Aporia Podcast

Watch or listen to the full interview at AporiaMagazine.com

Watch and listen to the full interview at AporiaMagazine.com

Listen to the full interview at AporiaMagazine.com

Are the labels of "alpha" and "beta" males in the manosphere a reflection of reality or a gross oversimplification? Alex joins us on Aporia to dissect the dual mate hypothesis, also known as strategic pluralism, and its implications for understanding human mating strategies. Far from the clear-cut narratives often spun in certain corners of the internet, Alex explains that the concept has been distorted beyond its scientific origins, leading to some pervasive myths about women’s mating behaviors. We invite you to listen in as we unravel the threads of evolutionary psychology, challenging the notion that women universally adopt short-term mating strategies at the drop of a hat.

Watch the full inteview at AporiaMagazine.com

See the full interview at AporiaMagazine.com

From the overrepresentation of Muslims in UK prisons to the nuances of racial disparities in crime rates, our conversation traverses the delicate terrain of British society and its criminal justice system. We confront the controversial grooming gangs topic, explore the effects of police bias and public perception, and address the criticism aimed at previous analyses of ethnic crime data. With Noah's expertise, we navigate the intricate tapestry of societal views, law enforcement, and the media's role in shaping our understanding of crime.

In this episode Bo and Noah discuss the ethical maze surrounding AI's integration into our lives and its encroachment upon areas once believed to be exclusively human. They examine the effect of AI on the arts, the possible future where AI surpasses human abilities in intellectual creativity, and the societal shifts that could arise from such changes. From the ethics of using AI in creative fields to the emotional consequences for those who find meaning in their intellectual work, our conversation challenges audiences to reflect on the true value of human expression in the age of technological wonders.

Join us on the Aporia podcast where Bo Winegard and Noah Carl explore free will and moral responsibility. Bo brings to the table a defense of compatibilist free will and retributive justice, challenging those like Robert Sapolsky who believe we should eschew free will and moral agency. The discussion peels back the layers of this philosophical debate, contrasting libertarian views with compatibilist perspectives and explores the complex interplay between human autonomy, moral agency, and the nature of punishment.

Our guest today is Steve Hsu is Professor of Theoretical Physics and of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Michigan State University. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation. Steve is an entrepreneur and has started successful ventures in embryo selection, forensic genetics and artificial intelligence. Steve Hsu- Steve is a polymath- you can see just how wide his interests are on his blog infoproc. Despite his mathematical chops Steve is great at having conversations- I recommend Aporia listeners check out his podcast Manifold.

During the 2020 racial reckoning, after some controversy, Steve stepped down as Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at Michigan State University. You can see his response to the allegations against him here and his resignation here.

Steve published the first paper showing that polygenic scores can predict phenotype with accuracy- see his paper on height here. Steve and his team also have shown that Genomic Prediction's aneuploidy testing improves pregnancy outcomes. We also talked about my article for Aporia on ethical objections to polygenic screening.

In China, Yousheng, loosely translated as "eugenics" doesn't have a bad connotation- as Steve points out here.

Steve is skeptical about the deleterious effects of polygenic screening or gene editing due to pleiotropy.

Simone Collins, former Aporia guest, was also interviewed on Manifold. She used Genomic Prediction's health index.

We talked about Bryan Caplan's books, The Case Against Education and "Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids"

Expanding upon last week's conversation about the race/IQ taboo, Bo Winegard and Noah Carl discuss the ethics of honesty about race differences in cognitive ability. They both agree that candor is better than silence or dishonesty. But they discuss alternative positions sympathetically before forwarding arguments against them.

Is there truly a veil of silence in academic circles when it comes to discussing race and IQ? Noah Carl and Bo Weingard unravel this question by dissecting the assertions of Jackson Jr. and Winston, who deny the existence of such a taboo. They argue controversies in intelligence research stem from poor scholarship rather than an aversion to the topic. Our spirited dialogue challenges their viewpoint, as we scrutinize the nature of academic critique and the undeniable presence of a taboo that, we believe, stifles open conversation on this polarizing subject. By examining our intelligence research controversies database, we aim to separate the wheat from the chaff, identifying where legitimate debate ends and where political or racist rhetoric begins.

Join Walter Veit, University of Reading scholar and pioneering author, as we navigate the intriguing and complex world of animal consciousness. Walter's expertise breathes new life into our understanding of how consciousness could have evolved across species, from the depths of the ocean with the octopus to the humble existence of the worm. Our conversation challenges long-standing human-centric views, uncovering the ethical ramifications of our interactions with animals, and sparking debate over the moral intricacies of artificial sentience, animal farming practices, and the future of lab-grown meat.

Links to Dr. Veit's works:

1. His website: https://walterveit.com/

1. His podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrWalterVeit

2. His paper on clean meat: https://philarchive.org/rec/ANOFWB

3. Can eugenics be defended?: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8321981/

4. Is humane slaughter possible?: https://philpapers.org/rec/BROIHA-7

5. Should parents genetically engineer their children?https://philarchive.org/archive/VEISPG

6. Cognitive enhancement and inequality: https://philarchive.org/rec/VEICEA

7. Mentioned in the episode: Do video game characters matter morally? https://reducing-suffering.org/do-video-game-characters-matter-morally/

8. The logic of the larder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replaceability_argument#:~:text=The%20replaceability%20argument%2C%20or%20the,would%20be%20brought%20into%20existence.

9. Antechinus: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/why-a-little-mammal-has-so-much-sex-that-it-disintegrates

10. Octopus teacher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0LTDhqe5A

Discover the surprising virtues of holding back in activism with Professor Michael Huemer as we ponder the nuanced realities of political engagement. Our discussion demystifies the often misguided enthusiasm within activism and policy predictions, showcasing how even seasoned experts reveal a humbling track record in forecasting political shifts. Huemer's insights challenge us to reconsider the impact of our actions, comparing societal experimentation to the delicate workings of a living organism, where random tampering can lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Are we truly nurturing Britain's bright young minds, or are we letting them slip through the cracks of an outdated education system? We sat down with the formidable Peter Hitchens, whose insights into the role of grammar schools and academic selection are as sharp as they are provocative. Together, we traverse the shifting landscape of the UK's educational standards, where Peter champions grammar schools as essential for social mobility and intellectual development, particularly for the working class. He recounts his own educational path with refreshing honesty, revealing the gaps in his learning journey and challenging the intellectual decline he perceives in today's society.

Aporia sat down with two giants in the field of intelligence research, Charles Murray and Helmuth Nyborg.

We spoke for nearly an hour about a variety of topics, including:

• Intelligence research, its past, present, and future.

• The smartest intelligence researchers and people Charles and Helmuth have met.

• Nationalism and white supremacy

• How societies are “coming apart”

• Whether America was a doomed project

• Whether multi-ethnic societies can be successful

Unlock the mysteries of the mind with our esteemed guest, Richard Haier, the editor-in-chief of the journal Intelligence. This episode promises to dismantle and dissect the concept of intelligence, bringing you a step closer to understanding the intricate workings of the human brain. We dare to venture into the labyrinth of the mind, tackling controversial discussions surrounding intelligence and its measurement.

We're thrilled to have Matt Goodwin, renowned writer, pollster, and professor of politics as our guest for a thought-provoking analysis of Britain's evolving attitudes towards immigration. Matt offers an in-depth look into the public's liberal shift in opinion over the past two decades, juxtaposed against a growing disquiet about the rapidity and magnitude of immigration. Yet, as he astutely notes, these concerns often don't echo within the elite echelons, potentially burdening the upcoming general election with its effects. With contentious policies like the Rwanda plan and border control under the spotlight, we're inviting you to join in on this insightful dialogue.
Timestamps:
(00:30 - 02:39) British Attitudes Towards Immigration and Politics

(05:51 - 07:04) Immigration's Public View and Elite Influence

(10:52 - 11:56) Immigration and Lack of Integration

(20:44 - 22:26) Housing, Immigration, and Medical School Places

(27:59 - 30:20) The Battle for British Conservatism

(32:12 - 34:40) Opinions on Swela Braverman's Political Career

(36:49 - 39:16) Boris Johnson's Migration Policy Backfire

(41:02 - 42:08) Conservative Immigration Policies and Brexit Effects

(46:09 - 47:28) Reforming British Politics

(56:52 - 59:24) Cultural Diversity and Integration Challenges

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Open Borders and Immigration

(07:09) - The Fiscal Effects of Immigration

(19:21) - Impact of Migrants and Immigration Policies

(28:15) - Assimilation and Cultural Differences in Immigration

(34:30) - Immigrants and IQ in First-World Countries

(45:06) - Cultural Preservation and Immigration Considerations

(54:44) - Debate on Immigration and Its Impact

(01:03:49) - Immigration's Impact on Politics

(01:12:27) - Open Borders and Immigration Benefits

Join us for a fascinating exploration as we're joined by Simone Collins, an entrepreneur, pronatalist mother, and a consistent Twitter presence. Simone offers an enlightening perspective on pronatalism and its relation to eugenics. Listen in as we discuss the complexities of demographic collapse and the role of diversity in cultural survival. Simone shares insights on how certain cultures, like South Koreans and Native Americans, are at risk of cultural mass extinction, and how a pluralistic approach to pronatalism could help.

For Bonus Questions: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/

What kind of society do we create if human nature is no longer a limitation? This captivating question serves as the foundation for our in-depth discussion with British social commentator, Toby Young. We navigate the challenging landscapes of meritocracy, conservatism, and the idea of inherited wealth. Inspired by the perspectives of Toby's father, Michael Young, found in his book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy', we critique the concept, entering a thought-provoking debate on the illusions it creates and its potential to extend the lifeline of capitalism. Our conversation also challenges the notion of entitlement, questions the moral balance of a child's inherited advantage, and scrutinizes the genetic lottery's place in a meritocratic society.

Timestamps:

0:00:00) - Critiquing the Concept of Meritocracy

(0:14:08) - Protecting Liberties and Addressing Socioeconomic Inequality

(0:22:10) - Critiquing Meritocracy and Inherited Wealth

(0:38:12) - Addressing Inequality Through Genetic Redistribution

(0:52:13) - Technology's Impact on Equality and Genetics

(0:59:47) - Debating the Feasibility of Utopian Socialism

(1:06:11) - Human Nature and Genetic Alteration

Aella is an independent researcher and data scientist with a focus on sex and relationships. Before that, Aella ran a popular OnlyFans account, earning as much as $100,000 per month. Subscribe to her Substack here:

We tackle the controversial topic of the morality of colonialism with Anglican priest, theologian, and ethicist, Nigel Bigger. Throughout this discussion, we trace the trajectory of the British Empire from its inception through imperialism and colonialism, and its influence across Ireland, North America, India, and Africa. As we compare the British Empire with Nazi Germany, we grapple with questions of ethics, genocide, and the role of private interest groups like the East India Company.

Timestamps: 00:00 - The Morality of Colonialism 22:31 - Comparing British Empire and Nazi Germany 30:04 - The Evils of the British Empire 35:44 - Evaluating British Empire Violence 43:53 - Colonialism's Impact on Economic Development 49:17 - British Empire's Impact on Africa 1:04:49 - Debates on Statues and Colonial Legacy 1:12:59 - Contemporary Politics and Reparations for Slavery 1:20:26 - Reforming Weak States Through Foreign Aid

Read our magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/ Christopher Rufo is a writer, filmmaker, and activist. His work is organized around a simple mission: to challenge and then overthrow the left-wing ideological regime that has dominated American life for a generation. Subscribe to his Substack, follow him on Twitter, and get a copy of his latest book: America's Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything. https://rufo.substack.com/ https://twitter.com/realchrisrufo https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063227533?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S303678PFEN5J9HFMKBN

Read our magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/ Agnes Callard is an American philosopher and an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago. Her primary areas of specialization are ancient philosophy and ethics. New Yorker piece: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/13/agnes-callard-profile-marriage-philosophy

Ed West is a journalist, essayist, and author.

He has one of the best Substacks out there: https://www.edwest.co.uk/

Paul Bloom is a Canadian American psychologist. He is the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University and Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. His research explores how children and adults understand the physical and social world, with special focus on language, morality, religion, fiction, and art.

Our magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/ William Costello is a Ph.D. student of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is part of Dr. David Buss’ lab. In 2021 William graduated with distinction with an MSc in Psychology, Culture and Evolution from Brunel University London. William’s Master’s dissertation was some of the world’s first empirical research investigating the psychology of incels (involuntary celibates).

Aporia Magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/ Bryan Caplan is Professor of Economics at George Mason University, and the New York Times Bestselling author of The Myth of the Rational Voter, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, The Case Against Education, Open Borders, and Labor Econ Versus the World. In this podcast, Diana speaks with Bryan about many topics (timestamps below), but centres the conversation around his book Don’t Be a Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice. You should subscribe to Bryan’s superb Substack: https://betonit.substack.com/

Louise Perry is a journalist and author based in London, UK. She is a columnist for UnHerd and a features writer for the Daily Mail. Louise hosts Maiden Mother Matriarch, a podcast about sexual politics, which is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. Subscribe to her Substack here: https://louiseperry.substack.com/

Our Magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/

Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/AporiaMagazine

Alex Kaschuta is a writer, cultural critic, and podcast host from Romania. Her writing has been featured in the New York Post, the American Mind, Vice, and other outlets. She is the host of the Subversive Podcast, which you can find here: https://alexkaschuta.substack.com/

Prof David Geary is a cognitive developmental and evolutionary psychologist interested in mathematical learning and sex differences. He is currently a Curators’ Professor and Thomas Jefferson Fellow in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Our magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/

Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/AporiaMagazine

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:44 Why do we have sexes and what are they?

3:20 Could we have more sexes? 

4:10 The evolutionary logic behind two sexes

5:55 What is sexual selection and why does it lead to sex differences?

7:05 Differential parental investment strategies

9:20 Humans aren’t as unique as we like to think

10:27 Bo poses a theory about sexual selection 

13:07 Questioning Geoffrey Miller’s The Mating Mind paradigm 

16:24 Lineage enhancement 

18:22 The Danny DeVito problem

19:22 Status versus resources

22:02 Sex differences in the mind

24:45 Most important average differences

27:10 Dodging and throwing objects

31:18 The patriarchy critique 

34:23 Feminism as an elite female ideology

35:58 Trans & the new gender ideology

40:00 Natal girls identifying as transgender

42:58 Is transgender a real category?

49:20 The stupidity of children

51:20 What about transgender suppression? 

53:00 Bonus questions

Nathan Cofnas is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. He works in the philosophy of biology (very broadly construed) and ethics, and the intersection of these fields. He is particularly interested in scientific and ethical controversies connected with evolution-informed social science.  Nathan aspires to do philosophy that is continuous with science. Most of his work deals with methodological issues at the border between science and philosophy, and about half of his publications are in science journals. Nathan studied at Oxford (DPhil, Philosophy), Cambridge (MPhil, History and Philosophy of Science), Lingnan, and Columbia (BA, Philosophy). 

Nathan's article: https://www.nas.org/academic-questions/35/4/four-reasons-why-heterodox-academy-failed

HxA reply: https://heterodoxacademy.org/hxannouncements/a-letter-to-our-members-and-supporters-responding-to-accusations-against-hxa/

0:00 Intro
2:30 How difficult it was for Nathan to publish the article
4:14 Defining heterodoxy
6:35 John McWhorter
9:52 Amy Wax
11:40 HxA’s reply to Nathan
18:00 What HxA should do
21:22 Isn’t it good that HxA engaged with the criticism?
23:59 Who is the unnamed scholar HxA blocked for membership?
27:35 American Renaissance isn’t a hate group
28:46 Why is discussing race important?
36:27 Haidt knows the truth
37:47 The irony of Jews endorsing the racism thesis
39:52 What does Nathan think of Rufo and DeSantis?
46:00 The biggest problem
47:25 Ways out of the abyss
53:24 Academia selects for timidity
54:38 Will the genetic revolution change things?
56:32 Promo for bonus questions

Nathan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nathancofnas?lang=en 

Our Magazine: https://www.ideassleepfuriously.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ideas_Sleep TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@ideassleepfuriously

Adrian Wooldridge is an author and columnist. He is the Global Business Columnist at Bloomberg Opinion. Adrian was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied modern history and was awarded a fellowship at All Souls College. Before joining Bloomberg, Adrian worked at The Economist for over 20 years. He is the author of several books, including Capitalism in America: A History, co-authored with Alan Greenspan, and, most recently, The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World.

Enter our Dysgenics Award competition:  https://www.ideassleepfuriously.com/p/the-first-dysgenics-awards

Malcolm Collins is a neuroscientist-turned-entrepreneur-turned-VC-turned-education innovator. Along with his wife Simone, he is one of Amazon's top 100 best-selling non-fiction writers. Learn more about their work below.  

The Pragmatist Foundation: https://pragmatist.guide 

The Collins Institute for the Gifted: https://collinsinstitute.org

Malcolm and Simone's latest books:  

https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatists-Guide-Governance-optimizing-governance/dp/B0BSJ5SXHM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Simone+H+Collins&qid=1674304558&s=audible&sr=1-1-catcorr 

https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatists-Guide-Crafting-Religion-Demographic/dp/B0BSJ5SXK2/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Simone+H+Collins&qid=1674304558&s=audible&sr=1-2-catcorr 

Timestamps:  

2:46 Malcolm explains why he and his wife did embryo selection 

7:18 Do people realise what they’re arguing for? 

10:15 Overlooking positive pleiotropy & other bad arguments 

17:18 Malcolm’s theory of the cultural super virus 

18:25 Malcolm's general pessimism & falling birth rates 

22:02 The case for optimism: religiosity, ritual, and exogenous motivators 

23:47 Should we talk about the dysgenic effect on IQ? 

24:44 The role of religion in this brave new world 

26:55 Religion as a cultural software package 

30:18 Malcolm’s plan to save the world! 

33:28 Malcolm's idea of “descendant worship” & his thoughts on belief 

34:28 Can artificial beliefs really take hold? 

38:35 Is our current progress a blip & how a neo-Byzantium can survive 

41:08 How many people would actually use genetic technology?  

45:20 The ick factor of genetic tech 

46:42 The costs and pains of IVF  

52:40 Malcolm's 'theological mandate' to create a technophilic culture 

54:35 Malcolm and Simone's gifted school and thoughts on improving education 

1:04:17 Taking the precautionary principle when introducing new technology to children 

1:06:32 A critique Malcolm respects 

1:08:37 Malcolm’s recommended reading 

1:09:59 Malcolm’s most controversial opinion

Garett Jones is Associate Professor of Economics and BB&T Professor for the Study of Capitalism at the Mercatus Center, George Mason University.  His first book, published in 2015 by Stanford University Press, is entitled Hive Mind: How Your Nation's IQ Matters So Much More Than Your Own, and was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal. His second book, also with Stanford, published in 2020, is entitled 10% Less Democracy: Why You Should Trust Elites a Little More and the Masses a Little Less, and was reviewed in The Economist.

Garett's most controversial opinion: https://www.ideassleepfuriously.com/p/garett-jones-most-controversial-opinion