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The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer
Public Health
Liberal Values
Mental Health
Healthcare Reform
Cancel Culture
Covid-19
Health Inequities
Individual Autonomy
Vaccines
Socio-Economic Factors
Free Speech
Meaning Of Life
Personal Growth
Diversity and Inclusion
Tax Incentives
Identity Politics
Philanthropy
Luck
Cognitive Psychology
Creativity

The Michael Shermer Show is a series of long-form conversations between Dr. Michael Shermer and leading scientists, philosophers, historians, scholars, writers and thinkers about the most important issues of our time.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes579Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Latest Episodes

Brain-computer interfaces are moving out of the lab and into real medical use.

In this episode of The Michael Shermer Show, Michael Shermer talks with Dr. Matt Angle, founder and CEO of Paradromics, a neurotechnology company developing one of the m... more

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At the turn of the 20th century, millions of Americans, including elite scientists, major newspapers, and cultural icons, were convinced that Mars was home to an advanced civilization.

In this episode, Michael Shermer speaks with award-winning scie... more

YouTube

What if the great discoveries of science came in the "wrong" order? The Laws of Thermodynamics were discovered well after the creation of algebra, classical physics, and chemistry, but are perhaps much more important to our basic understanding of the... more

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Criminal profiling promises certainty in the face of horror: this is what a killer looks like, this is how they think, this is how we stop them. But what if that promise is mostly an illusion?

In this episode, Michael Shermer is joined by journalis... more

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Recent Guests

David Baron
Award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author of The Martians, a true story of an alien craze that captured turn of the century America.
Episode: The Original Alien Craze: When People Believed in Martians
Chris Edwards
Teaches history, English, and mathematics at a public school and is a contributor to Skeptics.
Episode: How AI Sees Science Differently Than We Do
Rachel Corbett
Features writer at New York Magazine and author of You Must Change Your Life.
New York Magazine
Episode: Can You Spot a Killer? The Dangerous Fantasy of Criminal Profiling
Gaurav Suri
Associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, computational neuroscientist and experimental psychologist, director of the RAD Lab, co-author of "A Certain Ambiguity"
San Francisco State University
Episode: The Emergent Mind: From Ant Colonies to Human Thought to Artificial Intelligence
Jay McClelland
Professor of Psychology and Computer Science at Stanford University, influential cognitive scientist and founder of the study of artificial neural networks.
Stanford University
Episode: The Emergent Mind: From Ant Colonies to Human Thought to Artificial Intelligence
Caleb Scharf
Astrobiologist and Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA Ames Research Center
NASA
Episode: Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Simon Winchester
Legendary author of many acclaimed New York Times bestselling books including The Professor and the Madman and The Breath of the Gods.
Episode: Why Eastbound Flights Are Faster, and Other Strange Things About Wind (Simon Winchester)
Angus Fletcher
Professor of Story Science at Ohio State University and author
Ohio State University
Episode: Logic, Creativity, and the Limits of AI: How Humans Think in Ways Machines Never Will
Nicholas Wright
Dr. Nicholas Wright, member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Ph.D. Neuroscientist
University College London, Georgetown University, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime?

Host

Michael Shermer
Host of engaging discussions focusing on science, skepticism, and critical thinking with leading experts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Annoying

    Ideologue posing as a rationalist as he spews half baked falsehoods. And his voice is so annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Schuy1237
    United States2 months ago
  • Like all libertarians there is bias

    I used to really enjoy Shermer’s podcast, however now I have noticed his right wing slant. I suppose this is the natural way of libertarians.

    I liked his discussions with academics but now he just has influencers and people of headlines. The show has been dumbed down.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RobSub
    United States2 months ago
  • Peeza82 review nails it

    Confirmation bias at the expense of critical thinking. The nuclear energy episode was a perfect example of this.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TheArtfulBadger
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Does not respect experts in humanistic fields

    Michael and the rest of the IDW figures he associates himself with often draw heavily on knowledge from the human sciences and vague humanistic truisms about literature and art that completely ignore the rigorous and highly expert scholarship of those with advanced degrees in fields such as English and Philosophy. Worse yet, Michael seems to actively REFRAIN from interviewing folks who are not disgruntled former humanities scholars to provide “perspectives” on cultural and aesthetic experience. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mousetrap Subscriber
    United States5 months ago
  • Sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought…

    Shermer’s persona fears much and understands little beyond the finite centre of his immediate experience. Seeking the validation of men above his station and loathe to face the bogeyman he constructs, Shermer cuts an antipathetic figure that towers in an echo chamber of astounding resonance. Taken as tragicomedy, the Michael Shermer show is satisfactory entertainment.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mousetrap Subscriber
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many enjoy the depth of conversations, acknowledging the unique blend of science and philosophy presented, though some express disappointment at the drift in content direction.
Critiques often focus on perceived biases from the host, with some expressing concern over a shift towards more right-wing perspectives.
Some listeners appreciate the show for its intellectual rigor and insightful discussions.
Guests are largely praised as being knowledgeable and thought-provoking, though there are calls for more diverse viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Wars Last Longer Than Experts Predict
Q: What would it take to achieve nuclear zero?
Given the current global context with rising nuclear proliferation and the strategic advantages of nuclear weapons, achieving nuclear zero is highly unlikely.
Why Wars Last Longer Than Experts Predict
Q: What are other factors besides military power that determine the outcome of wars?
Leadership, political structures, economic strength, and societal cohesion play significant roles in how states conduct wars and manage military power.
Why Wars Last Longer Than Experts Predict
Q: Why did the experts all get it wrong regarding the duration of the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Experts underestimated Ukrainian power and overestimated Russian military capabilities, relying too heavily on flawed models of war predictions based on early engagements.
Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Q: What is your take on geoengineering the Martian environment?
Caleb is skeptical about the feasibility of radically altering Mars's environment, citing unforeseen consequences and the complexities of planetary climates.
Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Q: To what extent is your book descriptive and prescriptive?
Scharf aims to provide a descriptive account of the current state of space exploration while avoiding prescriptive recommendations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Michael Shermer Show

What is The Michael Shermer Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series features in-depth discussions with a diverse array of experts including scientists, philosophers, and authors, tackling crucial contemporary issues that merge science with societal concerns. Episodes commonly explore themes like space exploration, artificial intelligence, epistemology, religious skepticism, morality, and historical narratives, often through the lens of intriguing and thought-provoking themes related to human cognition and societal evolution. The conversations are characterized by their intellectual rigor and a willingness to engage with complex ideas, inviting listeners to broaden their understanding of various disciplines and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

Notably, the series offers a unique platform for... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Michael Shermer Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Michael Shermer Show:

1. The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. Into the Impossible With Brian Keating
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. The Glenn Show

How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 8 years ago and published 579 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Michael Shermer Show?

Recent guests on The Michael Shermer Show include:

1. David Baron
2. Chris Edwards
3. Rachel Corbett
4. Gaurav Suri
5. Jay McClelland
6. Caleb Scharf
7. Simon Winchester
8. Angus Fletcher

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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