Species

Latest Episodes:

Docility and the Death Penalty | Dr. Richard Wrangham Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Richard Wrangham's book, The Goodness Paradox, argues that we humans inadvertently domesticated ourselves using the death penalty. In this conversation, we discuss the evidence supporting this hypothesis, the radical implications that follow from it, and a whole host of other topics, including morality, religion, patriarchy, psychopathy, and drug use in chimpanzees.

Richard is Harvard University's Ruth B. Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology, he is founder of the Kibale Chimpanzee Project, co-founder of the Kasiisi Project, and patron of the Great Apes Survival Partnership. He is the author of three influential books, Demonic Males, Catching Fire, and his newest book, The Goodness Paradox, which we recommend you read: https://www.amazon.com/Goodness-Paradox-Relationship-Violence-Evolution/dp/1101970197/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20C3Z9TAHH4UK&dchild=1&keywords=the+goodness+paradox+richard+wrangham&qid=1605904298&s=books&sprefix=the+goodness+pa%2Cstripbooks%2C180&sr=1-1

Emerald Cockroach Wasp Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

It's good to be afraid. Come learn about the woman who can't feel fear, the roaches who are rendered fearless and the wasp who makes it possible. Warning: This podcast is not for the faint of heart.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1su0d1qEn6P_JcjtyIMIZeNNXKOlUVcilBpV-SfQSx7A/edit?usp=sharing

Oxpecker Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

Today we're going to talk about the (seemingly) mathematically impossible. Come learn about the oxpecker, their relationship with rhinos, and how we know anything on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZDY2BPC2qLq1xOaCci_wy0OCjUBeE7M_0p9wBBvTXp0/edit?usp=sharing

Clownfish Nov 01, 2020

Show notes

Why are clowns scary? If all clownfish are born male, how can they reproduce? How do clownfish survive living inside a sea anemone, and what does the anemone get out the deal? Come listen and learn from the Species podcast post-Halloween special.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kluzIMr4qZdQkI44n6QM7NJHhV6yxA7SjbwcDHsRFX0/edit?usp=sharing

Moose Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Why was Thomas Jefferson embarrassed about American animals? Are there moose in New Zealand? What is the only weapon in the universe that doubles as a hearing aid?

Recording of my live lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bnpUnkwLyU

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Em2fnOkQvkDtmo8C-ASwlqsFyXjnihamYsQMm1K_gk/edit?usp=sharing

Garter Snake Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

Come hear about an animal who is full of surprises, and learn about one of the most elaborate acts of deception in the animal kingdom.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UoaDBj8TJlgR3tYbUJrGv3wSd4g0EgkUMQMphFPc9z4/edit?usp=sharing

American Kestrel Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

This animal has the vision of a video game character, and they glitch like one too. Come hear about the benefits of seeing urine and the hack to hover without hummingbird wings on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k054w73uaQd1Mre21GzoDrc9LRW-oxdXWRGC6xzj5nA/edit?usp=sharing

Descent Into Hogwood with Juliet Gellatley Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

Juliet Gellatley is the founder and director of Viva!, one of the most effective animal rights charities in the world. In this conversation, she sat down with Macken to speak about her organization's new film, "Hogwood," an exposé of a British pig farm that put the corruption of related institutions on full display. In this conversation, Juliet details the heroism and horrors of her experiences with Hogwood, outlines the greatest joys and worst miseries in a pig's life, and explains the state of farming in the 21st century.

Hogwood is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play. You can find Viva! here: https://www.viva.org.uk/

Swordfish Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Why did humans take so long to invent swords? How do swordfish use their swords? Is a swordfish bigger than my whole family? Find out on this episode of species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zyGukCFXL-CWQKHbDOUnswGq52Hyp4Cbt4WngHQ2wZY/edit?usp=sharing

Swamp Rabbit Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

The biggest cottontail on earth acts like a fictional ninja, and tried to attack a US president. Hear all about them on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ouxgMZD6qgxO4CZzZumR6PppOnXAuldEOI-7uO4fsVg/edit?usp=sharing

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