"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

E10: Sam Harris on Populism, Polarization, and His Beef with the Left and the Right

05.28.2023 - By Erik TorenbergPlay

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Erik sits down with Sam Harris, an author, neuroscientist, podcaster, and philosopher. Sam is known for having crucial conversations about morality, religion, rationality, and the pursuit of truth. This discussion covers Sam’s concerns about populism, polarization, and inequality. We also discuss why Sam is hated by the left and the right. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAM

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LINKS:

Sam's work: https://www.samharris.org/

Sam's podcast Making Sense: https://www.samharris.org/podcasts

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Episode preview

(03:00) Sam’s life’s work

(05:00) Sam’s concerns around the marketplace of ideas

(12:25) Sam is a mistake theorist

(16:45) Sponsors: Secureframe

(21:00) Why Sam is hated by both the left and the right

(23:30) Fundamental conflict between the left and the right

(32:00) Navigating group disparities

(42:00) Individual rights vs group rights

(48:00) Is wokeness the new religion?

(52:00) Sam’s critique of populism

(59:00) Sam’s defenses of experts/institutions

(1:12:00) The right doesn’t sufficiently appreciate luck

(1:17:45) Polarization is better than a one-party state

(1:22:00) Global governance

TWITTER:

Erik’s Twitter: @eriktorenberg

Upstream : @upstream__pod

Making Sense Podcast: @MakingSenseHQ

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