Seize the Moment Podcast

On episode 185, we welcome David Samson to discuss our current understanding of how tribes form, tribalism as political polarization, why the Bloodline storyline in the WWE is so popular, why some of the smartest people are also the most irrational, the consequences of our tendency to prioritize group loyalty over truth, the label of 'critical thinker' and why it's another cognitive trap, our tendency to favor broader groups over those closest to us, what to do when you're loyal to opposing groups, how group pride both supports self-esteem and conflict, and the role of mental immunity in combatting the toxic aspects of the tribal drive. David Samson is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Toronto and Director of the Sleep and Human Evolution Lab (SHEL). David's research has been internationally profiled in venues such as BBC, Time, the New York Times, The Smithsonian, CBC, NPR, and National Geographic. He is also a part of the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation. His new book, available now, is called "Our Tribal Future: How to Channel Our Foundational Human Instincts into a Force for Good." | David Samson | ► Website 1 | https://davidrsamson.com ► Website 2 | https://mentalimmunityproject.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/Primalprimate ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/primalprimatologist ► Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@MentalImmunityProject ► Research Gate | https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Samson-7 ► Our Tribal Future Book | https://read.macmillan.com/lp/our-tribal-future Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 184, we welcome Barry Mauer to discuss using the medical model of metastatic cancer to explain how false beliefs spread, Barry's view that institutions are more important than personal responsibility in inoculating minds from delusional beliefs, the tumor as a metaphor for denial and its growth as symbolizing its transformation into a delusion, free speech absolutism and whether debates are good protections from propaganda, the issue with platforming bad faith actors and Ice Cube's flirtation with Tucker Carlson, the argument that gatekeeping is inherently corrupt, the gradual spread of Q Anon, and why de-platforming isn't necessarily the same as infantilizing the audience. Barry Mauer, Ph.D., is on the cutting edge of research into cognitive immunity and the threats posed to it by the intersection of illiberal forces and electronic media. Barry is the author of Deadly Delusions: Right-Wing Death Cult and "The Cognitive Immune System: The Mind's Ability to Dispel Pathological Beliefs." Barry collaborated on the DARPA-funded project, "Deep Agent: A Framework for Information Spread and Evolution in Social Networks." Barry teaches symposiums on cognitive immunity including "The Age of Mass Delusion," "Why Are People Fooled?" and "Propaganda and Pseudoscience." He is also part of the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation. | Barry Mauer | ► Website 1 | https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Mauer ► Website 2 | https://mentalimmunityproject.org ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-mauer-5319871b3 ► Deadly Delusions Book | https://amzn.to/3OGRDYz Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 183, we welcome Sander van der Linden to discuss how to spot and protect yourself from falling for disinformation, the emotional reasons that sustain and prevent people from changing their false beliefs, the psychological foundations of conspiratorial thinking, conspiracy theories as easy to digest explanations for reality despite their complexity, why examining each conspiracy theory is unfeasible, the tendency of charlatans to impersonate experts, and how polarizing and emotionally-charged rhetoric overrides ability to critically think. Sander van der Linden is a professor at the University of Cambridge and a regular advisor to governments and social media companies on fighting misinformation. His research has been featured in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and elsewhere. He is also part of the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation. His new book, available now, is called Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity. | Sander van der Linden | ► Website 1 | https://www.sandervanderlinden.com ► Website 2 | https://mentalimmunityproject.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/Sander_vdLinden ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profsander.vanderlinden ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sander-van-der-linden-156a08203 ► Foolproof Book | https://amzn.to/45nhVG0 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 182, we welcome Melanie Trecek-King to discuss the power of critical thinking, how she transformed her science-based curriculum into one more focused on teaching thinking tools, beliefs in witchcraft and how experiential beliefs tend to mislead us, leaving religion, the importance of learning how to argue for and understand your opponents' perspectives, the theory of mental immunity, why anyone of us can be duped by charlatans, our minds' preference for simplistic and and logical stories and our failure to account for what we don't know, how to effectively challenge conspiracy theories, and the various ways we tend to fool ourselves. Melanie Trecek-King is the creator of Thinking is Power and an Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. Melanie is also the Education Director for the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation. | Melanie Trecek-King | ► Website 1 | https://thinkingispower.com ► Website 2 | https://mentalimmunityproject.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/Thinkingpowers ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thinkingispower ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingPowers ► Mental Immunity Book | https://amzn.to/3Y3M8Y5 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 181, we welcome Dan 'Nitro' Clark to discuss being one of the main athletes on American Gladiators, how watching his brother die instilled in him an obsession with success, the difference between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism, entering therapy to overcome his fears of vulnerability and intimacy, abandoning fame for more authentic forms of happiness, Dan's battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, teaching his son the importance of hard work, why being on American Gladiators was one of his best learning experiences, and why we should pursue fulfillment rather than happiness. Dan "Nitro" Clark is an American athlete, television personality, author, actor, and producer. He is best known for his role as gladiator Nitro on the TV show American Gladiators. He is also a health and fitness expert and the creator of the Gladiator Rock'n Run. He's the author of Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption, F Dying: How Cheating Death Kicked My Ass Into Loving, Learning, and Living My Best Life, and the executive producer of netflix documentary, Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators. | Dan "Nitro" Clark | ► Website | https://www.dannitroclark.net ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/DanNitroClark ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dannitroclark ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/DanNitroClark ► Books | https://www.dannitroclark.net/author Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 180, we welcome Andy Norman to discuss the principles of mental immunity, how ideas spread like viruses, why critics of the paradigm believe the fear of widespread misinformation is another overblown moral panic, learning how to play role of devil's advocate effectively and ethically, how gurus and cult leaders attract their audience, whether we should debate fringe theorists, Alen's tendency to empathize with every perspective and how doing so hurts and helps him, if people like RFK Jr are genuine truth-seekers, and how reframing debates as dialogues helps foster collective inquiry and knowledge. Andy Norman teaches philosophy and directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also known for his guest appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience and the Michael Shermer Show. He is the author of "Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites and the Search for a Better Way to Think," available now. http://andynorman.org/ | Andy Norman | ► Website 1 | https://andynorman.org ► Website 2 | https://mentalimmunityproject.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/DrAndyNo ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/andynormanauthor ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/andynormanauthor ► Mental Immunity Book | https://amzn.to/3Y3M8Y5 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 179, we welcome Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling to discuss the alternative medical industrial complex, the proliferation of 'One True Cures' and why people are attracted to them, how the elitism and esotericism of mainstream medicine contributed to the rise of modern-day quackery, Robert O. Young and the pH cure, the appeal of Jim Humble and the marketing strategies of charlatans, RFK Jr.'s descent into Covid conspiracy theories, the PR blunders and legal limitations of the FDA, why alternative medicine moved from considering evidence to highlighting the right to medical freedom, whether we can trust the supplements we take and how they're made, and whether alternative healers actually believe in their miracle cures. Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling is a journalist specializing in narrative features and investigative reporting. He has been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, won a George Polk Award, and been voted Journalist of the Year by the Maine Press association, among numerous other honors. He is the author of "A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear" and his writing has appeared in Foreign Policy, USA Today, Popular Science, Atavist Magazine, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, the Associated Press, and elsewhere. His new book, available now, is called If It Sounds Like a Quack...: A Journey to the Fringes of American Medicine. | Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling | ► Website | https://www.matt-hongoltzhetling.com/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/hh_matt ► If It Sounds Like a Quack... Book | https://bit.ly/3XXSZ5l Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 178, we welcome Lee McIntyre to discuss the viral spread of disinformation and the motivators behind it, combating science denialism and Lee's foray into the world of Flat-Earthers, how to distinguish between real and fake conspiracies, whether we should debate science deniers and the RFK Jr scandal, why Leon abandoned the conspiratorial mindset, the criticisms of cognitive immunology, the correlations of cognitive inoculation and psychotherapy, changing the law to account for biased algorithms, challenging emotionally based beliefs, the importance of admitting errors to build trust, the elements of totalitarian regimes and authoritarian groups, the achievements and drawbacks of the Bill Nye and Ken Ham debate, and how science denialism puts democracies in danger. Lee McIntyre is Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. Formerly Executive Director of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University, he has taught philosophy at Colgate University, Boston University, Simmons University, Tufts Experimental College, and Harvard Extension School. His new book, coming out on August 22nd, is called On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy. | Lee McIntyre | ► Website | https://leemcintyrebooks.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/leecmcintyre ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/leecameronmcintyre ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-mcintyre-73112489 ► On Disinformation Book | https://amzn.to/3JOREIo Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

David Edmonds, a writer and philosopher known for his engaging works on ethics, discusses Derek Parfit’s quest for objective morality. He explores Parfit’s unique analogies between moral truth and mathematics, alongside insights into the evolutionary roots of moral arguments. The conversation delves into personal identity, examining how psychological continuity, rather than strict identity, shapes us. Edmonds also reflects on his personal relationship with Parfit and the importance of public philosophy in making complex ideas accessible.

On episode 176, we welcome Julia Keller to discuss the importance of knowing when to quit, the history of the self-help industry, how the notion of 'grit' helps sustain elitism and privilege, the cultural and internal shame surrounding the desire to quit, quitting as embedded in human nature and what animal studies teach us about it, the quitting formula and realizing that a decision is ineffective, the neuroscience of quitting and the brain chemicals related to it, Julia's cynicism and how she learned when to quit, the negative beliefs normally associated with giving up, The Great Gatsby and our tendency to moralize perseverance, the difference between responsibility and blame and its importance, and how to begin to accept and use our inherent limitations. Julia Keller, PhD, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, novelist, and teacher. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature from the Ohio State University, and has taught at Princeton University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame. She was the chief book critic and a staff writer at The Chicago Tribune for many years, before quitting the world of daily journalism to write books. Her new book, available now, is called Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance―and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free. | Julia Keller | ► Website | http://www.juliakeller.net ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/Julia.Keller.Writer ► Quitting: A Life Strategy Book | https://amzn.to/3CNTiWC Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast