Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja are joined by Ben Landau-Taylor, a Senior Analyst at Bismarck Analysis. Ben recently published an article in Palladium Magazine about the pervasive problem of fraud in academia. They discussed how fraudulent activities, particularly in medical research, often go undetected due to flawed peer review processes and institutional protectionism. They explore key cases, and possible solutions, including external watchdogs, intellectual authorities and regulatory bodies in maintaining academic integrity.

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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️Live Players with Samo Burja.

The "Live Players" podcast is where Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg chart the key individuals shaping our future from first principles.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1

🎙️This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast

🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist

Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj

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LINKS:

The Academic Culture of Fraud: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/08/02/the-academic-culture-of-fraud/ 

Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ 

Bismarck Analysis: https://www.bismarckanalysis.com/ 

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TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Intro

(2:22) Ben’s article: "The Academic Culture of Fraud"

(4:26) Examples of fraudulent studies and researchers (Sylvain Lesné case)

(6:21) Incentives and cultural factors enabling fraud

(8:24) Historical context and modern academia

(11:36) Scientific fraud and its consequences

(13:38) Intellectual authority and legitimacy

(19:50) Fundrise & Brave Ads

(28:50) External pressure on academia

(30:53) Role of journalism and other institutions in exposing academic fraud

(33:47) The need for external oversight in academia

(34:13) The complex relationship between the government and academia

(36:14) Proposals for scientific integrity

(39:03) Squad Ad

(42:59) Challenges in science and bureaucracy

(46:42) Nonprofit solutions for scientific fraud

(52:33) Venture capital & scientific integrity

(57:12) Bismarck Analysis and its work in strategic research & consulting

(1:00:04) Wrap