The Week contest: Think Neanderthal

This week's question: A new study suggests that the Neanderthal DNA that still lurks in many of our bodies — the result of ancient hook-ups between our ancestors and Homo neanderthalensis — could help humans fight off deadly infections. If scientists were to write a self-help book on the benefits of embracing your inner Neanderthal, what title could they give it?
Click here to see the results of last week's contest: No treats
RESULTS:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
THE WINNER: "The Power of Primitive Thinking"
Michael Rouse, Troy, Michigan
SECOND PLACE: "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Hominids"
Ivan Kershner, Salem, South Carolina
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
THIRD PLACE: "Success: Get It Through Your Thick Skull"
Tim Mistele, Coral Gables, Florida
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
"The Power of Low Brow"
Christopher Leggette, Robbinsville, New Jersey
"Paleo Productivity: Getting Things Masto-done"
Corey French, Carmel, Indiana
"Meat, Cave, Club"
Jennifer Kitchin, New Smyrna Beach, Florida
"I'm Ook, You're Ook"
Stephen Kolb Gilliland, Casselberry, Florida
"Awaken the Hairy Giant Within"
Jim Daly, Thousand Oaks, California
"Who Moved My Club?"
Ken Liebman, Williston, Vermont
"Knuckle Down and Thrive"
Tom Brown, Aberdeen, Washington
"Me Think, Me Pray, Me Love"
Dashiell Shapiro, Berkeley, California
"Your Missing Link to Glowing Health"
Norm Carrier, Flat Rock, North Carolina
"The Joys of Caving in to the Caveman"
Ken Kellam III, Dallas
"Caveman Saveman"
Dick LaVine, New York City
"50 Shades of Grunt"
Barbara James, Bedford, Massachusetts
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 30, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published