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.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Bausell, R. B. (2021). The problem with science the reproducibility crisis and what to do about it. Oxford University Press.   Fidler, Fiona and John Wilcox, "Reproducibility of Scientific Results", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).   Romero, F. (2019). Philosophy of Science and The Replicability Crisis.

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 causes and consequences of ambition.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Judge, T. A., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D. (2012). On the value of aiming high: The causes and consequences of ambition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(4), 758–775.

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 aesthetics are relative and subjective. This episode discusses what is so often the direct output of emotions: facial expressions. What has science discovered in this area? Part 2 of a 2-part series.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Griffiths, P. E. (2003). Emotions. In S. P. Stich & T. A. Warfield (Eds.), The Blackwell guide to philosophy of mind (pp. 256–309). Blackwell.   Hwang, H., & Matsumoto, D. (2016). In M. K. Mandal & A. Awasthi (Eds.), Understanding facial expressions in communication (pp. 19–57). Springer.

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 aesthetics are relative and subjective. This episode discusses what is so often the direct output of emotions: facial expressions. Where did research into this area begin? Part 1 of a 2-part series.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Griffiths, P. E. (2003). Emotions. In S. P. Stich & T. A. Warfield (Eds.), The Blackwell guide to philosophy of mind (pp. 256–309). Blackwell.   Hwang, H., & Matsumoto, D. (2016). In M. K. Mandal & A. Awasthi (Eds.), Understanding facial expressions in communication (pp. 19–57). Springer

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 that the mind not only can, but must, be considered in the study of psychology.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Gardner, H. (1998). The mind's new science: a history of the cognitive revolution. Basic Books.   Greenwood. (2015). A Conceptual History of Psychology. Cambridge University Press.   Mazur, J. E. (2017). Learning and behavior. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.   Miller, G. A. (2003). The cognitive revolution: a historical perspective. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7(3), 141–144.   Mischel, W. (2020). Psychology. Encyclopedia Britannica.  

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 perspective on the use of propaganda in the U.S. media.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Barsamian, D., & Chomsky, N. (2015). Propaganda and the public mind conversations with Noam Chonsky. Pluto Press.   Benkler, Y., Faris, R., & Roberts, H. (2018). Network propaganda: manipulation, disinformation, and radicalization in American politics. Oxford University Press.   Chomsky, N. (2006). Media control: the spectacular achievements of propaganda. Seven Stories Press.   Mullen, A., & Klaehn, J. (2010). The Herman-Chomsky Propaganda Model: A Critical Approach to Analysing Mass Media Behaviour. Sociology Compass, 4(4), 215–229.

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 The Dark Ages: A Captivating Guide to the Period Between the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance.   Falk, S. (2020). Prologue: The Mystery Manuscript. In The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science. New York, NY : W.W. Norton & Company.   Mommsen, T.E. (1942). Petrarch’s Conception of the 'Dark Ages.' Speculum, 17(2). 226-242.   Nelson, J.L. (2007). The Dark Ages. History Workshop Journal, 63, 191-201.  

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, D., Célérier, A., Schaal, B., Campagna, S., Trabalon, M., Böye, M., . . . Lemasson, A. (2016). Sensory Perception in Cetaceans: Part I—Current Knowledge about Dolphin Senses as a Representative Species. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 4.

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://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:    Burner, J. (1997). Celebrating Divergence: Piaget and Vygotsky. Human Development, 40(2), 63–73.   Derry, J. (2013). Vygotsky and Piaget: A case of different Philosophies. In Vygotsky, philosophy, and education (pp. 68–84). Wiley Blackwell.   DeVries, R. (2000). Vygotsky, Piaget, and Education: a reciprocal assimilation of theories and educational practices. New Ideas in Psychology, 18(2-3), 187–213.   Lilienfeld, S. O., Lynn, S. J., Namy, L. L., & Woolf, N. J. (2011). Human Development. In Psychology: from inquiry to understanding (2nd ed., pp. 358–403). Pearson.   Lourenço, O. (2012). Piaget and Vygotsky: Many resemblances, and a crucial difference. New Ideas in Psychology, 30(3), 281–295.   Semmar, Y., & Al-Thani, T. (2015). Piagetian and Vygotskian Approaches to Cognitive Development in the Kindergarten Classroom. Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 5(2).   Tenzer, A. (1990). Vygotsky and Piaget. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 26(1), 46–52.

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 practices? https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/ References: Darling, J., Nordenbo, S. E. (2010). Progressivism. In N. Blake, P. Smeyers, R. Smith, P. Standish (Eds.), The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Education (pp. 288–308). Blackwell. Thomas, G. (2021). Education: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

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 facilitate transmission of knowledge to future generations of learners.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   References:   Thomas, G. (2021). Education: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.   Naka, A. (2021). Education. Encyclopedia Britannica.

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). “Living Robots”: Ethical Questions About Xenobots. The American Journal of Bioethics, 20(5).   Kriegman, S., Blackiston, D., Levin, M., & Bongard, J. (2020). A scalable pipeline for designing reconfigurable organisms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(4), 1853–1859.

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 Oxford handbook of the French Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press.   Censer, J. R. (2018). Intellectual history and the causes of the french revolution. Journal of Social History, 52(3), 545-554.    Porter, R. S. (1995). The enlightenment. London: MacMillan.   Stromberg, R. N. (1988). The philosophes and the French revolution: Reflections on some recent research. The History Teacher, 21(3), 321. 

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.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   Related Reading:   Allen, R. C. (2020). The Industrial Revolution. In Global economic history a very short introduction (pp. 27-40). New York: Oxford.   Clark, G. (2014). The industrial revolution. Handbook of Economic Growth, 217-262. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-53538-2.00005-8

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 agricultural revolution.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/   Related Reading:   Barker, G. (2009). The agricultural revolution in prehistory: Why did foragers become farmers? Oxford Univ. Press   Diamond, J. M. (2017). Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies. New York: W.W. Norton & Company   Svizzero, S., Tisdell, C. A. (2014). The Neolithic Revolution and Human Societies: Diverse Origins and Development Paths. Working papers on economics, ecology and the environment, Issue 19.

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: Morrison, W. M. (2019). China’s economic rise: History, trends, challenges, and implications for the United States; Hu, Z., & Khan, M. S. (1997). Why is China Growing So Fast? International Monetary Fund.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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: Cognition and democracy in institutions. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 and stereotypes to limit their dreams. Women are sometimes forced to live despite their nature to survive in a world where they are not meant to live doing what they desire. So often, and contrary to society's view, what women desire is not only love or only any other singular thing. Gerwig makes the point that women are multifaceted and have complex interests and desires, far from being unidimensional with a desire only for marriage. These complex desires and interests manifest uniquely in every woman. Therefore, rather than neglecting these unique experiences, their stories should be told. Sometimes, it is by giving credence to these stories in writing and in art, that their importance is conferred, making them not-so-little anymore.   Part 2 of a 2-part series.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 and stereotypes to limit their dreams. Women are sometimes forced to live despite their nature to survive in a world where they are not meant to live doing what they desire. So often, and contrary to society's view, what women desire is not only love or only any other singular thing. Gerwig makes the point that women are multifaceted and have complex interests and desires, far from being unidimensional with a desire only for marriage. These complex desires and interests manifest uniquely in every woman. Therefore, rather than neglecting these unique experiences, their stories should be told. Sometimes, it is by giving credence to these stories in writing and in art, that their importance is conferred, making them not-so-little anymore.   Part 1 of a 2-part series.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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-part series.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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/

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/

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 integrated the histories of Africa, Europe, and the Americas for the first time. Regrettably, the New World was not built without ruining – and often ending – the lives of those at mercy to slavery and by afflicting the lives of so many of their descendants.   Related reading: Eltis, D. (2007). A Brief Overview of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 foundation on which psychology is built upon. Stanley Milgram’s experiment on obedience to authority is perhaps the posterchild for the “unethical but influential” category of psychological experiments.   Related reading: Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral Study of Obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371-378.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 of visitors on animals are assessed, and the effects of visitors on zoo animals.   Related reading: Primary source: Sherwen, S. L., & Hemsworth, P. H. (2019). The Visitor Effect on Zoo Animals: Implications and Opportunities for Zoo Animal Welfare. Animals, 9(6), 366.    https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 motivates social media posts, and the benefits and consequences of posting for distressed individuals.   Related reading: Luo, M., & Hancock, J. T. (2020). Self-disclosure and social media: Motivations, mechanisms and psychological well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 31, 110-115.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 Enlightenment, and critique of and issues with the Enlightenment leading the end of the movement.   Related reading: Bristow, W., "Enlightenment", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2017 Edition); Mayne, R., & Peters, E., "History of Europe," Britannica (2020).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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, rationalism, skepticism, and empiricism in the Enlightenment, and influential ideas on political theory and economic freedom in the era.   Related reading: Bristow, W., "Enlightenment", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2017 Edition); Mayne, R., & Peters, E., "History of Europe," Britannica (2020).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 advances, reduction in exposure to pathogens, decreased life history speed, and decreasing family size), recent curtailing of the Flynn effect, and limitations and implications of Flynn effect research.   Related reading: Pietschnig, J., & Voracek, M. (2015). One Century of Global IQ Gains: A Formal Meta-Analysis of the Flynn Effect. Perspect Psychol Psy, 10(3), 282–306; Williams, R.L. (2013). Overview of the Flynn Effect. Intelligence, 41, 753 - 764.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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, cognitive function, and threat perception.   Related reading: Bzbok, D., & Dunbar, I.M. (2020). The Neurobiology of Social Distance. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 24, 717–733.

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 thinking, and questions about whether science can get us closer to understanding objective reality.   Related reading: Gaukroger, S. (2012). Objectivity: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press; Mulder, D. Objectivity. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Julian, R. & Sprenger, J. Scientific Objectivity. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2020 Edition).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 expression, in-utero influences on epigenetic inheritance, the effect of maternal care on gene expression in offspring, and the impact of epigenetic research on biomedicine.   Related reading: Kanherkar, R. R., Bhatia-Dey, N., & Csoka, A. B. (2014). Epigenetics across the human lifespan. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2. doi:10.3389/fcell.2014.00049   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 on where AI is headed.   Related reading: Copeland, "Artificial Intelligence," Encyclopedia Britannica (2020); Bringsjord & Govindarajulu, "Artificial Intelligence," The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2020 Edition).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 institutions, factors leading to the spread of democracy in the 20th century, problems and challenges in a democracy, and philosophical arguments for and against democratic governments.   Related reading: Dahl, "Democracy," Encyclopedia Britannica (2020); Christiano, "Democracy," The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2018 Edition).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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? Perhaps neither should be completely held responsible. Kendrick settles on the idea that it is up to each person to decide for themselves what can be done to transcend their wicked environments and to overcome the negative traits that seem to be engrained in their DNA.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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, and the potential disadvantages of socialism.   Related reading: Pablo & O'Neill, "Socialism," The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2019 Edition).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 the media, and repetition of information lead to belief in misinformation, how social media exacerbates the issue of misinformation, and why people spread misinformation.   Related reading: Zimdars, M. & McLeod K. (2020). Fake News: Understanding Media and Misinformation in the Digital Age. The MIT Press.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 album, wordplay and meaning of selected Madvillainy lyrics, and the legacy of MF DOOM's lyrical style.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 CRISPR, CRISPR uses in genetically modified foods, uses for CRISPR in animal farming, CRISPR in human gene therapy, CRISPR uses in animal-to-human organ transplants, ethical concerns about using CRISPR, the logistical issues of widespread CRISPR implementation, and the future of genetic engineering.    Related reading: Jamie Metzl, "Hacking Darwin" (Sourcebooks Inc, 2019).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 Kandel's work confirming Hebb's postulates, the ground-breaking case of H.M.'s surgically-induced amnesia, the neural mechanisms of memory formation, where memories are stored in the brain, and optogenetic research on memory manipulation.   Further reading: Matthew Cobb, "The Idea of the Brain: A History" (Profile Books, 2020).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 jazz music (improvisation, syncopation, swing, and dynamics), the components of European and African music found within jazz, cultural diversity in New Orleans as a recipe for the birth of jazz, and the role of the Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the birth of jazz.   Further reading: Ted Gioia, "How to Listen to Jazz" (Basic Books, 2016).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/  

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 of women in society, Teresa of Ávila's influence on feminism in the Middle Ages, The work of Marie de Gournay and Christine de Pizan in early modern feminism, feminism in the enlightenment era, early socialist feminism, the beginnings of the organized women's movement in the 19th century, the women's wage labor movement, feminist discussions about free love and the critique of marriage, the women's right to vote and party politics, the women's empowerment movement, the autonomous women's movements, the fight for autonomous pregnancy and the Roe v. Wade Decision, the focus on domestic violence, the role of the woman in housework, care, and motherhood, and the third and fourth waves of feminism.   Further reading: Patu and Antje Schrupp, "A Brief History of Feminism" (MIT, 2017).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 psychoactive effects of cannabis, physical and textual evidence of cannabis use in ancient Egypt, and cannabis use in ancient Taiwan.   Further reading: Martin Booth, "Cannabis: A History" (Doubleday, 2003).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/  

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 perfection is finally reached, the sacrifices made to get there often outweigh the blissful feelings of getting everything just right. In Black Swan, the sacrifices made and the detours taken on the journey to perfection prove to be a tragic price to pay.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 vulnerability and masking your issues, difficulty choosing between suicide and living in sadness, deciding between feeling life's pain versus the numbness of drugs, difficulty quieting your own negative thoughts while living most of life in your head, the nature of drugs trapping people at their lowest state, questions about if there is artistic value in creating artwork that is troubling for an audience to consume, the double-edged sword of being sensitive, convincing oneself of worthlessness leading to difficulty in relationships, the ups and downs of life rather than it being a direct journey to happiness, how the discussion of suicide an depression can be comforting for listeners who relate to Cudi, and the subjective nature of art.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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 Activation-Synthesis theory of dreaming, advancements in neuroscience that inform present-day dream research, neurophysiological mechanisms of sleep and dreams, and current theories that attempt to explain why we dream.   Further reading: J. Allan Hobson, "Dreaming: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford, 2002), Matthew Walker, "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams" (Penguin, 2017).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

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?  In this episode, we discuss Machiavelli's philosophy: Relying on one's own “virtú” versus relying on fortune, the "by any means approach" that takes putting mission over morality, and the need to adapt in the face of conflict. Further reading: Quentin Skinner, "Machiavelli A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford, 2000). https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

While studying the digestive system of dogs, the legendary scientist Ivan Pavlov unexpectedly discovered classical conditioning: Automatic learning after concurrent presentation of two stimuli. His discovery changed the course of psychological research forever. Discussed in this episode: Pavlov's initial experiments on classical conditioning, examples of classical conditioning, major principles of classical condoning including acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and second-order conditioning, Implications of classical conditioning in therapy, treatment for alcoholism, and treatment for bed-wetting, classical conditioning in advertising, and experiments on classical conditioning of the immune system.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

In the Renaissance, painters sought to accurately depict real life. After this period, however, painters began to create artwork based on feeling, mood, and subjective vision. What engendered this movement of modern art? Discussed in this episode: The differences between Renaissance paintings and modern art paintings, how the Enlightenment shaped modern art, key traits of a modern art painting, the role of economic changes in Western Europe in the development of modern art, the development of the modern art movement with the foundation of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), counter-cultural tones in modern art, Gustave Courbet’s Realism as an early rebellion against the established forces of academicism in art, Édouard Manet's pioneering influence on modern art, the role of photography in the development of modern art, and Vincent van Gogh's "The Starry Night."   Supplementary materials available on website ("A Burial At Ornans" by Gustave Courbet (1849-1850), "Nocturne in Black and Gold – The Falling Rocket" by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1875), "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" by Édouard Manet (1863), and "The Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh (1889)).   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

Science seeks to ascertain facts through experimental observation. However, paradigm shifts can occur in science, markedly changing our very reality. How do these scientific revolutions occur? Discussed in this episode: Thomas Kuhn's landmark 1962 book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," the scientific method, how scientific revolutions happen, prerequisites to scientific revolutions, characteristics of revolutionary works in science, Nicolaus Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism, Galilean versus Aristotelian dynamics, Isaac Newton's theory of gravity, why paradigm shifts fail to occur immediately after new ground-breaking theories, science versus truth, and the lasting effects of scientific revolutions.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

Barry Jenkins’ 2016 film, Moonlight illustrates the challenges of being oneself in the face of negative societal influence. In the face of pressures to conform to stereotypes, to portray oneself in a way that is acceptable to others, or simply to survive in a strenuous environment, it can become nearly impossible to remain unbound from society’s shackles of expectation. Because societal influence can force someone to suppress who they are, this person can become molded into someone who is unrecognizable to others and even to themselves. When moments of freedom do arise for these people, it can be like standing under the moonlight by the ocean: While their skin reflects a blue tint, they look different to others but at the same time feel free as the one who stands without a care under the moonlight. Paradoxically, it is in the most vulnerable state of judgment from others for being oneself when a person may feel the most profound sense of freedom.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change structure and function in response to experience. What are the factors that change the brain and how did scientists discover them? Discussed in this episode: The history of the idea neuroplasticity, early neuroplasticity experiments, materialist explanations in neuroscience, pioneering environmental enrichment findings by Donald Hebb, caveats to environmental enrichment studies, monocular deprivation studies by David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel, real-world application of environmental enrichment studies, the effects of poverty and low socioeconomic status on brain development, the effects of rigorous training on the brain, studies of neuroplasticity in London taxi drivers, neuroplasticity in blind people, and behavioral manipulation using optogenetics. http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

Systemic racism in the United States did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862. Four hundred years after the first slave was brought to United States, discriminatory practices remain. Discussed in this episode: The Jim Crow Laws, discriminatory Black Codes, Michelle Alexander's "The New Jim Crow," housing discrimination (Redlining), The War on Drugs, discriminatory practices of the Nixon and Reagan Administrations, mass incarceration, Killer Mike's "Reagan," Gang Starr's "Conspiracy," the economics of public and private prisons, unfair policing and sentencing of African Americans, and the Black Lives Matter movement.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

Psychedelics produce mind-altering effects. What, exactly, does one experience under their influence and why? Discussed in this episode: The safety of psychedelics, The function of the brain in its baseline state, subjective reports of the psychedelic experience, Aldous Huxley's 1954 book, "The Doors of Perception," Michael Pollan's 2018 book, "How to Change Your Mind," The evolution of psychedelic plants and fungi, how psychedelics act on the brain, ego dissolution on psychedelics, the potential for psychedelics in therapy, and Aldous Huxley's discussion about the disdain of psychedelics in Western culture.   http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

In the Information Age, information has become a commodity that is quickly and widely disseminated and is easily accessible, especially through digital mediums. How did we get here and what does it mean for us? Discussed in this episode: The origin of speech determined by genetic, anatomical, and anthropological studies, cave paintings in the Paleolithic periods, the origin of writing, talking drums, the telegraph, the telephone, the Flynn Effect, research by Hubel and Wiesel on the visual cortex, the brain's dependence on the environment in development, and the positive and negative implications of the Information Age.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

Malcolm X was a civil rights hero who spoke about black pride and black nationalism in the 1950s and early 1960s. To get to this point, he reinvented and redeemed himself through education and religion. Discussed in this episode: The life and words of Malcolm X, Black Nationalism, The Black Panther Party, racism in the United States, the negative effects of a lack of role models, low expectations for success imposed on African Americans, lack of opportunity for African Americans, and Malcolm X's redemption through reading, self-directed education and religion.   http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

Discussed in this episode: The spotlight effect, insecurity, social anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy, stoicism, the importance of values in anxiety, the importance of thresholds in anxiety, first-world problems, and the Dodo Bird Effect in Psychotherapy.   http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

Discussing Steven Pinker's 2002 Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel, The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Discussed in this episode: The dominant views of human nature (The Blank Slate, The Judeo-Christian Theory, The Noble Savage, The Ghost in the Machine, and Behaviorism), radical feminism, dangers of a Blank Slate Theory of human nature, apprehension for abandoning The Blank Slate Theory (Possibility for inequality, determinism, and nihilism), lines of evidence from cognitive science, genetics and neuroscience that disprove the Blank Slate Theory, and critical opinions about the book. http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" discusses how negative influences including fame, fortune, power, status, the devil, gang influence, neighbourhood ties, depression, regret, colorism, and racism lead to the pimping of a butterfly (corrupting a naturally free human being). The beauty of the album exists not only in the complexity of this problem, but also in the love and hope the ever-evolving butterfly retains despite these negative influences. The butterfly not only retains love and hope for himself, but also shares his message with young caterpillars who are afflicted by similar issues.   http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

In-depth analysis into Artificial Intelligence and the questions raised in the movie Ex Machina. Discussed in this episode: The Turing Test, The Chinese Room thought experiment, The Mary's Room thought experiment, Jason Pillock's automatic drip art, Yuval Noah Harari's "Homo Deus," neuroscience experiments on external control of rats, Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation, and the implications of companies profiting from our personal data. http://insightfulthinkersmedia.com

Discussing the effects of social media on the mind and subsequent behavior. Discussed in this episode: How the environment modulates the brain, Harvard Research on self-disclosure on social networking sites, unattainable beauty standards and their potential effects on young women, possible benefits of social media, tactics used to make social media addictive, operant conditioning and its reinforcement schedules, the anxiety-inducing effects of social media, cancel culture, and the Cambridge Analytica Scandal.   https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com/

A thematic analysis of Bong-Joon ho's 2019 film, Parasite. View the accompanying blog post at https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com  

Discussing the subjective nature of consciousness and its various forms. Also discussed this episode: The Universe, Ziya Tong's "The Reality Bubble," Michael Ward, and Kobe Bryant.  https://www.insightfulthinkersmedia.com