From Andean Hike to Scientific Breakthrough: An Unlikely Journey into Evolutionary Psychology

A Moment of Recognition in the Andes

My foray into science began not in a sterile lab, but on a rugged mountain path in Peru. At 17, on my first solo trip to South America, I encountered a Quechua woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to my Manchu Chinese mother. Her gaze, intensely familiar, sparked a jolt of recognition that resonated more deeply than any breathtaking vista or exotic wildlife. It was a moment that ignited a fire of curiosity within me.

The Seeds of a Hypothesis

Initial research into the Bering Strait theory, suggesting shared Siberian ancestry between East Asians and Native Americans, offered a preliminary explanation. Years later, while grappling with cultural critiques of East Asian societies, I revisited that encounter. Could the harsh Siberian environment have shaped the very essence of East Asian psychology?

The frigid landscape of Siberia, imagined through the lens of my own Costco freezer aisle experiences, sparked an epiphany. The traits often attributed to East Asians – stoicism, emotional restraint, and a focus on social harmony – suddenly seemed perfectly adapted for survival in such an unforgiving climate. It was a shocking realization, one that startled my classmate and laid dormant for several more years.

From Dormant Idea to Driven Pursuit

COVID lockdowns, a breeding ground for introspection, rekindled my interest. Documentaries on Siberia and the Arctic revealed striking similarities between Inuit and East Asian cultures. Ethnographic accounts, like Jean Briggs' "Never in Anger" and Richard Nelson's "Hunters of the Northern Ice," documented the nuanced cultural parallels, solidifying my conviction.

A Dive into Polar Psychology

My quest led me to a trove of research on polar personnel psychology – the very traits ideal for polar expeditions mirrored those prevalent in East Asian and Inuit cultures. The convergence of evidence pointed towards the possibility of environmentally induced traits passed down through generations, a compelling narrative waiting to be explored.

Fueled by the potential to address persistent sociocultural challenges facing both East Asia and the Global South, I widened my research to include the impact of tropical climates. Early findings suggested a correlation between heat stress and societal issues, hinting at another layer of environmental influence on human behavior. Lee Kuan Yew's thesis on the transformative power of air conditioning suddenly took on new significance.

A Lone Wolf in the Academic Wilderness

Embarking on such an ambitious research project as an outsider seemed daunting. The ideal path, a PhD program, was blocked by the prevailing "woke" climate. The suggestion of evolved differences between groups, however nuanced, was met with resistance, making my research proposal a liability.

Rejection fueled defiance. Armed with the resources of Sci-Hub and fueled by sheer determination, I embarked on a self-funded, year-long deep dive into the literature. The relentless pursuit culminated in a manuscript, met with polarized responses, including this gem from a founder of evolutionary psychology: "It was simultaneously the best paper I have read in 40 years, and the worst paper I have read in 40 years."

Publication and Beyond

After rigorous peer review, my paper was finally published in the APA journal Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences (https://doi.org/10.1037/ebs0000373). I invite scholarly commentary, with details provided in the original article. The journey from that Andean mountain path has led to an unexpected destination, a testament to the power of curiosity and the surprising paths science can take. I'm continuing this research independently, exploring the TEE model's application to other ancestries and climatic regions, and looking for the right opportunity to partner with like minded scholars.