Picture this: You’re at a pretend tea party, but instead of sitting across from toddlers in tiaras, you’re clinking cups with Kanzi—an ape with the incredible ability to communicate with humans. NPR science correspondent Nate Rott talked to some scientists who did exactly that. But these scientists weren’t just having pretend tea parties with Kanzi for fun, they were trying to test the limits of his imagination – because humans’ ability to play out “pretend” scenarios in our heads and guess at the potential consequences of our actions is key to how we live our lives. And we might not be the only animals to do it!
For more of Nate’s reporting, plus videos of Kanzi, check out the full story on NPR here. Chris Krupenye’s study can be found here.
If you liked this episode, you might also like our episode on bonobos and the evolution of niceness, and what insights monkeys offer us for the evolution of human speech.
Interested in more science about our brains and their abilities? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2739: Hall
Episode: 2739 Evolution of the Hall from Anglo-Saxon times to the present. Today, a room without a view.
Global News Podcast - Hillary Clinton accuses Trump of Epstein ‘cover up’
Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, and her husband, the former president Bill Clinton, have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. She said the government's behaviour indicated it had something to hide. President Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and says he broke off contact with the convicted sex offender many years ago. Also: Australia's Prime Minister has refused to repatriate a group of Australians in Syria associated with the Islamic State group, saying they could face prosecution if they went back. Ahead of the resumption of indirect talks, President Trump says he believes the Iranians want to make a deal over its nuclear programme, while the foreign ministry in Tehran says the US is moving towards a "more realistic position". Italy laments the loss of one of the Adriatic's most famous landmarks, the rock structure "Lovers' Arch", which collapsed on Valentine's day following days of bad weather. And, the American actor, Robert Duvall, has died aged 95.
Read Me a Poem - “Curtains” by Ruth Stone
Amanda Holmes reads Ruth Stone’s “Curtains.” Have a suggestion for a poem by a (dead) writer? Email us: podcast@theamericanscholar.org. If we select your entry, you’ll win a copy of a poetry collection edited by David Lehman.
This episode was produced by Stephanie Bastek and features the song “Canvasback” by Chad Crouch.
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It Could Happen Here - Canada’s Latest School Shooting: What We Know
Garrison and Lance from The Serfs discuss the online right’s attempt to weaponize the tragedy, misinformation about the shooter’s politics, and how the shooter's online footprint shows a growing obsession with other mass shooters.
https://arctic-shift.photon-reddit.com/search?fun=posts_search&author=jesseboy347&limit=10&sort=desc
https://www.adl.org/resources/article/tumbler-ridge-shooter-had-interest-gore-and-guns
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/world/canada/tumbler-ridge-shooting-suspect-social-media.html
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array(3) { [0]=> string(150) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/78d30acb-8463-4c40-a5ae-ae2d0145c9ff/image.jpg?t=1751824393&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }The Stack Overflow Podcast - Data is the new oil, and your database is the only way to extract it
Ryan sits down with Shireesh Thota, CVP of Azure Databases at Microsoft, to discuss the evolution of databases at Microsoft; Azure’s comprehensive portfolio that includes SQL Server, CosmosDB, and Postgres; and the challenges that come with database architecture, from the importance of cost governance and multi-cloud strategies to the future of databases when it comes to AI.
Episode notes:
You can read all about the latest Azure database announcements from Microsoft Ignite—including updates for SQL Server, Postgres, DocumentDB, and Fabric—on their Azure blog.
Connect with Shireesh on LinkedIn.
Today’s shoutout goes to user Guffa for winning a Populist badge on their answer to Virtual method tables.
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The World in Brief from The Economist - Iran meets nuclear watchdog before talks with America; Rubio endorses Viktor Orban, and more
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, held talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, about his country’s nuclear programme ahead of negotiations with American officials in Geneva on Tuesday.
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Getting Hammered® - #Todayin1776: Washington’s War Council Makes a Fateful Decision
At a meeting of his war councilF eb, 16, 1776,, George Washingon suggests a complex, amphibious assault on Boston on frozen waterways, but the council says "nope." What they decide instead will change the course of the war and the fight for America's freedom.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0229
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PBS News Hour - World - Rubio bolsters Hungary’s far-right leader days after push to mend U.S. ties in Europe
America's top diplomat traveled to Hungary and endorsed that country's far-right prime minister, who is seeking his fifth straight term in office. Viktor Orban has cracked down on the media, civil society and weakened judicial independence in Hungary. He also has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nick Schifrin spoke with two European senior officials to get their reaction. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
PBS News Hour - Art Beat - Remembering Robert Duvall and his storied career
One of Hollywood's most memorable legends, Robert Duvall, has died. The Academy Award winner enjoyed a long and storied career, carving out a lane as both an unorthodox leading man and a supporting player in some of the greatest films in movie history. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy