unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

Why would religion be necessary for a liberal democracy to function fully as intended? What benefits does Christianity provide to society in tandem with democracy that would collapse if either of those pillars failed? Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and also the author of several books and articles across various publications. His latest book is titled Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy.Greg and Jonathan discuss the declining influence of Christianity in America, the historical symbiosis between religion and liberal democracy, and how that relationship has shifted over time. They explore the rise of alternative spiritual movements and the consequences of shifting toward a more secular society. Jonathan explains his concepts of thin Christianity, sharp Christianity, and thick Christianity, and the benefits of thick Christianity as exemplified by the Latter Day Saints. They also examine the political polarization within Christianity and the effects it is having on the makeup of the church.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:The core message of Jonathan’s book[15:10] You've probably seen this in academia. They look at religion as the sum total of sociology plus demography and political leanings. Those things matter, but theology matters more. The Bible matters, and that remains within Christianity, a fundamental groundwork that it's hard to shop your way out of. I mean, you can. Of course, there's some pretty wackadoodle Christianity out there, but most mainstream Christianity is rooted in certain teachings, and those do provide some important ethical principles. The core message of my book is that the three most important central principles to Christianity, according to Christians, are also three core principles of liberal democracy. And you don't have to believe in Jesus to see that they're true and to see that they're important.Is America ungovernable without Christianity?[04:47] Religion is fading as part of American life. And that's great because religion is divisive, and it's dogmatic, and we'll just all get along better without it. I have never been so wrong. It turns out the founders told us this, but I forgot it, that Christianity, religion generally, but in the US that means Christianity- that especially means white Christianity, is a load-bearing wall in our democracy. And America is becoming ungovernable in significant part because Christianity is failing.The crisis of authority[36:22] Barna, which is a Christian research group, did a big survey of pastors a couple years ago. They asked if pastors had seriously considered quitting in the last year. 42% said yes. And the number three reason after, I can't remember number one and two though, were obvious, like low pay and high stress.Number three was politics.Why Christianity and liberalism need to support each other.[39:29] Liberalism needs that sense of rootedness and groundedness, that attention to higher transcendent things and core values and scriptures that are 3000 years old or 2000 years old, depending. It needs those things precisely because it is always changing and always churning.Show Links:Recommended Resources:ChristianityFriedrich NietzscheStrange Rites: New Religions for a Godless WorldJohn Stuart MillAlexandre LefebvreImmanuel KantChristian NationalismAmerican Heretics: Religious Adversaries of Liberal OrderLouis P. SheldonFamily Research CouncilBarna GroupEvangelicalismDavid FrenchEquality UtahRussell D. MooreTim KellerGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at Brookings InstitutionJonathanRauch.comProfile on WikipediaLinkedIn ProfileSocial Profile on XHis Work:Amazon Author PageCross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with DemocracyThe Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of TruthThe Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free ThoughtDenial: My 25 Years Without a SoulGay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for AmericaThe Outnation: A Search for the Soul of JapanIndex of Articles

Gary Rivlin, an investigative journalist with over 20 years in tech, dives deep into the rapid AI transformation fueled by Silicon Valley's unique ecosystem. He discusses the pivotal figures and moments behind AI's rise, highlighting how venture capital shapes today's tech landscape. Rivlin also explores the intertwined realms of academia and entrepreneurship, the ethical dilemmas of machine learning, and AI's power to tackle global issues like poverty and climate change. With anecdotes that bring the tech culture alive, Rivlin sheds light on the future of artificial intelligence.

What is the benefit of adventure, the role of adversity, and the importance of narrative in shaping one’s experience of happiness? What are the larger areas of fulfillment that round out one’s well-being and shape one’s life experience? Shigehiro (Shige) Oishi is a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago and the author of the books Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life and The Psychological Wealth of Nations: Do Happy People Make a Happy Society?Greg and Shige discuss the evolving field of subjective well-being, distinguishing between happiness, meaning, and Shige’s newly proposed third dimension – psychological richness. He discusses how these dimensions can sometimes conflict but also complement each other. They also delve into how culture, personality, and life choices like exploration versus stability affect psychological richness, and offer practical insights on how both individuals and organizations can cultivate a richer life.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:On why there’s a need for a third dimension to a good life[12:01] Some people really don't like structure. Some people really don't like routines. Some people really like to explore the world and find something interesting, something new. So when you, for instance, look at the big five personality traits and which traits are correlated with the happy life and meaningful life, and actually one big part of the big five traits, openness, the experience, it's not really correlated with happiness or meaning either. So, given that right, a lot of personality psychologists think that there are five global traits because they are useful. They're functional. Maybe there's an evolutionary reason.Sensation seekers struggle with reflection and growth[24:38] If you are [a] boredom-prone person, then obviously I think you have to do something new. But when you do something new, I think one thing you can change here is the reflection. I think what sensation seekers do not tend to do is that just after having this adventure, [is] sit down, reflect upon, and savor their experiences. If you do that, I think the boredom, at least the frequency of the boredom will be reduced.What is the optimal amount of psychological richness?[27:51]  I think you could definitely pursue psychological richness too much, right? I mean, some people may think, "Oh, I have to do something new every moment, every day."But as I said, unless you can just reflect upon [it] and add it up in your psychological memorabilia or portfolio, it is not really adding up. So essentially, unless you can just reflect upon and remember these experiences, it doesn't work that well. I think too much richness is the situation where, given a short period of time, you experience too much that you cannot really process and remember.On the human tendency toward familiarity—and its hidden costs[16:21] Looking at all kinds of cognitive bias literature, I think there's a huge familiarity bias. I mean, Bob Zagonc found this mere exposure effect in the 1960s, and essentially we like familiar things, right? And also, loss aversion is a huge example.The endowment effect is the same thing. Once you own it, you think it's more valuable than the new thing, right? So I think all these things are biased towards the familiar and sure gain. And if you're trying to maximize happiness, that's great. That's the strategy you should take actually. BuEt that has a downside, such as we said, you don't learn anything new. Maybe your curiosity is not fully met and you're not adventurous enough to discover something.Show Links:Recommended Resources:Jeremy BenthamSubjective Well-beingHappiness is everything, or is it?EudaimoniaJiro Dreams of SushiJohn Stuart MillBlaise PascalMarcel ProustBob ZajoncNick EpleyEd DienerCarol RyffGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at the University of ChicagoProfile on LinkedInSocial Profile on XHis Work:Amazon Author PageLife in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better LifeThe Psychological Wealth of Nations: Do Happy People Make a Happy Society?Google Scholar Page

Michael Morris, Chavkin-Chang Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School, discusses the multifaceted concept of tribalism. He explores how understanding our cultural instincts can foster cooperation in politics and organizations. Morris emphasizes the importance of tribal dynamics in leadership, contrasting top-down and bottom-up approaches to change. He also addresses the challenges of navigating political discourse influenced by tribalism and stresses the need for intentional cultural engineering to adapt and thrive in modern society.

Musa al-Gharbi, a sociology assistant professor at Stony Brook University and author of 'We Have Never Been Woke,' dives into the complexities of the 'woke' movement. He explores the historical roots and how contemporary 'awokenings' often exacerbate existing inequalities. Their conversation examines the role of elite symbolic professionals in social justice, questioning whether they prioritize personal gain over genuine change. Al-Gharbi also discusses cultural capital's influence on social status and the unintended consequences of diversity initiatives in academia and beyond.

Iris Bohnet, a Harvard Kennedy School professor and author, discusses essential workplace changes for equality. She argues for systemic fixes over individual fixes, emphasizing the importance of representation and fair hiring practices. The conversation highlights the dangers of biases in recruitment and promotions and advocates for structured methods to minimize these biases. Bohnet also reflects on the role of organizational culture and the need for role models, challenging traditional diversity initiatives to create an inclusive work environment.

Sandra Matz, a professor at Columbia Business School and author of "Mindmasters," explores the intersection of big data and psychology. She discusses how algorithms can predict personality better than close relationships, raising concerns about privacy. The conversation dives into the ethical implications of psychological targeting in marketing and politics, the risks of over-customization, and the need for balance between personalization and exploration. Matz also highlights the potential of data co-ops for enhancing privacy while managing user data more effectively.

In this insightful conversation, Sander van der Linden, a Cambridge University professor and author, reveals how misinformation spreads like a virus. He introduces the concept of 'pre-bunking'—exposing individuals to weakened misinformation to build immunity. Sander discusses individual susceptibility to misleading information, emphasizing the role of cognitive biases and technology. He also explores the dangerous intersection of misinformation and group identity, highlighting its potential to incite real-world violence. Ultimately, he advocates for early education as a tool for resilience against misinformation.

Agnes Callard, a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago and author of several thought-provoking books, dives into the nuances of philosophical inquiry. She discusses 'untimely questions' and the collaborative nature of philosophy, emphasizing dialogue over mere problem-solving. Callard explores how significant life changes influence our values and the ethical pitfalls in politicized philosophical discussions. Her insights highlight the necessity of self-awareness and genuine conversation in exploring life's deeper meanings.

Barry Katz, a professor emeritus of industrial design at California College of the Arts and consulting professor at Stanford, dives into the fascinating world of design thinking. He discusses how design has evolved alongside technology, emphasizing collaboration between engineers and designers since the 1980s. The conversation highlights design's crucial role in making innovations user-friendly and its impact on various industries, including healthcare. Katz also critiques how design thinking is often superficially learned and advocates for a deeper integration to enhance problem-solving.