Conversations with Peter Boghossian

In this two-part series, we sit down with Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer, Head of Center: Applied History and IR Theory at MCC, Budapest. Ralph specializes in the cultural dimensions of identity formation and its impact on social cohesion. He offers incredible insights on understanding the current political climate in America, especially in light of the shifting dynamics in the country’s political landscape. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Dr. Alexander Huang, Chairman of Taiwan’s Council on Strategic & Wargaming Studies, shares vital insights into Taiwan's geopolitical landscape. He discusses the importance of Taiwan's ties with the West and its crucial role in semiconductor production. The conversation highlights Taiwan's resilience amid the threat of invasion and their potential path toward nuclear armament. Huang also emphasizes how the upcoming U.S. election may shape Taiwan's future and explores the delicate balance of military readiness and diplomatic relations with China.

Wael Taji Miller is a Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s School of Psychology. Taji’s research focuses on the intersection of innovation, evolved psychology, and contemporary societal challenges. We discussed social and cultural evolution, particularly the implications of losing our capacity to engage differing viewpoints. We agreed that the erosion of the possibility of dialogue with those who hold opposing perspectives poses a threat to society. This is a kind of cultural decay that's linked not only to entrenched ideologies but also to the challenges posed by modern technology, which too often amplifies division rather than fostering understanding. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Mia Hughes is an Ottawa-based British journalist and researcher for Michael Shellenberger's nonprofit, Environmental Progress. Mia authored the WPATH Files report, which exposed widespread medical mistreatment of children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults in the realm of gender-affirming care. We were both in Lisbon, Portugal, for the Genspect conference—which uncoincidentally coincided with WPATH’s conference. (NB I reached out to WPATH organizers and speakers to have a conversation about their reasoning for gender-affirming care. As expected, I received no responses. Throughout this conversation I made an effort to steelman WPATH arguments.) Mia and I began with the concept of "Gender Soul." This led to a discussion about medical interventions in gender-affirming care. Watch this episode on YouTube.

StealthGPT can write academic papers. It can also write peer-reviewed papers and Ph.D. theses. And it can write them in such a way that they are undetectable by AI. In this conversation, I talk with Jozef Gherman, creator of StealthGPT. Jozef on X Watch this episode on YouTube.

Africa Brooke, an author and consultant specializing in self-sabotage and self-censorship, shares her powerful journey of overcoming a decade-long alcohol addiction. In this conversation, she unpacks the roots of self-sabotage and how societal pressures contribute to destructive behaviors. Africa discusses the importance of radical self-honesty, the allure of compassion in unexpected encounters, and the complexities of love and identity post-sobriety. Her insights on navigating these challenges provide a refreshing perspective on personal growth.

Dr. Jan Bentz, a lecturer at Oxford specializing in medieval and modern philosophy, delves into a variety of thought-provoking topics. He explores the interplay between friendship and philosophy through the Socratic method, emphasizing constructive criticism. Bentz critiques utopian ideals and discusses the complexities of human nature, belief, and suffering, highlighting the importance of genuine connections. He also examines the limits of scientific inquiry and argues for a nuanced understanding of knowledge, advocating for communal understanding in navigating modern existential risks.

Clinton Staley, Professor emeritus of computer science at Cal Poly and Principia College, shares insights on the ethical dilemmas of AI and its philosophical implications. He discusses how to measure morality in technology and the differences between human and artificial intelligence. The conversation also explores the limitations of AI in making ethical decisions and the prospect of AI consciousness. Additionally, they tackle the intriguing idea of humanity living in a simulation, weaving in thoughts on extraterrestrial life and science fiction influence.

Kirsten Hall Herlin, an Assistant Professor at UATX and a distinguished scholar of literature, shares her insights on the transformative power of literature. She examines the intersection of AI and critical social justice, debating whether AI could ever win a Pulitzer Prize. Kirsten emphasizes the unique human consciousness behind writing and how literature can unite us amid societal divides. Personal experiences and the literary legacies of figures like Jane Austen add depth to this engaging conversation about authenticity and the emotional journey of writing.

Joseph Henrich, a distinguished anthropologist and evolutionary biologist at Harvard, dives into the fascinating roots of WEIRD societies. He unpacks how cultural learning shapes social behavior, especially during adolescence, and critiques biases in psychological research. The discussion explores kinship structures' influence on politics and economics, alongside Western Christianity’s role in fostering individualism. Henrich also highlights the resurgence of witchcraft in modern culture as a response to societal trust issues, demonstrating the complex interplay between culture, belief, and cooperation.