meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Rationally Speaking Podcast

Rationally Speaking #178 - Tim Urban on "Trying to live well, as semi-rational animals"

Rationally Speaking Podcast

New York City Skeptics

Society & Culture, Skepticism, Science, Philosophy

4.6787 Ratings

🗓️ 20 February 2017

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode features Tim Urban, author of popular longform illustrated blog Wait But Why. Julia and Tim explore one of their common interests: the tension between the rational and irrational aspects of human nature. Is there any value in the "irrational" parts of us (such as Tim's colorfully named "instant gratification monkey" and "social approval mammoth")? And can recognizing that tension help us live better -- or are we stuck struggling between our animal and rational selves?

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Before today's episode, I have a message for our listeners. If you're listening to this podcast,

0:06.2

you probably care about reason and evidence. If you also care about helping the world,

0:11.3

I recommend checking out give well.org. They do rigorous research on which charities are actually

0:16.9

effective. So they're not just looking at what does this charity say they do or what's this

0:21.5

charity's budget. They're looking at, okay, can we be confident that this charity's work is improving

0:26.2

people's health or bringing them out of poverty and by how much? If you're curious, you can read

0:31.3

their explanations of how they reach their conclusions at give well.org. Or if you just want a few

0:36.7

recommended charities to give to that you can be

0:39.1

confident to actually work, Givewell's got your back. Check them out at give well.org.

1:02.6

Welcome to Rationally Speaking, the podcast where we explore the borderlands between reason and nonsense.

1:07.9

I'm your host, Julia Galef, and I'm delighted to introduce today's guest, Tim Urban.

1:16.2

Tim is the author of the long-form, figure illustrated blog, Wait But Why, that covers,

1:18.9

oh, God, life, the universe and everything.

1:26.7

Tim's posts range from the future of artificial intelligence to how to choose a life partner,

1:31.5

to philosophy of personal identity and happiness and rationality.

1:32.2

It's a huge spectrum.

1:33.7

And I'm a big fan.

1:34.8

Tim, welcome to the show.

1:37.0

Thank you, Julia.

1:38.1

Thanks for having me.

1:39.1

Yeah.

1:39.9

Before we jump into the wide range of topics that I am excited to talk to you about, I just

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from New York City Skeptics, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of New York City Skeptics and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.