Ep 76: Glenn Geher, Ph.D. | Built for the Stone Age, Living in the Digital Age

Glenn Geher, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he has received SUNY Chancellor Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service. In addition to teaching a wide range of psychology courses and directing the New Paltz Evolutionary Psychology Lab, Glenn serves as the founding director of the campus's Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program and is credited as the founder of the NorthEastern Evolutionary Psychology Society (NEEPS). He has authored several influential books, including Evolutionary Psychology 101, Mating Intelligence Unleashed: The Role of the Mind in Sex, Dating, and Love, Straightforward Statistics, and Own Your Psychology Major! In Darwin's Subterranean World: Evolution, Mind, and Mating Intelligence, Glenn explores fundamental questions about the human condition through an evolutionary lens. In this insightful conversation, Glenn Geher shares his expertise in evolutionary psychology to examine how modern society often diverges from the conditions under which humans evolved. The discussion explores the concept of evolutionary mismatch in modern life, illustrating it through vivid examples such as processed foods, the active lifestyles of nomadic societies, and contemporary educational systems that may not align with natural learning patterns. The conversation highlights the unintended consequences of modern technology—including social media, smartphones, and AI—and emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior within its evolutionary context. The episode also offers insights into educational innovations, such as Montessori and Sudbury models, that attempt to address mismatches between traditional schooling and natural developmental needs. Glenn provides a thoughtful exploration of the ethical and practical challenges posed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, including concerns about cognition, learning, and societal impact. Additionally, the discussion touches on the economic implications of mismatched systems, including issues of accessibility and inequality, and considers how evolutionary psychology can inform our understanding of health, behavior, and broader societal systems. Overall, the conversation examines the powerful influence of technology, social media, and AI on human behavior while reflecting on how aligning modern systems with evolutionary principles may help address contemporary challenges and shape a healthier future. Checkout Dr Geher's work at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/glenn-geher-phd https://sites.google.com/view/newpaltzevolutionarypsychlab/home https://faculty.newpaltz.edu/glenngeher