As I was editing this I realized that another aspect of this phenomenon involves having a sense of place that includes the earth itself. Just as they automatically do things to keep their own homes in good repair, those who feel this way about the planet do the same for the natural world around them. For those who lack this kinship, it makes no sense. But for those who have it, it’s as natural as breathing.
Read more →Editing this podcast early one morning made me feel like I was caught in two realities—one artificial and one real. While I was hearing and talking about birds in the recording, I also could hear the real birds through the open windows. I’d notice a male red-breasted grosbeak fly by and for a split second wasn’t sure whether I’d actually seen him and thought this or heard one on the recording. On the other hand, if I’m losing my mind I can’t think of a more cheerful and gentler way to do it. 🙂
Read more →When I was a child, I always wanted to live in a place with a natural source of running water, some old ruins, and the distant sound of a railroad. This place fulfilled all three of those criteria years ago. But since then, we’ve added a new set of ruins. Oh, not ruins in the sense of the Pyramids or that Titanic or the strange stone structure in my basement. But ruins in their own way and worthy of note.
Read more →This podcast explores a common canine-related prejudice that pops up in general conversation and also one which sometimes occurs in conversations among behavioral professionals.
Read more →This podcast explores further evidence of what I hope is a trend toward more comprehensive thinking in science. Having played both sides of the fence—eliminating all the variables in scientific endeavors and taking them all into account in clinical practice—I admit that it’s not an easy shift to make…
Read more →Those of you more creative folks currently struggling through more “prefrontal” than creative science courses to fulfill your dreams of contributing to our understanding of normal and problematic animal behavior and/or physiology, take heart. Even though you may need to work a lot harder and possibly never achieve the high grades you desire in such an environment, you will emerge a more well-rounded thinker. And this will enable you to apply that knowledge more creatively than those lacking this duel perception. I speak as someone who only learned to appreciate this benefit after-the-fact. When I actually slogged through such
Read more →Imagine the following scenarios and pay attention to how you feel. One: You’ve just returned home famished after a difficult but productive day. Your heart is set on eating the rest of the fabulous lasagna your mom made especially for you. You make a beeline for the kitchen and the fridge. Two: You’ve arranged to meet a special friend you haven’t seen for years at a gathering. Your eyes sweep the group in an attempt to locate that person. This podcast is about researcher Jaak Panksepp’s work with emotions and specifically one he calls seeking. Never thought of seeking
Read more →This podcast is about one of those activities that we and our animals routinely engage in without giving it any thought. Even though I only describe the basic display, there are variations that I’m sure you’ll notice in yourself as well as other human and nonhuman members of your family. What’s especially intriguing about this particular display is that, in spite of all its benefits, it ranks among those more scandalous behaviors, the public expression of which has been stigmatized in “civilized” society. I guess that means that in addition to gaining the physical and mental benefits of doing
Read more →For comparison, below are two pictures of the same area taken 24 years apart. Granted the first was taken in August during a drought and the second in May. Nor do I think any seasoned gardener or farmer would doubt that there’s been a change in climate during that interval either. Even so, when I saw that barren slope to the right of the car in the first picture and compared it that same slope now, it was impossible not to recall my plan to cover that area with a carpet of wildflowers. Nor can I ever forget what
Read more →I could just as easily have called this podcast Letting It All Hang Out because it’s about some beliefs I’ve maintained over the years about animal behavior and the bond that turned out to be flat out wrong. At least for me. I’m not sure what relieves me more. That I was able to give up these bum ideas? Or that admitting I got it wrong isn’t that big a deal? I like to say I did this as soon as I discovered that the belief wasn’t working. But that wasn’t the case. Granted once I let it go,
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