About this episode
Michael Roth of Wesleyan University doesn’t hang out with other university presidents. He also thinks some of them have failed a basic test of good sense and decency. It’s time for a conversation about college, and courage.
Yesterday
663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?
The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug. Even the N.F.L. is starting to agree. (Part two of a two-part s ... Show More
50m 52s
Feb 6
662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying
In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES:April Henning, associate professor of international sport management at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Sc ... Show More
52m 50s
Feb 4
Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some former running backs to under ... Show More
58m 19s
Nov 2023
119. Higher Education Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?
47m 10s
Mar 2024
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s?
41m 41s
Dec 2023
174. What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing?
35m 42s
Feb 2024
184. Are You Doing Too Much?
40m 51s
Apr 2024
Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?
40m 24s
Mar 2024
186. Do You Need a Routine?
38m 34s
Feb 2024
124. Daron Acemoglu on Economics, Politics, and Power
44m 32s
Dec 2023
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular?
37m 32s
Oct 2020
#104 - Universités en lutte !
<p>NOUVEAU - Abonnez-vous à Nouvelles Écoutes + pour profiter du catalogue Nouvelles Écoutes en intégralité et en avant premières, sans publicité. Vous aurez accès à des enquêtes, documentaires, séries et fictions exclusives passionnantes, comme « Au Nom du fils », « Roulette rus ... Show More
55m 18s
Nov 2021
A radical plan to save education | Michael Hrebeniak, Isabelle McNeill
18m 13s
<p>Economist Michael D. Smith says universities are scrambling to protect a status quo that deserves to die. He tells Steve why the current system is unsustainable, and what’s at stake if nothing changes.</p><p> </p><p>RESOURCES:</p><ul><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3sK5t5r"><i>Th ... Show More
<p>Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthugo/">Scott Hugo</a>, housing just ... Show More
<p>Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biograp ... Show More
<p>How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-andrus-426734223/">Kristin Andrus</a>, philanth ... Show More
<p>What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? </p><p>Take the Big Five inventory: </p><p><a href="http://freakonomics.com/bigfive">freakonomics.com/bigfive</a></p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES ... Show More
<p>Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/column/david-brooks">David Brooks</a>, opi ... Show More
<p>Economist Daron Acemoglu likes to tackle big questions. He tells Steve how colonialism still affects us today, who benefits from new technology, and why democracy wasn’t always a sure thing.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCE:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://economics.mit.edu/ ... Show More
<p>Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-pt-barnum-greatest-hu ... Show More
<p>There is hope for academia after all.</p><p>Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: <a href="https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes</a></p><p>We need a revolution. Universities are tur ... Show More
