In this engaging conversation, Rachel Ignotofski discusses her new book Dinosaurs, exploring the fascination with these ancient creatures, the impact of mass extinctions, and the evolution of life on Earth. She highlights the importance of paleontology, the legacy of Mary Anning, and the artistic choices made in illustrating the book. The discussion also touches on the audience for the book, quirky anecdotes from paleontological history, and the significance of understanding deep time in relation to our current ecosystem.AD| To sign up for The Curiousity Box go to http://curiositybox.com/BreakingMath and get 25% off your first box with breakmath25Takeaways Most of us fall in love with dinosaurs around the age of six. Dinosaurs and birds evolved together, sharing the Earth. There have been five major mass extinctions in Earth's history. Nature always bounces back after mass extinctions. Paleontology is constantly evolving with new discoveries. Mary Anning was a pioneer in paleontology, often overlooked. Dinosaurs were not just big lizards; they were diverse and complex. The Cambrian explosion marked a significant evolutionary milestone.Chapters 00:00 The Fascination with Dinosaurs 03:42 Mass Extinctions and Geological Time 06:16 Paleontology and Misconceptions 09:08 Mary Anning: The Mother of Paleontology 11:53 Evolution of Dinosaurs and Marine Reptiles 13:06 The Evolution of Whales 13:42 The Cambrian Explosion and Ancient Creatures 16:12 Favorite Time Periods in Prehistory 18:48 The Book's Audience and Its Appeal 19:03 Anecdotes from the Fossil World 21:53 Art and Illustrations in Science 26:11 The Vastness of Earth History 28:21 Upcoming Events and Future ProjectsFollow Rachel Ignotofsky on Twitter, Instagram, Website, and find her new book here.Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter, BlueSky, and InstagramBecome a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com