Grass Apes

When you think about grass, what do you think of? Pool parties? Suburbs? Allergies? What about: human history? It turns out, unassuming grass, which exists on every continent, has an epic story to tell. One of transforming the planet, and … us. From what we eat, to how our body might be shaped and the ways we perceive the world. Senior Correspondent Molly Webster speaks to biologist and writer David George Haskell in this tiny ode to Grass.

This episode was inspired by “Grass Fed”, a Radiolab outdoor theatre performance at Little Island in New York City. “Grass Fed” featured biologist and writer David George Haskell; Foley artist Steven Wendt; and dance company, Pilobolus. Special thanks to all the artists, and to Little Island, Sarah Sandbach, Natalia Ramirez, and Soren Wheeler.

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosted by - Molly Webster Reported by - Molly Webster with help from - Jo Strogatz and Anisa Vietze Produced by - Sarah Qari with help from - Jo Strogatz, Molly Webster Original vocals from - Jo Strogatz with mixing from - Jeremy S. Bloom Fact-checking by - Nora Belblidia and Edited by - Pat Walters

EPISODE CITATIONS:

Articles -

The Other Almanac 2026 • ( https://www.otheralmanac.com/ • ), by David George Haskell a print-only magazine contains an essay All Hail Grass, Maker of Humans! • by David George Haskell • all about grass’s role in human history.

Books -

How Flowers Made Our World • ” (https://zpr.io/r4ybZJea8WV9) by David George Haskell which has a chapter all about grass in it (it’s a flowering plant, if you didn’t know!)

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