David Wallace-Wells, a best-selling science writer and New York Times columnist, joins the conversation to unpack the fraught information landscape shaped by Covid. They delve into the realities of vaccine effectiveness and pandemic preparedness while contrasting the U.S. and Sweden’s strategies. Wallace-Wells offers insights into climate change, discussing the dire implications of 2-degree warming and the impact of air pollution. The dialogue also touches on market forces, political stagnation, and the broader societal consequences of these pressing issues.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Remembering Dan Dennett
Sam Harris reflects on his friendship with the late Dan Dennett, highlighting their shared intellectual pursuits and occasional disagreements.
Their bond, primarily through email, involved navigating the "New Atheist" era and supporting each other amidst public criticism.
insights INSIGHT
Polluted Information Landscape
The current information landscape is heavily polluted, making reasonable discussions difficult.
Efforts to address misinformation are often perceived as censorship, especially by certain political groups.
insights INSIGHT
Intellectual Curiosity and Detachment from Reality
While there's increased intellectual curiosity today, many treat online discussions as reality, avoiding contrary facts.
This detachment, evident during the pandemic, led to distorted narratives and overcorrections, hindering effective responses.
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In 'Free Will,' Sam Harris argues that the concept of free will is inherently flawed and incoherent. He contends that our thoughts, intentions, and actions are determined by prior causes outside our conscious control, whether these causes are deterministic or the result of chance. Harris uses examples such as the Cheshire murders to illustrate how even heinous crimes can be seen as the product of uncontrollable experiences and neurological mechanisms, rather than free will. The book challenges readers to reconsider their views on morality, law, and personal responsibility in light of this understanding[2][4][5].
The Uninhabitable Earth
Life After Warming
David Wallace-Wells
The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming is a comprehensive and alarming account of the potential impacts of climate change. The book, inspired by Wallace-Wells' 2017 New York Magazine article of the same name, explores various scenarios of Earth's future under different temperature increases. It discusses a wide range of climate-related disasters, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, extinctions, disease outbreaks, fires, droughts, famines, and increased geopolitical conflict. While the book focuses on the dire consequences rather than solutions, it acknowledges that measures such as a carbon tax, changes in agricultural practices, and investments in green energy and carbon capture could mitigate some of the worst effects. The book is praised for its urgent and detailed portrayal of climate change but has also been criticized for its alarmist tone and lack of concrete solutions[1][2][4].
Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Evolution and the Meanings of Life
Daniel C. Dennett
In 'Darwin's Dangerous Idea', Daniel C. Dennett defends and expands upon Darwin's theory of evolution, describing natural selection as a mindless, mechanical, and algorithmic process. Dennett argues that this 'dangerous idea' challenges traditional views of design and purpose, suggesting that complex life forms can arise without the need for a designer. He critiques various philosophical and scientific theories, including those of Noam Chomsky, Stephen Jay Gould, and Roger Penrose, and discusses the implications of evolutionary thinking on ethics, morality, and human culture. The book also introduces concepts such as 'skyhooks' and 'cranes' to explain resistance to Darwinism and the role of memes in cultural evolution.
Breaking the spell
religion as a natural phenomenon
Daniel C. Dennett
Four Horsemen
Gabe Ulla
Nick Cartola
Sam Harris begins by remembering his friendship with Dan Dennett. He then speaks with David Wallace-Wells about the shattering of our information landscape. They discuss the false picture of reality produced during Covid, the success of the vaccines, how various countries fared during the pandemic, our preparation for a future pandemic, how we normalize danger and death, the current global consensus on climate change, the amount of warming we can expect, the consequence of a 2-degree Celsius warming, the effects of air pollution, global vs local considerations, Greta Thunberg and climate catastrophism, growth vs degrowth, market forces, carbon taxes, the consequences of political stagnation, the US national debt, the best way to attack the candidacy of Donald Trump, and other topics.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
Making Sense with Sam Harris 
