You Are Not So Smart

Jesse Richardson, founder of the nonprofit School of Thought, explores how to think clearly about AI’s many risks. They discuss probabilistic reasoning, his gamified Is It Game Over project, cyberattacks from advanced models, labor disruption, facial recognition, opaque machine intelligence, and the danger of outsourcing our thinking to chatbots. A sharp guide to uncertainty without the hot takes.

Pascal Wallisch, a New York University neuroscientist researching perception and visual interpretation, revisits the internet’s legendary blue-and-black or white-and-gold dress. The conversation explores color constancy, how lighting ambiguity activates prior experience, and why owls and larks may see different colors. It also examines cognitive diversity, naive realism, empathy in disagreements, and the dress’s surprising connection to online polarization.

Phil Plait, astronomer and science communicator known as the Bad Astronomer, talks about his book Under Alien Skies and what it would feel like to travel through the solar system. Short, immersive vignettes bring Saturn, its rings, moons, and lunar vistas to life. Conversation also covers the UFO resurgence and why people misidentify celestial phenomena.

Helen Pilcher, neuroscientist and science journalist who wrote This Book May Cause Side Effects, talks about how expectations and beliefs shape illness. She explores the nocebo concept, cultural and linguistic influences on symptoms, and striking examples like anticipatory nausea and functional neurological disorder. Short, surprising stories and research show how the mind can produce real suffering.

Thomas Levenson, MIT professor and science writer, narrates the long history of vaccine hesitancy. He traces recurring objections from claims vaccines are unnatural to fears born of early harms and the anger sparked by mandates. The conversation maps how these themes repeat across centuries and suggests better ways to communicate about vaccines.

Chris Duffy, comedian and podcaster who explores human behavior, talks with Tenelle Porter, a psychology professor who studies intellectual humility. They define intellectual humility, examine how to measure it with behavioral tasks, discuss its development across ages, and offer practical practices and societal benefits without giving detailed insights.

Matthew Facciani, an interdisciplinary social scientist studying media literacy and misinformation. He defines misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. He explains how identity, trust, and social ties make false beliefs feel rational. He traces how media evolution and social platforms turbocharge biases. He outlines ways communities and institutions can rebuild resilience.

David McRaney, journalist and author who studies persuasion and belief change, tells the story of a 9/11 truther whose trip to Ground Zero and encounters with experts and grieving families forced him to doubt his convictions. Conversations about empathy, tribal identity, deep canvassing, and the social costs of leaving groups steer the discussion. The show explores how people can actually change their minds.

Heather Barnes, a communications professor and improv trainer who led programs at Second City and museums, shares playful tools for tough conversations. She demos the Positive Rants practice and warm-up exercises that sharpen listening and reframing. She critiques PowerPoint overload and shows how storytelling and improv boost presentations and workplace resilience.

Jennifer Shahade, chess champion and author, shares her “thinking sideways” approach from chess to life. She explains scanning and ranking a few strong options, avoiding deep exhaustive searches, and using tactics like intermezzo moves and a three-option rule. Conversations also cover creative crossovers like chess boxing and practical planning frameworks.