Evolution in Daily Life

Leadership

Uncertainty, Leadership, and Demagoguery

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on July 12, 2020

A far-reaching change that came with agriculture was the loss of social certainty. This loss made humans more vulnerable to demagogues who project absolute certainty.

A far-reaching change that came with agriculture was the loss of social certainty. This loss made humans more vulnerable to demagogues who project absolute certainty.

Common characterizations of societies, such as "socialism" and "capitalism," have become almost meaningless over the years. The concept of "defection" can provide new insights.

Motivation

Why Socialism Fails

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on January 15, 2020

Our hunter-gatherer past can help us understand both why we are drawn to "fairness" and why political attempts to establish fairness so often fail.

Our hunter-gatherer past can help us understand both why we are drawn to "fairness" and why political attempts to establish fairness so often fail.

Identity

Why People Join Fanatical Groups

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on November 18, 2019

The need for group affiliation is deeply rooted in the human genome and can lead people to join dangerous destructive groups.

The need for group affiliation is deeply rooted in the human genome and can lead people to join dangerous destructive groups.

Genetics

Half Men

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on November 3, 2019

Lots of stories have been written about women having to choose between passion and security when it comes to men. Why is this theme so compelling?

Lots of stories have been written about women having to choose between passion and security when it comes to men. Why is this theme so compelling?

Gender

Unintended Consequences Are All Around Us

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on August 7, 2019

The unintended consequences of the workings of the human brain since agriculture are causing serious problems today. Can anything be done?

The unintended consequences of the workings of the human brain since agriculture are causing serious problems today. Can anything be done?

Environment

The Sine Qua Non of Human Existence

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on August 1, 2019

One crucial unintended consequence of agriculture and sedentary living was the aggrandizement of reason.

One crucial unintended consequence of agriculture and sedentary living was the aggrandizement of reason.

Adoption

The Wages of Agriculture

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on July 19, 2019

Is there a serious mismatch between our hunter-gatherer brains and the post-agricultural world?

Is there a serious mismatch between our hunter-gatherer brains and the post-agricultural world?

Environment

Unintended Consequences and the Cerebral Cortex

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on July 4, 2019

What happened to humans when the cerebral cortex no longer had to focus on survival and entered the service of problem-solving and order?

What happened to humans when the cerebral cortex no longer had to focus on survival and entered the service of problem-solving and order?

Most western societies conceive of evil as a concrete entity, a force. We think evil is the erosion of pro-social inclinations that evolved in our foraging past.

Many young people in high school and college are overwhelmed by the number of choices they encounter. The reason for their distress may lie in our evolutionary history.

For millennia, leaders have used xenophobia as a powerful tool to draw often diverse groups together against a common enemy.

Environment

The Tragedy of the Foraging Assumption

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on November 28, 2018

In the face of overwhelming evidence that climate change is threatening the planet, many, including the President of the United States, deny it. Why?

In the face of overwhelming evidence that climate change is threatening the planet, many, including the President of the United States, deny it. Why?

Trust

Second Chances

Gary Bernhard, Ed.D. and Kalman Glantz, Ph.D. on October 25, 2018

Why do "second chance" stories all have a similar theme?

Why do "second chance" stories all have a similar theme?