Anthropologist Dr. Robin Dunbar; photo by J. French for Metode.org

Why do we kiss? What makes a good kiss or a bad kiss? How many microbes do we exchange? Is it good for us? One of the world’s most accomplished researchers on kissing, social behavior and relationships, Oxford University anthropologist Dr . Robin Dunbar, reluctantly agrees to be interviewed and explains how kissing may have evolved, how discos are research labs and friends are people you can invite yourself to have a beer with. Also: how to deal with the loneliness of isolation, autism and intimacy, why your cheerfulness may impact people you don’t even know and Alie’s first kiss.

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transcript

Why do we kiss? What makes a good kiss or a bad kiss? How many microbes do we exchange? Is it good for us? One of the world's most accomplished researchers on kissing, social behavior and relationships, Dr .

Dr. Dunbar’s books are available here

A donation went to: www.alaseniorliving.org

Sponsor links: TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/ologies; EMBRWave.com/ologies; betterhelp.com/ologies (code: ologies)

More links which may be helpful:

“What's in a Kiss? The Effect of Romantic Kissing on Mate Desirability”

Here are some bonobos laughing

Dunbar’s Number: how many friends is a good number of friends

TED Talk on Dunbar’s Number

Perfume selections reflect our immune system?

Harvard findings on adult relationships

Autism Spectrum Disorder and light touch

You’re happy, your friend’s friends are happy