David Pinsof, a professor of psychology at UCLA and co-creator of Cards Against Humanity, discusses the psychology of power and status. Topics include the difference between bullshitting and lying, the folly of human desires, how the modern world affects our status games, and the flawed pursuit of happiness. Pinsof also explores the evolutionary reasons for our preference for big landscapes, the social brain, and the pursuit of power. Additionally, he examines the value of boring experiences and the loneliness of seeking novelty.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. David Pinsof, an evolutionary social scientist at UCLA and co-creator of Cards Against Humanity, dives deep into the nature of 'bullshit.' He examines how social pressures distort truth for approval and the cultural nuances in communication styles. Pinsof explores the intricate dynamics of status games and the disturbing connection between happiness and societal status. He further critiques political polarization and the role of misinformation while advocating for genuine altruism and rational discourse in fostering positive change.

David Pinsof is an evolutionary social scientist and a co-creator of the game Cards Against Humanity. He holds a PhD in Psychology from UCLA, where he studied the evolutionary origins of political bullshit, and has written a handful of academic papers, one of which has been cited 152 times and another of which was quoted in the New York Times.     David is the author of the ‘Everything Is Bullshit’ Substack, which aims to poke holes in the stories we tell ourselves. He joins the show to discuss why happiness & morality are bullshit, the difference between bullshit & lying, why we conceal the status monkey, and more!     Important Links: David’s Twitter David’s Substack; Everything is Bullshit Cards Against Humanity The Execution Hypothesis; by Richard Wrangham Discordianism Our podcast with George Mack Our podcast with Will Storr Show Notes: What is bullshit? The difference between bullshitting and lying Why moralizing is bullshit Concealing the status monkey The origins of Cards Against Humanity How are status games changing? Why happiness is bullshit Happiness as a status symbol How can we escape bullshit? Why we’re driven by negative emotions How to become more positive The role of humor in calling out bullshit MUCH more! Books Mentioned: On Bullshit; by Harry G. Frankfurt Propaganda; by Edward Bernays Influence: Science and Practice; by Robert Cialdini The Moral Animal: Why We Are The Way We Are; by Robert Wright The Status Game: On Social Position and How We Use It; by Will Storr The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition Into the Forces of History; by Howard Bloom Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment Happy; by Derren Brown Tao Te Ching; by Lao Tzu Gödel, Escher, Bach; by Douglas Hofstadter

David Pinsof, a research scientist with a PhD in Psychology from UCLA, dives into the captivating interplay between incentives, morality, and opinions. He discusses how behavior is driven by evolutionary incentives and how social dynamics shape our perceptions of virtue. The conversation also touches on the conflict between truth and status in science, exploring how biases can hinder objectivity. Finally, the role of likability and social acceptance in shaping opinions adds intriguing depth to the discussion.

Exploring the alliance theory of political belief systems, the podcast discusses the formation of alliances, the divide between Democrats and Republicans, and the origins of political belief systems. It challenges conventional explanations for political ideologies, highlighting inconsistencies within them. The episode also touches on moral foundations theory, moral systems, and the influence of alliances on political conflicts.