Report from the Foxhole: The 276th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
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May 13, 2025
This engaging discussion dives into the ethical implications of commodifying nature and highlights the idea that the natural world shouldn't be treated as a resource. It examines the social dynamics of red foxes, their behaviors, and how this reflects on human interactions with wildlife. The conversation also critiques the fallout from funding cuts in science, emphasizing how chaotic conditions impact research. Additionally, the hosts stress the importance of reconnecting with nature and understanding the deeper lessons it teaches us about humility and conservation.
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Red Foxes in San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands host red foxes introduced to control rabbits, their prey, creating an unusual ecosystem balance.
The rabbit population's die-off causes a probable boom and bust cycle affecting fox kit survival each spring.
insights INSIGHT
Monetization Degrades Nature Experience
Monetizing wildlife by guaranteeing encounters disrupts the natural relationship people should have with nature.
Nature's rarity in accessible places leads to unnatural, degraded interactions focused on consumption and social media proof.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Monitoring Fox Den Behavior
Bret and Heather used trail cameras to monitor a fox den and observed frequent parental care and fearless kits.
They documented behaviors like nursing while standing, highlighting unique wild fox habits rarely seen up close.
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This book, written by evolutionary biologists Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein, addresses the disconnect between human evolutionary history and the challenges of modern life. It explains how the rapid rate of change in the modern world has outpaced the ability of our brains and bodies to adapt, leading to issues such as widespread sleep deprivation, dangerous diets, damaging parenting styles, and backward education practices. The authors draw on decades of research and experiences from biodiverse ecosystems to provide a science-based perspective that aims to empower readers to live better, wiser lives.
What happens when we commodify nature? The natural world is not doing well, and is not put here to do with as we want. How can we learn to appreciate nature, and environment, without jumping to conclusions about what is happening, or picking sides in an ideological battle that has nothing to do with actual wild nature? Also: how are DOGE cuts affecting scientists? Four people profiled in Science magazine reveal that some good science is being hit with chaos and uncertainty—but also that a lot of “science” funding that has been cut was suspect, at best.
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Mentioned in this episode:
But They Are Wild - https://naturalselections.substack.com/p/antipode-chapter-22
U.S. scientists’ lives and careers are being upended. Here are five of their stories:https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-scientists-lives-and-careers-are-being-upended-here-are-five-their-stories
Spread of Valley Fever: https://www.science.org/content/article/climate-change-may-be-driving-spread-deadly-fungus-u-s-southwest
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