Adopting the part of a cultural Darwin, science writer and filmmaker Jonnie Hughes goes on a road trip through the exotic American Midwest to observe the natural history of ideas. As he dissects the variation and inheritance of odd bits of culture, he tours the supersized Mall of America and investigates the invention of the cowboy hat. He considers the fashion for low-riding jeans and moustaches, the average 28.99 words in good jokes, the myriad ways to tie shoelaces, why Coke wins the cola wars only when you can see the label, and, naturally, the distinctive features of various tepees.

Original, witty, and engaging, On the Origin of Tepees will change how you view your ideas and the world.