Podcast appearances and mentions of Steven Pinker

Jessica talks with Talia Sherman, recent grad & podcast creator and host.Talia Sherman just graduated from Brown University (congrats!), where she studied Linguistics and English with honors. She was an undergraduate fellow at the Cogut Institute for the Humanities. In the spring of her senior year of high school, she founded Tomayto Tomahto, an interview based podcast on language. Streamed in over 90 countries and showcasing the voices of professors from many different universities, Tomayto Tomahto digs into interdisciplinary research, cutting-edge theoretical questions, and sometimes linguistics journalism. Notable guests include Steven Pinker, Emily M. Bender, Jonathan Rosa, and John DeNero. When not podcasting, reading literary theory, or doing economics research, Talia can be found backpacking or training Brown students to lead backpacking trips.Tomayto Tomahto: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/talia-sherman Talia's website: https://www.taliasherman.com/~About The Ampersand Manifesto:What happens when you refuse to choose just one path? On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we're co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life.~About your host, Jessica Wan:Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech ExecutiveJessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life.Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro CallJoin The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career ProfessionalsFollow the Journey: @ampersandmanifestoConnect: Jessica's LinkedInListen: Singing Excerpts~CreditsCo-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

In this World Shared Practice Forum Podcast, Drs. Mark Peters and Scott Weiss provide their expert insight on the methodology and development of the 2026 International Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. They discuss challenges encountered during the process and review notable changes to these guidelines compared to previous iterations. The authors share the recommendations that will most impact their personal practice for patients with sepsis, and reflect on how we can improve global research infrastructure to address salient knowledge gaps in pediatric critical care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Understand the design and methodology for the 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines - Review notable changes in the 2026 sepsis guidelines compared to the 2020 edition - Discuss the implications of the altered recommendations for clinical practice changes - Consider methods to improve global pediatric research infrastructure and data organization AUTHORS Mark Peters, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, FFICM, FRCPCH Professor of Paediatric Intensive Care NIHR Senior Investigator UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health Hon. Consultant Paediatric Intensivist Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and Children's Acute Transport Service Great Ormond St Hospital Scott Weiss, MD, MSCE Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology & Genomic Medicine, Division Chief of Critical Care, Vice-Chair of Research for the Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children's Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Jeffrey Burns, MD, MPH Emeritus Chief Division of Critical Care Medicine Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Boston Children's Hospital Professor of Anesthesia Harvard Medical School DATE Initial publication date: May 26, 2026. ARTICLES REFERENCED & ADDITIONAL REFERENCES - Weiss SL, Peters MJ, Oczkowski SJW, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children 2026. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2026;27(4):379-434. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41869844/ - Balamuth F, Weiss SL, Long E, et al. Balanced Fluid or 0.9% Saline in Children Treated for Septic Shock. N Engl J Med. Published online April 24, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42028918/ - Weiss SL, Balamuth F, Long E, et al. PRagMatic Pediatric Trial of Balanced vs nOrmaL Saline FlUid in Sepsis: study protocol for the PRoMPT BOLUS randomized interventional trial. Trials. 2021;22(1):776. Published 2021 Nov 6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34742327/ - Steven Pinker "Enlightenment Now” - https://stevenpinker.com/publications/enlightenment-now-case-reason-science-humanism-and-progress - Blood Poison: The Untold Story of Sepsis - https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/health-medicine-and-wellness/general-health-medicine-and-wellness/blood-poison/ TRANSCRIPT https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/r9q8w9vhsbpg7wwzn35kbmz/202605_WSP_Peters_and_Weiss_Transcript.pdf Please visit: http://www.openpediatrics.org OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge among healthcare providers worldwide who care for critically ill children across all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user. For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu CITATION Peters MJ, Weiss SL, O'Hara J, Burns JP. Pediatric Surviving Sepsis: Insights From the Leadership. 05/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/openpediatrics/pediatric-surviving-sepsis-insights-from-the-leadership-by-m-peters-s-weiss-openpediatrics.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe-Why “common knowledge” is much stranger than it sounds-The social machinery behind weddings, money, and power-How a norm starts to die once someone breaks it and gets rewarded-Trump as the great destroyer of polite restraints-The institutions that lost the authority to enforce trust-How new taboos appear without anyone admitting who created them-The sp…

Veja também em youtube.com/@45_graus Steven Pinker é um psicólogo cognitivo, linguista e um dos mais influentes intelectuais públicos da atualidade. Professor na Harvard University, destacou-se pelo trabalho sobre linguagem, mente humana e natureza humana, bem como pela defesa dos valores do Iluminismo, como a razão, a ciência e o progresso. É autor de vários bestsellers internacionais, incluindo How the Mind Works, The Language Instinct, The Better Angels of Our Nature e Enlightenment Now. O seu trabalho combina ciência, história e filosofia para explicar como pensamos, comunicamos e organizamos a vida em sociedade. _______________ Tópicos: Latest book, on “common knowledge”, and its implications on society and politics How do different social behavioral equilibria emerge? | Game theory Nash Equilibrium Coordination Game When Sweden Switched To Driving On The Right Is Social Media eroding common / accepted knowledge? What will the post-social media information ecosystem look like? Has Generative AI surprised you? Does Gen AI lack models of the world? Parallels between LLMs and System 1 of our mind Does reliance on AI atrophy our critical thinking? Parallel with handheld calculatorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Pinker joins Mona Charen to discuss why the world is improving in ways most people don't recognize—and why so many still believe everything is falling apart. They explore the case for Enlightenment values like reason, science, and liberal democracy, the growing backlash from both the left and MAGA world, and how media and human psychology fuel constant pessimism.Head to https://Quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. 

This week we were honored to interview Ray Scott Percival, a significant but also woefully under-appreciated figure in critical rationalism. Percival has been active in critical rationalist forums, conferences, and academic journals since the 90s and before. He has written for Quillette. He was the editor of a book of critical responses to Steven Pinker. He created an excellent documentary film called Liberty Loves Reason. But most significantly, in 2012 he wrote a book called Myth of the Closed Mind, which is available on Amazon in all the formats, including audio. The basic idea he explores there is that humans care about truth. We are truth seekers that create and pass on both rational and irrational memes. Dawkins calls the worst of these memes “mind viruses,” but what Percival points out is that as flawed as humans are, the good kind of memes have a competitive advantage in the war of ideas. Such a simple idea, but the implications of this are profound, and Percival has spent a lifetime wresting with them.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Myth of the Closed Mind: https://amzn.to/48xAoDGX: @Ray_S_Percival

In many organizations, some people are focused on keeping the lights on. Others are pushing for change. But what if the future isn't something out there waiting for us at all? What if it's shaped by what we do—and don't do—right now? For Reanna Browne, that shift starts with how we think. Change how we think about the future, and we change how we act in the present. In this revisited episode, Dart and Reanna discuss how the way we think about the future shapes what we do today.Reanna Browne is a futurist and founder of Work Futures, a strategic foresight consultancy. She works with organizations to rethink the future and translate foresight into action in the present.In this episode, Dart and Reanna discuss:- Why the future does not exist as a fixed endpoint- How thinking about the future changes how we act today- The difference between futures studies and strategic foresight- Why prediction is less useful than action- How action and inaction both shape the future- Keeping the lights on vs. making change- What “small bets” look like in everyday decisions- Why young people are rethinking the meaning of work- How language reveals deeper shifts in work and culture- Why there is no single future- And other topics…Reanna Browne is the founder of Work Futures, a consultancy specializing in strategic foresight. She has over a decade of experience working with public and private organizations on workforce strategy and change. She holds a Master's degree in Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University. Her work focuses on helping organizations understand change and act with intention in the present.Resources Mentioned:Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned, by Kenneth O. Stanley: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Greatness-Cannot-Planned-Objective/dp/3319155237“The Bitter Lesson,” by Rich Sutton: http://www.incompleteideas.net/IncIdeas/BitterLesson.htmlEnlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker: https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570Connect with Reanna:Work Futures: https://workfutures.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reannabrowneWork with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what's most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Learning to read permanently alters your brain. It changes the emotions you experience and the way you relate to others. When a society learns to read the consequences are dramatic: wars break out, revolutions erupt and new political systems spring into being. Reading made us who we are. With time spent reading - and even reading ability - starting to nosedive, Times writer James Marriott explores how reading changed humanity, and what might happen if we stop.In this episode James digs into the question of whether literacy led to the invention of democracy, asks whether reading helps us proof ourselves against misinformation, and asks what happens to our politics if reading dies out? Contributors include - Jung Chang, author - Robert Darnton, historian - Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at Harvard University - Naomi Alderman, writer and presenter - John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter for the Financial Times - Nick Harris, ideas editor at the New Statesman - Professor Maryanne Wolf, Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLAProducer - Beth Sagar-Fenton Editors - Chris Ledgard & Alasdair Cross

Transforming your health is more fun with friends!

Steven Pinker joins Marian Tupy to discuss the so-called "crisis of meaning," the decline of religion, and what can give life purpose in a modern, largely secular world.

Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and coalescing behind a political leader or movement. It's also necessary for social coordination: everything from rendezvousing at a time and place to speaking the same language to forming enduring relationships of friendship, romance, or authority. Humans have a sixth sense for common knowledge, and we create it with signals like laughter, tears, blushing, eye contact, and blunt speech. But people also go to great lengths to avoid common knowledge—to ensure that even if everyone knows something, they can't know that everyone else knows they know it. And so we get rituals like benign hypocrisy, veiled bribes and threats, sexual innuendo, and pretending not to see the elephant in the room. In When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (Scribner, 2026) Pinker shows how the hidden logic of common knowledge can make sense of many of life's enigmas: financial bubbles and crashes, revolutions that come out of nowhere, the posturing and pretense of diplomacy, the eruption of social media shaming mobs and academic cancel culture, the awkwardness of a first date. Artists and humorists have long mined the intrigues of common knowledge, and Pinker liberally uses their novels, jokes, cartoons, films, and sitcom dialogues to illuminate social life's tragedies and comedies. Along the way he answers questions like: -Why do people hoard toilet paper at the first sign of an emergency? -Why are Super Bowl ads dominated by crypto? -Why, in American presidential primary voting, do citizens typically select the candidate they believe is preferred by others rather than their favorite? -Why did Russian authorities arrest a protester who carried a blank sign? -Why is it so hard for nervous lovers to say goodbye at the end of a phone call? -Why does everyone agree that if we were completely honest all the time, life would be unbearable? Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator, and host of the New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here and also contributes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Reading seems an unremarkable skill. When we say something is as “easy as ABC”, we mean it is very easy indeed. In fact, learning to read has dramatic and irreversible consequences for people and for societies. Learning to read permanently alters your brain. It changes the emotions you experience and the way you relate to others. When a society learns to read the consequences are dramatic: wars break out, revolutions erupt and new political systems spring into being. Reading made us who we are. With time spent reading - and even reading ability - starting to nosedive, Times writer James Marriott explores how reading changed humanity, and what might happen if we stop.In this programme, James asks whether the spread of novel reading in the 18th century caused a moral revolution, whether a book played a role in the abolition of slavery, and whether the rise of reading, a solitary and slightly lonely activity, was one of the factors setting us on the path to our atomized and isolated modern society. Contributions from:- Jung Chang, author - Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at Harvard University - Sarah Maxwell, founder of Saucy Books - Robert Darnton, historian - Naomi Alderman, writer and presenter - Joseph Henrich, professor of anthropology at Harvard University - Maryanne Wolf, professor and Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLAProducer - Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor - Chris Ledgard

Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and coalescing behind a political leader or movement. It's also necessary for social coordination: everything from rendezvousing at a time and place to speaking the same language to forming enduring relationships of friendship, romance, or authority. Humans have a sixth sense for common knowledge, and we create it with signals like laughter, tears, blushing, eye contact, and blunt speech. But people also go to great lengths to avoid common knowledge—to ensure that even if everyone knows something, they can't know that everyone else knows they know it. And so we get rituals like benign hypocrisy, veiled bribes and threats, sexual innuendo, and pretending not to see the elephant in the room. In When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (Scribner, 2026) Pinker shows how the hidden logic of common knowledge can make sense of many of life's enigmas: financial bubbles and crashes, revolutions that come out of nowhere, the posturing and pretense of diplomacy, the eruption of social media shaming mobs and academic cancel culture, the awkwardness of a first date. Artists and humorists have long mined the intrigues of common knowledge, and Pinker liberally uses their novels, jokes, cartoons, films, and sitcom dialogues to illuminate social life's tragedies and comedies. Along the way he answers questions like: -Why do people hoard toilet paper at the first sign of an emergency? -Why are Super Bowl ads dominated by crypto? -Why, in American presidential primary voting, do citizens typically select the candidate they believe is preferred by others rather than their favorite? -Why did Russian authorities arrest a protester who carried a blank sign? -Why is it so hard for nervous lovers to say goodbye at the end of a phone call? -Why does everyone agree that if we were completely honest all the time, life would be unbearable? Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator, and host of the New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here and also contributes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and coalescing behind a political leader or movement. It's also necessary for social coordination: everything from rendezvousing at a time and place to speaking the same language to forming enduring relationships of friendship, romance, or authority. Humans have a sixth sense for common knowledge, and we create it with signals like laughter, tears, blushing, eye contact, and blunt speech. But people also go to great lengths to avoid common knowledge—to ensure that even if everyone knows something, they can't know that everyone else knows they know it. And so we get rituals like benign hypocrisy, veiled bribes and threats, sexual innuendo, and pretending not to see the elephant in the room. In When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (Scribner, 2026) Pinker shows how the hidden logic of common knowledge can make sense of many of life's enigmas: financial bubbles and crashes, revolutions that come out of nowhere, the posturing and pretense of diplomacy, the eruption of social media shaming mobs and academic cancel culture, the awkwardness of a first date. Artists and humorists have long mined the intrigues of common knowledge, and Pinker liberally uses their novels, jokes, cartoons, films, and sitcom dialogues to illuminate social life's tragedies and comedies. Along the way he answers questions like: -Why do people hoard toilet paper at the first sign of an emergency? -Why are Super Bowl ads dominated by crypto? -Why, in American presidential primary voting, do citizens typically select the candidate they believe is preferred by others rather than their favorite? -Why did Russian authorities arrest a protester who carried a blank sign? -Why is it so hard for nervous lovers to say goodbye at the end of a phone call? -Why does everyone agree that if we were completely honest all the time, life would be unbearable? Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator, and host of the New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here and also contributes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology

Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and coalescing behind a political leader or movement. It's also necessary for social coordination: everything from rendezvousing at a time and place to speaking the same language to forming enduring relationships of friendship, romance, or authority. Humans have a sixth sense for common knowledge, and we create it with signals like laughter, tears, blushing, eye contact, and blunt speech. But people also go to great lengths to avoid common knowledge—to ensure that even if everyone knows something, they can't know that everyone else knows they know it. And so we get rituals like benign hypocrisy, veiled bribes and threats, sexual innuendo, and pretending not to see the elephant in the room. In When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (Scribner, 2026) Pinker shows how the hidden logic of common knowledge can make sense of many of life's enigmas: financial bubbles and crashes, revolutions that come out of nowhere, the posturing and pretense of diplomacy, the eruption of social media shaming mobs and academic cancel culture, the awkwardness of a first date. Artists and humorists have long mined the intrigues of common knowledge, and Pinker liberally uses their novels, jokes, cartoons, films, and sitcom dialogues to illuminate social life's tragedies and comedies. Along the way he answers questions like: -Why do people hoard toilet paper at the first sign of an emergency? -Why are Super Bowl ads dominated by crypto? -Why, in American presidential primary voting, do citizens typically select the candidate they believe is preferred by others rather than their favorite? -Why did Russian authorities arrest a protester who carried a blank sign? -Why is it so hard for nervous lovers to say goodbye at the end of a phone call? -Why does everyone agree that if we were completely honest all the time, life would be unbearable? Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator, and host of the New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here and also contributes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/van-leer-institute

Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and coalescing behind a political leader or movement. It's also necessary for social coordination: everything from rendezvousing at a time and place to speaking the same language to forming enduring relationships of friendship, romance, or authority. Humans have a sixth sense for common knowledge, and we create it with signals like laughter, tears, blushing, eye contact, and blunt speech. But people also go to great lengths to avoid common knowledge—to ensure that even if everyone knows something, they can't know that everyone else knows they know it. And so we get rituals like benign hypocrisy, veiled bribes and threats, sexual innuendo, and pretending not to see the elephant in the room. In When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (Scribner, 2026) Pinker shows how the hidden logic of common knowledge can make sense of many of life's enigmas: financial bubbles and crashes, revolutions that come out of nowhere, the posturing and pretense of diplomacy, the eruption of social media shaming mobs and academic cancel culture, the awkwardness of a first date. Artists and humorists have long mined the intrigues of common knowledge, and Pinker liberally uses their novels, jokes, cartoons, films, and sitcom dialogues to illuminate social life's tragedies and comedies. Along the way he answers questions like: -Why do people hoard toilet paper at the first sign of an emergency? -Why are Super Bowl ads dominated by crypto? -Why, in American presidential primary voting, do citizens typically select the candidate they believe is preferred by others rather than their favorite? -Why did Russian authorities arrest a protester who carried a blank sign? -Why is it so hard for nervous lovers to say goodbye at the end of a phone call? -Why does everyone agree that if we were completely honest all the time, life would be unbearable? Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator, and host of the New Books Network's Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at reneeg@vanleer.org.il. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here and also contributes here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

Humanist Heavyweight Steven Pinker joins José González to unpack “Against the Dying of the Light,” a song inspired in part by Pinker's book, Enlightenment Now. Together they explore Enlightenment values, human nature, progress, algorithms, anger, AI, and whether reason, science, and empathy can still help us push back against darkness.

Send a textThis is a between-the-seasons bonus episode. I shall be back again on Monday to launch our new season on the book(s) of Kings. Back in October 2025, I read and studied. The Psychologist and Philosopher Steven Pinker's book 'The Blank Slate. As part of a study group I belong to. This is my reaction to it, first made available as a 'Patreon Only' bonus episode.Title: Beyond the Blank Slate.Episode Notes:The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker is one of the most influential and controversial books in modern psychology. Pinker dismantles three persistent myths about human nature — the Blank Slate, the Noble Savage, and the Ghost in the Machine — arguing that our minds are not infinitely malleable, but deeply shaped by evolution and biology.From a Christian perspective, this raises important questions. If his argument about human nature is real, what does that mean for morality, responsibility, and redemption? Can a scientific understanding of human nature coexist with a biblical one?Segments:Steven Pinker and the Modern MindThe Three Myths of Human NatureThe Case for Human NatureA Christian Response to the Moral ImplicationsBeyond the Blank Slate — Grace and the Image of GodScripture references:Genesis 1:26–27 · Romans 3:23 · John 1:3–4 · 2 Corinthians 5:17Reading List:Steven Pinker, The Blank Slate (Penguin Books, 2002)C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of ManAlister McGrath, The Open SecretSupport the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

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There is a value to shared knowledge that tends to go unrecognized because it's so ubiquitous. Nonetheless, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker explains in this Social Science Bites podcast, common knowledge underlies things like paper money, governance, and even coral reefs. And common knowledge, he makes clear to host David Edmonds, "does not have its ordinary sense of conventional wisdom or an open secret or something that everyone knows, but rather something that everyone knows that everyone knows, and everyone knows that, and everyone knows that, and so on, ad infinitum." Possing that shared knowledge – and the knowledge that others share that knowledge – creates the conditions for coordination, and thus action beyond what an individual could achieve. That's the reason, he says, "that autocrats fear common knowledge of the regime's shortcomings is that no regime has the firepower to intimidate every last citizen." Pinker, the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, details his understanding of the virtues and vices of common knowledge in his most recent book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life. The book, his 13th, continues his streak as one of the most publicly recognized of public intellectuals, including recognition as one of Foreign Policy's "World's Top 100 Public Intellectuals" and Time's "100 Most Influential People in the World Today." He is also only the second (so far) returning guest to Social Science Bites, having addressed violence and human nature in a 2012 podcast.

"Why are you in the Epstein files?"It is a question Rushkoff received from his own daughter, and in this raw monologue, he gives the full answer.His name appears in the CC field of emails from his former literary agent alongside Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, and yes, Jeffrey Epstein. But the story of why those names were grouped together reveals something much darker than a mailing list.Rushkoff recounts a disturbing mid-90s dinner party where he was physically grabbed by a host and scolded for "wasting his plus-one" on a brilliant female intellectual instead of "eye candy" to decorate the room for the male elites. He traces the lineage of this misogyny directly to the "scientism" of figures like Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, whose theories of humans as "meat machines" and "survival vehicles for genes" provided the perfect philosophical cover for sociopaths like Epstein to commodify and abuse women.This is not just a story about a predator; it is an indictment of the "permission structure" built by the scientific and tech elite. A worldview that dismisses human soul, consent, and morality as mere delusions.Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth.Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/Change Diapers: https://changediapers.com/Cobi Dryer Sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/Use the code “rush10” to receive 10% off of Cobi Dryer sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/Support Team Human:Team Human is a listener-supported project. To get ad-free access to this episode, join our quarterly Zooms, and support this work, please visit https://www.patreon.com/teamhuman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E23 - For today's amuse douche: a savory sample of our favorite Harvard Law professor's extremely normal 2015 explanation of his appearances in Jeffrey Epstein's flight logs. We then take on an almost painfully normal 1997 Dersh LA Times oped in which the lawyer who would go on to secure one of the best plea deals a pedophile has ever received complains about all of those pesky age of consent laws. Finally: some of the worst reactions from men exposed in the Epstein files.  You can also watch this episode on YouTube! “Gelernter tells dean he stands by praising student's looks to Epstein,” Yale News, Feb 5, 2026 “Statutory Rape is an Outdated Concept, Alan Dershowitz, LA Times (1997)(retrieved from Newspapers.com.)  Steven Pinker's linguistic analysis for Epstein's defense team, eventually resulting in Epstein's "sweetheart deal" (attachment in linked email, June 28, 2007). Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!

Using the Stone of Democracy to Slay the Goliath of Inequality Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse By: Luke Kemp Published: 2025 592 Pages Briefly, what is this book about? By most accounts, civilization, which is to say the large Hobbesian state, is a good thing. Kemp doesn't necessarily agree. In his account, states are lumbering, tyrannical, extractive Goliaths, cursed to grow bigger, more oppressive and more brittle until they are eventually brought down by a "stone" that hits in just the right place.  Civilization forms out of dominance hierarchies, and these hierarchies generally only move in one direction, towards greater inequality, greater extraction, and more self-interested decisions. This leads to ever increasing fragility and eventual collapse. Collapse might actually be a better place for the masses of people, though it's often quite bloody to get there. Though if that's how it played out in the past, Kemp doesn't think it will necessarily play out that way going forward. If (when?) civilization collapses this time, it will be far more apocalyptic.  What authorial biases should I be aware of? Kemp is associated with the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge. I was recommended this book by the sagacious Florian U. Jehn of the excellent Existential Crunch blog. Jehn knows his stuff which gives me the confidence to safely locate Kemp as an important scholar in the genre of collapse research, with an interesting, albeit populist/anti-elite take on the subject. Who should read this book? Kemp draws heavily on the ideas of James C. Scott (Seeing Like a State and Against the Grain) and writes in opposition to the ideas of Steven Pinker (in particular The Better Angels of Our Nature). If you find yourself similarly situated, you'll enjoy this book.  It's also a great book for anyone who can't get enough discussion of existential risk. And really given the stakes we should be considering as many viewpoints as possible. What does the book have to say about the future? As you might imagine, Kemp's vision of the future is pretty bleak. He is not a techno-optimist, rather he sees in technology the emergence of a new Goliath, a new arena of dominance and extraction. He has a certain amount of hope, but it all revolves around using democracy to disrupt the ratcheting up of inequality and elite power, which seems like a tall order.  Specific thoughts: Past, present, and future collapse

Leading public intellectual Steven Pinker explores how we navigate each other's minds and how “common knowledge” shapes our behavior, from everyday etiquette to societal outrage, with NYT columnist and author Frank Bruni in a program of the Temple Emanu-El Cultural Streicker Center.

What happens when everyone knows what everyone knows? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice dive into human psychology and how recursive common knowledge is the invisible glue holding civilization together with cognitive scientist and author, Steven Pinker.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Zypherior (Fjottrik), Brett Peterson, Sheila Weinhardt, baltimega, Eric Gouse, Mathias Toft, Mike, Alex Boyer, Joey, Nathan, Mark, logan, Tal Rozow, Craig F, Nathir Kassam, Doug Calli, Artem, Jay Sawyer, Owen Aston, Tyler, smbriggs1, Galaxy Master, Stephanie Edwards, Fahad Sadiq, Erasmus, Margaret Kaczorowski, Julia, Marie Rausku, Andrew Talley, Wayne2566, Rob Weber, Eric Cabrera, Galarian Rowlet, Mark S. Meadows, Alexander Burov, Christopher Knight, Dan, William Hughes-Ruddell, Lisa R., Alison Broussard, Alex M. Zepeda, Michael Kroll, Caroline Cockrell, Shakeel Kadri, Cassondra Lowe, Ethan Rudkin, Fabio Scopel, Denisse Bermudez, Jacqui Wakeley, Nick, Shelley, Christina, RT, Jan Souček, Christopher NAVARRETTE, Ken, Dek Shanaghy, Matthew Bosheh, Ms. Netta, Deciphering Yiddish, DxGhostHawk, Olga Cadilla, Rick Prunty, Young Hahn, Yen-Chen Lee, Gail Reed Lobo, Joe Horner, Eps15 Unc, HiTecLoLife, Shazia, PatienceHoney, James Watson, Alex Court, Rylan Accalia, Alex1016, Çağlayan (Chao) Karagözler, Nick Parks, Christopher Causey, William, Dana, Dagim Afework Mekonnen, joseph Rollins, ulus, Brent Knoll, Ron Mueller, Rosa Harris, Casey Hall, Jill Whalen, Honey Moon, Neicy, Justin Laning, Chris Mackenzie, Malik Sankofa, and Jeff Allmendinger for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steven Pinker is a cognitive scientist, bestselling author, and one of the most influential thinkers of our time. His latest book unpacks the concept of 'common knowledge', and how it impacts our social, political, and economic lives. Steven argues that this invisible layer of shared understanding holds societies together. But it can also work in reverse by reinforcing inherent biases as more people silo themselves inside echo chambers. This is a fascinating conversation with a brilliant man, and you can see Steven live in Australia in February. LINKS Grab tickets to see Steven Pinker live in Australia Where to find Steven's latest book 'When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows ... Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocrisy and Outrage' Follow Steven on Instagram Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube Get tickets for our next Story Club show Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube Get Osher's new book "So What? Now What?" here Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClmXn3-j2t4 Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss a recent essay by Steven Pinker and Marian Tupy (“The Golden Age of Humanity? We're Living In It”) that aims to offer a secular alternative to the recent resurgence in religious culture. Topics include: The Anti-Enlightenment Phenomenon; Pinker and Tupy's secular strengths; A weak critique of Christian morality; Christian morality and antisemitism; Understanding the crisis of meaning; Unphilosophical moral foundations; Alternative, Pro-Enlightenment moral foundation. Resources:  “The Objectivist Ethics,” Ayn Rand “Finding Morality and Happiness Without God,” Onkar Ghate “Debunking the Supernaturalism That Haunts Secular Ethics,” Ben Bayer This episode was recorded on December 16, 2025, and posted on January 2, 2026. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here. Image Credit: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt / AFP / via Getty Images

By cataloging the steady march of human progress, the Harvard psychologist and linguist has become a very public intellectual. But the self-declared “polite Canadian” has managed to enrage people on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Steve Levitt tries to understand why. This episode originally aired on August 21st, 2020. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the real power in your life isn't what you know, but what you know that everyone else knows you know?Money only works because we all believe everyone else believes in it. Governments stand because we assume everyone else will follow the rules. Even love, status, trust, and cancel culture are driven by invisible social agreements that live in our shared mind.In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Steven Pinker, Harvard psychologist, cognitive scientist, bestselling author, and one of Time's “100 Most Influential People in the World Today,” to decode the science of common knowledge and how it shapes everything from money and power to social media, revolutions, and your daily relationships.We talk about why some ideas go viral and others don't, why cancel culture and public shaming are so effective, why dictators fear free speech, and how misinformation hijacks our “collective brain.” Steven also shares powerful tools from his books Rationality and When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows to help you think more clearly, protect yourself from cognitive biases, and become a better learner and communicator in a noisy, hyper-connected world.If you've ever wondered why people follow the crowd, why markets boom and crash, why social norms feel so powerful, or how to stay rational when everyone is yelling online, this conversation will help you see the hidden architecture behind human behavior – and use that insight to upgrade your thinking, your learning, and your life./ / / Ready to upgrade your brain? / / /Choose your own adventure. Below are the best places to start:>>> Master Exceptional Memory Skills in 31 Days>>> Discover Your Unique KWIK BRAIN C.O.D.E To Activate Your Genius>>> Unlock New Levels of Cognitive PerformanceTake your first step by choosing one of the options above, and you will find everything you need to ignite your brilliant brain and unlock your exceptional life, allowing you to achieve and surpass all of your personal and professional goals.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We set down the Chardonnay at the latest heterodox dinner party and lean in for some hearty ‘civil discourse' to once again defend the trembling pillars of Western civilization.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 13 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 40: YouTube Builders, the Discourse Grind, and Sam Harris' Dinner Parties00:00 Introduction01:15 Feedback on the Molyneux Episode10:26 Jordan Peterson still defeated by toxic demon mould12:16 Steven Pinker's bad takes on Bjorn Lomborg15:49 Chris vs Sabine28:21 Grok's insane sycophantic glazing of Elon Musk33:54 Musk's Psychology40:59 Sam Harris acknowledges his problem?!?47:18 Sam continues to wrestle with the interpersonal ethics of criticism01:05:10 Triggernometry saves Western Civilization01:15:29 The Wisdom of Francis Foster01:28:42 Triggernometry's Partisan Outrage at the BBC01:38:12 Oppressed Men vs. Complaining Women01:46:29 The YouTube Builders of Western Civilization01:56:42 Pageau vs Bret Weinstein02:01:52 Eric Weinstein sensemaking about Cancellation02:09:58 A PSA about THIS podcastLinksStefan Molyneux accidentally posting as a young woman on his main accountChris arguing with Sabine Hossenfelder– Receipts threadSteven Pinker cheering on Bjorn LomborgInsights from the finances of Bjorn Lomborg's think tankExample video detailing Lomborg's rhetoricGuardian article on Grok's glazing of Elon MuskGrok explains Elon is the best piss drinkerSam Harris Podcast #442 — More From SamTriggernometry: Our Thoughts On Interviewing Dave Smith, Hasan Piker, Sam Harris and Ben ShapiroPageau and Bret's pre-podcast Twitter sparringEric Weinstein sense-making about wordsOur previous episode on Tiggernometry entering the Big Time

A Note from JamesI first got really impressed with Steven Pinker when he wrote The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. He basically shows that over the past 10,000 years, every single century has been less violent than the one before it. You might think, “That can't include the 20th century,” right? We had World War I, World War II, atomic bombs, the flu pandemic of 1920, Vietnam—all these massive wars. But when you look at violent deaths per capita, the 20th century was actually less violent than the 1800s, which were less violent than the 1700s, and so on. It's a beautiful, data-driven argument for optimism.But it's his latest book that really fascinated me: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life. That subtitle alone—“common knowledge and the mysteries of money, power, and everyday life”—you can't just skip past that. You have to know what it means.Take poker, for example. If someone bluffs you, you have to think: are they bluffing? Or are they making me think they're bluffing, but they're not? Or do they know that I think they're bluffing, so now they're actually not bluffing at all? That kind of circular reasoning—what philosophers call “common knowledge”—shows up in real life all the time.Like when you ask someone up for “a cup of coffee” after a date. You're not really talking about coffee. But you're also not saying what you actually mean. You're hinting. You're creating a safe, ambiguous space where both people know what's being suggested without anyone having to say it outright. The same thing happens when you ask your boss, “Can we discuss taking on more responsibilities?” instead of saying “I want a raise.” We give partial information all the time, because being direct can change the relationship—or close off possibilities.Steven and I talked about why we communicate this way, how shared knowledge shapes everything from flirtation to power to money, and what happens when that balance breaks down.And by the way—if you've never seen Steven Pinker—he looks exactly like what you'd imagine a Harvard professor to look like. Long white hair, sharp blue eyes, and this kind of wild genius energy. Jay and I joked that he looks like Einstein meets Jimmy Page meets Beethoven. He's the best-looking academic I've ever seen.Anyway, here's our conversation on When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, with my good friend Steven Pinker.Episode DescriptionIn this conversation, James and Steven Pinker explore how much of life runs on signals, innuendo, and the unsaid. Pinker explains how “common knowledge”—what everyone knows that everyone else knows—shapes everything from romantic attraction to political polarization to financial panics.They discuss why laughter matters, how game theory explains social awkwardness, and why being “brutally honest” all the time can destroy relationships. From Seinfeld to poker tables to the stock market, Pinker shows that our most human moments depend on the subtle art of leaving things unsaid.What You'll LearnWhy subtle hints and shared assumptions keep relationships, negotiations, and societies stableHow laughter creates “common knowledge” and strengthens social bondsThe role of game theory and “recursive thinking” in everything from dating to diplomacyWhy total honesty isn't always a virtue—and how “rational hypocrisy” preserves relationshipsHow stock market behavior, toilet paper hoarding, and bank runs all reflect the same hidden logicTimestamped Chapters[00:00] Introduction – When everyone knows that everyone knows [03:00] A Note from James: Why Pinker's optimism matters [08:00] The hidden rules of communication and “weasel words” [10:00] Why we hint, wink, and avoid blurting the truth [13:00] “I love you” and the creation of common knowledge [16:00] How humor and laughter level the playing field [20:00] Politics, laughter, and social signaling [27:00] Bluffing, poker, and recursive thinking [31:00] Negotiation, honesty, and the limits of directness [38:00] Rational hypocrisy vs. radical honesty [42:00] Stock markets, speculation, and public knowledge [47:00] The toilet paper paradox: when panic becomes reality [56:00] Why intimacy can't be legislated [01:00:00] Trade-offs, awareness, and flexible social norms [01:01:00] The “Sagan Curse” and being a public intellectual [01:04:00] The logic behind life's unspoken rulesAdditional ResourcesSteven Pinker – When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday LifeSteven Pinker – The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has DeclinedSteven Pinker – Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It MattersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why do people refuse to say what they see, and, what everyone knows…whether or not they're willing to acknowledge it? Is there some benefit to keeping quiet, adhering to the “unwritten rules,” and, is there a time and place to break tradition? Today, I'm joined by Harvard professor, Dr. Steven Pinker to answer these questions. We also discuss the difference between common knowledge and common wisdom, whether or not it's hypocrisy to stay quiet about the unwritten rules, when to be radically honest or complacently quiet, how to judge risk in your honesty, how the “Abeline Paradox” will serve you, and the importance of male initiation. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Steven Pinker 00:45 – Defining “common knowledge” vs. “common sense” 03:11 – “Don't ask, don't tell” and social hypocrisy 07:46 – Cultural shifts and the meaning of hypocrisy 09:41 – Morality, religion, and policy contradictions 11:21 – Hidden hypocrisies: paper bags and escort services 14:07 – How common knowledge shapes power (Taiwan example) 17:05 – “Coming out” and the social costs of honesty 20:10 – Honesty vs. tact in relationships 23:13 – Learning social nuance: autism and empathy 31:00 – Layers of communication and meaning 34:50 – The Abilene paradox and pluralistic ignorance 38:02 – How silence empowers repression 42:42 – Conformity and social conditioning 44:06 – Building virtuous influence as men 47:22 – Civilizing young men and the role of masculinity 51:48 – The crisis of modern manhood 54:08 – Ruthless honesty with compassion (closing) Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down how men can reclaim masculinity in an overly feminized culture. He outlines five principles for leading, protecting, and providing in a world that often mislabels masculine virtues as toxic. Ryan challenges modern misconceptions, redefines what strength looks like, and calls men to take responsibility - for themselves, their families, and their communities. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro - The Cost of a Feminized Culture                   00:12 - We Live in an Overly Feminized Culture 02:33 - Rule #1 - Reject the Idea That Men and Women Are the Same 05:38 - Rule #2 - Masculinity Isn't Toxic, It's How You Use It    08:04 - Masculine vs. Feminine Virtues: Different, Not Opposed    10:27 - Rule #3 - Don't Take Masculinity Advice from Women        14:31 - Rule #4 - Boys Need Men: Why Male Influence Matters       16:40 - Rule #5 - Read the Room: Strength vs. Compassion          20:15 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Parenting Roles          22:35 - Rule #6 - Embrace Meritocracy & Earn Influence            26:50 - Next Week: Dr. Steven Pinker Teaser                       26:57 - Subscribe & YouTube Growth Promo                          KEY TAKEAWAYS Modern culture has conditioned men to abandon masculine traits. Masculinity itself isn't toxic — it's how you use it. Men and women are equal in worth but different in design and purpose. Men must mentor boys to become strong, capable leaders. Leadership requires discernment — strength and compassion both matter. Reclaiming masculinity means earning influence through merit and integrity. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Upcoming Guest: Dr. Steven Pinker (next week's interview) Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/orderofman Follow Ryan Michler on Instagram: @ryanmichler Join the Order of Man Community: orderofman.com   Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Steven Pinker joins to discuss his new book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, exploring how shared awareness coordinates everything from markets to manners. He traces spirals of silence, costly signals, and why a single public moment can flip private hunches into history. Also: the sentencing in the intended assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh — what the court record shows about Nicholas (Sophie) Roske's change of mind, and why eight years can be both just and long. And in the Spiel: the Supreme Court's new term, and an un-panicked look at Trump's shadow-docket “wins,” what the justices actually stayed, and why. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack

It then becomes “common knowledge,” and can be both beneficial – like cementing friendships or empowering peaceful protests – or destructive, causing a run on toilet paper or splitting society into silos, each with their own common knowledge. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does common knowledge become… common knowledge? Steven Pinker is a cognitive psychologist and professor at Harvard University. He joins Preet to discuss his latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, about how shared awareness shapes norms and shifts collective behavior.  Then, Preet answers your questions about America's very first law enforcement agency and Border Czar Tom Homan's alleged $50,000 bribe. In the bonus for Insiders, Preet and Pinker discuss how laughter and comedy informs common knowledge and vice versa. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBhararaon Twitter or Bluesky with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steven Pinker (When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life) is a cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist, and author. Steven returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how in general things have gotten better, that tracking the data can make one more optimistic than reading headlines, and the differences between private knowledge and common knowledge. Steven and Dax talk about how evolved language generates common knowledge, the role of conventions and ritual in human coordination, and the power of Super Bowl advertisements. Steven explains the counterintuitive fact that announcing one's philanthropy actually does more good, why we have to expose ourselves to a universe of ideas to find out which ones are good, and why he's not afraid of AI.Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Renowned psychologist Steven Pinker joins Jonah Goldberg to share insights from his latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, which explores humanity's unique sixth sense for common knowledge.The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rising Risks of Cancel Culture & The Psychology & Language That Built It! In this explosive episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Steven Pinker (renowned Harvard psychologist and author of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows) joins Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen for a no-holds-barred conversation that quickly turns into a fiery debate on the limits of science, belief, and human consciousness. From the hidden mechanics of social dynamics and language to the perils of thought policing and cancel culture, Dr. Pinker dives deep into how shared knowledge shapes society, why what people think others believe can shift power, and how social media became a modern-day coliseum for public shaming. But the sparks really fly when Mayim and Jonathan challenge Pinker's staunchly materialist worldview — questioning whether extrasensory perception (ESP), near death experiences (NDEs), and higher consciousness might point to something beyond the reach of scientific instruments. Pinker doesn't hold back, offering his sharply skeptical takes on mystical claims and pushing back against spiritual notions with cool-headed logic. Dr. Pinker also breaks down: - Why what others think of us actually matters - Dangers of being too direct or too indirect — especially for neurodivergent folks - How to create or hide common knowledge in relationships - The first case of cancel culture on social media (and its ancient roots!) - The thin line between freedom of speech and incitement to violence - How distrust in science fuels conspiracy theories - Can we depoliticize science? Or is it already too late? - The danger of defunding academic research - Why authoritarian regimes fear open communication - The healthcare system: overprescription, profit motives, and how to fix it - Is free will real? Or are we just dancing to the tune of biology and environment? Don't miss MBB's first-ever toe-to-toe spiritual showdown between Mayim, Jonathan, and a die-hard materialist. Whether you lean scientific, spiritual, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about reality. Dr. Steven Pinker's latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge And The Mysteries Of Money, Power, And Everyday Life: ⁠https://stevenpinker.com/publications/when-everyone-knows-everyone-knows-common-knowledge-and-mysteries-money-power-and⁠ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rising Risks of Cancel Culture & The Psychology & Language That Built It! In this explosive episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Steven Pinker (renowned Harvard psychologist and author of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows) joins Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen for a no-holds-barred conversation that quickly turns into a fiery debate on the limits of science, belief, and human consciousness. From the hidden mechanics of social dynamics and language to the perils of thought policing and cancel culture, Dr. Pinker dives deep into how shared knowledge shapes society, why what people think others believe can shift power, and how social media became a modern-day coliseum for public shaming. But the sparks really fly when Mayim and Jonathan challenge Pinker's staunchly materialist worldview — questioning whether extrasensory perception (ESP), near death experiences (NDEs), and higher consciousness might point to something beyond the reach of scientific instruments. Pinker doesn't hold back, offering his sharply skeptical takes on mystical claims and pushing back against spiritual notions with cool-headed logic. Dr. Pinker also breaks down: - Why what others think of us actually matters - Dangers of being too direct or too indirect — especially for neurodivergent folks - How to create or hide common knowledge in relationships - The first case of cancel culture on social media (and its ancient roots!) - The thin line between freedom of speech and incitement to violence - How distrust in science fuels conspiracy theories - Can we depoliticize science? Or is it already too late? - The danger of defunding academic research - Why authoritarian regimes fear open communication - The healthcare system: overprescription, profit motives, and how to fix it - Is free will real? Or are we just dancing to the tune of biology and environment? Don't miss MBB's first-ever toe-to-toe spiritual showdown between Mayim, Jonathan, and a die-hard materialist. Whether you lean scientific, spiritual, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about reality. Dr. Steven Pinker's latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge And The Mysteries Of Money, Power, And Everyday Life: ⁠https://stevenpinker.com/publications/when-everyone-knows-everyone-knows-common-knowledge-and-mysteries-money-power-and⁠ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your brain isn't as rational as you think, and that blind spot can wreck your decision-making, relationships, and even your health. In this episode, you'll learn how to spot the hidden cognitive traps that even the smartest people fall for, and how to upgrade your thinking so you can perform better, live longer, and make choices that actually serve you. Watch the condensed video highlight version of this episode (and much more!) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Steven Pinker, a world-renowned cognitive psychologist, Harvard professor, and bestselling author whose research reshaped how we understand language, bias, social norms, and rationality. Pinker's decades of scholarship make him a trusted guide to the mechanics of the mind and the behaviors that either elevate or derail human performance and longevity. Together they break down how the brain actually reasons, why smart people still fall for tribal thinking, what current AI gets wrong about human intelligence, and how “common knowledge” quietly governs cooperation, law, and civility. This is a masterclass in brain optimization through better thinking, built for people who care about biohacking, hacking mental models, neuroplasticity, and high-performance decision-making. You'll learn: • How to recognize and counter the “my-side bias,” even if you're highly intelligent • Why common knowledge creates and sustains social norms and coordination • The art of indirect speech and tact, and how to calibrate your words to reduce social risk • Simple upgrades that make video calls feel closer to real eye contact and why that boosts trust • What today's AI gets wrong about minds and why models hallucinate • Rational habits that work in the real world: steelmanning, probabilistic thinking, adversarial collaboration, and making bets as a tax on bad arguments • Why liberal democracy fits human nature better than autocracy and how norms erode or hold • How to rebuild face-to-face social skills in a screen-first culture to improve resilience and performance This is essential listening for fans of biohacking, brain optimization, human performance, neuroplasticity, and longevity who want clear, usable frameworks to think better and live better with Dave Asprey. Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (audio-only), and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: Steven Pinker, cognitive psychology, rational thinking, my-side bias, human nature, common knowledge, cognitive bias, AI and human intelligence, democracy and human behavior, social norms psychology, decision-making hacks, brain optimization, biohacking the mind, mental performance, neuroplasticity, rationality movement, bias and longevity, functional intelligence, Human Upgrade podcast, Dave Asprey, thinking traps, steelmanning, epistemic humility, outrage economy, psychology of power, critical thinking upgrade, hacking human performance Thank you to our sponsors! KILLSwitch | If you're ready for the best sleep of your life, order now at https://www.switchsupplements.com/ and use code DAVE for 20% off. Timeline | Head to https://www.timeline.com/dave to get 10% off your first order. Our Place | Head to https://fromourplace.com/ and use the code DAVE for 10% off your order. **Order Steven's new book WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS THAT EVERYONE KNOWS...: COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND THE MYSTERIES OF MONEY, POWER, AND EVERYDAY LIFE: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/V685EVZR Resources: • Steven's Website: https://stevenpinker.com/ • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15 • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com• Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: 0:00 — Trailer 0:59 — Introduction 1:58 — Human Nature 3:30 — Cognitive Psychology 5:46 — Academia Path 7:32 — Canada vs. U.S. 8:42 — College Value 12:08 — Curiosity 15:25 — Government & Humans 19:56 — AI & Cognition 24:45 — Fairness & Justice 32:56 — Social Norms 47:12 — Communication Skills 55:32 — Virtual Society 57:20 — Personal Biases See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rising Risks of Cancel Culture & The Psychology & Language That Built It! In this explosive episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Steven Pinker (renowned Harvard psychologist and author of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows) joins Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen for a no-holds-barred conversation that quickly turns into a fiery debate on the limits of science, belief, and human consciousness. From the hidden mechanics of social dynamics and language to the perils of thought policing and cancel culture, Dr. Pinker dives deep into how shared knowledge shapes society, why what people think others believe can shift power, and how social media became a modern-day coliseum for public shaming. But the sparks really fly when Mayim and Jonathan challenge Pinker's staunchly materialist worldview — questioning whether extrasensory perception (ESP), near death experiences (NDEs), and higher consciousness might point to something beyond the reach of scientific instruments. Pinker doesn't hold back, offering his sharply skeptical takes on mystical claims and pushing back against spiritual notions with cool-headed logic. Dr. Pinker also breaks down: - Why what others think of us actually matters - Dangers of being too direct or too indirect — especially for neurodivergent folks - How to create or hide common knowledge in relationships - The first case of cancel culture on social media (and its ancient roots!) - The thin line between freedom of speech and incitement to violence - How distrust in science fuels conspiracy theories - Can we depoliticize science? Or is it already too late? - The danger of defunding academic research - Why authoritarian regimes fear open communication - The healthcare system: overprescription, profit motives, and how to fix it - Is free will real? Or are we just dancing to the tune of biology and environment? Don't miss MBB's first-ever toe-to-toe spiritual showdown between Mayim, Jonathan, and a die-hard materialist. Whether you lean scientific, spiritual, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about reality. Dr. Steven Pinker's latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge And The Mysteries Of Money, Power, And Everyday Life: https://stevenpinker.com/publications/when-everyone-knows-everyone-knows-common-knowledge-and-mysteries-money-power-and Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rising Risks of Cancel Culture & The Psychology & Language That Built It! In this explosive episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Steven Pinker (renowned Harvard psychologist and author of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows) joins Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen for a no-holds-barred conversation that quickly turns into a fiery debate on the limits of science, belief, and human consciousness. From the hidden mechanics of social dynamics and language to the perils of thought policing and cancel culture, Dr. Pinker dives deep into how shared knowledge shapes society, why what people think others believe can shift power, and how social media became a modern-day coliseum for public shaming. But the sparks really fly when Mayim and Jonathan challenge Pinker's staunchly materialist worldview — questioning whether extrasensory perception (ESP), near death experiences (NDEs), and higher consciousness might point to something beyond the reach of scientific instruments. Pinker doesn't hold back, offering his sharply skeptical takes on mystical claims and pushing back against spiritual notions with cool-headed logic. Dr. Pinker also breaks down: - Why what others think of us actually matters - Dangers of being too direct or too indirect — especially for neurodivergent folks - How to create or hide common knowledge in relationships - The first case of cancel culture on social media (and its ancient roots!) - The thin line between freedom of speech and incitement to violence - How distrust in science fuels conspiracy theories - Can we depoliticize science? Or is it already too late? - The danger of defunding academic research - Why authoritarian regimes fear open communication - The healthcare system: overprescription, profit motives, and how to fix it - Is free will real? Or are we just dancing to the tune of biology and environment? Don't miss MBB's first-ever toe-to-toe spiritual showdown between Mayim, Jonathan, and a die-hard materialist. Whether you lean scientific, spiritual, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about reality. Dr. Steven Pinker's latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge And The Mysteries Of Money, Power, And Everyday Life: https://stevenpinker.com/publications/when-everyone-knows-everyone-knows-common-knowledge-and-mysteries-money-power-and Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If I showed you some photos of yourself and asked you to pick out the one that most accurately represented what you really looked like – could you do it? Listen as I begin this episode by explaining why you most likely could not. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150623200016.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com Common knowledge is something that I know that you know, and you know that I know you know it! And so usually, we never discuss it. Sounds confusing but without common knowledge life would be amazingly difficult and tedious as you are about to discover when you listen to my conversation with Steven Pinker. Steven is a professor of psychology at Harvard University and is the author of 12 books. His latest is When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows . . .: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/46oYRdG). Some people are chronically late. It's as if they have a completely different attitude toward time. Yet their tardiness can infuriate people who are punctual and expect other people to be. Is it rudeness or is it just a different “time personality”? There was an interesting article about this in the New York Times not long ago that got quite a bit of attention. Joining me in this episode is the author of that article, Emily Laber-Warren. She heads the health and science reporting program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York and has been a staff editor at Popular Science, The Sciences, Scientific American Mind, and Women's Health. Here is a link to the NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/well/live/time-personality-polychronic-monochronic.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fE8.XJAU.mLoAAuZCOiwU&smid=url-share The next time you are in a bad mood, I have some quick, science-backed suggestions to help you snap out of it and cheer up almost instantly. https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/advice/a51333/how-to-get-in-a-good-mood/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Maher and his guests answer viewer questions after the show. (Originally aired 9/5/25) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill's guests are Steven Pinker, Kaitlan Collins, Stephen Moore (Originally aired 9/5/25) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices