Big Think

• We control nothing, but we influence everything | Brian Klaas: Full Interview

  "It's a true fact, but a bizarre one, that the reason why hundreds of thousands of people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki rather than Kyoto and Kokura, is because of a 19-year-old vacation and a passing cloud." 00:00:00 Chance, chaos, and why everything we do matters 00:00:19 Understanding flukes 00:05:06 Contingent convergence 00:05:26 What is a concrete example of a ‘fluke?’ 00:08:57 Invisible pivot points of life 00:13:05 Does everything happen for a reason? 00:14:54 The history of ideas 00:19:33 The delusion of individualism 00:23:05 How can science help us understand flukes? 00:27:40 Convergence vs contingency 00:28:48 How do ripple effects define our lives? 00:33:18 The Butterfly Effect 00:38:28 What are the ‘Basins of Attraction?’ 00:47:00 How do we define the research model of social change? 01:00:14 What is the upside to uncertainty? 01:10:06 What is your position on free will? 01:17:26 What do we get wrong about ‘The Concept of Genius?’ 01:23:59 Why do people believe in conspiracy theories? ------------------------------------- About Brian Klaas: Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He is also the author five books, including Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (2024) and Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us (2021). Klaas writes the popular The Garden of Forking Paths Substack and created the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast, which has been downloaded roughly three million times. Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, American politics, political violence, elections, and the nature of power. Additionally, his research interests include contingency, chaos theory, evolutionary biology, the philosophy of science and social science, and complex systems. In addition to Fluke and Corruptible, Klaas authored three earlier books: The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy (Hurst & Co, 2017); The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy, (Oxford University Press, 2016) and How to Rig an Election (Yale University Press, co-authored with Professor Nic Cheeseman; 2018). -------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How we can revive Planet Earth in less than 20 years | Sean B. Carroll

  “If given a chance, nature can rebound, and nature can rebound dramatically.” Biologist Sean B. Carroll discusses the resilience of nature and how humans can help it thrive. Humans litter, start wars, hunt, and poach, but history has also shown we are capable of undoing our damage. Carroll highlights Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, where a brutal civil war decimated 98% of the large animal population. Yet, through dedicated conservation efforts, the park has seen a remarkable recovery – and this is not the only example. This video explores the power of awareness and action—no matter how small. While humans have caused significant damage to wildlife, we also possess the ability to restore and protect our planet's biodiversity. Carroll shares insights on how we can coexist with nature, ensuring a healthy and happy future for both humans and other creatures on Earth About Sean B. Carroll: Sean B. Carroll is an award-winning scientist, author, educator, and film producer. He is Distinguished University Professor and the Andrew and Mary Balo and NIcholas and Susan Simon Chair of Biology at the University of Maryland, and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He was formerly Head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, and led the Department of Science Education from 2010-2023. He is also Professor Emeritus of Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin. An internationally-recognized evolutionary biologist, Carroll's laboratory research has centered on the genes that control animal body patterns and play major roles in the evolution of animal diversity. In recognition of his scientific contributions, Carroll has received the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences, been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and elected an Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization.. -------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Fermi Paradox has a potentially terrifying answer: The Dark Forest | David Kipping

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• 3 ways to defend your mind against social media distortions

  **The Impact of Social Media & Attention** 📱🧠 - **Seductive Speed**: Technology allows opinions to spread quickly, captivating our attention. Social media places us in a world where we can compete for engagement even with people on the other side of the world, amplifying distractions. ⏳🔄 - **Attention & Memory**: Constant distractions hinder attention, preventing us from forming new memories. Every online interaction is like a “funhouse of mirrors,” distorting our sense of reality. 🎢 - **Identity Theft**: Data breaches expose our information, leading to risks like fraud, stolen identities, or being locked out of accounts. 🔐💳 - **Mimetic Desire**: Social media exposes us to millions of "models" to emulate, many of whom we can directly compete with. Mimetic desire occurs when we adopt others’ desires as our own, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons and endless cycles of envy. 🔄💭 - **External vs. Internal Models**: External models (e.g., celebrities) don't lead to direct competition, but internal models (e.g., friends, colleagues) are more relatable and can trigger rivalry. The key is understanding when desire for these models is healthy vs. Harmful. ⚖️👀 - **The Dopamine Trap**: Constant exposure to idealized lifestyles on social media can give us fleeting dopamine hits, creating unrealistic fantasies that don't bring lasting happiness. 🌟🌀 - **Social Media’s 'Democratic' Illusion**: Though social media seems like a space for free speech, it's dominated by a small, vocal minority, creating misleading perceptions about the majority. 🚨👥 - **Collective Illusions**: The manipulation of online engagement, like using bots to inflate support, can create false consensus, distorting real public opinion. 🕵️‍♂️🔍 - **The Offline Solution**: To escape the distortion of social media, it's essential to engage in real-life conversations with those around us—family, neighbors, and community members. 🌍💬 - **Mindfulness Training**: To counter distractions and reclaim our attention, practicing mindfulness for just 12 minutes a day can help strengthen focus, enhance awareness, and improve overall mental well-being. 🧘‍♂️🧠 **Key takeaway**: **Mindfulness + Real Connections = Better Attention** 🧘‍♀️🌟 -------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Unmask the comedian. Meet the real Kel Mitchell.

  ### 🎭 **Kel Mitchell: From Pain to Purpose** **Who is Kel Mitchell?** Actor, comedian, author, pastor — and a deeply reflective human being. ### 🌟 Key Life Lessons from Kel’s Story: #### 🧠 1. **Childhood Trauma Sticks Around** - A moment of childhood hate left a lasting imprint. - Unresolved pain can resurface in adulthood and distort how we see others. #### 🤝 2. **The Power of Honest Conversations** - Kel used to bottle up emotions and avoid conflict. - Growth began when he started **sharing his truth** and **understanding others deeply**. #### 💔 3. **Divorce and Losing Access to His Children** - A painful court battle left him alienated from his kids. - Sharing his story on YouTube brought **connection and healing**—for him and others. #### 😔 4. **His Darkest Moment: Suicidal Thoughts** - At a low point, he stood on a balcony ready to give up. - A voice (which he believes was God) told him to **step away** and find healing. ### 🙌 The Comeback: Faith, Family & Self-Love - Rebuilt his life by reconnecting with God and loving himself. - Now a proud father of four and married to a loving partner. - Learned to embrace mistakes as lessons, not regrets. ### 🎮 Kel’s Wisdom, Nintendo-Style: > "The designer made cheat codes to skip levels. Now I know the Designer of me. So I can jump levels in life—because I’ve learned from the pain." ### 💬 Final Message: There’s no going back. But there’s **so much forward** when you let go, learn, and love yourself through the process. -------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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