Robert Kurzban: Evolution, Tech & Entrepreneurship - #158
Robert Kurzban discusses evolutionary psychology, entrepreneurship, and how technology reshapes social behavior, with insights from his Bondzy platform.
In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, host Alex Quin sits down with Robert Kurzban, former professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Bondzy. Robert shares insights on evolutionary psychology, entrepreneurship, and the impact of technology on social behavior. He also discusses the challenges of transitioning from academia to app development and reflects on the influence of social media and virtual interaction on personal relationships.
[00:00] Introduction: Alex Quin introduces Robert Kurzban and highlights his background in psychology and entrepreneurship.
[00:03:12] Robert’s Journey: Evolutionary Psychology & Nonprofit Work: Robert explains how his early passion for science fiction led him into psychology and reflects on his academic path, including time spent with economists and anthropologists.
[00:07:42] Understanding Evolutionary Psychology: How evolutionary psychology applies Darwinian principles to human behavior, and its value in marketing and human interaction.
[00:13:20] The Inspiration Behind Bondzy: Reliability as a Selling Point: Robert explains the concept behind his app Bondzy, which encourages punctuality by letting users post bonds to guarantee their attendance.
[00:18:35] The Dating App Ecosystem: Ghosting, Double Booking, and Feedback Loops: Robert offers his take on challenges within modern dating culture, including the rise of ghosting and the feedback loop of unreliability.
[00:25:10] Tech Anxiety and Social Media’s Influence on Relationships: How the rise of social media has reshaped social interactions and increased anxiety in personal relationships.
[00:30:45] The Role of AI in App Development: How Robert leveraged AI tools for app development and overcame challenges by asking for help and collaborating with other experts.
[00:36:30] The Evolution of Human Behavior & Future Predictions: Robert shares thoughts on the rapid change in human behavior and what the future might hold in the age of AI and virtual reality.
[00:41:15] Balancing Academia with Entrepreneurship: Lessons learned from moving between academic research and app development, including the importance of seeking feedback and embracing imperfection.
[00:45:00] Where to Find Robert & Bondzy: Robert shares how listeners can connect with him and access the Bondzy app on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
“We are just dumb primates with really fancy tools.” - Robert Kurzban
“The perfect partner isn’t around the corner; it’s about showing up and being reliable.” - Alex Quin
“The key to entrepreneurship is not perfection, it’s progress.” - Robert Kurzban
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Alex Quin is a full-stack marketing expert and global keynote speaker. Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of UADV Marketing - a member of the Forbes Agency Council.