Peter and Michael discuss the book that launched the phenomenon of New Atheism and asked the question: What if we hated Muslims, but in a secular way? Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Views of ViolenceCarnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening SystemThe same ... Show More
Nov 2024
#392 — Technology & Culture
<p>Sam Harris speaks with Christine Rosen about how technology is changing our culture. They discuss the courage of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, lost practices like handwriting, tradeoffs in our use of technology, social media, conspiracy thinking, X as a platform for breaking news, the futu ... Show More
52m 59s
Jan 2025
Alex O'Connor Explores the Mysteries of God
Alex O’Connor ( @CosmicSkeptic ), known for his nuanced critiques of religion and discussions on morality, reflects on why the Bible captivates him as an atheist, the historical resonance of Jesus, and the philosophical limits of materialism. Alex recently participated in a Jubil ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2023
Bryan Rennie, "An Ethology of Religion and Art: Belief as Behavior" (Routledge, 2020)
Drawing from sources including the ethology of art and the cognitive science of religion, An Ethology of Religion and Art: Belief as Behavior (Routledge, 2020) proposes an improved understanding of both art and religion as behaviors developed in the process of human evolution. Lo ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2025
553. Why Do Smart People Double Down On Bad Ideas? | Dr. Gad Saad
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and evolutionary psychologist Dr. Gad Saad reunite for a conversation that blends ancient myth, evolutionary theory, and cultural psychology. Together, they dissect cognitive dissonance, the dangers of willful blindness, and the evolutionary logic behind sa ... Show More
1h 22m
Apr 2025
#410 — The Whole Catastrophe
<p>Sam Harris speaks with Douglas Murray about Douglas's new book, <em><a href="https://amzn.to/443qloy">On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization</a></em>. They discuss Douglas's recent experience on Joe Rogan's podcast, the need for experts, conspira ... Show More
1h 7m
Jun 2025
#420 — Countdown to Superintelligence
<p dir="ltr">Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Kokotajlo about the potential impacts of superintelligent AI over the next decade. They discuss Daniel's predictions in his essay "AI 2027," the alignment problem, what an intelligence explosion might look like, the capacity of LLMs to i ... Show More
20m 29s
Apr 2025
#408 — Finding Equanimity in Chaos
<p>Dan Harris interviews Sam Harris for Dan's podcast, <em>10% Happier</em>. They discuss how meditation helped Sam after evacuating his home during the LA fires, why Sam owns a gun, the ethics of violence, how to feel compassion for your political opponents, why it doesn't make ... Show More
1h 50m