Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Best of Design Matters featuring Alexandra Horowitz

Episode Overview In the episode titled "Best of Design Matters: Alexandra Horowitz," hosted by Debbie Millman, the conversation delves into the fascinating world of dog cognition and the deep bond between humans and their canine companions. Alexandra Horowitz, a renowned cognitive scientist and author, shares insights from her extensive research, personal experiences with her dogs, and her journey from lexicography to cognitive science.

1. Introduction and Alexandra Horowitz’s Background

The episode opens with Debbie Millman introducing Alexandra Horowitz as a professor at Barnard College, a senior research fellow, and the head of the Dog Cognition Lab. Horowitz is celebrated for her groundbreaking work in understanding dog behavior and cognition, as well as her bestselling books, including Inside of a Dog and The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves.

2. Early Life and Influences

Alexandra discusses her upbringing and the influence of her father’s humor and work ethic on her. She reflects on observing nature and animals from a young age in Colorado, which fostered her lifelong interest in animal behavior.

Alexandra Horowitz [04:05]: "He saw levity in everything… he didn't take himself too seriously. That... made it possible for me to do what I do."

3. Academic Journey: From Lexicography to Cognitive Science

Horowitz recounts her academic path, starting with a philosophy degree from the University of Pennsylvania, inspired by a passionate high school teacher. Her initial career as a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster allowed her to immerse herself in language, which later influenced her cognitive science pursuits.

Alexandra Horowitz [09:15]: "Defining new words, making sure the old meanings are still consistent with how we're using words... was like a dream come true."

Debbie Millman adds a personal touch by noting her own connection to Merriam-Webster's dictionary design.

4. Experience at The New Yorker and Influence of Oliver Sacks

Horowitz shares her time as a fact checker at The New Yorker, where she worked on pieces by the legendary neurologist Oliver Sacks. This experience profoundly influenced her decision to pursue a PhD in cognitive science, merging her interests in philosophy, neuroscience, and animal behavior.

Alexandra Horowitz [16:57]: "Working with Oliver Sacks... was quite an inspiration as a writer for me, as well as somebody who had taken his scientific career and made a writerly career out of it."

5. Founding the Dog Cognition Lab

With a PhD from the University of California, San Diego, Horowitz established her Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College. She emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinarity in cognitive science, combining insights from philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, computer science, and anthropology.

Alexandra Horowitz [19:50]: "So much creativity comes from interdisciplinarity... cognitive science had that kind of baked in."

6. Insights into Dog Behavior and Cognitive Abilities

a. Eye Gaze and Human-Dog Connection

Horowitz explains how dogs’ ability to maintain eye contact fosters intimacy and understanding between humans and dogs, a behavior that is unusual among animals and indicative of their unique responsiveness to humans.

Alexandra Horowitz [38:36]: "Dogs look us in the faces... eye gaze the way we use it as part of forming a connection."

b. Play Behavior and Theory of Mind

Through observing dogs playing, Horowitz discovered that dogs use play signals intentionally, indicating an understanding of other minds—a concept known as Theory of Mind. This mirrors human social interactions where attention and understanding are crucial.

Alexandra Horowitz [43:23]: "Dogs were using these play signals really intentionally... indicative that they're appreciating that other people have their own minds."

c. Olfactory Perception and Sense of Time

Horowitz delves into the extraordinary sense of smell in dogs, which surpasses that of humans by millions of receptor sites. She discusses how dogs use their sense of smell to perceive time and anticipate events, providing them with a rich, temporal understanding of their environment.

Alexandra Horowitz [50:06]: "Odors are inherently carrying time information... experiencing a little bit of the past and a little bit of the future."

7. Personal Journey with Her Dog, Quiddity

Horowitz shares her personal experiences adopting her puppy, Quiddity, detailing the emotional challenges and eventual deep bond formed with her dog. She candidly discusses initial struggles in connecting with Quiddity due to her analytical approach, which later softened with time and the passing of her older dogs.

Alexandra Horowitz [65:45]: "I was very conscious... struggling to have more difficulty falling in love with her than, for instance, my husband and son."

8. Writing and Storytelling

Alexandra attributes her writing skills to her love for language and extensive reading. Her ability to intertwine scientific insights with personal narratives makes her work accessible and relatable.

Alexandra Horowitz [54:58]: "Whatever writing skill I have is how every writer has her skill, which is through reading, through an interest in language."

Her latest book, The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves, blends memoir with scientific exploration, documenting her quest to understand early dog development through her own puppy.

9. Impact on Science and Society

Horowitz highlights the significance of studying dogs as a gateway to understanding non-human cognition. Given the long history of human-dog companionship, dogs offer a unique perspective on cognitive science, bridging the gap between human and animal understanding.

Alexandra Horowitz [32:46]: "Dogs have some of these cognitive skills that we value because there are cognitive skills... what makes us human."

10. Advocacy for Dog Dignity and Understanding

In response to recent legislation banning the sale of pets from commercial breeders, Horowitz advocates for allowing dogs to be themselves, emphasizing the importance of respecting their innate behaviors and needs rather than forcing them into human-centric roles.

Alexandra Horowitz [72:56]: "Letting them be themselves a little bit more, leaning into their dogness... allowing them to roll in that thing now and then and play with other dogs."

11. Final Thoughts: Can Dogs Smile?

Addressing a common question, Horowitz affirms that dogs do smile, interpreting it through their body language rather than just facial expressions.

Alexandra Horowitz [74:25]: "Yes, they're smiling much of the time. It's just not with their mouth... a full body smile."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alexandra Horowitz [04:05]: "He saw levity in everything… he didn't take himself too seriously. That... made it possible for me to do what I do."

• Alexandra Horowitz [09:15]: "Defining new words, making sure the old meanings are still consistent with how we're using words... was like a dream come true."

• Alexandra Horowitz [16:57]: "Working with Oliver Sacks... was quite an inspiration as a writer for me, as well as somebody who had taken his scientific career and made a writerly career out of it."

• Alexandra Horowitz [38:36]: "Dogs look us in the faces... eye gaze the way we use it as part of forming a connection."

• Alexandra Horowitz [43:23]: "Dogs were using these play signals really intentionally... indicative that they're appreciating that other people have their own minds."

• Alexandra Horowitz [54:58]: "Whatever writing skill I have is how every writer has her skill, which is through reading, through an interest in language."

Conclusion

This episode of Design Matters offers a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and dogs through the lens of cognitive science. Alexandra Horowitz’s articulate insights and personal narratives shed light on the depth of canine cognition and the mutual understanding that binds us to our furry friends. Her work not only advances scientific knowledge but also fosters a deeper appreciation and respect for dogs, advocating for their dignified existence in human society.

For more information about Alexandra Horowitz and her work, visit alexandrahorowitz.com, listen to her podcast Off Leash, or explore the Dog Cognition Lab at barnard@dogcognition.weebly.com.