Scholars have predicted a “population bomb” for centuries. But contemporary researchers know that our population’s growth is slowing and is likely to continue to slow. When exactly? A recent study suggests our population will stabilize around 2050. What forces are driving this population transformation?
Read MoreRobot Sex Revolution
The robotics revolution is coming. This revolution will include intimate relationships between humans and robots. When should we expect this to happen? Sooner than you think.
Read MoreComprehending Deep Time
Two important studies from evolutionary anthropology and cosmology have forced us to reconceptualize our past. In order to properly contexualize these discoveries we must develop an understanding of deep time. What is the best approach to understanding time scales of millions and billions of years?
Read MoreAnother Earth
Recently, astronomers have been discovering more information about the frequency of Earth-like planets in our galaxy. A study yesterday revealed that several Earth-like planets could exist within 10 light-years of our star system. If true, the James Webb Space Telescope could theoretically take direct photographs of other Earth-like planets in the 2020s.
Read MoreTechnology for the World
Cosmopolitanism is a philosophy that emphasizes thinking globally. This philosophical tradition has been growing over the past few decades. As a result, we are seeing people thinking more and more about how we can develop technologies that help our entire species.
Read MoreMonkey Tool Users
The bearded capuchin monkey is the only known monkey to use tools. In the context of contemporary primate tool-use, where does this species fit? And what can we learn about the evolution of tools from this extreme outlier?
Read MoreThe Century of Great Ape Culture
Chimpanzee culture has been well studied for several decades now. However, studies of great ape culture and cultural variation have just begun. This early research produced interesting results with implications for our evolutionary history.
Read MoreWorking on Working Memory
In 2007, researchers proposed that chimpanzees had a superior working memory when compared to adult humans. Since then, many primatologists have questioned the studies methodology, making chimpanzee working memory one of the most controversial areas of inquiry within science today.
Read MoreWhat Is It Like to Be a Bat?
Thomas Nagel wrote a landmark philosophy paper in 1974 titled “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?” Within this paper Nagel wanted to understand if it was possible to conceptualize the subjective experience of another organism. Today, this philosophical problem is still debated, but there are also deeper implications regarding whether we can even understand another human’s subjective experience.
Read MoreFinding A Home
As an undergrad I wanted to contribute to the discussion on our human origins. In my first publication, I feel as though I have accomplished that. My research adds to a larger discussion on chimpanzee terrestrial nesting and what it can tell us about contemporary predation pressure, as well as evolutionary pressures.
Read MoreDecline of Friendship
Social scientific data has increasingly indicated that the quality and quantity of friendships in the developed world is declining. However, is it possible that we are simply seeing a transition from building social bonds in physical communities to building social bonds in digital communities? As E.O. Wilson stated humans are “compulsive group-seekers.” So it stands to reason that if physical bonds are declining, wouldn’t we search for bonds elsewhere?
"Chimpanzee Fire"
Fire was one of the most important discoveries in human evolutionary history. Many researchers believe it was a key development that led to modern humans. However, do our closest relatives control and use fire?
Read MoreAre Humans Monogamous?
Humans are sexual beings. However, because we evolved both biologically and culturally, it is difficult to understand what our sexual nature is. Do we even have a sexual nature? In order to find out, evidence from evolutionary anthropology is analyzed.
Read MoreGenetic Origins
Molecular anthropologists are beginning to understand a great deal about our origins from genetic analyses. I had an opportunity to discuss some of these recent findings with a molecular anthropologist, and this post gives a brief overview of some of the most interesting findings.
Read MoreThe Real Culture Wars
When we think of culture, we tend to think about material products of human civilization and/or variation of traditions, rituals, and beliefs between different human populations. And of course, these are products of human culture. But does culture distinguish humans from all other animals? Are any other animals cultural? If so, what makes humans so different?
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