Hive Mind

Relationships

Spree Killers and Their Surprisingly Female Fan Base

Robert J. King Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Elements of our culture and values, such as those who equate killing with masculine toughness, help to create the soil in which spree killers grow.

Elements of our culture and values, such as those who equate killing with masculine toughness, help to create the soil in which spree killers grow.

What can biology offer to help us understand (and prevent) tragedies like the recent slayings in Plymouth?

Health

Mental Gymnastics

Robert J. King Ph.D. on July 30, 2021

Suddenly, lots of people have helped themselves to opinions about gymnastics, mental health, and sport in general. Most of these pundits haven't a clue about any of these things.

Suddenly, lots of people have helped themselves to opinions about gymnastics, mental health, and sport in general. Most of these pundits haven't a clue about any of these things.

Anger

Kneeling Down Is Not Bending Over

Robert J. King Ph.D. on July 12, 2021

The recent loss of England to Italy on penalties in Euro 2020—and consequent racist abuse—offers a chance to reflect on bigotry, aggression, and neuroscience.

The recent loss of England to Italy on penalties in Euro 2020—and consequent racist abuse—offers a chance to reflect on bigotry, aggression, and neuroscience.

Sex

Nose Job: Loss of Smell Is Not a Trivial Effect of COVID

Robert J. King Ph.D. on June 24, 2021

Do the effects of long COVID threaten sexual relationships? Possibly, mediated through damaging our sense of smell.

Do the effects of long COVID threaten sexual relationships? Possibly, mediated through damaging our sense of smell.

Cardi B's latest song captures many of the findings of recent sex research (both ancient and modern). Why do people keep having to be told the same things over and over?

Environment

Wise and Wonderful

Robert J. King Ph.D. on June 2, 2020

What light does biology shed on the phenomenon of political rioting?

What light does biology shed on the phenomenon of political rioting?

Ethics and Morality

Signaling Virtue

Robert J. King Ph.D. on April 21, 2020

How do we respond to ethical issues raised by COVID-19? A utilitarian approach? An absolutist one? That split ignores our primary way of making moral sense of the world.

How do we respond to ethical issues raised by COVID-19? A utilitarian approach? An absolutist one? That split ignores our primary way of making moral sense of the world.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Damage Limitation

Robert J. King Ph.D. on March 25, 2020

What is coming as a response to COVID-19 is going to need psychological support as well as medical expertise.

What is coming as a response to COVID-19 is going to need psychological support as well as medical expertise.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Who Is the King of the Castle?

Robert J. King Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

The ability to think socially is why this blog is written by a human, rather than by a virus. But we are not yet using our evolved abilities to their best advantage.

The ability to think socially is why this blog is written by a human, rather than by a virus. But we are not yet using our evolved abilities to their best advantage.

Leadership

Life in the Time of Corona

Robert J. King Ph.D. on March 20, 2020

When leadership is confused, people try to make sense as best they can. In the teeth of a crisis like COVID-19, this can be risky.

When leadership is confused, people try to make sense as best they can. In the teeth of a crisis like COVID-19, this can be risky.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Let Me Remind You How Smart You Are

Robert J. King Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

COVID-19. It's not time to panic, but it is (past) time to act.

COVID-19. It's not time to panic, but it is (past) time to act.

What is biological sex? Why are there such noisy and competing views on this? The simple answer is that the noisier the view, the less likely it is to be correct.

Cognitive Dissonance

Dissonant Cognitions

Robert J. King Ph.D. on February 24, 2020

Humans like to think that their beliefs drive their actions. Often it is precisely the other way around.

Humans like to think that their beliefs drive their actions. Often it is precisely the other way around.

Environment

OK, Boomer!

Robert J. King Ph.D. on November 15, 2019

The kids of today are no dumber or more disrespectful than they've always been. A recent study explains why we keep thinking that the youth are getting worse.

The kids of today are no dumber or more disrespectful than they've always been. A recent study explains why we keep thinking that the youth are getting worse.

Anti-natalists claim to believe that life is so awful, it would be better if we were all dead. Are they serious?

Environment

The Rites of a Silent Spring

Robert J. King Ph.D. on September 24, 2019

Greta Thunberg inspires strong emotions—positive and negative. Part of this is the message she relays, but the message is not a new one. What is different this time?

Greta Thunberg inspires strong emotions—positive and negative. Part of this is the message she relays, but the message is not a new one. What is different this time?

Attention

Hacked Off

Robert J. King Ph.D. on July 30, 2019

Do you think your brain hasn't been hacked? Think again.

Do you think your brain hasn't been hacked? Think again.

Sport and Competition

Near the Knuckle

Robert J. King Ph.D. on April 29, 2019

What sense can we make of bare-knuckle fights in the modern age? Using the tools of biology, the answer is "quite a lot".

What sense can we make of bare-knuckle fights in the modern age? Using the tools of biology, the answer is "quite a lot".

Sex

Sex on the Brain

Robert J. King Ph.D. on April 11, 2019

Recent books have claimed—incorrectly and unnecessarily—that men and women's brains are indistinguishable.

Recent books have claimed—incorrectly and unnecessarily—that men and women's brains are indistinguishable.