I support Trump's Syria strike against the Shayrat airfield. That is the punchline of today's episode but I encourage you to listen with an open mind as I go through the reaction to the Syria strike, what different pundits and columnists and congresspersons have said, and why I think ultimately it was a good idea. There's a lot of muddy and motivated thinking going on in our public discourse; I'm doing my best to go where the facts lead. And as always, I'm very open to counter argument! Here are...
Apr 17, 2017•1 hr 2 min
I'm back from my Europe trip! And it couldn't have come at a more news-heavy time. First I've got a couple quick stories to talk about - Chechnya and Susan Rice. After that I go to the main topic for this show, and unfortunately next show... which is Trump's strike on Syria. This part one involves the backstory, what happened, how we know what we know, and some thoughts on the Putin Trump relationship. Part 2 will be available early for patrons, and it will focus on the reaction to the strike, p...
Apr 13, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Joining me today is Sara Gorman! Sara is a public health expert and author based in New York. She is the co-founder of Critica , a community committed to making rational decisions about health and security. Critica’s mission is to develop and test new methods of advancing public acceptance of scientific evidence and promoting informed health decision-making. Sara’s first book, Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us , was published in September 2016. It looks into the psy...
Apr 10, 2017•54 min
Joining me today is Zach Kiser, a graduate researcher and Director of Policy and Communications for the National Science Policy Group (NSPG) ! Zach is here to give us some perspective on just how awful Trump's budget proposal is and how backbreaking it might potentially be to science research in the US. Though Trump touts an America First slogan, this kind of thing is really an embarrassment and puts America behind even by Republican standards. American Association for the Advancement of Science...
Apr 06, 2017•47 min
The guest from this episode has requested that I take it down and I'm respecting that request.
Apr 03, 2017•19 sec
Yeah, that excitement didn't last too long. I was scheduled to speak to Dave Rubin at Mythinformation in Milwaukee in September, but despite everything having been agreed to and announced, Dave dropped out due to a previously overlooked scheduling conflict. In light of that, I share some thoughts on what happened, what I tried to do in response, and what the result was. I also looked back through Dave's guest history at his alleged "liberals" he has interviewed to see whether I haven't given him...
Mar 30, 2017•1 hr 7 min
Joining me for the second time is philosopher and now podcaster, Aaron Rabi! Aaron specializes in ethics, and I have questions. I'm fairly certain that our morality ultimately boils down to consequences, for reasons I explain, but not all philosophers see it that way. Aaron and I have a very interesting discussion on what exactly grounds our morals, given that there are problems to be found in every moral system. Does consequentialism ultimately win out, as I have previously opined? Find out! Fi...
Mar 27, 2017•1 hr 2 min
With a heavy news week full of depositions, testimony, odd press conferences and more, today I take a look at some of the evidence of Russia-Trump collusion and what it all means. Ok, what it MIGHT mean... while trying not to descend into full on conspiracy theorist mode. It's not exactly easy. After that, I go into the details of a case Gorsuch decided that perfectly illustrates why the originalist/literalist method of jurisprudence leaves this podcaster cold. Some sources used: Politico Trump ...
Mar 23, 2017•1 hr 3 min
I'm so excited to have Lawrence Krauss on the show today! Professor Krauss is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist who blew all of our minds with his lecture and previous book, A Universe from Nothing. His new book, The Greatest Story Ever Told, takes us back through the history of how exactly we know what we do about our universe. I highly recommend it, and I hope you enjoy the interview even half as much as I did! Check out the new book here! Leave us a Voicemail: (916) 750-4746! Support us...
Mar 20, 2017•46 min
Given the preemptive bashing of the CBO by Republicans and the subsequent release of a pretty damning score on the AHCA bill, I wanted to take a look at how the CBO did at predicting the effects of Obamacare. Is the Trump administration on solid ground when it says that the CBO is wildly inaccurate and partisan? After that I discuss four very thought provoking questions I received in the voicemail segment! Sources: CBO Basic History Fact Check on CBO Predictions More Critical Look at CBO Predict...
Mar 16, 2017•1 hr 4 min
Joining us today is Travis Rieder! Travis is a philosopher at Johns Hopkins who deals with Population Ethics and related questions. Find his academic page here. Given the uncertainty of outcomes of our potential children, and given the many problems humanity faces due to overpopulation, is it morally acceptable to have children? Travis and I discuss that question and many related ones in a fascinating philosophy edition of SIO! Here are Travis's main works on these questions, for further reading...
Mar 13, 2017•56 min
In today's episode I want to discuss one of the most significant battles that will be fought in the new administration: that is the repeal and replacement of Obamacare. While looking into a lot of the claims made by Sean Spicer and other Trump apologists, I was struck by how fascinating the story of Obamacare really is. So, the first 15 minutes or so of today's episode is on the history of Obamacare, and what implications it has for the future of Trumpcare. Good Obamacare Timeline , Another Good...
Mar 09, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Joining me today is Michael Marshall, host of the podcast Be Reasonable. On his show, Marsh speaks with people who have incredibly fringe views. Whether it's a ghost hunter or flat Earther, Be Reasonable allows a place for these folks to speak at length on their views. Marsh messaged me after my interview with Trump supporter Dr. Price because of the similarity in that recording to what Marsh is doing on his show. In this interview, Marsh and I have a dialogue about what tactics he uses when spe...
Mar 06, 2017•1 hr 12 min
In today's episode, after a few thoughts on the Trump address to Congress and his BS spending plan, the topic is "How to change people's minds." Haeley and I set about to do some research on a: how possible it is to change minds, and b: if so, what are the best methods? I take a look at and describe a number of studies that shed light on this issue, and the goal is to apply it to both the Dr. Price debate and any future debates! Have a listen and see what conclusions we reached! After that I've ...
Mar 02, 2017•1 hr 9 min
Joining us today is Ron Miscavige - the father of Scientology cult leader David Miscavige. Ron has a long history with the church and he takes us through the background of how his son went from an asthmatic 9 year old to the supreme leader of Scientology, and further, how Ron managed his and his wife's eventual escape from the organization. To get deeper into Ron's story, check out his book here. Here are links to the documents Ron mentioned: Document 1 from Ron Fair Game Policy Document Leave u...
Feb 27, 2017•1 hr 11 min
It finally happened. Milo said something that was horrifying enough for people who 5 minutes ago talked like it's all about freedom of expression and it doesn't matter how much we disagree, to say "nah never mind, let's de-platform him." In today's episode I clear up what I view as SO much fallacious reasoning on this issue. People are actually viewing what happened to Milo as a reason that we should have been platforming him all along. To me, this is completely contradictory. Find out why in to...
Feb 23, 2017•58 min
Today's episode is my attempt at a calm, rational dialogue with a Trump supporter. I knew Dr. Price supported Trump as a candidate but I was unsure how he would view the first month plus of Trump's presidency. I ask him about that, and some debate and discussion follows. I don't want to give anything away about it, but please listen and I'll provide some comment after. If you're interested in Dr. Price's work, check out his website . Leave us a Voicemail: (916) 750-4746! Support us on Patreon at...
Feb 20, 2017•1 hr 14 min
This week, Thomas talks about the recent increase in "fake news" coming from the more liberal outlets. From "spin", to misinformation, to outright lies there are plenty of examples to choose from among recent headlines! Is this just what happens to the party that is not in power? Thomas also tackles some Trump updates and some listener voicemails. Atlantic interview with the managing editor or Snopes New York Magazine article on possible election hacking 538 article debunking it Washington Post ...
Feb 16, 2017•59 min
Joining me for a third time is Tim O'Neill of the blog History for Atheists ! Tim is back to take us through some really fascinating possible misconceptions about whether or not the Pope and the Catholic church were supportive of Hitler and the Nazis. Tim also discusses whether or not Hitler himself was religious. Lots of claims have been made by atheists and others about these questions and Tim is here to clear up misconceptions and give his view of what the evidence tells us! Leave us a Voicem...
Feb 13, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Today Thomas is taking a closer look at the other terrible hairstyle in the White House, Steve Bannon. There has been a lot circulating about how much power and influence Bannon may have, many say it's far too much. So we decided to look into just who this guy is and exactly what kind of power he actually has. As seems to be the case with most current political news, what we found is...concerning. Thomas also replies to some of our wonderful listener comments and voicemails. Keep them coming, we...
Feb 09, 2017•59 min
Today Thomas talks with Kavin Senapathy about science, food, and the misinformation and pseudo science that is so prevalent in the food industry today. Kavin is co-Executive Director of March Against Myths , a Forbes contributor , and co-author of "The Fear Babe: Shattering Vani Hari's Glass House" . You can find more from her on Facebook and Twitter . Leave us a Voicemail: (916) 750-4746! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.fa...
Feb 06, 2017•47 min
But first I have to offer a correction on the Jordan B. Peterson episode. He said in other interviews that he would use she and he appropriately for trans people but not any other pronouns. I made it sound like he wouldn't do so. I apologize for getting that wrong. I explain my thinking on this, as well as point out how frustrating it has been for people to try to dismiss my entire message based on one point of misunderstanding. After that, I cover Trump's executive orders so far, and in particu...
Feb 02, 2017•52 min
Today's episode is brought to you by hellofresh.com !! Click the link and make sure to enter promo code seriouspod for $35 off your first delivery! Today I have philosopher Aaron on to discuss free will. I've been wanting to revisit the topic for quite a while now, ever since the debate between Sam Harris and Dan Dennett that I covered in detail at the time. Today's show is exploring an anti-compatibilist position, and I'm hoping a future show will explore the compatibilist one! (if you're a phi...
Jan 30, 2017•58 min
This week we listened to Waking Up with Sam Harris and as big fans we were very disappointed in how he handled his interview with Jordan B. Peterson. So in this episode Thomas goes over exactly why that is, in the hopes that this message reaches Sam. We also have some more great listener voicemails, thank you so much for all the great feedback and keep it coming! Find the record of Bill C-16 from the Canadian Parliament here Find the Ontario Provisions Peterson mentioned here Find Brenda Cossman...
Jan 26, 2017•52 min
Recently the internet exploded in debate over a video in which neo-Nazi Richard Spencer was punched while giving an interview. Even the New York Times published an article that asked whether this is something that should be morally permissible. I have come out against violence over words of any non-imminently threatening kind, and my guest Eli Bosnick has come out strong the other way. Since Eli is an awesome guy willing to discuss disagreements and try to find the truth, he's here to have a bit...
Jan 23, 2017•1 hr 17 min
It's another Thursday full of inquiry! In this episode I discuss Trump's inauguration and the obscene amount of money he's collecting for it, as well as the congress persons boycotting it. Are they right to do so? Next up are updates on Trump's cabinet confirmation hearings. How are our favorite incompetents faring in congressional hearings? And finally, I've got some great voicemails to react to. Thanks for those contributions! Included is one from a Republican atheist telling me why Trump won....
Jan 19, 2017•51 min
Joining me today are that atheist and that Christian, and their names are Justin Schieber and Randal Rauser. Justin and Randal have written a book containing a very fruitful and respectful dialogue between an atheist and a Christian. Today they talk about the origins of the project and then were kind enough to go over one of the many arguments contained in the book! The argument is on the hostility of the universe and whether it makes sense under theism. There's a very spirited back and forth th...
Jan 16, 2017•59 min
Welcome to the first edition of Thursday Inquiries!! My unofficial or maybe official name for the new format. Mondays will be interviews and Thursdays will be commentary and news and so forth. A lot is happening in the news and a lot of people are still very sloppy thinkers. In an episode of The Waking Up Podcast, Sam Harris said that Trump was the end of the Democratic Party. Could this really be true in an election where Democrats won by 3 million votes? Also Trump had his first press conferen...
Jan 12, 2017•50 min
Today I'm talking with Dr. Joel Breakstone, director of the Stanford History Education Group. He was co-director of a recent study that looked at thousands of students, from middle school through college, and tested their ability to discern fake news from real news. The results are worrying, and may give us some insight into why this is such a problem in America today. Then I take a few minutes to talk to Bruce Gleason, Director of LogiCal LA about their upcoming conference. Find the Executive S...
Jan 09, 2017•45 min
In this episode I am joined by Scott and David. We discuss some of the science behind the rise in internet trolling. They share their ideas about the ways psychology, sociology, and our ever increasing dependence on technology for socialization; have led to more trolling. We also discuss some other behaviors and traits that correlate with online trolling, some of the possible origins of these behaviors, and speculate as to what can be done about it. Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriousp...
Jan 05, 2017•56 min
