Although I'm an evolutionary anthropologist who specialises in brain evolution - a paleoneurologist - I missed my true calling, which is cosmology. If I were to do it all over again, then I would become a particle physicist. To me, an atheist, the most profoundly awe-inspiring question is: why is there anything at all?

This is not a question that I think everyone should worry about. Nor do I think it is of Earth-shaking importance. It is simply the most mind-bending and entertaining puzzle that I've occasionally pondered.

At a more down-to-Earth level, I should teach the world that humans are terrestrial, hierarchically-oriented primates, and I would suggest that all world leaders should be required to engage in in-depth studies of primate behaviour, before assuming power. I'd make 'em take qualifying exams, too.

Dean Falk is author of books including Braindance: New Discoveries About Human Origins and Brain Evolution (buy this book from Amazon (UK) or Amazon (USA)), and Primate Diversity (buy this book from Amazon (UK) or Amazon (USA)). See her website.