• Spotlight 2024 - Dylan Wilmeth, Bedrock
    May 1 2024

    Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.

    This episode, we’re joined by Dylan Wilmeth, host of Bedrock: Earth’s Earliest History!

    Find Dylan’s podcast here: https://www.bedrockpodcast.com/

    Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 190 - Cicadas
    Apr 28 2024

    Cicadas are among the most famous insects in the world, and in summer 2024, they’re set to put on quite a show in North America! This episode, we explore the function and evolution of cicadas’ most famous features, including their notoriously loud calls and their incredible life cycles, and we’ll take a peek into the past at the fossil record of cicadas and their ancient cousins.

    In the news: giant snakes, big kangaroos, dinosaur amino acids, and echolocation tissues.

    Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:03:45 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:39:35 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:18:50 Patron question: 02:00:30

    Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org

    Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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    2 hrs and 13 mins
  • Silver Screen Science - Jaws
    Apr 24 2024

    It’s a new series of Silver Screen Science! As usual, we’re discussing how science is portrayed on the big screen, this time with a new theme: Sharks!

    It’s a series about shark movies, so how could we skip the most famous and influential shark film of all time? – Jaws.

    Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Silver Screen Science - Deep Blue Sea
    Apr 17 2024

    It’s a new series of Silver Screen Science! As usual, we’re discussing how science is portrayed on the big screen, this time with a new theme: Sharks!

    This time, we’re exploring the monster sharks and suspicious science of a 90s shark classic – Deep Blue Sea.

    Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

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    55 mins
  • Episode 189 - Dromaeosaurs
    Apr 14 2024

    This group of predatory dinosaurs includes such famous names as Deinonychus, Microraptor, and Velociraptor, and they’re among the most well-studied and popular dinosaurs of all time. This episode, we’ll discuss what sets these dinosaurs apart, as well the much-discussed and -debated questions surrounding their relationships to birds, their distinctive claws and wings, and their hunting strategies.

    In the news: ant-mimic spiders, fishapod spinal column, early dinosaur growth, and a fossil tapeworm.

    Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:20 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:33:00 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:13:50 Patron question: 02:22:05

    Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Links mentioned in the announcements: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/ Jewish Voice For Peace: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org

    Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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    2 hrs and 34 mins
  • Silver Screen Science - Meg 2: The Trench
    Apr 10 2024

    It’s a new series of Silver Screen Science! As usual, we’re discussing how science is portrayed on the big screen, this time with a new theme: Sharks!

    This episode, we’re examining the newest installment in the film series about giant monster ancient sharks – Meg 2: The Trench.

    Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Spotlight 2024 - James, Amanda, and Curtis, Palaeo After Dark
    Apr 3 2024

    Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.

    It’s episode two, and our guests are the hosts of Palaeo After Dark: James, Amanda, and Curtis!

    Find Palaeo After Dark at their website: www.palaeoafterdark.com

    Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Episode 188 - Cannibalism
    Mar 31 2024

    An animal eating another member of its own species might sound like a rare and abnormal occurrence – and it is often portrayed that way – but cannibalism is actually extremely widespread and common in nature. Some animals are occasional cannibals, while some go so far as to rely on this behavior to fuel proper growth and development. In this episode, we’ll discuss some of the varieties of cannibalism, explore how this behavior has been misunderstood and misconstrued in the past, and investigate some evidence from the fossil record.

    In the news: toothless Cretaceous birds, giant river dolphins, Alaska dinosaurs, and Kermit the temnospondyl.

    Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00| News: 00:05:50 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:29:30 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:16:45 Patron question: 02:09:15

    Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

    Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

    What's The "T" Stand For?: A Let's Learn-A-Saurus Book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYZJ1QLR

    Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

    We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

    Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

    The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

    Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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    2 hrs and 21 mins