Wilfred Reilly is a professor and the author of "Taboo: 10 Facts You Can't Talk About." During our conversation, Wilfred talks about his early life and upbringing, taboos in American society, using empirical data to assess political claims, incentives within the media for fomenting controversy, race and racism in America, the "St. George in Retirement Syndrome," how many unarmed black men are killed by police, The 1619 Project, and political and cultural changes that might improve America.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Get to know Wilfred Reilly

(01:50) Wilfred Reilly’s personal background

(16:51) Race in America

(27:39) Using empirical data to test political claims

(38:00) The media as an ad agency and its role in amplifying social controversy

(45:24) St. George In Retirement Syndrome

(57:56) The 1619 Project: its claims and its falsehoods

(01:09:14) The kind of policies and cultural shifts that might improve America

(01:16:19) Changing your mind through exposure to facts and new information

(01:21:35) Maintaining independence of thought

(01:26:20) Wilfred Reilly’s recommended thinkers and resources