The Michael Shermer Show

Exploring the new Cold War dynamics between China, Russia, and America, emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in global power struggles. Discussing the significance of Taiwan's democratic system and semiconductor industry in the geopolitical landscape. Analyzing the technological divide and implications of economic sanctions, highlighting the importance of protecting Taiwan for shared democratic values.

Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath reframes memory, discussing its transformative power, daily tasks, and aging challenges. He explores memory's influence on identity, trauma healing, bias shedding, and self-awareness growth. The podcast delves into neuroscience, memory complexities, prediction behavior, false memories, PTSD impacts, wrongful accusations, deja vu phenomenon, and memory enhancement techniques.

Tricia Rose, Brown University Prof. of Africana Studies, dives into systemic racism in America, exposing how policies connect to oppress black people. She discusses root causes of inequality, stop-and-frisk policies, and reimagining law enforcement. Rose challenges color-blind narratives and calls for meaningful change in academia, policing, and beyond.

The podcast delves into the evolution of victimhood culture, effects of screen time on social interactions, pathologization of normal teen experiences, complexities of social justice, standardized tests' impact on underprivileged students, navigating utopia vs. protopia in social justice discourse, challenges of police abolition, and critical examination of DEI initiatives influenced by ideological commitments.

Sean Carroll, a physics expert, delves into quantum field theory, explaining measurement, entanglement, and the world being made of fields. He discusses fundamental concepts like spin, symmetry, and the Higgs mechanism, revealing the unimaginable truth about our universe. The podcast explores dark energy, dark matter, the Higgs field, and philosophical questions about the origins of the universe.

Nellie Bowles, a New York Times reporter, questions the progressive movement she once embraced. She discusses the absurdity of a political movement, navigating media challenges, social persecution in liberal circles, ideological clashes, exploring white privilege in anti-racism courses, controversies over terminology in activism, teen mental health debates, and speculating on the future of societal revolutions.

Neuroscientist Christof Koch discusses the physical origins of consciousness in the brain and its measurement in natural and artificial systems. They explore topics like self-awareness in fetuses, transformative effects of psychedelic experiences, near-death experiences, generative AI capabilities, and the perception of objective reality. They also touch on AI existential threats, brain cell mapping for diseases, longevity, and the social aspects of wine consumption.

Author Tom Chivers discusses how Bayesian statistics impact our lives, from medical tests to court cases. Exploring cognitive biases, conspiracy theories, scientific claims, altered states of perception, and the replication crisis in social sciences.

Astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger discusses the search for life on faraway worlds using Earth as a reference point. She explores exoplanets covered in lava, lonely wanderers in space, and potential Alien Earths. With the James Webb Space Telescope, she pioneers new discoveries in planet hunting, sparking curiosity about life beyond our solar system. From identifying signs of life to interstellar travel possibilities, she navigates the boundless frontiers of space with humor and knowledge.

World-leading psychologist Bruce Hood shares insights on happiness, emphasizing connection over self-care. He discusses breaking negative thought patterns, controlling attention, and connecting with others. Hood explores societal challenges, neurodiversity, and the concept of ego-centric happiness. The conversation also delves into public speaking anxiety, altruism, money's impact on well-being, and navigating modern relationships in the digital age.