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
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.
23 snips
Jul 13, 2022 • 1h 32min
Are we all the heroes of our own stories? (with Cate Hall)
Cate Hall, co-founder of Alvea and former Supreme Court litigator, dives into the psychology of belief formation. She explores how personal narratives shape our perception of truth and the difficulty in understanding opposing viewpoints. The conversation touches on the implications of misinformation and the challenges of free speech in the digital age, particularly in a polarized society. Hall also shares her insights on navigating mental health and addiction, emphasizing the transformative power of open dialogue and self-exploration.
Jul 6, 2022 • 1h 22min
Content moderation and its dis-content-moderators (with Ada Palmer)
Ada Palmer, a cultural historian at the University of Chicago and author on Renaissance thought, delves into the nuances of censorship. She discusses how information revolutions shift power dynamics, why extreme voices thrive in new media, and the paradox of well-meaning censorship leading to unintended consequences. Palmer questions the ethics of censorship, emphasizing the need for diverse communication channels. She also explores historical misinterpretations and the dominance of dystopian over utopian narratives, advocating for more stories of collective agency.
Jun 29, 2022 • 1h 4min
Exploring sex science and pseudo-science (with Mary Roach)
Mary Roach, a bestselling author known for her witty takes on science, dives into the intriguing world of sex research and the quirks of animal behavior. She shares humorous anecdotes from sex studies that unveil surprising gender differences and societal taboos. Roach also tackles ethical dilemmas surrounding wildlife, arguing for a nuanced perspective on animal behavior deemed 'criminal.' Plus, she explores the fascinating border between scientific inquiry and paranormal beliefs, emphasizing the balance between skepticism and credulity.
Jun 22, 2022 • 1h 18min
The worst mistakes people make with diet and exercise (with Menno Henselmans)
In this engaging conversation, Menno Henselmans, a seasoned public speaker and educator with a bestselling book on self-control, breaks down the complexities of diet and exercise. He explains the importance of self-discipline over fleeting enthusiasm and how developing consistent habits can lead to success. The discussion highlights common pitfalls in dietary choices, particularly after workouts, and the science behind cravings. Henselmans also emphasizes effective strategies for balancing productivity and well-being, urging a shift in mindset towards health-focused approaches.
8 snips
Jun 15, 2022 • 1h 7min
Communicating what you really mean (with Misha Glouberman)
Misha Glouberman, an expert facilitator and communication coach, shares insights on improving our conversations. He discusses why typical communication advice often falls short and dives into mastering active listening techniques. Misha explores Nonviolent Communication's key principles, emphasizing empathy and clarity. The conversation tackles the emotional intricacies of discussing tough topics, including divorce, and the importance of transparency in relationships. Tune in for practical strategies that enhance communication and strengthen connections.
9 snips
Jun 8, 2022 • 1h 16min
Taking pleasure in being wrong (with Buck Shlegeris)
Buck Shlegeris, CTO of Redwood Research, shares insights on the complexities of forming true beliefs and embracing the joy of being wrong. He discusses how we should approach certainty in our claims and the value of engaging in rigorous debates to refine our understanding. The conversation delves into effective learning strategies, particularly the benefits of small-scale practice in machine learning. Shlegeris also highlights the challenges in AI alignment, emphasizing the critical need to align AI systems with human values for future safety.
