Making Sense with Sam Harris #192 — A Conversation with Paul Bloom
Mar 17, 2020
Paul Bloom, a renowned psychology professor, joins the conversation to dissect the psychological impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. He discusses the troubling analogy between COVID-19 and the flu, and the misinformation that has proliferated during this time. Bloom examines how political biases shape our perceptions and responses to crises, while exploring the economic ramifications of the pandemic and lessons for addressing climate change. The episode also addresses the need for systemic healthcare reforms and the ethical dilemmas in how we respond to crises.
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Intergenerational Responsibility
- Even if COVID-19 only mildly affects young people, ignoring its impact on older populations is cruel.
- Acknowledge that older people's lives matter and your actions can affect their health.
Asymptomatic Spread and Risk
- Even if asymptomatic, young people risk infecting older relatives.
- Normal behavior around vulnerable individuals becomes a gamble with their lives.
Psychology of COVID-19's Spread
- The unusual causality of COVID-19 makes it hard to grasp.
- Appearing healthy doesn't eliminate the risk of transmission, making the disease difficult to comprehend.