Finally got Stephen Pinker.

I know.

Okay, yes, we're going to learn all about how the brain is messed up.

We don't need him for that.

Coming up.

The latest from the mind of Stephen Pinker on StarTalk.

Welcome to StarTalk.

Your place in the universe where science and pop culture collide.

StarTalk begins right now.

This is StarTalk, special edition.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson here, you're a personal astrophysicist,

and when you hear special edition, that means we have Gary in the house. Hey, Neil. How you doing, Gary? I'm good. Chuckie Baby. How you doing, man? I'm doing great. So today, we're talking about common knowledge. Yes. Common knowledge. Uh-huh. But why is that interesting? If we think about it, we humans have evolved to be social creatures,

and we rely upon each other for many things.

We use language to communicate and coordinate ourselves.

But do we consciously strategize in our social behavior,

and are we aware of our own signaling when we interact?

And to the point, what role does common knowledge play in our everyday lives?

I mean, I depend on that all the time, just as an educator.

Fine, but a lot of people won't realize that it is something they're using as a tool.

Some people will, as you do.

And does it then play a role in the big ticket items like financial

crashes or political revolutions?

...