In this 126th in a series of live discussions with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying (both PhDs in Biology), we discuss the state of the world through an evolutionary lens.
This week, we discuss science, Covid, vaccines, sunlight, and sophistry. New research suggests that adenovirus-vectored vaccines (e.g. J&J, AstraZeneca) reduce all-cause mortality, but that mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) do not. What are the implications of this? What kinds of vaccines are recommended and effective, and how can someone not trained in thinking about these things know? We also discuss the role of vitamin D in Covid outcomes, as well as NIR (Near Infrared Radiation), which we primarily get from being outside. Since before the Industrial Revolution, our exposure to NIR has declined dramatically—we spend less time outdoors, and now even our lightbulbs and the glass in our windows limits how much NIR we receive, but it turns out that we need it. What else do we need that we don’t yet know about? Finally, we discuss the place for sophistry: in the classroom, where students can learn how to respond, so as to be better thinkers and citizens of the world.
*****
Support the sponsors of the show:
Seed: Start a new healthy habit today with Seed probiotics. Visit https://seed.com/darkhorse, and use code darkhorse, to get 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01™ Daily Synbiotic.
Eight Sleep: Personalized thermoregulation while you sleep, and when you wake. Eight Sleep’s amazing Pod Pro Cover (for your mattress) is $150 off at www.eightsleep.com/darkhorse
Allform: Get 20% off any order (of a beautiful sofa) from Allform at https://allform.com/darkhorse.
*****
Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, and signed copies are available here: https://darvillsbookstore.indielite.org
Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://store.darkhorsepodcast.org
Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com
Find more from us on Bret’s website (https://bretweinstein.net) or Heather’s website (http://heatherheying.com).
Become a member of the DarkHorse LiveStreams, and get access to an additional Q&A livestream every month. Join at Heather's Patreon.
Like this content? Subscribe to the channel, like this video, follow us on twitter (@BretWeinstein, @HeatherEHeying), and consider helping us out by contributing to either of our Patreons or Bret’s Paypal.
Looking for clips from #DarkHorseLivestreams? Check out our other channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWCKUrmvK5F_ynBY_CMlIA
Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.
*****
Q&A Link: https://youtu.be/VdIz5OKMfW0
Mentioned in this episode:
Benn et al 2022. Randomised Clinical Trials of COVID-19 Vaccines: Do Adenovirus-Vector Vaccines Have Beneficial Non-Specific Effects? Available at SSRN 4072489: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4072489
UnHerd interview with Dr. Christine Stabell-Benn: https://play.acast.com/s/5fad6d24bc034454b53fe011/627147cd7e2c6d00128e3703
Have People Been Given the Wrong Vaccine? By Martin Kulldorff: https://brownstone.org/articles/have-people-been-given-the-wrong-vaccine/
The Vitamin D Paradox in COVID-19 and Why It Predicts But Doesn't Always Protect. MedCram YouTube video: https://
Support the Show.
