About:

Eli Stark-Elster is a PhD student and early-career scientist studying anthropology and cognitive science, sharing unconventional, unpublishable scientific ideas on human behavior and culture.

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Interests:

Anthropology Cognitive science Human behavior Cultural evolution Cognitive technologies Relationship between cognition and culture

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The post argues that consuming factory-farmed meat is morally equivalent to supporting horrific acts, such as the treatment of animals in factory farms, which the author compares to the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. T...
The blog post discusses the concept of a Universal Tech Tree, inspired by Étienne Fortier-Dubois's Historical Tech Tree, which traces technological evolution. It explores the idea of whether certain technologies would universally ...
The author, an anthropologist, recounts their experience of participating in a traditional Sotho ritual involving the hallucinogenic plant seipone, which is used for divination. Despite initial reluctance, the author undergoes an ...
Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research by automating empirical labor, which may lead to a new focus on theoretical questions and challenge the current publishing system.
The article discusses the transformation of Kenya into a tech hub, dubbed 'Silicon Savannah,' driven by venture capital and the employment of Kenyans by companies like OpenAI for AI training. It highlights the exhausting and low-p...
The article critiques the exaggerated political discourse surrounding trans athletes in sports, particularly focusing on the 'Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.' It highlights the statistical insignificance of trans girl...
A journey to ancient rock art in Zimbabwe reveals profound reflections on existence, loss, and the enduring legacy of artistic expression through time.
The author, Eli Stark-Elster, reflects on the complexities of Jewish identity and morality in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, using the character of Superman as a metaphor. He contrasts the moral philosophy of Sup...
The author discusses a commentary on Dr. Will Gervais's book 'Disbelief,' which explores why many humans believe in supernatural entities despite a lack of evidence. The commentary critiques the idea that social influence is the p...
The article discusses the concept of 'PhD-level intelligence' as claimed by Sam Altman regarding GPT-5, arguing that true intelligence is not merely about technical skills or computational power but about the ability to ask meanin...
The author reflects on a dodgeball tournament held in memory of Micah Parsons, a student who died of an overdose. The narrative explores the author's reaction of laughter during a somber moment, questioning the nature of dark humo...
The post contends that some art is objectively superior due to its capacity to evoke a broader and deeper range of emotional responses, a concept termed 'generativity.'
The post explores the significance of dance rituals among various cultures, particularly the Savanna Pumé tribe in Venezuela and initiation ceremonies in southern Africa. It highlights how these events serve as a means of connecti...
OpenAI's introduction of ads to ChatGPT is controversial, but necessary for funding global access to AI, which benefits underprivileged populations more than those in economically dominant countries.
The post discusses the concept of being 'Dylanesque' in songwriting, particularly in relation to Jesse Welles, a contemporary singer-songwriter. It compares Welles' lyrical style to that of Bob Dylan, highlighting the literary qua...
The modern education system poses a greater threat to youth mental health than social media, as evidenced by rising stress and suicide rates linked to schooling.
The post discusses the stark contrast between the childhood experiences of the BaYaka, a group of nomadic hunter-gatherers in the Congolese rainforests, and Western children, who are increasingly sheltered and reliant on digital s...
The post examines how year-in-review features like Spotify Wrapped reflect our cultural obsession with individuality and the paradox of feeling unique yet conforming to societal norms.
The article discusses the current crisis of masculinity, highlighting issues such as men's mental health, addiction, and societal expectations. It critiques the lack of a clear identity for modern men, contrasting traditional idea...