The Conversation Weekly

Researcher Michael Varnum discusses how ecological factors shape cultural norms and behavior. Topics include frugality vs. generosity, planning vs. spontaneity in different cultures, impact of climate on societal norms, and the evolution of cultural differences based on environmental challenges.

In our chaotic, rapidly changing modern world, many of us have come to rely on science for objectivity and to provide sense of order. So it may be disconcerting to learn that there is no single, definitive list of all life on Earth. And there never has been.In this episode, we take you inside the world of taxonomy, where competing lists, rogue taxonomists and recent accusations of anarchy have revealed the messy struggle to classify the world around us.Featuring Stephen Garnett, professor of conservation and sustainable livelihoods at Charles Darwin University in Australia, and Signe Dean, science and technology editor for The Conversation in Australia.This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. The executive producer is Gemma Ware. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Sign up to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation and to The Conversation's Science Wrap newsletter.Further reading:We need a single list of all life on Earth – and most taxonomists now agree on how to startHow a scientific spat over how to name species turned into a big plus for natureWhat makes a good bird name?Thousands of undiscovered mammal species may be hidden in plain sight, new research finds

Nearly eight decades on from the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27 1945, the number of concentration camp prisoners forcibly tattooed, remains, for many, the symbol of the Holocaust. The Nazis murdered six million Jews, one million of whom died at Auschwitz. Today, there are ever fewer survivors still alive to bear witness to this genocide.In this episode, brought to us by Dale Berning Sawa, we find out what motivates some descendants of Holocaust survivors to replicate the Auschwitz tattoo of their parent or grandparent on their own bodies, and hear about the reactions they’ve had. Featuring Alice Bloch, professor of sociology at the University of Manchester, Orly Weintraub Gilad and David Rubin.This episode was written by Dale Berning Sawa and produced by Mend Mariwany, with assistance from Gemma Ware and Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. The executive producer is Gemma Ware. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Sign up to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading:Descendants of Holocaust survivors explain why they are replicating Auschwitz tattoos on their own bodiesHolocaust Memorial Day shouldn’t be about ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ – unsung, ordinary people made the biggest differenceAuschwitz: Women used different survival and sabotage strategies than men at Nazi death camp

When you think about the far right, you probably picture groups of young, white men carrying images of swastikas or torches. But the face of the far right is changing, at least on social media. In this episode, we hear about new research into a cohort of women influencers pushing far right ideology on mainstream platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The Conversation's Avery Anapol speak to Eviane Leidig, a postdoctoral research fellow at Tilburg University in the Netherlands who focuses on far right ideology, gender and the internet.This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany with production assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. The executive producer is Gemma Ware. Full credits available here. A transcript is also available. Sign up to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading:Far-right ‘tradwives’ see feminism as evil. Their lifestyles push back against ‘the lie of equality’Jan. 6 was an example of networked incitement − a media and disinformation expert explains the danger of political violence orchestrated over social media

At every moment, your body’s internal organs are sending signals to your brain. You’ll be mostly unaware of them, but sometimes they cut through: for example when you’re hungry, or when you need to go to the bathroom. Our ability to tap into these hidden signals is called interoception – sometimes known as a sixth sense. In this episode, we speak to a cognitive neuroscientist and expert on interoception about how new research on this connection between our minds and bodies could lead to breakthroughs in mental and physical healthcare. Featuring Sarah Garfinkel, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London in the UK, and Vivian Lam, associate health and biomedicine editor at The Conversation in the US.This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with production assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. The executive producer is Gemma Ware. Full credits available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading and listening:Do you eat with your eyes, your gut or your brain? A neuroscientist explains how to listen to your hunger during the holidaysHow signals from your body could be making you anxiousMonkeys can sense their own heartbeats, an ability tied to mental health, consciousness and memory in humans

The podcast features Hanna Pettersson, a wolf expert, and Jack Marley, an environment editor. They discuss the conflict between farmers and conservationists due to the increasing wolf population in Europe. Topics include the impact on livestock, the need for coexistence, and the political implications. The podcast also explores wolf interactions in Spain and the challenges of managing wolf populations. The importance of conservation science and sustainable approaches to wolf restoration is emphasized.

Advertising expert Matthew Pittman and Kate Kilpatrick from The Conversation discuss how social media overwhelms our brains, leading to cognitive overload and impulse purchases. They explore the impact of superficial cues on decision-making and how scrolling through social media reduces mental capacity. They also analyze the influence of product involvement and cognitive load on advertising persuasion.

Neve Gordon, Professor of international law and human rights, Queen Mary University of London, discusses the chilling effect of the Israel-Gaza war on academic freedom. Topics include suppression of academic freedom, rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and the impact of the war on freedom of speech.

In this podcast, David Mednicoff, professor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, discusses the impact of the Israel-Gaza conflict on American universities. They explore the reactions of universities, the challenge of balancing free speech and campus safety, and the strong support for Israel among college students in the US. This episode sheds light on the complexities surrounding this issue on campuses.

Kenya is marking 60 years since its independence from British colonial rule on December 12, 1963. Each year, the country celebrates the occasion with a national holiday, Jamhuri Day. And for much of the past 60 years, patriotic choral music has been a regular feature of those celebrations. In this episode, we explore how much one song can tell you about the politics of a new nation – and who controls what gets remembered and what gets forgotten.Featuring Doseline Kiguru, a research associate in cultural and literary production in Africa at the University of Bristol in the UK, plus Julius Maina, East Africa editor at The Conversation based in Nairobi.This episode was produced by Katie Flood and Mend Mariwany. It was written by Gemma Ware, who is the executive producer of the show. Full credits for this episode are available here. A full transcript is now available.Further reading: Kenya at 60: the shameful truth about British colonial abuse and how it was covered upHumiliation and violence in Kenya’s colonial days – when old men were called ‘boy’ and Africans were publicly beatenKenya’s ‘patriotic’ choral music has been used to embed a skewed version of history