Why Are We Like This?
An evolutionary search for answers to life's big questions
What can snorkelling at Shark Bay teach us about humanity? Will the secrets of our sex lives be uncovered by stick insects? What do whale societies reveal about kindness? And why did we evolve to spend a third of our life asleep?
Some questions have nipped at humanity’s heels for as long as we’ve been…well, humans. In Why Are We Like This? science journalist Zoe Kean takes us behind the scenes of the evolutionary paradoxes that make up life on this planet. Exploring with scientists, from freezing in Tasmanian sleet to a laboratory of sleeping sharks in North Queensland, we see how these evolutionary mysteries might just uncover the secrets of a better life for humans and the creatures we share the planet with.
The ancient ancestors of life on Earth faced the same challenges we do, so let’s learn a lesson or two about how they dealt with them.
‘Why Are We Like This? is a witty and inquisitive exploration of humans’ place in the web of life. It takes readers on a journey through the history of life on Earth – full of wonder, curiosity and tenderness.’ – Tegan Taylor
‘Evolution is not perfect, just good enough. This book brilliantly guides you through this complexity, showing us how we evolved to be marvellously imperfect. Why do we have sex? Why does cancer happen, why do dogs age and sharks sleep? Read this book, and learned up.’ – Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Zoe Kean lives in lutruwita/Tasmania, an island at the bottom of the world. An award-winning science writer with a focus on evolution, ecology, and the environment, she has published in The Guardian, the ABC online, The Best Australian Science Writing 2022, 2023, and 2024, Cosmos magazine and with the BBC. Zoe honed her writing and radio skills with the best at the ABC Science Unit as the Darren Osborne Regional Science Cadet (2019). Her love for science cannot be contained to the page. Zoe also gives talks, makes science TikTok videos and regularly appears on live radio.
