Biological Evolution & Language Evolution
Language evolution can resemble biological evolution. This is an example of how biology can provide insights about innovation in non-biochemical systems.
Civilizing Evolution
Ecology, Economics, and Delayed Gratification
Economics fails to explain why Homo economicus struggles with delayed gratification, but ecology can offer some historical perspectives.
Civilizing Pottery
Pottery is impervious to decay, even when submerged in water or soil for thousands of years. That property is essential; without the invention of pottery, civilization and the modern world would not exist.
The Bookscrounger Returns
I’m back, the Bookscrounger returns. Where I’ve been, and where we’re going.
Sabotaging Children: Living on the Edge
In the past when we were living on the edge, sabotaging children was the only prudent course of action.
Paternal Corn: Bad Dad Jokes
Perhaps there is a good reason that fathers tell bad dad jokes…
Child’s Games, Child’s Work: Hide and Seek
Child’s play is child’s work, and Hide & Seek is not the innocent game it seems. Like so much of life, it is really a game of survival, of life and death.
Wasp Evolution & Animal Urbanization
The evidence of wasp evolution around my home is an example of animal urbanization, i.e., how living things adapt to encroaching humanity.
Compassion vs Survival, & Pragmatism
We think of compassion as a universal moral position, but when the choice is compassion or survival, pragmatism will always win out.