Is the Human Brain Special? ~ Suzana Herculano-Houzel
The human brain is sometimes called the "most complex thing in the universe”. It allows us to study ourselves, other animals, and the cosmos itself. Indeed, we often think of our brain as the pinnacle...
3 Loka 20231h 10min
Encore | How Love Synchronises Our Brains ~ Ruth Feldman
How literally can we be in "synch" with someone? Very literally, said my guest in episode 3. Originally titled “A Musical Biology of Love”, this was a fascinating episode with jazz musician and neuros...
18 Syys 202340min
Do Machines Improve the Human Condition? ~ Daron Acemoglu
Machines allow us to do more work with less effort. They sound like an obviously good thing. But there is a tension here. New gadgets and new technologies - new simple “machines” - have been invented ...
10 Syys 202348min
Encore | Is War Natural For Humans? ~ Douglas P. Fry
To complete a trilogy on the anthropology of war, here is episode 8 from the archives. Enjoy!SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider becoming a supporter of On Humans. Even small monthly donations can make a ...
25 Elo 20231h 15min
What Can Chimpanzees Tell Us About War and Peace? ~ Brian Ferguson
Is war natural for humans? This question launched episode 8 of this podcast. In that episode, anthropologist Douglas Fry argued that war is a new phenomenon. Yes, history is full of wars. But war arri...
19 Elo 20231h 16min
How War Shapes Our Humanity ~ Greta Uehling
What does war do to the human psyche? It can traumatise. It can cause grief. It can normalise violence and make demons out of the enemy. But difficult times can also elevate our care and compassion. A...
14 Elo 202355min
Walking Towards the Human Condition ~ Jeremy DeSilva
Humans are odd in many ways. But perhaps the oddest of our features is our upright posture. We walk on two legs. And we are the only mammal to do so. So why do we walk upright? And why does it matter?...
17 Heinä 20231h 22min
Do Young Children Care About Others? Searching For The Seeds Of Human Morality ~ Amrisha Vaish
Here is a common view on human development: In the beginning, children can only think about themselves. Slowly, they learn to care about others — or more cynically, they learn to pretend that they car...
2 Heinä 20231h 18min
