Serious Inquiries Only

Latest Episodes:

SIO9: Punching Nazis, with Eli Bosnick Jan 23, 2017

Show notes

Recently the internet exploded in debate over a video in which neo-Nazi Richard Spencer was punched while giving an interview. Even the New York Times published an article that asked whether this is something that should be morally permissible. I have come out against violence over words of any non-imminently threatening kind, and my guest Eli Bosnick has come out strong the other way. Since Eli is an awesome guy willing to discuss disagreements and try to find the truth, he's here to have a bit of a debate with me on what the correct course of action is re: Nazi punching. To leave a voicemail to potentially be played on the show, call (916) 750-4746! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com

SIO8: Completely Unpresidented Jan 19, 2017

Show notes

It's another Thursday full of inquiry! In this episode I discuss Trump's inauguration and the obscene amount of money he's collecting for it, as well as the congress persons boycotting it. Are they right to do so? Next up are updates on Trump's cabinet confirmation hearings. How are our favorite incompetents faring in congressional hearings? And finally, I've got some great voicemails to react to. Thanks for those contributions! Included is one from a Republican atheist telling me why Trump won. Also, a listener commented that the far left is just as bad as the far right because of their anti-science positions. Do the numbers really bear that out? Here are some links I used to evaluate that: GMOs, Vaccines, Climate Change To leave a voicemail to potentially be played on the show, call (916) 750-4746! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com

SIO7: An Atheist and a Christian Walk into a Bar... Jan 16, 2017

Show notes

Joining me today are that atheist and that Christian, and their names are Justin Schieber and Randal Rauser. Justin and Randal have written a book containing a very fruitful and respectful dialogue between an atheist and a Christian. Today they talk about the origins of the project and then were kind enough to go over one of the many arguments contained in the book! The argument is on the hostility of the universe and whether it makes sense under theism. There's a very spirited back and forth that I encourage you to listen to! You can find the book here. If you'd like to leave a voicemail to potentially be played on the show, call (916) 750-4746! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com Direct Download

SIO6: Too Much Identity Politics Or Not Enough? Jan 12, 2017

Show notes

Welcome to the first edition of Thursday Inquiries!! My unofficial or maybe official name for the new format. Mondays will be interviews and Thursdays will be commentary and news and so forth. A lot is happening in the news and a lot of people are still very sloppy thinkers. In an episode of The Waking Up Podcast, Sam Harris said that Trump was the end of the Democratic Party. Could this really be true in an election where Democrats won by 3 million votes? Also Trump had his first press conference as president elect and it was predictably terrifying. And yes, Trump mocked a disabled person. All this and more, plus leave me a voicemail at my new Serious Pod number!! It's (916) 750-4746. Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com Direct Download

SIO5: Fake News Epidemic Jan 09, 2017

Show notes

Today I'm talking with Dr. Joel Breakstone, director of the Stanford History Education Group. He was co-director of a recent study that looked at thousands of students, from middle school through college, and tested their ability to discern fake news from real news. The results are worrying, and may give us some insight into why this is such a problem in America today. Then I take a few minutes to talk to Bruce Gleason, Director of LogiCal LA about their upcoming conference. Find the Executive Summary of the Stanford University research study here And an article discussing the study here Learn more about LogiCal LA and get tickets to the upcoming event here Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com Direct Download

SIO4: Trollology 101 Jan 05, 2017

Show notes

In this episode I am joined by Scott and David. We discuss some of the science behind the rise in internet trolling. They share their ideas about the ways psychology, sociology, and our ever increasing dependence on technology for socialization; have led to more trolling. We also discuss some other behaviors and traits that correlate with online trolling, some of the possible origins of these behaviors, and speculate as to what can be done about it. Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Questions, Suggestions, Episode ideas? Contact us: haeley@seriouspod.com Direct Download

SIO3: Trump's Cabinet: Filling the Swamp 2 Jan 02, 2017

Show notes

Direct Download In this episode we cover more of Trump's cabinet picks. This time we take a look at his nominations for Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Energy. This isn't funny anymore. 10 things to know about Sen. Jeff Sessions- Washington Post Will Rick Perry Promote Science at the Department of Energy? -The Atlantic Betsy Devos and the Plan to Break Public Schools- The New Yorker Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod

SIO2: Trump's Cabinet: Filling the Swamp Dec 29, 2016

Show notes

Direct Download In this episode, we start taking a look Trump's picks for his cabinet members; beginning with his choices for Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury. Just to be sure we have some perspective, we go over the job descriptions and look at some of the individuals that held these positions during the Obama and G.W. Bush administrations. You might say we have some concerns... Will ‘drain the swamp’ be Trump’s first broken promise?- Politco Rex Tillerson, an Aggressive Dealmaker Whose Ties With Russia May Prompt Scrutiny- NY Times Trump’s Treasury Secretary Pick is a Lucky Man. Very Lucky. -ProPublica Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod

SIO1: Chris Shelton; No Longer Atheistically Speaking Dec 26, 2016

Show notes

The podcast name change is officially underway!! It's going to take a little while for everything to filter through, but as you should already be noticing, things are different. Joining me for episode 1 of Serious Inquiries Only is multi-time guest and everyone's favorite ex-Scientologist Chris Shelton! Check out his website here. Chris was recently the target of a Scientology hate-page, which is something of a badge of honor, but is also a very odd thing to go through. We find out just what Chris has been up to in the past year since we last spoke to him which prompted such a response from the church!

AS304: Clarifying Empathy, with Eli Bosnick Dec 22, 2016

Show notes

A few weeks ago, Eli and I had a conversation with two people who may or may not be characterized as trolls. This can be found on AS298. In the beginning of that recording, Eli made a bit of a speech on empathy which contained a lot of insight but also wasn’t quite perfect. We … Continue reading AS304: Clarifying Empathy, with Eli Bosnick →

The post AS304: Clarifying Empathy, with Eli Bosnick appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

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