Meerkats, Cleaner Fish and the Social Instinct with Producer Bob
Producer Bob and Stephen review the Voltaire lecture given by Nichola Raihani about how deeply embedded is the instinct to cooperate. We discuss questions like; why do human beings go through the menopause, how do Meerkats teach their young, how do cleaner fish police customer service and how are a store in the UK that cuts keys and mends shoes leading the way in prisoner rehabilitation. Why not become a patron for just £1 https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout Nichola Raihani's book is called, The Social Instinct: How Cooperation Shaped the World. Publisher : Jonathan Cape (3 Jun. 2021) Language : English Hardcover : 304 pages ISBN-10 : 1787332047 ISBN-13 : 978-1787332041
10 Nov 202148min
Growing up in The Children of God Cult
Angela Lathwell was raised in the Children of God cult. She describes speaking out about the cult as the last taboo for ex members and we are honoured that she has decided to tell her story on the 'What should I think about..?' podcast. Why not become a WhatSITA patron for just £1 (or equivalent in your currency) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout
6 Nov 202156min
Bonus: Remember Remember the 5th of November
In 1605 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In 2005 the Wachowskis adapted V for Vendetta starring Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving and John Hurt. Today on November 5th 2021 we review the film inspired by the historical event and dig into its meaning and the actual history behind the event - plus some interesting little tidbits too. Why not become a patron for just £1 (or equivalent in your currency)? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout
5 Nov 202149min
The Dancing Plague
Back in the 16th Century a woman began to dance - but couldn't stop. Others began to join her and a plague was declared and according to some reports, 15 people a day died of exhaustion. As weird as it seems it's not an isolated case, over the years similar phenomena have been observed. What causes this? What does it tell us about human behaviour? Is there anything that it might tell us about cultic groups? Plus a little spooky Tweet of the Week. Why not become a patron for just £1 per month? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout
2 Nov 202151min
Interview With The Prophets of Free Thought
Today we welcome John and Seamus from The Free Thought Prophet Podcast. Seamus talks about his 'Near Death Experience' and how it converted him to atheism. We also talk about John's journey out of the Catholic Church, reasons people leave religion behind, the hostile reaction in some places to atheism and why atheists don't always get along. It's a wide ranging and fascinating conversation with two of the podcast world's leading freethinkers. Why not become a patron for just $1:50 https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout/
30 Okt 20211h
Learned Behavior in Cults
The psychology of learning. How cults shape what people think, what they do and when they do it. Stephen and Celine explore three ways of understanding learning within High Controls Groups, Coercive Relationships and Cults. Why not become a Patron for just £1 per month (or equivalent in your currency) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout Reference Miell, D., Phoenix, A., & Thomas, K. (2002). Mapping psychology 1. The Open University.
26 Okt 20211h 5min
They were teenage fundamentalists: Evangelicals and Pentecostals
We talk to the co-hosts of the podcast "I Was a Teenage Fundamentalist", B and T. What is evangelicalism? Is it a cult? What do Pentecostals believe? Why do they speak in tongues? Great guests and it was so interesting to talk about a movement we didn't know very much about. We also talk about the rise of the Mega Church and in particular Hilsong, its history, beliefs and methods of recruitment. Why not become a 'What should I think about...?' patron for just £1 or equivalent a month? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout I Was a Teenage Fundamentalist podcast link https://pod.link/1558606464
23 Okt 20211h 7min
The Lies We Tell Our Kids (Or Don‘t)
Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, Hagrid! Is it okay to tell our children stories that aren't true but pretend they are, to create a magical childhood experience? As an ex Jehovah's Witness, Stephen was raised without these stories so how did he approach this question as Celine's dad when she was a child? Also Stephen floats a new feature for the podcast to Celine called "Things we used to do". If you think this podcast is worth £1 per week (or equivalent in your own currency) why not become a patron for just that. https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout
19 Okt 202151min
