The Cancelled Professor: Men Are Hardwired To Cheat! - Dr Gad Saad
The Diary Of A CEOKey Moments
Dr. Gad Saad discusses evolutionary psychology, innate sex differences, mating strategies, societal issues, and the pursuit of truth.
Key Insights
Evolutionary behavioral science is crucial for understanding human behavior by rooting it in Darwinian principles, often challenging traditional social sciences.
The presence of a stepparent is the number one predictor of child abuse, and a partner's infidelity or suspicion thereof is the leading cause of domestic violence and homicide against women.
Humans are driven by four Darwinian mechanisms: survival, reproduction (sex), kin selection, and reciprocal altruism, which explain many behaviors from food preferences to gift-giving.
The concept of 'mate desirability score' illustrates that individuals are judged on a basket of attributes, and assortative mating (birds of a feather flock together) is key for long-term relationship success.
Monogamy is not entirely 'natural' but an institutional mechanism; both men and women evolved a desire for sexual variety, though men typically show a stronger inclination.
Radical ideologies and 'forbidden knowledge' pose a threat to truth and freedom of speech by prioritizing subjective feelings or social goals over objective reality and scientific inquiry.
THE FOUNDATION OF EVOLUTIONARY BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Dr. Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist, dedicates his life to pursuing truth and defending freedoms, primarily through the scientific method. He advocates for unbiased research into all aspects of human nature, including group and sex differences, which are often controversially dismissed in social sciences. Evolutionary behavioral scientists argue that human behavior cannot be fully understood without considering how evolution shaped the human mind, challenging the prevailing social constructivist view that cultural factors supersede biology.
THE PREDICTORS OF VIOLENCE AND INFIDELITY
Drawing on evolutionary psychology, Saad highlights stark realities. The number one predictor of child abuse in a home is the presence of a stepparent, increasing risk a hundredfold. This is explained by evolutionary principles observed in many species, such as infanticide in lion prides by new dominant males to avoid investing in rival offspring. Similarly, the most dangerous individual a woman can ever meet is her husband or long-term partner, primarily due to suspected or realized infidelity, driving domestic violence and homicide stemming from paternity uncertainty.
MONOGAMY, SEXUAL VARIETY, AND MATE DESIRABILITY
Saad clarifies that while monogamy is prevalent in about 85% of documented cultures due to biparental species' needs, it isn't inherently 'natural' in a strict sense. Evolutionary studies show both men and women possess a desire for sexual variety, though men tend to exhibit it more frequently. Women are more likely to cheat when maximally fertile, often seeking superior genes (phenotypic quality) in extramarital partners, sometimes even foregoing contraception for this evolutionary purpose. The concept of a 'mate desirability score' encapsulates an individual's overall attractiveness based on various attributes, with assortative mating ensuring long-term relationships typically involve partners with similar scores.
DARWINIAN MECHANISMS DRIVING HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Saad identifies four core Darwinian modules that drive much of human purposive behavior: survival (e.g., preference for fatty foods), reproduction (sexual signaling like fancy cars for men or beautification for women), kin selection (investing in genetically related family members, as seen in gift-giving patterns), and reciprocal altruism (favor-returning to non-kin, like social rituals and friendship bonds). These modules offer ultimate, evolutionary explanations for behaviors, complementing proximate explanations that describe how and what occurs.
THE PERILS OF IDEOLOGICAL BRAINWORMS: THE PARASITIC MIND
Saad’s concept of the 'parasitic mind' describes how ideological 'brainworms,' such as postmodernism, can alter human thought processes to suit their own interests, much like neuroparasites in the animal kingdom. These ideologies prioritize subjective feelings or social justice goals over objective truth, leading to the rejection of scientific findings that do not align with their narratives. This creates 'forbidden knowledge,' where certain research or discussions are deemed off-limits due to potential offense or marginalization, undermining intellectual freedom and critical inquiry.
THE DEONTOLOGICAL DEFENSE OF FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
Saad argues for a deontological stance on foundational principles like freedom of speech and the pursuit of truth. He distinguishes between consequentialist ethics (where actions are judged by their outcomes) and deontological ethics (where actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of outcome). He believes that free speech should be absolute, only limited by direct incitement to violence, even if it allows for deeply offensive views. Similarly, scientific truth and legal principles (like presumptive innocence) must be upheld as absolutes, guarding against ideological intrusions that compromise them for perceived societal benefits.
THE MASCULINITY CRISIS AND THE HONEY BADGER ACTIVATION
Saad observes a crisis in masculinity, with many men struggling with mental health issues and a perceived lack of 'bold' or 'alpha' qualities. He attributes this partly to societal narratives, including radical feminism and the concept of 'toxic masculinity,' which can discourage men from assertive courtship behaviors. He advocates for men to 'activate their inner honey badger,' emphasizing resilience, toughness, and confidence, not aggression. He believes that men can improve their 'mate desirability score' through self-improvement in areas like physical fitness, education, assertiveness, and ambition rather than succumbing to a 'beta male' mindset.
THE MODULATION OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SELF-AWARENESS
Responding to concerns about unwanted male advances, Saad stresses the importance of 'modulation' – saying the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. He uses the 'inverted U' principle, where too little (e.g., cowardice) and too much (e.g., recklessness) are suboptimal, with the sweet spot being balanced action. He links inappropriate social interactions to a lack of 'theory of mind' – the ability to understand another person's mental state. This lack of self-awareness contributes to behaviors ranging from harassing approaches to monopolizing conversations, indicating a failure to gauge social cues and context.
EXAPTATIONS AND THE ADDICTIVE TRAP OF PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography serves as an 'exaptation' rather than an 'adaptation' – it's a phenomenon that piggybacks on existing adaptations (like men's preference for visual stimuli and sexual variety) to create a new, often maladaptive, behavior. While not inherently evil, excessive pornography consumption can become a 'behavioral trap' leading to addiction, dampening real-life sexual attraction, performance, and motivation. Saad compares this to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where a natural adaptive behavior (e.g., environmental scanning for threats) becomes pathologically dysregulated when pushed to an extreme.
THE MISMATCH HYPOTHESIS AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Many modern problems, including diet-related illnesses, stem from the 'mismatch hypothesis,' where behaviors adaptive in our ancestral past (e.g., gorging on fatty foods during caloric scarcity) become maladaptive in contemporary environments of abundance. Saad advises empowering individuals with knowledge about this mismatch to avoid behavioral traps. For happiness, he identifies two pivotal choices: spouse and profession. Long-term happy marriages thrive on assortative mating (shared fundamental values) rather than fleeting complementarities. Happiness is also significantly impacted by genetics (50%) but the other 50% is influenced by choices and mindsets.
TEMPORAL FREEDOM AND CREATIVE IMPULSE IN WORK
Occupational happiness is maximized by jobs offering 'temporal freedom' (flexibility over one's schedule, avoiding 'scheduling asphyxia') and opportunities to instantiate one's 'creative impulse.' Saad posits that jobs allowing individuals to create something new (e.g., authors, artists, chefs, architects) provide a direct path to purpose and meaning. This engagement contrasts with work lacking creative outlets, suggesting that humans, as sentient beings, require more than basic survival and reproduction; they need meaning and purpose to elevate their consciousness.
BIRTH ORDER, INNOVATION, AND INCLUSIVE FITNESS
Saad discusses Frank Sulloway's 'Born to Rebel' theory, which posits that later-born siblings are more likely to be radical innovators and early adopters due to an evolutionary need to differentiate themselves and gain parental investment. This 'Darwinian niche partitioning hypothesis' suggests that later-borns develop greater 'openness to experience' to stand out. He also links kin selection to the coefficient of genetic relatedness, demonstrating that investment (e.g., gift-giving) correlates with genetic ties. He also highlights 'paternity uncertainty' in why mothers' families invest more in grandchildren than fathers' families.
THE DANGERS OF SUICIDAL EMPATHY AND THE TRADE-OFFS OF REALITY
Saad introduces the concept of 'suicidal empathy,' where empathy, an adaptive emotion, misfires to the wrong targets or becomes hyperactive, leading to disastrous policy decisions. He argues that unchecked empathy can lead to unintended harm by prioritizing certain individuals' feelings over the well-being of the larger society or fundamental laws. Citing economist Thomas Sowell, Saad emphasizes that life involves trade-offs and cost-benefit analyses, and ignoring these realities in favor of unmodulated empathy can dismantle essential societal structures, as seen in challenges with immigration policy and law enforcement.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY VERSUS EQUALITY OF OUTCOME
Saad strongly opposes the concept of 'equality of outcome,' which he sees as antithetical to human nature and societal flourishing. He argues that humans are inherently hierarchical, with varying levels of talent, effort, and attributes. Attempts to enforce equality of outcome, as exemplified by communist ideologies, have historically led to catastrophic failures because they go against intrinsic human drives. He supports 'equality of opportunity,' where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, but acknowledges that differences in outcomes are a natural result of individual variations.
PERSONAL PURITY AND REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Recalling a profound lesson from his mother, Saad reflects on the importance of tempering personal ideals of 'purity' with the messy realities of the world. While aspiring to high personal conduct, expecting others to adhere to the same stringent moral code can lead to constant disappointment. A more realistic approach—understanding that the world is often 'ugly and messy'—allows for greater peace and less frustration in social interactions. This involves an internal adjustment of expectations rather than a compromise of one's own values.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Products
●Organizations
●Books
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
The presence of a step-parent in the family is the number one predictor, increasing the likelihood of child abuse by 100-fold compared to other factors.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A book by Martin Daly and Margo Wilson applying an evolutionary framework to the study of criminality patterns across cultures and time periods.
One of the pioneers of evolutionary psychology and co-author of 'Homicide'.
A universal fable that illustrates the evolutionary principle of differential parental investment, specifically regarding step-parents.
A British scientist who wrote the book 'Sperm Wars', arguing for different sperm phenotypes within ejaculate.
A book by Robin Baker describing the different types of human sperm (fertilizers, blockers, killers) and their evolutionary implications for female promiscuity.
A doctor who controversially proposed handwashing to prevent puerperal fever, initially ridiculed but later recognized.
Dr. Gad Saad's book that further elaborates on Darwinian mechanisms influencing consumer behavior and introduces the 'mate desirability score'.
A media company that created a piece showing how women are frequently approached and harassed on the street.
A historian of science who proposed the birth order theory, particularly explored in his book 'Born to Rebel'.
Frank Sulloway's book exploring the correlation between birth order and radical scientific innovations, arguing later-borns are more open to experience.
A neuroparasite that can infect human minds but is famous for altering the behavior of mice, making them attracted to cats.
A psychologist from the University of Western Ontario who controversially studied racial differences in intelligence.
Canadian legislation attempting to incorporate gender identity into hate speech laws, which Dr. Saad and Jordan Peterson warned against.
A transgender swimmer whose case is mentioned in the context of gender identity in sports.
Discussed in the context of legal immigration processes versus illegal border crossings and the concept of suicidal empathy.
A Somali immigrant and staunch critic of Islam, used as an example of an immigrant who defends Western values because of her experience.
Used as an analogy to illustrate the absurdity of 'equality of outcome' arguments, noting the dominance of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners.
One of the pioneers of evolutionary psychology and co-author of 'Homicide'.
A professor at Cornell who assigned the book 'Homicide' to Dr. Saad's doctoral class.
A singer whose music is jokingly mentioned as a way to attract women, contrasting with lions' methods.
Dr. Gad Saad's book that discusses how individuals can be 'parasitized' by bad ideologies, using a neuroparasitological model.
Dr. Gad Saad's first book, arguing for four key Darwinian mechanisms driving behavior.
The ability to attribute mental states — beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge — to oneself and to others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own.
Dr. Gad Saad's book discussing decisions and mindsets for happiness, including choice of spouse and profession.
One of the Palestinian factions that kidnapped Dr. Saad's parents during the Lebanese Civil War.
Dr. Gad Saad's upcoming book arguing that misplaced empathy can lead to disastrous policy decisions.
A pharmacy chain mentioned as an example of retail shops closing or having extreme security measures (locked items) in San Francisco due to rampant theft.
Used as an analogy to illustrate the absurdity of 'equality of outcome' arguments, highlighting that only a few nations have won it.
More from The Diary Of A CEO
View all 312 summaries
147 minNo.1 Christianity Expert: The Truth About Christianity! The Case For Jesus (Historian's Proof)
1 minIS THIS WHY THE EPSTEIN FILES ARE SEALED?
2 minYOU DON'T KNOW HOW MELATONIN WORKS!
1 minJEFFREY EPSTEIN BLACKMAILED EVERYONE?!
Found this useful? Build your knowledge library
Get AI-powered summaries of any YouTube video, podcast, or article in seconds. Save them to your personal pods and access them anytime.
Try Summify free