The Advanced Apes Podcast with Dr. Jonathan MarksFor the past few years, biological anthropologist Dr. Jonathan Marks has been a tremendous influence to me academically. I love his books What It Means To Be 98% Chimpanzee, and Why I Am Not A Scientist. Last week I had a chance to interview him for a The … Continue reading The Advanced Apes Podcast with Dr. Jonathan Marks
Tag: primates
Are Chimpanzees Cultural?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhacaxJ240Q For the past two months I, along with my two friends Alicia Herbert and Drew Hewitt, have been working on launching a new YouTube channel. We want this channel to be educational and focus on evolutionary and environmental science. Our first video is on chimpanzee culture. If you have any thoughts or comments, I … Continue reading Are Chimpanzees Cultural?
Personal Influences
Personal Influences Regardless of the path in life that you follow, most of us were inspired by the generation that came before. This inspiration creates a desire within us to build on what we were given and make the world a better place. Evolutionary anthroplogists Cadell Last and Travis Steffens discuss the people that inspired … Continue reading Personal Influences
Building The Genetic Bridge
Building The Genetic Bridge Scientists have discovered a gene that is unique to humans and plays a significant role in language and speech. This may be one of the first functional genes identified that makes us different from the great apes. However, we should expect to find other genes that play a critical role in … Continue reading Building The Genetic Bridge
A Great Crisis
A Great Crisis Social scientists have established that humans experience a U-shaped happiness curve throughout their life. Middle-aged individuals seem to be less happy than other individuals regardless of socio-cultural or economic factors. A recent study has revealed that this may be a shared pattern with great apes. Over 508 captive chimpanzees and orangutans were … Continue reading A Great Crisis
Communicating With Bonobos
Communicating With Bonobos Panbanisha (Nov 17, 1985-Nov 6, 2012) died recently from a cold at The Great Ape Trust. Her entire life was a linguistic experiment that taught us a great deal about the linguistic capabilities of apes, and also what separates our species from the great apes. Future research into the origins of language, … Continue reading Communicating With Bonobos
The State of Things
The State of Things African great ape populations are facing several anthropogenic threats (e.g., hunting, disease transmission, habitat loss). A recent study has revealed that habitat loss may be the most critical and is a far larger threat than previously believed by experts. If the rate of habitat loss continues to increase, the African great … Continue reading The State of Things
Meeting With Jane
Meeting With Jane Jane Goodall has been a tremendous influence to me academically. Her research inspired me to study chimpanzees, learn about human evolution and attempt to make a career for myself in academia. Recently I had a chance to meet and speak with her and it was once of the most memorable events in … Continue reading Meeting With Jane
Decoding Our Family
Decoding Our Family In 2000 we sequenced the human genome. Over the past decade primatologists have decoded the genome of all great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans). Now we can compare, contrast and learn more about our genetic relationship with our closest relatives. Throughout that time we have learned a tremendous amount about their … Continue reading Decoding Our Family
A Conservation Story Gone Bad
A Conservation Story Gone Bad In a recent conservation documentary by the BBC the social dynamics between the Afar tribe and the baboons are explored. Throughout the documentary conservation biologist Mat Pines attempts to build a positive relationship with the tribe but ends up failing to understand the root of the conflict. Full Article: A … Continue reading A Conservation Story Gone Bad