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
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