Brain Size Determines Psychology

How our psychological evolution is necessitated by our physiological evolution; Big Brains = Big Emotions

Stories from the Underground Railroad

Through family stories and historical records, Dr. Josh Stout discusses how abolitionists orchestrated the daring rescue of Jane Johnson and others, as confrontations between state and federal authorities eerily mirror today's developing constitutional battles.

ADHD As a Superpower

Low dopamine causes ADHD which is a disability but also a super power. Constantly seeking new stimulation can drive research and innovation, but what happens when a whole society is addicted to dopamine stimulation and we have no attention left to give?

A New Dopamine Model Explaining ADHD

Dopamine mediated desire and reward explains why when dopamine is reduced we increasingly show ADHD symptoms. We combine low motivation with frantic reward seeking due to low dopamine.

Sumer and the Birth of Religion

The Sumerians were ancient when the pyramids were built. Their religion and culture shaped ours, yet they were forgotten for 3,000 years.

True Crime, Archaeology and Art

I think right now there is a hill in either Syria or Iraq that has bulldozers digging into a lost civilization from the period of Sumer. So from, you know, the very earliest civilizations on Earth, they are destroying their own heritage right now - and selling it to me.

Syria and the Cycle of History

Ibn Khaldun wrote in the 14th century and spoke about the spiral nature of history. He saw the Mongol invasion do the exact same thing the contemporary rebels just did - move through the same cities in the same order because that's the only way to get to Damascus. And it happened very quickly.

Balancing Selection and Our 50/50 Nation

How Balancing Selection keeps our two party system in unstable equilibrium to the benefit of the ultra wealthy 1 percent.

Memes and Anti Memes

In this episode Dr. Josh Stout discusses theories on why we are experiencing a decline in concentration and memory, and why daily life feels so disconnected from reality. Truth vs “truth” is destroying our minds.

A Walk Through Manufacturers Village Artists Open Studios 2024

Featuring original works of art by Wendy Bellermann and Dr. Josh Stout

Neurobiology and Narcissism

Did that person intend to bump into me? Or were they just daydreaming? Today Dr. Josh Stout discusses the difference between narcissistic and non neurotypical behavior, and how media, society and our very culture misses the point.

AI In The Classroom Revisited

Students might not be doomed by AI. I see them becoming “prompt engineers”, structuring their writing with detailed instructions for the AI. Students are now using a multi-step writing process that produces well thought through essays even when fluency is difficult.