Steven Pinker

Date: 2021-12-02 | Duration: 2h 44m

Episode Overview

Steven Pinker joins Joe Rogan to explore a wide range of topics centered on human cognition, societal progress, and the challenges of misinformation. Early in the conversation, Pinker shares his fascination with visual perception and stereoscopic imagery, explaining how our brains interpret depth through two slightly different images from each eye. This segues into a discussion on nuclear power, where Pinker highlights its safety record compared to other energy sources and argues for its role in addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for better technology and rational debate. The conversation then shifts to the psychology behind conspiracy theories and misinformation. Pinker delves into why people are drawn to conspiratorial thinking, noting the role of tribalism, cognitive biases, and the emotional appeal of certain narratives. He recounts examples like QAnon and Pizzagate to illustrate how these beliefs function more as expressions of identity than evidence-based convictions. Pinker stresses the importance of critical thinking and evidence in combating falsehoods while acknowledging the difficulty of changing deeply held beliefs. Toward the end, Pinker reflects on the future of technology and human cognition, touching on the prospects of brain-computer interfaces and artificial intelligence. He remains cautiously optimistic about humanity’s ability to use reason and data to solve pressing problems, including climate change and social polarization, advocating for cooperation and scientific literacy as keys to progress.

About Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker is a renowned cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author, currently serving as the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind, earning a reputation as one of the leading voices in the field of cognitive science. Pinker is widely known for his compelling advocacy of reason, science, and humanism, as articulated in his acclaimed book "Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress," which argues for a rational approach to understanding human progress. His ability to distill complex ideas into accessible narratives makes him a captivating figure, sparking discussions on the interplay of psychology, language, and societal advancement.

Key Moments

– Visual Cognition
– Stereoscopic Imaging
– Nuclear Power Safety
– Renewable Energy
– Cognitive Biases
– Conspiracy Theories
– Rationality and Evidence
– Memory Reliability
– Forensic Science
– Artificial Intelligence
– UFO Phenomena
– Climate Change
– Effective Altruism
– Social Polarization
– Technology and Society
– Historical Myths
– Psychology of Belief
– Information Trustworthiness
– Data-Driven Policing
– Energy Policy
0:00:26 – Introduction to visual cognition and gadgets
0:03:50 – Explanation of stereoscopic vision and two lenses
0:11:50 – Discussion on nuclear power and Fukushima safety
0:15:56 – Overview of wind energy in Texas
0:21:17 – Psychology and availability bias in perception
0:24:22 – Data-driven policing and crime rate decline
0:25:00 – Introduction to effective altruism movement
0:30:06 – Role of conspiracy theories in society
0:33:00 – Social polarization and lack of diverse perspectives
0:36:07 – Confidence in human-made climate change evidence
0:38:10 – HBO documentary on QAnon and tribalism
0:43:53 – National founding myths and mythological beliefs
0:45:12 – Pizzagate believer's reaction and moral signaling
0:50:34 – Discussion of radicalization and de-radicalization
0:54:56 – Checks and balances in government and ideas
0:59:55 – Scale and complexity of 9-11 conspiracy theories
1:01:07 – Limitations of eyewitness testimony
1:03:53 – False memories and misattributions
1:10:45 – Blackstone's ratio in justice system
1:11:38 – Human symbiosis with cell phones
1:14:09 – Predictions on recreating brain conversations
1:18:00 – Concept of 'haecceity' or thisness
1:22:43 – Retrospective memory and personal narratives
1:26:27 – Surveillance and privacy concerns
1:30:54 – Patterns of conspiratorial thinking
1:34:58 – Conspiracy theories about Robert Maxwell's death
1:43:01 – Influence of rich and powerful people
1:45:27 – Intelligence agencies and conspiracy theories
1:50:29 – Tic-tac UFO sightings and pilot reports
1:53:47 – UFOs detected at varying altitudes rapidly
2:00:32 – Public intellectual perspective on UFOs
2:02:27 – Bayesian reasoning and base rates
2:07:33 – Accelerating expansion of the universe
2:10:11 – John Mack and alien visitation claims
2:14:12 – Consciousness and experience in altered states
2:16:14 – Believing only what has good evidence
2:21:05 – Reduction in racism over time
2:26:27 – Understanding progress and intermittent improvements
2:35:17 – Need for cleaner energy technology
2:38:27 – Carbon capture and air filtration technologies
2:40:02 – Closing remarks and gratitude

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out! Starting point is 00:00:26 And it was about the size of this Starting point is 00:00:42 Yeah. I think it used Starting point is 00:01:05 Yeah. Starting point is 00:01:18 Yes. Starting point is 00:01:47 I use a tripod when I can. Starting point is 00:02:13 So it combines my love of gadgets with my love of visual cognition. Starting point is 00:02:39 scene that changes as you move around even as you shift your head from side to side, as you look at the Starting point is 00:03:31 even if it was just like an abstract rectangle Starting point is 00:03:50 That's when you have two lenses, like we have two eyes. Starting point is 00:04:43 the American West, the Grand Canyon. Starting point is 00:04:59 between the left and right photo Starting point is 00:05:16 with a regular camera. Starting point is 00:05:46 But ordinarily, because your eyes both kind of converge and diverge in and out, Starting point is 00:06:10 Then when you try to get it into focus, now your brain's thinking, well, something is Starting point is 00:06:35 You can just focus at infinity, Starting point is 00:07:07 You know, like Android, because it's such an open source thing, Starting point is 00:07:29 I want to say it was like eight or nine years ago. Starting point is 00:08:01 So you block the left eye, and then the screen shows the image that goes to the right eye. Then you block the right eye, and the screen shows the Starting point is 00:08:33 It's a Samsung phone. Starting point is 00:08:46 That's what I'm thinking of. Where you look at the thing correctly and it was supposed to show Starting point is 00:09:01 I don't even know what it is. You bought that big Starting point is 00:09:21 And there you have the two pictures. Starting point is 00:10:17 But I remember them as when I was a kid, often with cheesy cartoons or Jesus or Santa Claus. Starting point is 00:11:08 We sure do. Starting point is 00:11:27 There haven't been that many. Start...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1743?

Steven Pinker was the guest on JRE #1743. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1743?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1743 with Steven Pinker, topics include Visual Cognition, Stereoscopic Imaging, Nuclear Power Safety, and Renewable Energy.

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