Zoe Kean is particularly interested in evolution, humanity and survival. She’s also intrigued by ‘evolutionary paradoxes’ in animals – those curious things that, at first glance, seem like they should not have evolved. Why Are We Like This? asks lots of questions about evolutionary science so that we might better understand our present situation of life on Earth. So why do we care? (Which is the name of one of the book’s chapters.)
Why Are We Like This? features stories grounded in science and logic. The book feels like a light, enjoyable conversation with a bright, social, and in-the-know scientist. I particularly liked the popular cultural references throughout. Kean’s personable, chatty approach is well suited to exploring a range of big, complex topics, from our human tendency to care for other living things to the practical mechanics of having sex, the emotional aspects of romance, sex roles and the sheer joy of making love. (There are some fantastic and unexpected insights into the evolutionary purpose of the clitoris and its role in collective human survival, as well as why this valuable organ has traditionally been ignored by scientific research.)
The ideas explored in the ‘Why do we sleep?’ chapter around so-called ‘wake-bouts’, when people wake for a short time and then return to sleep, are thought-provoking. These ideas are significant when thinking of ancient humans, collectively huddled around a fire at night, protecting each other by ensuring that someone was alert and looking out for the tribe. (You might like to ponder this at 3:15 am.)
The mysterious territories of cancer, ageing, the desire for alcohol, and our need for sleep are explored with a similar approach.
Why Are We Like This? is profound, philosophical and insightful within science’s sensible and reliable parameters.
Reviewed by Mark Parry
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I spend my time observing the universe and sharing my wonder for it by telling science stories.
As an award-winning science writer with a focus on evolution, ecology, and the environment, you can find my words in The Guardian (UK and Australia), the ABC, The Best Australian Science Writing 2022, The Best Australian Science Writing 2023, Cosmos Magazine, the Tasmanian Inquirer and the BBC. I am currently writing my upcoming book “Why are we like this?” and am a radio producer for ABC Radio Hobart.
Love for science cannot be contained to the page, I also give talks, make science TikTok videos and regularly appear on live radio.
My writing and radio skills were honed with the best at the ABC Science Unit as the Darren Osborne Region Science Cadet (2019).
I was the Assistant Director of The Beaker Street Festival in its first two years (2017, 2018). This bizarre and wonderful science festival is constantly creating new ways to share science with the community.
In 2023 I was awarded in the Science, Technology and Environment category in the MEAA Tasmanian Media Awards and in 2022 I was named the MEAA Tasmanian Freelance Journalist of the year.
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