Jane Goodall beobachtete jahrelang wilde Schimpansen. Sie entdeckte, dass die Tiere morden und Krieg führen. Als Ökoaktivistin hat die Britin inzwischen mehr mit Menschen zu tun – und glaubt immer noch an das Gute in uns. Von Philip Bethge und Johann Grolle Als Kind las Goodall gern die Geschichten über den Arzt Doktor Dolittle; sie entfachten ihre […]
Tag Archives | anthropology
Jane Goodall Interview: ‘Even Chimps Understand Sustainability’
Jane Goodall spent years observing chimpazees in the wild. She discovered that the animals can commit murder and wage war. As an environmentalist, the British activist now spends more time observing humans — and says she still has hope for humanity.
The Second Cooing: Raising Passenger Pigeons from the Dead
The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and has begun collecting passenger pigeon DNA from natural history museums. His “de-extinction” efforts are not without critics. By Philip Bethge The eye sockets of the slender pigeon are filled with […]
Interview with Edward O. Wilson on Human Evolution and the Origin of Morals
American sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson is championing a controversial new approach for explaining human evolution and the origins of virtue and sin. In an interview, the world-famous ant reseacher explains why he believes the inner struggle is the characteristic trait of human nature. By Philip Bethge and Johann Grolle Edward O. Wilson doesn’t come across […]
Technology Pioneer David Gelernter: ‘Love Is Beyond Watson’
What does Watson’s Jeopardy victory tell us? Not much, says David Gelernter, the computer science pioneer and Yale professor. SPIEGEL spoke with Gelernter about the prospects of achieveing artifically-created consciousness and the belief that eternal life can be secured on a hard drive. SPIEGEL: Dr. Gelernter, the American journalist Ambrose Bierce described the word we […]
‘Starfish, Daisies and Raying Purple Forms’: Oliver Sacks on the Wonder of Sight
In a SPIEGEL interview, New York neurologist and author Oliver Sacks discusses his new book, “The Mind’s Eye,” which explores how creative people compensate for their sight disorders or blindness. He also discusses his own “face blindness,” which makes it difficult to recognize people. (–> photo-gallery OPTICAL ILLUSIONS) SPIEGEL: Dr. Sacks, five years ago, you were diagnosed with a […]
Help for the Disabled: Trained Monkeys Proving Trusty Companions for Those in Need
Specially-trained Capuchin monkeys in the US are helping physically disabled people with the housework by performing tasks such as removing garbage, fetching the telephone or switching on the microwave. The furry companions are also helping paraplegics cope with loneliness. It’s her small hands that make Minnie especially useful. Hairy and slender, with slim fingers and […]
Saving Moon Trash: Urine Containers, ‘Space Boots’ and Artifacts Aren’t Just Junk, Argue Archaeologists
California has named the remains of the Apollo 11 mission a state historical resource — to the delight of the young profession of space archaeologists. They fear that the trash and equipment left behind by the United States’ journeys to the moon could someday wind up for sale on eBay if they aren’t protected. There […]