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  mackenmurphy.org  

"The host, Macken Murphy, is able to condense vast chunks of information into engaging and digestible episodes. Fact-filled and fun." — The New York Times

"The host, Macken Murphy, is able to condense vast chunks of information into engaging and digestible episodes. Fact-filled and fun." — The New York Times

 

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#241

Forgotten Apes | Dr. Susan Cheyne

An audio essay on human nature, followed by an interview with primatologist Dr. Susan Cheyne. Susan is the co-director of the Borneo Nature Foundation International and the Borneo River Initiative for Nature Conservation and Communities, she is the Vice Chair of the IUCN Section on Small Apes, and she is also a Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes; she has been studying gibbons for about 27 years. Our conversation is wide-ranging, but centers on gibbons. We discuss gibbon locomotion, life among gibbons, the nature and function of gibbon song, gibbon violence, monogamy, and infanticide (and lack thereof), and other subjects. Enjoy. Dr. Cheyne's research: <a href= "http://www.susancheyne.com">http://www.susancheyne.com</a>  IUCN Section on Small Apes: <a href= "https://gibbons.asia/">https://gibbons.asia/</a>   Timestamps:  <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=0s" target="" rel="nofollow">0:00</a> Are humans naturally monogamous? <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=1047s" target="" rel="nofollow">17:27</a> Introducing today's subject and guest <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=1225s" target="" rel="nofollow">20:25</a> Gibbon overview (interview starts) <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=1917s" target="" rel="nofollow">31:57</a> Why do humans have twins? <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=2042s" target="" rel="nofollow">34:02</a> A day in the life of a gibbon <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=2337s" target="" rel="nofollow">38:57</a> Studying gibbons <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=2437s" target="" rel="nofollow">40:37</a> Forgotten apes <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=2646s" target="" rel="nofollow">44:06</a> Monogamy <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=4167s" target="" rel="nofollow">1:09:27</a> Violence <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=4294s" target="" rel="nofollow">1:11:34</a> Singing <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=4669s" target="" rel="nofollow">1:17:49</a> Intelligence <a class= "yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ig9FTBatH0&t=5008s" target="" rel="nofollow">1:23:28</a> Conservation   Sources relevant to the introduction:  Stewart-Williams & Thomas | "The Ape That Thought It Was a Peacock" | 2013 Fisher | "The Anatomy of Love" | 2016 Ryan & Jethá | "Sex at Dawn" | 2010 Kramer | Pew Research | 2020 Marlowe | Behavioural Processes | 2000 Chapais | Evolutionary Anthropology | 2013 Schacht & Kramer | Sec Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology | 2019 Shankman | "The Mead–Freeman Controversy Continues" | 2018 (I'm not sure if this view is correct; once again, you can find academics on both sides of this.) ... Read more

05 May 2024

1 HR 29 MINS

1:29:34

05 May 2024

#240

Pilled | Louis Bachaud

A deep dive into the manosphere, with the scholar who knows it best, Louis Bachaud. The manosphere is a constellation of 5 loosely affiliated communities, including pick-up artists (PUAs), men's rights activists (MRAs), "Men Going Their Own Way" (MGTOW), incels (the "Black Pill" communiy), and the "Red Pill" community. Louis details the history of the manosphere, describes the current factions and their differences, and guides us through their use and misuse of science, especially evolutionary psychology. The episode opens with a systematic critique of the manosphere, and the interview starts around 34 minutes in. Enjoy. Recommended background, especially for critiques of the manosphere: - Bachaud, L., & Johns, S. E. (2023). The use and misuse of evolutionary psychology in online manosphere communities: The case of female mating strategies. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 5, e28.  For the size and direction of sex differences, see: - Archer, J. (2019). The reality and evolutionary significance of human psychological sex differences. Biological Reviews, 94(4), 1381-1415.  - Stewart-Williams, S., Butler, C. A., & Thomas, A. G. (2017). Sexual history and present attractiveness: People want a mate with a bit of a past, but not too much. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(9), 1097-1105.  - Schmitt, D. P. (2005). Sociosexuality from Argentina to Zimbabwe: A 48-nation study of sex, culture, and strategies of human mating. Behavioral and Brain sciences, 28(2), 247-275.  - Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and brain sciences, 12(1), 1-14.  For extra-pair paternity: - Wolf, M., Musch, J., Enczmann, J., & Fischer, J. (2012). Estimating the prevalence of nonpaternity in Germany. Human Nature, 23, 208-217.  - Anderson, K. (2006). How well does paternity confidence match actual paternity? Evidence from worldwide nonpaternity rates. Current anthropology, 47(3), 513-520. - Bellis, M. A., Hughes, K., Hughes, S., & Ashton, J. R. (2005). Measuring paternal discrepancy and its public health consequences. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 59(9), 749-754.  For age gaps: - Conroy-Beam, D., & Buss, D. M. (2019). Why is age so important in human mating? Evolved age preferences and their influences on multiple mating behaviors. Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, 13(2), 127.  - Antfolk, J., Salo, B., Alanko, K., Bergen, E., Corander, J., Sandnabba, N. K., & Santtila, P. (2015). Women's and men's sexual preferences and activities with respect to the partner's age: Evidence for female choice. Evolution and Human Behavior, 36(1), 73-79.  - Buunk, B. P., Dijkstra, P., Kenrick, D. T., & Warntjes, A. (2001). Age preferences for mates as related to gender, own age, and involvement level. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(4), 241-250. ... Read more

12 Feb 2024

2 HR 09 MINS

2:09:24

12 Feb 2024

#239

Hair on Our Faces | Dr. Barnaby Dixson

Today, we explore the befuddling (and surprisingly complex) mystery of the human beard. Our guide is Dr. Barnaby Dixson, a human behavioral ecologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast who uses interdisciplinary methods to investigate human mate preferences across cultures.  His extensive work has bettered our understanding of a wide variety of physical traits; most relevant to today's discussion, he is one of the primary contributors to our understanding of beards. We discuss the evolution of facial masculinity and facial hair, and their role in attractiveness and intimidation across various contexts. You can learn more about Dixson, here: <a href= "https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/dr-barnaby-dixson">https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/dr-barnaby-dixson</a> Relevant sources are mostly in Dixson’s past publications: <a href= "https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=LE_ROqQAAAAJ&hl=en">https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=LE_ROqQAAAAJ&hl=en</a> But also, see: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vbEZV65uWCcG3E3Qzk-DEuy2m3rodw07WIt3l6meMSo/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vbEZV65uWCcG3E3Qzk-DEuy2m3rodw07WIt3l6meMSo/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

29 Oct 2023

1 HR 48 MINS

1:48:29

29 Oct 2023

#238

The Unchosen Ones | William Costello

William Costello is an expert on incels, a rising star in the field of evolutionary psychology, and the latest protégé of Dr. David Buss. In this conversation, we discuss incel violence, demographics, mythology, perception vs. reality, and solutions to inceldom, among other things. There's still time to participate in Costello's cross-sex mind-reading study, here: <a href= "https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38KyEyGDOs4stN4">https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38KyEyGDOs4stN4</a> You can keep up with Costello on Twitter, @CostelloWilliam: <a href= "https://twitter.com/CostelloWilliam?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"> https://twitter.com/CostelloWilliam?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor</a>   ... Read more

09 Jul 2023

1 HR 19 MINS

1:19:55

09 Jul 2023

#237

Date Psychology | Alexander

Alexander is a psychologist and science communicator. He is best known for his deep dives into the literature on human mating and his nuanced critiques of popular misconceptions about dating. In this data-driven discussion, he talks to Macken about what men and women actually want and what people generally get wrong about dating, before diving into a variety of topics including the Manosphere, the “mating crisis,” hypergamy, and bodycount, among others. Alexander is @datepsych on Twitter, where he runs online studies and produces fascinating threads on mating. He also runs a popular blog, datepsychology.com, and is increasingly popular on YouTube, @alex.datepsych. ... Read more

04 Jun 2023

1 HR 39 MINS

1:39:31

04 Jun 2023

#236

Great White Shark

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... a brand new episode of Species. Come listen and learn about their secret social lives, how to survive a shark attack, and some mind-blowing stats. Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ayzr57teXk06LE21jN9LH934wXhOzIRW9KbKiBeCUVw/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ayzr57teXk06LE21jN9LH934wXhOzIRW9KbKiBeCUVw/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

26 Mar 2023

23 MINS

23:22

26 Mar 2023

#235

Updates | 1.15.23

I'm extremely busy and, unfortunately, pausing production on Species, at least for most of this month. If you sent me a donation in January and you want a refund, contact me through mackenmurphy.org, and I will be sure to send it back to you. My sincerest apologies. ... Read more

16 Jan 2023

02 MINS

02:47

16 Jan 2023

#234

Master of Puppets | Dr. Robert Plomin

"DNA isn't all that matters, but it matters more than everything else put together." —Dr. Robert Plomin Blueprint: <a href= "https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262039161/blueprint/">https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262039161/blueprint/</a> Plomin is one of history's most important psychologists and a pioneer in the field of behavioral genetics. He is a research professor at King's College London, best known for his work on twins. In this podcast, Plomin explains how we know that genes impact our behavior, clarifies all the common confusions about the field, and pushes back against some of Macken's criticisms. Enjoy. ... Read more

26 Dec 2022

1 HR 44 MINS

1:44:38

26 Dec 2022

#233

Updates | 12.18.22

TikTok @mackenmurphy: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@mackenmurphy">https://www.tiktok.com/@mackenmurphy</a> YouTube @murphymacken (I would buy the @mackenmurphy handle from you, if you have it): <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@murphymacken">https://www.youtube.com/@murphymacken</a> ... Read more

19 Dec 2022

03 MINS

03:22

19 Dec 2022

#232

Mimic Octopus

Nature's greatest shapeshifter, the mimic octopus is known for their spectacular impersonations of other species. Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CrxPPq4mAJpmmQTFIh51KzoHa1SZZv5C4dF-KyFB0ik/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CrxPPq4mAJpmmQTFIh51KzoHa1SZZv5C4dF-KyFB0ik/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

05 Dec 2022

21 MINS

21:44

05 Dec 2022

#231

Gossiping for Mates | Dr. Tania Reynolds

Women compete vigorously over mates but do so more subtly than men. In this episode, Dr. Tania Reynolds teaches us how women use gossip to win mates. Additionally, we discuss friendship, thinness, and the evolution of homosexuality, among other subjects. Tania Reynolds is an assistant professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Her research examines how intrasexual competition and cooperation contribute to psychological and behavioral sex differences. She investigates how pressures for humans' ancestors to select advantageous social allies—and be selected in return—contribute to modern-day preferences, biases, and behaviors. Connect with Dr. Reynolds on Twitter @TaniaArline, and keep up with her work using the links below: Department webpage: <a id= "m_-401721495240628495LPNoLPOWALinkPreview" href= "https://psych.unm.edu/people/faculty/profile/tania-reynolds.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://psych.unm.edu/people/faculty/profile/tania-reynolds.html&source=gmail&ust=1669026461799000&usg=AOvVaw3rJsZqf-luU93JjN6dMdbq"> https://psych.unm.edu/people/faculty/profile/tania-reynolds.html</a> Research: [ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tania-Reynolds] (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tania-Reynolds)   ... Read more

21 Nov 2022

1 HR 27 MINS

1:27:37

21 Nov 2022

#230

Vegetarian Spider

This spider, Bagheera kiplingi, prefers a plant-based diet. Come learn about trees that pay ant security guards in gold, The Jungle Book, and an exceptional animal on this episode of Species. Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSUztDqSZWt1IM_IA9JnkFVqRZ14pd6YHCPQlu2jz4E/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSUztDqSZWt1IM_IA9JnkFVqRZ14pd6YHCPQlu2jz4E/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

06 Nov 2022

22 MINS

22:49

06 Nov 2022

#229

Guinea Pig

Not from Guinea, not a pig. Upcoming live events... 10 AM on October 26th: <a href= "https://www.talesonmoonlane.co.uk/halftermfestival">https://www.talesonmoonlane.co.uk/halftermfestival</a> 2 PM on October 26th: <a href= "https://www.moonlaneink.co.uk/moonlanestorytellingworkshops">https://www.moonlaneink.co.uk/moonlanestorytellingworkshops</a> 2 PM on October 27th: <a href= "https://www.moonlaneramsgate.com/">https://www.moonlaneramsgate.com/</a> ... Read more

18 Oct 2022

20 MINS

20:08

18 Oct 2022

#228

White-Tailed Deer

Come learn about predator-prey communication, Bambi, and the most-hunted big game animal in America on this episode of Species. Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l947u7nmpJ-6e4_wkQt29WH7Lki-8I_hZLDFBhOWZfg/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l947u7nmpJ-6e4_wkQt29WH7Lki-8I_hZLDFBhOWZfg/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

02 Oct 2022

20 MINS

20:20

02 Oct 2022

#227

California Condor

Find out how sock puppets aided the most insane conservation effort in history and learn everything about America's biggest bird. Bibliography: <a style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SA3gYa9Xrq-sZxWkkqGWBbEbB1X0ZaaUGlFqLg-NN9w/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SA3gYa9Xrq-sZxWkkqGWBbEbB1X0ZaaUGlFqLg-NN9w/edit?usp=sharing</a> ... Read more

19 Sep 2022

23 MINS

23:31

19 Sep 2022

#226

State of Affairs | Dr. Brooke Scelza

Infidelity is almost ubiquitous among the Himba, an indigenous group of pastoralists living in Namibia and Angola. In this episode, I speak with a human behavioral ecologist who can help us understand why. UCLA's Professor Brooke Scelza (@bascelza) has studied reproductive decision-making in these people for about a decade. Her fascinating work has made progress towards understanding the rationale behind patterns of parental investment, fosterage, and infidelity. In this podcast, we focus on the last item on this list. Come learn about an interesting culture and view infidelity through a new lens on this episode of Species.  ... Read more

22 Aug 2022

57 MINS

57:17

22 Aug 2022

#225

Birdlike

An essay about birds, music, and evolution. <a href= "https://tenderly.medium.com/birds-are-musicians-24b3d2dc5eb2">https://tenderly.medium.com/birds-are-musicians-24b3d2dc5eb2</a> ... Read more

07 Aug 2022

17 MINS

17:07

07 Aug 2022

#224

Rattlesnake

How come some Christians risk their lives to hold snakes? Why do snakes have forked tongues? Do snakes "see" heat? Listen and learn the answers to all these questions and more! Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/14zL71mi0U2QGOdivbE_-ZomBBXVXDOKXc49R0yGR0UA/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/14zL71mi0U2QGOdivbE_-ZomBBXVXDOKXc49R0yGR0UA/edit?usp=sharing</a>   ... Read more

25 Jul 2022

22 MINS

22:03

25 Jul 2022

#223

Siamang

Come learn about a singing, (mostly) monogamous acrobat! Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O9830gFU8gHBDzF70JSwqo-mvwq3dZ7VogcX3rFzDS0/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O9830gFU8gHBDzF70JSwqo-mvwq3dZ7VogcX3rFzDS0/edit?usp=sharing</a>   ... Read more

10 Jul 2022

27 MINS

27:50

10 Jul 2022

#222

Tardigrade

This microscopic animal can survive in outer space. Find out how and learn about the toughest animal on earth (and off of it) by listening to today's episode! Bibliography: <a href= "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NXu2AzNhIj7V_9jcISMvxolWlCAim0uzCLveJDYuFtQ/edit?usp=sharing"> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NXu2AzNhIj7V_9jcISMvxolWlCAim0uzCLveJDYuFtQ/edit?usp=sharing</a>   ... Read more

26 Jun 2022

25 MINS

25:33

26 Jun 2022

#221

Updates | 4.24.22

Exam season is upon us. Until exams finish, I will be taking a hiatus from the show to focus. Donors, please feel free to pause donations until then; there are never any hard feelings from me, only gratitude towards you. Until we return, please feel free to enjoy the back catalogue, and the content below. - MM Animal Sidekicks: <a href= "https://neonsquidbooks.com/books/animal-sidekicks/">https://neonsquidbooks.com/books/animal-sidekicks/</a> Sentientist Conversations (definitely not for children): [https://youtu.be/vzn-AhproxE] (https://youtu.be/vzn-AhproxE) Human Evolution: <a href= "https://frstre.com/go/?a=95595-7e38d9&s=1771291-5cf1d5&p_affiliate.referral_code=mackenmurphy"> https://frstre.com/go/?a=95595-7e38d9&s=1771291-5cf1d5&p_affiliate.referral_code=mackenmurphy</a> (If you can't afford a Listenable subscription, just use the free trial to listen and then cancel. Also: I get 30% of your subscription if you subscribe through that link, and you can get 30% off online using the promo code: mackenmurphy) Thank you so much for your support through the years, the journey is far from over. ... Read more

24 Apr 2022

07 MINS

07:00

24 Apr 2022