Tim Waring
@twaring.bsky.social
I study the evolution of human culture with a focus on environmental behaviors and institutions and an eye toward helping these become more sustainable on a single, limited planet. https://timwaring.info/
Pinned
Tim Waring
@twaring.bsky.social
· Sep 15
🚨 Excited to share a new paper 📃, years in the making, with Zach Wood.
We propose that human evolution is characterized as an Evolutionary Transition in Inheritance and Individuality (ETII).
Explainer and OA paper below:
We propose that human evolution is characterized as an Evolutionary Transition in Inheritance and Individuality (ETII).
Explainer and OA paper below:
Reposted by Tim Waring
This results in what is commonly called Vavilovian mimicry, after Vavilov, the botanist who first proposed it. You'll also sometimes see these plants referred to as secondary crops.
Some of these mimics eventually became intentionally cultivated crops in their own right.
Some of these mimics eventually became intentionally cultivated crops in their own right.
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
This results in what is commonly called Vavilovian mimicry, after Vavilov, the botanist who first proposed it. You'll also sometimes see these plants referred to as secondary crops.
Some of these mimics eventually became intentionally cultivated crops in their own right.
Some of these mimics eventually became intentionally cultivated crops in their own right.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Looking for #culturalevolution methods advice. We will run a survey to estimate the degree and nature of #sociallearning in a local population (a US country).
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
January 25, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Looking for #culturalevolution methods advice. We will run a survey to estimate the degree and nature of #sociallearning in a local population (a US country).
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Looking for #culturalevolution methods advice. We will run a survey to estimate the degree and nature of #sociallearning in a local population (a US country).
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
January 25, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Looking for #culturalevolution methods advice. We will run a survey to estimate the degree and nature of #sociallearning in a local population (a US country).
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Are there any standard survey instruments or social psychology scales for this?
I can find only partly relevant stuff. Please help!
Reposted by Tim Waring
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it's time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
bit.ly
January 23, 2026 at 10:00 PM
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it's time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Maybe Greenland could invade us instead?
January 20, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Maybe Greenland could invade us instead?
Reposted by Tim Waring
Great idea.
All businesses should post this.
All businesses should post this.
January 18, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Great idea.
All businesses should post this.
All businesses should post this.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Deutsche Bank here with the good stuff.
Game on.
Game on.
January 18, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Deutsche Bank here with the good stuff.
Game on.
Game on.
Reposted by Tim Waring
This post reminds me of the Q&A I did recently with @twaring.bsky.social about an evolutionary transition in humans, though I don't recall discussing artifacts in our chat.
Would language count as an artifact? I'm thinking about oral histories etc. that passed down knowledge long before texts.
Would language count as an artifact? I'm thinking about oral histories etc. that passed down knowledge long before texts.
The individual isn't what it used to be
Tim Waring thinks human evolution is shifting from genetic and individual to cultural and collective
www.reviewertoo.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:34 AM
This post reminds me of the Q&A I did recently with @twaring.bsky.social about an evolutionary transition in humans, though I don't recall discussing artifacts in our chat.
Would language count as an artifact? I'm thinking about oral histories etc. that passed down knowledge long before texts.
Would language count as an artifact? I'm thinking about oral histories etc. that passed down knowledge long before texts.
Our collection on Decision-making in structured groups in npj Complexity is open and accepting manuscripts through May!
It's a broad call, covering anything from animal societies to human social systems of all sorts.
Learn more:
www.nature.com/collections/...
It's a broad call, covering anything from animal societies to human social systems of all sorts.
Learn more:
www.nature.com/collections/...
Decision-making in Structured Groups: from animal societies to human governance
This collection hopes stimulate new dialogues and translational efforts, to fully capture the rich diversity of ways collectives solve complex problems in ...
www.nature.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Our collection on Decision-making in structured groups in npj Complexity is open and accepting manuscripts through May!
It's a broad call, covering anything from animal societies to human social systems of all sorts.
Learn more:
www.nature.com/collections/...
It's a broad call, covering anything from animal societies to human social systems of all sorts.
Learn more:
www.nature.com/collections/...
Excited for the new Transmissions episode on ASU's Sarah Mathew on how human warfare evolved, and her fieldwork in Kenya.
Watch here:
youtu.be/eUqEcxf5uBQ?...
New Episodes monthly! Created by @ferylbadiani.bsky.social and @ahnisnaahsi.bsky.social
CC: @arizonastateuni.bsky.social
Watch here:
youtu.be/eUqEcxf5uBQ?...
New Episodes monthly! Created by @ferylbadiani.bsky.social and @ahnisnaahsi.bsky.social
CC: @arizonastateuni.bsky.social
Transmissions Episode 2 with Dr Sarah Matthew
YouTube video by Cultural Evolution Society
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Excited for the new Transmissions episode on ASU's Sarah Mathew on how human warfare evolved, and her fieldwork in Kenya.
Watch here:
youtu.be/eUqEcxf5uBQ?...
New Episodes monthly! Created by @ferylbadiani.bsky.social and @ahnisnaahsi.bsky.social
CC: @arizonastateuni.bsky.social
Watch here:
youtu.be/eUqEcxf5uBQ?...
New Episodes monthly! Created by @ferylbadiani.bsky.social and @ahnisnaahsi.bsky.social
CC: @arizonastateuni.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Waring
This month's paper roundup is live!
This time around we've got 2D billiards that can compute, an atmosphere that shouldn't exist, a Roman construction site, and more.
Check it out here: www.reviewertoo.com/paper-roundu... 🧪
This time around we've got 2D billiards that can compute, an atmosphere that shouldn't exist, a Roman construction site, and more.
Check it out here: www.reviewertoo.com/paper-roundu... 🧪
Paper Roundup December 2025: computing billiards, an impossible atmosphere, and Roman constructions
Papers on big questions at the frontiers of science, curated by hand each month
www.reviewertoo.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM
This month's paper roundup is live!
This time around we've got 2D billiards that can compute, an atmosphere that shouldn't exist, a Roman construction site, and more.
Check it out here: www.reviewertoo.com/paper-roundu... 🧪
This time around we've got 2D billiards that can compute, an atmosphere that shouldn't exist, a Roman construction site, and more.
Check it out here: www.reviewertoo.com/paper-roundu... 🧪
Reposted by Tim Waring
Rep. Suozzi Confronts Deplorable Jan 6 Rioters, Minneapolis Mayor Tells ICE To “Get The F**k Out,” and Rep. Kelly Leads Charge To Impeach Kristi Noem
Rep. Suozzi Confronts Deplorable Jan 6 Rioters, Minneapolis Mayor Tells ICE To ‘Get The F**k Out,’ and Rep. Kelly Leads Charge To Impeach Kristi Noem
Fighting back on every front
www.dworkinsubstack.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Rep. Suozzi Confronts Deplorable Jan 6 Rioters, Minneapolis Mayor Tells ICE To “Get The F**k Out,” and Rep. Kelly Leads Charge To Impeach Kristi Noem
Reposted by Tim Waring
Some 15 years ago my colleague Parry Clarke said to me, "Dude stop complaining and write your own stats book!" So I did. It definitely changed my life, and I'm glad it has had a positive impact on others.
One of my aims at the time was to make sure we can show this relationship in simulated data, inspired by
@rmcelreath.bsky.social's approach to statistics. Statistical Rethinking is a life-changing book, this paper wouldn't be the way it is now without it. Very grateful to McElreath!
@rmcelreath.bsky.social's approach to statistics. Statistical Rethinking is a life-changing book, this paper wouldn't be the way it is now without it. Very grateful to McElreath!
January 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Some 15 years ago my colleague Parry Clarke said to me, "Dude stop complaining and write your own stats book!" So I did. It definitely changed my life, and I'm glad it has had a positive impact on others.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Just in case you need a visual: xkcd.com/1379/
4.5 Degrees
xkcd.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Just in case you need a visual: xkcd.com/1379/
Reposted by Tim Waring
Wikipedia is truly one of the greatest things on the Internet. It is absolutely incredible, and must be preserved at all costs.
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Wikipedia is truly one of the greatest things on the Internet. It is absolutely incredible, and must be preserved at all costs.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Reposted by Tim Waring
Remember the 1920s when nobody was left-handed
December 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Remember the 1920s when nobody was left-handed
Reposted by Tim Waring
I am ecstatic about the implications that large models have on the viability of generative grammar and the linguistic turn, and yet I am able to maintain a critical perspective on the tech industry. It's not that hard.
December 22, 2025 at 6:23 AM
I am ecstatic about the implications that large models have on the viability of generative grammar and the linguistic turn, and yet I am able to maintain a critical perspective on the tech industry. It's not that hard.
Reposted by Tim Waring
Cultural Evolution (Methods) paper alert 🚨
🎉🍾 very excited to see this out before 2025 ends doi.org/10.1111/2041... with Will Hoppitt in @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social. This paper is an overview of our new R package STbayes, a user-friendly toolkit for performing Bayesian NBDA analyses. @cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social
STbayes: An R package for creating, fitting and understanding Bayesian models of social transmission
A critical consequence of joining social groups is the possibility of social transmission of information related to novel behaviours or resources. Network-based diffusion analysis (NBDA) has emerg...
doi.org
December 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Cultural Evolution (Methods) paper alert 🚨
Reposted by Tim Waring
Thanks, @nautil.us for including my book Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer in your top 10 must reads to ring in the new year!
nautil.us/the-nautilus...
nautil.us/the-nautilus...
The Nautilus Winter Reading List 2025
The Nautilus Winter Reading List 2025: Ten books we loved to start your new year off right.
nautil.us
December 20, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Thanks, @nautil.us for including my book Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer in your top 10 must reads to ring in the new year!
nautil.us/the-nautilus...
nautil.us/the-nautilus...
Reposted by Tim Waring
🎉🍾 very excited to see this out before 2025 ends doi.org/10.1111/2041... with Will Hoppitt in @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social. This paper is an overview of our new R package STbayes, a user-friendly toolkit for performing Bayesian NBDA analyses. @cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social
STbayes: An R package for creating, fitting and understanding Bayesian models of social transmission
A critical consequence of joining social groups is the possibility of social transmission of information related to novel behaviours or resources. Network-based diffusion analysis (NBDA) has emerg...
doi.org
December 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
🎉🍾 very excited to see this out before 2025 ends doi.org/10.1111/2041... with Will Hoppitt in @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social. This paper is an overview of our new R package STbayes, a user-friendly toolkit for performing Bayesian NBDA analyses. @cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Waring
Happy 100th birthday to Dick Van Dyke!
December 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Happy 100th birthday to Dick Van Dyke!
Reposted by Tim Waring
And in the meantime, check out my last Q&A with @twaring.bsky.social on the tensions between genes and culture and individuals and groups in human evolution — and why he thinks we might be headed in the direction of more collective, cultural evolution.
The individual isn't what it used to be
Tim Waring thinks human evolution is shifting from genetic and individual to cultural and collective
www.reviewertoo.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:24 PM
And in the meantime, check out my last Q&A with @twaring.bsky.social on the tensions between genes and culture and individuals and groups in human evolution — and why he thinks we might be headed in the direction of more collective, cultural evolution.
Reposted by Tim Waring
NSF
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
December 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
NSF
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃