The Serious Pod Network

Thomas and Lydia
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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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Episodes

AS247: Ableist Language with Ania Bula

Here's the somewhat more contentious part 2 you've all been waiting for! In this one, Ania is a bit more critical of some of the ableist aspects of society, including language used by your host. We got into a hearty debate on the issue, and then I comment on it after. I'm very, very curious …

Jun 6, 2016 · 56 min · With Thomas Smith

AS246: Ania Bula on Living with Disability

Ania Bula has written a book called Young, Sick, and Disabled. Find it on amazon here. It's about the challenges of living with disabilities and having everyone and their mother recommend things to you constantly. We talk about her life experiences as well as some reasons why society might still have a way to go in …

Jun 2, 2016 · 56 min · With Thomas Smith

AS245: Objective Morality, Boltzmann Brains and More

I'm back for some more analysis of points brought up in the Sean Carroll episodes. Spoiler alert: Sean Carroll was right about Boltzmann brains. Who would have thought! It took a commenter with a background in physics to actually address the problem I brought up on its own terms to convince me. I got even …

May 30, 2016 · 41 min · With Thomas Smith

AS244: Sean Carroll, Part 2

We're back for more with Dr. Sean Carroll! This time it's even more action packed. We talk about his debate with William Lane Craig, which I think is one of the best atheism/religion debates out there on the YouTubes. In addition to that, we talk about the Boltzmann Brain Problem, and Sean answers questions from …

May 26, 2016 · 45 min · With Thomas Smith

AS243: The Big Picture, with Sean Carroll

This week I have Dr. Sean Carroll on the show!!! I'm more excited than I can contain! Sean has a new book called The Big Picture. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here. In today's episode, we talk about Sean's new book, which I highly recommend everyone go buy! In additional to discussing the …

May 23, 2016 · 40 min · With Thomas Smith

AS242: Einstein, Godel, and God

Time for a change of pace! This episode I speak to a listener who doesn't want to call himself an atheist. We debate about that, and we also discuss Einstein and Godel's religious views. If those men were so brilliant and yet had some amount of belief in god, who are we to disagree? Godel's …

May 19, 2016 · 49 min · With Thomas Smith

AS241: Social Justice Commentary 2

Back by popular demand! I had almost universally positive answers when I asked listeners if I could get away with doing some more commentary on this. So I did! This time I'm getting more into the issues that I wasn't able to last Thursday. I have a few links I said I'd post as well: …

May 16, 2016 · 54 min · With Thomas Smith

AS240: Social Justice Commentary

Well today's the day I finally speak up after staying virtually silent for 3 episodes. I talk about some aspects of the Eli James debate and actually also explain some practical issues, like why I stayed virtually silent for 4 hours. There's absolutely no way I can cover everything or even like half the things, …

May 12, 2016 · 52 min · With Thomas Smith

AS239: Eli and James on Trigger Warnings

The third and final part of the lengthy debate between Eli and James focuses on trigger warnings.

May 9, 2016 · 80 min · With Thomas Smith

AS238: Eli and James, Part 2

You guys know the drill. Two great minds squaring off on social justice and related topics. Here's a nice long part 2 out of 3! If you'd like to hear part 3 early, you can always hop on over to Patreon and subscribe!

May 5, 2016 · 80 min · With Thomas Smith

AS237: James Lindsay and Eli Bosnick on Social Justice

This is it! Something I've been trying to have happen for a long time! I've been critical of people on both sides of these issues only dealing with their respective echo chambers and never engaging, and I've wanted to be a better example for you guys for quite some time now. It has been very …

May 2, 2016 · 83 min · With Thomas Smith

AS236: Originalism with Andrew Torrez

Back by popular demand is Andrew Torrez! Last time we talked about Scalia and originalism, this time we're going to do that again but also touch on some surrounding issues. Prepare to learn a ton about why Scalia was even more annoying that you thought! Check out his blog here.

Apr 28, 2016 · 58 min · With Thomas Smith

AS235: Do We Live In A Simulation?

It's an argument I've seen floating around multiple places lately. In the future, simulations of universes will surely outnumber the one regular universe. Therefore, it's more likely we're in a simulation! I think it's actually a terrible argument and I talk about why. Plus, more on the soccer team pay discrepency from last week, as …

Apr 25, 2016 · 41 min · With Thomas Smith

AS234: Scientifically Speaking

It's time for some science up in this podcast! Joining me for the second time is Krakus Varsovian, who you may remember from an episode back in September. The state of science funding in Canada back then was dire, but it has since improved! In addition to a science funding update, Krakus is going to …

Apr 21, 2016 · 50 min · With Thomas Smith

AS233: The Gender Wage Gap

In the spirit of Equal Pay Day which happened recently, I've got Miss Bea Haven from Promoting Secular Feminism on to talk about gender inequality in income. Is the 79 cents figure a myth? well… sort of but also sort of not… You'd better listen to see what I mean! If you enjoyed Miss Bea, …

Apr 18, 2016 · 39 min · With Thomas Smith