You and Betty and the Nancy's and Bill's and Joes and Jane's will find in the study of science

a richer, more rewarding life.

Welcome to Inquiring Minds. I'm Indravis Gontas.

This is a podcast that explores the space where science and society collide.

We want to find out what's true, what's left to discover, and why it matters.

I'm in Dravis Gantas, and this is Inquiring Minds. This is a podcast that explores the space where science and society collide. We want to find out what's

true, what's left to discover, and why it matters. We've all become armchair epidemiologists in the last

year and a half. We know more about viruses and infections and vaccines and antibodies than any generation

in human history. But we also know that conspiracy theories are flourishing,

that notions that seem outlandish or ridiculous to some are totally compelling to others,

and that many people are not looking to experts for answers, but are making decisions on the

basis of opinions and beliefs. What happens when we apply our newfound knowledge of diseases

to parasitic infections of the mind? That's what philosopher Andy Norman wants us to do.

He's researched the evolutionary origins of human reason for decades and has worked tirelessly

to teach critical thinking to the masses. Now he's put his knowledge

into a framework that we can all relate to in his new book, Mental Immunity, where he maps out

how bad ideas can act like parasites and what we can do to generate cognitive antibodies.

Andy Norman, welcome to Inquiring Minds.

Thank you, Andrei.

I've been hoping to come onto this show for a while, and it's nice to be here.

Oh, we're so excited to have you.

You know, we've had Jonathan Haight on the show before.

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