Darwin's Subterranean World

Politics

On Socialism, Egalitarianism, and Humanism

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on July 1, 2025

Egalitarianism characterizes ancestral societies. Here's why that matters.

Egalitarianism characterizes ancestral societies. Here's why that matters.

Education

6 Evolutionary Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids' Education

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on June 22, 2025

Modern education is mismatched in many ways from how humans evolved to learn. Here are six ways parents can help children have a more evolutionarily appropriate education.

Modern education is mismatched in many ways from how humans evolved to learn. Here are six ways parents can help children have a more evolutionarily appropriate education.

Race and Ethnicity

Why Juneteenth Matters

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

Juneteenth (June 19) marks the formal and permanent end of slavery in the US. Here is a Darwinian/humanist take on why this matters to all of us.

Juneteenth (June 19) marks the formal and permanent end of slavery in the US. Here is a Darwinian/humanist take on why this matters to all of us.

Artificial Intelligence

The AI-Free University

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on May 21, 2025

Personal Perspective: Many fields are pivoting in all kinds of ways to address generative AI. Higher education is one. Perhaps it's time for AI-free universities.

Personal Perspective: Many fields are pivoting in all kinds of ways to address generative AI. Higher education is one. Perhaps it's time for AI-free universities.

Animal Behavior

Lessons in Courage From the Black-Capped Chickadee

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on May 20, 2025

Despite its small physical size, the black-capped chickadee stands out among songbirds for its courage. Here is what these little birds have to teach us about ourselves.

Despite its small physical size, the black-capped chickadee stands out among songbirds for its courage. Here is what these little birds have to teach us about ourselves.

Guilt

"I Wish I Could Do More for You"

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on May 13, 2025

How reciprocal altruism may lead to guilt among those with injuries or disabilities.

How reciprocal altruism may lead to guilt among those with injuries or disabilities.

Politics

Completely Different Strategies for Winning the Presidency

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on April 15, 2025

Ever wonder how elected leaders can vary so wildly from one another? A recent study explores our preferences for self-oriented as opposed to other-oriented leaders.

Ever wonder how elected leaders can vary so wildly from one another? A recent study explores our preferences for self-oriented as opposed to other-oriented leaders.

Politics

"Those People"

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on April 7, 2025

The current administration amplifies differences between groups. This approach, which appeals to our evolved psychology, is divisive. A humanistic approach might be a better way.

The current administration amplifies differences between groups. This approach, which appeals to our evolved psychology, is divisive. A humanistic approach might be a better way.

Education

The 'Professors' Are Not the Enemy

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on March 18, 2025

Vice President Vance's take on professors as "the enemy" reveals not only hypocrisy but also a lack of understanding of the contributions professors have made to society.

Vice President Vance's take on professors as "the enemy" reveals not only hypocrisy but also a lack of understanding of the contributions professors have made to society.

Relationships

How to Be a Partner

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on February 26, 2025

Squad mode is the only way for a couple to move forward.

Squad mode is the only way for a couple to move forward.

Neuroticism

Why Do Neurotics Exist?

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on January 31, 2025

Neurotic behavior is unattractive in mating partners and is unpleasant in general. Yet this trait shows up regularly across populations. Here is an evolutionary key to this puzzle.

Neurotic behavior is unattractive in mating partners and is unpleasant in general. Yet this trait shows up regularly across populations. Here is an evolutionary key to this puzzle.

Evolutionary Psychology

Is Modern Technology Making Us Rude?

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on January 6, 2025

If you've ever found yourself on the phone screaming at your bank's chatbot, you already have some insight into the ways modern communication fails to align with our evolutionary past.

If you've ever found yourself on the phone screaming at your bank's chatbot, you already have some insight into the ways modern communication fails to align with our evolutionary past.

Evolutionary Psychology

5 Ways to Thrive Using Evolutionary Psychology

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on December 17, 2024

Despite the curveballs that life throws your way, you can thrive. Here are five tips to get yourself on a strong path forward—informed by evolutionary psychology.

Despite the curveballs that life throws your way, you can thrive. Here are five tips to get yourself on a strong path forward—informed by evolutionary psychology.

Forgiveness

3 Reasons to Forgive

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on December 5, 2024

Forgiving others is often difficult or impossible. That said, genuine forgiveness—when appropriate—can lead to social and emotional benefits.

Forgiving others is often difficult or impossible. That said, genuine forgiveness—when appropriate—can lead to social and emotional benefits.

Relationships

Don't End Up as Someone's Second Potato

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

The pain of being with a partner who still prefers their ex.

The pain of being with a partner who still prefers their ex.

Leadership

Self-Oriented Versus Other-Oriented Leadership

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Ever wonder why some leaders seem genuinely to care about "the people," while others seem to reach the top by being self-oriented? The research presented here can help explain why.

Ever wonder why some leaders seem genuinely to care about "the people," while others seem to reach the top by being self-oriented? The research presented here can help explain why.

Politics

When Politics Gets Personal

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 25, 2024

Political fissures are tearing our nation apart. To what extent do people let political attitudes affect personal relationships? The study described here addresses just that.

Political fissures are tearing our nation apart. To what extent do people let political attitudes affect personal relationships? The study described here addresses just that.

Relationships

How to Find a Partner You Can Be Yourself With

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 9, 2024

Your "stressed self" can't be your relationship self.

Your "stressed self" can't be your relationship self.

Social Life

The Painful Fallout of Social Estrangement

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 5, 2024

As others pick sides, the worst-case scenario can emerge.

As others pick sides, the worst-case scenario can emerge.

Forgiveness

Why Forgiveness Can Be So Difficult

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on August 22, 2024

Although forgiveness may seem like "the right thing to do," forgiving others can often fall between difficult and impossible. An evolutionary perspective helps us understand why.

Although forgiveness may seem like "the right thing to do," forgiving others can often fall between difficult and impossible. An evolutionary perspective helps us understand why.