Uploaded August 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Joyce Havstad, PhD holds the title Philosopher-in-Residence at The Field Museum.* We had the joy of interviewing her about some of the fascinating concepts she researches and explores -- in this case, what is a holotype? And how can paleontologists determine new species of prehistoric life based off of incomplete fossil skeletons?

*It's probably the only job title that can compete with 'Chief Curiosity Correspondent', really.

If you're interested in this sort of stuff (and seriously.. who wouldn't be), check out Joyce's website to learn more about her work! joycehavstad.com

Big thanks to Joyce Havstad for being such a fun person to interview and for sharing her research with us! and to Bill Simpson for allowing us to film in oversized geology. Don't tell the other collections but it might be my favorite.

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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie

Producer, Editor, Camera:
Tom McNamara

Theme music:
Michael Aranda

Created By:
Hank Green
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Filmed on Location and Supported by:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(http://www.fieldmuseum.org)