Rationally Speaking Podcast

In this episode of Rationally Speaking, Julia and Massimo talk to physicist and climatologist Michael Mann about how we know the climate is getting warmer. Among other things, they cover the physical processes of climate change, the role that predictive models have played in confirming scientists' theories about the rate of warming, and what are uncertainties in the science. Also, how optimistic we should be about technological solutions to the problem. Dr. Michael E. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Meteorology at Penn State University, with joint appointments in the Department of Geosciences and the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. He is also director of the Penn State Earth System Science Center. Dr. Mann is author of more than 160 peer-reviewed and edited publications, and has published two books including Dire Predictions: "Understanding Global Warming in 2008 and The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines" in 2012. He is also a co-founder and avid contributor to the award-winning science website RealClimate.org.

Dr. Paul Offit, an award-winning specialist in vaccines and author of "Do You Believe in Magic?", dives into the allure of alternative medicine and its mainstream acceptance. He discusses the ethical challenges between hope and honesty in healing, the regulatory shortcomings of dietary supplements, and the enduring myths around vaccines. Offit also critiques celebrity influence on health claims and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine, urging listeners to be skeptical of unregulated practices.

Kendrick Frazier, a seasoned science writer and longtime editor of Skeptical Inquirer, dives into the fascinating world of skepticism. He discusses the evolving landscape of skepticism, touching on its role in science, public perception, and contentious issues like climate change and UFOs. Frazier highlights influential figures like Ben Goldacre and Martin Gardner, speaks on the risks of modern neuroscience claims, and emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in today's society. His insights encourage a thoughtful approach to skepticism in all aspects of life.

Dive into the world of connoisseurship as experts explore the fine lines between genuine taste and snobbery. Discover if trained wine tasters can really differentiate between a $7 and a $700 bottle. Unpack the intricacies of bottled versus tap water, revealing how expectations shape our taste experiences. The debate heats up with high-end audio cables and their questionable value, while discussions on audio formats shed light on the subjective nature of sound quality. Expect a delightful blend of skepticism and humor throughout!

Looking for love online? You're not alone -- one in five new relationships nowadays begin on a dating site. But just how scientific are the "matching algorithms" sites like eHarmony and OKCupid use? What does cognitive psychology tell us about how this new choice context affects our happiness? Massimo and Julia turn an analytical eye on the math and science of online dating, in this episode of Rationally Speaking.

The next time you're kicking yourself for some stupid mistake, remember: Even history's genuises screw up! Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio joins this episode of Rationally Speaking to talk about his latest book, "Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein - Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe." Learn about why Darwin's theory of natural selection "shouldn't" have worked, why Einstein was confused about the role of aesthetics in physics, why Hoyle stubbornly refused to change his mind about a "steady state" universe -- and why those mistakes are central to scientific progress.

The podcast discusses naturalism, exploring its implications on free will, consciousness, and the meaning of life. It delves into the distinctions between ontological and epistemic reductionism, the impact of naturalism on morality, and the role of storytelling in understanding the universe. The conversation emphasizes the challenges in distinguishing between useful and useless philosophy.

Why does the universe exist? And is that even a sensical question to ask? Philosopher Jim Holt has written extensively for publications such as the New Yorker, the New York Times and Harper's, and most recently embarked on this "existential detective story" in his new book, "Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story" Jim discusses his book with Massimo and Julia in this live episode of Rationally Speaking, taped at the 2013 Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism in New York City.

In a special live Rationally Speaking, taped at NECSS 2013, Julia Galef moderates a lively discussion between Massimo and Michael Shermer, head of the Skeptic Society and founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine. The topic: Can science tell us what is "moral"? This discussion comes after both men have tackled the question separately in books (Massimo's Answers for Aristotle and Michael's The Science of Good and Evil), and jointly in a recent debate on the Rationally Speaking blog. Questions under debate include: Does "natural" = "morally right"? How do we make tradeoffs between different people's happiness? And what role should science and philosophy play in making these decisions?

Join Stephen Asma, Professor of philosophy at Columbia College Chicago and author of "Against Fairness," as he dives into the pitfalls of the fairness concept. He argues for richer ethical frameworks, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and personal connections over utilitarianism. The conversation explores how empathy's biases shape our moral choices and examines the dual nature of tribalism in ethical responsibilities. Asma also discusses the emotional insights of Dr. Yak Panksepp, enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay between feelings and ethics.