Grass Apes
Summary
Host Molly Webster explores the hidden history of grass, revealing how these plants shaped human evolution and diet. She interviews biologist David George Haskell, who explains how grasslands drove the rise of bipedalism and how grass seeds became the foundation of global agriculture. The episode also highlights the sensory and calming effects of grass on the human body, inviting listeners to reconnect with their "grass ape" ancestry.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: NYU Skurball and Progressive Insurance
Promoting the Radio Lab Fanny Pack and Membership
Introduction: The Grass Story and Horticulturist
Public Reactions to the Question About Grass
David George Haskell: Grass as Human Co-creator
Evolution of Grasslands and Fire Adaptation
Silica in Grass Blades and Animal Digestion
Grass Seeds as Food Source for Ancestors
Grasses as the Foundation of Human Diet
Transition to Grassland Evolution and Bipedalism
Sponsors: Capital One, Telenovela, Audible, Wise
Bipedalism, Foot Sensitivity, and 'Grass Apes'
Sensory Experience: Sound and Aroma of Grass
Closing Reflections and Episode Credits
Staff Credits and Funding Acknowledgments
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