The Surprising Science of Cynicism (Plus: The Policy Paradox of the 2024 Election)

The Surprising Science of Cynicism (Plus: The Policy Paradox of the 2024 Election)

Derek shares his biggest frustrations about the 2024 election, like the lack of a policy debate and blind spots in news coverage and polling analysis. Then he welcomes Jamil Zaki to the show: a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Zaki is the author of ‘Hope for Cynics,’ a new book that explores tension at the heart of human affairs. On one hand, social cooperation is the basis of human civilization. And yet cynicism—a baseline aversion to social cooperation and assumption that most people are greedy, selfish, and dishonest—is also core to the human experience. We are constantly violating the secret of our own success by assuming the worst in others, and Professor Zaki explains why. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Jamil Zaki Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(363)

Why Youth Sports in America Are in Decline

Why Youth Sports in America Are in Decline

In the last five years, high school sports participation has fallen for the first time on record. The number of boys playing high school sports today is lower than in any year since 2007. While travel...

23 Mai 202345min

The Future of War Is Here

The Future of War Is Here

Today’s episode is about how artificial intelligence will change the future of war. First, we have Brian Schimpf, the CEO of Anduril, a military technology company that builds AI programs for the Depa...

16 Mai 20231h 28min

A Diet Conspiracy: Is Ice Cream Secretly Good for You?

A Diet Conspiracy: Is Ice Cream Secretly Good for You?

Today’s episode is about a narrow question and a broad question. The narrow question is: Is ice cream secretly good for you? The broader question is about the nature of uncertainty and truth, how diet...

9 Mai 202343min

An Optimistic Guide to America’s Clean-Energy Future

An Optimistic Guide to America’s Clean-Energy Future

The world is engaged in a multitrillion-dollar project to decarbonize the economy to slow or reverse climate change. But what exactly does that mean? How optimistic should we be that we can pull this ...

2 Mai 20231h 25min

The Most Important Thing Most Americans Misunderstand About Insomnia

The Most Important Thing Most Americans Misunderstand About Insomnia

I am fascinated by sleep and also—perhaps, relatedly—not very good at it. Like tens of millions of Americans, I've had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for most of my life. I also know that s...

25 Apr 20231h 5min

How American Cities Can Avoid the ‘Urban Doom Loop’

How American Cities Can Avoid the ‘Urban Doom Loop’

Today’s episode is about the future of the American city. Many downtowns are "wounded renditions of their once-robust selves." Offices are empty. Commercial real estate is losing value, pulling down m...

18 Apr 20231h 10min

Americans Die Younger Than People in Any Other Rich Country. Why?

Americans Die Younger Than People in Any Other Rich Country. Why?

Today’s episode is about guns, drugs, cars, and a big question: Why do Americans die so much younger than people in any other rich country? Before the 1990s, average life expectancy in the U.S. was no...

11 Apr 202355min

How Strong Is the Case Against Donald Trump?

How Strong Is the Case Against Donald Trump?

Derek talks to ‘Semafor’ political reporter Dave Weigel about how the Trump indictment could reshape the election—or turn out to be a big ole nothing burger. But before that, Norman Eisen, a lawyer wh...

6 Apr 202358min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
popradet
stopp-verden
fotballpodden-2
dine-penger-pengeradet
det-store-bildet
rss-gukild-johaug
i-retten
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
e24-podden
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-dannet-uten-piano
frokostshowet-pa-p5
grasoner-den-nye-kalde-krigen