Jesse Bering

Here's the proof

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:28:14 -0500

If I were to tell you that “vaginal vapors” was an actual scientific term, would you have believed me?

The paperback version of The Belief Instinct is out on Monday....

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:51:09 -0500

The paperback version of The Belief Instinct is out on Monday. Read what the critics have said about my first book by clicking here. (Not for the faith of heart.)

Meet Eugene Hoskins from Coldwater, MS. I hope you fall in love...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:23:00 -0500

Meet Eugene Hoskins from Coldwater, MS. I hope you fall in love with him as much as I did.

I’ll be chatting soon with Boyd Matson on National...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:09:43 -0500

I’ll be chatting soon with Boyd Matson on National Geographic Weekend about The Belief Instinct. Stay tuned for details!

“Autistic Savants: Geniuses Of Obscure...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:58:46 -0500

“Autistic Savants: Geniuses Of Obscure Devotions.“ Scientific American BERING IN MIND 02.14.12. (Color postcard. “I.C.R.R. Through University, Miss.” Published by University Store, University, Miss. Circa 1920.)

“I stretched out in the grass, my skull on a large, flat...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:55:00 -0500

“I stretched out in the grass, my skull on a large, flat rock and my eyes staring straight up at the milky way, that strange breach of astral sperm and heavenly urine … My kind of debauchery soils not only my body and my thoughts, but also anything I may conceive in its course, that is to say, the vast starry universe, which merely serves as a backdrop.”

—Georges Bataille (Story of the Eye, 1929)

p.s. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Resurrecting last year’s Valentine’s Day post. Time...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:27:30 -0500

Resurrecting last year’s Valentine’s Day post. Time moves slowly on the wings of limerence.

Happy Darwin Day, everyone. Today’s mutations are...

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:27:03 -0500

Happy Darwin Day, everyone. Today’s mutations are tomorrow’s adaptations. (Well, some of them … others just make people stare.)

Tommy (cat) and Yo-Yo (dog), getting their interspecies play...

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:06:12 -0500

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

Tommy (cat) and Yo-Yo (dog), getting their interspecies play on.

What do you think of the UK cover of “Why Is the Penis...

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:27:15 -0500

What do you think of the UK cover of “Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?” (Doubleday). Yes, I realise I could say something about the “stiff British humour” or about the “hardcover” and how it’s “coming July 19th, 2012” but I like a bit more of a challenge.

I’m trying to imagine this woman doing a voice-over for my...

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:02:05 -0500

I’m trying to imagine this woman doing a voice-over for my next audiobook … phrases like “sassy little bitch” and “power bottom” would dissolve on her gentle tongue like a Communion wafer.

Science: Jesse Bering: Of Penises and Suicides Monday, July 16,...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:38:13 -0500

Science: Jesse Bering: Of Penises and Suicides

Monday, July 16, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00pm

Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street. $5.

Jesse Bering, “the Hunter S. Thompson of science writing,” travels a bold and captivating path through some of the most taboo issues related to evolution and human behavior. In his book Why is the Penis Shaped Like That?, Bering explores the history of cannibalism, the neurology of people who are sexually attracted to animals, what it feels like to want to kill yourself, the evolution of human body fluids, and serious questions about life and death. Presented as part of Seattle Science Lectures, with Pacific Science Center, University Book Store, and Scientific American. Series sponsored by Microsoft. Series media sponsorship provided by KPLU.

Advance tickets are $5 at Brown Paper Tickets or 800/838-3006 and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm.

A tale of homosexuality in 1648 America: “I was in the mill house … and he was with me,...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:22:00 -0500

A tale of homosexuality in 1648 America: “I was in the mill house … and he was with me, and he took me and threw me on the chest, and took hold of my privy parts … told me, if I would let him have one bloo [blow] at my breach he would give me a charge of powder.”

For those who contacted me about a free signed copy of one of the surplus paperbacks of The Belief...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:19:36 -0500

For those who contacted me about a free signed copy of one of the surplus paperbacks of The Belief Instinct (to be released Feb. 20), interest has far exceeded supply, but I’ll get as many out the door — eventually, I can be somewhat sluggish with follow-throughs, but you’ve my word — as I can. Thanks to everyone for your readership and generous support, as always.

This batch of the new paperback edition of The Belief...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:54:23 -0500

This batch of the new paperback edition of The Belief Instinct just arrived and I’m giving away free signed copies to the first 3 readers who contact me with name/mailing address.

Some Advance Praise for Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:19:16 -0500

Including Amy Dickinson, Violet Blue, Christopher Ryan, Paul Bloom and Gordon Gallup

“Natural Theologians Are God’s...

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:42:00 -0500

“Natural Theologians Are God’s Psychoanalysts.” Scientific American BERING IN MIND 01.25.12. (Photo of JBS Haldane 1892-1964)

Attention audiobook connoisseurs: Soon I’ll be in the...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:02:22 -0500

Attention audiobook connoisseurs: Soon I’ll be in the studio recording the audio narration for my new book, Why is the Penis Shaped Like That? (coming in July) with Macmillan Audio. As listeners, what are some of the things you’ve liked and loathed about the particular narrations you’ve purchased before?

“Dear Jesse, I’m an atheistic porn addict.”...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:06:00 -0500

… and through the window.

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:40:47 -0500

… and through the window.