logo
episode-header-image
May 12
22m 30s

#414 — Strange Truths

SAM HARRIS
About this episode

Sam Harris speaks with David Deutsch about quantum physics and current events. They discuss the “many-worlds” interpretation of QM, Schrödinger’s cat, constructor theory,  quantum computing and whether it will ever be practically possible, recent developments in AI, the prospects of artificial super-intelligence, the alignment problem, antisemitism and the historical persecution of Jews, misconceptions about Israel, the future of the Jews in Israel and the West, and other topics.

If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.


Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Up next
Aug 22
#430 — “More From Sam”: Trump, Gavin Newsom, Class War, DOGE, & Rapid Fire Questions
In this latest episode of the “More From Sam” series, Sam and Jaron talk about current events and answer some of the questions you all submitted on Substack. They discuss Trump and his attempts at peace deals, Gavin Newsom as the potential 2028 Democratic nominee, rising class te ... Show More
15m 17s
Aug 11
#429 — The New World Order
Sam Harris speaks with Anne Applebaum about the erosion of democracy at home and abroad. They discuss the Sudanese civil war and the outside forces involved, America’s retreat from global leadership, the impacts of USAID cuts, gerrymandering, the integrity of U.S. elections, the ... Show More
26m 52s
Aug 7
#428 — Political Extremism
Sam Harris speaks with Jonah Goldberg about Trump 2.0 and wealth inequality. They discuss the horseshoe theory, illiberalism on the Right and the Left, the fallout of the Trump-Epstein controversy, cracks in Trump’s cult following, the difference between MAGA activists and averag ... Show More
27m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 15
The World Until Yesterday - Jared Diamond - Stone Age Lessons on Innovation
Heard enough lame insights about caveman psychology? Jared Diamond goes hard into what life was really like, how we thought and how it compares to today.A masterclass of a book when it comes to truly understanding our history and humanity and packed full of insights. Sam digests ... Show More
31m 13s
Jul 2024
Sam Harris, PhD: Cutting Through to Consciousness Without a Center
How do meditation and mindfulness accelerate moral progress? Is spiritual insight alone sufficient to solve today’s problems? Dr. Sam Harris is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and host of the popular podcast Making Sense. He is also som ... Show More
1h 27m
Jun 2024
Consciousness - a science or a philosophy? | Avshalom Elitzur
Why has the concept of consciousness stumped scientists forever? Is there a way of overcoming this impasse?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesJoin physicist and philosopher Avshalom Elitzur as he fearlessly accompanies physics to it ... Show More
35m 4s
Sep 2024
Slavoj Žižek on God, reality and quantum physics
How will our scientists know if they are looking at complex phenomena from the wrong perspective? Have we taken the wrong approach to understanding the quantum world? Join Slavoj Žižek for an exclusive interview as he discusses the current state of quantum physics and questions t ... Show More
23m 52s
Oct 2024
Shared Paths: Exploring Jewish and Muslim Experiences in America
This week on International Horizons, John Torpey, Director of the Ralph Bunche Institute, speaks with sociologists Mucahit Bilici and Samuel Heilman about their book, Following Similar Paths: What Jews and Muslims Can Learn From One Another (University of California Press, 2024). ... Show More
41m 42s
May 31
How To Change The World - Learn to think like an innovator
Ever wondered how to really change the world? After thinking about the question for too long, Sam has started a new podcast to answer it. Sam's new show 'How To Change The World' tells the stories of the greatest innovations throughout the entire history of humanity. As he goes, ... Show More
37m 27s
Jul 21
You're Living In A Video Game - The Paranormal Podcast 893
Is our reality real—or are we living in a video game? In this mind-expanding episode of The Paranormal Podcast, Jim talks with Rizwan Virk, MIT grad, tech entrepreneur, and author of The Simulation Hypothesis. Virk shares why he believes we may be players inside a sophisticated s ... Show More
48m 54s
Aug 2024
Sam Harris Blows Your MIND on Life After Death, Consciousness, and the Mystery of Existence| Sam Harris EP 694
Have you listened to the FULL EPISODE yet?"The good thing about this universe is consciousness. Your life is your consciousness in each moment." - Sam HarrisIn this mind-bending episode, Lewis sits down with renowned neuroscientist, philosopher, and bestselling author Sam Harris ... Show More
7m 56s
Jun 25
The Puzzle of AI Ethics with Dr. Cansu Canca
You’ve heard of the attention economy, but what about the intention economy? Rather than competing for consumers’ attention, our devices are now attempting to predict our purchasing patterns through AI. And who better to discuss that issue than Dr. Cansu Canca, a leading expert i ... Show More
22m 3s
Feb 2025
Violent Majorities 2.1: Peter Beinart on Long-Distance Israeli Ethnonationalism (LA, AS)
Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Po ... Show More
56m 50s