Mind & Matter
Whether food, drugs or ideas, what you consume influences who you become. Learn directly from the best scientists & thinkers alive today about how your mind-body reacts to what you feed it.
The weekly M&M podcast features conversations with the most interesting scientists, thinkers, and technology entrepreneurs alive today.
Not medical advice.
At M&M, we are interested in trying to figure out how things work, not affirming our existing beliefs. We prefer consulting primary rather than secondary sources and independent rather than institutional voices. If we encounter uncomfortable truths or the evidence suggests unfashionable ideas may be valid, so be it.
As the host, my aim is to help you better understand how the body & mind work by curating & synthesizing information in a way that yields science-based insights that you can choose to use or disregard in your own life. Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
I am motivated to connect the dots and distill general principles from what I learn, preferring to ask questions and play devil’s advocate to debating or incessantly pushing my own viewpoint.
My beliefs:
- Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
- All knowledge is provisional and we must work hard to prevent ourselves from becoming attached to our favorite ideas & preferred conclusions.
- Wisdom comes from an iterative, trial-and-error process of learning and unlearning. Letting go of pre-conceived notions can be painful, but pain is information.
Sometimes modern discoveries teach us we must unlearn received wisdom. Other times, modern information overload & historical chauvinism cause us to forget ancient wisdom which stills applies. The framework for learning that I embody is inspired by three Ancient Greek maxims inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi:
- “Γνῶθι σεαυτόν” (Know thyself)
- “Μηδὲν ἄγαν” (Nothing in excess)
- “Ἐγγύα πάρα δ Ἄτα” (Certainty brings insanity)
Mind & Matter
Cultural Evolution, Religion & the Origins of WEIRD Psychology | Joseph Henrich | 206
Short Summary: How human culture and psychology have evolved, particularly exploring the unique psychological traits of "WEIRD" (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies, providing insights into why our minds and societies are the way they are today.
About the Guest: Joe Henrich, PhD is a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. His research focuses on applying evolutionary theory to understand the human mind and culture, particularly how cultural evolution has led to the emergence of WEIRD psychology.
Note: Podcast episodes are fully available to paid subscribers on the M&M Substack and to everyone on YouTube. Partial versions are available elsewhere.
Key Takeaways:
- WEIRD Psychology: WEIRD stands for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic, highlighting unique psychological traits like individualism and analytic thinking which are not universal but specific to Western societies.
- Marriage & Kinship: The Western Church's marriage policies, promoting monogamy and the nuclear family, contributed to the dissolution of extended kinship networks, fostering individualism in Western societies.
- Institutional Influence: Institutions in WEIRD societies, like universities and legal systems, focus on individual rights and mental states, contrasting with other cultures emphasizing group or kin loyalty.
- Modern Challenges: Henrich touches on current issues like the impact of dating apps on mating markets, potentially leading to social instability due to increased male-female inequality in mating success.
- Future of Religion and Culture: The conversation speculates on the future evolution of religion and cultural practices, suggesting that religions fostering high fertility and communal support might gain prominence.
Related episode:
- M&M #129: Biological Sex, Sexual Selection, Sex Behavior, Mating Strategies, Sexual Orientation, Monogamy & Polygyny | David Puts
*Not medical advice.
All episodes (audio & video), show notes, transcripts, and more at the M&M Substack
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