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What are the big ideas shaping our world now?Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Pandemic response • Addiction science • Social norms • Sleep science • Fairness in economics • Criminal justice • Emotional management • Urban life and happiness • Cognitive biases • Environmental impacts"The Big Idea" is a podcast that delves into the major concepts and issues shaping our contemporary world through discussions with leading thinkers from various disciplines. The podcast explores a diverse array of topics, ranging from scientific inquiries to societal challenges, often blending insights from economics, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and anthropology. Episodes address themes like human behavior, societal norms, and the evolving nature of modern civilization.
Listeners will find episodes examining complex scientific phenomena, such as pandemics, consciousness, addiction, and sleep, aiming to unravel the mysteries underlying these topics. The podcast also approaches social and political matters, discussing subjects like inequality, discrimination, democracy, and governance. Ethical considerations and moral dilemmas are frequently explored, including discussions on fairness, trust, and moral conscience.
Another recurring theme is the influence of technology and data on our lives, with episodes pondering the implications of artificial intelligence, super-intelligence, and the role of big data in understanding human interactions. Additionally, the podcast investigates economic theories and practices, addressing issues like income disparities, the role of institutions, and economic behavior exemplified by discussions on monkey economics and mosquito nets.
Urban living and its psychological impacts form another area of interest, with episodes tackling the creativity and happiness linked to city life, as well as the rules governing societal norms. The concept of change, whether through social movements, technology, or evolving societal norms, is an underlying motive threading through many episodes, challenging traditional understandings and proposing new perspectives on familiar issues. Overall, "The Big Idea" serves as an intellectual exploration of the key ideas shaping today's world, presented through engaging dialogues with experts and academics.
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Fighting pandemics2020-Dec-19 11 minutes |
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The science of addiction 2020-Dec-12 11 minutes |
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The new normal 2020-Dec-05 11 minutes |
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Do cities need rules? 2020-Nov-28 9 minutes |
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The science of sleep 2020-Nov-21 14 minutes |
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The importance of fairness 2020-Nov-14 12 minutes |
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How do we spot rogue cops? 2020-Nov-07 11 minutes |
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Understanding emotions: Should we follow our hearts? 2020-Oct-31 12 minutes |
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Ubernomics 2020-Oct-24 15 minutes |
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Why living in the city could make you happier 2020-Oct-17 13 minutes |
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Why do we find things disgusting? 2020-Oct-10 13 minutes |
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The fragility of choice 2020-Oct-03 9 minutes |
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The truth about marriage 2020-Sep-26 10 minutes |
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How to topple a dictator 2020-Sep-19 9 minutes |
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Why do we laugh? 2020-Sep-12 10 minutes |
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The Afterlife 2018-Sep-23 9 minutes |
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Why Are Some Nations Rich? 2018-Sep-16 9 minutes |
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How does language work? 2018-Sep-09 10 minutes |
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A Future Without Doctors? 2018-Sep-02 8 minutes |
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The Intelligent Tree 2018-Aug-26 9 minutes |
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Consciousness: A Strange Theory 2018-Aug-19 10 minutes |
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The Teenage Brain 2018-Aug-12 10 minutes |
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How To Stop Murder 2018-Aug-05 9 minutes |
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Democracy and Famine 2018-Jul-29 9 minutes |
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Dimensions of Discrimination 2018-Jul-22 11 minutes |
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Inequality Makes Us Anxious 2018-Jul-15 10 minutes |
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Are We All Racist? 2018-Jul-08 11 minutes |
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The New Distrust 2018-Jul-01 10 minutes |
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Contact Theory 2018-Jun-24 9 minutes |
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Economics and Mosquito Nets 2018-Jun-17 10 minutes |
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Memory Wars 2018-Jun-10 10 minutes |
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A World Without Livestock? 2018-Jun-03 9 minutes |
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Outrage and Moral Conscience 2018-May-27 9 minutes |
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Friends 2018-May-20 9 minutes |
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Baby Boffins 2018-May-19 9 minutes |
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Super-Intelligence 2018-May-17 9 minutes |
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Social Physics 2018-May-16 9 minutes |
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The Growth Mindset 2018-May-15 9 minutes |
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Epigenetics 2018-May-14 9 minutes |
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Future Gazing 2018-May-13 9 minutes |
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Monkey Money 2018-May-12 10 minutes |
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The Big Preview: The Big Idea 2018-May-11 2 minutes |