Aella: Escort Work, Home School, Rationalism, Circling, Working In A Factory, Losing Faith, Polls And Endless Questions

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<div class="span index">1</div> <span><a class="" data-remote="true" data-type="html" href="/series/biscuits-jam-2787342">Biscuits & Jam</a></span>

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Biscuits & Jam

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for 3 dager sidenfor 3d ago

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In the South, food and music go hand in hand. They define much of what we think of as Southern culture, and they say a lot about our past, our present, and our future. Each week, Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living, sits down with musicians, chefs, and other Southern icons to hear the stories of how they grew up, what inspires them, and why they feel connected to the region. Through honest conversations, Sid explores childhood memories, the family meals they still think about, and the intersection of food and music in their lives. Always surprising, always engaging, Biscuits & Jam is a celebration of the South—and the people who are moving it forward every day. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Aella: escort work, home school, rationalism, circling, working in a factory, losing faith, polls and endless questions | Podcast

for 3 år siden 1:14:06

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Aella is perhaps most famous on twitter for shining a light on the life and economics of Camgirls and escorts; and asking challenging questions. But her independent research is larger than that and has encompassed reporting on LSD and psychedelics use, circling, the nature of faith, and enlightenment. She grew up homeschooled in a fundamental Christian household before leaving home at 17.

The transcript and conversation includes adult themes and mild profanity from Aella and is recommended 18+.

We discuss what is most misunderstood about escort work and the additional needs of men such as emotional intimacy. How Aella thinks of her own compartmentalisation.

What you should say about male anatomy size. How insecurity can go both ways on male thinking on size.

What Aella thinks about Twitter and making questions and polls.

What it was like to have ideas you took for granted completely turned on their head. For instance, what she was taught to think of gays.

We chatted about her interest in psychedelics, speaking to people who think they are enlightened and spirituality. And what that intersection with rationality is for her.

She discusses several viewpoints of the Rationalist community and her views on Effective Altruism. Her thoughts on archaeology and thinking about moral arguments in their place in time.

Why she feels to strongly about home school.

Her thoughts on losing faith.

What it was like working in a factory, and what the point of secret messages she scratched at her work were.

How she has struggled with cultural norms.

How she answers some of her own questions:

You're in a room with 10,000 people. You get to ask three binary questions. Yes or no. For each question, the people who answer the question according to the way you want, they stay and the people who don't leave the room. What do you ask?

We play underrated / overrated on these topics:

Accordion
Ballroom Dancing
Pronouns
Abalone
Sweating on command

She talks about emotional pain and tells me what the practice of circling is all about.

We end on what her research interests are and what her life advice is.

Transcript and video here.

Ben's Twitter here.

75 episoder

#Arts #Benjamin Yeoh

Aella: escort work, home school, rationalism, circling, working in a factory, losing faith, polls and endless questions | Podcast

Ben Yeoh Chats

12 subscribers

published for 3 år siden

Del

M4A•Episoder hjem

The transcript and conversation includes adult themes and mild profanity from Aella and is recommended 18+.

We discuss what is most misunderstood about escort work and the additional needs of men such as emotional intimacy. How Aella thinks of her own compartmentalisation.

What you should say about male anatomy size. How insecurity can go both ways on male thinking on size.

What Aella thinks about Twitter and making questions and polls.

What it was like to have ideas you took for granted completely turned on their head. For instance, what she was taught to think of gays.

We chatted about her interest in psychedelics, speaking to people who think they are enlightened and spirituality. And what that intersection with rationality is for her.

She discusses several viewpoints of the Rationalist community and her views on Effective Altruism. Her thoughts on archaeology and thinking about moral arguments in their place in time.

Why she feels to strongly about home school.

Her thoughts on losing faith.

What it was like working in a factory, and what the point of secret messages she scratched at her work were.

How she has struggled with cultural norms.

How she answers some of her own questions:

You're in a room with 10,000 people. You get to ask three binary questions. Yes or no. For each question, the people who answer the question according to the way you want, they stay and the people who don't leave the room. What do you ask?

We play underrated / overrated on these topics:

Accordion
Ballroom Dancing
Pronouns
Abalone
Sweating on command

She talks about emotional pain and tells me what the practice of circling is all about.

We end on what her research interests are and what her life advice is.

Transcript and video here.

Ben's Twitter here.

75 episoder

#Arts #Benjamin Yeoh

Alle episoder

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Rebecca Lowe: Exploring Freedom, Moral Philosophy, Technology And The Best Society 1:09:42

for 14 dager siden1:09:42

1:09:42

Political philosopher Rebecca Lowe discusses her views on freedom, equality, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Currently writing a book titled 'Freedom in Utopia,' Rebecca delves into philosophical debates concerning obligations to extinct animals, the ethics of eating meat, and the future potential of lab-grown meat. On questioning norms and making choices: “Think hard about what the norms are that you follow unthinkingly. There are many ways to live a good life, and it’s for you to work that out for yourself, because you’re the only person who can have any systemic access to that.” On fiction and its philosophical role: “I feel quite strongly that people who don’t spend time reading fiction are really missing out on one of the great things about being human—the capacity to separate out from your daily life, think about other worlds, imagine.” She also touches on the moral considerations surrounding artificial wombs, the possible role of ChatGPT as a tool for philosophical inquiry, and her disillusioning experience running for political office. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of decentralization, freedom, and respect in society while also sharing her creative process and insights into leading a fulfilling life. Transcript and video available here. Contents 00:22 Reviving Extinct Animals 02:29 Moral Implications of Eating Meat 07:47 Future Moral Consensus 11:25 Consequentialism in Healthcare 19:21 ChatGPT as a Philosopher 25:28 Artificial Wombs and Ethical Questions 30:33 Rebecca's Political Journey 34:43 Creative Process and Philosophy 37:50 The Importance of Reading Fiction 41:03 Imagining the Best Possible Society 42:19 The Role of Prisons in Utopia 46:01 Education in an Ideal Society 49:05 Cultural Goods and Utopia 52:18 Healthcare and Resource Allocation 55:11 Under rated / Over rated 58:55 Final Thoughts and Advice…

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Daisy Christodoulou: Football, VAR Video Assisted Referee, Education, and the Art of Learning 1:15:59

for 9 weeks siden1:15:59

1:15:59

Daisy Christodoulou is an acclaimed author in the field of education. Daisy has also written a book on video assisted refereeing (VAR) in football . We discuss being a football fan, VAR's impact on the sport, and the controversial decision-making processes involved. We speak about how VAR might have improved other sports but has mixed results in football. We suggest what technology should spring to football and sport. We debate on how this potentially reflects the limits of rationality in human endeavours. "We need to get away from the search for perfection. Whether in education or VAR, it’s about striking the right balance between accuracy, simplicity, and consistency to avoid ending up with the worst of both worlds." "When you apply a very precise, letter-of-the-law system, it sometimes tramples over the qualities that make the game what it is. VAR has unintentionally highlighted the limits of rationalism." Transitioning to education, Daisy shares insights from her research and books on the importance of knowledge-rich curriculums, cognitive science, and the challenges of modern educational systems. The conversation delves into the history of self-education, the role of physical school environments, and strategies to enhance learning outcomes. We touch upon the relevance of English literature, fiction reading, and Daisy's innovative projects at No More Marking, utilizing AI for better educational assessments. “A written sentence is an incredibly efficient way of communicating information. It can do things that video, audio, or computer code cannot. That utility alone makes reading irreplaceable." Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/1/12/daisy-christodoulou-a-deep-dive-into-var-football-education-and-the-art-of-learning-podcast Contents: The Joys and Struggles of Supporting West Ham Controversial VAR Decisions Problems with VAR in Football Objective vs Subjective Decisions in VAR Comparing VAR Across Different Sports Proposed Solutions for VAR Issues Historical Context and Evolution of Football Rules Impact of VAR on the Spirit of the Game In-Game Experience and Fan Reactions to VAR Broader Implications of VAR and Rationalism Potential Reforms in Education Path Dependency in Education Systems Emphasis on Knowledge in Education The Myth of 'Just Look It Up' Cognitive Science and Learning Techniques The Importance of School Buildings Historical Perspectives on Self-Education Balancing Educational Trade-offs The Decline of English Literature Studies Final Thoughts and Life Advice…

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Peter Gray: Transforming Education, Play, Parenting and Self-Directed Learning 1:15:32

for 19 weeks siden1:15:32

1:15:32

Peter Gray is a psychologist and author of Free to Learn. For many years, he has been studying the importance of play. Gray discusses his perspective on the ideal education system, which he believes should be a bottom-up movement rather than a top-down imposition. He emphasizes the importance of self-directed education where children have the freedom to follow their curiosity and interests. Gray explains how traditional schooling stifles curiosity and playfulness, and traces the historical roots of the current education system. He also highlights the sociopolitical factors that have contributed to the decline of children's mental health, arguing against the popular notion that social media is the primary cause. Additionally, the conversation touches on the impact of economic inequality on parenting styles and child freedom. Gray shares his current projects, including initiatives aimed at encouraging more free play in schools and educating pediatricians on the importance of play, while offering practical advice for parents to support their children's independence and curiosity. Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/11/1/peter-gray-transforming-education-play-self-directed-learning-parenting-podcast "If offered the opportunity to redesign the entire educational system as a top-down thing, me being the czar of education and telling everybody else what they should do, I would decline the offer...it really has to emerge from the bottom up." "Education works best when the people being educated are in charge of it... Children are biologically designed to learn through exploration, through play." "Our school system suppresses curiosity and playfulness...the two primary biological educative drives in children." "Ask your child: 'What would you like to do that you haven’t done before that might be a little bit frightening but that you’d really like to try?' It’s how children build courage and how parents build trust." Contents 00:19 Redesigning the Education System 01:41 The Role of Curiosity and Play in Learning 05:55 Historical Context of Traditional Schooling 08:26 Children's Rights and Freedom Over Time 12:11 Cultural Shifts and Parental Concerns 15:28 Impact of Economic Inequality on Parenting 18:53 Rise of Stranger Danger and Overprotectiveness 28:14 Common Core and the Mental Health Crisis 38:28 The Evolution of Reading and Technology 41:17 Balancing Screen Time and Real Life 43:12 Reflections on 'Free to Learn' 45:07 Evolutionary Psychology and Its Impact 50:28 Advice for a Fulfilling Retirement 01:00:04 Creative Processes and Inspirations 01:05:45 Current Projects and Parenting Advice…

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Julia Garayo Willemyns: Policy Ideas, Progress, Growth, AI, Talent, human flourishing 1:03:15

for 21 weeks siden1:03:15

1:03:15

Julia Garayo Willemyns is a startup founder and co-director of the think tank UK Day One, which focuses on advancing UK policy for long-term growth and progress. Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2024/10/18/julia-garayo-willemyns-policy-ideas-progress-growth-ai-talent-podcast Julia shares her thoughts on overlooked policies that could significantly benefit the UK, such as addressing lead poisoning in old housing stocks to improve public health, intelligence, and productivity. Julia also advocates for prioritizing AI as part of the UK's industrial strategy. She emphasizes the need for strategic investments in AI talent, infrastructure, and safety, noting that while ethics and risk are critical, the nation should also consider AI's potential to enhance economic security and global competitiveness. The conversation explores the nuances of UK policy approaches to sustainability, talent development, and AI. The narrative explores the dynamics of entrepreneurship across different cultural landscapes, reflecting on factors such as mentorship, venture capital, and societal attitudes towards failure. The conversation delves into the advantages of for-profit versus non-profit models and the philosophical trends shifting towards virtue ethics and human flourishing. Throughout, the discussion is underpinned by personal experiences, pragmatic policy recommendations, and a call for the UK to leverage its strengths for sustained global competitiveness. We play over rated / under rated on: Universal Basic Income (UBI), Net Zero, Carbon Taxes, alternative proteins, digital democracy, self-driving cars, nuclear power, museums and capitalism. Julia encourages listeners to embrace curiosity, adaptability, and a proactive approach to growth. On AI and economic strategy: “I don’t think the UK is taking AI seriously enough as a core part of its industrial strategy. We should be focusing not just on AI ethics, but on economic security and national competitiveness. AI has the potential to change everything, and we need to be thinking about the bigger picture.” On talent misallocation in the UK: “One of the biggest problems the UK has is a misallocation of talent. I know incredibly intelligent people who end up in banking or consulting instead of tackling fundamental problems that could improve our quality of life. It’s a national issue that we need to address.”…

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Julian Gough: Minecraft End Poem, Evolution Of The Universe, Being Creative, working in public, writing childrens' books 1:15:32

for 25 weeks siden1:15:32

1:15:32

Julian Gough is an award-winning writer and musician. We explore the breadth of his creative journey, from crafting the 'End Poem' in Minecraft to writing children's books and rock band experiences. Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/9/20/julian-gough-minecraft-end-poem-evolution-of-the-universe-being-creative-podcast We discuss his latest project 'The Egg and the Rock,' which investigates the universe's evolutionary complexity, paralleling biological evolution, and its implications on life, consciousness, and AI. This conversation extends to a critical reflection on current scientific approaches, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and writing in public and creative processes. “ …the universe does love us, and we are love, in a way. I think love is a kind of an interface with the universe. You can think of love as our interface with the universe. Love, if you are loving and loved, you're probably living correctly. The way in which you're aligned to the universe is good. It's a feedback mechanism. " Contents: The Creation and Impact of Minecraft's End Poem Julian's Rock Band Days Writing Children's Stories: Rabbit and Bear Julian's Writing Process The Goat Bubble: A Satirical Play Exploring the Universe's Evolution Building Complexity from Simplicity The Eternal Existence of Matter and Time The Fermi Paradox and Alien Life Darwinian Evolution of Universes The Role of Intelligent Life in the Universe Predicting the Early Universe Writing in Public and Creative Processes The Egg and the Rock: An Evolutionary Analogy Advice for Future Thinkers and Creatives…

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Ruth Chang: How to make Hard Choices, philosophy, agency and commitment 54:15

for 32 weeks siden54:15

54:15

Ruth Chang is a prominent philosopher known for her work in decision theory, practical reason, and moral philosophy. She is currently a professor at the University of Oxford, holding the Chair of Jurisprudence. She is well known for her theory of "hard choices," where she argues that many choices are not determined by objective reasons but instead involve values that are incommensurable. Transcript and links here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/8/2/ruth-chang-making-hard-choices-philosophy-agency-commitment-derek-parfit-podcast The podcast discussion delves into the inadequacy of the traditional trichotomous framework—better, worse, or equal—in evaluating values and making decisions. Chang argues for recognizing 'hard choices' as situations where options are qualitatively different yet equally viable, introducing the concept of 'par'. This idea is applied to various scenarios, from career decisions to healthcare dilemmas, and even the design of AI systems. Chang highlights the importance of human agency in making commitments when faced with hard choices, offering a framework to help individuals become the authors of their own lives. Furthermore, Chang shares insights about her current projects aimed at rectifying fundamental misunderstandings about value in AI design, advocating for a more nuanced and human-aligned approach to machine learning. The episode also touches on the philosophical influences of Derek Parfit and explores concepts like effective altruism, transformative experiences, and the value of commitment in living a meaningful life. Understanding Hard Choices Applying Hard Choices to Careers Rational Agency and Commitment AI and Hard Choices Philosophical Influences and Effective Altruism Current Projects and Life Advice "To become the author of your life, ascertain what matters, understand how alternatives relate to what matters, tally up pros and cons, and then open yourself up to the possibility of commitment. Realize yourself by making new reasons for your choice."…

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Hansong Li: China, political economy, intellectual history, Tangut and Hamilton, the Musical 1:14:25

for 39 weeks siden1:14:25

1:14:25

Hansong Li is a political theorist and historian of political, economic, and legal thought. We discussed a breadth of topics ranging from the Tangut language, Eastern philosophy, development economics, to modern political ideologies and cultural expressions. Hansong’s insights shed light on historical contexts while drawing connections to contemporary issues. The conversation delves into broader philosophical and economic themes, comparing past and present political thoughts and examining the effects of international aid on development. Hansong emphasizes the importance of learning from history and cultural interactions for a more nuanced understanding of contemporary global dynamics. Transcript, video and links: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/6/14/hangsong-li-china-tangut-political-economy-history-podcast Contents: The Tangut People and Their Language Modern Interpretations of Chinese Philosophy Global South and Regional Concepts Montesquieu and Sea Imagery Rousseau's Plan for Corsica Economic Development in Northeast Asia International Aid: Help or Hindrance? Global Economic Thought: East vs. West Hamilton: A Political and Cultural Analysis Underrated or Overrated? Current Projects and Life Advice…

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Rasheed Griffith: Progress, Caribbean, Policy, Food, Music, Talent Assessment, Culture 1:09:59

for 43 weeks siden1:09:59

1:09:59

Rasheed Griffith discusses the factors impeding progress in the Caribbean and shares his optimism for the region. He identifies the decline in public sector quality since the 1960s as a major obstacle. Transcript and links here. Griffith suggests that reforming the public sector could significantly advance the Caribbean by attracting international talent and improving policy implementation. He also discusses the historical impact of British technocracy in the Caribbean, proposing that adopting a more internationalized public service could be beneficial. Griffith urges a shift towards leveraging global trade for growth. The discussion also touches on the potential of dollarization, the limited utility of charter cities in the Caribbean, and the importance of understanding regional culture through food and history. “every Caribbean country should be dollarized. No exceptions. Caribbean countries, any small country, there is very little utility of having your own currency except for having the ability of the government to mismanage it at some point in time. And that has historically been the case in the Caribbean, been the case in Latin America, been the case in Europe, Asia, it goes down the line. There is no real extra benefit you have from having your own currency, as a very small country, dependent on a global currency anyway. This manifests even stranger things. So for example, Caribbean still has very harsh capital controls, not all Caribbean, but the ones that have their own currency do, and that limits people's freedom to consume as much as what they want. It also has again, the ever present risk and reality of the government abusing the exchange Abusing money creation tool obviously hurts the exchange rate hurts inflation all those kind of things So when you really look into it, there's no proper counter argument to dollarization to me when someone says What's the counter argument to me? That's like saying what is the argument in favor of having an unsound currency? It's a non starter in that sense.” We talk about culture including reggae, VS Naipaul and Rastafarians. And on food: “when you understand why you, in Barbados, eat curry goat and roti, of course that has a very big impact on how you think about your own history. Jerk chicken, is very famous in Jamaica. I think it's very difficult to get good jerk chicken outside of Jamaica. There are some spots in London that have some good jerk chicken, but usually, if you go to a place that has jerk chicken, it's likely not actually jerk chicken. Any case, even jerk chicken, for example, if you understand how it works is very deeply into how Jamaican history operates. So it came from Mexico after the slaves, this plantation has this thing called Maroon, like free slave holdings in the mountains in Jamaica. And jerk chicken is one of the food products they actually created. It's very, goes really far back. And one of the current ingredients of jerk chicken that we usually use in sauce is soy sauce. Now soy sauce, of course, it's not from Jamaica, it's from China primarily speaking. So you see how the Chinese influence in Jamaica, for example, goes back to the food, like the core Jamaican food has this Chinese influence as well.” We discuss how to assess talent, what questions to ask in an interview and how to be better for interviews. We play underrated/overrated on: GDP, Universal Basic Income and carbon tax. Griffith shares insights into his creative process and the importance of public intellectual engagement. Finally we end on some advice thoughts. Advice: "I think people should try to be a lot more public in their thoughts. Writing things online for the public is a nice constrained device."…

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Henry Oliver: Late Bloomers, Second Act, Hidden Talent, Biography, John Stuart Mill 1:21:37

for 47 weeks siden1:21:37

1:21:37

A conversation with Henry Oliver, author of 'A Second Act', exploring the concept of late bloomers. Transcript here. Oliver elaborates on societal pressures, hidden talents, and how these impact individual successes at various life stages, advocating for a broader recognition of potential beyond conventional timelines. The dialogue includes themes such as the significance of networks, the role of luck, and the historical context of late blooming, challenging prevailing notions of talent and achievement. Following this, the conversation delves into the philosophical contributions of John Stuart Mill, particularly focusing on his expansion of utilitarianism and its inadvertent influence on contemporary moral behaviors like vegetarianism. It contrasts Mill’s stance on liberty and value measurement with other philosophers and highlights the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives for personal growth. The chat connects Mill’s philosophies to present-day issues. We end on Henry’s advice: the importance of personalized approaches to absorbing content, seeking expertise, the application of tailored advice over generic guidance; and to ignore those who do not have recent advice experience. On Hidden Talents and Societal Barriers: "So in the case of someone just happens to emerge later, and in the case of someone has been held back, I would call that hidden both times. Because very often when you've been held back by your circumstances, people like actually cannot see your talents. And so they are hidden, not in the sense that you've kept them in, or you were scared, or whatever, but in the sense that, you could have put it on your t-shirt and people wouldn't have realized." On Overcoming Historical Bias and Recognizing Talent: "And obviously historically, very often that was to do with if you were a woman, if you were a person of color people just aren't going to, people literally aren't going to take that seriously. But that, to me, is interesting, it's an interesting demonstration of the fact that, You can be very confident that you know how to find talent, and that you know who's a good chap and who would be good at this job, and be completely blind to what is right in front of you." Contents: 00:13 Learning from Henry’s mother 01:01 Exploring Hidden Talents and Societal Constraints 03:34 The Nuances of Midlife Crises and Opportunities for Growth 07:45 The Power of Networks and Circumstances in Shaping Late Bloomers 10:23 Margaret Thatcher: A Case Study in Late Blooming 16:20 Seizing Luck and the Importance of Being Prepared 21:32 The Role of Networks in Realizing Potential 30:20 Addressing Societal Biases and Embracing Equality of Opportunity 34:29 Rethinking Talent: Early Bloomers vs. Late Bloomers 42:55 The Fluidity of Intelligence and the Potential for Growth 45:29 Exploring Misunderstood Characters in Literature 45:56 Audrey Sutherland: The Unrecognized Kayaking Legend 47:09 Malcolm X: A Misunderstood Figure in History 48:46 The Ones That Didn't Make the Cut: Missed Profiles 51:28 The Writing Process: Insights and Personal Habits 54:51 The Fascinating World of London's Churches 59:36 Underrated and Overrated: A Deep Dive into Mindsets and Philosophies 01:18:23 Current Projects and Life Advice…

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Alyssa Gilbert: Climate Tech Innovation, Policy, Technology 47:48

for 1 year siden47:48

47:48

Alyssa Gilbert, the director of the Center for Climate Change Innovation at the Grantham Institute, talks about the current gaps in climate technology investments. She discusses her research into areas that are currently underfunded, including transport and energy. She also covers the importance of energy efficiency, especially in relation to the built environment. Alyssa emphasizes the necessity of various models in the fight against climate change, including private sector initiatives, philanthropy, and governmental grants - and highlights the need for a diverse range of solutions. She also speaks about the innovation within the London climate tech ecosystem and shares her perspective on various topics including carbon offsets, behavior change, and geoengineering. Transcript/Video here: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2024/3/1/alyssa-gilbert-climate-tech-innovation-policy-technology-podcast 00:15 Discussion on Climate Technology Investment 01:15 Exploring Areas of Underinvestment in Climate Change 01:54 Climate Change Adaptation and Innovation 02:23 The Role of Heavy Industry in Climate Change 03:15 Climate Change Policies and Energy Efficiency 05:10 Challenges in Implementing Energy Efficiency 08:09 Debate on Degrowth vs Techno-optimism 11:34 Role of Venture Capital and Philanthropy in Climate Change 16:11 London's Climate Tech Ecosystem 21:58 Pitching Climate Change Ideas 24:17 Role of Big Companies in Climate Change Innovation 25:49 The Importance of Corporate Involvement in Innovation 26:26 A Glimpse into a Day in the Life of a Climate Innovator 29:13 Overrated or Underrated: A Discussion on Climate Solutions 40:48 Exciting Projects on the Horizon 44:02 Advice for Those Interested in Climate Action…

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Garrett Graff: Aliens, Mysteries Of UFOs, Watergate, 9/11, Government Trust 54:51

for 1 year siden54:51

54:51

Garrett Graff, a writer and historian who specializes in 'near history', discusses his book, 'UFO', about the US government's search for alien life. He touches upon how we often misunderstand UFO sightings, suggesting they could be due to a mix of physical anomalies and governmental or adversary secret flight technologies. Graff also shares his belief in the possibility of alien civilizations, arguing probabilities suggest the existence of life outside Earth. He then relates UFO conspiracies to a societal mistrust in government and institutions, tying it back to events like the Watergate scandal. Graff finally introduces his forthcoming oral history book on D-Day, emphasizing how his work emphasizes explaining and organizing complex events in an understandable and comprehensive way. " When people ask 'do UFOs?'...That's not actually the question that they mean. The question that they really mean is, 'are we alone?' Because the truth of the matter is of course UFOs exist. All a UFO is an unidentified flying object, and there are things out there that we don't know what they are. Whether those are extraterrestrial is a very different question and potentially unrelated to the question of, are there extraterrestrials." Transcript and video available here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/2/14/garrett-graff-aliens-mysteries-of-ufos-watergate-911-government-trust-podcast Contents: 00:31 Exploring the Mysteries of UFOs 03:05 The Probability of Alien Life 06:21 The Government's Role in UFO Research 19:03 The Impact of Conspiracy Theories 29:40 The Connection Between UFOs and Politics 33:28 The Importance of Trust in Government 47:21 The Writing Process and Future Projects…

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Hannah Ritchie: Not the End of the World, sustainability, climate, progress 1:07:45

for 1 year siden1:07:45

1:07:45

In this in-depth conversation, data scientist and researcher Hannah Ritchie delves into key insights from her new book 'Not The End of The World', which challenges the pervasive idea that human society is doomed due to environmental degradation. She explores various environmental problems, including climate change and plastic pollution, and emphasizes the potential for progress in tackling these critical issues. Hannah also discusses the essential role of technology and outlines the importance of lifting people out of poverty as a measure against climate change. Her argument centers around the balance of environmental change and human impact in achieving a sustainable planet. Furthermore, she provides advice on dealing with climate anxiety, career progression, and essential work ethics. Link to transcript, video and more here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/1/26/hannah-ritchie-sustainability-progress-not-the-end-of-the-world-podcast Approach: Hannah's work is primarily driven by data, focusing on the interplay between sustainability, climate change, and patterns of global development. Her new book, "Not the End of the World," addresses one of the most significant challenges of our time - environmental sustainability. In the book, Hannah dispels a range of myths associated with environmental issues. She counters the prevailing narrative which claims we are doomed and there's nothing left to do about our environmental crisis. Instead, she believes we can change the narrative and become the first generation to build a sustainable planet. Tackling Climate Change: Hannah's optimism for combating climate change stems from the significant strides made in technology, especially renewable energy technologies. These technologies are no longer mere futuristic imaginings. They are realistic, economical, and deployable on a large scale. However, she acknowledges the difficulty of the task at hand. The world is on track for 2 and a half to 3 degrees of warming which puts us in challenging terrain. We need rapid technological change coupled with significant societal transformation to alter our trajectory. Addressing Biodiversity Loss: Biodiversity loss, according to Hannah, is among the most challenging problems explored in her book. The manifestation of this crisis is nuanced as it involves intricate geo-political and economic dynamics. While technology can help, solving the biodiversity crisis will require simultaneous action on many fronts, from controlling deforestation to addressing climate change and overfishing.…

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Hana Loftus: Architecture, Regeneration, Planning, Resilience, Design, Jaywick Sands 1:28:43

for 1 year siden1:28:43

1:28:43

Hana Loftus is a co-founder of HAT Projects. HAT are award winning architects, planners and enablers for the built environment. Projects include: London’s Science Museum Smith Centre, transformation of Trinity Works (a disused church), Ely Museum, Jerwood gallery and Jaywick Sands’ Sunspot. As well as practising planning and design, she writes on the subject and plays a great fiddle and violin. Transcript and Video here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/1/10/hana-loftus-architecture-regeneration-planning-resilience-design-podcast The discussion is around the challenges and opportunities in architecture and urban planning. The topics range from finding systemic housing solutions for poverty-stricken communities in Alabama, exploring the importance of practical real-world experiences for architecture students, " I think as a young architect, firstly learning how a building is actually put together; nailing bits of wood together, wiring a house, plumbing a house, pouring foundations, all of that practical stuff is critical... And anybody can do that. Anybody can get tools and learn how to build something. " and discussing the Sunspot project that addresses affordable business units in Jaywick Sands, a poor area of east England. Hana talks about the lifespan and adaptability of buildings. She highlights the critical aspect of maintaining quality in construction and the risks in cost-cutting, referencing the Grenfell tragedy. We discuss the political challenges of the Green Belt policy, proposing a 'finger model' for development, and the importance of exploring rural domains. Hana emphasises acquiring practical experience and making a concrete impact in the world. Transcript and summary bullet points below. Building Houses and Rural Studio Experience Understanding the Realities of Rural Alabama The Impact of Building with Your Own Hands Working with the Community: The Story of Miss Phillips The Importance of the Front Porch in Southern Homes Reflections on Building Experience Transition from Alabama to East of England: Jaywick Sands Understanding the History and Challenges of Jaywick Sands The Regeneration Strategy for Jaywick Sands The Complexities of Place-Based Regeneration The Role of Consultation in Community Development The Sunspot Project: A Case Study in Localised Economic Stimulation Reflections on the Success of the Sunspot Project The Balance Between Planning and Unplanning in Community Development. The role of beauty. Nationwide Economic and Climate Perspective Local Agency and Development Opposition, Challenges in the Planning System Inequality and Climate Resilience Design Codes and Pattern Books: A Debate The Aesthetics of Development and Cultural Relevance The Lifespan of Buildings: The Future of Building Design and Sustainability The Role of Transport in Sustainable Planning The Impact of Construction Industry Structure Rethinking Greenbelt Policy for Sustainable Development Current and Future Projects: A Glimpse Life Advice: Making a Mark in the World…

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Lucy Easthope: Disaster Recovery, Risk, Hope, Planning, Memoir, When The Dust Settles 1:22:10

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Lucy Easthope is a professor, lecturer and leading authority on emergency planning and recovering from disaster. Lucy has advised on major disasters over the last decades including the 2004 tsunami, 9/11, the Salisbury poisonings, Grenfell, and the Covid pandemic and most recently the war in Ukraine. She challenges others to think differently about what comes next after tragic events, and how to plan for future ones. Her book When the Dust Settles is both memoir of her life in disaster recovery and a personal journey through life, love and loss. I ask Lucy about what she is hopeful about looking to the future. " I think one of the things is this ability to be able to back, back and forth between really terrible thoughts and risks which we have to do in emergency planning, and then just take incredible joy from a moment in the day... My work is one of the greatest privileges of it; is just seeing people being great a lot. So that gives me a lot of hope. " We talk about how many disasters I’ve been a by-stander to (Thailand tsunami, 9/11, Grenfell, 7/7, mortar bomb attack) and how disaster is recurring. We chat about Lucy’s activism from young and growing up around Liverpool. Lucy has been very involved around personal items, and the belongings of people in disasters. I ask about why it's such an important part of Lucy’s work. We chat about the interdisciplinary nature of here work. We talk about the Welsh notion of hiraeth /ˈhɪərʌɪθ/. This longing for a place to which there is no return. I ask about Lucy’s writing process and how she writes. We talk about themes in her life and writing such as working class roots and feminism. We discuss the importance of humour and why Lucy is pranked a lot. We touch on Lucy’s personal losses of miscarriage. I ask about what is misunderstood about disaster management and what organisations and people can do. How to think about balancing risk and opportunity. We talk about the problems of systemic and structural challenges. We end on Lucy’s current projects and her life advice. “Don't go to work on a row. I was reflecting with a friend recently and she said, "A lot of people say that they live life as if it's precious and you might not be here tomorrow, or the people you love might not be here tomorrow. But you Lucy, really do." And what does that look like? Everybody I love knows that I love them. Every time I say goodbye to my children, every time I go to work, it's always on the premise of how fragile this is. I think if we remember that, it sets us up to perhaps be kinder to each other. I also think that one of the most important things to me is to go back to those basics about particularly as we go into yet another difficult winter or difficult times, is think about just that couple of things that can make a difference. I think people are very anxious about trying to save the whole world. You don't need to save the whole world, just make somebody a cup of tea. Just make that tiny little kind of chaos theory difference, and that's enough. Transcript and video: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/12/10/lucy-easthope-disaster-recovery-risk-hope-planning-memoir-when-the-dust-settles-podcast…

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Nina Gené: Venture Philanthropy, Jasmine Social Investments, Impact Investing 1:03:36

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1:03:36

Nina Gené is CEO of Jasmine Social Investments. Nina leads Jasmine’s investment strategy and diligence process, guiding the team to identify and support the next generation of great social entrepreneurs. Jasmine funds high-performing social ventures and outstanding social entrepreneurs who are solving a basic need of the very poor. Ben and Nina discuss what venture philanthropy means and the Jasmine strategy on philanthropy. We delve into the investment process that Jasmine uses. How Nina identifies opportunities, the type of qualities Nina looks for in a social entrepreneur and an organisation. We discuss success investment examples, how we might think of impact investing and how it may differ from grants. We talk about the advantages of being neutral to structure, ie, being able to fund using grants, debt or equity. Whatever suits. We chat about the influence of venture investing and how entrepreneurs think. How Jasmine shares information and due diligence and what help they give investee companies. We talk about measuring impact, and the challenges of scaling up. We mentioned the pros and cons of working in New Zealand, whether Spanish food is under rated and finish on advice Nina has. Nina on the importance of the ability to scale: “ I'd say that scale is one of the most important criteria that we have because we want to make bets on people that will end up figuring it out and have a survey that will save lives. When this happens, we obviously want this to go to millions and millions of people; so that's kind of the hope and dream of it. The way we define scale we define it as an intervention that can reach up to 1 million people. It doesn't necessarily need to be multi-country. We work with an organization called Luala that are influencing the way that health is provided to a million people in one district in Kenya. That's very important and we support those groups during the R&D phase. But what we do expect then is to scale the work only when they have that strong evidence on hand, but also the right economics of that impact. We support them through that journey and fund them as long as they show us success every year. That's why having a set of metrics and scorecards and milestones-- We're not sticklers for, "Oh, you said you were going to do ten and you've only done nine. You're out the door." We understand that there are ups and downs and we're very long term funders. ” Transcript is here. ⁠Video with captions is available here.⁠…

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Pen Vogler: Food History, Culture, Class, Strawberries, Sugar, Industrialisation, Eating Habits 1:23:56

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1:23:56

Pen Vogler is a food historian. Her latest book i s Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain . Her previous books include work on food in the life and works of Dickens and Jane Austen - Dinner with Dickens: and Dinner with Mr Darcy. In the podcast, Ben and Pen discuss various aspects of British culture and history we can learn from the British relationship with food. The discussion delves into several fascinating topics surrounding the transition from hunting-gathering societies to agricultural ones, the phenomenon of the commons and enclosures, the historical regulation of bread prices, and the impact of government intervention in food systems. The podcast also touches on the personal experiences of Pen in Czechoslovakia. Throughout the conversation, the overarching theme was how food, from its production to its consumption, is deeply entwined with historical, cultural, and social factors, and how understanding these dynamics can offer insights into present-day food-related challenges and culture. Highlights: Transition to Agriculture : The transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture, known as the Neolithic Revolution around 4200 BC, was gradual. Although humans began farming, hunting aided by dogs continued. Interestingly, there seemed to be a decrease in fish consumption even among communities near water, which may be tied to a new identity as agriculturalists. Strawberries : are they feminine and how have supermarkets made the strawberry market. The notion of strawberries being considered feminine was discussed, with a historical perspective of fruit consumption differing between genders. Supermarkets have popularized strawberries, making them a significant seasonal item. Queuing and Supermarkets : The change from traditional queuing at shops to self-service in supermarkets was discussed. This shift was initially due to labor shortages post-World War and was supported by the government. Sugar's Historical Significance : The historical transformation of sugar from a flavor enhancer to a replacement food was discussed. The early introduction of sugar into children’s diets, driven in part by companies like Nestle, and its long-term health implications were also highlighted. Yorkshire Pudding and Meat Consumption : The tradition of Yorkshire pudding being used to fill up family members so the male head could consume more meat was discussed. This tradition reflects the historical gender and age hierarchies in food distribution within a family. Fish and Class Distinction : The class distinction between consuming different types of fish, such as salmon being associated with aristocracy while carp being considered a working-class fish, was discussed. The historical roots of these distinctions date back hundreds of years, and are intertwined with the broader themes of commons, enclosure, and social status. The discussion explores how fishing evolved with societal changes, particularly during the industrial era. Food Security and Import Dependency : The discussion touched on the UK's food security and its dependency on imports, which has fluctuated over centuries based on various social, economic, and political factors. Food Etiquette : touch on traditional etiquette like the "posh" way of eating peas with a fork and how certain eating habits signify a person's social status. Overrated/Underrated Foods : Pen and Ben briefly discuss the perceived value of certain foods like tripe, gin, goose, and herring, and how these perceptions have evolved over time. Their conversation offers a rich tapestry of insights on how food, history, and culture are intricately woven together, and how exploring these connections can yield engaging narratives and a deeper understanding of societal norms and practices. Transcript available here.…

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Joanne Limburg: Autism, Feminism, Motherhood, Grief, Writing, Jewishness, Letters to my Weird Sisters 1:08:20

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Joanne Limburg is an award-winning British writer known for her poetry, novels, and memoirs. In the podcast, she discusses her latest book Letters to My Weird Sisters: On Autism, Feminism, and Motherhood, in which she feels a kinship with historical female figures and addresses letters to them. Some notes on the conversation: - On Virginia Woolf: Joanne found connections in Woolf's personal writings about feeling like an outsider and struggling to dress appropriately for society. This resonated with Joanne's own experiences. We chatted on how dress and fashion is seen in society. - On Adelheid Bloch: Adelheid was murdered in the Holocaust. Joanne wanted to write her a letter as an act of solidarity, to say she is not forgotten. Adelheid Bloch. (She is mostly non-speaking). She was a young woman who was murdered as part of the Nazi program of murdering intellectually disabled people or disabled people of any kind. We have nothing of her voice. We have only a few records, a very sad record and the words that condemned her to death which were horrible words; idiot, unworthy of life. I was thinking about those two words and how we stand in the shadow of them and what they meant for her, and what is the supposed link between them. So my letter to her is kind of exploring history because there's not much of her to say. Also, I wanted to write a letter to her to say, "You are not left out. You are a sister too, and I apologize for all the times you have been left out." And, …it was a matter of great importance that I write this letter to Adelheid and that people see that she's human and that she's not totally different from me. Because there's an issue in sort of discourse around autism, as I'm sure, sure. There's a difference between high functioning and low functioning. So there's constant stress between splitters and lumpers as there is with any classification. We can't possibly be the same thing or we all are the same thing. Also, I tend to lump not because I particularly want to get all the attention that people imagine comes from being severely afflicted. It doesn't. I think actually what you get from being seen to be severely afflicted is ignored and pushed aside, not massive amounts of attention. But because I think it's safer if we hang onto them. If you can't have solidarity with someone as opposed to pity or care, they're not safe because they're outside identification. “ - On autism and motherhood: Joanne realized the so-called "refrigerator mothers" blamed for autism were likely neurodivergent themselves, profoundly misunderstood. The misreading led to damaging views of autism. “ it seemed glaringly obvious to me that these so-called refrigerator mothers were neurodivergent, and that their neurodivergent presentation was being horribly unkindly and disastrously misread.” - On grief: Joanne wrote a book after her brother's death aiming to create something beautiful, a monument. Grief comes in waves and is still raw for some types of loss. - On writing: Joanne listens for an "echo" when writing, for something unexpected to emerge. She moved from notebooks to typing, which matches her thought speed better. Teaching helps crystalize her own thinking. I know of some others who find typing better than notebooks. - On advice: Joanne stresses compassion for oneself and others. She is drawn to how language shapes reality and is exploring that in current poetry and lyric essay work. The conversation covers writing as therapy, Jewish identity, and navigating societal expectations as a woman and mother. Joanne offers deep insights from a life spent exploring profound human experiences through writing. There is a transcript link here which also has video if you find captions or video a more accessible platform.…

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Fuchsia Dunlop: Chinese Cuisine, Culture, History, Philosophy, Knife skills, Texture and Mouthfeel 1:21:10

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1:21:10

Fuchsia Dunlop is a cook and food writer specialising in Chinese cuisine. She was the first Westerner to train as a chef at the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine, and has spent much of the last two decades exploring China and its food. In her latest book, Invitation to a Banquet , Fuchsia explores the history, philosophy and techniques of China's rich and ancient culinary culture. Each chapter examines a classic dish, from mapo tofu to Dongpo pork, knife-scraped noodles to braised pomelo pith, to reveal a singular aspect of Chinese gastronomy, whether it's the importance of the soybean, the lure of exotic ingredients or the history of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. In this podcast episode, Fuchsia joins host Ben to dive deep into the history, culture and techniques behind Chinese cuisine. From the ancient origins of steaming to the finer points of knife skills and texture, Fuchsia provides fascinating insights into what makes Chinese food so unique. We talk about our origin food dishes: “there's one dish that is very dear to me that sort of expresses partly why I fell in love with Sichuanese food. And that's fish fragrant aubergine or eggplant. I think when I went to live in Sichuan in 1994, what was so impressive was that the local food was unlike anything I'd had in England. It was all very fresh and healthy and all these seasonal vegetables and amazing flavors. That's the thing about Sichuanese cuisine that it's all about the art of mixing flavors. So this particular dish for me just represents the sort of-- I mean, it's made with pickled red chilies, ginger, garlic, spring onion, and a bit of sweet and sour. Then you have the sumptuous kind of golden butter-ness of the aubergines. So it's a really homely dish with cheap ingredients and it's sensational. Sichuan everyone thinks [numbing and hot], lots of chilli and Sichuan pepper. But actually, it has this kind of melodious heat with a hint of sweetness and it's just conjuring up this complex flavor from a few limited palette of seasonings. I think that's one of the things that I fell in love with Sichuanese food” Fuchsia debunks common myths and misperceptions about Chinese food in the West, from the idea that it's unhealthy to the notion that exotic ingredients are eaten only out of poverty. She traces how historical circumstances led Chinese cuisine to be seen as cheap and lowbrow in the West compared to French or Japanese food. Delving into the cultural exchange around food, Fuchsia offers a nuanced take on debates over cultural appropriation and argues that an openness to different cultures can be "life enhancing." She shares colorful anecdotes from her research and travel in China that bring dishes like Pomelo Pith and Shanghainese "Western food" to life. We chat about: Steaming and its importance as a cooking technique. The importance of bland food, and how my mother needs to eat rice regularly How to understand mouthfeel and the joy of texture in Chinese cuisine Knife skills and the skills of the wok Fuchsia’s writing process On mouthfeel and texture: “if you want to be able to experience it all and to eat on a kind of equal basis of appreciation with Chinese friends, then you really need to open your mind and palate to texture because it's so important. But the interesting thing is-- because I've written about this and talked about it a lot because I find it fascinating. It's also really funny because so many of the words we use in English to describe these textures sound really disgusting.” Transcript and links available here.…

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Fergus Butler-Gallie: priesthood, frocks, scouse, faith, Liverpool, and Mummified Hearts 1:22:02

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Fergus Butler-Gallie is a priest and writer. His latest book, Touching Cloth, is a memoir on his time as a priest in Liverpool. We cover many topics relating to Fergus's life, work, and perspectives on faith and the Church of England. I also ask him what he would do with the Church of England if he had a magic wand. Fergus provides insights into life in Liverpool, discussing local culture, diversity, and the famous Liverpool accent. He argues that many stereotypes and assumptions about the city are inaccurate. We explore how Fergus's time as a minister in Liverpool impacted his faith, with Fergus sharing that it was an overall positive experience that affirmed his sense of calling. Discussing the Church of England, Fergus critiques the managerial bureaucracy and argues for decentralization and a return to an earlier model. He wants more inspiring, eccentric bishops. We discuss eccentric reverends from history that Fergus has chronicled, including a food-obsessed dean who famously ate the mummified heart of King Louis XIV. Fergus shares thoughts on the Eucharist and transubstantiation, after I suggest an analogy to actors embodying a role. We discusses how wearing a clerical collar changes how one is perceived. "Dean Buckland was dean of Westminster, which is a very high profile job in the Church of England. And he made it his mission to try and eat everything that had ever existed. So he ate mice, he ate tadpoles...And they go and say, "Oh, now we reach the most impressive thing that we have." And they're very carefully taking it out this casket. And they said, "Because you're such a privileged group of people, we're going to hand it around to all of you. And this is the mummified heart of King Louis XIV smuggled out of France at the revolution and now kept here in our private museum." And it goes around all the people. They look at it and think, "Oh, this is amazing. This is wonderful." It gets to Dean Buckland, he looks at it and he says, "I've never eaten King before." And he pops it in his mouth." We play a short game of over rated under rated and end on Fergus’ life advice. Fergus rates: James Bond, the British monarchy, Afternoon tea, The House of Lords, Double decker buses , Black cabs, Pubs, and Cricket. On life advice: Fergus recommends reversing our instincts - don't take seriously what we think we should, and take seriously what we think we shouldn't. For those considering ordination, he advises prayer and cautions it's not for everyone. "There are things in life that should be taken seriously and there are things in life that should not be taken seriously. The real thing to realize is that they're the opposite way around to the way you think they are. Anything you think should be taken seriously, don't take it seriously. Anything you think should not be taken seriously, take it seriously." Transcript and video available here.…

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David Edmonds: Derek Parfit, future selves, paradox, effective altruism, philosophy, biography 1:35:35

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David Edmonds is a philosopher, writer, podcaster and presenter. His most recent book is a biography of Derek Parfit. Parfit: A philosopher and his mission to save morality. “ Derek was perhaps the most important philosopher of his era. This scintillating and insightful portrait of him is one of the best intellectual biographies I have read. ” -Tyler Cowen Other books include: The Murder of Professor Schlick, Would You Kill the Fat Man? and (with John Eidinow) the international best-seller Wittgenstein’s Poker. He’s a Distinguished Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics. With Nigel Warburton he produces the popular podcast series Philosophy Bites. For three decades, he was a multi-award winning presenter/producer at the BBC. We start off discussing “Trolley problems” and the ethical implications of choosing between lives now and in the future. Edmonds provides a nuanced perspective, discussing the argument that while a life in the future is (almost) as valuable as a life today, the decision to kill five lives today could potentially reduce future life. Would you kill five people today, or five people in 100 years? "I think I would choose five in a hundred years, but it would be a very marginal decision…on the whole, I agree with Parfit in I think that there should be no moral discounting in that I think a life in the future is as valuable as a life today. But presumably if you kill five lives today, you are affecting who gets born. So that's why I would kill five lives in the future because I might be also reducing future life as well if I take lives today." We chat about if thought experiments are even useful at all ( contra, Diane Coyle, who dislikes them ). I then ask about real life challenges such as NHS budgets and potentially choosing between saving pre-term babies or diabetics. I ask David about his favorite paradox (think about God and a very large breakfast) and give him the St Petersburg paradox to answer. "Can God cook a breakfast so big that He can't eat it?" We discuss the life of Derek Parfit, his personality and obsessions. Whether he might have been a good historian (vs philosopher), the pros and cons of All Souls College and if an autistic cognitive profile mattered. David gives his view on why Derek’s second book was (and is) considered inferior to his first. We also touch on Effective Altruism (EA) and Derek’s influence on longtermism and possible foundational philosophical roots to the EA movement. We end on what chess opening David would use against Magnus Carlson, what countries David would like to visit, current projects and life advice David has. Transcript and video available here.…

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David Ruebain: disability, protest movements, law, equality, inclusion, interdependence 1:04:05

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David Ruebain is one of the most thoughtful thinkers I know on disability, equality and the law. He is currently a Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Sussex with strategic responsibility for Culture, Equality and Inclusion including dignity and respect. He is an adviser to the football premier league, the former director of legal policy at the equality and human rights commission and has been in the top 25 most influential disabled people in the UK. ( Link to transcript below ) We chat on: Social change seems to come about in a complex way. But peaceful protests seem to have had influence on some social topics. What is the importance of protest? In particular, thinking about the disability rights movement. David gives insights into his role and view into the UK disability rights movement. The roles of agency and simplicity of message. The comparison with the climate protest movements. David’s work with the UK football premier league and also the equality commission. What types of policies are successful for equality and diversity. What challenges are structural and what that implies for solutions. The role of interdependence and that means at the moment. Whether the law can deliver inclusion and what that means. How ordinary talking about equality seems now vs the 1970s. But how it itself will not be enough for humanity. “ Equality is what we all wanted in the seventies; for those of us who considered ourselves progressive. But now it feels fairly vanilla really as an idea. Equality is simply about level playing fields, with its sort of a zero sum game approach to if two people are in a race, nobody should be unfairly disadvantaged for any relevant consideration, which of course is true. It's sort of almost unarguable. But it isn't especially ambitious. … But if we are really to bring about the change which will ensure the survival of the species and other species, it will need more than equality, I think. ” We end on David’s current projects and life advice. “. ...do what you need to do to believe in yourself because so many of us don't or doubt ourselves. That doesn't mean to say-- I think first of all, that knowing there's nothing profoundly wrong with anyone, including whoever you are. But secondly, knowing that from that perspective you get to learn and evolve; it doesn't mean you say rigid in the position. ...There's something about really believing in yourself… ” Link to transcript and video here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/6/5/david-ruebain-disability-protest-movements-law-equality-inclusion-interdependence-podcast…

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Jennifer Doleac: reducing crime, policing, justice, policy 1:27:48

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Jennifer Doleac studies the economics of crime and discrimination. In July 2023, Jenn will join Arnold Ventures as the Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice. We chat about trends and causes of crime. How guns, drugs and policing interact with crime trends. …there was this huge increase in violent crime in particular in the late early eighties, early nineties. And suddenly violent crime started falling dramatically in the mid-1990s. We still aren't entirely sure why that is the case, this big mystery in the economics of crime world. But we do know that basically crime has been falling since then until very recently. So during the pandemic and since the pandemic, we've seen this big uptick in homicide and shootings, at least in the US. Again, we're not entirely sure why that change. It's kind of like trying to describe what's going on in the stock market. There are lots of sort of little blips and everything, and you can have big picture understanding of the economy and what drives growth, but not be able to predict fluctuations in the stock market. So it's similar with crime rates But overall, we're still in a place where homicide rates and violent crime rates are much lower than they were in the early to mid-nineties. So overall things have gotten much safer, especially in our big cities; we're much safer. But of course, as you said, there's a lot of variation place to place; particular neighborhoods, particular communities, they're the brunt of a lot of violent crime that is still going on. So it's a major public safety or major public problem and concern for policymakers in particular places and that has become more of a focus in recent years as homicides and shootings have gone up, which of course we're not used to after this big decline for decades... We talk about what we know of policies that work on reducing crime, and how challenging the recent uptick in crime statistics is to ideas on reforming criminal justice. We discuss alternatives to jail, and what type of interventions can work on crime, such as sentencing for misdemeanors, and access to healthcare. Jenn explains why the “broken window” theory of crime has not really held up. The mixed studies on body cameras and how deterrents (like DNA databases and CCTV) seem to work. Jenn discusses her work suggesting some policies have had unintended consequences related to “ban the box” (where employers are not allowed to know of former convictions on initial job application), and related to her paper on the Moral Hazard of Lifesaving Innovations: Naloxone Access and Opioid Abuse (which has proved controversial in some quarters). We play overrated/underrated on: Texas, diversity and universal basic income. We end on Jenn’s current projects and life advice. Transcript and video are here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/5/8/jennifer-doleac-crime-policing-policy-podcast Jenn also hosts her own podcast: Probable Causation , a podcast about law, economics, and crime.…

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Patrick House: Neuroscience and Understanding Consciousness 1:49:50

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Patrick House is a neuroscientist and writer. His research focused on the neuroscience of free will and in particular how mind-control parasites altered a rat’s behaviour. We once had a long chat on the rainy streets of Glasgow. This chat – which I may not fully recall – involved speaking on what consciousness is, and touched on his work on mind-control bugs. He’s written a collection of essays: Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “Consider different translations of a poem: Each has something relevant to say, but none can entirely capture the essence. House repeatedly returns to a case in which a woman was undergoing brain surgery to address epilepsy. At one point, the surgeons touched a part of the brain that made her laugh. Did this indicate that emotional responses are simply an aspect of the physical matter inside our skulls?” We had a long chat on this. I asked him: Do you dream in colour ? Whether lucid dreaming is real? What he meant by: "If I were asked to create, from scratch and under duress, a universal mechanism for passing consciousness from parent to child, I would probably come up with something a bit like grafting a plant." ? Memory in childhood What he finds the most terrifying result in neuroscience What translating poetry has in common with understanding consciousness Whether animals have consciousness What he thinks of AI and why he no longer plays Go Patrick asks me if I would write a play only for robots. We end on Patrick’s advice: “My suggestion is to have phenomenological date night with whoever you're interested in the world and ask what their dreams are really like and if it's in images or what inside of their head is really like and see if you get anything, see if you solve any conflict.” It was lovely long form chat about consciousness and the mind. Transcript/Video here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/3/27/patrick-house-neuroscience-understanding-consciouness-podcast…

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Chris Stark: 2023, Climate Policy, NetZero, Adaptation, Heating, Buildings, Incentives 1:23:27

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Chris Stark is the Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. The committee is an independent statutory body which advises the UK and the devolved governments on emissions targets and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. I think he is one of the most important and thoughtful thinkers on climate change policy today. This is his second time on the podcast. We covered many topics in 2022 which you can check out here. This time I ask on: How does it matter that we will pass 1.5c ? What did we learn after COP27 (climate conference in Egypt in 2022) How do you think we should think about NetZero at the corporate level How should we be thinking of adaptation and the CCCs latest report the CCC work on UK domestic energy rating Heating and building strategy Some of the recent politics decisions and discussions such as the UK government decision on a Cumbria coal mine. What the US IRA (inflation reduction act) might mean for climate policy: “Now you asked me, has anything changed since last we spoke? And yes, it has. Something quite substantial has changed in the United States of America. So we have this inflation reduction act which is an unfortunate act in only one sense, really. It's the IRA. So in the UK of course it's very difficult to talk about the IRA being good. But it's just a kind of game changing piece of legislation. At the core of it I think is a fairly simple thing really which speaks to our last discussion about the difficulty of implementing carbon taxes. The economic logic of making dirty stuff more expensive than clean stuff is still there.But it turns out that the effort of putting carbon tax on something that you actually need in the present society is enormous politically and maybe it's best at just to make the green stuff cheap. Broadly, that's what the Inflation Reduction Act has done. It has done so in quite a controversial way. We're having a discussion now about the protectionist elements of the Inflation Reduction Act. It is a very protectionist piece of legislation but it has lit a fire under some of these green technologies. Chris outlines some of the challenges of a carbon tax and why a carbon tax and dividend may also not work. Chris ends on advice on to think about climate impact and future projects. Transcript and video available here: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2023/2/23/chris-stark-2023-climate-policy-netzero-adaptation-incentives-podcast…

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Jade O'Brien: stock broker to teacher, reflections on finance and education, women in finance 1:27:37

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Jade O’Brien was a stock broker (equity sales) for over 7 years. She then retrained as a teacher and has taught in both the state sector and the private sector in the UK. Jade used to pitch me stock ideas and speak about the investment world. I was very curious on why she decided to change careers to become a teacher. We chat about what drove Jade to the world of finance. What she viewed as the pros and cons, and what it is like as a woman in a male dominated world and advice she has. Jade outlines her experience of finance which has many positives as well as challenges, and what might have changed over the decade. (Ben) So what would you say to women wanting to make it in the city or in financial services? Do it. Give it a go. I mean, I'm speaking for myself here and I have read that the imposter syndrome feeling is very common within women in finance. But then again, I think, well maybe that imposter syndrome is for everyone in finance but men can hide it better. So I would say do it. Everybody feels insecure and doesn't really know what's going on at times. To have the confidence to go for it and also to not necessarily feel like you need to follow my path of giving up finance and becoming a teacher. I don't think that's something you need to do if you are genuinely interested in finance and you want to get to the top. I think it's definitely possible. We discuss the factors that made Jade change her jobs. How we might think about death and how she found teacher training. We chat on how we might “value” teaching and why it’s hard to rate teachers. Why some people ask for more homework, and others ask for less homework and how both views can have merit. We address: The importance of mentors the funding situation in UK state supported schools A glimpse of teacher training Differences between state and private schools in the UK Why she thinks teacher quality in both state and private settings are similar Why teaching class can feel private Views on SEN (special education) policy Streaming (where it might work, where it might fail and why she changed her mind) What Jade’s perfect class size is, and why Her views on uniforms School start times School food Exercise The importance of gratitude This was an amazing long form conversation addressing many of the debates within education today. Transcript and Video available here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/2/2/jade-obrien-from-stockbroker-to-teacher-being-a-woman-in-finance-schools-and-teaching-podcast…

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Kanjun Qiu: AI, metascience, institutional knowledge, trauma models, structure of knowledge, creativity and dance 1:39:20

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Kanjun is co-founder and CEO of Generally Intelligent, an AI research company. She works on metascience ideas often with Michael Nielsen, a previous podcast guest. She’s a VC investor and co-hosts her own podcast for Generally Intelligent. She is part of building the Neighborhood, which is intergenerational campus in a square mile of central San Francisco. Generally Intelligent (as of podcast date ) are looking for great talent looking to work on AI. We get a little nerdy on the podcast but we cover AI thinking, fears on rogue AI, and the breakthroughs of Chat AI. We discuss some of her latest ideas in meta science based on the work she has done with Michael Nielsen ( previous podcast here ) and what are the important questions we should be looking at. We chat about the challenge of old institutions, the value of dance and creativity and why her friends use “to kanjun” as a verb. We cover her ideas on models of trauma and why EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy) and cognitive therapies might work. We discuss why dinosaurs didn’t develop more. We chat around “what is meaning” and “what is the structure of knowledge”, what are the strengths and weakness of old institutions; culture vs knowledge vs history and other confusing questions. Kanjun gives her advice on how to think about dance (dance like you are moving through molasses). "Dance is inside of you. It just needs to be unlocked." We play underrated/overrated on: having agency, city planning, death of institutions, innovation agencies, high frequency trading; diversity Kanjun thinks on how capitalism might want to be augmented and what excites Kanjun about AI and complex systems. Kanjun asks me questions and I offer my critique on Effective Altruism. This is quirky long form conversation on a range of fascinating topics. Transcript and video available here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2023/1/17/kanjun-qiu-ai-metascience-institutional-knowledge-trauma-models-podcast…

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Florence Evans: Mud Larking, Art Collecting, Dealing and Curating 1:12:36

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1:12:36

Florence Evans is an art dealer, historian, curator, collector and mud larker. We chat on what does mudlarking tell us about history ? What does art tell us about being human ? …we mustn't forget is that ultimately there's a real human connection with beauty. So conceptual art aside which serves an important purpose and helps us to think and challenges us in many ways. On the other hand, there's a human need, I think, a kind of nesting instinct to have art for the home, things of beauty to lift your spirits. I think that's really elemental. … Florrie chats on the cultural history of mudlarking, the stories found objects represent from the both the darker side of human history such as beads and the slave trade, as well as the lighter sides of found items. We discuss one of her favourite finds, a whole child’s shoe from the Tudor era. We chat on what we’ve puzzled out from our river finds including a hand blown glass apothecary bottle from the 1600s. We discuss: bottles, beads, coins, stories, Roman items, buttons and costumes and more… We touch on her philosophy as an art collector and what art means to us as humans. One of my happiest achievements in my career thus far was curating an exhibition on mudlarking and mudlarked art in 2019 for the Totally Thames Festival. That was an exhibition that I put on showing art by artists featuring mudlark finds, still life photographs by Hannah Smiles; a photographer of mudlarked finds and portraits of mudlarks as well that she had taken. That was in the Bargehouse which is a massive warehouse space on the South Bank by the Oxo Tower; so right by the river.That was a joy to be asked to do that and it felt like it was a fusion of both my passion, hobby; mudlarking and what I do in work which is curate and look at art. So that was a fusion of art and mudlarking and looking at craft and elevating it to art. Looking at history and saying, "This is part of who we are as human beings. We create-- There is an impulse and an urge to make things of beauty. Even things that are utilitarian, there's beauty to be found." And that kind of links back to the philosophy of someone like William Morris who believed that art should always be useful and beautiful. What art Florrie likes and collects and the challenge of modern art. Florrie gives her advice on art collecting and life. I've always done what I love and it gives me great satisfaction. You can always find your people, you can always find your niche even just by going online. It's amazing how the world opens up. As long as you are doing something that you're passionate about, you should be okay. Transcript and links available here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2022/12/27/florence-evans-mud-larking-art-collecting-and-art-dealing-podcast…

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Michael Nielsen: metascience, how to improve science, open science, and decentralisation 1:36:54

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Michael Nielsen is a scientist at the Astera Institute. He helped pioneer quantum computing and the modern open science movement. He is a leading thinker on the topic of meta science and how to improve science, in particular, the social processes of science. His latest co-authored work is ‘A Vision of metascience: An engine of improvement for the social processes of Science’ co-authored with Kanjun Qiu . His website notebook is here , with further links to his books including on quantum, memory systems, deep learning, open science and the future of matter. I ask: What is the most important question in science or meta science we should be seeking to understand at the moment ? We discuss his vision for what a metascience ecosystem could be; what progress could be and ideas for improving the the culture of science and social processes. We imagine what an alien might think about our social processes and discuss failure audits, high variance funding and whether organisations really fund ‘high risk’ projects if not that many fail, and how we might measure this. We discuss how these ideas might not work and be wrong; the difficulty of (the lack of) language for new forming fields; how an interdisciplinary institute might work. The possible importance of serendipity and agglomeration effects; what to do about attracting outsiders, and funding unusual ideas. We touch on the stories of Einstein, Katalin Kariko (mRNA) and Doug Prasher (molecular biologist turned van driver) and what they might tell us. We discuss how metascience can be treated as a research field and also as an entrepreneurial discipline. We discuss how decentralisation may help. How new institutions may help. The challenges funders face in wanting to wait until ideas become clearer. We discuss the opportunity that developing nations such as Indonesia might have. We chat about rationality and critical rationality. Michael gives some insights into how AI art might be used and how we might never master certain languages, like the languages of early computing. We end on some thoughts Michael might give his younger self: The one thing I wish I'd understood much earlier is the extent to which there's kind of an asymmetry in what you see, which is you're always tempted not to make a jump because you see very clearly what you're giving up and you don't see very clearly what it is you're going to gain. So almost all of the interesting opportunities on the other side of that are opaque to you now. You have a very limited kind of a vision into them. You can get around it a little bit by chatting with people who maybe are doing something similar, but it's so much more limited. And yet I know when reasoning about it, I want to treat them like my views of the two are somehow parallel but they're just not. Transcript/Video available here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2022/11/15/michael-nielsen-metascience-how-to-improve-science-open-science-podcast…

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Saloni Dattani: making science better, important questions in science, open science, reforming peer review, vaccines and optimism. 1:06:00

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Saloni Dattani is a founding editor at Works in Progress, a researcher at Our World in Data and a commissioning editor at Stripe Press. She has recently been profiled by Vox as part of the Future Perfect 50. Saloni is an excellent thinker on progress and science with recent articles for Wired (on making science better) and Guardian (on challenge trials). Saloni tells me what are the most important questions in science that we should be working on. We discuss making science better and thinking around challenge trials, making science more open source, reforming peer review and thinking around experimental clinical trial design. We talk about vaccines, why Saloni tends to optimism and what risks and opportunities she is thinking about. Borrowing from Tyler Cowen, I ask: How ambitious are you ? Which of your beliefs are you least rational about?” (Or what is she most irrational about?) What is something esoteric you do ? We play over rated / under rated on: Substack, Misinformation, Doing a PhD, Women in Science; Vaccines and Drugs We end on Saloni’s current projects and advice. Transcript and video available here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2022/11/8/saloni-dattani-improving-science-important-questions-in-science-open-science-reforming-peer-review-podcast…

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Jérôme Tagger: sustainability, ESG as a negotiation, impact, investing, preventable surprises 51:56

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Jérôme Tagger is CEO of Preventable Surprises . Jérôme is a thinker on long term ESG trends (a catch-all phrase for extra-financial environment, social and governance) and systemic risks. He was a Director at the Global Impact Investing Network, the founding COO of the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment, Head of Research at Eurosif and Chief Revenue Officer at ImpactAlpha. Link to video and transcript: www.thendobetter.com/investing/2022/11/2/jrme-tagger-sustainability-esg-as-a-negotiation-impact-investing-podcast We chat about the differing roles of companies, civil society and government. What Jérôme thinks about the most important levers and theories of change. Why ESG could be thought of as a form of negotiation. Whether we have an idea on what the neglected issues or under rated ESG challenges are. What you should be thinking of as the chief exec of a think tank start-up. How we should think about building institutional capital. The importance of relationships and “social capital”. Whether we should consider “less democracy, technocractics rather than democratic decision making. What Jérôme thinks about billionaire philanthropy. What Jérôme is hearing about views on regulation on greenwashing and, in particular, on SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, EU). “... I haven't talked to a single person whether on the finance side, on the NGO side, civil society or otherwise that is happy with this regulation.” Jérôme ends with advice and current projects.…

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