Festival of Imagination: Human Zoo at Warwick

The Human Zoo is a radio programme on BBC Radio 4 about human behaviour, which was recorded live during the festival. Journalist Michael Blastland, in collaboration with the WBS professor of Behavioural Science Nick Chater, explained the main topic of the broadcast: Isn’t everyone a bit like me? How do we imagine other people?

The first guest, Economics Professor Eugenio Proto, commented that you see people see the world though a self-centered biasis. If you are happy, you will have the tendency to think people around you are happy.

Alex Wood, Professor in Psychology in Stirling, added that this behaviour works with anxiety, doing diets or going to the gym. All in all, people influence you and you project yourself onto others was the conclusion reached.

The event went on to discuss people’s behaviours concerning nanotechnology, the dangers of artificial intelligence or extremism, the power of the internet.