The Nature of Life

Animal Behavior

It’s Groundhog Day. Again…

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on January 28, 2021

Want to know the history of Groundhog Day? It's a holiday based on animal behavior!

Want to know the history of Groundhog Day? It's a holiday based on animal behavior!

Loneliness

Banning Sociality Is Costly

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on November 29, 2020

Our obligate sociality makes us particularly vulnerable to pandemic isolation, but it also offers the only solution to the pandemic — cooperating for the common good of others.

Our obligate sociality makes us particularly vulnerable to pandemic isolation, but it also offers the only solution to the pandemic — cooperating for the common good of others.

Teamwork

The Fragility of International Cooperation

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on September 14, 2020

Insights from cooperation in animals suggest that nations should be careful about consequential unilateral decisions with close allies.

Insights from cooperation in animals suggest that nations should be careful about consequential unilateral decisions with close allies.

Fear

Inoculating Ourselves Against Fear

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on August 31, 2020

Marketers and politicians strategically use fear to manipulate us. Can we inoculate ourselves against their manipulations by understanding why we evolved to be sensitive to this?

Marketers and politicians strategically use fear to manipulate us. Can we inoculate ourselves against their manipulations by understanding why we evolved to be sensitive to this?

Health

Changing Your Mind Based on New Evidence Is Natural

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on August 16, 2020

Politicians and public health officials accused of "flip-flopping" when they change their minds may be employing a time-tested strategy for success.

Politicians and public health officials accused of "flip-flopping" when they change their minds may be employing a time-tested strategy for success.

Cognition

Pandemics Have Multiple, Interacting Drivers

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on July 26, 2020

Nature is complex and interconnected. To prevent future pandemics, we must adopt a systems approach and recognize its multiple socio-ecological interconnected drivers.

Nature is complex and interconnected. To prevent future pandemics, we must adopt a systems approach and recognize its multiple socio-ecological interconnected drivers.

Environment

Coronavirus Lockdown Gave Me Nature Deficit Disorder

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on July 25, 2020

As we negotiate lockdowns and physical and social isolation we must pay attention to self-care, which includes finding ways to appreciate the natural world around us.

As we negotiate lockdowns and physical and social isolation we must pay attention to self-care, which includes finding ways to appreciate the natural world around us.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

A Great Global Group Selection Experiment

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on July 18, 2020

Artificial barriers to adopting effective responses to combat COVID-19 creates a global group selection experiment. This will create winners and losers among states and nations.

Artificial barriers to adopting effective responses to combat COVID-19 creates a global group selection experiment. This will create winners and losers among states and nations.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Nature of Deception in the Age of Coronavirus

Daniel T. Blumstein Ph.D. on July 17, 2020

What can we learn from animals about obtaining reliable information about coronavirus? Trust reliable sources, those that share threats, and those with prior experience.

What can we learn from animals about obtaining reliable information about coronavirus? Trust reliable sources, those that share threats, and those with prior experience.

Insights from behavior in animals who seek to ward off predators have deep value in developing pandemic response strategies.