This week on Live Science forums: AMA on friendliness and evolution

This week, the Live Science forums welcome Vanessa Woods and Brian Hare to the community. 

Their latest book, “Survival of the Friendliest,” focuses on questioning a fundamental assumption in the study of human evolution: What if the survival and progression of the human species is less reliant on fitness … and more on friendliness?

Woods is a research scientist as well as an award-winning author, journalist and member of the Hominoid Psychology Research Group. Hare is a professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke University. 

They’re both fascinated by how we’ve evolved as a species both culturally and cognitively. And, if you’re into that sort of thing, they’ll be on the Live Science forums all week to answer your questions. In the midst of a global pandemic and a society riddled with political fractures, their work suggests that kindness is perhaps more important now than ever. 

Head over to this thread to ask Woods and Hare a question. And, while you’re at it, check out the rest of the forums to discuss the latest science news or share something that’s puzzled you. We’re all about friendliness too.