**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.**

Why do we apologize to our cats, feel guilty throwing away childhood toys, or find ourselves bonding with our robot vacuum? Scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg (If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal) reveals how one of humanity's oldest psychological quirks secretly influences nearly every decision we make. Drawing on cutting-edge research from his new book Human(ish) (Little, Brown, 2025), Justin explores our universal tendency to see human-like qualities in everything around us—and shows how understanding this bias can transform our relationships with animals, technology, and each other.

From the marketing tricks that make developed personal relationships with brands to the reason some people fall in love with their AI assistants, this talk uncovers the hidden psychology behind anthropomorphism. Justin explains how this cognitive bias shapes everything from our relationships with our pets to our political views, and provides practical tools for recognizing when we're being influenced or manipulated, and when we can harness anthropomorphism to build deeper connections and make better decisions.

Perfect for anyone curious about human psychology, this research-backed presentation offers surprising insights into why we do what we do, along with actionable strategies for improving relationships with the people, animals, and even machines in our daily lives. 

ABOUT JUSTIN: Dr. Justin Gregg is a scientist, bestselling author, and entertainer who transforms complex ideas about human and animal behavior into unforgettable, laugh-out-loud learning experiences.

He is the author of the bestseller If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity and Human(ish) (Little, Brown, 2025), a wildly entertaining exploration of why humans can’t help but anthropomorphize — and how embracing this quirky tendency can actually make us better leaders, marketers, and humans.

A dolphin cognition researcher with the Dolphin Communication Project and an adjunct professor at St. Francis Xavier University, Justin lectures on animal cognition. He holds a PhD in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin, specializing in dolphin social cognition, with his academic work published by Oxford University Press and in peer-reviewed journals.

As a science writer, Justin’s articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Slate, Salon, Aeon Magazine, BBC Focus, and his blog with Psychology Today. He is a trusted voice in science communication, featured on major media platforms like ABC Prime Live, CBC Ideas, Ologies with Alie Ward, ReThinking with Adam Grant, and The Daily Stoic with Ryan Holiday.

In addition to his science communication work, Justin produces and hosts multiple podcasts, including The Dolphin Pod , Why Are People Watching This?, and Let’s Talk Antigonish. He has voiced characters in animated films, produced radio plays, and released three albums with the ECMA and Music Nova Scotia award-nominated children’s group Bingly and the Rogues. He also fronts a Nova Scotia-based punk rock band (Minivans) and teaches improv workshops that help organizations and communities unlock creativity, collaboration, and resilience.

Whether on stage, on the page, or in front of a microphone, Justin Gregg helps audiences rethink what it means to be human through the unexpected lens of animals, AI, and the weird but wonderful world of creativity.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Presented in partnership with Groton Public Library and in cooperation with a variety of other area libraries. Made possible, in part, by the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust.