Stanislas Dehaene explores “How We Learn”

Brain Science with Ginger Campbell | 14 February 2020 | 1h 06m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Stanislas Dehaene about his book How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now. Describes how neuroscience has revealed that human babies are incredible “learning machines” whose abilities exceed those of the best current artificial intelligence. Explores why this is so and how this information could be used to help learners (and teachers) of all ages.

Maria Konnikova: Less Certainty, More Inquiry

The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish | 4 August 2020 | 1h 37m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Maria Konnikova discussing how best to learn, her mentors, making decisions in environments of uncertainty, the importance of reflection, cooling down your emotions, and Sherlock Holmes. Draws on her books The Biggest Bluff and Mastermind.

The Simple Economics of Saving the Amazon Rain Forest

Freakonomics Radio | 30 July 2020 | 0h 32m | Listen Later | iTunes
Steven Levitt explains the economic case for the rest of the world paying Brazil to preserve Amazonian rainforest.

Nathan Nunn on the Paths to Development

Conversations with Tyler | 29 July 2020 | 1h 01m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Nathan Nunn about the forces that shape the development paths of nations. Includes why so many Africans live in harder to settle areas, Chinese development in East Africa, genetic distance as a predictor of bilateral income differences and trade, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, economic graduate programs, how the plough shaped gender roles, and the cultural values behind South Korea’s success.

Bjorn Lomborg Declares “False Alarm” on Climate Hysteria

Uncommon Knowledge | 28 July 2020 | 0h 57m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Bjorn Lomborg about his book False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet. Argues for treating climate as a serious problem but not an extinction-level event justifying huge economic changes. Addresses some of the most vociferous climate policy critics, including Greta Thunberg, David Wallace-Wells and proponents of the Green New Deal. Also discusses some promising emerging technologies and why worst-case scenarios are often just that – scenarios that are used to motivate the public into action but are not likely to occur.

Upstream: Solving Problems Before They Happen

The Next Big Idea | 14 July 2020 | 0h 47m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Dan Heath about his book Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen. Explores what it takes to root out problems at their source, both in our own lives and in the larger world.

Zionism Explained to My Neighbor

Tel Aviv Review | 3 January 2020 | 0h 29m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Yossi Klein Halevy discussing his book Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, which attempts to engage in Israeli-Palestinian dialogue while transcending the temptation to try to converge the conflicting narratives.

How America Gave Up on Free Markets with Thomas Philippon

The Vergecast | 12 November 2019 | 1h 15m | Listen Later | iTunes
Interview with Thomas Philippon about his book The Great Reversal: How America Gave Up on Free Markets. Discusses competition and consolidation in America and Europe and argues that consolidation and reduced competition sees consumers paying much more than they should.