This Anthro Life

The episode emphasizes how understanding our innate human drives and dispositions is critical, as awareness allows us to work with them constructively. In particular, humans have a "tribe drive" - an instinct to cooperate and identify with groups, even strangers. Figuring out the signals that activate this drive is an important mission. David Samson talks about the concept of tribalism and the role it plays in human behavior. He discusses the idea of evolutionary mismatch, where humans are evolved for a different environment than the one they currently live in. This episode explains that tribes are intersubjective belief networks that signal coalitionary alliances to bootstrap trust among strangers. Moreover, it explores the power of tribal signals, such as symbols, language, music, and ideology, in creating a sense of belonging and identity. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the importance of being conscious of our identity stack and the proportion of abstract tribes (e.g., political tribes) versus face-to-face community tribes in order to navigate the challenges of tribalism in the modern world.


David R. Samson
David R. Samson, Ph.D., is reshaping our understanding of human evolution. As an associate professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Toronto, he investigates the major behavioral and physiological transitions that shaped our species. Bridging diverse fields from primatology to sleep science, his interdisciplinary research has been featured internationally by the BBC, Time, The New York Times, The Smithsonian, CBC, NPR, and National Geographic.Samson is the author of the groundbreaking book "Our Tribal Future: How to Channel Our Foundational Human Instincts into a Force for Good." He provides profound insights into how our primal tribal wiring can be harnessed as a force for unity, not division.Beyond academia, Samson pursues medieval martial arts as a distinguished member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. This gives him first-hand experience in channeling our innate tribal instincts.With his evolutionary expertise and diverse passions, Samson is illuminating new paths to overcome division and channel our tribal nature for the greater good.

Key Takeaways:

• The concept of evolutionary mismatch is introduced, highlighting how humans are adapted for a different environment than the one we currently live in.
• The power of tribal signals in building trust among strangers is explored, with examples such as secret Masonic signals and sports jerseys.
• The importance of face-to-face interactions and belonging to smaller, local communities is emphasized as a way to combat the negative effects of tribalism.
• The Roseto mystery is discussed, where a small town in Pennsylvania had significantly lower rates of heart disease and other diseases of affluence due to their strong social network.
• The idea of an "identity stack" is introduced, encouraging individuals to be conscious of the proportion of abstract tribes (such as political affiliations) versus face-to-face community tribes they identify with.
• The concept of coalitions and symbolic connections is explored, including religion, sports, and brands as examples of tribal signals.

Key Topics of this Podcast:
00:04:27 - Evolutionary anthropology shapes personal perspectives.
00:09:09 - Understanding our tribal past and present.
00:17:26 - Evolutionary mismatch causes societal challenges.
00:21:29 - Tribal signals build trust and identity.
00:26:20 - Flexibility in identity and belonging.
00:31:06 - Identity is shaped by tribes.
00:34:43 - Importance of face-to-face interaction.
00:40:07 - The power of intentional community.
00:44:51 - Social connection is essential.
00:50:09 - Importance of strong social connections.
00:55:44 - Building community improves well-being.
01:02:37 - Building a community is powerful.
01:03:25 - Community is essential for well-being.



Connect with David Samson:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Primalprimate?s=20
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalprimatologist/?hl=en
Website: https://davidrsamson.com/

Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

This episode is about the importance of supporting public access to science and helping experts and scientists in their work. Dr. Nicholas B. Dirks, joins host Adam Gamwell to discuss the work of the New York Academy of Sciences, which emphasizes the importance of science and the need for public engagement. Together, we highlight the changing relationship between science and broader society over time and the misconception of science as a singular established truth. The episode also explores challenges in communicating the nature of scientific discovery, addressing public skepticism towards scientific messages, and the role of science in addressing climate change and technological advancements. Dirks emphasizes the need to support and connect science across disciplines and engage with the public effectively. Additionally, the episode touches on the tension between liberal arts and public policy, the importance of public awareness in scientific thinking, uncertainty and trust in the scientific process, the role of paradigm shifts in science, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.


Nicholas B. Dirks

Nicholas B. Dirks is an internationally renowned historian and anthropologist who has made significant contributions as a scholar of South Asia and colonialism. He served as the 10th Chancellor of UC Berkeley from 2012 to 2017, where he strengthened research partnerships, increased accessibility for underrepresented students, and addressed critical issues like sexual harassment. Previously, Dirks was Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty at Columbia, overseeing faculty growth and interdisciplinary initiatives. He has authored several acclaimed books on history and anthropology, including The Hollow Crown and Castes of Mind, and received honors including a Guggenheim Fellowship and MacArthur Fellowship. Through his academic leadership, research, and writing, Dirks has advanced scholarship on colonialism and made an impact as a public intellectual and leader in higher education.
Key Topics of this Podcast:

00:08:37 Science is a process of discovery and revision.
00:10:28 Science and public engagement are crucial.
00:15:11. Science is a zigzagging process.
00:18:47 Science is a process of testing and experimentation.
00:24:43 Science is a human activity.
00:28:44 Publication bias in scientific research.
00:33:14 Diverse scientific community fosters progress.
00:38:17 Prepare for future disasters.
00:44:13 Building trust in public conversations.
00:48:16 Ethical obligations in AI development.
00:53:39 Bilingualism between science and arts.
00:58:30 Supporting science with broader understanding.
01:03:53 Anthropology encompasses diverse disciplines.


Connect with Nicholas B. Dirks:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickdirks?s=20
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-dirks-84a1ab149/
Website: https://www.nicholasbdirks.com/

Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

Are you ready to discover the untapped potential of cognitive understanding in design and technology? Join us in this episode of This Anthro Life as we explore the transformative impact of incorporating cognitive understanding and data alongside behavioral data into the creation of engaging experiences. Our guest, Joe Schaeppi, a leading expert in human insight and cognitive understanding, will guide us through the fascinating world of regenerative experiences, sustainable design, and the power of the flow state.

In this thought-provoking conversation, we dive into the evolution of systems and technology, the psychology behind gaming, and how cognitive understanding can shape the future of design and technology. Here are some key takeaways you can expect from this episode:

• Understand the concept of regenerative experiences and how they create sustainable and impactful user engagement.
• Discover the potential of cognitive understanding in designing experiences that resonate with audience groups.
• Learn how the combination of psychological assessment and adaptive psychological assessments can empower creators to build experiences that connect deeply with their audience.
• Explore the power of the flow state and how it can unlock creativity, problem-solving, and motivation in individuals.

Our guest, Joe Schaeppi, is a trailblazer in the field of human insight and cognitive understanding. With a background in human factors psychology and anthropology, Joe has dedicated his career to designing experiences that promote mindfulness, self-knowledge, and meaningful connections. Joe is an entrepreneur and leader in the gaming and psychology fields. He co-founded and is CEO of Solsten, a company that integrates psychology and AI to realize the full potential of games. Solsten is pioneering the use of psychology-based AI in games. In addition to leading Solsten, Joe serves as a startup advisor, lending his expertise to help other emerging companies. He has a background as a practicing clinical counselor who specialized in adventure therapy and neuropsychology. He has held several leadership roles in gaming and tech companies including head of UX at Big Fish Games, UX director at MRM // McCann, and co-founder of the startup Epicstoke. His expertise in cognitive behavioral psychology and understanding the whole person makes him the perfect guide for this enlightening conversation.

• Key Topics of this Podcast:
• 00:04:05 - Importance of designing human-centric experiences.
• 00:04:48 - Understanding audience for better experiences.
• 00:12:41 - Design digital experiences for collective consciousness.
• 00:18:02 - Community-scale can dilute meaning.
• 00:22:24 - Gaming is for everyone.
• 00:28:05 - New form of capitalism emerging.
• 00:33:02 - The value of self-awareness.
• 00:38:42 - AI can enhance artistic creativity.
• 00:42:00 - AI can revolutionize music creation.
• 00:50:31 - Behavioral data inform personalized experiences.
• 00:55:38 - Consumers crave immersive narrative experiences.
• 01:04:02 - Context matters in design.
• 01:05:07 - The danger of separating cognition.
• 01:10:13 - AI and machine learning are here to stay.
• 01:15:37 - Cognition is the key to rational behavior.
• 01:20:09 - Biopsychosocial approach in design.
• 01:26:34 - The importance of holistic experience design.
• 01:30:23 - Understanding and harnessing the flow state.
• 01:35:36 - Harnessing technology for human flourishing.
• 01:39:32 - Design can shape the future.

This Anthro Life is a podcast that delves into the human experience through the lens of anthropology. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, each episode explores different aspects of life, culture, and society, offering unique insights and fresh perspectives. Don't miss this enlightening discussion with Joe Schaeppi on unleashing the power of cognitive understanding in design and technology.


Connect with Joe Schaeppi:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joeschaeppi?s=20
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeschaeppi/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schaeppi/
• Website: https://www.solsten.io/

Connect with This Anthro Life:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
• This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
• Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

Janine de Novais joins host Adam Gamwell to explore the importance of fostering discussions about race and racism. Janine, an educator and author, shares her expertise on creating safe spaces for dialogue and teaching towards a post-racist imagination. The conversation delves into the process of setting the stage for conversations, the concept of Grounding for Learning, and the development of the Brave Community teaching and learning method. Janine also highlights the significance of empathy, the challenges of discussing race in professional settings, and the role of education in promoting a more equitable society.

Janine de Novais is a writer, sociologist, and educator driven by a lifelong passion for understanding how human liberation is a cultural project. As a Cabo Verdean American scholar, she has experienced firsthand the power of culture to both constrain and empower. Janine brings over a decade of experience researching, teaching, and designing curricula in higher education, including positions at Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Delaware. She served as Associate Director of Columbia's Core Curriculum, helping shape one of the nation's pioneering liberal arts programs. Whether writing, consulting or teaching, Janine is driven by a passion for culture as a tool for collective liberation. She empowers people to challenge the status quo and author their futures.


Key Takeaways:

• The Brave Community method is a teaching and learning method that fosters empathy and intellectual bravery among learners.
• Grounding for learning, which combines content for learning and culture of learning, is crucial for creating a transformative learning experience.
• Curating intentional content and having a foundation is essential for effective conversations and dialogue.
• Clear and specific content, such as addressing racial disparities, is important in discussions and meetings.
• Creating a culture of open discussion requires training, protocols, and a cohesive group that can handle difficult conversations.
• Setting boundaries and expectations is important in discussions about racial disparity and discipline.
• A pedagogical approach in learning environments promotes growth, change, and the benefits of a learning community.
• Higher education should focus on teaching skills necessary for a multiracial democracy and counter prevailing narratives.
• Human engagement and values should be prioritized in technology development to avoid forgetting our humanity.

Key Topics of this Podcast:
00:01:33 - Setting the stage for conversation.
00:03:47 - Setting up a safe learning environment.
00:08:25 - Grounding for learning.
00:11:45 - Bravery in expressing needs.
00:17:31 - Bringing pedagogy into real life.
00:19:10 - Engaging with content together.
00:23:47 - Classroom setting and racial education.
00:26:47 - Bounded content and problem-solving.
00:31:13 - Using humor to dissolve tension.
00:34:11 - The value of humanities education.
00:39:24 - Culture as a learning phenomenon.
00:44:38 - Racial disparity in tech engineering.
00:47:13 - Resilient empathy and pedagogy.
00:51:24 - Forgetting our humanity.
00:55:18 - Post-racist imagination.
00:58:06 - Unethical forward projection of growth.
01:03:10 - There is no neutral stance.
01:05:45 - Not having a brave community experience.


Connect with Janine de Novais:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinedenovais/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaninedeNovais
Website: https://www.janinedenovais.com/


Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisanthrolife
Website: https://thisanthrolife.org

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

In this episode, Emily Kennedy shares her unique journey of discovering the concept of ethnographic journalism. Journalists now face unprecedented issues like harassment, lack of public trust, and accusations of bias. As a main source of information, journalism's struggles have profound implications. Ethnographic methods and storytelling techniques could transform the communication of the human experience. The episode explores using ethnographic methods in journalism, building interviewee trust, evolving objectivity, and existential fears in both fields. Anthropology and journalism have much to learn from each other.
Emily Kennedy

Emily Kennedy is a trained anthropologist and has worked as a journalist, communications professional, and magazine editor for more than a decade. She has taught as a journalism instructor and guest lecturer at various universities and colleges. Her research and experience in the sphere of anthropology and journalism led to the creation of anthrojourno.org - an online resource for journalists looking to use ethnographic methods in their reporting

Key Takeaways:

• Journalism and anthropology share similarities in terms of pulling concepts from other disciplines and the importance of showing their methods.
• Journalists can increase trust by revealing the process behind their work.
• Both journalism and anthropology involve collaboration with various professionals.
• Ethnographic methods are used in journalism, but they are often not explicitly recognized as such.
• Journalism education has seen the rise of other approaches such as engaged journalism and design thinking.
• Improving the interview process is a common challenge in both anthropology and journalism.
• Ethnographic methods can help address challenges in journalism, such as the business model, online harassment, and trust in media outlets.
• Anthropology and ethnography offer a comprehensive perspective that can benefit journalism.
• The balance between collaboration and individuality differs in anthropology and journalism.
• Finding a balance between using formulas and being authentic is important in both journalism and ethnographic writing.

Key Topics of this Podcast:

[00:00:27] Anthropology and journalism collide.
[00:05:30] Anthropology and journalism overlap.
[00:15:14] Ethnographic methods can benefit journalism.
[00:16:08] Ethnographic interviews prioritize building rapport and showing empathy
[00:20:37] Ethnographic interviews uncover hidden perspectives.
[00:24:35] Formulas can be helpful and limiting in writing.
[00:28:56] Formula shifts and innovation are necessary.
[00:34:44] Advocacy ≠ Bias in journalism.
[00:41:31] Journalism and anthropology can intersect.
[00:43:29] Anthropologists and journalists can learn from each other.
[00:48:09] Newsworthy stories have specific qualities.
[00:54:14] Importance of open-mindedness in journalism.
[00:58:27] Ethnographic methods enhance journalism


Connect with Emily Kennedy:Anthrojourno website: https://anthrojourno.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kennedy_writes
Connect with This Anthro Life:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisanthrolife This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/ Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

In a world where technology is advancing at an exponential pace, we can already see that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a profound impact on our lives.

But AI is far from perfect. Too often, we end up grappling with a variety of problems when we bring AI into the real world, from increasing mental health issues in young girls and boys to anxiety for workers whose jobs are changing. And while developers don’t set out to design AI technologies to have these unsavory effects, they happen anyway.

In this episode of This Anthro Life, we explore these issues and more with Ahmed Reza, a serial entrepreneur and self-professed AI geek who has founded multiple successful companies. With over a decade’s experience in the marketing and AI space, Ahmed shares his unique perspective on AI development, tech entrepreneurship, and more.

Show Highlights:

• [05:53] Why Ahmed has been nicknamed “the intelligent man’s Forrest Gump”
• [08:12] Ahmed’s experience as a child actor in Bangladesh
• [12:45] How Ahmed came to be an entrepreneur
• [23:00] What Yobi does
• [28:38] Why we should be careful when developing AI
• [34:46] What AI can ultimately enable us to do
• [36:47] How AI can help us create a better world
• [45:36] How we can incentivize leaders to use AI technologies for good
• [54:26] The moral responsibility of AI developers
• [58:52] The story behind the development of Trephub
• [01:05:32] Ahmed’s hopes for the future

Links and Resources:

• Check out the Yobi app
• Check out the startups at TrepHub
• Connect with Ahmed Reza via LinkedIn
• Connect with Adam Gamwell via email, LinkedIn, or Twitter
• Leave a review here to support This Anthro Life
• Subscribe to the Anthrocurious Substack today

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

Contemporary AI systems are typically created by many different people, each working on separate parts or “modules.” This can make it difficult to determine who is responsible for considering the ethical implications of an AI system as a whole — a problem compounded by the fact that many AI engineers already don’t consider it their job to ensure the AI systems they work on are ethical.

In their latest paper, “Dislocated Accountabilities in the AI Supply Chain: Modularity and Developers’ Notions of Responsibility,” technology ethics researcher David Gray Widder and research scientist Dawn Nafus attempt to better understand the multifaceted challenges of responsible AI development and implementation, exploring how responsible AI labor is currently divided and how it could be improved.

In this episode, David and Dawn join This Anthro Life host Adam Gamwell to talk about the AI “supply chain,” modularity in software development as both ideology and technical practice, how we might reimagine responsible AI, and more.

Show Highlights:

• [03:51] How David and Dawn found themselves in the responsible AI space
• [09:04] Where and how responsible AI emerged
• [16:25] What the typical AI development process looks like and how developers see that process
• [18:28] The problem with “supply chain” thinking
• [23:37] Why modularity is epistemological
• [26:26] The significance of modularity in the typical AI development process
• [31:26] How computer scientists’ reactions to David and Dawn’s paper underscore modularity as a dominant ideology
• [37:57] What it is about AI that makes us rethink the typical development process
• [45:32] Whether the job of asking ethical questions gets “outsourced” to or siloed in the research department
• [49:12] Some of the problems with user research nowadays
• [56:05] David and Dawn’s takeaways from writing the paper

Links and Resources:

• Dislocated Accountabilities in the AI Supply Chain: Modularity and Developers' Notions of Responsibility
• Connect with David Gray Widder via his website
• Connect with Dawn Nafus via Linkedin
• Connect with Adam Gamwell via email, LinkedIn, or Twitter
• Subscribe to the This Anthro Life newsletter

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

Just a little trailer for 2023 new listeners to This Anthro Life!

Learn more about the podcast here: thisanthrolife.org

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

People with disabilities often face accessibility issues in physical environments, such as a lack of ramps, narrow doorways, and inaccessible transportation. Every barrier is a reminder that designs are choices, ones made without people with disabilities at the decision-making table.

But solving these problems requires more than physical adjustments. It necessitates understanding the experiences of people with disabilities and involving them in the creation of purposefully designed spaces, policies, and more.

In this episode, renowned disability rights advocate and Associate Professor at Stony Brook University Brooke Ellison explores the complex and often misunderstood world of disabilities with This Anthro Life host Adam Gamwell. Drawing from her latest memoir “Look Both Ways,” Brooke also shares her journey as an activist and the importance of inclusivity and accessibility.

Brooke Ellison, a brilliant author and inspiring speaker, has dedicated her life to advocating for disability rights and raising awareness about the sociocultural issues surrounding it. Having experienced a life-altering car accident at the age of eleven that left her paralyzed from the neck down, Brooke's journey has been one of resilience, determination, and self-discovery. With a PhD in sociology and a passion for making a difference, Brooke has taken on multiple roles, including serving on the President's Council on Bioethics and the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board of New York State. As a professor and medical ethics expert as well as someone living with quadriplegia, she brings a unique perspective to the conversation on disability, challenging societal norms and advocating for a more inclusive world.

Show Highlights:

• [05:48] Why Brooke wrote her two memoirs
• [12:35] The value of bringing in personal experiences when teaching about disability
• [19:57] The idea of hope as a process
• [27:42] How disabilities highlight the interconnectedness of our lives
• [32:15] The value of taking a sociocultural approach to disability
• [36:11] Why Brooke ran for public office in 2006
• [42:10] Why Brooke started the nonprofit Brooke Ellison Project
• [44:16] Interesting findings of Brooke’s dissertation on stem cell research

Links and Resources:

• Look Both Ways (TAL Affiliate Bookstore)
• Check out Brooke Ellison’s website
• Connect with Brooke Ellison via LinkedIn or her website
• Connect with Adam Gamwell via email, LinkedIn, or Twitter
• Subscribe to the This Anthro Life newsletter

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

In this episode, Angela Saini, award-winning science journalist and author of “The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule,” traces the material and social roots of patriarchy with host Adam Gamwell. The duo explores how anthropology can help us better understand the patriarchy and patriarchical power by contextualizing and breaking down big ideas. Anthropology enables us to examine broad, complex topics through specific cultural and historical lenses. It also helps us dissect grand narrative ideas to reveal their historical trajectories. But perhaps most importantly, anthropology reminds us that we need to think about big ideas contextually, especially emotionally and politically charged ideas like the patriarchy.

They dive into the definition of patriarchy and its ties to social structures, social privileges, and oppression. The conversation also touches on how different cultures interpret and shape the deployment and maintenance of gender and power to reflect their unique social norms. Saini emphasizes the importance of understanding the social variation and how male domination adapts to different changes. Drawing on many forms of evidence, she discusses the multiplicities of patriarchies, how patriarchy today functions and shapes different aspects of our lives, and how we can think big about what form of society we’d like to continue, reinvent, or totally change for ourselves and our children. Saini's work aims to bring awareness to the many different kinds of patriarchies that exist and how they are being recreated and reasserted today.

Episode Highlights:

• [05:57] Why we shouldn’t think of the patriarchy as a monolith
• [09:31] Why pre-history wasn’t necessarily patriarchal
• [13:44] Why thinkers started to question where patriarchy came from
• [17:16] Why James Mellaart believed Çatalhöyük was a matriarchal society
• [23:55] How the Haudenosaunee inspired the beliefs of women’s rights activists
• [26:57] How early civilizations’ concerns about population led to binary gender norms
• [30:24] Possibilities that slavery and patrilocality informed each other
• [36:32] Why freedom and women’s liberation are nuanced
• [43:05] The Kitchen Debate and the clash of capitalism and communism
• [50:40] How Kerala, India now positions itself as a beacon of women’s empowerment
• [55:54] How we can build the society we hope to see in the future

Links and Resources:

• The Patriarchs: The Origins of Inequality
• Superior: The Return of Race Science
• Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong
• Connect with Angela Saini via LinkedIn
• Check out Angela Saini’s website
• Connect with Adam Gamwell via email, LinkedIn, or Twitter
• Subscribe to the This Anthro Life newsletter

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.