What good is human intelligence?

This is a newsletter dedicated to figuring out the value of human intelligence, and thus what it means to be human. As a scientist studying animal cognition and behavior, I have become increasingly convinced that the human way of thinking - as sophisticated and exceptional as it is - might not actually be all that great. I explore these ideas in my book If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal.

I’m also fascinated by the human capacity for anthropomorphism; treating non-human things/animals/objects like fellow humans. It’s the subject of my latest book Humanish.

Because we learn new and unexpected things about animal minds almost every day, this newsletter will supply you with fresh takes on the latest animal cognition cognition research. And because humans seem to engage in bone-headed behavior with intense regularity, there will be plenty of analysis of weird human behavior stories. Above all, it will be a fun and funny romp; an exploration of what it means to be human using cutting edge science mashed up with pop-culture references and general silliness. My favorite combo.

-Justin Gregg
Senior Researcher with the Dolphin Communication Project
Prof at St. Francis Xavier University

Here’s a pic of me with some books: