In this 126th in a series of live discussions with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying (both PhDs in Biology), we discuss the state of the world through an evolutionary lens.

This week, we discuss science, Covid, vaccines, sunlight, and sophistry. New research suggests that adenovirus-vectored vaccines (e.g. J&J, AstraZeneca) reduce all-cause mortality, but that mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) do not. What are the implications of this? What kinds of vaccines are recommended and effective, and how can someone not trained in thinking about these things know? We also discuss the role of vitamin D in Covid outcomes, as well as NIR (Near Infrared Radiation), which we primarily get from being outside. Since before the Industrial Revolution, our exposure to NIR has declined dramatically—we spend less time outdoors, and now even our lightbulbs and the glass in our windows limits how much NIR we receive, but it turns out that we need it. What else do we need that we don’t yet know about? Finally, we discuss the place for sophistry: in the classroom, where students can learn how to respond, so as to be better thinkers and citizens of the world.

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Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, and signed copies are available here: https://darvillsbookstore.indielite.org

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Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.

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Q&A Link: https://youtu.be/VdIz5OKMfW0

Mentioned in this episode:

Benn et al 2022. Randomised Clinical Trials of COVID-19 Vaccines: Do Adenovirus-Vector Vaccines Have Beneficial Non-Specific Effects? Available at SSRN 4072489: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4072489

UnHerd interview with Dr. Christine Stabell-Benn: https://play.acast.com/s/5fad6d24bc034454b53fe011/627147cd7e2c6d00128e3703

Have People Been Given the Wrong Vaccine? By Martin Kulldorff: https://brownstone.org/articles/have-people-been-given-the-wrong-vaccine/

The Vitamin D Paradox in COVID-19 and Why It Predicts But Doesn't Always Protect. MedCram YouTube video: https://