Rationally Speaking is the bi-weekly podcast of New York City Skeptics. Join hosts Massimo Pigliucci and Julia Galef as they explore the borderlands between reason and nonsense, likely from unlikely, and science from pseudoscience. Any topic is fair game as long as we can bring reason to bear upon it, with both a skeptical eye and a good dose of humor! We agree with the Marquis de Condorcet, who said that in an open society we ought to devote ourselves to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them." Rationally Speaking is produced by Benny Pollak and is recorded in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village.
http://www.rationallyspeakingpodcast.org
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This episode features Sarah Haider, the president of Ex-Muslims of North America. Julia and Sarah discuss why it's important to talk about the challenges of leaving Islam, and why that makes people uncomfortable or angry.
Rationally Speaking #226 - Rob Wiblin on "An updated view of the best ways to help humanity"
If you want to do as much good as possible with your career, what problems should you work on, and what jobs should you consider? This episode features Rob Wiblin, director of research for effective altruist organization 80,000 Hours.
Rationally Speaking #225 - Neerav Kingsland on "The case for charter schools"
This episode features Neerav Kingsland, who helped rebuild New Orleans' public school system after Hurricane Katrina, converting it into the country's first nearly-100% charter school system.
Rationally Speaking #224 - Rick Nevin on "The long-term effects of lead on crime"
This episode features Rick Nevin, an economist who is known for his research suggesting that lead is one of the main causes of crime.
Rationally Speaking #223 - Chris Fraser on "The Mohists, ancient China's philosopher warriors"
Not enough people know about the Mohists, a strikingly modern group of Chinese philosophers active in 479-221 BCE. This episode features Chris Fraser, expert on Mohism and professor of philosophy at the University of Hong Kong.
Rationally Speaking #222 - Spencer Greenberg and Seth Cottrell on "Ask a Mathematician, Ask a Physicist"
This episode features the hosts of "Ask a Mathematician, Ask a Physicist," a blog that grew out of a Burning Man booth in which a Spencer Greenberg and Seth Cottrell answer people's questions about life, the universe, and everything.
Rationally Speaking #221 - Rob Reich on "Is philanthropy bad for democracy?"
This episode features political scientist Rob Reich, author of "Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy, and How it Can Do Better". Rob and Julia debate his criticisms of philanthropy.
Rationally Speaking #220 - Peter Eckersley on "Tough choices on privacy and artificial intelligence"
This episode features Peter Eckersley, an expert in law and computer science, who has worked with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Partnership on AI. Peter and Julia first delve into some of the most fundamental questions about privacy.
Rationally Speaking #219 - Jason Collins on "A skeptical take on behavioral economics"
In this episode, economist Jason Collins discusses some of the problems with behavioral economics.
Rationally Speaking #218 - Chris Auld on "Good and bad critiques of economics"
In this episode, economist Chris Auld describes some common criticisms of his field and why they're wrong. Julia and Chris also discuss whether there are any good critiques of the field.