Robert Sapolsky: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

Dr. Sapolsky spoke at Stanford on October 24, 2017. He is the author of several works of nonfiction, including "A Primate's Memoir," "The Trouble with Testosterone," "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," and his most recent book "Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst." He is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius award. He teaches one of the most popular classes at Stanford.

[clailonto]

The day I found this guy, was the day having Internet has finally paid off.

[NRd]

I'm so glad so many of his courses and lectures were filmed and posted freely to the public.

[claudes.whitacre]

"Free will is the biology that we haven't discovered yet". Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. A gifted instructor.

[georgegeorgakilas]

Insane amounts of knowledge packed into this man's beautiful brain.

[lindseylim]

Thank you Stanford U, this is the epitomy of free education. Thank you Youtube and internet for making it possible. And so much respect to this inspiring educator.

[gregswanson]

I highly recommend his book 'A Primate's Memoir'. I read it about 30 years ago, and have not read a better book since. It's stunningly good.

[andsoon..]

He has a cadence to his voice the feels melodious to me and easy to listen, comprehend and follow

[DJJonPattrsn]

I wish that during high school I had some idea that professors like this one existed in universities!

[Emdooey]

I am surrounded by, as a lot probably are, family and friends who tend to think in terms of black and white. Politics, religion, tons of different subjects, they have their rigid views and rarely, if ever, change them or even expand them to include any other viewpoints. I have, for as long as I can remember, always wanted to know the whys are wherefores of behaviors, while being told “who cares?” by anyone else I might be talking to about any particular subject. Finding this guy all these years later has absolutely quenched all of my curiosity and answered all of my questions-including many I didn’t even know I had-and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to listen to him. I’m joining others in expressing my thanks to Stanford, Youtube, and most importantly the professor in coming together to make this possible for all of us. ❤️

[SocraticMethodGuy]

Robert is a man among men... proof of our potential to evolve beyond violence and coercion. If aliens came down to visit, I wouldn't mind if Sapolsky was our representative.

[mvhvceb]

As a child I also had retribution-fueled fantasies against people I thought were horrible. I love how he started his presentation.

[julieearp]

I’m reading all the comments to this video and it gives me hope for humanity. We all love him. We need a get together where like minds can meet.Instead of being around a bunch of friends that don’t ever think about this stuff.

[uniquechannelnames]

This was one of the most epic talks of all time. Taking a split second of an action by a human and breaking down the genetic and non-genetic factors that lead to that specific action, from the split second to genes and such handed from from hundreds of thousands of years. Just fucking incredible.

[MrSaemichlaus]

He'd be a good rapper. He never stops and it all makes sense.

[PueMonTen]

I love Roberts conferences. I was taking notes alongside and pausing to go over, and after about an hour and a half of replaying, listening, and writing down... I realized I was still only 26 minutes into this hour-long talk. Every lecture is a reservoir of information, thank you for posting!

[kimbarrett]

I watch Professor Sapolsky lectures on a regular basis. He ties so many subjects in on one topic, and more. He's insightful, informative, and delightful to listen too. Love this guy.

[superchef]

The most articulate professor I’ve ever heard. Great public speaker and does a good job of simplifying for the public.

[debarshiroy]

This man is an institution. Every lecture has some wealth of wisdom. Thank you

[diestudentin]

Oh God. What a gifted man. What a gift to be able to listen to him just with a click.

[geuoryb]

I could listen to this man speak all day, on any subject. He easily connects with his audience, speaks with an inviting cadence and is supremely knowledgeable yet unpretentious.