New Normal | Radiolab

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab titled “New Normal,” the concept of change is explored through three intriguing stories. From studying stress in wild baboons to the transformation of a small town mayor and the domestication of animals, these stories challenge the idea that certain behaviors and traits are ingrained and unchangeable. Join Radiolab as they delve into the possibilities of individual choice challenging destiny.

Main Takeaways

The Power of Individual Choice

• Three stories in this episode explore the idea of individual choice challenging destiny.
• Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky studies stress and its effects on the body by observing wild baboons in East Africa’s Serengeti.
• Sapolsky’s troop of baboons experienced a shift in behavior after a TB outbreak, showcasing the potential for change.
• New male baboons joining Sapolsky’s troop learned that aggression was not the only way to gain respect.
• Females play a key role in changing male behavior through early grooming.
• Stu Rasmussen, the first openly transgender mayor in the US, challenges traditional gender roles in a small town.
• Stu’s gradual transformation from painting his nails to breast augmentation shows the power of personal choice.
• Despite opposition, Stu’s story inspires others struggling with their own gender issues.
• Humans have the potential to self-domesticate and become more cooperative and tolerant.

Studying Stress and Change in Baboons

• Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky studies stress and its effects on the body by observing wild baboons in East Africa’s Serengeti.
• Baboons are a perfect source of data as they are always under stress due to their highly aggressive, male-dominated hierarchical society.
• A troop of baboons discovered a garbage dump near a tourist lodge and shifted their entire behavior to feed on it, leading to conflicts with other troops.
• The males in Sapolsky’s troop groomed each other after a TB outbreak, showcasing unexpected and rare behavior.
• New male baboons joining a troop can learn non-aggressive behavior from females through early grooming.
• The peaceful culture observed in Sapolsky’s baboon troop challenges the belief that aggression is ingrained in baboon nature.

The Transformation of a Small Town Mayor

• Stu Rasmussen, an upstanding member of Silverton, Oregon, became the first openly transgender mayor in the US.
• Stu’s gradual transformation challenged traditional gender roles in a small, conservative town.
• Despite opposition, Stu’s election as mayor highlights the potential for change in unexpected places.
• Stu’s story has inspired many struggling with their own gender issues and has helped validate their own lives.
• Stu’s passing in November 2021 is a loss to many who found hope and inspiration in his story.

The Domestication of Animals

• Dmitry Belayev’s experiment on domesticated foxes showcases the potential for rapid change in animals.
• By selectively breeding foxes based on their friendliness towards humans, the foxes went from wild and ferocious to licking humans’ faces in just 10 years.
• The domestication process unintentionally led to physical changes in the foxes, such as floppy ears and curly tails.
• Humans have also experienced similar changes through self-domestication, favoring cooperation and tolerance.
• As the earth becomes more crowded, humans may continue to self-domesticate to adapt to living in larger groups.

Summary

Challenging Destiny: The Power of Individual Choice

Through the stories of wild baboons and the transformation of a small town mayor, Radiolab explores the idea that individual choice can challenge destiny. Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky’s study of stress in baboons reveals that their behavior can change, even in highly aggressive and hierarchical societies. New male baboons joining Sapolsky’s troop learn non-aggressive behavior through early grooming by females. Similarly, Stu Rasmussen’s gradual transformation challenges traditional gender roles in a conservative town, showcasing the power of personal choice. These stories inspire hope that humans can also challenge ingrained behaviors and traits.

The Potential for Change: Studying Stress and Change in Baboons

Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky’s study of stress in wild baboons reveals that their behavior can change, contrary to the belief that aggression is ingrained in their nature. A troop of baboons shifting their behavior to feed on a garbage dump showcases the potential for change. The males in Sapolsky’s troop exhibit rare grooming behavior after a TB outbreak, challenging the notion of fixed aggression. New males joining the troop learn non-aggressive behavior from females through early grooming. While the peaceful culture observed in Sapolsky’s baboon troop is promising, its permanence is uncertain.

Unlikely Transformation: The Journey of a Small Town Mayor

Stu Rasmussen’s transformation from an upstanding member of a small town to the first openly transgender mayor in the US highlights the potential for change in unexpected places. Stu’s gradual transition challenges traditional gender roles and inspires others struggling with their own gender issues. Despite opposition, Stu’s story showcases the power of personal choice and the impact it can have on a community. However, the future of the town’s peaceful culture is uncertain, and Stu’s passing in November 2021 is a loss to many who found hope and inspiration in his story.

Rapid Change: The Domestication of Animals

Dmitry Belayev’s experiment on domesticated foxes demonstrates the potential for rapid change in animals. Selective breeding based on friendliness towards humans led to significant behavioral and physical changes in just 10 years. Humans have also experienced similar changes through self-domestication, favoring cooperation and tolerance. As the earth becomes more crowded, humans may continue to self-domesticate to adapt to living in larger groups. The domestication of animals and humans challenges the idea that certain behaviors and traits are fixed and unchangeable.

Conclusion

The stories shared in this episode of Radiolab challenge the notion that certain behaviors and traits are ingrained and unchangeable. From studying stress in wild baboons to the transformation of a small town mayor and the domestication of animals, these stories highlight the power of individual choice and the potential for change. Humans have the capacity to challenge destiny and self-domesticate, favoring cooperation and tolerance. As the world evolves, the hope is that individuals and societies can continue to embrace change and create a new normal.