Beginning with primitive Cynodonts in the late Permian, we our evolutionary development through Mesozoic mammaliaforms, the divergence of monotremes from marsupials and placentals, and culiminating in the emergence of primates in the early Cenozoic. Along the way we discuss the emergence of important traits such as the mammalian ear and various primate adapt ... Show More
Aug 8
Episode 163: The Standard Model of Particle Physics
An introduction to the particles and forces that constitute the standard model of particle physics. After some historical background, we introduce each of the three fundamental forces that comprise the standard model - electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nucl ... Show More
45m 24s
Jun 2026
Episode 161: Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Reptiles
A survey of extinct animal species from the Permian through the Cretaceous periods. We discuss important differences between anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids, and then review diverse species from all groups, including pelycosaurs, therapsids, parareptiles, euryapsids, pterosaurs ... Show More
1h 33m
Aug 2017
#91 — The Biology of Good and Evil
Sam Harris speaks with Robert Sapolsky about his work with baboons, the opposition between reason and emotion, doubt, the evolution of the brain, the civilizing role of the frontal cortex, the illusion of free will, justice and vengeance, brain-machine interface, religion, drugs, ... Show More
43m 12s
Jun 2018
#128 — Transformations of Mind
<p class="p1">Sam Harris speaks with Geoffrey Miller about evolutionary psychology. They discuss sexual selection, virtue signaling, social media, public shaming, monogamy and polyamory, taboo topics in science, genetic engineering, gender differences and the "Google memo," moral ... Show More
1h 9m
