Very Bad Wizards
About This Show
Show Info:
Very Bad Wizards is a podcast featuring a philosopher (Tamler Sommers) and a psychologist (David Pizarro), who share a love for ethics, pop culture, and cognitive science, and who have a marked inability to distinguish sacred from profane. Each podcast includes discussions of moral philosophy, recent work on moral psychology and neuroscience, and the overlap between the two.
Most Recent Episode
Episode 123: What Chilling Effect? (Intelligence Pt. 2)
Sep 12
·
88 minutes
It’s Part 2 of the Patreon listener selected episode! David and Tamler continue their discussion on intelligence from our last episode by tackling the radioactive topic of group differences and IQ. Are there reliable differences in IQ across races? Given that IQ is strongly heritable, and that racial categories are based (in part) on biological differences, does it follow that group differences in IQ are due to biological differences across racial groups? (Could only a politically motivated science-denier conclude otherwise?) David argues that biological explanations for racial differences in IQ are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of genetics and race. It’s a complex argument, so if you start listening, please finish! (Oh and @VBW_No_Context on Twitter, take a vacation, you’ve earned it!). Plus, more on neuroscientific explanations, and Tamler relates his experience of Hurricane Harvey. Links:Race & IQ: Debate Serves No Purpose | National ReviewReturning to the race and IQ debate | Glenn Loury & John McWhorter [The Glenn Show] - YouTubeRace & IQ: Don’t Obsess Over It, but Do Discuss It | National ReviewTempleton, A. R. (1998). Human races: a genetic and evolutionary perspective. American Anthropologist, 100(3), 632-650. Chicago Study Finds Africans More Genetically Diverse Than Other Populations
Rated 5 out of
5
by
GuyInnagorillasuit from
Always interesting and entertaining
This is one of my favorite podcasts. The discussion between the hosts/guests is always lively and illuminating. They keep things very accessible for the layperson and I've yet to listen to an episode that left me uninterested in the topic being discussed.
Date published: 2014-08-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Glacian from
Better than The Partially Examined Life
There are a lot of great podcasts out there that talk about philosophy and psychology, but they often take themselves too seriously, and are so focused on delivering content that they fail to develop a character and fail to entertain the reader. This is not the case with Very Bad Wizards. David and Tamler provide a fantastic combination fo humor, philosophy, and psychology in episodes that are far more digestible than other podcasts covering similar topics. Very Bad Wizards has the capacity to make you laugh, cringe, and raise an eyebrow at a new insight all in the span of a few minutes.
Date published: 2016-12-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
jvance72 from
The show that got me into podcasts.
Love the back-and-forth between Dave and Tamler. I find the topics very interesting and thought provoking (except for Tamler's movie episodes, I just can't take those). Regardless, it's better than The Partially Examined Life.
Date published: 2015-11-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
devon221112 from
Genuinely fun and interesting
I like the back and forth of the 2 hosts, they are both smart and funny and go into some interesting topics. They are unafraid to go into more controversial topics as well which I appreciate
Date published: 2017-02-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
markopal from
Both sides
Love this podcast. It challenges the way I think which I have no problem with at all! Tamler and Dave have deep conversations but keep you interested. What a treat this is!
Date published: 2015-03-12
Rated 5 out of
5
by
matstc from
Fascinating and off the wall
I've listened to every episode of this show: the two hosts have great conversations (unless they're fighting!) and they have interesting guests too. A great, witty, non-pretentious podcast to learn about psychology and philosophy.
Date published: 2017-04-04
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Isis M from
One of my favourite podcasts
Super entertaining, with excellent content and topics. After listening this podcast I always have material to research and learn about. Plus, I love the music (good job David!)
Date published: 2017-06-20
