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
Sep 21, 2022 • 1h 6min
Ambition and expected value at extremes (with Habiba Islam)
In this discussion, Habiba Islam, an advisor at 80,000 Hours and former barrister, explores the balance between ambition and altruism. She tackles how to set lofty career goals while calculating expected values, especially when probabilities become extreme. The conversation highlights the necessity of pragmatic backup plans and community support to navigate risks. Habiba also critiques traditional views in effective altruism, urging a deeper understanding of ethical responsibilities towards future generations, particularly in light of climate change.
Sep 14, 2022 • 1h 21min
Career science, open science, and inspired science (with Alexa Tullett)
Alexa Tullett, a social psychologist at the University of Alabama, dives into the intricacies of scientific integrity and belief change. She questions the reliability of traditional p-values and discusses 'importance laundering' in research. Tullett contrasts open science with inspired science, emphasizing the need for transparency. The conversation also broaches the challenges of meta-analyses and the nuances of ego depletion. Additionally, she explores innovative approaches to college admissions and the pressing role of accountability in the justice system.
Sep 7, 2022 • 1h 6min
Estimating the long-term impact of our actions today (with Will MacAskill)
Join Will MacAskill, a philosophy professor at the University of Oxford and co-founder of effective altruism initiatives, as he explores the ethical framework of long-termism. He discusses how today's actions may shape the future of humanity, weighing the importance of resource allocation and the risks of extinction. MacAskill addresses the perplexities of decision-making in altruism, highlighting the balance between short-term efforts and long-term impact. He delves into navigating uncertainty, advocating for a culture that embraces exploration while targeting meaningful global change.
Aug 31, 2022 • 1h 17min
The differences between analytic and continental philosophy (with Alexander Prescott-Couch)
Alexander Prescott-Couch, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and writer for journals like Noûs, dives into the intriguing divide between analytic and continental philosophy. He discusses the genetic fallacy and how historical context shapes belief assessment. They explore the contrasting methods of each philosophical approach, from clarity and logic in analytics to the poetic insights of continentals. The role of intuition in ethical debates is also scrutinized, shedding light on its complexities and biases within moral reasoning.
Aug 24, 2022 • 1h 18min
Voting method reform in the US (with Aaron Hamlin)
Aaron Hamlin, the executive director of The Center for Election Science, dives deep into the flaws of the U.S. electoral system. He discusses why many vote against their own interests and how current methods like ranked-choice voting can obscure true preferences. Exploring alternatives such as approval voting, he highlights the benefits it brings to representation, especially for third-party candidates. Hamlin also addresses the challenges of implementing voting reforms and the importance of grassroots efforts to facilitate change.
Aug 19, 2022 • 1h 38min
Critiquing Effective Altruism (with Michael Nielsen and Ajeya Cotra)
Ajeya Cotra, a Senior Research Analyst at Open Philanthropy focused on AI risks, discusses the strengths and critiques of Effective Altruism (EA). Alongside Michael Nielsen, an author known for his work on open science, they explore how the movement balances altruism and personal impact. They challenge the assumption that donors prioritize effectiveness, debate centralization vs. decentralization in resources, and unravel the complexities of moral dilemmas in charitable giving. Their candid conversation encourages rethinking how we allocate resources for maximum good.
Aug 10, 2022 • 1h 23min
How to form habits effectively (with Jim Davies)
Jim Davies, a cognitive science professor and author, dives into the fascinating realm of habit formation. He emphasizes starting small with specific goals, like doing just one push-up, to build momentum. Rewards and enjoyment are key to making habits stick, while flexibility is crucial for long-term success. The conversation also touches on the ethics of animal consciousness, prompting reflections on dietary choices and empathy. Finally, Davies discusses the balance between cost-effective charitable donations and the moral implications of animal welfare.
24 snips
Aug 7, 2022 • 1h 20min
Are scientific journals just parasites? (with Chris Chambers)
Chris Chambers, a cognitive neuroscience professor at Cardiff University, dives into the pressing issues within scientific publishing. He discusses outcome bias and its implications on research integrity, emphasizing the importance of transparency in sharing all results, even negative ones. Chambers highlights the flaws in traditional peer review processes and advocates for registered reports to enhance reliability. He also challenges the traditional academic metrics used for hiring and promotion, calling for a reformed approach to improve the credibility of scientific work.
Jul 27, 2022 • 1h 14min
Human bias in the definition of intelligence (with Alene Anello)
In this engaging discussion, Alene Anello, founder of Legal Impact for Chickens, delves into the complexities of animal intelligence and the biases in our definitions of it. She argues that traditional IQ metrics fail to capture diverse forms of intelligence across species. Alene explores whether animals can have legal representation and how emotional bonds shape animal rights litigation. With insights into animal communication and the ethics of animal welfare, she advocates for a compassionate rethinking of intelligence that elevates all forms of life.
13 snips
Jul 20, 2022 • 1h 19min
Guess culture vs. ask culture (with Will Eden and Sam Rosen)
Join Will Eden, a speaker known for his insights on guess culture, and Sam Rosen, an advocate for ask culture, as they unpack the intricacies of how we communicate. They explore whether it’s better to ask for what we want or to guess others' needs, discussing the impact on relationships. The duo tackles the nuances of consent in dating and the humor in navigating social comfort zones. With anecdotes and cultural context, they highlight how blending these communication styles can lead to clearer connections and understanding in our daily interactions.
