boost our oxytocin levels — just like what happens when parents and babies interact with each other — and vice versa. Can Dogs Understand Humans: What Do Dogs Feel When You Hug Them It's a popular notion that dogs don't like hugs because they feel uncomfortable with a human's grip. However, I believe that each dog is unique, and some dogs really love the cuddles and snuggles! I would just like to emphasize that dogs respond to the energy that comes with a hug. Additionally, if our hug feels safe, comforting, and respectful of their boundaries, our dogs can respond positively to a hug. However, if a hug comes with a lot of force or if a hug persists despite our dogs' resistance, the affection can be perceived negatively. What Do Dogs Feel When You Kiss Them Kisses are powerful… especially in conveying love for our dogs. Here are three things that a kiss can communicate to dogs. Affection and Love Dogs are highly social animals and form strong emotional bonds with their human companions. When you kiss them, they may interpret it as an expression of love and affection. They can feel the warmth and tenderness conveyed through the physical contact, which reinforces the bond between you and strengthens their feelings of security and attachment. DOG CALMING CODE: TEACHING DOGS AND HUMANS TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER Comfort and Reassurance Kissing your dog can provide a sense of comfort and reassurance. The physical contact, combined with your soothing voice and gentle touch, can help alleviate any anxiety or stress they may be experiencing. It reassures them that they are loved and cared for, promoting a sense of well-being and contentment. Positive Reinforcement Dogs are highly responsive to positive reinforcement, and kisses can serve as a form of reward or praise. When you kiss your dog, they may interpret it as a signal that they have done something right or have pleased you in some way. This positive reinforcement can strengthen their confidence and encourage desired behaviors, fostering a harmonious relationship between you and your furry friend. Can Dogs Understand Humans: How Dogs Feel Their Owners' Happiness, Sadness, Grief, Fear Buster's story always lights a bulb to people who hear it. “Doggy Dan, it simply means dogs can understand human emotions!” Just like understanding human language, perceiving human emotion takes a lot of processing for dogs. But they can. Like what Buster demonstrated, dogs can understand human emotions. How do they do it? Here are five ways that dogs process human emotions. Dogs Understand Humans Through Emotional Mirroring Dogs have an incredible ability to sense and mirror the emotions of their owners When we are happy, they often respond with wagging tails, playful behavior, and an overall joyful demeanor. Similarly, when we are sad or upset, they may show concern, offer comforting gestures, or simply stay close by our side. DOG CALMING CODE: THE PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND DOGS BETTER Empathetic Companionship Dogs are highly empathetic creatures. They can pick up on subtle cues, such as changes in our tone of voice, body language, or facial expressions. When we are feeling down or experiencing grief, dogs often provide comforting companionship by staying close, offering gentle nudges, or even resting their head on our lap. Dogs Understand Humans Through Sensitivity to Energy Dogs are incredibly attuned to the energy and atmosphere around them. They can sense when we are feeling anxious, fearful, or stressed. They can observe our conversations and the differences in how we react, or how the energy is. And our energy sends a strong message to our dogs how we feel! Dogs Understand Human Emotions Through Behavioral Changes Dogs are keen observers of human behavior, so they can detect changes in our routines, habits, and emotional states. When we are feeling fearful, dogs may become more alert and vigilant, displaying protective behaviors. Conversely, when we are happy and relaxed, they may mirror our moods and engage in playful antics. Observing Our Presence Dogs can understand humans and emotions through simply observing us, so we don't need to talk. Or directly say things to our dogs. They notice how we react, how differently we behave, and even how we treat people. That's how observant they are, so it's no surprise they can get us fast. Tears never go unnoticed. Most of the time, these observations are mirrored. We can tell that they get us when they also mirror our behavior. The beauty in this is they also have an innate ability to offer emotional support to their owners during challenging times. They can provide a nonjudgmental presence, lending a listening ear (or attentive ear, in this case) when we need it most. Their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love can be a source of comfort and solace, helping us navigate through feelings of sadness, grief, or fear. START TRAINING PUPPIES WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION. START WITH THE PUPPY COACH™️ PROGRAM. Do Dogs See Us as Leaders or Parents? In my best-selling course, the Dog Calming Code™️, I emphasize over and over again that dogs see everything in pack-mentality. Dogs do not have the solid concept of family, but they would either see us as a member of the pack to protect, or the leader to follow. In the eyes of an untrained dog, we are part of the pack that they need to protect. When this is etched in our dog's mind, our pets become frantic in ensuring we're safe 100% of the time. This frantic desire to protect is exhibited in restlessness, constant anxiety and stress, and — in most cases — a dog's refusal to listen to you. Dogs Need to See Us As the Leader of the Pack One of my training foundations in my years as a dog trainer is to first help dog owners establish themselves as the leaders that their dogs can trust, respect, and rely on. By assuming the role of a strong leader, we instill a sense of security and structure within the pack dynamic. And then dogs can start understanding humans. Dogs thrive in an environment where they have a clear understanding of their position within the hierarchy. This clarity enables them to relax, focus, and be more receptive to our guidance. When we establish ourselves as leaders, our dogs learn to trust our decisions and follow our instructions. They start to relax and stop being on constant alert. Your dog starts to realize that's your job, not theirs (this is where the naughty behaviors subside). Our pets recognize that we have their best interests at heart, and this trust forms the foundation for effective communication and a harmonious relationship. LEARN HOW TO BE THE PACK LEADER WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE Can a Pack Leader Become Affectionate to Dogs? “Doggy Dan, if I want to be a leader in the eyes of my dog, can I still be affectionate to them?” Yes, a pack leader can absolutely be affectionate towards their dogs. In fact, expressing affection is an important aspect of building a strong bond and trust between a dog and their leader. While being a pack leader involves establishing boundaries and providing guidance, it doesn't mean that affection should be withheld. Affectionate gestures such as petting, gentle hugs, praising, and offering treats are valuable ways to show love and reinforce the emotional connection with your dog. But a most important rule is you must make sure that giving them affection is always on YOUR terms. This is one of my 5 Golden Rules. When they jump on you, expecting attention, this needs to be ignored, and it's only when you call them over that you deliver the pats and cuddles. It's like a child always demanding attention. If you succumb, you have lost their trust because they know they can win you over. However, if you establish that you call the trust, they will respect you. Now, I know this might sound harsh to any loving parent and dog owner. But this rule is necessary in establishing leadership. If your dog (or child) knows they can get you with whines and puppy eyes, they will start to thinking you're a pushover. And it's not good for training dogs or raising kids. FROM WELL-TRAINED PUPPIES TO WELL-TRAINED DOGS. TRANSITION WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE. But if you don't give in, they start to see who's charge, and who the trusted leader really is. Moreover, if you show that you're not easily controlled, they'll be looking up to you. Affection Should be Within Your Dog's Boundaries Affectionate interactions help create a positive and nurturing environment, promoting a sense of security, happiness, and well-being in your dog. However, it's important to note that while affection is encouraged, it should always be provided in a way that respects the dog's individual preferences and boundaries. Additionally, some dogs may enjoy more physical contact, while others may prefer less. So it's crucial to observe your dog's body language and respond accordingly. This ensures that the affectionate gestures are comfortable and enjoyable for them. By combining affection with effective leadership, you can create a harmonious balance that fosters a strong emotional bond, trust, and mutual respect between you and your dog. 8 Things to Do to Help Dogs with Their Emotional Health As responsible dog owners, it is crucial to acknowledge that dogs possess a remarkable ability to understand and absorb emotions and energy. With this awareness, we must remember that we truly impact our dogs' emotional and mental well being. Here are seven ways we can help our dogs mentally and emotionally. 1. Create a Safe and Calming Environment Ensure your dog has a designated space where they can retreat and feel safe. Provide a comfortable bed, their favorite toys, and a quiet area away from loud noises or excessive activity. This safe haven allows them to relax and recharge, promoting emotional well-being. 2. Be Mindful of the Stress and Energy Levels in the Home Dogs absorb energy and emotions, so imagine what could happen if there's constant high stress and toxic emotions in the home. Being mindful of the stress and energy levels in the home is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment for your dog. 3. Tap Into the Power of Nature Walks Embracing the power of nature walks can significantly benefit the emotional well-being of dogs and humans alike. Through regular walks in natural settings, dogs can release pent-up emotional stress, enjoy sensory exploration, and engage in physical exercise. These walks foster mental and physical health, while strengthening the bond between us and our beloved four-legged companions. PUPPY COACH: THE PROGRAM TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS OF PUPPY OWNERS. 4. Socialize in a Controlled Environment Socialization is crucial for a dog's emotional well-being, but it's essential to expose them to new experiences gradually and in a controlled manner. Introduce them to new people, animals, and environments at a pace that allows them to feel comfortable and confident. This helps prevent overwhelming situations. Moreover, it promotes positive social interactions. 5. Provide Mental Stimulation Engage your dog's mind through interactive toys, puzzle games, and training exercises. Mental stimulation for dogs helps alleviate boredom and promotes a sense of accomplishment, boosting their emotional health. Incorporate new activities regularly to keep their minds sharp and engaged. 6. Practice Mindful Handling Handle your dog with care and respect. Be aware of their body language and respond appropriately to their signals of discomfort or stress. Gentle handling and positive experiences during grooming, vet visits, and other forms of physical contact help maintain their emotional well-being and prevent traumatic associations. Moreover, once they feel you're relaxed, they can relax, too. 7. Be Mindful of Your Own Emotional and Mental Well-Being Recognize that dogs absorb and understand human emotions, so you can also guard your emotions and energy. Avoid exposing your dog to intense or negative emotions, as they can easily pick up on them. Create a positive and harmonious atmosphere at home, and provide opportunities for relaxation, play, and bonding to enhance their emotional health. 8. Start Living The Dog Calming Code By embracing dog ownership that radiates calm energy, positive reinforcement, and clear communication, the code helps dogs feel secure and reduces anxiety. With the Dog Calming Code, you can foster trust and strengthen the bond between dog and you. Additionally, you can have enough tools to address behavioral issues effectively. Moreover, this holistic program creates a nurturing environment, allowing dogs to thrive emotionally and lead balanced, fulfilling lives. CHECK OUT THE DOG CALMING CODE HERE. Can Dogs Understand Humans: Yes, They Do. All The More Reason To Connect and Communicate With Them In a Healthy, Healing Way When we communicate with our dogs in a healthy and healing way, we open up channels of trust and compassion. We become attuned to their needs, respond better to their emotions, and able to provide the love and comfort they seek. This reciprocal exchange of understanding and affection strengthens the bond between us and creates a foundation for emotional healing. Let us cherish this remarkable connection with our dogs and approach it with love, empathy, and respect. So when we talk to them, we are sure that they get us. By connecting and communicating with them in a healthy, healing way, we can bring joy, comfort, and a sense of emotional well-being to both their lives and ours. ~ Doggy Dan 

Let's start with a little riddle: What kind of organism has no eyes, no mouth, and no brain, but—arguably—has a mind? Most of the work on non-human minds has, naturally, focused on animals—apes, dogs, whales, bats. Some have considered other branches of the tree of life, too—cephalopods, say, or insects. But, just over the past few decades, some brave scientists and philosophers have begun to look even further. They're starting to ask whether concepts like planning, memory, and awareness may also extend beyond animals, into an entirely different kingdom of life. They're starting to take seriously the minds of plants.  My guests today are Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence. Paco is director of the Minimal Intelligence Lab at the University of Murcia in Spain and one of the leading figures in the new science of plant intelligence. Natalie is a writer, illustrator, and historian of science based in London. Paco and Natalie are the authors a new book, Planta Sapiens. In it, they make the case that plants—though so often treated as an inert backdrop—are, in fact, cognitive creatures. Albeit creatures of a very different sort.  In this conversation, we talk about the fact that plants are so often ignored, by both lay people and scientists alike, and consider some of the reasons why this may be. We discuss some spectacular phenomena that have recently come to light about plants—how they respond to anesthesia, how they mimic other plants' leaves, how they seem to be able to “see” their surroundings. We talk about the question of whether certain plants have evolved to be more cognitively sophisticated than others. We consider the fact that plants and animals rely on the very same neurotransmitters and traffic in the same sort of electrical signaling. We also touch on wild versus domesticated plants, Charles Darwin's root-brain hypothesis, plant sensing as akin to echolocation, the power and dangers of time-lapse photography, and the question of whether plants have inner experience. Plants are super cool in themselves. Honestly, some of the stuff we discuss in this episode—if you've never heard it before—will kind of blow your mind. But plants are also more than that: they're a prism through which to examine some of the biggest questions about intelligence and cognition. Questions like: What are the minimal requirements for conscious experience? Are brains necessary for thinking? Can we truly compare the cognitive abilities of very different species? And should we?  One quick announcement: for those who may be new to the show, don't forget to check out our monthly newsletter. In it, we share recaps of our latest episodes and links to a bunch of other stuff that caught our eye. You can find the sign-up link down in the show notes.  Alright friends, without further ado, on to my conversation with Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence. Enjoy!    A transcript of this episode is available here.    Notes and links 3:00 – For a popular overview of research on the mimicking plant, Boquila trifoliata, see here. The recent study testing whether this plant can also mimic unfamiliar (plastic!) plants, see here.  20:00 – The focus on climbing plants began at least as early as Charles Darwin—see his 1875 book, On the Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants.  24:30 – For discussion of domestication and how it affects the behavior, physiology, and cognition of animals, see our earlier episode with Brian Hare. 25:00 – Darwin introduced the term “circumnutation” in his 1880 book, The Power of Movement in Plants. 28:00 – The original paper in which the idea of “plant blindness” was introduced. Since this term was coined, a wealth of research has looked at the underpinnings and consequences of “plant blindness,” and has tested interventions that might mitigate it (e.g., here).   39:00 – A study investigating the effects of anesthetic drugs on several plants, including Venus Fly Traps. 44:00 – A recent article reviewing what we know about neurotransmitters in plants. 51:00 – A very brief overview of the vascular system of plants.  53:00 – Our audio essay on Darwin's “root-brain hypothesis” (or read here).  57:00 – A recent study on peas reaching toward support poles, suggesting they are able to “see” those supports. 1:00:00 – A study examining “skototropic” behavior in a tropical vine. 1:03:00 – A recent paper by Dr. Calvo and a colleague on the question of plant sentience. Skeptical discussions of the idea of plant sentience can be found here and here.     Paco Calvo recommends: The Sentient Cell (forthcoming), by František Baluška and colleagues White Holes, by Carlo Rivelli   Natalie Lawrence recommends: Other Minds, by Peter Godfrey-Smith   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation to UCLA. It is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala. You can subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts.  **You can now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here!** We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com.  For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Twitter: @ManyMindsPod.

Is Your Dog A Genius? Nat Geo's Dr. Brian Hare hosts a three-part series devoted to finding the genius in your dog with interactive games you can play. Tapping into your dog's 'smarts' is easy as knowing the activities in which they exceed. Listen Now Smart Inventions For Pets Scott Harris co-invented a cat feather-toy that can be remotely controlled from a smart-phone. They've installed 21 of these toys at shelters nationwide. With a click of a button, you too can play with the animals up for adoption - from the comfort of your own armchair. Listen Now School Allows Service Pit-Bull A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a sweet pit bull name Stevie will be allowed to go to school with 7-year-old Anthony Alboniga, who has cerebral palsy. For the past two years though, officials at Anthony's school in Broward County refused to let Stevie come to school with Anthony, unless the company paid for a so-called handler to go with them, which the family could not afford. Listen Now Chimps Get Their Day In Court Two chimpanzees will have their day in court under a law that up till now has only applied to people. New York Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffee has granted Hercules and Leo a writ of habeas corpus. They live in a lab at Stony Brook University of Long Island and have been part of research into how humans evolved to walk on two legs. Listen Now Cats Get To Post Pics To Instagram Many pets have their own Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Of course, there's a person behind them doing the work. Not for long. Whiskas Australia have created a wearable camera that goes on your kitty's collar, and it automatically takes pictures while and posts them to Instagram for you and your cat. Listen Now Read more about this week's show. **ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST**

This episode —first released in 2009 and then again in 2015, with an update — asks, what is “normal”? Maybe it exists, maybe not. We examine peace-loving baboons with Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, talk to Stu Rasmussen, whose preferred pronouns were he/him (https://zpr.io/nUdsZawNmhwt), and his neighbors in Silverton, Oregon about how a town chooses its community over outsider opinions. And lastly, we speak with an evolutionary anthropologist, Duke University's own Brian Hare, and an evolutionary biologist Tecumseh Fitch, then at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, now at the University of Vienna, Austria, about foxes who love to snuggle.And what we find is that normal — maybe the only normal — is change. EPISODE CREDITS Reported by - Aaron CohenProduced by - Soren Wheelerwith help from - Annie McEwenCITATIONSArticles -Stu Rasmussen's NYT Obituary (https://zpr.io/nUdsZawNmhwt). Theater - Andrew Russel's “Stu for Silverton” (https://zpr.io/Jn5JP276pwhj) the play based on Stu Rasmussen's life.    Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday. It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)! Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org Leadership support for Radiolab's science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Warning: Explicit Conversations About Politics, Culture, & Sexuality Join me at Yale for my 45th class reunion as I frolic among the Ivy Towers with Capt'n Max and the Eli Elite, Handsome Dan XIV, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's classmates (Class of 1987) rallying against him and Sam Alito (Yale Law, 1975) at the Women's Table, and my fabulous fellow #Yale Alumni at the Yale Repertory Theater, Yale Law School, Cross Campus, Toad's Place and more. I also host a Yale Roundtable discussion on “Peace, Love & Bonobos" which is the centerpiece of this video. Discussion Topics:  • Why we prefer King Arthur's ROUNDtable to Putin's long table;  • Why Yale's “Killer Ape” Anthropology department made we want to major in Theater;  • How Max and I fell in love over our mutual opposition to the popular and horrible first Gulf War, commanded by President George H.W. Bush (Yale, 1948);  • How our love and antiwar fervor grew during the even more horrible wars in Iraq and Afghanistan commanded by George W. Bush (Yale, 1968);  • How George W. Bush's epic Freudian slip confusing Putin's invasion of Ukraine with his own invasion of Iraq brought the perma-war full circle; • Why I become a sexologist;  • How I first learned about #bonobos the Make Love Not War great apes, on PBS, and then met some at the San Diego Zoo;  • What are some of the differences between apes and monkeys; • How human apes are very close genetically to bonobos, common chimps, gorillas and orangutans; • How bonobos make peace through pleasure; • How bonobos make love in a Bonobo Sutra of positions, including face-to-face;  • How bonobo female empowerment is supported by male well-being and vice versa;  • Why bonobos (and humans) really enjoy sharing—even with strangers; • Was Prince Chim, who lived at Yale in the Dr. Robert Yerkes primate center, the first bonobo in the United States? • What's SEX got to do with bonobo conflict resolution? • Why other apes kill each other, and humans kill each other most; • “Grooming” in primatology vs. the culture wars;  • Why bonobo female orgasm is most common during Hoka Hoka, aka genito-genital rubbing;  • Intercourse vs. Outercourse among bonobos and humans;  • Our competitive “inner chimp” vs. our cooperative “inner bonobo”; • Nature vs. Nurture and how a bunch of baboons went bonobos;  • Primatologists Dr. Frans de Waal, Dr. Richard Wrangham, Dr. Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods on bonobos and Dr. Robert Sapolsky on baboons;  • Food-sharing and “sex work” among bonobos; • Tool use and communication among bonobos and common chimps; • The benefits and drawbacks of Zoos;  • The Lysistrata method vs. the Bonobo Way; • Yale's Puritan origins; • Sex toys, sex education and the Religious Right; • The true story of the rise & fall of Sex Week at Yale (SWAY), created by Yale students and destroyed by false accusations from well-financed Christofascist forces, including Focus on the Family, and an ex-Yale President's desire for a scapegoat for the unrelated-to-SWAY bad behavior of powerful Yale fraternities;  • Why anti-abortion laws amount to forced breeding;  • Why I'm against all wars of my lifetime, from America's War in Vietnam, that I protested pre-Yale, to our current war in Ukraine. Yes, Putin started it, just as Bush invaded Iraq, but we (and NATO) continue it, and now is time for peace negotiations;  • Why bonobos should be part of Peace Studies courses at Yale and other universities; • How our ammosexual society channels our natural sex drive into violence to the benefit of the weapons industry, the military, the prison system and the police; • “Make Kink Not War: Be Bonobo” and the Bonobo Way makes its way from our Bonoboville Reunion with Vice to DomCon 2022 to Yale;  • How to avoid catching COVID at all these reunions; • How New Haven humidity messes with my hair; • Why bonobos are highly endangered and how we can help save them from extinction (so they can help us save ourselves!): Donate to Lola ya Bonobo, Friends of Bonobos, the Bonobo Conservation Initiative. • #GoBonobos for Bulldogs… Boola Boola! • Music: Yale Harkness Tower Bells; The Whiffenpoofs (Yale, 1977); Dr. Oscar Hills (Yale, 1977) on Banjo; Bales-Gitlin Band (Ginny Bales and Jay Gitlin) - “Disco Inferno” & “Johnny B. Goode” Read more prose & see the photos: https://drsusanblock.com/yale-2022  Need to talk PRIVATELY? Experience #PhoneSexTherapy. Call the Therapists Without Borders of the Dr. Susan Block Institute anytime: 213.291.9497.

Sean and Haley talk about social / observational learning with our dogs, how incredibly COOL and worthwhile those concepts are to explore, and also how they can fit into advocating for our pets. (Sometimes "showing our dog a person / dog / situation is okay" and "advocating for our dog" might sound contradictory, especially if we hear extreme statements at far ends of either spectrum, but they aren't mutually exclusive!) Some specific books that inspired these thoughts: Dog is Love by Clive Wynne The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods Dog Sense by John Bradshaw (Highly recommend reading the actual studies discussed for more context; all three of the above titles have nicely organized reference sections specific to dogs) Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are by Frans de Waal Some related links: Running list of dog ownership books I recommend overall Running list of all the animal-related books I've read recently Sean's older blog about "just hanging out" with Scout (talks about social relationships, approaching them in a natural way) Blog on if my dog wants to please me or not Blog on thinking about my dog as a human friend Blog on advocating for my dog Blog on the line between advocating and "babying" my dog

  ۳۴- ریشه‌های اخلاق: قسمت سوم (آخر)- مساله همکاری   منابع این پرونده: The Bonobo and The Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates by Frans de Waal Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes by Frans de Waal Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and The Gap Between Us and Them by Joshua Greene Survival of The Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity by Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods اسپانسرهای این اپیزود: انتشارات بذر خرد -خرید کتاب‌ «اسم این سخنرانی چه بود» از جردن پیترسون و «جستارهایی درباره‌ی اخلاق، معنا و محبت» از فروشگاه جیحون سرویس مانیتورینگ نت‌نگار کاری از کاوه نگار حمایت مالی از پادکست پرسه وب سایت پرسه Title Score: “Order” by ComaStudio Music obtained from https://zapsplat.com  

  ۳۳- ریشه‌های اخلاق: قسمت دوم- احساسات اخلاقی   منابع این پرونده: The Bonobo and The Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates by Frans de Waal Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes by Frans de Waal Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and The Gap Between Us and Them by Joshua Greene Survival of The Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity by Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods متن و روایت: عباس سیدین تدوین: زینب پناهی اسپانسرهای این اپیزود: انتشارات بذر خرد -خرید کتاب‌ «اسم این سخنرانی چه بود» از جردن پیترسون و «جستارهایی درباره‌ی اخلاق، معنا و محبت» از فروشگاه جیحون سرویس مانیتورینگ نت‌نگار کاری از کاوه نگار حمایت مالی از پادکست پرسه وب سایت پرسه Title Score: “Order” by ComaStudio Music obtained from https://zapsplat.com  

۳۲- ریشه‌های اخلاق: قسمت اول- در جستجوی طبیعت انسانی   منابع این پرونده: The Bonobo and The Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates by Frans de Waal Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes by Frans de Waal Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and The Gap Between Us and Them by Joshua Greene Survival of The Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity by Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods   اسپانسرهای این اپیزود: انتشارات بذر خرد: خرید کتاب‌ «اسم این سخنرانی چه بود» از جردن پیترسون و «جستارهایی درباره‌ی اخلاق، معنا و محبت» از فروشگاه جیحون   سرویس مانیتورینگ نت‌نگار کاری از کاوه نگار حمایت مالی از پادکست پرسه وب سایت پرسه Title Score: “Order” by ComaStudio Music obtained from https://zapsplat.com  

La mona Estrellita fue arrebatada de su hábitat y vivió como mascota de una familia humana durante 18 años. Tras su decomiso, la propietaria del animal interpuso un habeas corpus solicitando su devolución. La Corte Constitucional de Ecuador seleccionó, por primera vez en la historia, un caso relacionado con derechos animales para desarrollar jurisprudencia vinculante.Hablamos sobre este apasionante proceso con la abogada Macarena Montes, que participó en la elaboración del amicus curiae presentado a la Corte por el programa de Derecho Animal Brooks McCormick JR de la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard.Enlaces relacionados 'The Genius of Dogs', Brian Hare y Vanessa Woodshttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/309112/the-genius-of-dogs-by-brian-hare/ 'Los derechos de los simios', Paula Casal y Peter Singerhttps://www.trotta.es/libros/los-derechos-de-los-simios/9788413640648/ 'Filosofía ante la crisis ecológica', Marta Tafallahttps://www.plazayvaldes.es/libro/filosofia-ante-la-crisis-ecologica 'Ecoanimal', Marta Tafalla https://www.plazayvaldes.es/libro/ecoanimal Galgos 112https://www.galgos112.es/ Fundación Vegetarianos Hoyhttps://vegetarianoshoy.org/

Warning: Explicit Conversations About Politics, Culture, & Sexuality Deal Makers and Dictators of the Global Marketplace: COME to Mar-A-Lardo for the Deal of the Millennium: Trump Nukes!  Yes indeed, our Conman from Queens, aka “FPOTUS,” has hawked Trump Steaks, Trump University, Trump Vodka (Putin's fave), Trump Wine (aka Trump Whining), Trump Airlines, Trump Casinos, the Trump Presiduncy (misspelling intended), all mega-failures and con-jobs.  And now here's the Trump thing to end all Trump things…and maybe all life on Earth: Trump Nukes! No, not Trump Nudes (Putin has those). We're talking (on this show) about the Top Secret Nuclear Documents uncovered in the Trump Raid, and whether or not—having pocketed $2 Billion in oil-soaked Saudi cash from his BFF, MBS (aka Mohammed Bone Saw) for his “private equity firm” —former First Son-in-Law Jared Kushner is the Mole. We also talk Religious Fascism and the attack on Salmon Rushdie, freedom of expression and JK Rowling. Mid-show, a random caller turns out to be a poster boy for irreligious, antifascist, male-male, purely recreational and very sustainable sex: “Justin” calls in looking for phone love as he enjoys self-love. Speaking of dicks, we also learn that Kate's nickname for the #PrinceofPegging is “Big Willie,” and we bid farewell to Jeffrey “Zoom Dick” Toobin (he should have called us for Phone Sex Therapy) now finally finishing--I mean leaving CNN.  I also share a bit of intriguing correspondence about bonobo female reproductive choice, alpha male reproduction, beta male recreational sex and the Bonobo Way of peace through shared non-reproductive pleasures with my favorite primatology couple, Dr. Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, authors of Survival of the Friendliest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-XrqSV9j5Q). Wow, talk about sustainable sex! And of course, Capt'n Max and I celebrate the Trump Raid—just the tonic for toxic Post-Trump Sex Disorder!—with a little orgasmic sustainable sex of our own. Yes, it's sustainable! The only Big Oil involved is a big jar of coconut oil. Read more prose and watch the uncensored shows: https://drsusanblock.com/fdr-trump-nukes Need to Talk? Call the Therapists Without Borders of the Dr. Susan Block Institute anytime: 213-291-9497. We're Here for YOU.

Your typical meeting involves people sitting in chairs talking. For many meetings, there may be a better way that yields better results. This episode begins by looking at why conducting meetings in an entirely different way can be more productive and rewarding. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/walking-meetingsat-linke_n_7035258.html?utm_hp_ref=business I think it's safe to say that people are generally friendly. And that's for good reason. Being friendly is an excellent strategy most of the time. In fact, we are wired to be friendly. Joining me to discuss why this is so important is Brian Hare, who is a member of the Center of Cognitive Neuroscience, a Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, and Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University and author of the book – Survival of the Friendliest (https://amzn.to/3jLQnmN). Listen as Brian explains why and how friendliness has been absolutely critical to human survival and it continues to serve all of us as we move through life. “How are you?” How many times do we say or hear that in a day? Most of the time is just a quick and somewhat meaningless greeting. Still, if you would rather have a more substantial conversation, there is a simple way to alter the question, “How are you?” by adding one word. Listen to discover what it is. http://www.businessinsider.com/sheryl-sandberg-common-question-asking-how-are-you-interview-option-b-book-grief-2017-5 So many people are drowning in debt from credit cards, student loans and other forms of debt. With $78,000 dollars of debt, personal finance writer Jen Smith and her husband made a commitment to get rid of it. She joins me to explain how they did it in less than half the time they thought it would take – and how they actually enjoyed doing it. Jen is co-host of the Frugal Friends podcast (https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com) and author of the book, The No Spend Challenge Guide. (https://amzn.to/2XaZnYZ). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Factor makes it easy to eat clean 24/7, with fresh, delicious, prepared meals! Head to https://go.factor75.com/something120 & use promo code Something120 to get $120 off! Start hiring NOW with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to upgrade your job post at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING  Offer good for a limited time. Truebill is the smartest way to manage your finances. The average person saves $720 per year with Truebill. Get started today at https://Truebill.com/SYSK! See for yourself why teams at Airtable, Dropbox, HubSpot, Zendesk, and thousands of other companies use Zapier every day to automate their businesses! Try Zapier for free today at https://zapier.com/SYSK Go to https://Shopify.com/sysk for a FREE fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features! Redeem your rewards for cash in any amount, at any time, with Discover Card! Learn more at https://Discover.com/RedeemRewards The magic is waiting! Download Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells, for free, from the iOS App Store or Google Play today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, social ecosystem designer, culture hacker, and facilitator Jean M. Russell joins us to talk about how a participatory and cooperative approach instead of a brutal approach enables us to envision and co-create a world of wellbeing and health. As the founder of the thrivability movement and expert on collective thriving, Jean speaks about THRIVABILITY. She believes this word is a gift. It inspires you to wonder what it looks like in your context and make it show up. What comes alive in you? We dive deep into hedonic habituation and how to avoid falling into it, how to emerge to more positive futures, about co-creation and how to break down the “who” the “how” and the “what”, what a positive environment should look like and how to design it, and how to get set on a more participatory path. “Something about thriving speaks to our inner sense of harmony, abundance, greatness, generativity, aliveness, vitality, well being, and right-placement. What would our lives and the sum of our society be like if we said they were thriving?” If you are interested in open-source software or a better social ecosystem design, this chapter is for you! Stay tuned! SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/rhyslindmark JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/PDAPkhNxrC Who is Jean M. Russell? Jean M Russell is a social ecosystem designer, culture hacker, and facilitator. She is the founder of the Thrivability movement and an expert in collective thriving speaking to and with change agents, innovators, builders, and edge-riders around the world. Her work on thrivability, innovation, philanthropy, and cultural shifts has been highlighted in the Economist, Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Worldchanging. Topics: Welcome Jean M. Russell to The Rhys Show!: (00:00:00) What is thrivability?: (00:01:41) How do you give a positive valance term for what animals should experience: (00:04:09) Happiness like short term dopamine versus delight and purpose: (00:05:53) Thrivability as an emergent thing we chat about with others and move towards emergent positive futures: (00:08:03) How should Roote as an org be more participatory about building the wisdom age instead of making it “everybody be wiser”: (00:11:19) Co-creation: an example to breakdown the who and the how: (00:14:26) How Jean views cooperation playing a role vs. competition playing a role: (00:16:07) Lord of the rings has a memetic view of reality. Is there another memetic version to show another view of reality?: (00:19:25) About anarchism & Peter Kropotkin: (00:22:37) Other ways to make a more cooperative lense of society: (00:23:44) Instead of pointing at the bad competition, double down on the good?: (00:26:05) What does a positive environment look like for animals?: (00:31:56) What does a positive environment look like for humans?: (00:34:44) Designing an environment for memes: instead of a brutal one a positive one?: (00:37:54) Breakdown “hands, head and heart” model & how the heart relates: (00:42:41) How to take a more participatory path & wrap-up: (00:47:57) Mentioned resources: “Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity” book by Brian Hare & Vanessa Woods: https://www.amzn.com/0399590668 “A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster” book by Rebecca Solnit Peter Kropotkin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kropotkin “Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution” book by Peter Kropotkin: https://www.amzn.com/0875580246 “Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures” book by Merlin Sheldrake: https://www.amzn.com/0525510311 Connect with Jean M. Russell: Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurturegirl Twitter Thrivable Society: https://twitter.com/Thrivable Web: https://www.jeanmrussell.com/ Thrivable Society Project: https://www.thrivablesociety.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanMRussell

Amazing Wildlife takes a journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only place were you can find bonobos! Genetically speaking, this endangered great ape species are cousins to humans. Hosts Rick and Ebone discuss bonobos' unique social behaviors that gave them the reputation of being kind to strangers, having relatively peaceful societies, and being highly intelligent. Joining the show is Dr. Brian Hare, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, to discuss how bonobos' behavior can reveal different facts about people. If you have a question for Amazing Wildlife you can send them to wildlife@iheartmedia.com for your chance to hear it on the show! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have a big brain. I have a big brain. We, as a species, have pretty big brains. But this wasn't always the case. Way back when, our brains were much smaller; then they went through a bit of growth spurt, one that lasted for a couple million years. This steady ballooning of brain size is one of the key themes of the human story. But then there's a late-breaking twist in that story—a kind of unexpected epilogue. You see, after our brains grew, they shrank. But when this shrinkage happened and—of course, why—have remained mysterious.  My guest today is Jeremy DeSilva, a paleoanthropologist at Dartmouth College. He's an expert on the evolution of the foot and ankle. But, it turns out the body is all connected, so he also thinks about brains and heads. In a recent paper, Jerry and his colleagues took up the mystery of human brain shrinkage. They first set out to establish more precisely when in our past this occurred. Using a large database of crania, spanning few million years, Jerry's team was able to establish that this shrinkage event happened much more recently than previously thought—a mere 3000 years ago. Naturally, the next question was why? What happened around that time that could have possibly caused our brains to deflate? To answer this, Jerry and his collaborators turned to an unexpected source of insight: Ants. That's right, ants. They argue that these ultrasocial critters may offer clues to why we might have suddenly dispensed with a chunk of brain about the size of a lemon.  This is a really juicy paper and a super fun conversation, so we should just get to it. But I did want to mention: Jerry has a recent book from 2021 called First Steps that I whole-heartedly recommend. It's about origins of upright walking in humans—which it turns out, is bound up with all kinds of other important aspects of being human. So definitely check that out! Thanks folks—on to my chat with Dr. Jerry De Silva. Enjoy!   The paper we discuss is available here. A transcript of this episode will be available soon.   Notes and links 3:00 ­– A podcast episode from the Leakey Foundation about the so-called “obstetrical dilemma.” 5:40 – A refresher for those who have trouble keeping their ‘cenes' straight: the Pleistocene refers to the period from 2.58 million years ago to 11,700 years ago; immediately after that came the Holocene, which we are still in today. 7:00 – An article discussing the issue of unethical collections of human remains. 10:30 – The key figure form Dr. DeSilva's paper—showing the changing “slopes” of brain size over time—is available here. 19:30 – The original article by Leslie Aiello and Peter Wheeler on the “expensive tissue hypothesis.” A more recent popular article on the hypothesis. 20:45 – An article by a major proponent of the social intelligence hypothesis, Dr. Robin Dunbar. A more critical review of the social intelligence hypothesis. 23:00 – A recent paper by Jeff Stibel and an older preprint by John Hawks evaluating the “body size” explanation of recent brain shrinkage.   24:00 – See our earlier episode on human self-domestication with Brian Hare.   29:00 – One of Dr. DeSilva's collaborators on this research is Dr. James Traniello, who specializes in ants. 34:45 – An overview of the earliest history of writing. 37:20 – Dr. DeSilva's book, First Steps, came out in 2021. 39:00 – A recent paper discussing the evolution of rotational birth in humans. Dr. DeSilva recommends: Kindred, by Rebecca Wragg Sykes (featured in an earlier episode!) Origin, by Jennifer Raff   You can find Dr. DeSilva on Twitter.   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute (DISI) (https://disi.org), which is made possible by a generous grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation to UCLA. It is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from assistant producer Cecilia Padilla. Creative support is provided by DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd (https://www.mayhilldesigns.co.uk/). Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala (https://sarahdopierala.wordpress.com/). You can subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com. For updates about the show, visit our website (https://disi.org/manyminds/), or follow us on Twitter: @ManyMindsPod.

In this episode Martin talks to Morgan Phillips, author of the brilliant new book Great Adaptations - In the Shadow of a Climate Crisis (http://theglaciertrust.org/great-adaptations). Morgan is a real expert in environmental education and is currently Project Designer for Global Action Plan (https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk) and Co-Director of The Glacier Trust (http://theglaciertrust.org/). Martin and Morgan discuss Morgan's career in environmental education, his new book, and how schools can adapt to climate change. Other links mentioned in the podcast: Common Cause Foundation (https://commoncausefoundation.org/) Keep Britain Tidy (https://www.keepbritaintidy.org) National Association for Environmental Education (https://naee.org.uk) Transform Our World (https://www.transform-our-world.org/) Three Spheres Framework (https://cchange.no/about/the-three-spheres-of-transformation/) Humankind by Rutger Bregman (https://www.rutgerbregman.com/books) Survival of the Friendliest by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550437/survival-of-the-friendliest-by-brian-hare-and-vanessa-woods/) How London Schools and Early Years Settings can Adapt to Climate Change (https://www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/environment-publications/how-schools-and-early-years-settings-can-adapt-climate-change) Start your school's journey into sustainability: Outdoor Classroom Day (https://outdoorclassroomday.com/) Eco-Schools (https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/) London National Park City (https://www.nationalparkcity.london/get-more-involved/get-more-involved-1/schools-network) Great resources at Transform Our World (https://www.transform-our-world.org/) Find out more about London Sustainable Schools Forum (http://www.londonsustainableschools.org/) This podcast was produced by The Pod Farm. (https://www.thepodfarm.com/)

Warning: Explicit Conversations About Politics, Culture, & Sexuality Is your dog smarter than you?  Can bonobos show you how to share your love?  And what did Darwin really mean by “Survival of the Fittest”? That only the strong survive in the race to the top? Or does “fittest” really mean friendliest and, in a way, sexiest? If so, what does that say about the history and precarious future of humanity? In this fascinating, fun, science-rich Bedside Chat of the Coronapocalypse (#25), I interview Duke University Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, Dr. Brian Hare, & award-winning journalist/research scientist, Vanessa Woods (married bonobo and dog experts whom I've known over ten years!) about their amazing new book “Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity.” Learn the natural, evolutionary secrets of our closest Great Ape cousins, the Make-Love-Not-War bonobos, and our four-legged best friends, our very own amazing dogs, that will help you be a friendlier, sexier, more peaceful and sustainable human being… AND help save the world from imminent Anthropocene dissolution! Also featuring Chico the Pomeranian Power Puppy, Congo the Retired Service Dog (Golden Lab Mix) and a lot of friendly bonobos in the wild, at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary and in the San Diego Zoo. Read more on https://drsusanblock.com/survival-of-the-friendliest.  Save the bonobos! Donate to bonobos .org Need to talk? Call the Dr. Susan Block Institute anytime 24/7: 626.461.5950

There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI's reveal in terms of a dog's attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.

There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI's reveal in terms of a dog's attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.

There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI's reveal in terms of a dog's attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.

This week's book reading episode features Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity by Dr. Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. The excerpt is read by René Ruiz and is followed by a re-run of Dr. Hare's interview about his book on the Sausage of Science. Audio excerpted from SURVIVAL OF THE FRIENDLIEST: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, read by René Ruiz. Copyright 2020 by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. Production Copyright 2020, Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. You can find "Survival of the Friendliest" at: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/55043…essa-woods/ Contact Dr. Hare at apeminds@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @bharedogguy Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and Human Biology Association: Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation Website: humbio.org/, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc Cara Ocobock, Website: sites.nd.edu/cara-ocobock/, Email: cocobock@nd.edu, Twitter:@CaraOcobock Chris Lynn, HBA Public Relations Committee Chair, Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, Email: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter: @Chris_Ly Delaney Glass, Website: dglass.netlify.app/, Email: dglass1@uw.edu, Twitter: @GlassDelaney Alexandra Niclou, Email: aniclou@nd.edu, Twitter: @fiat_Luxandra

Dogs are man’s best friend, but what’s really going on inside of their heads? This hour, we talk with canine cognition researcher Brian Hare. Hare runs Duke University’s Canine Cognition Center, and is the co-author of the new book: Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity. Hare’s research says what makes our furry friends such great companions also gives them a unique cognitive edge: their social intelligence. We learn more about the evolutionary history of how dogs became so attuned to our emotions and interactions. What can we learn from the success of our canine companions? GUEST: Brian Hare - Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University and co-director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. He is co-author, along with Vanessa Woods, of the new book Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs are man’s best friend, but what’s really going on inside of their heads? This hour, we talk with canine cognition researcher Brian Hare. Hare runs Duke University’s Canine Cognition Center, and is the co-author of the new book: Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity. Hare’s research says what makes our furry friends such great companions also gives them a unique cognitive edge: their social intelligence. We learn more about the evolutionary history of how dogs became so attuned to our emotions and interactions. What can we learn from the success of our canine companions? GUEST: Brian Hare - Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University and co-director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. He is co-author, along with Vanessa Woods, of the new book Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Julian Abel, MD, the Director of Compassionate Communities UK. Julian was on the show a couple of years ago to discuss his innovative model for combating social isolation in the town of Frome in Somerset, UK.  The goal of his project was to improve health outcomes and quality of life, and a measurable difference was made, in both healthcare cost savings and reduced ER admissions. The work of Compassionate Communities has since spurred further initiatives and is now transforming perspectives on matters of healthcare and social wellbeing around the world.  On this podcast Julian and I talk about the power of compassion, and how reason, emotion, and inspiration can help build connection and reduce loneliness. Julian shares how Compassionate Communities is growing as a social movement and talks about what each of us can do to make the world a kinder place. He also reveals plans for Compassionate Communities USA, set to launch in the next few months with a free and inclusive conference. Here’s the outline of this interview with Julian Abel: [00:00:16] Previous podcasts with Julian: 1. Building Compassionate Communities to Improve Public Health, and 2. Maintaining Social Connection in the Era of COVID-19. [00:03:21] Compassion. [00:05:28] Oxytocin is present throughout the animal kingdom. [00:06:00] Film: My Octopus Teacher (available on Netflix). [00:06:55] Book: Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity, by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. Podcast with Brian Hare: Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity. [00:07:07] Book: Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman. [00:09:03] Julian's study: Abel, Julian, et al. "Reducing emergency hospital admissions: a population health complex intervention of an enhanced model of primary care and compassionate communities." British Journal of General Practice 68.676 (2018): e803-e810. [00:11:18] Julian’s Podcast: Survival of the Kindest.  [00:11:25] Julian’s interview with Holly Prince: Dancing in the Field of End of Life Care. [00:13:46] Compassionate Communities UK.  [00:15:50] Review on social relationships and mortality: Holt-Lunstad, Julianne, Timothy B. Smith, and J. Bradley Layton. "Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review." PLoS medicine 7.7 (2010): e1000316. [00:17:16] Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari. [00:17:48] Book: Propaganda by Edward Bernays. [00:21:01] Julian's interview with Waleed Nesyif: It's Never Too Late for Compassion.  [00:22:28] Compassionate City Charter (and other tools). [00:23:41] How to get people to be more compassionate - reason, emotion, and inspiration. [00:23:52] James Maskell: podcast: The Community Cure: Transforming Health Outcomes Together, and book. [00:26:46] Steps an individual can take. [00:33:36] Podcasts: The Neurophysiology of Safety and How to Feel Safe. with Stephen Porges, PhD., and Oxytocin: More Than Just a “Love Hormone”, with Sue Carter, PhD. [00:33:57] The people you spend time with affect your health outcomes; Book: Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, by Nicholas A. Christakis and James Fowler. [00:34:03] Article: Threats to causal inference in an increasingly connected world. [00:35:51] People who are fiercely independent or resistant. [00:39:57] Enhancing naturally-occurring networks. [00:42:10] Town planning. [00:44:23] Subsidiarity (skin in the game). [00:45:25] Compassionate Communities USA / Elevate Compassion (Coming Soon). [00:48:10] Julian's book: The Compassion Project: A case for hope and humankindness from the town that beat loneliness. [00:49:11] Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine article: Compassion is the best medicine, by Julian Abel and Lindsay Clarke. [00:49:15] Guardian Article: The town that’s found a potent cure for illness – community, by George Monbiot.

Have our ape cousins - the bonobos - gotten it right? Is being friendly a better survival strategy than terrorizing your neighbor? Did we misunderstand Darwin? Could it be evolution favors the friendliest, not the fittest?  This episode of Talking Apes catches up with evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Brian Hare who's exploring our friendlier human nature through the behavior of our peaceful Congo cousins, the bonobos.Talking Apes is the podcast that gets to the very heart of what is happening with and to apes like us. We explore the world of apes and primates with experts, conservationists, and passionate primate people from around the world. Join us as we unpack their weird and wonderful lives piece by piece. Talking Apes is made possible through generous support from listeners to nonprofit GLOBIO.org. Support the show (https://globio.org/donate)

In this episode, I get to talk to Dr. Brian Hare, PhD, a neuroscientist who wrote the book on dogs, literally. He's a NY Times Best Seller for his book "The Genius of Dogs." We deep dive into the history of dogs, where they come from, how they've evolved, why we love them so much, how they communicate and so much more! Who doesn't love dogs? Now you get to learn more about them!

DOGS!! Now that I have your attention - today's guest is Brian Hare. Brian is a Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, Psychology, and Neuroscience at Duke University. He is also the co-author, alongside his wife Vanessa Woods, of the bestselling book "The Genius of Dogs". I read the book and loved it. I reached out to Brian because I wanted to learn more about this fascinating topic. Dogs and Homo Sapiens are a very unlikely pairing in evolutionary terms - both being top predators, tens of thousands of years ago, who would have been vying for the same prey. Yet, the wolves that were once our enemies have evolved into dogs that are members of our families. Brian says its survival of the friendliest, not the strongest, that has allowed dogs to evolve alongside us. From their start as wolves benefiting from our leftover food, they have gradually become the animals we love so much today. Dogs have evolved to read our facial expressions, movements, and body gestures. They can get a read on our emotional well being, and are better at this than almost any other animal. They really are "Man's best friend". My Take - Dogs are an amazing evolutionary "accident". We are lucky to have them beside us, and they, in return. reap the benefits of being the most loved animal in the world. Unlike wolves, their distant family member, who are extinct/on the verge of extinction almost everywhere they used to roam - dogs are ubiquitous everywhere, in every country, on every continent. They are truly remarkable in their story, abilities, and adaptability. Brian Hare Brian's Twitter Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Guest: Dr. Brian Hare, author “The Genius of Dogs” “Is Your Dog a Genius?” hosted by Dr. Brian Hare kicks off Nat Geo WILD's BarkFest weekend on Friday May 15 at 10pm ET/PT and continues Saturday and Sunday nights at … Read More

This Reader's Corner interview was originally broadcast in April, 2014.

The Dog Show #230 – July 24, 2013 Dr Brian Hare, co-founder of Dognition.com and co-author of “The Genius of Dogs”. Dognition gives you games to play with your dog to see how your dog thinks and learns, and compare … Read More

www.DogCastRadio.comIn this show we investigate the scientific and the alternative as Dr. Brian Hare talks about the citizen science project Dognition, looking into the different types of canine cognition, and Reiki Master Teacher Rob Fellows talks about how Reiki can help you and your dog. Plus the DogCast Radio News, and a UK petition that aims to change the way puppies are sold.