unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

Arnold Weinstein, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature at Brown University and author, shares his insights on how literature deepens our self-understanding and empathy. He discusses how reading engages the body and emotions in ways other art forms do not. Arnold also explores the transformative power of discomfort in literature, emphasizing its role in introspection. The conversation highlights literature's enduring relevance and its ability to reveal the complexities of human identity, challenging the undervaluation of literary studies in academic environments.

Cat Bohannon, a researcher and author, explores how the female body has been pivotal in human evolution. She dives into the unique biology of gestation, childbirth, and lactation that sets humans apart from other mammals. Their conversation unpacks the historical biases in gynecology and the significance of maternal health. Cat also discusses the transition from matriarchy to patriarchy and its lasting impacts on gender norms. With insights on how reproduction influences societal structures, this is a deep dive into women’s vital roles in shaping humanity.

Toby E. Stuart, a Professor at UC Berkeley and author of 'Anointed', dives into the dramatic influence of social status in our lives. He reveals how the Matthew Effect means that those with status gain even more, impacting everything from consumer behavior to resource allocation. The conversation touches on the paradox of status in the digital age and how it shapes perceptions in academia and the arts. Toby also discusses the implications of status inequality and how it can create barriers to meritocracy in various fields.

Charles Spinosa, a management consultant and author of 'Leadership as Masterpiece Creation,' redefines business leadership as an art form. He emphasizes how some companies achieve masterpiece status through moral and philosophical insights. The conversation touches on the distinct leadership styles of figures like Jeff Bezos and the importance of moral orders within organizations. Spinosa advocates for cultivating courage and virtue in corporate culture, drawing lessons from literature to enhance character development in the workplace.

In this engaging discussion, John Cassidy, a writer for the New Yorker and author of pivotal works on capitalism, dives into historical critiques of the economic system, examining figures from Adam Smith to Marx. He explains how economic crises have shaped both policy and theory, while highlighting lesser-known critics that have influenced thought. Topics include the impact of the Luddite movement and the often overshadowed contributions of women in economic history. Cassidy urges for a more holistic approach to economic education, blending history and theory for deeper understanding.

In a dynamic conversation, Jennifer Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and founder of Code For America, shares insights on government digital transformation. She discusses the critical role of feedback loops in policy implementation to avoid perverse outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges of outdated procurement processes and over-reliance on contractors. Pahlka emphasizes the need for genuine user research and collaboration between policymakers and public servants to create effective digital services.

James C. Zimring, a Professor of Pathology and Immunology at the University of Virginia, dives deep into the philosophical dimensions of scientific inquiry. He discusses the gap between idealized notions of science and its chaotic realities. Zimring emphasizes the importance of critical debate in scientific progress and tackles the complexities of what it means for a scientist to 'know' something. He also explores biases in hypothesis testing and the social constructs shaping scientific methodology, shedding light on the misinterpretations often held by the public.

For much of America’s history, the promise of greater economic opportunities in new places was an intrinsic idea to the country’s identity. But in recent decades, it’s become increasingly difficult to pack up and chase that American dream. Why? Yoni Appelbaum is a deputy executive editor at The Atlantic and the author of the book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity which explores the significant decline in geographic and economic mobility in the United States over the past 50 years.Yoni and Greg analyze the historical context of mobility trends in America, the role of zoning laws, the influence of homeownership policies, and the changes brought about by millions of moves within American society. They also discuss possible reforms and a generational shift towards embracing growth and community development.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:How America got stuck in a mobility decline16:00: For almost all of American history, when a place was thriving economically, we threw up new housing to accommodate all the new arrivals who would flock toward that opportunity. And then, 50 years ago, we pretty much made it impossible to do that. And so, as a result, when people are in a place today with declining opportunity, they really are kind of stuck—the places that they could move just can't accommodate them.The hidden costs of not building30:09: If you do not build housing that is affordable, if you do not build new luxury housing that rich people move into, thereby letting the older housing stock become available to people on, on more limited incomes, if you are not building, then you are shutting out those people. And so, it is not just the crisis of homelessness, which is a real crisis, it is also that lack of mobility.Why newcomers make communities thrive06:45: Loneliness is good, aloneness is bad, but loneliness is like hunger. It is a spur to action… [07:09] It is that loneliness of the new arrivals in town that has traditionally spurred people to form social relationships. You are much likelier to join something if you are new in town. And then, there is the other part of it too, which is that a community that is full of new arrivals will have a much more vibrant civic life.Geography as a tool for reinvention08:26: Everything that mattered about you was defined at your birth. You inherited your spot in the social hierarchy, your religion, often your father's occupation, your prospects, your identity — all of that — and largely your geographic location, right? You lived on the land your family had lived on for generations and where you expected your grandkids and your great-grandkids to live. You were defined at birth. What America did by allowing people to choose their own communities, by giving a legal right — and this was a bit of a legal revolution — the chance for people to move where they wanted to, we gave people the chance to decide who they wanted to be through their physical geography, through those serial relocations. Because Americans did not just move once, maybe not 40 times, but by moving repeatedly through their lives, Americans were able to continually reinvent themselves and to fashion their own identities. All of these things became matters of choice.Show Links:Recommended Resources:The Opportunity AtlasOkie Jacob RiisGuest Profile:Author Bio at The AtlanticProfessional Profile on XGuest Work:Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jonathan Haskel, a Professor of Economics at Imperial College, dives into the intricate world of the intangible economy. He discusses the challenges of valuing intangible assets like data and branding, and the necessity for institutional reforms to keep pace with this shift. Haskel highlights how AI can transform productivity akin to historical technological revolutions. The conversation also touches on the varying financial structures worldwide and the role of 'bullshit jobs' in supporting the evolving economic landscape.

What can be gained from looking back now at the pandemic response during COVID? What would a “postmortem” tell us about how policies were designed and how scientific discussions played out? Stephen Macedo is a professor of politics at Princeton University, as well as at the University Center for Human Values, and the author of several books including Greg and Stephen discuss the decision-making flaws during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of robust debate, the role of public health experts, and the increasing influence of partisanship. Stephen explores the potential long-term implications for democracy and science, the concept of noble lies, and the necessity of balancing expert advice with broader public interests. Their conversation also touches on the importance of liberal virtues and the need for both improved decision-making structures and individual adherence to professional ethics.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:When public health crowds out public values09:52: The public health mindset is that you only pay attention to reducing disease, and so public health experts had too much power. Wider decision-making should have been made by people looking at the whole range of public values, not just disease reduction or attempts to reduce disease. So, the many things that came together—but we regard the book as a window onto the state of our democracy, and in a way, our—you know—the dangers of our epistemic tribalism, to put it that way. The degraded state of deliberation in our country.How epistemic bubbles are making us dumber50:57: We are making ourselves stupider by being ensconced in these epistemic bubbles. We are undermining our own capacity for critical thought by not being more open to disagreement.Science can’t decide for a democracy alone55:58: We need both more checking of a wide array of elites being involved in thinking, challenging, questioning decisions, but also some way of making sure—possibly through legislative oversight, House of Representatives being involved. The public voices need to be heard as well because they bear the cost of these—need to be heard as well because they bear the cost of these measures. And as we said before, science is not going to make these decisions for us. There are value judgments involved, and it is the people's value judgments that matter to some degree of risk tolerance…[56:35] We need more checking and balancing in these kinds of decisions that affect the public as a whole, and more open debate, discussion, more tolerance of disagreement—including, or maybe even especially, coming from the partisan other, as it were.Science needs scrutiny, not censorship14:17: We need empirical inquiry to test the assumptions behind these particular policies and assumptions—not censorship in advance of evidence that might be unwelcome with respect to, you know, certain kinds of policy claims. So, I think there's a wider politicization of science. I do think we need more viewpoint diversity in the academy, and people say, "Wasn't this the code word for having more conservatives?" And I'll say, yes. I think we're a bit too far out of balance. We should not reflect the American public—I mean, that's not the aim—but I think we do not take seriously enough, reasonable concerns coming from the other side of the political spectrum. So, it's a long-winded answer to your question, but I think the COVID experience is emblematic and indicative of a wider problem and deeper problem.Show Links:Recommended Resources:David HalberstamGraham AllisonNeil FergusonDavid ZweigFrancis CollinsAnthony FauciSandro GaleaStephen HaberJohn IoannidisScott AtlasDeborah BirxAlasdair MacIntyreCharles TaylorThe Federalist PapersJohn LockeAdam SmithConsequentialismBen BernankeThe Great Exception: The New Deal and the Limits of American Politics (Politics and Society in Modern America) by Jefferson CowieInsecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign by Frances E. LeeGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at Princeton UniversityWikipedia PagePrinceton Politics PageSocial Profile on XPhilPeople.org ProfileGuest Work:Amazon Author PageIn Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed UsDeliberative Politics: Essays on Democracy and DisagreementDiversity and Distrust: Civic Education in a Multicultural DemocracyAmerican Constitutional InterpretationThe New Right v. the Constitution | CATO Institute Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.