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Evolutionary Entertainment

Exploring the evolutionary foundations of popular culture.

Altruism
Homo Professoris, Part VI

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on November 5, 2015

Please, folks: raise your children to be bold and brave. Not victim-mongering whiny little wussies.

Please, folks: raise your children to be bold and brave. Not victim-mongering whiny little wussies.

Pregnancy
Sukkahs for Syrians

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on September 26, 2015

What if we Jews here and in Europe embraced our common humanity with Muslims and offered up our symbolic 'sukkah' shelters to the millions fleeing the atrocities of Syria? Human beings wandering thousands of miles, on foot, to seek refuge in Europe. Pregnant women. Newborn babies. Disabled elders. People without a country. Or shelter...

What if we Jews here and in Europe embraced our common humanity with Muslims and offered up our symbolic 'sukkah' shelters to the millions fleeing the atrocities of Syria? Human beings wandering thousands of miles, on foot, to seek refuge in Europe. Pregnant women. Newborn babies. Disabled elders. People without a country. Or shelter...

Sex
The “Birds and the Bees” Differ for Boys and Girls

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on November 28, 2014

In a forthcoming publication in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences with my undergraduate RAs and developmental psychologist Dawn K. Melzer, I explored the content of communications that parents have with their children about sex. Our participants’ parents were more focused on guarding the sexuality of their daughters than their sons.

In a forthcoming publication in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences with my undergraduate RAs and developmental psychologist Dawn K. Melzer, I explored the content of communications that parents have with their children about sex. Our participants’ parents were more focused on guarding the sexuality of their daughters than their sons.

Religion
Homo Professoris, Part V: The Born Again Evangelical Atheist

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on November 24, 2014

In the true spirit of this blog's title, "Evolutionary Entertainment," I bring you Part V in an ongoing series on the daily life of Homo professoris.

In the true spirit of this blog's title, "Evolutionary Entertainment," I bring you Part V in an ongoing series on the daily life of Homo professoris.

Religion
Dearest Daughter Emily

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on July 29, 2014

Dearest Daughter Emily: I write you this letter a month shy of completing your fifth ellipse around Earth's sun, knowing full well that you cannot yet read it...

Dearest Daughter Emily: I write you this letter a month shy of completing your fifth ellipse around Earth's sun, knowing full well that you cannot yet read it...

Attention
Homo Professoris, Part IV: Survival of The Blender Avoider?

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on March 10, 2014

To increase students’ attention and information retention, I make ample use of the bizarre mnemonic when lecturing. Occasionally though, a student will echo my bizarre, vivid example from class on an exam and leave me wondering, "Did I really say that?" This is one of those times.

To increase students’ attention and information retention, I make ample use of the bizarre mnemonic when lecturing. Occasionally though, a student will echo my bizarre, vivid example from class on an exam and leave me wondering, "Did I really say that?" This is one of those times.

Insomnia
Homo Professoris, Part III: The 'Show Me Your Big D' Lecture

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on October 14, 2013

Although my lectures are not without awkward funniness, the humor is usually intentional. One of today’s lectures was an exception. I chalk it up to the Advil PMs I popped last night when my insomnia kicked in. Whatever the cause, I gave a lecture this afternoon that my students will always remember…for all the wrong reasons.

Although my lectures are not without awkward funniness, the humor is usually intentional. One of today’s lectures was an exception. I chalk it up to the Advil PMs I popped last night when my insomnia kicked in. Whatever the cause, I gave a lecture this afternoon that my students will always remember…for all the wrong reasons.

Evolutionary Psychology
On the Origin of an Evolutionary Psychologist

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on September 15, 2013

Are you thinking about pursuing evolutionary psychology as a career? Here are the top 10 most important things to know to become an evolutionary psychologist.

Are you thinking about pursuing evolutionary psychology as a career? Here are the top 10 most important things to know to become an evolutionary psychologist.

Sex
This is Why Conservatives Don’t Believe in Global Warming

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on August 3, 2013

This sort of nonsense is an indictment of science and is why many conservatives don’t believe in global warming. They shouldn’t. As long as the most prestigious journals publish this kind of political masturbation we have no right to demand that the public take us seriously. When politics and good science collide there is no reason the public should bet on science.

This sort of nonsense is an indictment of science and is why many conservatives don’t believe in global warming. They shouldn’t. As long as the most prestigious journals publish this kind of political masturbation we have no right to demand that the public take us seriously. When politics and good science collide there is no reason the public should bet on science.

Sex
Born Both Ways?

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on April 9, 2013

Given women’s flexible sexual responsiveness to both sexes, a growing notion among relationship researchers is that women’s sexuality is fluid. But why would sexual selection have fashioned motivational mechanisms to engage in sexual behaviors with members of the same sex?

Given women’s flexible sexual responsiveness to both sexes, a growing notion among relationship researchers is that women’s sexuality is fluid. But why would sexual selection have fashioned motivational mechanisms to engage in sexual behaviors with members of the same sex?

Intelligence
Pope Francis is Not Necessarily Dumb

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on March 17, 2013

Although it may be humorous and satisfying to assert that a Pope or anyone else who believes in a God is unintelligent, such a conclusion is patently false.

Although it may be humorous and satisfying to assert that a Pope or anyone else who believes in a God is unintelligent, such a conclusion is patently false.

Philosophy
Pariahs as Predators, Prey, and Parasites

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on January 10, 2013

"In Rwanda they referred to Tutsis as cockroaches. They were not human beings…[They said,] 'Don’t worry, you’re not killing humans like you. You are killing some vermin that belongs under your shoe. You’re killing cockroaches.'"

"In Rwanda they referred to Tutsis as cockroaches. They were not human beings…[They said,] 'Don’t worry, you’re not killing humans like you. You are killing some vermin that belongs under your shoe. You’re killing cockroaches.'"

Memory
Are Babies Stoned?

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on December 13, 2012

William James famously described babies’ mental states “as one great blooming, buzzing confusion.” Whether their confusion is beset with blooms or buzzes, the similarities between being a baby and being baked are uncanny.

William James famously described babies’ mental states “as one great blooming, buzzing confusion.” Whether their confusion is beset with blooms or buzzes, the similarities between being a baby and being baked are uncanny.

Smoking
Ten Misconceptions about Psychology

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on August 9, 2012

Many students enter the introductory psychology course assuming that they’re destined to excel in it because they’re knowledgeable about their own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Little do they know that much of what they “know” about psychology is not worth knowing.

Many students enter the introductory psychology course assuming that they’re destined to excel in it because they’re knowledgeable about their own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Little do they know that much of what they “know” about psychology is not worth knowing.

Sex
Chris Rock PhD, Honorary Professor of Evo Psyc (Part 3 of 3)

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on June 9, 2012

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

Psychology
Chris Rock PhD, Honorary Professor of Evo Psyc (Part 2 of 3)

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on June 5, 2012

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

Humor
Chris Rock PhD, Honorary Professor of Evo Psyc (Part 1 of 3)

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on June 2, 2012

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

While evolutionary psychology has blossomed because of its unique ability to explore human nature, Chris Rock’s stand-up routines have vaulted him into the pantheon of comedic talents because they reflect human nature. Rock's riffs are funny because they're true (because they evoke our evolved psychology).

Sex
Giving Feminism a Bad Name

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on May 28, 2012

Do you consider yourself to be a feminist? If you're like the overwhelming majority of American men and women, you do not. And gender feminists are partly to blame.

Do you consider yourself to be a feminist? If you're like the overwhelming majority of American men and women, you do not. And gender feminists are partly to blame.

Marriage
LGBTQ Is Lousy

Barry X. Kuhle Ph.D. on May 23, 2012

If Obama can evolve on same-sex marriage then maybe the lousy LGBTQ acronym can evolve too.

If Obama can evolve on same-sex marriage then maybe the lousy LGBTQ acronym can evolve too.