Serious Inquiries Only
Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics. These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way! This is not your typical interview podcast; it's a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.
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SIO93: Listener Voicemail!
It's time for one of my favorite things, and that is - hearing from you! We've got some great voicemail for this episode, from diverse viewpoints. For example, did you know that equality happened in 1992? Neither did I! These are always my favorite episodes, so I highly recommend you don't miss it! Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO92: Was the DNC Rigged?
It's another topic decide by the fine folks over at patreon.com/seriouspod! Donna Brazile made a huge stir with her article on Politico.com claiming the DNC was rigged in favor of Hillary. She actually later walked back that language, but that didn't stop an avalanche of accusations on both sides. I tried very hard to check all my biases and take a look at the evidence and see what really happened. Intercept Article; 2015 Politico Article; 2016 Politico Article; 538 on Number of Debates; Politifact on DWS Claim; 2016 Dem Primary Polls; Vox Clinton Dem Victory Timeline; WaPo Brazile Walks Back Claim; Flaw in Brazile Argument; Joint Fundraising Agreement; Stephanie Zvan Piece; 538 System Isn't Rigged Against Bernie; DNC Pledges to Change Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO91: Dr. Kate Biberdorf on Science Outreach
Dr. Kate Biberdorf is the brains behind the science outreach program 'Fun with Chemistry!' We talk about the disturbing anti-science attitude prevalent in our society right now and the exciting and laudable work she and others are doing to make science cool again! Check her out at https://www.katethechemist.com or http://www.funwithchem.com! Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO90: Uranium and #DARVO: An Epistemological Crisis
A listener sent me an email about a concept called DARVO. It's a tactic abusers use and it's shockingly exactly what Trump (and maybe a certain other someone we all know...) is doing. I talk about that and then look into some questions like, did Hillary give 20% of our Uranium to the Russians? Did the DNC and the HIllary campaign collude with Russia to fix the election? Then I talk about why we shouldn't be talking about those questions.... It's meta. Medium Article Explaining DARVO; Fact checks on Uranium - 1, 2, 3, 4; WaPo on Clinton and Giustra; 2008 NYT on Kazakhstan Mining Deal; NYT 2015 on Uranium Deal; Clinton Foundation Money; Clinton Foundation Statement; Murdoch Outlets Bash Mueller; WaPo Dossier DNC Connection; Vox Epistemic Crisis Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO89: Three Stories of #metoo
As you likely saw, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelations, women started sharing their stories of sexual harassment and assault under the hashtag #metoo. I wish we lived in a world where this kind of thing wasn't necessary, but unfortunately we don't. We live in a world where people still somehow believe this isn't a widespread problem. Where people are in, at best, a state of ignorance. I want to do whatever I can to remove that ignorance, so I've invited 3 women onto the show who are willing to tell their stories. Let's listen. It's really the least we can do. Special thanks to Felicia Entwistle of Utah Outcasts for guest outreach. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO88: Trump's Participation Trophies, Part 3
It's part 3, which may or may not be the final part! Once again, here is the original list of accomplishments. We've got some doozies today! 20. Pentagon Report 21. The NASA Bill 22. NY Times on the Rule; NPR on Obama's Rule 23. Polling on Obamacare 24. Bombing ISIS 25. Trump's Fake Philanthropy; AP on Inaugural Fund 26. Republicans Hate Veterans 27. No link needed yet 28. Pointless Education EO Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO87: Eli Bosnick with Brian, Dmitry and not Sean from Mythicist Milwaukee
Well, here's the terrible recording with Brian and Dmitry from Mythicist Milwaukee, but not their president and co-founder, Sean. Thanks to Eli for coming on. This will be the last episode dedicated to Mythicist Milwaukee. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO86: Emotion is Critical to Reasoning
Today's episode I have to explain a few things about the next couple recordings, and then I talk about some of the science behind emotion and logic. My more qualified wife, Lydia, did some research on this question. A man lost his ability to feel emotion when a brain tumor operation went badly. What do you think happened to him? Was he all of a sudden a superhero of logic and rationality? Or was his entire life ruined? Find out! Then I do a long overdue voicemail segment. I play several of your voicemails left after the MM event, and I play a few from more of the Sargon crowd who actually make some arguments worth discussing. Because I am in favor of a battle of ideas when those ideas aren't "Should we sexually harass women." Here are some links! XKCD; Using Only Logic Destroys Decision Making; Emotion is not the Enemy of Reason; Mental Shortcuts, Not Emotions, Guide Irrational Decisions. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO85: PZ Myers
Joining me on the show for the first time is biologist and blogger PZ Myers! I wanted to get PZ's view of the atheist movement and how it has evolved, from his perspective. He has a fascinating story to tell, and we barely scratched the surface! Check out his blog Pharyngula. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO84: Interview with Jessica Xiao; Sargon's Persecution Complex
Today's episode is a bit of a double feature. First up is a conversation with feminist writer Jessica Xiao! Jessica had a post about male feminists that I found very interesting and I'm so glad she agreed to come on to talk about it. We also discuss her background and where she sees herself (if at all) within the atheist movement. Check out Jessica's website for more about her and her writing! After that, I break down just how much dishonesty and victim complex there is in a video Sargon made about me. I wouldn't bother, except that it so perfectly encapsulates why Sargon and his followers feel so persecuted all the time. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO83: Dr. Kristi Winters
Today I'm very pleased to bring you an interview with Kristi Winters! Kristi was perhaps the main driver behind the awareness campaign for just how awful Sargon is. But, there is so much misinformation out there about what exactly she did that even I was surprised by the full story, despite the fact that we were in semi-regular communication. You should definitely check out her youtube channel here! Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO82: The Mythinformation Shitshow
As you likely know by now, Mythinformation conference was a shitshow. Here's my story. This whopper could have easily been 2 episodes but I didn't want to make you wait. Don't say I never did anything for you. I've got a message to anyone involved in the Mythicist Milwaukee organization at the 77 minute mark. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO81: David Tamayo of Hispanic American Freethinkers
Hey, I know there's a ton to talk about with the Mythinformation fiasco but that will have to wait, as today I have David Tamayo of Hispanic American Freethinkers! David will be at California Freethought Day (we hope you'll join us!) We discuss atheism and religion in the Hispanic and Latino community, and talk about the really interesting things his organization is doing to try to bring some more skepticism into the world! A huge, huge thank you to everyone who pledge at patreon.com/seriouspod. It really means alot to me, and I am going to get you the MM episode early as a thanks! Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com Direct Download
SIO80: The Red Pill: Debunking the MRAs, Part 1
I watched The Red Pill so you don't have to... In today's episode, due to some scheduling circumstances, I'm starting my next series before ending my previous one. Instead of Part 3 on Trump's participation trophies, it's part 1 on debunking the MRAs! #whatabout: workplace fatalities, suicide rates, college graduation rates, and homelessness rates? I take a look at these MRA claims in detail. Here are some key links: The Red Pill Funding; Understanding Red Pill People; Article on Job Deaths; Suicide Rate CDC Stats; Women Are Testing Better At Math; Census Data on College; Benefits from Degrees are Better for Men; HUD Homelessness Stats. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com
SIO79: James Damore, Author of the Google Memo
On an episode of Dave Rubin, James Damore lamented the fact that no one on the left had been willing to have a long form discussion with him and that his previous ones had been edited to be misleading. So, I wanted to show that I, as a lefty, would be more than willing to have a long form, unedited discussion with him. Here is his original memo. Here's probably the best source of scientific refutations of his memo. Google Unconscious Bias Training I referenced. Really good source on sexism in tech. Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/seriouspod Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com