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Intelligence Squared

Chasing the Urge – Addiction Throughout History

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News Commentary, Arts, News, Society & Culture

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 April 2023

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Carl Erik Fisher is a psychiatrist, bioethicist and recovering alcoholic who has spent years tracing the history of addiction. His new book is The Urge: Our History of Addiction, a sweeping study of the issue and an urgent call for a more expansive, nuanced and compassionate view of one of society's most difficult challenges. In conversation with Carl is physicist, oceanographer and science presenter, Helen Czerski. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be about. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com.  At Intelligence Squared we’ve got our own online streaming platform, Intelligence Squared+ and we’d love you to give it a go. It’s packed with more than 20 years’ worth of video debates and conversations on the world’s most important topics as well as exclusive podcast content. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch on-demand, totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

I mean, Sirling, and today I'm at a McCain Potato Field.

0:04.0

Being chased by a massive wasp!

0:06.0

It's just a lady bird, Ian.

0:08.0

Well, it had a real wasp in her J.

0:10.0

Why are they here?

0:12.0

Well, we plot wildflowers to help encourage wildlife, like birds and insects.

0:16.0

So, we eat McCain chips. I'm helping do some good.

0:19.0

Yeah, exactly. You're supporting the move to regenerative farming.

0:22.0

Okay, this time it's definitely a wasp. My life's in danger.

0:25.0

Ian, that's a butterfly.

0:27.0

McCain, let's all chip in.

0:30.0

Hello, I'm Ian Sirling, and I'm with one of McCain's farmers who grow their potatoes.

0:34.0

Hang on, these are odd-looking potatoes.

0:36.0

That's kale, Ian.

0:38.0

You do know you need potato to make chips, right?

0:41.0

Yes, but we don't just grow potatoes.

0:43.0

We actually rotate different crops to help keep the soil healthy.

0:46.0

So, we eat McCain chips. I'm helping do some good.

0:49.0

Exactly, yeah. You're supporting the move to regenerative farming.

0:52.0

By the way, I do know the difference between kale and potatoes.

0:56.0

Of course you do.

0:58.0

McCain, let's all chip in.

...

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