Vivek V. Venkataraman
@vivek123.bsky.social
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Everyone should read the Spandrels paper.
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
January 26, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Everyone should read the Spandrels paper.
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Our new paper in Hunter-Gatherer Research!
We explored women’s decision-making power within households in two subsistence communities with different gender norms (BaYaka foragers & Bandongo fisher-farmers) in the Congolese rainforest ✨
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
We explored women’s decision-making power within households in two subsistence communities with different gender norms (BaYaka foragers & Bandongo fisher-farmers) in the Congolese rainforest ✨
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
"Older women in both communities report higher autonomy than younger women. Both BaYaka and Bandongo women make decisions on food sharing. However, BaYaka women report greater control over financial and healthcare decisions than Bandongo women, who often share decision-making with their husbands"
Women’s self-reported autonomy in household decision-making varies between BaYaka foragers and Bandongo farmers in the Congo Basin | Hunter Gatherer Research
Women’s decision-making power within households is a critical aspect of gender equality, influencing the well-being of household members and family dynamics. This study examines women’s perceived autonomy in household decision-making among BaYaka hunter-...
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Our new paper in Hunter-Gatherer Research!
We explored women’s decision-making power within households in two subsistence communities with different gender norms (BaYaka foragers & Bandongo fisher-farmers) in the Congolese rainforest ✨
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
We explored women’s decision-making power within households in two subsistence communities with different gender norms (BaYaka foragers & Bandongo fisher-farmers) in the Congolese rainforest ✨
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Latest crop of early online papers at HGR includes some bangers - if I do say so myself. Not just this report on BaYaka Women's autonomy and my own article about cage traps, but also Sterelny on quasi-darwinian mechanisms in cultural evolution.
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
January 9, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Latest crop of early online papers at HGR includes some bangers - if I do say so myself. Not just this report on BaYaka Women's autonomy and my own article about cage traps, but also Sterelny on quasi-darwinian mechanisms in cultural evolution.
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
"The problem...which recurs throughout 'Spandrels', is not that this criticism is wrong, it’s that Gould & Lewontin...make only cursory and superficial remarks about how test those alternatives, or about how to pursue an alternative research programme built on different conceptual foundations"
Gearing up to teach my grad Theory class again, I am reminded that the Spandrels of San Marcos is not a good paper.
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
Why "The Spandrels of San Marco" isn't a good paper
Stephen Jay Gould & Richard Lewontin’s 1979 article “The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme” is one of the most wid…
dynamicecology.wordpress.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:53 AM
"The problem...which recurs throughout 'Spandrels', is not that this criticism is wrong, it’s that Gould & Lewontin...make only cursory and superficial remarks about how test those alternatives, or about how to pursue an alternative research programme built on different conceptual foundations"
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Not to forget this extremely interesting paper on consensus-based decision-making in egalitarian societies.
bsky.app/profile/vive...
bsky.app/profile/vive...
New article in Hunter Gatherer Research!
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies | Hunter Gatherer Research
Consensus-based collective decision-making is a common feature of political life in hunter-gatherer (forager) societies. In this paper, we ask why. Synthesising evidence from anthropology and experimental social psychology, we argue that consensus-based ...
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Not to forget this extremely interesting paper on consensus-based decision-making in egalitarian societies.
bsky.app/profile/vive...
bsky.app/profile/vive...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Check out my interview with Bob Kelly in Hunter Gatherer Research.
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly: Hunter Gatherer Research: Vol 0, No 0
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Gearing up to teach my grad Theory class again, I am reminded that the Spandrels of San Marcos is not a good paper.
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
Why "The Spandrels of San Marco" isn't a good paper
Stephen Jay Gould & Richard Lewontin’s 1979 article “The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme” is one of the most wid…
dynamicecology.wordpress.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Gearing up to teach my grad Theory class again, I am reminded that the Spandrels of San Marcos is not a good paper.
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/w...
(but I'll probably assign it anyway, for precisely this reason)
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Great to read Vivek's interview with Bob - lots of interesting things here. And not just the insights into Binford's data collection 😱. Thanks to both Vivek and Bob for the publication!
Check out my interview with Bob Kelly in Hunter Gatherer Research.
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly: Hunter Gatherer Research: Vol 0, No 0
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Great to read Vivek's interview with Bob - lots of interesting things here. And not just the insights into Binford's data collection 😱. Thanks to both Vivek and Bob for the publication!
Check out my interview with Bob Kelly in Hunter Gatherer Research.
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly: Hunter Gatherer Research: Vol 0, No 0
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Check out my interview with Bob Kelly in Hunter Gatherer Research.
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
The view from 30,000 feet: An interview with archaeologist Robert L Kelly
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
New article in Hunter Gatherer Research!
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies | Hunter Gatherer Research
Consensus-based collective decision-making is a common feature of political life in hunter-gatherer (forager) societies. In this paper, we ask why. Synthesising evidence from anthropology and experimental social psychology, we argue that consensus-based ...
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 3:58 PM
New article in Hunter Gatherer Research!
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Foraging societies practice consensus-based politics. We conduct a xc review and argue that it helps to boost collective intelligence.
Consensus, cooperation and collective intelligence in foraging societies
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
🎄 New paper! 🎁
Since the 20s it's been said that "the Hadza don't use traps". Except sporadic snaring, none have been reported. So I was excited to find baited cage traps in use. More exciting, this was cross-cultural transmission — seldom seen in action!
1/5
tinyurl.com/cagetrap
Since the 20s it's been said that "the Hadza don't use traps". Except sporadic snaring, none have been reported. So I was excited to find baited cage traps in use. More exciting, this was cross-cultural transmission — seldom seen in action!
1/5
tinyurl.com/cagetrap
(PDF) First recorded use of cage traps by the Tanzanian Hadza: A case of cross-cultural transmission
PDF | While hunting is a critical subsistence strategy for the Tanzanian Hadza, reports of trapping have traditionally been minimal. Snare trapping of... | Find, read and cite all the research you nee...
tinyurl.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🎄 New paper! 🎁
Since the 20s it's been said that "the Hadza don't use traps". Except sporadic snaring, none have been reported. So I was excited to find baited cage traps in use. More exciting, this was cross-cultural transmission — seldom seen in action!
1/5
tinyurl.com/cagetrap
Since the 20s it's been said that "the Hadza don't use traps". Except sporadic snaring, none have been reported. So I was excited to find baited cage traps in use. More exciting, this was cross-cultural transmission — seldom seen in action!
1/5
tinyurl.com/cagetrap
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Perhaps a late Xmas/Chanukah/Festivus/Kwanzaa present for some research hot shot currently not in Canada but who might like to move here - the new Impact+ Research Chairs. Note the strategic areas in Arctic, environment, climate resilience and water security. 🧪⚒️
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs, University of Calgary in
Calgary,
AB,
...
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs, University of Calgary in
Calgary,
AB,
...
careers.ucalgary.ca
December 25, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Perhaps a late Xmas/Chanukah/Festivus/Kwanzaa present for some research hot shot currently not in Canada but who might like to move here - the new Impact+ Research Chairs. Note the strategic areas in Arctic, environment, climate resilience and water security. 🧪⚒️
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
It never ceases to amaze me how flexible and multi-purpose the human foot can be.
Pics taken with the Batek of Malaysia.
Pics taken with the Batek of Malaysia.
December 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It never ceases to amaze me how flexible and multi-purpose the human foot can be.
Pics taken with the Batek of Malaysia.
Pics taken with the Batek of Malaysia.
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
In episode 1022, I talk with Dr. Vivek Venkataraman about tree climbing, running, and hunting across human societies. #Anthropology #Science
youtu.be/QirFyPqN3e0
youtu.be/QirFyPqN3e0
#1022 Vivek Venkataraman: Tree Climbing, Running, and Hunting across Human Societies
YouTube video by The Dissenter
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
In episode 1022, I talk with Dr. Vivek Venkataraman about tree climbing, running, and hunting across human societies. #Anthropology #Science
youtu.be/QirFyPqN3e0
youtu.be/QirFyPqN3e0
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
"At Brown and Harvard, more than 20 percent of undergraduates are registered as disabled. At Amherst, that figure is 34 percent." Accommodation Nation:
America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Accommodation Nation
America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem.
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"At Brown and Harvard, more than 20 percent of undergraduates are registered as disabled. At Amherst, that figure is 34 percent." Accommodation Nation:
America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
America’s colleges have an extra-time-on-tests problem. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Check out our new paper in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, led by Ian J. Wallace.
"Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 14, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Check out our new paper in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, led by Ian J. Wallace.
"Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Bruce Winterhalder was once asked to share some professional insights.
Here they are:
Here they are:
September 19, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Bruce Winterhalder was once asked to share some professional insights.
Here they are:
Here they are:
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
From the archive. Societies divide labor by gender and age. A biological anthropologist considers when and why this behavior arose. Read more: www.sapiens.org/biology/labo...
How Allocating Work Aided Our Evolutionary Success
Many societies divide labor by gender and age. A biological anthropologist considers when and why this behavior arose.
www.sapiens.org
September 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
From the archive. Societies divide labor by gender and age. A biological anthropologist considers when and why this behavior arose. Read more: www.sapiens.org/biology/labo...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
A great piece on the women's hunting debate by Elena Bridgers that covers some of our work: elenabridgers.substack.com/p/did-women-...
Did Women Hunt in Our Evolutionary Past?
When Western gender ideology gets in the way of good science
elenabridgers.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
A great piece on the women's hunting debate by Elena Bridgers that covers some of our work: elenabridgers.substack.com/p/did-women-...
A great piece on the women's hunting debate by Elena Bridgers that covers some of our work: elenabridgers.substack.com/p/did-women-...
Did Women Hunt in Our Evolutionary Past?
When Western gender ideology gets in the way of good science
elenabridgers.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
A great piece on the women's hunting debate by Elena Bridgers that covers some of our work: elenabridgers.substack.com/p/did-women-...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
My review of Sex is a Spectrum, by Agustín Fuentes 🧪 #BioAnth blog.edhagen.net/posts/2025-0...
Review of Sex Is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary by Agustín Fuentes – Grasshoppermouse
Blog posts and talk slides
blog.edhagen.net
August 23, 2025 at 1:25 AM
My review of Sex is a Spectrum, by Agustín Fuentes 🧪 #BioAnth blog.edhagen.net/posts/2025-0...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Some thoughts on how preferences for #leaders change with our environments:
Leaders for the World We Think We Live In | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ecol...
#LeadSciSky #EvPsych #CultEvol #socialpsyc #BehSci 🧪 @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @psychologytoday.com
Leaders for the World We Think We Live In | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ecol...
#LeadSciSky #EvPsych #CultEvol #socialpsyc #BehSci 🧪 @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @psychologytoday.com
Leaders for the World We Think We Live In
Why do we trust steady hands in some contexts and risk-takers in others? Evolutionary theory reveals how environments shape our shifting choices of leaders.
www.psychologytoday.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Some thoughts on how preferences for #leaders change with our environments:
Leaders for the World We Think We Live In | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ecol...
#LeadSciSky #EvPsych #CultEvol #socialpsyc #BehSci 🧪 @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @psychologytoday.com
Leaders for the World We Think We Live In | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ecol...
#LeadSciSky #EvPsych #CultEvol #socialpsyc #BehSci 🧪 @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @psychologytoday.com
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Do not accept the premise that education is to blame for abysmal jobs outcomes.
“The fantasy economy's framing of economic inequality… focuses exclusively on education…deflects attention away from decades of public policies and changing business practices that have…contributed to stagnating wages”
“The fantasy economy's framing of economic inequality… focuses exclusively on education…deflects attention away from decades of public policies and changing business practices that have…contributed to stagnating wages”
August 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Do not accept the premise that education is to blame for abysmal jobs outcomes.
“The fantasy economy's framing of economic inequality… focuses exclusively on education…deflects attention away from decades of public policies and changing business practices that have…contributed to stagnating wages”
“The fantasy economy's framing of economic inequality… focuses exclusively on education…deflects attention away from decades of public policies and changing business practices that have…contributed to stagnating wages”
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
Published two years ago in @science.org:
"Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution"
We looked into how, and why, human societies have measured things with their bodies.
A little thread about the deep ancestry and cross-cultural heritage of measurement:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
"Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution"
We looked into how, and why, human societies have measured things with their bodies.
A little thread about the deep ancestry and cross-cultural heritage of measurement:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution
Measurements based on body part length have cognitive and behavioral advantages, which accounts for their widespread and persistent use.
www.science.org
June 1, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Published two years ago in @science.org:
"Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution"
We looked into how, and why, human societies have measured things with their bodies.
A little thread about the deep ancestry and cross-cultural heritage of measurement:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
"Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution"
We looked into how, and why, human societies have measured things with their bodies.
A little thread about the deep ancestry and cross-cultural heritage of measurement:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Vivek V. Venkataraman
I’ve been trying to figure out which scientists in the human evolutionary sciences were directly influenced by Robert Ardrey’s books.
Mostly the answer is a resounding no.
Mostly the answer is a resounding no.
Lewis Wolpert: 'No one working in the social sciences can ignore the
I recently had lunch with John Tooby and Leda Cosmides of the University of California at Santa Barbara. They have become famous for their contributions to evolutionary psychology, and have revolution...
www.independent.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I’ve been trying to figure out which scientists in the human evolutionary sciences were directly influenced by Robert Ardrey’s books.
Mostly the answer is a resounding no.
Mostly the answer is a resounding no.