Charles Darwin's revolutionary observations of Galapagos tortoises and finches, explored how natural selection allows species to adapt over time. From the discovery of the hawk moth in Madagascar, pre...
Deception (00:11:52)
Challenging Mark Twain's assertion that "man is the only one that lies.", we discover that deception is a widespread evolutionary strategy employed by various species for survival and reproduction. Pl...
Animal Communication (00:11:30)
Let's enter the fascinating world of animal communication used by different species. We'll also touch on the evolutionary aspects of these communication systems Please consider becoming a show Patron ...
New Season - New Shows! (00:00:56)
The new season is about to kick and I'm really excited about it. I'm always looking for ways to expand the show's reach and science education, and to do so, I'll need your help. I'd love to go back t...
Island Laboratories (00:12:32)
The wonderful thing about islands is they continue to provide insights into the processes that shape life on Earth, reminding us of the incredible adaptability of life and the importance of preserving...
Symbiosis (00:09:05)
Imagine a world where different species live in close partnerships, essential for their survival. Tune in for a journey through millions of years of evolutionary cooperation, proving that in nature, n...
What Can Educators Do? Only A Theory Pt. 2 (00:22:01)
Special guest Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins the show to discuss what teachers and educators can do both in and out of the classroom. Support the NCSE Please consid...
Only A Theory Revisited - Part 1 (00:21:45)
Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins me to discuss the age-old phrase that evolution is "Only a Theory". Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episode...
The Evolution of Venom (00:12:10)
From ancient Conodonts to modern-day rattlesnakes, venom has independently evolved in a diverse array of creatures including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and even mammals like the platypus. Discover ho...
Bergson's Vitalism (00:10:32)
In this episode, we delve into Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and explore the alternative philosophical perspective of Henri Bergson. While Darwin's mechanistic view emphasi...
The Law of Superposition (00:10:11)
The concept of superposition exists in both quantum mechanics and evolutionary geology. We start with the strange and counterintuitive world of quantum physics, where particles exist in multiple state...
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 3 (00:14:03)
What if consciousness, much like the architectural 'spandrels' we talked about before, isn't actually crucial to our survival? Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin argued that some traits might just...
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 2 (00:13:26)
Do our thoughts serve a purpose, or are they just a byproduct of something deeper? Consciousness studies bridge the realms of philosophy and science. Are we truly aware, or is it all just an illusion?...
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 1 (00:10:59)
In this episode, we delve into the mysterious world of consciousness, a mystery that resides within the depths of our minds. We'll explore the physical and philosophical theories of consciousness, fro...
AI - The Next Step (00:12:13)
In this episode, we dive deep into the astounding journey of technological evolution, from the Wright brothers' inaugural flight to humanity's giant leap on the moon, and onto the revolutionary fronti...
Exploring the Depths of Evolutionary Psychiatry Part 2 (00:10:04)
In this episode, we continue our exploration into the realm of evolutionary psychiatry, a field that seeks to understand the ancient roots of our modern mental health challenges. Are mental disorders ...
The Foundations of Evolutionary Psychiatry Part 1 (00:11:20)
Let's dive deep into the fascinating world of Evolutionary Psychiatry, building on our previous exploration of Evolutionary Psychology (from 100 episodes ago!). In that episode we compared the brain t...
From A Warm Pond... (00:11:10)
Sagan once pondered, "How did the molecules of life arise?" This question, echoing through the annals of scientific history, brings us to today's episode. We've long understood the mechanics of evolut...
The Case of the Missing Chromosomes (00:11:06)
Our story starts with cells. Not our cells but the cells of our closest relatives. The great apes. Within the nucleus of their cells the great apes have 24 chromosome pairs. We have 23 pairs. If w...
Suboptimal Design (00:13:54)
Vestigial features and atavistic traits are all evidence of our past. They are glimpses into a species distant past. We have nature and evolution by natural selection to thank for it. But nature's no...
About Those Fingerprints (00:13:35)
When it comes to personal IDs, we have many. There's your driver's license, passport, online username, among other human-made forms of proving who you are. Then there are those that nature gave you ...
What's Old is New Again (00:10:53)
Attics aren't the only places you'll find old secrets from the past, begging to be rediscovered or let out. You have them in you as well. I'm not talking about the the type of secrets you keep to your...
The Ants Have It (00:10:31)
Ants have mastered the art of cooperation. They have highly organized social structures, caste systems, and with everything they do, they do for the colony. They are in a sense, a superorganism with...
Reading, Writing, & Evolution (00:15:31)
Evolution by natural selection is not perfect, nor does it strive to be. It doesn't strive to be anything at all. An adaptation that is beneficial under one set of circumstances may be a detriment u...
Playing Dead (00:09:37)
If you've ever heard the phrase "play possum", you may know it means to feign death. It's real thing. Possums do it, as do sharks, ants, and a multitude of other animals. It's a defense mechanisms sha...
