Replicability is the hallmark of science. Science values replication so much that as long a study is sufficiently replicated, the claims it makes are considered valid even if they conflict with accepted theories. We trust scientific findings because experiments repeated under the same conditions produce the same results. Or do they? https://www.ins…

We’ve all heard about ambition, but who can definitively say they know what it is? Some philosophers have seen ambition as virtuous, some have seen it as pernicious. Does ambition merely produce outward success with only little personal fulfillment or are there are positive outcomes of ambition? This episode discusses scientific research on the cau…

If emotions are universal, morality would be objective since everyone would feel a similar way about what is good and bad. Beauty, also, would no longer be in the eye of the beholder, since beautiful things would elicit similar reactions universally. If, conversely, human emotions are purely dependent on one’s cultural group, then ethics and aesthe…

If emotions are universal, morality would be objective since everyone would feel a similar way about what is good and bad. Beauty, also, would no longer be in the eye of the beholder, since beautiful things would elicit similar reactions universally. If, conversely, human emotions are purely dependent on one’s cultural group, then ethics and aesthe…

In the early to mid 1900s, behaviorism dominated psychology in the United States. Seeking to make psychology more scientific and objective, behaviorists sought to study only observable behaviors, completely ignoring the mind’s role in generating these behaviors. However, with the dawn of the cognitive revolution in the 1950s, it soon became clear t…

Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany, once said, “With sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned, it would not be impossible to prove that a square is, in fact, a circle." Noam Chomsky argues that propaganda like this is, by no means, unique to Nazi Germany. This episode discusses Chomsky’s …

We often hear talk about the “Dark Ages.” However, it is a misconception that a thousand-year period of stagnation and obscurity ever existed. Where did the term originate and how did it come to infiltrate the global vernacular? https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Captivating History (2019). The Misconception of the Dark Ages. In T…

It is difficult to understand how other species perceive the world since we humans see the world in our own way. Though we may never fully grasp how other species perceive the world, we can gain insights from scientific research. What does research tell us about how dolphins "see" things? https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Kremers…

In 1896, the two most influential thinkers in the field of developmental psychology were born. Seeking to understand the development of the human mind, both Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky revolutionized the field despite their opposing views surrounding a key question: To what extent do social factors play a role in the development of the mind? https…

Progressivism, a belief in new ideas, modern methods and change, arises in educational contexts when there is a discrepancy between the existing educational system and the perceived needs of the system. At this point, ideas begin to emerge to move education forward. What are these ides, who had them, and how have they been applied to educational pr…

Anatomically, humans have been the same for hundreds of thousands of years. Recent advances, then, are not due to biological changes in our species, but rather to cultural changes. The introduction of schooling is one of the cultural changes that played a role in these advances. For the first time, we were able to learn systematically and to facili…

Humans have been experimenting with organisms since the agricultural revolution. Now, for the first time ever, we have created biological machines. These organisms, known as “xenobots,” are brand-new life forms: The world’s first programmable living organisms. https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Coghlan, S., & Leins, K. (2020). “Li…

In 1791, Haiti had was one of the most ruthless slave societies in the New World. By 1793, the slave system on the island was destroyed, and the black population were free. How did this happen? https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Popkin, Jeremy (2012). Concise History of the Haitian Revolution. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.…

Discussions on the origins of the French Revolution often mention the role of the Enlightenment. The French Revolution was centered around Enlightenment principles, but can a direct causal link from the Enlightenment to the French Revolution be drawn? Maybe not. https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Andress, D. (Ed.). (2015). The Oxf…

For all of human history before 1800, there was no upward trend in income per person. The Industrial Revolution created sustained economic growth for the first time, birthing the modern world. This episode discusses why the Industrial Revolution happened, why it happened in Britain and how it spread throughout the world. https://www.insightfulthink…

Until around 12,000 years ago, humans lived as hunter-gatherers. With the domestication of plants and animals, however, new dimensions for cultural evolution suddenly became possible. But why did our ancestors take up farming after thousands of years of successful hunting and gathering? This episode discusses the causes and effects of the agricultu…

Napoleon once said, "China is a sleeping giant. Let her lie and sleep, for when she awakens she will astonish the world." A couple hundred years later, the giant is finally awake. This episode discusses China's failing economy under Mao prior to 1979 and the factors contributing to the country's rise in the last four decades. Related reading: Morri…

Lord Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But is this really the case? This episode discusses the difficulties in proving that power corrupts, the scientific studies and philosophical examinations of the issue, and indicators for corruption by power. Related reading: Blaug, R. (2010). How power corrupts: Cogn…

A thematic analysis of Greta Gerwig's 2019 film, "Little Women." This film illustrates the challenges women face while navigating a society that makes them feel "little." Since, for the 19th century woman, marriage is deemed more important than committing to talents and interests, it becomes difficult for women not to allow societal expectations an…

A thematic analysis of Greta Gerwig's 2019 film, "Little Women." This film illustrates the challenges women face while navigating a society that makes them feel "little." Since, for the 19th century woman, marriage is deemed more important than committing to talents and interests, it becomes difficult for women not to allow societal expectations an…

Arguably the most well-known and most controversial political organization of the 1960s, the Black Panther Party's legacy remains due its philosophies and practices that were just as influential as they were radical. This episode discusses the tactics, structure, decline, and legacy of the Black Panther Party. Part 2 of a 2-part series. https://www…

Arguably the most well-known and most controversial political organization of the 1960s, the Black Panther Party's legacy remains due its philosophies and practices that were just as influential as they were radical. This episode discusses the events leading up to the origin of the Black Panther Party and the philosophy of the party. Part 1 of a 2-…

Through the arts, the Harlem Renaissance, the blossoming of African-American culture in the 1920s and early 1930s, brought to light the previously overlooked African American experience, redefining how others saw African Americans and how they saw themselves. https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/Von Insightful Thinkers Media

Neither underground nor a railroad, the Underground Railroad was an intricate network of abolitionists, philanthropists, and church leaders who led tens of thousands of slaves to freedom in the early to mid 19th century. https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/Von Insightful Thinkers Media

Black history in the United States begins with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the largest long-distance coerced movement of people in history. From the late fifteenth century onward, the Atlantic Ocean, once a barrier that prevented regular interaction between the people inhabiting its adjacent continents, became a commercial highway that integrat…

Some of the most legendary experiments ever conducted in psychology are egregiously unethical by today’s standards. From Watson's Little Albert to Bandura's Bobo Dolls to Zimbardo's Prison Study, these experiments are ones researchers would not dare conduct today. There is something about experiments like these, though, that makes them part of the …

When we crowd around animal exhibits for our own enjoyment, are we unknowingly harming the animals? Decades of research on the effect of visitors on zoo animals has demonstrated that visitors can have negative, neutral, or positive impacts on zoo animal welfare. Discussed in this episode: The history of concern with zoo animal welfare, how effects …

Some people seem to post everything, some remain private. Do the most anxious and insecure people post the most or is it the most carefree, confident people who do? Research supports both of these ideas and has found both benefits and detriments to posting. Discussed in this episode: The benefits people get from posting on social media, what motiva…

What were the roots of the rational society that we have come to know today? Thinkers of the Enlightenment laid this groundwork and played a pivotal role in initiating much of the societal progress that continues to this day. Discussed in this episode: Discussions on ethical theory and religion in the Enlightenment, John Locke's influence on the En…

What were the roots of the rational society that we have come to know today? Thinkers of the Enlightenment laid this groundwork and played a pivotal role in initiating much of the societal progress that continues to this day. Discussed in this episode: The origin of the Enlightenment, the impact of scientific discoveries on the Enlightenment, ratio…

In the 1980s, researchers began to examine the reasons behind the Flynn Effect. Astonishingly, average IQ has steadily been increasing for decades. Discussed in this episode: Possible causes of the Flynn effect (improvements in education, increase in GDP, increased exposure to technology, reduced blood lead levels, better nutrition, medical advance…

Never before have humans experienced social isolation on such a massive scale. Despite the benefits of social isolation in the current climate, it is difficult for many reasons. Discussed in this episode: Why social bonds are good for us, and the effects of social isolation on mental health, the immune system, cardiovascular health, the brain, DNA,…

Can subjective observations, no matter how well-substantiated and supported, ever lead to knowledge of objective reality? Discussed in this episode: René Descartes' theory on objective reality, skepticism about the possibility of perceiving objective reality, differences in perceptions between species, Immanuel Kant 's influence on these lines of t…

Information revealed by studies in epigenetics has revolutionized the field of genetics in recent years. While the genetic code creates possibilities for an organism, it is the environment that determines if these possibilities will be realized. Discussed in this episode: The effect of diet, exercise, and environmental chemicals on epigenetic expre…

The implications of the rapid developments in artificial intelligence have been widely discussed in recent years. But will AI takeover the world? Maybe not. Discussed in this episode: Narrow and general AI, the beginnings of AI, Turing's early ideas on AI, the current state of AI, the impact of AI developments on jobs, and conflicting philosophies …

The democracy of the United States has been challenged by the country’s very leader in recent weeks. But the form of government has value and has proven to be superior to others countless times throughout history. It is not, however, without its flaws and is not above some philosophers' critique. Discussed in this episode: The origin of democratic …

Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize winning album, "DAMN," discusses the relationship between the weakness of the human mind and the wickedness of the world. Are bad decisions and undesirable traits like pride, lust, conceit, hypocrisy, and vengefulness to blame on individuals or are they due to the destructive environments that shape those people? Per…

Does socialism solve the problems faced in capitalist societies? Socialist ideals are admirable and its policies seem superior to capitalist ones in many ways, but the theory is not without its own faults. Discussed in this episode: The differences between socialism and capitalism, the ideals of socialism, advantages of socialism over capitalism, a…

Misinformation, fake news, and conspiracies are nothing new, but now, more than ever, they have the ability to put people's lives in danger. Understanding our own cognitive biases is crucial for inoculating us against these unreliable information sources. Discussed in this episode: How cognitive dissonance, use of cognitive shortcuts, mistrust in t…

MF DOOM, the self-proclaimed "best emcee with no chain you ever heard" dazzles on Madvillainy with the greatest rhyming perhaps in the history of music. Discussed in this episode: The making of Madvillainy, the free associative rhyming style of MF DOOM on the album, examples of intricate internal rhyming on Madvillainy, cryptic storytelling within …

The CRISPR-Cas9 system for genetic engineering has taken the world by storm. Along with creating bruise-resistant potatoes and apples that never brown, the biggest potential for this ground-breaking discovery lies in its potential to save lives. Discussed in this episode: The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the CRISPR-Cas9 system, the history of …

It is bewildering how some memories grip us for life, whereas others completely disappear. It turns out, the brain creates and eliminates these memories. What are the neural mechanisms behind memory formation? Discussed in this episode: Pioneers in neuroscientific memory research, Donald Hebb's influential postulates on memory in the brain, Eric Ka…

Louis Armstrong once said, “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” The jazz legend has a point, as the uniqueness of the genre can hardly be explained except through listening. With some context into the origins of the music, however, it can perhaps be more greatly appreciated. Discussed in this episode: Some elements found within jaz…

Once neglected and silenced under the domineering patriarchal society, women have taken incredible strides to bring the ideas of the feminist movement to the forefront of much of the political discussion today. This episode traces the feminist movement from ancient times until now. Discussed in this episode: Early Gnostic discussions about the role…

Where did cannabis come from anyway? Discussed in this episode: The psychoactive effects of cannabis, the origin of cannabis in nature, the use of cannabis in ancient Europe, The influence of Chinese society on the agricultural development of the cannabis plant, the medical uses of cannabis in ancient Chinese society, the first references of the ps…

Darren Arnofsky's 2010 film, "Black Swan" tells the story of self-destruction on the road to perfection. Because perfection is unattainable, the perfectionist will always harbor feelings of inadequacy. While these feelings can drive the perfectionist to greatness, they can also break that person down and compromise their character. By the time perf…

Despite unfavorable reviews from critics and a chilly reception from many fans, Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven remains Kid Cudi's most raw, vulnerable and, perhaps, unique work. Though rough around the edges, this album retains a cult following and explores topics that are rarely discussed in music. Discussed in this episode: conflict between vulnerabili…

A breakdown of the lessons found within the Proverbs of Solomon, a section of the Bible that contains themes of wisdom, respect, honor, diligence, righteousness, courage, discipline, integrity, knowledge, prudence, love, humility, generosity, nobility, truthfulness, discretion, fairness, and loyalty. Episode notes available on website. https://www.…

Science has yet to uncover the answer to why we experience dreams. It has, however, discovered a myriad of other things about them. Discussed in this episode: The cardinal features of dreaming, rapid and non-rapid eye-movement sleep, lucid dreaming, the history of dream research, Sigmund Freud's theories of dreaming, Hobson and McCarley's Activatio…

Born in Florence in 1469, Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, writer, and political theorist best known for "The Prince" (1513). Despite his death over 500 years ago, Machiavelli's name lives on today as a synonym for slyness, duplicity, and deception. Did the views he put forth in his lifetime warrant such an evil reputation?…