Gad Saad, a Canadian-Lebanese evolutionary psychologist and author of The Parasitic Mind, discusses the concept of ideas as parasites affecting societal norms and common sense. He critiques postmodernism and social constructivism for their assault on truth, emphasizing the need for critical thinking. The conversation navigates the challenges within gender ideologies, academia's ideological shifts, and the influence of irrational beliefs stemming from both left and right ideologies. Saad advocates for a balanced approach to understanding knowledge and truth.
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insights INSIGHT
Ideas as Parasites
Ideas, like parasites, can infect minds and influence behavior.
Gad Saad uses the metaphor of a spider wasp zombifying a spider to illustrate how political correctness can manipulate individuals.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Postmodernism and Reality
Gad Saad recounts a dinner with a postmodernist anthropology student.
The student denied that women bear children and that the sun rises in the east, illustrating postmodernism's detachment from reality.
insights INSIGHT
Nomological Networks and Epistemic Humility
Nomological networks validate truth by seeking diverse evidence.
Use this method to determine when to speak with confidence and when to admit uncertainty.
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In 'The Parasitic Mind,' Dr. Gad Saad exposes the harmful effects of 'idea pathogens'—irrational and logically flawed ideas that are spreading through universities and enforced by the tyranny of political correctness. These ideas, Saad argues, are endangering fundamental freedoms such as freedom of thought and speech. The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to use critical thinking and courage to defend reason and intellectual freedom. Saad discusses various topics including university 'safe spaces,' gender ideology, postmodernism, and the decline of intellectual diversity in academia, all while advocating for the importance of questioning and challenging prevailing dogma[1][3][4].
The consuming instinct
What Juicy Burgers, Ferraris, Pornography, and Gift Giving Reveal About Human Nature
Gad Saad
In 'The Consuming Instinct', Gad Saad delves into the evolutionary roots of human consumption, explaining how our biological heritage shapes our daily choices as consumers. The book highlights how innate evolutionary forces influence the foods we eat, the gifts we give, and the products we use to attract potential mates. Saad argues that most acts of consumption can be understood through four Darwinian drives: survival (preferring high-calorie foods), reproduction (using products as sexual signals), kin selection (exchanging gifts with family members), and reciprocal altruism (offering gifts to close friends). The book is informative and entertaining, making it a fascinating read for marketing professionals, advertisers, and anyone interested in the biological basis of human behavior.
12 Rules for Life
An Antidote to Chaos
Jordan B Peterson
In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life. He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life. The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].
Never Split the Difference
Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
Tahl Raz
Chris Voss
VOSS/RAZ
This book, written by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss and co-author Tahl Raz, provides a masterclass in influencing others through negotiation. It distills the Voss method, revealing skills such as establishing rapport, creating trust with tactical empathy, and transforming conflict into collaboration. The book is filled with real-life examples from Voss's career, illustrating how these techniques can be applied in both professional and personal life to achieve goals and defuse potential crises.
This episode was recorded on January 18, 2021.
Gad Saad and I discuss, among other topics, ideas as parasites, postmodernism, social constructivism, applying evolutionary thinking to understand humans’ consummatory nature, epistemic humility, nomological networks, the degrees of assault on truth, and more.
Gad Saad is a Canadian-Lebanese evolutionary psychologist, professor, and author. He is best known for his work applying evolutionary psychology to marketing and consumer behavior. His most popular book is The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense. He is currently a professor at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
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