–Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley, Faculty Director of the Greater Good Science Center, and author of the book “The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence,” joins David to discuss the dynamics of power in society, including myths and truths, and how power can corrupt. Get the book: https://amzn.to/3jQMFKZ
Did the Qanon conspiracy theory’s most ridiculous elements have come from Evangelical Christianity?
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said recently that she “never lied” during her time in the Trump administration because her belief in God prevented her from doing that. Her lies during her short time in office are well documented, but claims like this help fuel the Republican base into thinking their leaders are infallible.
What’s It going to take for Americans to abandon the macho fantasy of a good Guy with a gun?
What if this world is actually one giant prison? When the 19th-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer observed the amount of pain that we experience during our lifetimes, he concluded that it’s not happiness and pleasure we’re after, but a reduction of the ongoing suffering that’s an inherent part of existence.
When we remove the veil of ignorance and behold the harsh reality we live in, we might start to question, as Schopenhauer does, the idea that, I quote, “this world is the successful work of an all-wise, all-good, and, at the same time, all-powerful Being.” For Schopenhauer’s view of the world is one of agony — devoid of divine grace — and it has much more in common with a “penal colony” than with the creation of a benevolent deity. Now, seeing the world as a prison sounds like a recipe for personal misery. Why not adopt a more positive, more hopeful perspective? Why look at it with such pessimism?
Well, Schopenhauer’s idea comes with a twist. Within his pessimistic worldview lies an outlook that could be very beneficial to humanity. Based on his essay On the Sufferings of the World, this video explores Schopenhauer’s pessimistic outlook on life and reveals a secret to be gained from it.
Defense spending was never really a story of military issues. It’s really more of an economic story.
To mark Economic Update’s 10th anniversary year, Professor Wolff is revisiting relevant moments from 10 years ago to explore how capitalism, its defenders, and its critics have all changed.
For the month of April, Prof Wolff takes a look at defense spending, which was at its height in 2011, accounting for 4.5% of the total US GDP. 10 years later, the Biden Administration has announced the final withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, ending the 20 year war without the defeat of the Taliban. But there was a winner: the defense industry.
In this video, we cover the life and philosophy of one histories darkest and most comprehensive philosophers, the original pessimist, Arthur Schopenhauer.
Why is worshipping celebrities so destructive to both ourselves and our world? Chris Hedges explains why.
We will win the culture war – if we understand what it is – and don’t underestimate ourselves. We have reality on our side. That’s a pretty strong advantage. And when we win, everyone wins.
