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The Political Animal

Human History as Natural History

Memory
Of Mole-Rats and Men

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on September 23, 2018

Richard Alexander died last month. He mentored some of the best students of evolutionary biology.

Richard Alexander died last month. He mentored some of the best students of evolutionary biology.

Politics
1776

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on July 5, 2018

The divine rights of plebeians are a very new thing.

The divine rights of plebeians are a very new thing.

Motivation
Easter Island

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on April 1, 2018

When people got to the end of the earth, they found out they couldn't get off. So they put up enormous statues.

When people got to the end of the earth, they found out they couldn't get off. So they put up enormous statues.

President Donald Trump
The Bots

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on February 27, 2018

The idea of stirring up animosities among our enemies is as old as we are. Chaos has been created. Havoc has been wreaked.

The idea of stirring up animosities among our enemies is as old as we are. Chaos has been created. Havoc has been wreaked.

Sex
The Original Sex Scandal

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on November 24, 2017

Sexual predators are having a hard time. Over 200 years ago, Alexander Hamilton anticipated them.

Sexual predators are having a hard time. Over 200 years ago, Alexander Hamilton anticipated them.

Happiness
Sally Hemings

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on August 6, 2017

This summer, Sally Hemings of Monticello is getting her own room. Just steps from where Thomas Jefferson slept.

This summer, Sally Hemings of Monticello is getting her own room. Just steps from where Thomas Jefferson slept.

Sex
Sex and Darth Sidious

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on May 4, 2017

Carrie Fisher hated that bikini. But Darth Sidious should have been sexier than Jabba the Hutt.

Carrie Fisher hated that bikini. But Darth Sidious should have been sexier than Jabba the Hutt.

X Y Chromosomes
XO in XY

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on February 14, 2017

A small army of human geneticists is unfolding the history of human mating from our sex chromosomes.

A small army of human geneticists is unfolding the history of human mating from our sex chromosomes.

Sex
Fidel

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on December 4, 2016

Fidel Castro has been laid to rest. His words, and his descendants, live on.

Fidel Castro has been laid to rest. His words, and his descendants, live on.

Sex
Small Hands

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on November 6, 2016

Sex in politics is as old as politics. And maybe as old as sex.

Sex in politics is as old as politics. And maybe as old as sex.

Marriage
Beaver Island

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on August 28, 2016

Promiscuous absolutists have had their day when the people find ways to sail, ride or walk away.

Promiscuous absolutists have had their day when the people find ways to sail, ride or walk away.

Religion
Happy Birthday Edward Gibbon

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on May 31, 2015

Gibbon was wrong about Roman emperors, and he was wrong about the Church. But he was right that democracy depends on the ability to run from a tyrant.

Gibbon was wrong about Roman emperors, and he was wrong about the Church. But he was right that democracy depends on the ability to run from a tyrant.

Politics
Humans vs Honeybees

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on March 15, 2015

Honeybees are truly social; humans are not. When, 75 years ago, Arthur Koestler wrote Darkness at Noon, the differences were obvious.

Honeybees are truly social; humans are not. When, 75 years ago, Arthur Koestler wrote Darkness at Noon, the differences were obvious.

Friends
Santa and Saturnalia

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on December 23, 2014

I love holidays at the winter solstice. I love making the deadest, darkest time of the year light and green. I love Santa. But have an almost irresistible urge to put on a pileus.

I love holidays at the winter solstice. I love making the deadest, darkest time of the year light and green. I love Santa. But have an almost irresistible urge to put on a pileus.

Dreaming
Lord of the Flies

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on October 6, 2014

More than 17 decades after it was ceded to the British in perpetuity—and just 17 years after the British handed it over to the People’s Republic of China—the forces of democracy, and opposing forces, are being played out in Hong Kong. 60 years ago, they played out in Lord of the Flies.

More than 17 decades after it was ceded to the British in perpetuity—and just 17 years after the British handed it over to the People’s Republic of China—the forces of democracy, and opposing forces, are being played out in Hong Kong. 60 years ago, they played out in Lord of the Flies.

Bullying
Beware the Beachmasters

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on September 1, 2014

Happy Labor Day; have fun on the beach. But remember that Charles Atlases--human and otherwise--do best where 97 pound weaklings are unable to run away.

Happy Labor Day; have fun on the beach. But remember that Charles Atlases--human and otherwise--do best where 97 pound weaklings are unable to run away.

Sex
Gaddafi vs Chaos

Laura Betzig Ph.D. on July 26, 2014

The US embassy in Libya was evacuated today. There are costs associated with anarchy. And there are costs associated with peace. Most have to do with politics, and sex.

The US embassy in Libya was evacuated today. There are costs associated with anarchy. And there are costs associated with peace. Most have to do with politics, and sex.