The Dissenter

Dr. Jade d'Alpoim Guedes, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology specializing in environmental archaeology, discusses the fascinating transition from foraging to farming, particularly in the Tibetan Plateau. She highlights how climate change has influenced agricultural practices and crop dispersal. Jade explores resilient foraging societies and their indigenous methods that maintain biodiversity. Additionally, she critiques conventional agriculture's impact on global hunger and calls for sustainable practices to combat the climate crisis.

Susan Goldin-Meadow, a leading researcher in language development, shares her insights into the power of gestures in communication and learning. She discusses how gestures facilitate complex ideas and enhance memory in children, even among those who are deaf or blind. The conversation touches on unconscious biases expressed through gestures and how home signs evolve into formal sign languages. Goldin-Meadow also explores the impact of online learning on our ability to communicate through gestures, shedding light on their vital role in shaping thoughts.

Dr. Philip Cohen discusses the concept of 'generations' and challenges the stereotypes associated with different age groups. They explore the use of cohort research to understand societal trends better and question the validity of generational labels. The conversation highlights the evolving views on teen pregnancy and the impact of stereotypes in the workplace based on generational distinctions.

Pedro Magalhães, an expert on democracy in Portugal, discusses democracy definition, socio-economic status's impact on supporting the status quo, economic inequality, and liberal democracy support. They explore Portugal's democratization post-25th of April, representing citizens in political institutions, and improving the political system.

Dr. Seth Robertson discusses moral realism, Confucian ethics, and epistemic injustice. They explore normative vs. non-normative questions in ethics, human nature's complexity, ethical development, and societal impacts on knowledge. The podcast also covers diversity in academic philosophy and inclusivity strategies in philosophy departments.

Dr. Mark Rank explores how chance and luck shape our lives, discussing randomness in ancient times, biological evolution, and social sciences. He highlights the role of luck in scientific discoveries, social inequality, and societal outcomes. The podcast emphasizes the importance of investing in children, acknowledges the influence of luck in career paths and relationships, and advocates for a more nuanced view of meritocracy.

Expert Channa Prakash discusses gene editing in plants, contrasting it with GMOs and organic agriculture. Topics include misconceptions about GMOs, environmental impacts of organic farming, and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka due to agricultural decisions.

Philosopher Patrick Hassan discusses Nietzsche's battle against pessimism, exploring its history and impact on 19th-century philosophy. They delve into Nietzsche's critiques of Schopenhauer, views on drives and values, and solutions to combat pessimism. The conversation highlights Nietzsche's emphasis on aesthetic experience and overcoming obstacles, promoting a life-affirming perspective.

Researcher Eleanor Scerri discusses the origins of Homo sapiens, highlighting debates on human evolution in Africa, the challenges of DNA analysis for ancestry, and the migration of Homo sapiens out of Africa. The podcast explores the complexity of human origins, emphasizing the diverse landscapes of Africa and the impact of climate change on human evolution.

The podcast discusses rebuilding economics from top down, critiquing mainstream economic foundations like supply and demand. It highlights the 2008 economic crisis and proposes a modern debt jubilee. Exploring complex systems theory, money creation in capitalist economy, understanding GDP and income inequality, and the impact of financial capitalism and climate change on industrial production are also covered.