Justin Gregg

In this engaging conversation, Justin Gregg, an expert in animal cognition and author of "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal," explores the fascinating minds of dolphins and other creatures. He highlights their unique cognitive abilities, such as sleeping with half their brain. The discussion delves into the nuances of animal versus human intelligence, questioning the value of 'how' versus 'why' in understanding curiosity and ethics. Justin also reflects on how insights from the animal world can help us navigate our own existential challenges.

All our unique gifts like language, math, and science do not make humans happier or more "successful" (evolutionarily speaking) than other species. Our intelligence allowed us to split the atom, but we've harnessed that knowledge to make machines of war. We are uniquely susceptible to bullshit; our bizarre obsession with lawns has contributed to the growing threat of climate change; we are sexually diverse like many species yet stand apart as homophobic; and discriminate among our own as if its natural, which it certainly is not. Is our intelligence more of a curse than a gift? Shermer and Gregg discuss: • intelligence • stupidity • dolphins • artificial intelligence • language • rationality • moral systems • comparative thanatology • "causal inference" vs. "learned associations" • humans as "why specialists" • death awareness • why narwhals do not commit genocide • "prognostic myopia" • our "shortsighted farsightedness" as "an extinction-level threat to humanity" • consciousness and sophisticated consciousness: animals and humans • free will • determinism • pleasure vs. happiness vs. purposefulness. Justin Gregg is a Senior Research Associate with the Dolphin Communication Project and an Adjunct Professor at St. Francis Xavier University where he lectures on animal behavior and cognition. Originally from Vermont, Justin studied the echolocation abilities of wild dolphins in Japan and The Bahamas. He currently lives in rural Nova Scotia where he writes about science and contemplates the inner lives of the crows that live near his home.

Giant brains! Communication mysteries! Infamous sensuality! Dolphins are here to blow your relatively tiny mind with their squeaks, clicks, cliques, history, lore, zany evolutionary path, psychedelic experiences, and so much more. Learn why some dolphins are pink, why NASA poured cash into groovy research, what it’s like to touch a dolphin, if they can learn to speak English, their mating strategies, captivity, and the researchers that made our culture obsessed with them. Also: how a screensaver can save your life. Stay tuned next week because the questions only get weirder. Visit Dr. Justin Gregg’s website and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and TikTokBuy Dr. Gregg’s books: If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity, Are Dolphins Really Smart?: The Mammal Behind the Myth, and 22 Fantastical Facts About DolphinsHe also has a Substack newsletterVote for us for the Webbys? Best Host and Best Science PodA donation went to Dolphin Communication ProjectMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Functional Morphology (ANATOMY), Phonology (LINGUISTICS), Ichthyology (FISHES), Primatology (APES & MONKEYS), Corvid Thanatology (CROW FUNERALS), Biological Anthropology (SEXY APES), Gorillaology (GORILLAS), Selachimorphology (SHARKS), Screamology (LOUD VOCALIZATIONS), Laryngology (VOICEBOXES)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this discussion with Justin Gregg, a science writer and author of "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal," the exploration of animal intelligence reveals intriguing contrasts with human cognition. Gregg highlights the simplicity of animal instincts versus the complexities of human thought, often leading to moral contradictions. The conversation dives into historical misconceptions of animal behavior, critiques modern human attitudes, and reflects on our evolving relationships with animals. Personal anecdotes add humor and depth to these profound insights.

Alexandra Horowitz takes us inside the mind of a puppy. James Bridle introduces us to slime mold that can outwit the best human engineers. Justin Gregg makes the case that thinking like an animal is the key to living a good life. And Tom Mustill explains how a near-death encounter with a 30-ton whale led him to the scientists who are building Google Translate for animal languages.---Download the Next Big Idea app to hear the Book Bites sampled in this episode: nextbigideaclub.com/app

Justin Gregg, an expert in animal cognition and author of "If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal," dives deep into what animal intelligence reveals about human behavior. He discusses dolphins' unique sleep patterns and questions the superiority of human cognition. The conversation explores unexpected intelligence in animals like pigeons and corvids, contrasting it with human qualities like empathy. Gregg prompts listeners to reassess the impact of curiosity and moral judgment on human identity while uncovering the emotions that connect us to animals.

Wow. It gets weirder. Military dolphins, dolphins on drugs, sensory deprivation, deciphering dolphin language, the search for alien life, and more with the affable and knowledgeable Delphinologist Dr. Justin Gregg. Should you cuddle a dolphin? Can one kill you? Should you hire dolphins as midwives? Why do they follow boats? And what’s Drake got to do with it? Start with Delphinology Part 1 here, or wherever you get podcasts. Visit Dr. Justin Gregg’s website and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and TikTokBuy Dr. Gregg’s books: If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity, Are Dolphins Really Smart?: The Mammal Behind the Myth, and 22 Fantastical Facts About DolphinsHe also has a Substack newsletterA donation went to Dolphin Communication ProjectMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Delphinology (DOLPHINS) Part 1,  Functional Morphology (ANATOMY), Phonology (LINGUISTICS), Ichthyology (FISHES), Primatology (APES & MONKEYS), Corvid Thanatology (CROW FUNERALS), Biological Anthropology (SEXY APES), Gorillaology (GORILLAS), Selachimorphology (SHARKS), Screamology (LOUD VOCALIZATIONS), Laryngology (VOICEBOXES), Speech Pathology (TALKING DOGS... AND PEOPLE)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a captivating conversation, Justin Gregg, a senior research associate with the Dolphin Communication Project, explores the paradox of human intelligence. He questions whether our cognitive abilities are more of a curse than a blessing, linking them to existential crises and environmental chaos. Gregg skillfully compares human morality and deception with animal behavior, revealing profound insights about our species. He also discusses the idea of 'prognostic myopia,' and whether we might be happier without our complex intellect, all while emphasizing that other animals thrive without it.

Justin Gregg, a senior research associate with the Dolphin Communication Project and author of If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal, challenges the notion of human exceptionalism. He explores whether our intelligence is more of a liability, leading to existential angst and environmental destruction. Gregg highlights the unique cognitive features of humans and compares them to animals, revealing surprising insights. Discussions range from casual inference in humans to morality's dark side and the discussion of aphantasia, sparking questions about happiness and intelligence in different species.

Justin Gregg, a senior research associate with the Dolphin Communication Project, explores the paradox of human intelligence in his book, highlighting how our cognitive abilities might be more problematic than beneficial. He questions traditional views on intelligence, illustrating the efficiency of animals that thrive without humanity's existential burdens. Gregg contrasts human moral frameworks with animal behavior, emphasizing the unique dark sides of our moral constructs. He provocatively considers whether a life without human angst, as a narwhal, might lead to greater happiness.