BookLab 038: The Language Puzzle; Ways of Being; Playing Possum

About this episode

The episode explores how humans developed symbolic language and features discussions on related books.

There's no question that animals communicate -- but only humans have full-blown symbolic language. So, how did we get here? In The Language Puzzle, archeologist Steven Mithen tries to figure out how we became such a talkative species. And on the nightstand: Ways of Being, by James Bridle; and Playing Possum by Susana Monsó.

People in this episode

Hosts: Dan Falk, Amanda Gefter

Guest: Steven Mithen

Topics covered

• animal communication
• symbolic language
• human evolution
• archeology
• book recommendations

Keywords

• language
• communication
• evolution
• archeology
• animal behavior
• book review

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Ways of Being, Playing Possum

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