This implies that religious beliefs and behavior emerged not as sui generis evolutionary adaptations, but as an extension (some would say "by product") of social cognition and behavior. May be something to that, Razib says — but it would be nice "get in on the game of normal human variation in religious orientation (as opposed to studies of mystical brain states which seem focused on outliers)."
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Posted by David Dobbs at 6:51 AM • 1 Comments •
Category: Brains and minds
As Obama explains, world leaders are puzzled that healthcare gets painted with a Hitler moustache. and other news.
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Posted by David Dobbs at 6:27 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
Animals first. Then everybody else.
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Posted by David Dobbs at 2:22 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
I regret I can't handle at more length, the following weighty and pressing matters:
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Posted by David Dobbs at 12:12 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
"I don't think we understand the brain much better for reading this paper. "
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Posted by David Dobbs at 10:47 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
Take this survey. It's quick, interesting, and will make your voice heard, in a tiny way, at Cold Spring Harbor.
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Posted by David Dobbs at 9:02 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
Old brains, depressed brains, new viruses, the death of healthcare reform?
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Posted by David Dobbs at 11:56 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Culture of science
On my radar lately: spats over rates and seriousness of depression and swine flu. Reading this will NOT make you sick.
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Posted by David Dobbs at 7:07 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
If nothing else, this points out the need to clarify what "past 5 years" means in declaring history of possible...
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Posted by David Dobbs at 5:25 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: PTSD
Our current approach to post-combat distress is failing just as completely as the Rumsfled approach did. But in the halls that count, there's no sign a change in thinking.
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Posted by David Dobbs at 10:35 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
I write on science, medicine, nature, culture and other matters for the New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, National Geographic, Scientific American Mind, and other publications. (Find 
