b'This episode, we\\u2019re discussing the fun and fascinating \\u201cWhat If\\u201d thought experiments of evolution. From fantastical fictional stories to unusual scientific hypotheses to just-for-fun artistic creations, speculative evolution is all about exploring the unseen (and maybe never-to-be-seen) possibilities of real biological science. We\\u2019ll touch on some of our favorite \\u201chard science fiction\\u201d as well as how this style of creative thinking can contribute to the study of real living creatures of the past ... and beyond.\\nIn the news: Native American dogs, Neanderthal hunting methods, mammal testicle evolution, and plant-induced insect development.\\nTime markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:04:30Main discussion, Part 1: 00:36:00Main discussion, Part 2: 01:15:00\\nCheck out our blog for bonus info and pictures: http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/\\nFollow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPCFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw\\nThe Intro and Outro music is \\u201cOn the Origin of Species\\u201d by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.\\nMuscial Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/'