Inquiring Minds
Indre Viskontas
Each week we bring you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science and society collide. We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We want to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 14, 2021 • 33min
The future artificial intelligence may lead to
We talk to writer and technologist Gary Bengier about AI and his new science fiction novel Unfettered Journey.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Apr 26, 2021 • 39min
What is the future of human work?
We talk to president and CEO of Lumina Foundation Jamie Merisotis about his new book Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Apr 20, 2021 • 36min
A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence
We talk to neuroscientist and computer pioneer Jeff Hawkins about his new book A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Apr 8, 2021 • 44min
Where did artificial intelligence come from?
We talk to New York Times reporter and author Cade Metz about his new book Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Mar 31, 2021 • 22min
Up To Date | Aliens didn’t make Oumuamua, aphantasia, and baseball beer research
This week: New research on the first known interstellar object in our solar system, A/2017 U1—or Oumuamua—suggesting it’s probably a chunk of a Pluto-like planet, and not from aliens; research that used 2,000 microphones to get super detailed recordings of hummingbirds and learn how they make the sounds they make; the impact of alcohol consumption policies at major league baseball stadiums; and new research on people with aphantasia—the inability to form mental imagery—and how scary stories are less likely to scare them.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Mar 23, 2021 • 36min
What does it mean to be alive?
We talk to acclaimed science writer and return guest Carl Zimmer about his new book Life's Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be Alive.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Mar 17, 2021 • 38min
Literature may be the most powerful technology we’ve invented
On the show this week we talk to professor of story science Angus Fletcher about his new book Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Mar 2, 2021 • 41min
Why almost everything we’ve been told about food is wrong
On the show this week we talk to professor of genetic epidemiology Tim Spector about his new book Spoon-Fed: Why almost everything we’ve been told about food is wrong.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Feb 27, 2021 • 24min
Up To Date | Paleogenetics, naps, and shocking your brain into remembering better
This week: We look at new paleogenetic research on mammoth molars; delve into the biological drive for napping; and talk about a surprising new study on memory that involves transcranial magnetic stimulation.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
Feb 10, 2021 • 41min
A behavioral scientist explains dating
We talk to behavioral scientist and former lead researcher at Google's behavioral economics unit Logan Ury about her new book How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
