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Intelligence Squared

Surprise Gift: How Inherited Generational Traits Underpin Our Societies, with Harvey Whitehouse

Jul 17, 2024
Harvey Whitehouse, a renowned social anthropologist and Director at Oxford's Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, delves into the impact of inherited generational traits on modern societies. He shares transformative experiences from Papua New Guinea that reshaped his understanding of conformity, tribalism, and ritual. Together with Brian Klaas, they explore how these traits could help or hinder our response to current global challenges like environmental degradation and political instability, emphasizing the importance of collective inheritance for cooperation.
52:16

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Embedding sustainable behaviors into rituals and norms can promote eco-friendly lifestyles.
  • Incorporating environmental stewardship into religious practices can mobilize large groups for climate action.

Deep dives

Harnessing Conformism for Sustainability

Routinizing sustainable practices in domains like recycling, meal times, commuting, and shopping can leverage our conformist nature to promote sustainability in our lives. By embedding sustainable behaviors into rituals and norms, we can live more eco-friendly lives.

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