What makes normal people do terrible things? Are there really bad apples — or just bad barrels? And how should you deal with a nefarious next-door neighbor?
Oct 2025
Critical Ponerology (WHAT IS “EVIL”?) with Kenneth MacKendrick
<p>What is evil? Who is evil? Does evil exist? Who decides? Can we scream over turkey at grandma’s house? Let’s chat Critical Ponerology with scholar, professor, author of <i>Evil: A Critical Primer,</i> and a gem of a person, Dr. Kenneth MacKendrick of the University of Manitoba ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2022
242. What Is Human Nature and How Do You Motivate Yourself
Have you ever wondered if we (or the entire human race) would enter into total anarchy and violence in the absence of self-judgment, worry over other people’s feelings, or agreement on ethics or morality? More importantly, have you ever wondered *why* you think that would be the ... Show More
22m 17s
<p>In an episode from 2012, we looked at what<i> Sleep No More</i> and the Stanford Prison Experiment can tell us about who we really are.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.punchdrunk.com/our-team/">Felix Barrett</a>, artistic director of Pu ... Show More
<p>In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://cepr.org/about/people/benedikt-herrmann">Benedikt Herrmann</a>, research officer at the European Commission.</li><li><a href=" ... Show More
<p>In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan talk about unfinished tasks, recurring arguments, and Irish goodbyes.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://roybaumeister.com/">Roy Baumeister</a>, social psychologist ... Show More