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Big Think
By bigthinkEducation
Big Think episodes
- The alarm bells are sounding for young men. Will we listen? | Richard Reeves
“It's certainly clear that the issues of boys and men haven't gone away in the last few years. If anything, they're getting even more attention, which is good when it's the right kind of attention.”
The conversation around masculinity is a political battlefield, devolving into extreme caricaturization: uncritical celebration or outright demonization. Where does the nuance of this discussion live?Richard Reeves argues that this binary leaves out the real story: how changing economies, shifting cultural expectations, and the absence of strong male role models have left many young men without a clear path forward.0:00 Blaming young men1:24 Rethinking how we talk about masculinity2:45 The rise in male deaths from drugs3:17 The male rate of suicide4:14 Male representation in different professions6:10 Men and purpose6:52 Median annual earnings of men8:54 Men and the “get rich quick” scheme10:31 Online gambling addiction12:15 What does non-toxic masculinity look like?13:17 Policy for young males14:46 Male support systems19:08 GPA distribution amongst boys and girls----------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Richard Reeves:Richard V. Reeves is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he directs the Future of the Middle Class Initiative and co-directs the Center on Children and Families. His Brookings research focuses on the middle class, inequality and social mobility.Richard writes for a wide range of publications, including the New York Times, Guardian, National Affairs, The Atlantic, Democracy Journal, and Wall Street Journal. He is the author of Dream Hoarders (Brookings Institution Press, 2017), and John Stuart Mill – Victorian Firebrand (Atlantic Books, 2007), an intellectual biography of the British liberal philosopher and politician.Dream Hoarders was named a Book of the Year by The Economist, a Political Book of the Year by The Observer, and was shortlisted for the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice. In September 2017, Politico magazine named Richard one of the top 50 thinkers in the U.S. For his work on class and inequality.A Brit-American, Richard was director of strategy to the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2012. Other previous roles include director of Demos, the London-based political think-tank; social affairs editor of the Observer; principal policy advisor to the Minister for Welfare Reform, and research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Richard is also a former European Business Speaker of the Year and has a BA from Oxford University and a PhD from Warwick University.-------------------
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28 min - The biggest lies about good sex and how to have it, debunked | Emily Nagoski: Full Interview
"Virtually everything we're taught about sexuality for the first two decades of our lives is wrong."
Most of us were taught a version of sex education that veered into fiction rather than fact – stories that were rooted in shame, stereotypes, and outdated science.If you’ve ever wondered why your experience of sex doesn’t match what you were told it “should” be, Emily Nagoski wants to help you unlearn widespread misinformation, and have better sex.Nagoski shares the truth about spontaneous vs. Responsive desire, explains the real function of pleasure in the brain, and shows how unlearning toxic sexual scripts can transform not just relationships, but self-worth.Chapters:00:00:00 Sex education00:04:09 Understanding desire00:17:59 What prevents great sex?00:34:13 Understanding yourself00:40:17 The orgasm01:01:50 Redefining sex01:21:01 Expanding orgasms--------------------------------------------------About Emily Nagoski:Emily Nagoski is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling Come As You Are and The Come As You Are Workbook, and coauthor, with her sister, Amelia, of New York Times bestseller Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. She earned an M.S. In counseling and a Ph.D. In health behavior, both from Indiana University, with clinical and research training at the Kinsey Institute. Now she combines sex education and stress education to teach women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies. She lives in Massachusetts with two dogs, a cat, and a cartoonist.-------------------
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1 hr 33 min - The Fermi Paradox has a potentially terrifying answer: The Dark Forest | David KippingFolllow this Podcast for daily Episodes
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19 min - 10 biggest world threats of 2024, ranked | Ian Bremmer
00:00 Introduction00:28 Why a Top Risks report?01:31 2024 is a geopolitical recession03:45 #10 Risky business05:07 #9 El Niño is back07:03 #8 No room for error09:05 #7 The fight for critical minerals11:23 #6 No China recovery12:52 #5 The axis of rouges15:50 #4 Ungoverned AI18:53 #3 Partitioned Ukraine21:34 #2 Middle East on the brink24:53 #1 The US vs. Itself28:55 The case for optimism in 2024Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes-------------------
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41 min - Yuval Noah Harari: ChatGPT is the “amoeba of AI evolution”
**Are we losing our humanity to machines?** In a world where AI never sleeps, humans are being forced to keep up with an unforgiving digital cycle. This episode explores the growing tension between organic life—bound by rest, seasons, and natural rhythms—and the relentless, inorganic system of algorithms that now shape our reality. Even the tech leaders building AI admit they’re afraid of what they’re creating. But if we’re at a turning point in the history of the universe, are we in control—or just bystanders in the rise of something bigger? **The next phase of evolution is here, but will we survive it?**
“What's happening now in the world is tension between organic animals and an inorganic digital system which is increasingly controlling and shaping the entire world.”
Part of existing as an “organic entity” such as a human is that we live our lives by cycles: Day, night. Winter, summer, Growth, decay. Sometimes we’re active, other times we need rest. But algorithms and computers never need rest – they are ‘on’ all the time.In a world that is becoming increasingly more digital, humans are being forced to adapt to the “always on” schedule of these systems, says @YuvalNoahHarari, the best-selling author of 'Sapiens' and ‘Nexus,’ while in conversation with journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin @92NY.Adapting to these schedules has made our lives more and more public, creating a life that mirrors “one long job interview,” says Harari, as any of our actions can be chronicled and follow us around for decades. At its crux, this is destructive to how we function. Here’s how we got here, and how we can course-correct, according to the historian.
About Yuval Noah Harari:Prof. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, the series Sapiens: A Graphic History and Unstoppable Us, and Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI. His books have sold over 45 Million copies in 65 languages, and he is considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals today.
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8 min - Brian Cox breaks down the most mysterious scale in the cosmos
"It's a very, very beautiful calculation, but it's the best example I know of the relationship between these rather abstract quantities perhaps and something that you can look at in a telescope."
What happens when you try to look too closely at the fabric of the universe? When we gaze at a Planck length, a scale so small that even light becomes useless for observation, physics pushes back.The Planck length is not just a tiny number, it’s a boundary where gravity, quantum mechanics, and relativity collide. Physicist Brian Cox explains why the measurement is a portal to the deep structure of reality, and why going beyond it may break the boundaries of our understanding.Chapters:
0:00 Introduction0:45 The importance of measurements2:40 What are the fundamental quantities?7:20 How important is the Planck length?9:20 Why you can’t approach the Planck length10:30 A theory with more dimensions13:00 What keeps a star from collapsing?14:42 The uncertainty principle17:36 The Planck mass-------------------------------About Brian Cox:Brian Cox obtained a first class honors degree in physics from the University of Manchester in 1995 and in 1998 a Ph.D. In High Energy Particle Physics at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg. He is now Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester, The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Brian is widely recognized as the foremost communicator for all things scientific, having presented a number of highly acclaimed science programs for the BBC watched by billions internationally including ‘Adventures in Space and Time’ (2021), ‘Universe’ (2021), ‘The Planets’ (2018), ‘Forces of Nature’ (2016), ‘Human Universe’ (2014), ‘Wonders of Life’ (2012), ‘Wonders of the Universe’ (2011) and ‘Wonders of the Solar System’ (2010).As an author, Brian has also sold over a million books worldwide including ‘Black Holes’, ‘Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos’, ‘Quantum Universe’ and ‘Why Does E=mc2?’ with co-author Professor Jeffrey Forshaw. He has set several world records for his sell-out live tours, including his most recent tour Horizons which has taken in venues across the globe.--------------------
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27 min - The mind-bending probability of our existence | Sean B. Carroll: Full Interview
“It's a remarkable series of events that were required for us to be here, and that so many things could have happened in a different way that we wouldn't be here at all, both individually, and as a species.”
What if your existence hinged on a single cosmic accident that took place millions of years ago? Biologist Sean B. Carroll examines the chain of events that made humanity’s domination as a species possible.From the specific chemistry of an asteroid to Earth’s shifting atmosphere, Carroll unpacks how a series of fortunate events made our planet the perfect cradle for mammals.Chapters:
00:00:00 Part 1: The role of chance in the creation of life00:00:16 What are the odds that life exists on any given planet?00:00:48 What developments led to life on Earth?00:01:58 Where do you begin our origin story?00:04:51 What is unique about the last 3 million years on Earth?00:06:04 What mass extinctions has Earth faced?00:07:33 What events allowed humans to flourish?00:15:37 Why was the K-Pg asteroid so devastating?00:18:25 How did life on Earth rebound from the K-Pg asteroid?00:19:57 How much have we evolved since the age of hunter-gatherers?00:24:16 Are we lucky to be here?00:27:20 Part 2: The resilience of nature.00:27:30 Would nature heal itself if humans ceased to exist?00:29:36 How much of an impact have humans had on Earth?00:33:16 Can we think of Earth as an organism?00:37:16 What are the “Serengeti rules?”00:39:48 What is the leading cause of biodiversity loss?00:46:56 How resilient is nature?00:51:12 What did COVID teach us about nature’s ability to rebound?00:53:09 Why is biodiversity critical to human flourishing?00:54:04 What can we do to protect both us and the planet?01:00:39 Is there time for the planet to rebound?01:04:42 PART 3: The evolution of human experience.01:04:52 Has the quality of human life improved over time?01:06:27 What impact has medical science had on humanity?01:08:23 How have agricultural advances changed lives?01:10:12 Why is it important to understand the rules of life?01:09:14 How are our bodies regulated?---------------------------------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.His latest book is A Series of Fortunate Events.Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes-------------------
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1 hr 19 min - America’s culture war thrives on anger. Here’s how to escape it. | The Dilemma Ep. 2
Are you willing to engage with someone whose beliefs seem completely opposed to your own? Here’s why it might be worth the effort.
In 2016, Genesis Be protested against Confederate Heritage Month, and was left surprised after an unlikely conversation with a Confederate flag advocate. Their discussion didn’t sway their stances, but it did reveal unexpected respect for one another.
Before approaching someone else’s views, reflect on your own. Ask yourself why you believe what you do. Confront your fears and identify how they impact your behavior. Doing so will help you dissect and truly understand the beliefs of others, even if they don’t align with your own. Instead of letting anger drive our actions, we can focus on understanding what truly motivates us—and those we disagree with.
This mutual vulnerability allows us to recognize the humanity behind our “opponents,” and find common ground where we once thought there was none.
This is The Dilemma with Irshad Manji, a series from Big Think created in partnership with Moral Courage College.
About Irshad Manji:
Irshad Manji is an award-winning educator, author, and advocate for moral courage and diversity of thought. As the founder of Moral Courage College, she equips people to engage in honest conversations across lines of difference.
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24 min - 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 EarthAbout 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..Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes
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14 min - Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe
"We are all in orbit around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. How big is this collection of stars? Somewhere between 200 and 400 billion suns in the Milky Way galaxy, about 100,000 light years across."
How do we measure the universe, and are we doing it wrong? Physicist Brian Cox uncovers the hidden assumptions behind our units of measurement, showing how human perspective distorts our understanding of space, time, and scale.Cox explores the fundamental constants—like the speed of light, Planck’s constant, and gravity—that underpin the very fabric of our universe.00:00 Biologically-based measurements01:26 3 fundamental quantities01:42 The speed of light01:57 Strength of gravity02:26 Planck’s constant04:20 Observing a Planck length05:32 Distance to the planets08:18 Distance to other galaxies### **Key Takeaways**
1. **Human Scales Are Arbitrary** – Meters and feet are based on biology, not universal truths. Aliens wouldn’t use them.
2. **Nature’s Fundamental Constants** – Physics reveals deeper rulers:
- **Speed of light** (cosmic speed limit).
- **Planck’s constant** (quantum uncertainty).
- **Gravity’s strength** (shapes spacetime).
3. **Planck Length: The Smallest Possible** – At **10⁻³⁵ meters**, probing further creates black holes. A proton vs. This is like the solar system vs. A virus.
4. **Cosmic Scales Defy Intuition** – From our Sun (flying around it takes a year) to galaxies (Andromeda’s light is 2.5M years old), the universe is **inconceivably vast**—possibly infinite.
5. **Life’s Potential Cosmic Role** – If intelligence persists, it could someday manipulate galaxies, making life *more* than a "speck."
### **Mind-Blowing Fact**
The edge of the *observable* universe is **46B light-years away**—but the *actual* universe may be infinite.
*(Host: Brian Cox | Particle Physicist)*
**Want more?** Follow Big Think for cosmic insights. 🌌
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