Books
Humanish
Anthropomorphism is the human tendency to attribute human-like thoughts, feelings, and intentions to non-human things. It’s a cognitive bias baked into the human mind that distorts our view of the world. But it doesn’t just affect our understanding of animals. Anthropomorphism impacts our relationship to all living things, as well as inanimate objects (like AI), and natural phenomena (like hurricanes). It’s perhaps one of the most powerful cognitive biases influencing our thoughts, but it’s rarely talked about. It’s time to change that.
In this groundbreaking book, bestselling science writer Justin Gregg takes readers on a journey through the science behind our peculiar tendency to humanize the nonhuman. Prepare to be amazed as Gregg unveils a world filled with emotional support alligators, a woman who married her briefcase, and Soviet super babies that drink dolphin milk. With a delightful mix of scientific insight and humor, this comprehensive exploration delves into the bizarre ways we engage in anthropomorphism. Each chapter is a treasure-trove of quirky stories and fascinating research, unraveling the reasons behind our instinct to see ourselves in the creatures around us.
Gregg explores why we treat pets like people, how anthropomorphism drives consumerism, and the inverse process, dehumanization. Readers will come away with a better understanding of the biological benefits to anthropomorhism, how our lives are enriched by it, and how to harness it to create healthier relationships.
Humanish is a crash course in anthropomorphism and an engaging exploration of the human experience, told through a comedic lens that will resonate with anyone who has ever whispered sweet nothings to their dog or imagined their cat plotting world domination.
Coming September 24, 2025
If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal
This funny, "extraordinary and thought-provoking" (The Wall Street Journal) book asks whether we are in fact the superior species. As it turns out, the truth is stranger—and far more interesting—than we have been led to believe.
If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal overturns everything we thought we knew about human intelligence, and asks the question: would humans be better off as narwhals? Or some other, less brainy species? There’s a good argument to be made that humans might be a less successful animal species precisely because of our amazing, complex intelligence.
All our unique gifts like language, math, and science do not make us happier or more “successful” (evolutionarily speaking) than other species. Our intelligence allowed us to split the atom, but we’ve harnessed that knowledge to make machines of war. We are uniquely susceptible to bullshit (though, cuttlefish may be the best liars in the animal kingdom); our bizarre obsession with lawns has contributed to the growing threat of climate change; we are sexually diverse like many species yet stand apart as homophobic; and discriminate among our own as if its natural, which it certainly is not. Is our intelligence more of a curse than a gift?
As scientist Justin Gregg persuasively argues, there’s an evolutionary reason why human intelligence isn’t more prevalent in the animal kingdom. Simply put, non-human animals don’t need it to be successful. And, miraculously, their success arrives without the added baggage of destroying themselves and the planet in the process. In seven mind-bending and hilarious chapters, Gregg highlights one feature seemingly unique to humans—our use of language, our rationality, our moral systems, our so-called sophisticated consciousness—and compares it to our animal brethren. Along the way, remarkable tales of animal smarts emerge, as you’ll discover:
The house cat who’s better at picking winning stocks than actual fund managers
Elephants who love to drink
Pigeons who are better than radiologists at spotting cancerous tissue
Bumblebees who are geniuses at teaching each other soccer
What emerges is both demystifying and remarkable, and will change how you look at animals, humans, and the meaning of life itself.
San Francisco Chronicle bestseller • BOOKRIOT Best Books of the Year • Next Big Idea Book Club Best Science Books of the Year
“A dazzling, delightful read on what animal cognition can teach us about our own mental shortcomings.” —Adam Grant
“I love the book, and everyone should read it.” —Ryan Holiday
"Undeniably entertaining." —The New York Times
Are Dolphins Really Smart?
Are Dolphins Really Smart? provides a highly critical look at the popular myths about dolphin intelligence and behaviour. Justin Gregg presents the latest scientific findings, highlighting the clash between scientific fact and pseudoscience. Incorporating the latest research, this is important reading for all interested in animal behaviour.
How intelligent are dolphins? Is their communication system really as complex as human language? And are they as friendly and peaceful as they are made out to be? The Western world has had an enduring love affair with dolphins since the early 1960s, with fanciful claims of their ‘healing powers’ and ‘super intelligence’. Myths and pseudoscience abound on the subject. Justin Gregg weighs up the claims made about dolphin intelligence and separates scientific fact from fiction. He puts our knowledge about dolphin behaviour and intelligence into perspective, with comparisons to scientific studies of other animals, especially the crow family and great apes. He gives fascinating accounts of the challenges of testing what an animal with flippers and no facial expressions might be thinking. Presenting the results of the latest research in animal behaviour, Gregg challenges many of the widespread beliefs about dolphins, while also inspiring the reader with the remarkable abilities common to many of the less glamorized animals around us – such as chickens.
This book is a masterpiece of popular science writing and a contender for my book of the year. Although Justin Gregg challenges some preconceptions in Are Dolphins Really Smart?, it’s a testament to his skill as a writer that none of the cetaceans’ lustre wears off. -Mark Greener, Fortean Times
Are Dolphins Really Smart? will be my go-to book of recommendation when someone asks me this question, and members of the public often do. The logic and writing are superb, the flow is easy enough to be read by bright inquisitive teenagers, and yet detailed and insightful enough for seasoned behavioral researchers. Open-minded readers will come away with a heightened understanding of dolphin behaviors and capabilities, and a renewed respect for marvelous animals among all of the marvelous biota around us. -Bernd Würsig, Marine Biology, Texas A&M University
Twenty-Two Fantastical Facts about Dolphins
Dolphin researcher Justin Gregg dives deep into the scientific wonders of one the world’s most-loved animals to bring you this collection of fascinating dolphin trivia. Twenty-Two Fantastical Facts about Dolphins will delight dolphin aficionados with eyebrow-raising tales, covering topics like: Dolphins use tools, Dolphins don’t sleep, Dolphins eat each other, Dolphins fight in human wars, Dolphins have ears in their jaws, Dolphins call each other by name.