The Insight

The Insight


Latest Episodes

Psychiatry and genes
June 11, 2020

Razib talks to Dr. Emily Deans on what's like to work in psychiatry today in a world with personal genomics. https://twitter.com/evolutionarypsy

American Downfall: Cultural evolution, Peter Turchin, and the return of history
June 03, 2020

Spencer and Razib discuss current events in the context of cultural evolution. The history of decline, the American "Empire", and Peter Turchin's thoughts on social disorder

The genetic basis of facial variation
May 28, 2020

This week Razib talks to Dan Crouch about what we know about the genetics of the variation shape and features.

Ancient DNA and China
May 21, 2020

Spencer and Razib discuss the latest ancient DNA work that sheds light on East Asian prehistory (and also some coronavirus status update) (excuse the "sound effects" early in the podcast!)

Chris Stringer on paleoanthropology in 2020
May 14, 2020

Razib catches up with Chris Stinger on the state of paleoanthropology in 2020 and the ramifications of what genetics has taught us about the diversity in Denisovans in the past few years!

Genetically Modified Organisms
May 07, 2020

Razib talks to Chad Niederhuth at Michigan State on the promise of GMO agriculture!

Coronavirus 2020: vaccination and the specter of revolution
May 01, 2020

Spencer and Razib discuss the state of the pandemic, why Spencer is skeptical of rapid vaccine development, and the political and cultural fallout of COVID-19.

Alfred Russel Wallace and the Prehistory of the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago
April 25, 2020

Spencer describes Wallace's encounter with Indonesia and his insight into evolution by natural selection.

Genetics, genealogy, and secrets unknown
April 22, 2020

Razib talks to Libby Copeland about her new book, The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are

Coronavirus 2020: preamble to Weimar?
April 16, 2020

Spencer and Razib discuss the updates to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 as of mid-April. Spencer delves into the possible social and cultural ramifications, and they both discuss the trajectory internationally and into the future.