The Michael Shermer Show

Matt Angle, the founder and CEO of Paradromics, is revolutionizing neurotechnology with high-data-rate brain-computer interfaces. He shares fascinating insights into how these devices can restore speech for paralyzed patients and enhance control of prosthetics. Angle highlights the challenges and breakthroughs of decoding neural activity and the regulatory landscape for bringing these innovations to clinical trials. He also addresses ethical concerns and the future possibilities of sensory prostheses and cognitive augmentation, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on consciousness and technology.

David Baron, an award-winning science journalist and author, delves into the astonishing Martian craze of the early 20th century, revealing how blurry telescopes and charismatic figures like Percival Lowell turned speculation into accepted facts. He explores the influence of early science fiction, Nikola Tesla's claims of extraterrestrial signals, and the media's pivotal role in shaping public belief in Martians. Baron connects this historical fascination to modern debates about UFOs and aliens, raising intriguing questions about how scientific ideas capture our imagination.

Chris Edwards, a teacher and author with expertise in world history, discusses how AI can reshape our understanding of science. He argues that scientific discoveries aren't always in the right order and suggests reordering them around the concept of entropy. This shift may lead AI to produce insights that challenge traditional narratives. Edwards also explores the connections between thermodynamics, evolution, and public understanding, ultimately warning that our educational methods need to evolve alongside these emerging ideas.

In this engaging discussion, Rachel Corbett, a features writer and author known for her work on crime and culture, explores the mythos surrounding criminal profiling. She reveals how our desire for neat explanations can lead us astray, showcasing the failures of profiling through studies and real-life cases. Corbett connects historical roots, the allure of true crime, and the unsettling truth behind normal-looking perpetrators. The conversation also touches on the role of randomness in violence and the ethical dilemmas of past psychological experiments.

For nearly two centuries, international relations have been premised on the idea of the "Great Powers." As the thinking went, these mighty states—the European empires of the nineteenth century, the United States and the USSR during the Cold War—were uniquely able to exert their influence on the world stage because of their overwhelming military capabilities. But this conception of power fails to capture the more complicated truth about how wars are fought and won. Our focus on the importance of large, well-equipped armies and conclusive battles has obscured the foundational forces that underlie military victories and the actual mechanics of successful warfare. Phillips O'Brien suggests a new framework of "full-spectrum powers," taking into account all of the diverse factors that make a state strong—from economic and technological might, to political stability, to the complex logistics needed to maintain forces in the field. Drawing on examples ranging from Napoleon's France to today's ascendant China, he offers a critical new understanding of what makes a power truly great. Phillips Payson O'Brien is a professor of strategic studies and head of the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is the author of six books, including his latest War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why.

In this insightful discussion, Jay McClelland, a pioneering cognitive scientist from Stanford, and Gaurav Suri, a computational neuroscientist at San Francisco State, explore the evolution of thought and consciousness. They delve into how simple neural networks can create complex behaviors, examine the enigma of consciousness, and debate the future of AI in relation to human intelligence. From the intricacies of memory retrieval to the challenges of modeling subjective experience, their conversation reveals the fascinating interplay between brain function and emergent behavior.

Astrobiologist Caleb Scharf, a senior scientist at NASA Ames and author of The Giant Leap, explores humanity's future in space. He argues our expansion beyond Earth might be an evolutionary necessity. Scharf discusses the challenges of radiation and microgravity on human biology and why terraforming Mars is unrealistic. Instead, he suggests building rotating habitats in space for sustainability. The conversation also touches on the evolution of space technology and the role of private companies reshaping exploration. This engaging dialogue dives deep into our cosmic destiny.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Michel-Yves Bolloré, an engineer and author, presents compelling scientific, philosophical, and theological evidence for God's existence. He argues against the eternal nature of the universe, pointing to fine-tuning and the complexity of life as indicators of design. Bolloré navigates the integration of faith and science, debates the implications of nothingness and creation, and explores moral red lines grounded in a transcendent source. His insights challenge materialism while fostering a respectful dialogue with critical questions.

Simon Winchester, an acclaimed author and historian, delves into the intriguing world of wind. He explains why eastbound flights are often faster due to jet streams, which were almost overlooked due to language barriers in research. Discover the fascinating history of extreme winds at Mount Washington and the consequences of wartime navigation through the jet stream. Winchester also shares Polynesian navigation techniques and explores the cultural significance of wind in language, showcasing how overlooked elements of nature tie into our history and daily lives.

Angus Fletcher, a professor of story science at Ohio State's Project Narrative and author of Primal Intelligence, explores the unique realms of human cognition compared to machines. He argues that storytelling is fundamental to how we think and why traditional metrics of intelligence often miss the mark. Fletcher discusses the significance of emotional narratives in decision-making and how innovative strategies arise from imagination rather than data. He emphasizes that the greatest strengths of humans lie in our creative capabilities, as well as the ability to adapt and plan for the future.