The Michael Shermer Show

Jon Mills — Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of Secular Spirituality

Michael Shermer interviews Jon Mills on psychoanalysis, therapeutic dynamics, and the psychological roots of aggression and trauma. Mills discusses Freud’s influence, the moral dimensions of aggression, and violence’s societal role. They explore intergenerational trauma, individuality, youth struggles, and the evolution of belief in God. The conversation also examines technology’s impact on mental health and spirituality beyond traditional religion, highlighting challenges in understanding human behavior amid global issues.

2024 Election Postmortem

In this special solo episode, Michael Shermer reflects on the 2024 election.

Ben Westhoff — Fentanyl and the Opioid Epidemic

In 2023, over 107,000 Americans died from overdoses, with fentanyl responsible for more than 75,000 of these deaths—a staggering toll almost double that of car accidents or gun homicides. Fentanyl is increasingly mixed with meth and cocaine, spreading its lethal reach beyond heroin users. Journalist Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc., joins us to explore the crisis and his work advising government leaders on combating this unprecedented epidemic.

Dr. Warren Hern: Stories From the Front Lines of Abortion Care

Dr. Warren Hern delves into the complexities of abortion care from pre-Roe to today’s tumultuous landscape. He shares first-hand experiences of defending women’s health, grappling with political opposition, and facing threats as an advocate. Hern’s insights offer a riveting view into how abortion access impacts women, society, and democracy itself, revealing urgent, seldom-discussed truths.

The Most Important Election of My Lifetime … Again

In this solo episode, Michael Shermer discusses the upcoming election, reflecting on the historical context of past elections and the political polarization that has intensified over the years.

Edward Goldberg — The Future of Global Order and America’s Influence

Shermer and Goldberg discuss: the historical factors that led to America’s rise as a global leader, including its economy and political culture. They explore the future of U.S. global dominance, its alliances, and whether the nation can continue to handle global crises. The discussion also touches on the 2024 election’s implications for U.S. foreign policy and the potential risks and rewards of maintaining its hegemonic role.

Faith, Politics, and Power: Talia Lavin on the Christian Right’s America

Shermer and Lavin discuss historical phenomena like the Satanic Panic and Recovered Memory Movement, as well as contemporary issues such as the movement’s influence on societal institutions, opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and Christian Zionism. The conversation also delves into apocalyptic beliefs, control of female sexuality, and the movement’s impact on children and families.

Mark Weinstein — The Social Reset: Big Tech, Mental Health, and the Future of Connection

Shermer and Weinstein discuss AI’s impact on social media platforms and personal relationships, solutions to combat teen mental health issues, and strategies for parental control. They examine protective measures, Web3’s promises regarding privacy and data ownership, and methods to defeat bots and trolls. The conversation also explores social media’s potential mental health benefits, creating equitable creator economies, and operating without surveillance capitalism.

Neal Stephenson on Predicting the Metaverse, Crypto, and AI Decades Ahead

Shermer and Stephenson discuss various topics including professional and science fiction writing, the interplay of genetics, environment, and luck in shaping lives, historical contingencies, the development and ethics of the atomic bomb, geopolitical concepts like the Hobbesian Trap and Mutual Assured Destruction, cryptocurrency, AI and the Singularity, mind uploading, human evolution, future political systems on Mars, and philosophical concepts such as Fallibilism and Platonic realism.

From ChatGPT to AGI: Terrence Sejnowski on the Future of AI

Terrence Sejnowski, a leading cognitive neuroscientist, delves into the evolving world of AI, focusing on large language models like ChatGPT. Explore AI’s intelligence, consciousness, and ethics while uncovering the future of human-AI interactions. This discussion will leave you questioning what it truly means to think.

Words, Actions, and Liberty: Tara Smith Decodes the First Amendment

Explore the complexities of free speech with First Amendment scholar Tara Smith. Delve into historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, and the nuanced distinctions between speech and action. Unpack crucial concepts like censorship, freedom, and rights in this thought-provoking discussion that examines the very foundations of our discourse on liberty and expression.

Michael Bernstein on Psychogenic Illness and the Nocebo Effect

Explore how the power of belief can make you feel sick in this intriguing episode. Michael Bernstein delves into the nocebo effect, where negative expectations create the perception of harm, from mysterious workplace outbreaks to the debated Havana Syndrome. Learn how psychology, biology, and ethics converge in understanding the mind’s role in creating illness perceptions.

Competing for Souls: Paul Seabright Explores Religion’s Economic Power

Explore how religions compete like businesses, accumulating wealth and power as platforms for communities. Economist Paul Seabright discusses the economic aspects of religious movements, their role in modern society, and how they can be forces for both good and harm. Discover insights on religion’s evolution, its future, and its complex relationship with secular society.

Max Boot — Why Ronald Reagan Wanted to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

Shermer and Boot discuss Reagan’s early life, his political evolution from a liberal to a conservative, his presidency, and the impact of his policies on modern conservatism. Boot provides insights into Reagan’s views on social issues, nuclear weapons, and his relationships with key figures like Gorbachev. The discussion also touches on the current state of the Republican Party and the challenges it faces today.

Adam Kirsch — Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and Justice

Shermer and Kirsch discuss settler colonialism and its implications for current events, particularly in Israel. Kirsch explains the ideology behind labeling Israel a settler colonial state, tracing its roots to historical colonization. They explore anti-Semitism on college campuses, the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and settler colonialism’s critique of Western civilization. The conversation delves into the broader implications of this ideology, including how it complicates discussions of justice and historical accountability.

Theodore Schwartz — Gray Matters: Exploring the Frontiers of Neurosurgery

Dive into the fascinating world of neurosurgery with Dr. Theodore Schwartz. Explore the intricacies of brain surgery, from historical breakthroughs to cutting-edge techniques. Uncover famous cases, sports-related brain injuries, and ponder philosophical questions about consciousness and free will. A mind-bending journey through one of medicine’s most challenging and lifesaving specialties.

Colin Wright — Biology vs. Gender Ideology: The Science Behind the Debate

At FreedomFest 2024, Michael Shermer interviews biologist Colin Wright on the contentious topic of biological sex and gender. Wright, an expert in animal behavior and evolutionary biology, explores concepts like biological sex, gender identity, and gender dysphoria. He examines changing societal definitions of manhood and womanhood, considering how these evolving perspectives align with established biological principles. The discussion delves into one of today’s most debated scientific and social issues.

Taming Silicon Valley: Gary Marcus on AI’s Perils and Promise

In this thought-provoking episode, AI expert Gary Marcus and Michael Shermer delve into the complex world of AI, from ChatGPT to AGI. They explore AI’s threats, Silicon Valley’s ethics, data rights, and governance issues. Marcus offers insights on taming Big Tech, balancing innovation with responsibility, and empowering citizens to shape AI’s future responsibly.

Matt Ridley, Steven Pinker, and Michael Shermer Challenge Conventional Narratives

Steven Pinker, Matt Ridley, and Michael Shermer discuss global challenges and progress at FreedomFest 2024. They analyze impacts of COVID-19, DEI initiatives, and AI, while examining democracy, autocracy, and historical crises. They offer perspectives on leveraging innovation, rationality, and education to navigate complex times, challenging conventional narratives and proposing ways to move society forward.

Matthew Stewart on Slavery, Enlightenment, and America’s Refounding

Join independent philosopher and historian Matthew Stewart as he delves into the heretical roots of the American republic. Explore the influence of Enlightenment thinkers on the Founding Fathers, dissect their religious beliefs, and examine how slavery shaped the nation’s foundations, ultimately sparking the Civil War and leading to emancipation.

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