Episode notes
From ancient Conodonts to modern-day rattlesnakes, venom has independently evolved in a diverse array of creatures including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and even mammals like the platypus. Discover how venom serves as both a weapon for predation and a defense mechanism, and learn the crucial differences between venomous and poisonous animals. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a…
Podcast
Evolution Talk
Rick Coste · Tech & Science · English
Everything you wanted to know about evolution by natural selection in short, easy to digest, episodes. Hosted, and produced by writer Rick Coste.
More from Evolution Talk All episodes →
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15 Aug 2024 · 1 min
New Season - New Shows!
The new season is about to kick and I'm really excited about it. I'm always looking for ways to expand the show's reach and science education, and to do so, I'll need your help. I'd love to go back to a weekly show, be able to fully kick off a supplemental video channel, and provide materials for schools. I've also always wanted to bring the newsletter back. The show will always be free for all to enjoy. To find out how you can help the show achieve it's goals financially, please visit evolutiontalk.com/support .
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E156 · 12 Aug 2024 · 13 min
Island Laboratories
The wonderful thing about islands is they continue to provide insights into the processes that shape life on Earth, reminding us of the incredible adaptability of life and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. They demonstrate how isolation, limited resources, and unique environmental pressures can drive the evolution of extraordinary adaptations. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore…
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E155 · 29 Jul 2024 · 9 min
Symbiosis
Imagine a world where different species live in close partnerships, essential for their survival. Tune in for a journey through millions of years of evolutionary cooperation, proving that in nature, no species is an island. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Pink…
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E154 · 15 Jul 2024 · 22 min
What Can Educators Do? Only A Theory Pt. 2
Special guest Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins the show to discuss what teachers and educators can do both in and out of the classroom. Support the NCSE Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel ! Music in this Episode Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com…
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E153 · 1 Jul 2024 · 22 min
Only A Theory Revisited - Part 1
Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins me to discuss the age-old phrase that evolution is "Only a Theory". Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel ! Music in this Episode Twinkie by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Jack by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0):…
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E151 · 3 Jun 2024 · 11 min
Bergson's Vitalism
In this episode, we delve into Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and explore the alternative philosophical perspective of Henri Bergson. While Darwin's mechanistic view emphasizes random mutations and natural selection, Bergson introduces the concept of élan vital—a creative force driving life's complexity and direction. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order…
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E150 · 20 May 2024 · 10 min
The Law of Superposition
The concept of superposition exists in both quantum mechanics and evolutionary geology. We start with the strange and counterintuitive world of quantum physics, where particles exist in multiple states until observed. Then, we journey back to 1666 where another kind of superpositionwas discovered—this time in rock layers - allowing us to read Earth's history through its geological layers. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or…
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E149 · 6 May 2024 · 14 min
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 3
What if consciousness, much like the architectural 'spandrels' we talked about before, isn't actually crucial to our survival? Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin argued that some traits might just be byproducts, not directly selected for their utility. We'll unravel this thread by retracing the steps of René Descartes on a cold night in 1619 when he conceived ideas that challenged our understanding of reality. Was his revelation in a cozy 'oven' room the birth of modern philosophy, or a deeper insight into the illusions crafted by our own minds? Descartes' meditations prompted us to…
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E148 · 22 Apr 2024 · 13 min
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 2
Do our thoughts serve a purpose, or are they just a byproduct of something deeper? Consciousness studies bridge the realms of philosophy and science. Are we truly aware, or is it all just an illusion? Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Horn Haze by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Gentle Heart by Podington…
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E147 · 8 Apr 2024 · 11 min
The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 1
In this episode, we delve into the mysterious world of consciousness, a mystery that resides within the depths of our minds. We'll explore the physical and philosophical theories of consciousness, from the brain's intricate processes to the elusive concept of qualia. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com , or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Caterpillar Tunnel by Podington Bear, License…
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