The Michael Shermer Show Matt Ridley, Steven Pinker, and Michael Shermer Challenge Conventional Narratives
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Sep 13, 2024 
Join cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, known for his best-selling works on human nature, and author Matt Ridley, famous for his optimistic take on progress, as they tackle essential topics. They discuss the lessons from COVID-19 and the importance of data-driven public health decisions. The conversation delves into the debates surrounding DEI in academia, the dynamics of human behavior influenced by genetics, and the optimistic potential of artificial intelligence to enhance human rationality and innovation.
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Fighting Extreme DEI
- Fighting against extreme DEI ideas requires robust responses from within academia, like Ben Sasse's at the University of Florida.
- J.K. Rowling's experience exemplifies the trend of canceling those with differing views.
Generational Divide on Wokeness
- Younger generations tend to be more woke and less tolerant of free speech.
- However, a growing minority of students are pushing back against being told what to think.
Learning from Pandemic Responses
- Compare different countries' pandemic responses to learn effective strategies.
- Sweden's approach, avoiding lockdowns and mask mandates, resulted in one of the lowest excess death rates.
