

PEL Presents PvI#92: Postale au Naturale w/ Greg McBrayer
May 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Greg McBrayer, an associate professor and interim provost at Ashland University, shares his love for philosophy and comedy. The conversation humorously explores the quirky dangers of radon and critiques the concept of ‘natural’ in food and attire. They navigate absurd postal scenarios and reflect on unique trucking culture, mules, and the humor in academia. Greg's insights on balancing podcasting with scholarly life provide a thought-provoking yet entertaining perspective on philosophy's relevance in everyday conversations.
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Radon: Nature's Hidden Danger
- Radon, a natural element released by the earth, is harmful and linked to lung cancer despite its natural origin.
- This challenges the assumption that natural things are inherently healthy or good for humans.
Naturalness Beyond Artificiality
- The concept of naturalness includes inherent purposes or goals (telos) within things, blurring artificial and natural distinctions.
- Humans organizing socially or industrially can still be considered natural behaviors.
Ancient Language Experiment Anecdote
- Greg McBrayer shares an ancient Egyptian tale where a king isolates a baby to discover the natural language by observing its first words.
- The baby says "bah," imitating a goat's sound, showing language’s mimetic nature rather than inherent natural connections.