Eli Elster

Eli Elster is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology. His research focuses on cognitive technologies, including myths, music, memes, writing, virtual reality, mathematics, serotonergic hallucinogens, prayer and collective rituals, and artificial intelligence technologies. His work asks: 1) What constraints do cognition and culture impose on each other—and conversely, what sorts of opportunities do they offer?; and 2) Which unique aspects of human cognition produce the unique characteristics of human culture, and which aspects are shared among other living things?