World Science Festival
When it comes to human uniqueness, one adaptation that sets us apart from other species is our particular brand of intelligence, which allows us to use knowledge in socially interdependent constructs. In this clip from the 2015 World Science Festival program “Planet of the Humans: The Leap to the Top,” psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker talks about what’s meant by the “cognitive niche,” a term coined by anthropologists John Tooby and Irv Devore to explain how humans use reasoning and other parts of our intelligence to overtake other plants’ and animals’ defenses.
Watch the Full Program Here: http://youtu.be/V3IlnuMG39U
Original Program Date: May 29, 2015
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Steven Pinker is also filling the crazy hair niche.
Rocking that hair ,excellent speaker and interesting!
Y U SO SHORT?!
I love the hair, and sense of humor. Funny but true.
Steven pinker is a biased jerk, he sabotaged tribal people and caused conflicts between them intentionally
I think Steven was hinting at "reciprocal altruism" near the end. Nice way of situating this idea of "cognitive niche" in the grand scheme of things, where the great powers of the the world are vying for the top of the nuclear arms race. Doesn't seem like our current mode of production of capitalism, which is predicated on greed, competition, and selfishness, is a good idea…
#ecosocialism
Intellectuals thrive on complexity. What he said: Life has an instinct for survival. Humans have become self aware to an extraordinary level.
Excellent explanation. Very understandable. (Came here by study of learning about 4E cognition).