Professor Jennifer Dunne, Vice President for Science at the Santa Fe Institute, shares her insights on human-centered interaction networks. She explores the fascinating connections between Indigenous cultures and non-human species, especially in Polynesia. The discussion spans Polynesian navigation, the evolution of food webs, and how canoes shaped Indigenous practices and trade. Jennifer also contrasts whale hunting technologies with sustainable techniques used by the Martu people, highlighting diverse approaches to ecological interactions and resource management.
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Quick takeaways
The research examines human-centered interaction networks in pre-industrial societies, revealing diverse ways humans engaged with non-human species beyond just feeding.
Technological advancements, such as canoe design, were significantly influenced by ecological conditions, shaping trade and cultural practices in Polynesian societies.
Deep dives
Human-Centered Interaction Networks in Polynesia
Research in the Sanac Archipelago led to insights into how humans interact with non-human species, particularly in the context of food webs. Collaborating with archaeologists and environmental scientists, a project was initiated to study human-centered interaction networks in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. By defining 13 primary ways in which pre-industrial humans interacted with species, such as for food, clothing, and tools, researchers aimed to understand these dynamics beyond mere feeding interactions. This framework allowed for a comprehensive exploration of the ecological context of human society and its evolution in relation to available resources.
Canoe Technology and Cultural Development
The significance of canoe technology in Polynesian culture highlights the interconnectedness of human practices and ecological systems. As Polynesians migrated across the Pacific, they brought not only their food webs but also the sophisticated canoe technologies that facilitated trade and warfare among the islands. The design and use of these canoes were directly influenced by the available species and environmental conditions on each island. This relationship underscores how technological advancements shaped human societies differently based on resource availability and environmental factors, leading to varied socio-ecological outcomes.
Comparative Studies of Polynesian Islands
The Islands of Moraya and Mangerava serve as a unique natural experiment to understand how similar food webs developed differently in response to ecological and socio-cultural factors. Both islands received similar food webs with shared species, yet their environmental contexts led to divergent cultural developments, with Moraya evolving into a complex chiefdom and Mangerava forming an open chiefdom. Researchers are examining which species were most crucial for human sustenance and how different ecological interactions influenced these distinct pathways. By analyzing these interactions, insights can be gleaned about resilience and adaptive strategies employed by the inhabitants in response to their environments.
Diverse Human Interactions Across Ecosystems
The research explores the fundamental differences in how humans interact with ecosystems based on their geographical context, particularly comparing continental and island societies. For instance, the Mardu people of Australia's Western Desert engage in traditional practices that enhance biodiversity through controlled burning, in contrast to Polynesians who utilize marine resources for their sustenance. These differences highlight the importance of cultural cosmology in shaping human relationships with their environments. As researchers gather and analyze comparative data from various ecological systems, they aim to uncover patterns that reveal insights into sustainable practices and the adaptability of human societies over time.
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Professor Jennifer Dunne, the Vice President for Science at the Santa Fe Institute.
In this episode, Jennifer discusses her work to understand ‘human-centred interaction networks’ - how humans interact with non-human species in a range of ways, including for food - by examining Indigenous cultures around the world and historical migration to Polynesian islands.