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The Remarkable Brain of the Bird (Encore)

The Remarkable Brain of the Bird (Encore)

FromAspen Ideas to Go


The Remarkable Brain of the Bird (Encore)

FromAspen Ideas to Go

ratings:
Length:
47 minutes
Released:
Dec 22, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

It used to be that having a “bird brain” was an insult. Now, it’s practically a compliment! Turns out the brain of a bird, which is small enough to fit into a nut, is full of neurons. These animals are capable of complex cognition — they can solve problems, count, understand cause and effect, and even communicate in ways that resemble language. Jennifer Ackerman chronicles birds’ intelligence in her book, “The Genius of Birds.” She sits down with Alexander Taylor, an animal psychologist who’s been studying the Caledonian crow — a bird that creates tools and passes on those lessons to younger generations. Flora Lichtman, host of the Gimlet Media podcast “Every Little Thing,” moderates the conversation.Watch the BBC video "Are crows the ultimate problem solvers?" featuring Alexander Taylor.
Released:
Dec 22, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Aspen Ideas to Go is a show about big ideas that will open your mind. Featuring compelling conversations with the world’s top thinkers and doers from a diverse range of disciplines, Aspen Ideas to Go gives you front-row access to the Aspen Ideas Festival and other events presented by the Aspen Institute.