
Minds Almost Meeting
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Latest episodes

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 4min
Polls vs. prediction markets (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard, with Arnold Brooks)
In this engaging conversation, Arnold Brooks, an expert in prediction markets, joins economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard. They dive into the intriguing clash between polls and prediction markets, unpacking how betting dynamics can influence forecasting accuracy. The discussion touches on the roles of informed and uninformed traders in these markets and the societal value derived from structured betting. They also reflect on how ancient oracle practices compare to modern decision-making tools, showcasing the shift toward crowd-sourced wisdom.

Oct 10, 2024 • 1h
Modernism (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Explore the essence of modernism through influential writers like Musil, Joyce, and Woolf. Discover how historical events shaped themes of fragmentation and identity in literature. The conversation dives into the evolving role of elites amidst cultural shifts, from modernism to postmodernism. Analyze the dichotomy between genuine innovation and fleeting fashion. They also reflect on the tumultuous cultural shift to modernism and the interplay of freedom and dogmatism in today's society. It's a thought-provoking journey through literature and philosophy.

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 4min
Fear of persuasion (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 12.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/fear-of-persuasion
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Aug 28, 2024 • 59min
Cancel culture (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Agnes Callard, a philosopher focused on ethics, and Robin Hanson, an economist known for his work on social science, delve into the intricate dynamics of cancel culture. They discuss the philosophical implications of free speech versus societal pressures, and how group dynamics can stifle dissenting opinions. The duo explores the interplay between monogamy and cancel culture as constraints on freedom, and the complex roles of petitions versus polls in shaping public sentiment. They emphasize the importance of thoughtful dialogue and the persuasive power of art in maintaining open discourse.

Aug 8, 2024 • 1h 4min
Romantic validation (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 10.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/romantic-validation
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Jul 31, 2024 • 1h 6min
Cryonics (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 9.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/cryonics
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Jul 24, 2024 • 1h 3min
Taylor Swift (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 8.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/taylor-swift
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Jul 17, 2024 • 54min
Love triangles (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 7.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/love-triangles
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Jul 3, 2024 • 58min
Color (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 6.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/color
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com

Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 6min
Power (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Minds Almost Meeting: Season 9, Episode 5.
View the transcript for this episode here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/episodes/power
Imagine two smart curious friendly and basically truth-seeking people, but from very different intellectual traditions. Traditions with different tools, priorities, and ground rules. What would they discuss? Would they talk past each other? Make any progress? Would anyone want to hear them? Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard decided to find out.
Visit the Minds Almost Meeting website here: https://mindsalmostmeeting.com
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