StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries - Primatology

Chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, monkeys, and more - explore the strange yet familiar world of primates with Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and primatologist (and StarTalk All-Stars host) @NataliaReagan. Learn about the evolution of primates: how we get exotic animals, if humanity’s evolution will be shaped by technology, and if evolution is still occurring amongst modern day non-human primates.
Natalia justifies why the spider monkey is her favorite primate, and also discusses the spider monkey census research she helped conduct. You’ll also hear about the problems with hybrid primates and cross-breeding, and about macaques, the second most widely geographically distributed primates after humans. Investigate the violence in chimp culture, the frequency of “ape rape,” and whether monkeys can go crazy.
Delve into the higher learning capabilities of non-human primates and how our study of primate intelligence must go beyond pattern recognition and sign language to social behavior and more. Neil reflects on the thinking behind the original Planet of the Apes film, and you’ll find out why certain branches of the human species have more Neanderthal in them than others. All this, plus the possibility of primates in the TRAPPIST-1 system, and Natalia demonstrates a howler monkey call - something you don’t want to miss!
This episode originally aired on July 7, 2017.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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[@juansequeirabaquero1780]

Love the dynamic of these 3. Dr. Regan is sharp

[@TrickOrRetreat]

Sharp as a shark love it

[@hlr3932]

and really really wish both of them allow the guests to speak and complete their sentences

[@joevincent614]

I love your show and watch it whenever I can. I only have 1 complaint. could you guys spend a little less time interrupting your guests after you ask them a question? so many times I`m waiting to hear their answer and after a few interruptions you change the subject and never really answer the question. I`m not saying it`s rude, but it appears to be.

[@scatterbrain7135]

I believe they do that on purpose to keep the show interesting and funny, otherwise it would be a lecture and less people would watch.

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

Chucks a comedian and his job is to keep the show “entertaining” for the less scientifically inclined. Not saying this is the best format, but Neil’s goal with star talk and having comedians is to make it more palatable to a wider audience so more people have a basic understanding of science, not to educate those already interested in the field. Neil’s interrupting is just because this is a familiar environment he’s comfortable in and when he gets excited he jumps, which in this case means saying something, it’s not something I’m sure he’s aware of because my father is the same way if he has a thought he interrupts everyone or begins talking louder if they don’t stop to share it and wasn’t aware he was doing it till a therapist told him. It’s just a tick some people have.

[@god_is_gay_for_satan]

Chuck is a professional interrupter. He literally cant shut up. Neil encourages it.

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

A again, because his job is to insert humor, whether or not you find it funny that’s why he’s there. I personally don’t care for the political commentary I find it annoying whenever he brings up Trump, but it’s still his job to try to be “entertaining” whether or not it’s successful is another discussion altogether. Also Neil and Chuck are friends in real life, so he’s not going to attack Chuck for anything.

[@chrisblack9851]

Neil does a lot of cutting off, he's like that, I've watched a lot of this guy and he does it to everyone, even Joe Rogan, watch JRE and you'll see what I mean

[@MrPibb-ez9bq]

Hello I love the show. I think the two of you (Neil and Chuck) have a great interaction with each other as host. Asking and answering great questions to and along with your guests. Which often provokes a funny and or intelligent response. But in the interest of learning. It would be great if you could allow your guests to answer the questions put forth by yourselves and your listeners. Before completely derailing their response and never really allowing your guests to fully give a answer. I realize it's a fun in light show. And that is partly why I enjoy the show so much. But I also tune in to hear what your guests, who are often experts in their field will have to say about the particular topic of the day. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and spreading more and more interest in science and learning. Keep up the great work and the shows coming. Because there is so much more out there to be and being discovered that amazes us everyday.

[@ferkelandstier9406]

Thank you for making Dr Reagan as a guest of your show. She is very informative and delivers her thoughts perfectly. I hope if there's another topic or discoveries related to primates, you can ask her again as your guest resource person. Thank you and more power to StarTalk -- from Charlie, MNL-PH

[@JuicyLeek]

Neil man, I love you and I’m a huge fan of the show, but please let your guest FINISH her argument before trying to rebut it.

[@Sonofsun.]

everyone: lets live longer, better and stronger Neil tyson: lets enslave chimps to do our bidding

[@tyreebrady1938]

Oh please let her speak. NDT is an alpha male. If you don't understand this, sorry for you.

[@electrikoptik]

Somebody get this lady on JRE podcast.

[@brax300]

electrikoptik amen!!

[@Blunt3021]

So she can fully finish her sentences and not be interrupted

[@NanaYawAforo]

No.

[@legendariopr3897]

Please bring her moreeee!! I love her!!

[@justinorosas9927]

She was awesome bring her back

[@notinmanitou]

What a delightful guest! Smart, quick, with a sharp sense of humor. Please bring her back!!

[@reddbullcity]

Its was tough watching this because Both of yall kept interrupting her

[@Sonofsun.]

everyone: lets live longer and better Neil tyson: lets enslave chimps to do our bidding

[@JordanMillsTracks]

Yep, I agree. love Neil, but he does have a bit of a problem with interrupting haha

[@Sonofsun.]

does he? i thought this was the only time he interrupted his guests guest*

[@JordanMillsTracks]

@@Sonofsun. not so much the guests usually but he interrupts the other people quite a bit when he's on panels with other scientists

[@Sonofsun.]

@@JordanMillsTracks i mean if its a correction it doesnt count

[@jorrellrichardson3181]

Im glad to see most everyone in chat notices them cutting her off repeatedly i love this show but it happens much to often please try to stop we're interested in the guests

[@leitchgizmo]

I think everyone that comes on the show knows they are going to get talked over ... you either got to accept it or not listen , it is why I can't do the podcast I have to watch the videos or it is just a horrible mess for the ears

[@quill444]

I really love Science, and I also do enjoy Comedy (I listen to hours and hours of Theo Von and Bill Burr, etc.), but Star Talk and Neil has been slowly turning into a "Giggle Fest" of people CONSTANTLY INTERRUPTING AND LAUGHING AT THEIR OWN JOKES; and, as *any* decent comedian will tell you, do NOT continuously laugh at your own jokes! Thus, it's turning into too much of a misguided attempt at teaching science, under the auspices of being an Amateur Comedy Routine Act, and it's close to becoming entirely unlistenable. - j q t -

[@cristiangdc618]

@@quill444 Totally; very well said.

[@ronmaaskant]

Damn! I just yelled out, let her speak!

[@Sonofsun.]

everyone: lets live longer, better and stronger Neil tyson: lets enslave chimps to do our bidding

[@TheScottGillies]

Smile your biggest smiles to the SKY! Thank you Natalia!! @45:47

[@ItchyFawn710]

She is amazing! So smart AND literate. She has personality and it's awesome. Chuck, Neil, amazing as always. Always interested in our close relatives, so to speak.

[@JamezM74]

Natalia is now my favorite Primatologist....💕

[@HeaDzmold]

Any conversation, that Neil is involved with, is always interesting.

[@sent4dc]

Very interesting, but please, PLEASE, let your guests finish the sentence.

[@Sonofsun.]

everyone: lets live longer, better and stronger Neil tyson: lets enslave chimps to do our bidding

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

Shut Up dumbasses

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

Get a life clown

[@isaackitone]

He says, In New York interrupting means someone is listening to you. Maybe it's a New York thing as he says.

[@AlfredoSegundo81]

Loved Natalia Reagan participation. She is so wise, smart and kind. Hope to see her back in the future!

[@kingstinger]

Neil Degrasse Tyson Let your guesses talk 2 to 3 minutes before interrupting them. Give them a chance to answer question, if not why have them on at all? Best formula 40% Neil 40% Guest 20% injected humor

[@torment4723]

Chuck hater

[@everblu]

Make Natalia a regular! Loved this episode:)) .. (despite Chuck’s usual rapid interruptions)

[@lovemaurice]

I like how you always relate your guest's topic back to the planets and stars. And Chuck lmao injects just enough humor to compliment the show nicely without deturing from the genre. Always a Great show, guys. Thanks!

[@ishe728]

This one way hilarious, they both were on it lol

[@davidt3956]

"There are people who do the whole rhythm method." Yeah, that's how my parents had their first kid...

[@drew856856]

A lot of people are mad at Neil for cutting the guest off but it's just Neil being Neil. They all seemed like they were having a good time. Natalia was witty, beautiful, funny and smart as a whip. She held her own with ease. She has great and likeable character. I hope they have her on Star Talk again. She's so happy when she speaks about apes and monkeys . I'm glad see was on this platform and I hope to see her on many other platforms.

[@5aito5]

47:10 is all I needed to hear

[@bobd2659]

"Chimps will give gifts of fruit in hopes of getting a little side nookie..." ...so..."prosti-fruits"???

[@brax300]

She was great. These 2 were kinda chatty, and little disrupting. They used to be really good abt not going off on tangents, idk what happened! Great stuff though, loved her and the info that came!

[@hanihazzouri275]

Nobody: Nobody ever: Chuck: let me interrupt you to say a terrible joke

[@mferr95]

I find Chuck hilarious lol

[@jnunez7037]

Mario Ferrante do you?

[@shpongle7322]

Mario Ferrante HES great in his own way. Just super awkward and cringey, but in a good way. Definitely got used to him.

[@chissholmtyson]

Most underrated quote “Kale yeah”

[@limbokidthedank8746]

I love primates! probably my favorite animal group, this video was awesome!

[@alexandrerighi]

She deserves her own show where she'd let her guests finish their sentences. Wouldn't that be awesome?!

[@chrissy1997]

Isn't this how all podcasts are? Lol

[@warpadex3206]

im glad i waited all week for ANOTHER 3 year old podcast...This episode originally aired on July 7, 2017.

[@3xplicit283]

My first time seeing it lmao

[@lifeisshort9021]

“The male penis is not too sm- not too shabby itself 😂” & “monkey porn” never laughed so hard while watching any other episode. I think roasting the guest is essential to this awesome podcast. Love you guys!

[@CaptPhiI]

Natalia has a great sense of humor. She fit right in with Chuck, I thought.

[@sathanimations1457]

6:42 - 6:52 If Baboons are Apes then Pluto is a planet. SHOTS FIRED! (i tease)

[@terrysullivan1992]

It was a joke and so fast most didn't even hear it.

[@isaiahbaggett5014]

Chuck's style is on point. I dig the look!

[@calapsesathir4408]

Ya that jacket is fire

[@yatespmx]

I like how they have so much fun.

[@garrettreven5144]

32:28 Neil somehow acknowledges that Planet of the Apes is already a movie, and then unknowingly perfectly sets up the world to replicate it

[@Elephant_Juice74]

22:06 Lol...the things that we're going through Chucks head at that moment...very good restraint buddy!

[@arima5657]

LMFAO

[@Alanixs2242]

let the woman speak without interrupting her with random jokes/questions every 3 seconds .-.

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

Stfu

[@ricardomontalban6004]

This is them being flirty. Smh

[@theduder2617]

Apologies for the length. I felt I had to offer a view here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This show is intended to be carried out in more of a casual conversation format and not a direct scientific presentation. Humor is also part of the format because humor reaches a much larger audience. Everyone takes part in normal casual conversation. They can relate to it. Those two aspects help to keep the show "palatable" for a lot of viewers who would otherwise potentially scroll on past. And the more who click and watch, the higher the likelihood of more people gaining an interest in science they otherwise may not have had. Also, in intellectual conversation, such back and forth exchanges occur rather often. Especially when one part is very interested in the topic, but forgets to maintain patience in their excitement. Interruptions can also occur if a party is talking nonsense. Which was not the case in this episode, but is a potential cause. Now, having said all of that, I can agree that I too have witnessed the data being lost, or taking much longer to get out as a result of the relaxed atmosphere. But many of these questions are revisited, or have been addressed in other episodes. It does manage to get out eventually. lol However, they have yet to revisit this topic. Which they should consider doing. She is a pleasant person to talk to, and highly knowledged in her field. And in a small way, I feel each of us can be a bit juvenile at times. Besides, this topic did have a lot of subjects that could produce many middle school jokes. Their happiness about this different topic, coupled with her personality led to the distracted discussions here. Remember, this was new for these two guys. They usually are discussing physics and astrophysics topics. This was a fun change from the norm. Think of it as being back in school. Showing up to class to find you have a substitute teacher who not only does not know the teacher's usual class tasks and rules, but also seems to not really care. As you can imagine, a potential "free for all" could easily break out. I remember an unofficial sanctioned spit ball fight in 6th grade as long as we didn't get too loud and cleaned up afterwards. lol

[@Alanixs2242]

@@theduder2617 ok u know what fine, u win, im wrong, thats WAY too much text to read im out

[@bnicolette14]

@@theduder2617 finally someone with some sense

[@Pandemiclui]

you guys are hilarious, dont stop what youre doing, i learn alot and laugh aswell. everyone give off great vibes despite what comments say

[@dc3174]

I totally got the DRC point Degrasse made.... love his wine knowledge ❤️

[@d0ne14]

2 men + 1 woman on one podcast = lots of interruptions. This is a credible scientific calculation based on observation.

[@capribreezee]

Love that a Mike Tyson joke was made. Knowing that Neil was on Mike Tyson Mysteries lol

[@ronyorobio7096]

What an interesting episode. I am sad I ended so soon. That last question about Neanderthal had so much to explore! BTW, Dr. Tyson likes coconut. My man!!!

[@akeepers02]

I've never heard anyone clear their throat in the morning like that..

[@JaskoonerSingh]

This one never gets old

[@hugovangalen]

No because it already is old (aired in 2017) :-)

[@chadphriday197]

5:10 "Dunston Checks In" was a great orangutan movie

[@Anti-HyperLink]

Neil's chimp slavery pitch gave me an ideal for my novel. So now indebted to him. If that makes any sense.

[@phonzy]

Chuck Nice is so well versed in science and its amazing to see

[@rubeeno8055]

this needed to be longer.

[@KraigFang]

As I start watching I see so many comments are about them interrupting her... this should be a wild episode!

[@elizabetholiviaclark]

I'll never hear "dangling participle" again without thinking of this episode.

[@mdot2597]

I think it's time to go on a StarTalk binge for the rest of the night 🌌

Recently a study has been published about the Neanderthal genomes in the modern population of Africa. Turns out Africans also have a little Neanderthal blood, in far less proportion than Europeans and seemingly in earlier times. Early human migrations must have been much more complicated than thought before

[@Zogixaas09]

Africans as in the whole continent or just northern Africans??

[@ZionVisionEWF]

I read this study as well. African recorded history tells the stories of those early encounters, but the layman calls this religion, etc. Also our lack of understanding scientifically for the temperament of those early Neanderthals fave or ancestors the impressions that you see recorded. Lol.

[@Leftyotism]

Ha, Armball, I said that before myself and I still like it. Valid point. : >

[@dubbletfoundation4827]

Instandly fell in love with this woman

[@JonDraine]

Flamingoes are pink due to the algae they eat, not the shrimp they eat.

[@stephenlackey5852]

Love your channel

[@michaelsdenney]

All the talk and education was over shadowed and forgotten by her imitation of howling. Wow!

[@simplyrowen]

It’s like you guys know my watch history. I have been watching A LOT regarding primates for the past 2 weeks. Totally recommend checking out Orangutan Jungle School 😏 Spider monkeys are native to my country btw, as well as Jaguars 🇬🇹 (Guatemala). If you ever go to Tikal to check out the ruins, you’ll encounter both. Which reminds me, Neil, you guys should make an episode about the Mayans, their approach to astronomy and sciences, time and space.

[@Anti-HyperLink]

When I watched the movie all the separations made sense to me. Mostly because gorillas fit the soldier role and orangutans look like philosophers and chimps are close to us. I probably thought we came from chimps back then which is obviously not true. But I definitely didn't know a lot about that.

[@ahadonyt]

Dr. Reagan has a voice perfect for a podcast

[@francisjohnson665]

Love this show. I think the guy's cutting off the guest , is just part of the craziness of the story. I love it .👏👏👏

[@chrisblack9851]

Orangutan always sounds like some type of fruit to me, I keep forgetting it's a damn monkey

[@ChawngrolienZote]

Ape, not a monkey

[@isaackitone]

Yes. Armball as opposed to handball, which already exists.

[@donnaclifton]

Had a cab in PCB, FL. lived near a zoo, came home around 5:00AM each day. Howler monkeys announced the time....

[@cjadrien]

You could see Tyson's brain saving the new information he acquired, "Folivore."

[@davidt3956]

Eating and evolution? Read an interesting book that attacks the "from the trees to the plains" story. It's "The Scars of Evolution" by Elaine Morgan.

[@MrWhiteav6]

Have you read the aquatic ape hypothesis by Elaine?

[@davidt3956]

@@MrWhiteav6 That is what this book is about.

[@wib304]

I hope you'll have the anthropologist again soon - I think she has lots more to tell us.

[@PRicanGeek]

Great show. Ms. Reagan was a great addition ... but I did find hilarious that, several times, she'd throw in a pervy joke. Or, an obvious invitation to comment on her "that's what she said" moment. The boys were having none of that and wouldn't fall into her obvious ... "trap", for lack of a better term. It was rather impressive, actually. The conversation inevitably got saucy, but they kept it civilized. Not as fun, but with #metoo, can't have too much fun anymore.

[@kaylacharles3186]

John McCurdy Neil made the first sexual reference after Ms. Reagan imitated the sound of the Howler monkeys. Go watch again. She wasn’t setting any traps just following the flow of conversation.

[@PRicanGeek]

@@kaylacharles3186 Looks like someone doesn't posses strong reading comprehension skills. I said, "for lack of a better term" and actually put "trap" in quotes. The girl was a gem in the video and of course she wasn't trapping anyone. Dear lord, your whole comment is a non-issue... (smh)

[@heynando]

Chimpoom. Chimporila. Chupacabraboom. OMG I laughed so hard

[@rishidhingra319]

the expression on NDT's face when she said "laser metric system"

[@leighdrury87]

Hi Neil, I was going to ask 'if time and space are connected, then why doesn't travelling around the globe backwards and forward transport us through time to?' But we do travel in time dont we? We have different time zones after all...

[@caramel9600]

In the studies that showed chimps being better than humans at remembering patterns, the humans were western educated professionals. We should add data from hunter gatherers, who don't store so much of their knowledge in external devices and rely much more on their spatial memory capabilities for their livelihood.

[@koreyhelms6857]

Love the show fam

[@luigicudelato]

One of my favorite vests💫💛☀️🌙🌟

[@andypeiffer5]

Why do you guys have 3 or 4 different sets?

[@juanitadurand2518]

Please bring dr Wrangham on your show, he can contribute on the subject of primate and human primate connection. I heard that he has written books on the subject that seems worthy of perusal.

[@Ninja-jq7zq]

Mr Neil Tyson.. if you read this.. serioisly i See all the bookes behind you. Can you Really Remember all them books? I cant ever seem to Remember what i read. Love from Denmark

[@skybluebeats1175]

Yes

[@lisatwitchell403]

Football should be called pigskin war.

[@chrissy1997]

Less shopping districts, more preserving habitats

[@whatmadeitsogood151]

Very intresting

[@alainmaitre2069]

Jesus your favorite ? Favouritism leads to conflicts . KZbin Jiddu Krishnamurti talks at the united nations 1985

[@whatmadeitsogood151]

@@alainmaitre2069 ...

[@janusatthegate6201]

The seeds break down and are viable only after going through the digestive system.

[@thedahkterizzin8831]

This is great and I'm a huge fan but those guys need to be more patient and stop interrupting the expert they invited to the show. That way more expert knowledge could get dispersed to the masses more efficiently.

[@rolandgilead8493]

Armball!👍

[@MrSilverPants68]

She talks fast

[@cristiangdc618]

Well gotta speak fast if your hosts are interrupting you every 20 seconds. I’m glad she does; she manages to throw a lot more info before she gets interrupted again either by Neil or Chuck.

[@Starfals]

@tommy aronson Or she really drank a couple of coffeeeees before the show lol.

[@princeedmunddukeofedinburg]

@@Starfals or maybe some heavy drugs?

[@mhchx3]

It's not that we are animals like apes, it's apes that are human like us. What humans did and still do to other apes is a tragedy on every level.

[@achrafabouras2118]

13:50 - 13:55 why can't she say lifetime? I've never seen Neil restrict word usage before. What's going on?

[@daniellundberg2875]

On the thing with turn chimps into humans "That just sounds like slavery with extra steps" :D

[@mtbee9641]

Re Speciation: Humans 'were' starting to speciate (Australian Aboriginal, Asian and Inuit are good examples). Now that humans can travel and intermingle across the globe the gene pool has become one large pool and while Evolution is still acting, speciation will not occur unless there is isolation between groups.

[@terrysullivan1992]

True, but speciation is just an example of evolution and evolution is not always better just different. One could say there isn't really speciation in humans because we can, and do , mate with any other humans and produce viable fertile humans. The process and rate of mutation has not changed but it's manifestation is far more obfuscated and diluted. I would suggest that there has been a major mutation in humans that differentiates certain areas of critical thinking

[@mtbee9641]

@@terrysullivan1992 My point was that we 'were' changing between the different groups until the isolation ended between those groups. The gene pool is becoming mixed with the different traits. Some of these may help certain humans to survive when changes occur in the future. As of now we don't know what changes will help us survive whatever changes happen. As an example, the Plague in Europe killed many and the descendants of those that survived may have some immunity to the disease should it reappear..

[@waleswideman1]

Can someone get ahold of Neil and ask him to help do something about the FAA remote I'd proposed rule making. It will end model aircraft. Neal Armstrong wrote to the AMA that model aircraft was what inspired him to pursue a career in aviation.

[@sah2232]

Was so looking forward to what she had to say. I want to become a primatologist and every time she was making her point or getting excited about something they cut her off with a lame joke.

[@DanSchallerforPOTUS]

I've no idea why there would be another term for herbivore (Plant Eater) when leaves are what giraffes eat and they are herbivores.

[@TrickOrRetreat]

Remarkable woman. Lightning springs to mind 😋

[@vb2388]

“Baboon stole my Bacon 🥓” - Neil deGrasse Tyson (2020)

[@pierrelandry9613]

😂

[@Leftyotism]

Adapt or perish, such is life.

[@Heartbrayk.]

Show is goatlike

[@marksusskind1260]

We need the perspective of other animals to guide us, and vice versa. Let us talk to the animals.