Overthink

Hosts Ellie and David delve into the intriguing world of psychedelics, discussing their historical significance and current resurgence. They explore the effects of psychedelics on the default mode network in our brains and how they disrupt our everyday perceptions. The podcast also examines the connection between babies' brain connections and psychedelic experiences. Additionally, philosophers' encounters with psychedelics and their impact on perception and research are explored. The hosts also discuss the process of psychedelic therapy and its potential applications in treating various conditions, while addressing concerns and ethical considerations surrounding this form of therapy.

Food critic and philosophy professor Shanti Chu joins the podcast to discuss the gendering of meals, ethics of food systems like lab-grown meat, and the future of restaurants. Other topics include the connection between food and identity, the omnivore's paradox, and the loss of local food cultures due to globalization.

Exploring the paradox of authenticity in a social media-driven world and reality TV, questioning the distinction between authenticity and sincerity, and delving into postmodern critiques of authenticity. Examining Heidegger's unique understanding of authenticity and its evolution in society, including its impact on reality television. Investigating the relationship between authenticity, trauma, and drag culture, and discussing the play with appearances and concepts of realness in drag culture.

In this podcast, Ellie and David explore the concept of 'world' in relation to climate change and political crises. They discuss the impact of climate change on weather patterns and question anthropocentric views. They introduce the notion of 'amor mundi' as a way to protect the social world. The disproportionate effects of climate change on global South populations are highlighted, challenging narratives of progress. They also delve into the concept of multiple worlds and examine the conflict between scientific and indigenous perspectives on caribou conservation. Lastly, they discuss the idea of a pluriverse and challenge the concept of a common world.

In this episode of Overthink, the hosts delve into the complexities of sexual consent, exploring the challenges of ethical sexual partnerships in gray areas and the impact of the Me Too movement. They discuss the concept of affirmative consent, the portrayal of consent in an SNL skit, and the stereotypes surrounding sexual consent in college life. They also examine the challenges of obtaining verbal consent for every act during a sexual encounter, the Aziz Ansari case, the performative view of sexual consent, and the true meaning of consent as an agreement of feelings.

What does it mean to be marginalized? Does marginalization give some people more epistemic authority than others? And, if so, what should we all do with this information? In episode 84 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk about standpoint theory, its complex intellectual history, and its relationship to W. E. B. DuBois’ concept of double consciousness. They welcome an expert on the subject: Dr. Briana Toole, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College. In their conversation, they chat about how standpoint theory makes sense of electoral politics, educational policy, bizarre reality TV, and much more. They also discuss Corrupt the Youth, a philosophy outreach program founded by Dr. Toole that brings philosophy to high schools in the U.S.Check out this episode's extended cut here!Works DiscussedBriana Toole, “On Standpoint Epistemology and Epistemic Peerhood” and “Demarginalizing Standpoint Epistemology”Kate Chopin, The AwakeningW. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black FolkJennifer Nash, Black Feminism ReimaginedOlúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, Elite CaptureDavid Foster Wallace, This Is WaterBlack. White. (2006)Support the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Western philosophy started… at the gym. In episode 83 of Overthink, Ellie and David tackle the philosophy of workouts, from Plato’s days as a wrestler to the modern loneliness of a solitary bench press. As they discuss the role of exercise — which the Greeks called gymnastics — in building bodies and training souls, they consider the ancient Olympics, the cravings for health and beauty that guide us through what David calls the "Protestant work-out ethic," and Jean Baudrillard's thoughts about Americans' passion for jogging.Works DiscussedJean Baudrillard, AmericaMark Greif, “Against Exercise”Drew Hyland, Philosophy of SportPlato, The Republic, The Laws, and EuthyphroHeather Reid, Introduction to the Philosophy of SportJean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, and “The Government of Poland”Sabrina Strings, Fearing the Black BodyMax Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of CapitalismSupport the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda… In Overthink’s long-awaited epsiode 82, David and Ellie fret over the meaning of regret, in everything from life-altering career decisions to sloppy teenage breakups. They consider the usefulness of regret — if it has one at all — and explore its relation to a life well lived, investigating its philosophical lineage from Confucius and Aristotle to today. Can 20-year-olds regret? Can dogs? Is regret ever rational? And, when does remorse turn into existential despair?Works DiscussedAristotle, Nichomachean EthicsJohn Danaher, “The Wisdom of Regret and the Fallacy of Regret Minimization”Shai Davidai and Thomas Giolvich, “The Ideal Road Not Taken”Michael Ing, The Vulnerability of Integrity in Early Confucian ThoughtPaddy McQueen, “When Should We Regret?”Michel de Montaigne, “On Repentance”Carolyn Price, “The Many Flavors of Regret”Justin White, “Revelatory Regret and the Standpoint of the Agent”Russian Doll (2019)Sliding Doors (1998)Magnolia (1999)Support the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tweed suits, penny loafers: who said philosophers were out of touch? In episode 81 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk everything from Shein to Ferragamo, from high school lunchbox trends to Machiavelli’s nightgowns. As they chart the history of clothing, and the shift from functional Egyptian togas to extravagant medieval breeches, they investigate the refrain that clothes reveal the wearer’s personality. They ask, where does being timely turn into being classist? What does our sense for what’s hip tell us about perception? And, how do we square our drive for style with the injustices of consumption?Works DiscussedThomas Carlyle, Sartor ResartusGwenda-lin Grewal, Fashion | Sense: On Philosophy and FashionTansy E. Hoskins, The Anti-Capitalist Book of FashionGilles Lipovetsky, The Empire of FashionGeorg Simmel, “Fashion”Iris Marion Young, Responsibility and Global Labor JusticeAmie Zimmer, Mere Appearance: Redressing the History of PhilosophyFunny Face (1957) with Audrey HepburnThe White Lotus, Season 2Support the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Machine minds can work a paintbrush, but are they really making art? In episode 80 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk with guest Raphaël Millière, scholar and philosophy lecturer at Columbia University, on the aesthetic merits of computer-generated art. They discuss the thorny marriage of art and technology in everything from the early days of photography to YACHT’s AI-assisted pop songs. Why do we expect art to express human emotions? Is prompt-engineering for AI models an art in itself? And, if ‘great artists steal,’ is DALL·E the greatest artist of us all?Works discussedAARONDALL·EDavid Bowie, OutsideR.G. Collingwood, The Principles of ArtRaphaël Millière, AI Art is Challenging the Boundaries of CurationObvious, The Portrait of Edmond de BelamyYACHT, Chain TrippingSupport the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.