New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Whitney Barlow Robles, "Curious Species: How Animals Made Natural History" (Yale UP, 2023)

Sep 13, 2024

Whitney Barlow Robles, an author focusing on the intertwining of animals and natural history, takes listeners on a fascinating journey through her new book. She delves into how creatures like corals and rattlesnakes shaped our understanding of the world. Robles discusses the legacy of 18th-century naturalists, underscoring the importance of revisiting outdated frameworks. Personal anecdotes enrich her narrative, revealing the humorous and serious aspects of researching animals while emphasizing the critical role they play in addressing today's environmental crises.

54:03

Episode guests

Whitney Barlow Robles

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast highlights how animals like rattlesnakes and corals defy rigid taxonomies, challenging Enlightenment-era scientific classifications and emphasizing their complex behaviors.

Whitney Barlow Robles intertwines her personal narrative with academic inquiry, showcasing the intimate connections between human experiences and animal lives during her research journey.

Deep dives

The Role of Animals in Natural History

The podcast discusses how animals significantly influenced the development of natural history during the 18th century. By focusing on raccoons, rattlesnakes, corals, and fish, the episode illustrates how these creatures intertwined with the Enlightenment's scientific aspirations. The author highlights that studying these animals reveals their challenges to the prevailing attempts at taxonomy, showcasing their unique behaviors and characteristics that often defy categorization. This exploration emphasizes the need to seriously consider animal lives as a central aspect of historical narratives rather than treating them solely as distant subjects of scientific study.

Intro

4min

Journey Through Natural History

14min

Corals: Resilience and Recovery

5min

Bridging Past and Present: The Interplay of Historical and Modern Animal Studies

5min

Rattlesnakes and Reflections

6min

Interconnections of History and Science

16min

Dive into the world of animals with Whitney Barlow Robles in her captivating new book, Curious Species: How Animals Made Natural History (Yale UP, 2023). Can corals truly build worlds? Do rattlesnakes possess a mystical charm? What secrets do raccoons hold? These questions reflect how animals have historically challenged human attempts to control nature, particularly during the Enlightenment—a time marked by rigid classifications, colonial exploitation, and the complex interplay between humans and the natural world.

Robles takes us on a journey through four distinct ecological zones: the ocean, underground, curiosity cabinets, and the field. Her exploration reveals a forgotten lineage of empirical inquiry that embraces uncertainty and highlights the tumultuous history of human-animal encounters. This legacy continues to influence modern biologists and ecologists today as they strive to understand the intricate lives of animals.

In a unique blend of history and nature writing, Robles alternates between meticulous research and personal narratives, uncovering the animal foundations of human knowledge. She argues that addressing our current environmental crisis requires us to reflect on the past and recognize the vital roles animals play in shaping our understanding of the world. Join us as we explore the unruly protagonists of 18th-century science and discover why the stories of these creatures are essential to navigating the challenges we face today.

Gloria Maritza Gómez Revuelta is a Doctoral candidate at El Colegio de México and Adjunct Lecturer at the Universidad de Guadalajara (UdeG).

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New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Whitney Barlow Robles, "Curious Species: How Animals Made Natural History" (Yale UP, 2023)

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Role of Animals in Natural History

Intersection of Science and Personal Experiences

Critique of Enlightenment Taxonomy

Indigenous Knowledge and Historical Context

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts