Stay ConnectedHistory, anatomy and physiology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology. The podcast that attempts to resurrect sense and meaning from the dust of a billion factoids.
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Copyright: © Noel Armstrong 2018
We take a well-earned break from the worst people in history to speak about the factors that influence what is best in us. Dr. Paul Zak is a renowned and prolific public intellectual, author, corporate advisor, and researcher. His groundbreaking work on the role of oxytocin in sociality has been profoundly and broadly influential. In this interview we discuss the role of oxytocin in moral [read:pro-social] behavior, how it is released, and the significant life benefits that accrue from the behaviors it engenders. I raise Dr. Zak's hackles asking about psychopathy among corporate CEOs and question him about potentially contrary effects of oxytocin release. Dr. Zak responds and teaches with characteristic grace and practical wisdom. I typically do my best to avoid sharing any kind of practical or useful knowledge with my audience. I am afraid I failed splendidly in this episode. Dr. Zak is famous: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_J._Zak And handsome: http://pauljzak.com/ And respected: https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_zak_trust_morality_and_oxytocin So do something nice for yourself: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trust-factor-paul-j-zak/1123811026 Paul J. Zak's Amazon Page
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It's hard to argue with the top-ten status of these two horrors. A scorned, vindictive, spiteful, misogynistic, brutal sadist. A loving wife and devoted mother, who also happened to get aroused by killing on a world-historic level. Both with vast piles of wealth and unchecked control over their victims. Both so powerful as to be almost untouchable. Sounds like a pair of nightmares in real life. Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong
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In this episode I speak with a philosopher of evil, Todd Calder, PhD. Although more seraphic surfer than demonic, Todd wrote the article on the concept of evil in the Stanford Internet Encyclopedia of Evil: The Concept of Evil He has also authored numerous scholarly articles and presented at conferences and symposia on the topic, and is currently working on a book-length project "The Concept of Evil." See his CV and a selected bibliography here: Todd Calder CV Todd addresses whether such a thing as evil exists, what relevance it has or doesn't currently, why some want the whole term abolished and others want it rehabilitated, whether we can commit evil when trying to do good, if there can be evil without harm, whether ignorance of the consequences absolves you from evil acts, and, the question you are all hoping for an answer to: was Thanos evil?
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I didn't want to place him on this list. But what choice did I have? Beloved national hero or sadistic monster. It depends on who you ask. If you ask a circa 1830 history teacher you will get one answer. If you ask the people he set his dogs on, the slaves he burned alive when they tried to escape, or the Spanish colonists he whipped to death, you might get a different one. http://columbusfourvoyages.com/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/columbus-confusion-about-the-new-world-140132422/ http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/40/183.html http://library.umac.mo/ebooks/b13617424.pdf
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In this shocking, baffling, and powerful episode, Laura Johnston Kohl gives us an insider's look into Jonestown. She shares her interactions with Jim Jones -- his sick manipulations, twisted ambitions, bizarre shaming meetings, his craving for power and control, his creepy dark glasses, his chimpanzee, his suicide practice runs, and culminates with the fatal events of November 18, 1978. Some elements of this podcast might be too intense for children. Laura's Book: Jonestown Survivor Her webpage: www.jonestownsurvivor.com Like her on Facebook: Laura Johnston KOHL Thank You Laura for an amazing, heartfelt, and wise interview. Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong
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In this inaugural episode in the series on the worst people in history, we begin by discussing the most influential source of information about moral evil in the Western World: The Bible. Dr. Robert M. Price defies easy categorization. He is a prolific, accomplished, high-profile, and controversial figure in biblical studies. His long-running podcast, The Bible Geek, is enjoyed by thousands of believers and skeptics alike. He has written more books than most scholars have articles. He has debated the biggest names in theology, and served as a fellow of the influential Jesus Seminar. This wide-ranging discussion is likely to push one or more of your buttons, so caveat auditor. Because although Dr. Price is respectful and deferential, he is also, ahem, opinionated, and all the more interesting and challenging for it. Dr. Price's web page, where you can link to all his shows, articles, books, and even buy him dinner!: http://www.robertmprice.com/
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The ones who got left behind. Making us the victors (?). This is the last essay episode in the Origins series, and covers the time frame from our last common ancestor with chimps up until the extinction of the Denisovans. What's the foolproof way to identify a secret ape? Who was the singing-est biped of all? How much do large brains cost, and are they worth it? And why aren't those Neanderthals smiling?
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NASA philosophical advisor Kelly Smith, PhD and I discuss: Does the universe move inexorably towards complexity? If so, what ethical implications does that have? If AI becomes more rational than humans, will AIs have ANY ethical obligations towards us? What is the state of public discourse today? What moral obligations will we have when we encounter alien life? What if they are hostile to us? And, speaking of that, is it a good idea in the first place to beam information about our pale blue home out into the universe? NOTE: technical difficulties, for the most part, are resolved in this iteration (!) Keep Up With Dr. Smith: SOCIA: academic group dedicated to issues surrounding the search for life. Dr. Smith's email: kcs@clemson.edu Dr. Smith's paper on Manifest Complexity: Manifest Complexity: A Foundational Ethic for Astrobiology? On confessions of ignorance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=iojQC3UjmGc ARTWORK: Oz by Ian Armstrong
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How did our skulking, digging, night sneak ancestors come to rule the world? With upgrades to their brains, fancy glands that drip liquid nutrition, and three bones in their middle ears. This episode is brought to you by the KT extinction event, without which none of this would have been possible.
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How much force would it take to pull the horned head right off the neck of a triceratops? Crocodiles have the highest bite force ever measured in nature, how do they compare to T. rex. Today we speak with a recognized expert on Tyrannosaurs and all things dinosaur, Dr. Thomas Carr. We dig deep into why he won't be seeing Jurassic World and where the movie went wrong, what we do and don't know about dinosaurs, the dreaded Chickensaurus, the processes of evolution, why there aren't more big brains around, and what it all means for who WE are. After this episode you will be the smartest person in almost any room about everyone's favorite dead monsters as we continue our series on origins. Dr. Carr's twitter page:https://twitter.com/TyrannosaurCarr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor and handle: @TyrannosaurCarr and blog: tyrannosauroideacentral.blogspot.com Join a real expedition!: https://www.carthage.edu/biology/paleontology/ Graphic: "Oz" by Ian Armstrong
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