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
Mar 25, 2013 • 45min
Rationally Speaking #83 - Samuel Arbesman On The Half-Life of Facts
In this discussion, Samuel Arbesman, an applied mathematician and author of "The Half-Life of Facts," explains how our scientific knowledge evolves and becomes outdated over time. He reveals intriguing insights into the half-life of various facts, highlighting that some truths may last decades while others fade quickly. The conversation dives into the allure of entertaining misinformation that complicates our understanding of science. They also explore the challenges in measuring real scientific contributions, emphasizing the necessity for continuous learning in an ever-changing knowledge landscape.
Mar 10, 2013 • 53min
Rationally Speaking #82 - It's Not Easy Being Green
If you're an ethically minded consumer, you should buy organic because it's better for the environment, right? Actually, the case isn't so clear-cut. But you should certainly buy fair-trade because it's better for foreign laborers, right? Well... that's complicated too. In this episode of Rationally Speaking, Julia and Massimo talk about how hard it is to know how much good you're accomplishing with your purchases, or whether you're even doing any good at all.
Feb 24, 2013 • 1h 3min
Rationally Speaking #81 - Live! Ben Goldacre on Bad Pharma
In a riveting discussion, Ben Goldacre, a physician and acclaimed science writer known for his 'Bad Science' column, reveals how the pharmaceutical industry is deeply flawed. He highlights the troubling lack of transparency in clinical trials and the influence of drug companies on medical data. Goldacre passionately critiques publication bias in scientific research, exposing how negative results are often ignored. He also emphasizes the urgent need for rigorous standards in drug regulation to enhance patient safety and restore trust in medicine.
Feb 10, 2013 • 51min
Rationally Speaking #80 - Dear Abby
In this lively discussion, the hosts celebrate the legacy of Dear Abby while exploring the art of giving and evaluating advice. They dive into the evolution of advice columns, sharing quirky letters and the changing societal norms associated with them. A skeptical look at common advice reveals the flaws in traditional clichés, particularly in dating. They also address the reliability of medical advice aimed at the elderly and critique an example of bad guidance from a popular magazine. Expect humor, philosophy, and thought-provoking insights throughout!
Jan 27, 2013 • 51min
Rationally Speaking #79 - Chris Mooney on The Republican War on Science
Can science denialism be blamed on a "Republican brain"? In other words: is there something about the psychology of Republicans that makes them inclined to reject the scientific consensus on topics like evolution and climate change? Special guest Chris Mooney argues there is, elaborating on the thesis in his popular book, "The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science- and Reality." Massimo and Julia debate whether the evidence support Chris's thesis.
Jan 13, 2013 • 52min
Rationally Speaking #78 - Intelligence and Personality Testing
Dive into the intriguing world of intelligence and personality testing! Discover the Flynn effect and why rising IQ scores challenge genetic explanations. Unpack the reliability of popular assessments like IQ tests and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Explore the complexities of personality traits, focusing on the factor of openness and its implications. Plus, engage with the ongoing debate over the G factor in intelligence measurement. Finally, ponder the philosophy of effective altruism and the concept of non-reading as an intellectual pursuit.
Dec 30, 2012 • 55min
Rationally Speaking #77 - Victoria Pitts-Taylor on Feminism and Science
In this episode, Massimo and Julia discuss sociology and feminism, with special guest Victoria Pitts-Taylor, professor of sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Victoria explains how feminists in sociology are dealing with results in neuroscience and evolutionary biology, especially regarding the question: How much inborn difference is there really between women and men? Massimo and Julia challenge Victoria on some academic feminist views, and investigate how the fields of sociology and academic feminism reach their conclusions -- what methods do they use, and how would we know if they were wrong?
8 snips
Dec 16, 2012 • 51min
Rationally Speaking #76 - Crowdsourcing and the Wisdom of Crowds
Dive into the intriguing world of crowdsourcing, where collective efforts tackle complex problems. Discover how platforms like Wikipedia and the Oxford English Dictionary thrive on diverse contributions, while also examining ethical challenges like fair compensation. Uncover the motivational dynamics that drive participation and the cognitive biases that can affect decision-making. Explore the strengths and limitations of the wisdom of crowds, and learn about the implications for accuracy and community engagement!
5 snips
Dec 2, 2012 • 49min
Rationally Speaking #75 - When Scientists Kill
The podcast dives into the complex issue of scientific responsibility, sparked by the sentencing of Italian scientists for failing to predict a deadly earthquake. It discusses the challenges of risk communication during crises and the impact of misconceptions about probabilities on legal outcomes. Listeners learn how mass evacuations can paradoxically lead to greater harm and the psychological factors at play. The concept of moral luck is explored through literature, while the roots of anti-intellectualism in society and its philosophical implications are also examined.
Nov 18, 2012 • 48min
Rationally Speaking #74 - Live! John Shook on Philosophy of Religion
Massimo and Julia visit Indianapolis for a heated debate, in this live episode of Rationally Speaking. At a symposium organized by the Center for Inquiry (CFI), they join up with John Shook, Director of Education and Senior Research fellow at the CFI, and the author of more than a dozen books on philosophy and religion. Sparks fly as the three debate questions like: Should science-promoting organizations, like the National Center for Science Education, claim publicly that science is compatible with religion? And is philosophy incapable of telling us anything about the world?
