Rationally Speaking Podcast
New York City Skeptics
Rationally Speaking is the bi-weekly podcast of New York City Skeptics. Join host Julia Galef and guests as they explore the borderlands between reason and nonsense, likely from unlikely, and science from pseudoscience. Any topic is fair game as long as we can bring reason to bear upon it, with both a skeptical eye and a good dose of humor!
We agree with the Marquis de Condorcet, who said that in an open society we ought to devote ourselves to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them."Rationally Speaking was co-created with Massimo Pigliucci, is produced by Benny Pollak, and is recorded in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village.
We agree with the Marquis de Condorcet, who said that in an open society we ought to devote ourselves to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them."Rationally Speaking was co-created with Massimo Pigliucci, is produced by Benny Pollak, and is recorded in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 27, 2014 • 52min
Rationally Speaking #113 - The Turing Test
Did you know that an artificial intelligence named "Eugene Goostman" recently passed the Turing Test, our gold standard criterion for whether an AI is conscious? At least, that's what many media outlets breathlessly reported. In this episode of Rationally Speaking, Julia and Massimo take a critical look at Eugene, and at the Turing test in general as a standard for consciousness. In the process they debate what it would mean for an AI to be conscious, and how we could ever tell.
Jul 13, 2014 • 48min
Rationally Speaking #112 - Race: Just a Social Construct?
In this episode, Julia and Massimo talk about the problems with "race" as a genetically-based concept. Starting with the controversial recent book "A Troublesome Inheritance," by NY Times science writer Nicholas Wade, they critique the statistical analyses that group people into racial categories, and Wade's (and others') attempts to attribute differences between rich and poor countries to innate racial differences.
Jun 29, 2014 • 55min
Rationally Speaking #111 - Human Nature
Ever heard someone sigh, "That's just human nature"? Have you wondered what that meant? In this episode of Rationally Speaking, Julia and Massimo delve into the science and philosophy of human nature: what traits are "built in" to being human, and how would we know? And once we know what human nature consists of, should we try to protect it against changes?
Jun 15, 2014 • 56min
Rationally Speaking #110 - Scientia, the Unity of Knowledge
Discover the fascinating interplay between science and philosophy as the hosts delve into 'scientia,' the unified pursuit of knowledge. They explore the evolution of intellectual discourse through the new online journal, Scientia Salon. Intriguingly, they discuss the blurred lines connecting math, science, and philosophy, advocating for a holistic approach to understanding. Tune in for insights on the complexities of scientific trust and the challenges of fostering open science communication in the digital age.
Jun 1, 2014 • 51min
Rationally Speaking #109 - Rebecca Newberger Goldstein on Plato at the Googleplex
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, a philosopher and author known for her insights into the relevance of philosophy today, shares her thoughts on her latest work. She argues for the enduring value of philosophy amid modern science and technology. The conversation dives deep into the tension between ethical expertise and democratic knowledge, critiquing outdated philosophical principles while championing the foundational role of philosophy in scientific discourse. Goldstein also discusses the intriguing interplay between math and literature, highlighting the cultural impact of philosophical thought.
May 18, 2014 • 55min
Rationally Speaking #108 - Suicide
The hosts tackle the sensitive and complex topic of suicide from philosophical and ethical dimensions. They dive into historical perspectives, contrasting individual rights and societal duties, while examining Kantian ethics versus modern views on life's value. Libertarian ideas on personal autonomy and the moral implications surrounding suicide are also discussed. The impact of media representation on public perception and the responsibilities of journalists is explored, emphasizing the importance of sensitive coverage and prevention resources.
May 4, 2014 • 49min
Rationally Speaking #107 - MOOCs
Does the future belong to MOOCs? Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs for short, have been hailed as the next wave in secondary education, poised to replace brick-and-mortar colleges with their expensive infrastructure and sky-high tuition. In this episode of Rationally Speaking, Julia and Massimo discuss how to measure MOOCs' effectiveness, separating the hype from the genuine promise.
Apr 20, 2014 • 1h 3min
Rationally Speaking #106 - Live From NECSS With Lawrence Krauss
Rationally Speaking returns to NECSS for a live show with Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and author of best selling books like The Physics of Star Trek and A Universe from Nothing. Julia and Massimo chat with Lawrence about whether the laws of the universe demand some kind of explanation, whether string theory should be deemed a failure, and how he ended up featured in a geocentrist documentary.
Apr 6, 2014 • 59min
Rationally Speaking #105 - Greta Christina on Coming Out Atheist
Atheist activist and author Greta Christina appears on this episode of Rationally Speaking, to discuss her new book, "Coming Out Atheist: How to Do It, How to Help Each Other, And Why." A spirited debate ensues, in which Greta, Julia and Massimo disagree over the boundaries of the "atheist movement," and the role of social justice in it. Other topics include: The cognitive biases that can make it hard to get a clear picture of whether people regret "coming out" as atheists; Plus, Greta's argument for why atheist community-building shouldn't model itself after religious communities.
Mar 24, 2014 • 48min
Rationally Speaking #104 - Edward Frenkel on Love and Math
In this engaging discussion, Edward Frenkel, a mathematics professor at UC Berkeley and author of "Love and Math," explores the romance hidden within math. He shares his journey from indifference to passion for the subject, revealing how it intertwines with beauty and reality. Frenkel advocates for a shift in how math is taught, emphasizing its artistic elegance. He also discusses his provocative film, "Rites of Love and Math," which connects love with mathematical truths, challenging conventional perceptions of both.
