#68: Drunk Without Power - or - Is That a Fact? (Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying DarkHorse Livestream)
Feb 21, 2021
01:32:22
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Evolutionary biologists Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying discuss diverse topics including ice storms, education, fact-checkers, Clubhouse conversations, lab leak hypothesis, and dung beetles. They emphasize the importance of comprehensive education, the value of unique perspectives, and the need for open discussions. They also explore government regulation of speech, the origins of SARS-CoV-2, and the behavior of dung beetles as DNA detectors.
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Quick takeaways
Efforts to control the narrative and regulate speech threaten reason, enlightenment values, and liberalism.
Dissenting views are being suppressed through regulation and censorship, stifling critical thinking and the pursuit of truth.
The suppression of alternative viewpoints and the labeling of dissent as misinformation hinder scientific discourse and the pursuit of truth.
Deep dives
The attack on reason and free speech
There is a growing attack on reason, enlightenment values, and liberalism, with efforts to control the narrative and regulate speech. The government is exerting pressure on online platforms to control misinformation, limiting free speech. This attack is evident in the focus on fact-checking, censorship, and the suppression of alternative viewpoints. The situation is exacerbated by the New York Times' suggestion that unfettered conversations on platforms like Clubhouse are problematic, further threatening free and open dialogue. This trend stifles critical thinking, innovation, and the pursuit of truth. It is crucial to protect the principles of free speech and encourage diverse perspectives to foster a healthy society.
The significance of zero
Zero is not only a special number with unique mathematical properties, but it is also significant in the battle for control of narratives and the regulation of speech. A zero tolerance approach is being taken towards dissenting views, with efforts to regulate and censor speech on social media platforms. This prevents alternative perspectives from being heard and creates a dangerous narrative control. The attack on unfettered conversations and the suppression of dissenting voices threaten our ability to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and discover truth. It is vital to protect space for open dialogue and free expression in order to foster genuine progress and understanding.
The attack on unfettered conversations
There is a growing attack on unfettered conversations and free speech. Efforts are being made to regulate speech and control the narrative on online platforms. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has summoned CEOs of tech platforms to address concerns of misinformation and disinformation. The propagation of a single viewpoint threatens independent thought and the pursuit of truth. Opening up platforms for alternative perspectives is crucial for innovation, progress, and the development of a well-rounded understanding of complex issues.
Misinformation battle and the lab leak hypothesis
The battle against misinformation and the suppression of certain viewpoints has led to the removal of the COVID-19 lab leak hypothesis from Wikipedia and the labeling of voices supporting this hypothesis as unreliable sources. This represents a dangerous trend in stifling scientific discourse and inhibiting the investigation of alternative explanations. The labeling of dissenting views as misinformation undermines the pursuit of truth and scientific progress. It is essential to protect the integrity of scientific inquiry and foster an environment that encourages open and critical debates.
The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: Lab Escape or Natural Origin
There is ongoing debate about whether SARS-CoV-2 originated from a lab escape or a natural source. If it is a lab escape, it raises concerns about the potential dangers of accidental releases and the need to reassess the risks involved in such research. On the other hand, if it came from nature, it highlights the unpredictable nature of these viruses and the potential for future outbreaks. The decision on which scenario is true has significant implications, portraying the creators of the research program as either heroes or villains. However, the reliance on consensus and information sources, such as Wikipedia, can be problematic, as biased editing and misinformation can shape the public's understanding of the facts. The prevalence of misinformation compared to high-quality heterodox information is concerning, making it challenging to discern the truth amidst the sea of garbage on social media.
Dung Beetles: Ideal DNA Detectors for Animal Surveys
Dung beetles, found in tropical regions, have caught the attention of researchers as potential DNA detectors for animal surveys. By collecting mammalian dung, these beetles inadvertently store viable fragments of DNA from the species whose dung they feed on. This DNA can be obtained by analyzing the stomach contents of the beetles. The use of dung beetles as DNA detectors offers a non-invasive and potentially more efficient method for identifying the presence of various animal species in an area. While other survey methods like audio, camera traps, or transects have limitations, dung beetles could provide valuable insights into species distribution and aid in conservation efforts.
In this 68th 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.In this episode, we begin by discussing ice storms and electrical outages, and what it suggests about differing ecologies. We review Daniel Schmactenberger’s categorization of “1st, 2nd, and 3rd person epistemics”, and discuss what they suggest about education. Meanwhile, the NYT argues for skipping the critical reasoning and going right to the answer. Modern fact-checkers are an existential threat to civilization. The NYT also thinks that ClubHouse’s “unfettered” conversations are a problem. The House Committee on Energy & Commerce is having a(nother) meeting on misinformation with big tech CEOs. Also, a group of activists got Wikipedia to take down a page on the lab leak hypothesis. Peter Embarek of the WHO commission explains why the lab leak hypothesis is unlikely (or does he?). Another new paper suggests that lab leak should be the default hypothesis. And finally: dung beetles, and what else they can offer us besides cool field projects.
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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/k7Qw3JbcwzM
Mentioned in this episode:
Bret’s conversation with Daniel Schmactenberger, at the 1:50:58 mark where Daniel discusses 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person epistemics: https://youtu.be/YPJug0s2u4w?t=665
New York Times op-ed, Feb 18, 2021: Don’t Go Down the Rabbit Hole: Critical thinking, as we’re taught to do it, isn’t helping in the fight against misinformation. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/opinion/fake-news-media-attention.html
House Committee on Energy & Commerce is having a hearing with Facebook, Google and Twitter CEOs on “misinformation and disinformation plaguing online platforms” (Feb 18, 2021 Press Release): https://energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ec-committee-announces-hearing-with-tech-ceos-on-the-misinformation-and
The Lab Leak hypothesis wikipedia entry was “fact-checked” out of existence by a small band of motivated activists. Here’s a WayBackMachine version of it: https://web.archive.org/web/20210210045619/https:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_lab_leak_hypothesis
Peter Embarek interviewed by Science Magazine the WHO commission that was in Wuhan (Feb 14, 2021): https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/politics-was-always-room-who-mission-chief-reflects-china-trip-seeking-covid-19-s
Latham & Wilson 2021. Why China and the WHO Will Never Find a Zoonotic Origin For the COVID-19 Pandemic Virus. Feb 16, 2021: https://www.independentsciencenews.org/commentaries/why-china-and-the-who-will-never-find-a-zoonotic-origin-for-the-covid19-pandemic-virus/
Humble dung beetles may be ideal DNA detectors for animal surveys. Feb 19, 2021: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/humble-dung-beetles-may-be-ideal-dna-detectors-animal-surveys
Heather on Meghan Murphy’s channel: The Same Drugs: Heather Heying on gender identity, Twitter, and the lab leak theory: https://youtu.be/eT-BETzAnjc
