The Dissenter

Richard Wolff, Professor of Economics Emeritus, dives into the implications of Trump’s tariffs on America’s global standing and economic disparities. He discusses how scapegoating immigrants plays into political narratives amid economic struggles. The conversation shifts to billionaires like Elon Musk and their influence on politics and public transit. Wolff also highlights the rising power of the BRICS alliance and its challenge to traditional economic powers, revealing the shifting geopolitical landscape and potential consequences for U.S. policy.

Tristan Rogers, a philosopher and author specializing in political philosophy, dives deep into the essence of conservatism. He explores the virtues of gratitude, humility, and justice while tracing the historical roots from ancient thinkers like Plato to the complexities of modern populism. The discussion highlights the family's role in moral development and critiques the sexual revolution, advocating for traditional values. Rogers also emphasizes the need for balance between preserving the past and actively engaging with the future of conservatism.

In this discussion, Christopher Federico, a Professor of Political Science and Psychology at the University of Minnesota, dives deep into the psychology behind political preferences. He explores how personal traits and societal influences forge liberal and conservative ideologies. Federico highlights the concept of collective narcissism, linking it to prejudice and political behaviors, especially in the context of nationalism in recent U.S. elections. Additionally, he examines how perceived threats to in-group identity fuel hostility and far-right support.

Join Debra Lieberman, a psychology professor at the University of Miami and author of "Objection: Disgust, Morality, and the Law," as she dives into the intriguing world of emotions through an evolutionary lens. Discover how disgust influences moral judgments and social norms. She delves into the role of gratitude in fostering cooperation within relationships and examines the dual function of tears as both protective and communicative. This lively discussion reveals the fascinating connections between emotions, societal dynamics, and our evolutionary past.

Blaine Fowers, a Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Miami, discusses the ethical dimensions of psychology and co-authored 'The Science of Virtue.' He delves into virtue theory, exploring how virtues impact character and are shaped by cultural contexts. The conversation unpacks Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and critiques the individualistic tendencies in American psychology. Fowers emphasizes the importance of community in fostering virtues and shares insights on educational interventions that promote genuine happiness through altruism.

Dr. Elisabeth Bik, a microbiologist and expert in scientific integrity, dives into the murky waters of scientific fraud. She discusses the various forms of misconduct, such as plagiarism and image manipulation. The pressures that drive unethical behavior in academia are explored, along with how publication metrics can hinder honesty. Bik also highlights the role of AI in this landscape, revealing the challenges and implications for research integrity. With a blend of seriousness and humor, she advocates for accountability and systemic reform in science.

Michael Cook, a renowned expert in Near Eastern Studies, discusses his latest book, providing insights on the history of the Muslim world. He explores the distinction between 'Islamic' and 'Muslim', charting the origins of the Muslim community from Medina to the Prophet Muhammad's death. The conversation dives into the socio-political landscape of the Middle East, the emergence of Islam in 7th century Arabia, and the complex dynamics between religion and state during Muhammad's era. Cook also sheds light on the challenges surrounding the origins and preservation of the Quran.

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Lala, a Professor of Behavioral and Evolutionary Biology and co-founder of niche construction theory, dives into the complexities of evolution. He explores how interdisciplinary approaches enhance our understanding of traits like the turtle shell and the unique adaptations seen in blind Mexican cave fish. Lala challenges genetic determinism by discussing evolutionary plasticity and the impact of organisms on their environments. He also highlights the evolution of human cognition, linking brain size and cultural practices in our development.

David Wolpert, a Professor at the Santa Fe Institute with a rich background in thermodynamics and machine learning, dives deep into the intriguing concept of viewing history as a stochastic process. He explains how randomness affects historical analysis and introduces methodologies that contrast traditional storytelling. Wolpert discusses the complexities of sociopolitical evolution and challenges faced in predictive modeling, advocating for a more quantitative approach to understanding our past and its implications for the future.

******Support the channel****** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter PayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuy PayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9l PayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpz PayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9m PayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao   ******Follow me on****** Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/ The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/ Twitter: https://x.com/TheDissenterYT   Dr. Steven J. Heine is Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Heine’s pioneering research has challenged key psychological assumptions in self-esteem, meaning, and the ways that people understand genetic constructs. He is the author of many acclaimed journal articles and books in the fields of social and cultural psychology including Cultural Psychology, the top-selling textbook in the field. In 2016, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His latest book is Start Making Sense: How Existential Psychology Can Help Us Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times.   In this episode, we focus on Start Making Sense. We start by talking about the discipline of existential psychology, and how we have evolved to seek meaning. We discuss our need for stories, the importance of social relationships, religion, and how we deal with our awareness of our own mortality. We also talk about cross-cultural variation in what people find meaningful, and strategies to increase meaning in our lives. -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, STARRY, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, BENJAMIN GELBART, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, AND TED FARRIS! A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, AL NICK ORTIZ, NICK GOLDEN, AND CHRISTINE GLASS! AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, BOGDAN KANIVETS, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!