THE EVOLUTION OF YUCK: DISGUST, DIRT AND DISEASE
DR VAL CURTIS Anthropologist & Director of the Hygiene Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Date/Time: 6th March 2008, 17:30
HEAR A RECORDING OF THIS LECTURE
Young people are particularly welcome at this lecture
Disgust is one of the most powerful of the human emotions. But why do we go 'Eeugh' when we see writhing worms or sniff bad breath? Why do we find some people attractive and others disgusting? Do people around the world find the same things disgusting? Do animals feel disgust? And how can disgust help to save people's lives? This lecture aims to unravel the puzzle of disgust - and on the way we will learn something of what makes animals and humans tick. Bring your brain along for a stimulating and slightly disgusting evening!
Though Dr Valerie Curtis began her career as an engineer she soon decided that she was more interested in what drives human behaviour. She therefore went from designing water and sanitation systems to designing programmes to get people to wash their hands in Africa and around the world. She has a Masters in Public Health and a doctorate in Anthropology, and now directs the Hygiene Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is a frequent speaker on radio and has featured in a number of TV series such as 'Human Instincts' and 'The History of Dung'.