Nicholas Christakis - Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society

May 18, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Mānoa Campus, John A. Burns School of Medicine 651 Ilalo Street Honolulu, HI 96813

We all know that genes shape the development of our bodies but what about our personalities, relationships, and social structures? In his sweeping new book, Blueprint, Nicholas Christakis argues that human beings are genetically predisposed to enact a suite of pro-social behaviors, including love, friendship, learning, and self-sacrifice. The human animal, he contends, is more programmed to cooperate than compete.

A creative and interdisciplinary researcher, Dr. Christakis is renowned for his significant contributions to social network science, particularly in the areas of health and behavior. He has conducted groundbreaking studies on the spread of obesity and happiness through social networks. In his new work, he draws on findings from anthropology to neuroscience, not only to outline the evolutionary blueprint of a good society but to suggest the sorts of public policy interventions we need to thrive. He brings the insights of data science to public health, mental wellbeing, and education.

Dr. Christakis is the author of more than 200 articles and several books, including his bestselling Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, which was translated into twenty languages. Christakis has appeared on TIME鈥檚 annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world and on Foreign Policy鈥檚 list of Top 100 Global Thinkers. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.


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UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, Mānoa Campus

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Robert Perkinson, (808) 351-8976, btss@hawaii.edu,

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