TED Talks Daily The fascinating places scientists aren't exploring | Ella Al-Shamahi
Jul 15, 2019
Ella Al-Shamahi, a paleoanthropologist and stand-up comic known for her fossil hunting in unstable regions, makes a compelling case for exploring sites often overlooked by scientists due to political tensions. She shares her adventurous experience on Socotra, a biodiversity hotspot threatened by climate change. Al-Shamahi transforms from a creationist skeptic to a passionate advocate for research in challenging areas, arguing that local partnerships could unlock groundbreaking discoveries and enrich our understanding of the world.
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From Creationist to Explorer
- Ella Al-Shamahi, a paleoanthropologist, initially studied evolution to disprove it.
- She failed spectacularly and is now a National Geographic explorer.
Science's Geography Problem
- Frontline exploratory science is limited in politically unstable regions.
- This is a tragedy, as it hinders scientific discovery.
Yemen's Untapped Potential
- Al-Shamahi questioned the conventional theory of human migration out of Africa via the Sinai Peninsula.
- She became interested in Yemen's unexplored potential for paleoanthropological discoveries.