Neanderthals and Us: A Complex Story of Coexistence and Hybridization
About this episode:
In this eye-opening episode, Michael Shermer chats with evolutionist Telmo Pievani about the surprising coexistence—and hybridization—of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
They also discuss recent scientific discoveries and the crucial role of serendipity in human life and in advancing scientific knowledge. Serendipity takes its name from the mythical Serendib, a place from which, according to a Persian fable, three princes set off to explore the world, along the way making discoveries by accident and sagacity, finding things they were not specifically looking for through keen observation and reasoning.
This episode offers a nuanced perspective on how unexpected findings continue to reshape our understanding of human origins and the scientific process itself.
Telmo Pievani is Full Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, where he covers the first Italian chair of Philosophy of Biological Sciences. A leading evolutionist, science communicator, and columnist for Corriere della Sera, he is the author of The Unexpected Life, Creation without God, and Imperfection (MIT Press). His new book is Serendipity: The Unexpected in Science.
Support the show
Did you enjoy this episode? Show your support with a tax-deductible donation and share the show with your friends and family. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Transcript
Coming soon...