Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
Spencer Greenberg
Clearer Thinking is a podcast about ideas that truly matter. If you enjoy learning about powerful, practical concepts and frameworks, wish you had more deep, intellectual conversations in your life, or are looking for non-BS self-improvement, then we think you'll love this podcast! Each week we invite a brilliant guest to bring four important ideas to discuss for an in-depth conversation. Topics include psychology, society, behavior change, philosophy, science, artificial intelligence, math, economics, self-help, mental health, and technology. We focus on ideas that can be applied right now to make your life better or to help you better understand yourself and the world, aiming to teach you the best mental tools to enhance your learning, self-improvement efforts, and decision-making. • We take on important, thorny questions like: • What's the best way to help a friend or loved one going through a difficult time? How can we make our worldviews more accurate? How can we hone the accuracy of our thinking? What are the advantages of using our "gut" to make decisions? And when should we expect careful, analytical reflection to be more effective? Why do societies sometimes collapse? And what can we do to reduce the chance that ours collapses? Why is the world today so much worse than it could be? And what can we do to make it better? What are the good and bad parts of tradition? And are there more meaningful and ethical ways of carrying out important rituals, such as honoring the dead? How can we move beyond zero-sum, adversarial negotiations and create more positive-sum interactions?
Episodes
Mentioned books
26 snips
Jan 25, 2023 • 56min
What things in life *shouldn't* we optimize? (with Christie Aschwanden)
Christie Aschwanden, a science journalist and author of "Good to Go," joins the conversation to explore why there's value in not optimizing every aspect of life. She discusses the pitfalls of relentless self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of balance between productivity and downtime. Christie highlights how our physiological responses can inform personal growth and critiques the reliance on data-driven metrics for well-being. The slow and steady nature of scientific progress is also examined, calling for more intellectual humility in interpreting research.
Jan 19, 2023 • 1h 27min
How can we make science more trustworthy? (with Stuart Ritchie)
Stuart Ritchie, a Lecturer at King's College London specializing in human cognitive abilities, dives into pressing issues in science's credibility. He discusses the drastic decline of trust in scientific findings during COVID-19, attributing it to political factors and flawed studies. Ritchie explores the contentious debates over ivermectin and the complexities of vitamin D research, highlighting the challenges of reaching scientific consensus. He also unpacks the nuances of IQ testing, advocating for a broader understanding of intelligence that considers various cognitive factors.
21 snips
Jan 12, 2023 • 1h 18min
Living a life of service to others (with Tasshin Fogleman)
Tasshin Fogleman, an online wandering quasi-monk on a mission to serve others, dives deep into the essence of kindness and altruism. He emphasizes the power of small choices and loving-kindness meditation in shaping happiness. The conversation explores the balance between personal joy and effective service, along with the complexities of altruism. Tasshin also highlights the importance of empathy and collaboration in finding purpose, all while living a nomadic lifestyle full of mutual growth and connection.
Jan 5, 2023 • 1h 39min
Mapping metaethics (with Lance Bush)
Lance Bush, a PhD student at Cornell University specializing in moral psychology, dives into the intriguing world of metaethics. He discusses the differences between moral objectivism and realism, and debates whether all moral statements might be false. Exploring cultural relativism, Lance questions if radically different moral concepts could exist across cultures. He critiques moral naturalism's limitations and advocates for using empirical research to enhance moral philosophy. Sprinkled with personal anecdotes, he helps demystify the complexities of moral language and its implications.
91 snips
Dec 28, 2022 • 1h 9min
Do organizations have to get slower as they grow? (with Alex Komoroske)
Alex Komoroske, a seasoned product manager from Google, dives into the intriguing dynamics of organizational growth. He discusses why companies often slow down as they expand and draws fascinating parallels with slime molds that thrive in decentralized systems. The conversation explores the balance between top-down and bottom-up decision-making, emphasizing the need for flexibility and fostering serendipity to enhance creativity. Komoroske suggests that embracing unexpected opportunities can significantly improve innovation and collaboration in the workplace.
Dec 21, 2022 • 54min
How can we un-break politics? (with Magnus Vinding)
Magnus Vinding, an author and co-founder of the Center for Reducing Suffering, shares insights on improving political discourse. He discusses the two-step ideal of reasoned politics and how it applies to complex issues like free speech. Vinding emphasizes the importance of protecting free expression to combat misinformation and advocates for understanding biases rooted in group dynamics. The conversation promotes moving beyond zero-sum thinking to achieve more collaborative and constructive political discussions.
Dec 14, 2022 • 1h 17min
Why capitalism doesn't live up to its promises (with Martin Schmalz)
Martin Schmalz, a finance and economics professor at Oxford, delves into capitalism's shortcomings. He discusses how common ownership stifles competition and innovation, using the airline industry as a case study. Schmalz critiques ESG initiatives and argues for stronger regulations to address social issues. The conversation also explores the complexities of corporate responsibility and the pressures facing politicians. Finally, he examines the transformative potential of AI while cautioning against biases inherent in its applications.
5 snips
Dec 7, 2022 • 54min
Anti-interoperability, vendor lock-in, and high switching costs (with Cory Doctorow)
Cory Doctorow, a renowned science fiction author and activist, tackles the critical issue of interoperability and its significance in tech. He dives into the constraints of vendor lock-in imposed by major corporations and questions the ethical practices of giants like Google. The conversation also explores the implications of modifying platforms like Facebook and discusses the potential of blockchain to enhance user privacy and freedom. Doctorow emphasizes the need for stronger regulations to combat corporate control in the digital landscape.
Nov 30, 2022 • 1h 12min
Separating the sinner from the sin (with Khomotso Moshikaro)
Khomotso Moshikaro, a South African and British trained lawyer and PhD candidate at Cambridge, explores the complex ethics of criminal punishment. The discussion highlights the long-term social effects of criminal labels, the distinction between dignity and rights, and the moral implications of redemption. Moshikaro questions when rights should be forfeited and the societal view of those labeled as criminals. He advocates for a balance between compassion and accountability in the justice system, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation over pure punishment.
9 snips
Nov 28, 2022 • 3h 25min
The FTX catastrophe (with Byrne Hobart, Vipul Naik, Maomao Hu, Marcus Abramovich, and Ozzie Gooen)
In this deep dive, Byrne Hobart, a finance newsletter writer, joins data scientist Vipul Naik, fintech entrepreneur Maomao Hu, crypto hedge fund partner Marcus Abramovich, and research president Ozzie Gooen. They dissect the astonishing collapse of FTX and the early warning signs that went unnoticed. The conversation covers ethical failings, the interplay between FTX and Alameda, and the future of effective altruism. Insights on risk-taking, accountability, and the emotional fallout of this financial catastrophe add depth to the analysis.
