= How To Be a Monkey =

A Talk by Matt Z,  at Main Conference


=== Abstract ===

Why did monkeys evolve to be so smart?  We'll explore the latest scientific research, and get into the minds of our non-human primate relatives.

=== Main Description ===

Behavioral ecology is the study of behaviors as evolutionary adaptive responses to environmental pressures.

So what environmental pressures drove the evolution of primate intelligence?  The 3 main hypothesis are 1) the managing the complex relationships in monkeys' social lives, 2) their mental "map making" to keep track of their foods, and 3) eating complex foods, that often take several steps of processing before they can be eaten.

We'll explore some of the scientific research about the minds of monkeys, and I'll tell some of my favorite monkey stories from my time spent researching wild capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica.


=== Speaker ===

Some of you may remember me from the main conference last year -- I'm a biologist, a software dork, silly dancer, and bicycle enthusiast.

2 years ago, I worked as a field assistant collecting scientific data about wild capuchin monkeys.  Now days, I'm working on a website to try to teach people about monkeys and share my experience.
http://winslowhomerday.net  (better domain name coming soon)



---- dataentry signup ----
type_hidden     : Talk
title           : How To Be a Monkey
by              : Matt Z
eventtype       : Main Conference
date            : --
time            : --
email_hidden    : mattpziegler@gmail.com
other_hidden    : No
othname_hidden  : No
projector_hidden: Yes, I need it
tool_hidden	: No, I don't need any tools
toolSpec_hidden	: N.A
else_hidden	: You're beautiful =)
duration	: 50 minutes
abstract_hidden : Why did monkeys evolve to be so smart?  We'll explore the latest scientific research, and get into the minds of our non-human primate relatives.
speaker_hidden  : Some of you may remember me from the main conference last year -- I'm a biologist, a software dork, silly dancer, and bicycle enthusiast.

2 years ago, I worked as a field assistant collecting scientific data about wild capuchin monkeys.  Now days, I'm working on a website to try to teach people about monkeys and share my experience.
http://winslowhomerday.net  (better domain name coming soon)

descript_hidden : A Talk by Matt Z, 

----