Intelligence Squared The Magical World of Animal Senses, with Ed Yong
Jul 15, 2022
Ed Yong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer for The Atlantic and author of "An Immense World," joins Chrissie Giles, Global Health Editor at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, for an intriguing discussion. They dive into how various animals perceive their environments—and what senses drive their behaviors. From the chaotic creativity of deep-sea creatures to the impacts of sensory pollution, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding animal perspectives. Expect captivating anecdotes and reflections on the complexities of nature and human empathy.
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Inspiration for "An Immense World"
- Ed Yong's new book, "An Immense World," explores hidden worlds, much like his previous book, "I Contain Multitudes."
- The idea for the book came from Yong's wife, Liz Neely, who suggested exploring animal senses.
The Concept of Umwelt
- The concept of Umwelt represents an animal's unique sensory bubble, the specific stimuli they perceive.
- Each species exists in its own distinct perceptual reality, different from others in the same physical space.
Diversity, Not Superiority
- "An Immense World" focuses on the diversity of animal senses, not their superiority to human senses.
- Even less sophisticated senses offer unique and valuable insights into how animals perceive reality.
