#365 – Sam Harris: Trump, Pandemic, Twitter, Elon, Bret, IDW, Kanye, AI & UFOs
Mar 14, 2023
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In a thought-provoking dialogue, Sam Harris, an author and philosopher, dives into a range of pressing topics. He explores the complexities of empathy and reason in current political discourse, particularly concerning figures like Trump and Kanye West. Harris delves into misinformation's impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the ethical dilemmas posed by pharmaceutical companies. He humorously contemplates the intersection of AI and UFOs, all while emphasizing the need for meaningful human connection in today's polarized world.
The dangers of the Trump presidency and the fragility of democracy
The role of empathy and reason in political discourse
The influence and challenges of social media platforms like Twitter
The negative impact of Twitter controversies
Balancing platforming controversial figures and responsible communication
Exploring concepts of free will, consciousness, and mindfulness
Deep dives
The Fragility of Democracy and the Trump Presidency
The podcast episode discusses the fragility of democracy and the dangers of the Trump presidency. It highlights how Trump's actions, such as refusing to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, revealed the vulnerabilities of our democratic system. The episode explores the impact of Trump's norm violations and his disregard for ethical behavior. It emphasizes the need for strong institutions and well-informed, well-intentioned people to navigate the challenges we face. Despite policy disagreements, the episode acknowledges that Trump's lack of ethical compass and selfish motivations makes him unfit for leadership.
Empathy and Reason in Political Discourse
The episode delves into the role of empathy and reason in political discourse. It acknowledges the importance of understanding different perspectives, but also highlights the limitations of empathy alone in determining what is objectively true. It discusses the danger of anecdotal data and emotional contagion in shaping ethical behavior and decision-making. The episode suggests that while empathy is important, reason should play a crucial role in making informed and ethical judgments. It emphasizes the need for healthy and respectful conversations, even in the face of disagreements and ideologically divided times.
The Influence of Social Media and the Question of Censorship
The episode touches on the influence of social media and the question of censorship. It acknowledges concerns about bias and ideological influence in moderation decisions made by platforms like Twitter. It examines the challenges of regulating content and the difficulty of finding a balance between free expression and limiting harmful or misleading information. The episode also explores the personal experience of being on and subsequently leaving Twitter. It reflects on the impact of social media on attention, perspective, and mental well-being. While recognizing the benefits of connectivity, it raises questions about the overall importance and influence of platforms like Twitter.
Navigating the Twitter Controversies
The speaker reflects on the negative impact of Twitter controversies and how they influenced his professional and personal life.
The Promise and Pitfalls of Twitter
The speaker explores the potential benefits of Twitter as a platform for communication and dialogue, while acknowledging its tendency to generate unnecessary controversy.
The Role of Experts and the Distrust in Institutions
The speaker discusses the paradoxical relationship with experts, emphasizing the importance of expertise while acknowledging the failings of institutions and the challenges of communicating scientific information effectively.
Concerns about publicizing Kanye's controversial views
Publicly airing Kanye's controversial statements, especially if they were the result of a manic episode or mental illness, may not have been the best approach, as it could have amplified harmful ideas and contributed to the spread of misinformation or bigotry. Expressing disagreement with compassion and firmly addressing harmful views can be more effective in challenging them without promoting or validating them.
The danger of delusional egocentrism and anti-Semitism
A significant concern raised was Kanye's delusional egocentrism, particularly his belief in his own greatness and superiority. This, combined with his anti-Semitic rhetoric, was seen as deeply problematic and potentially harmful. Allowing him to publicly air these views without strong pushback or consequences could increase the risk of normalizing or perpetuating anti-Semitic ideas, especially in communities already affected by such biases.
The importance of responsible platforming and the influence of audience capture
Responsible platforming is crucial when engaging with controversial figures. Giving undue attention and amplification to those who spread harmful ideas or lack factual insight can have negative consequences. It is necessary to strike a balance between providing a platform for diverse viewpoints while also critically evaluating the impact of these discussions. Audience capture, the alignment of a creator's content with specific audience expectations, can shape communication styles and may inadvertently contribute to misinformation or biased narratives.
The Power of Incentives in Shaping Human Behavior
Sam Harris believes that most people are good and that if we can get the incentives right, we can thrive collectively. He argues that there is enough wealth and abundance in the world to solve many problems, but acknowledges the importance of addressing the asymmetries in technology that make it easier to break things than to fix them.
The Illusion of Free Will and the Mystery of Consciousness
Harris explores the concept of free will and consciousness. He suggests that our sense of having free will is an illusion and that our actions and thoughts are simply unfolding in the present moment. He also discusses the mystery of consciousness and the potential implications of a block universe, where there is only what is actual and possibility may not exist.
The Need for Conscious Attention and Mindfulness
Harris emphasizes the importance of paying conscious attention to the present moment and cultivating mindfulness. He argues that true happiness and freedom can be found by fully immersing ourselves in the present moment, rather than getting lost in regrets about the past or worries about the future.
OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(09:25) – Empathy and reason
(17:17) – Donald Trump
(1:00:11) – Military industrial complex
(1:04:45) – Twitter
(1:28:52) – COVID
(2:12:35) – Kanye West
(2:29:11) – Platforming
(2:47:07) – Joe Rogan
(3:03:59) – Bret Weinstein
(3:17:38) – Elon Musk
(3:29:45) – Artificial Intelligence
(3:45:48) – UFOs
(3:59:03) – Free will
(4:26:17) – Hope for the future
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