

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

Jun 1, 2022 • 1h 15min
A philosophical theory of jerks (with Eric Schwitzgebel)
Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosophy professor at UC Riverside and author of 'A Theory of Jerks,' explores the fascinating interplay between ethics and behavior. He examines whether thinking about ethics leads to moral action and how ethicists measure up in real-life situations. The conversation uncovers why we react negatively to overly moral individuals and categorizes different types of 'jerks.' Schwitzgebel also discusses the gap between our ethical beliefs and actions, emphasizing self-reflection and the complexity of human moral judgments.

May 25, 2022 • 1h 20min
How meanings get words and social sciences get broken (with Literal Banana)
In this playful and insightful discussion, Literal Banana, a unique banana with a fascination for human social science, chats about the tricky nature of language and meanings. They explore how specialized jargon can both clarify and confuse social research. The conversation dives into the challenges of measuring abstract concepts like happiness and the complexities of survey design. With humor, they discuss the need for clearer definitions in sensitive topics like sexual assault and advocate for skepticism in existing research methods to foster meaningful change.

May 18, 2022 • 1h 7min
Dealing with our "groupstruckness" and "boundedness" (with Katja Grace)
In this discussion, Katja Grace, a blogger and researcher specializing in group dynamics and AI safety, dives into the concept of being 'groupstruck' and how social pressures distort individual decision-making, especially during crises like the pandemic. She explores the delicate balance of conformity and personal judgment, offering insights on navigating group dynamics and fostering genuine relationships. Additionally, Grace critiques traditional decision-making models, emphasizes the value of qualitative factors, and introduces strategies for improved personal growth and decision-making.

7 snips
May 11, 2022 • 1h 20min
Math as a perspective on life (with Marcus du Sautoy)
In this episode, guest Marcus du Sautoy, the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, shares his insights on the power of mathematics in everyday life. He discusses whether math is discovered or invented and the impact of math on decision-making. Du Sautoy emphasizes the importance of storytelling in math education, advocating for a narrative-driven approach to ignite curiosity. He also explores the relationship between math and AI, highlighting how advanced technology can enhance our mathematical creativity and problem-solving.

13 snips
May 4, 2022 • 1h 54min
A former Al-Qaeda recruiter speaks (with Jesse Morton)
Jesse Morton, a former jihadist propagandist turned advocate for de-radicalization, shares his transformative journey from extremism to empathy. He delves into the psychological factors driving radicalization, exploring how trauma and the search for identity can lead individuals into violent ideologies. Morton discusses the differences between guilt and shame as pathways to healing, and emphasizes the need for compassion and dialogue in combating extremism. His insights reveal the intricate connections between personal grievances and the allure of extremist beliefs.

Apr 27, 2022 • 1h 37min
Cognitive biases and animal welfare (with Leah Edgerton)
In this engaging discussion, Leah Edgerton, a seasoned advocate for farmed animals and effective altruism, dives into the complexities of animal welfare versus human suffering. She unpacks the cognitive biases that shape our empathy towards different animals, revealing why animals like cows often elicit more concern than fish. Leah also explores ethical dilemmas in advocacy and the challenges of motivational strategies. Moreover, she examines shifts toward plant-based alternatives and the emotional disconnect many people have regarding factory farming practices.

27 snips
Apr 20, 2022 • 1h 1min
Is it bad to coerce yourself to do unpleasant things? (with Matt Goldenberg)
Matt Goldenberg, creator of the Procrastination Playbook and marketing head at the Monastic Academy, explores the nuances of self-coercion and its effects on motivation. He discusses strategies for transforming unpleasant tasks into enjoyable experiences by connecting values to actions. The conversation dives into memory reconsolidation, emphasizing how reshaping beliefs can lead to emotional healing. Additionally, Goldenberg highlights the importance of trust and moral responsibility in a fractured world, encouraging introspection on our connections with others.

Apr 13, 2022 • 58min
Our 100th episode! (with Uri Bram and Spencer Greenberg)
Uri Bram, the podcast's factotum, joins Spencer Greenberg to celebrate a milestone, reflecting on their journey in podcasting. They dissect the balance between agreeability and skepticism in dialogues, offering tips for constructive feedback that minimizes defensiveness. The duo explores the significance of curiosity across various fields, while emphasizing personal growth through meaningful conversations. They also tackle complex themes like the nature of evil and the intricacies of human emotions, revealing the podcast's unique role in fostering deeper connections.

Apr 6, 2022 • 1h 25min
Volunteering to be infected with COVID — for science! (with Josh Morrison)
In this engaging discussion, guest Josh Morrison, a serial social entrepreneur, dives into the innovative world of human challenge trials for vaccine development. He explores how these trials could expedite research while addressing ethical complexities and the importance of informed consent. Morrison highlights the need for a balanced approach to accelerate critical health interventions and critiques the often cautious nature of ethics boards. The conversation also touches on the emotional intricacies of altruism in organ donation and its broader societal implications.

4 snips
Mar 30, 2022 • 1h 10min
What we really mean when we say that something will "probably" happen (with Walt Hickey)
Walt Hickey, a talented data journalist and founder of Numlock News, dives into captivating topics. He explores the skyrocketing sales of graphic novels and how digital platforms are reshaping reading habits. The conversation highlights the advantages of animation in storytelling and the unique balance of realism in various media. Hickey also dissects America's soft power and how perceptions of the nation influence its global reputation. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of clarity in communicating probabilities to improve public understanding.


