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Playlist: Bishop Sand's Portfolio

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Levels of Cause

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sift series | 29:49

Cause and effect seems so easy to grasp but is often slippery when we think about it in detail. In this show, we hang on to the slippery topic and ask these questions: Which level is the right level of causal explanation? How does probability figure into cause and effect? How does cause fit into how the rest of the world is set up?

Causation_logo_small

Voices:

John Barry - Historian, author, advisor. He is a prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author whose books have won more than twenty awards. In 2005 the National Academy of Sciences named The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history, a study of the 1918 pandemic, the year’s outstanding book on science or medicine. In 2006 the National Academy also invited him to give its annual Abel Wolman Distinguished Lecture; he is the only non-scientist ever to give that lecture. In 1998 Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America, won the Francis Parkman Prize of the Society of American Historians for the year’s best book of American history. Before becoming a writer, Barry coached football at the high school, small college, and major college levels. Currently Distinguished Scholar at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research of Tulane and Xavier Universities, he lives in New Orleans.

Helen Beebee -  University of Birmingham. Her research encompasses a range of related topics in metaphysics, epistemology and the history of philosophy, and mostly engages with issues relating to ‘Humeanism’. She’s worked recently on freedom of the will (defending compatibilism), causation and laws of nature, natural kinds, the problem of induction (in connection with a Humean account of laws), and Hume himself (in particular, developing a ‘projectivist’ interpretation of his work on causation).

Prof. Beebee is currently Director of Research for the School of Philosophy, Theology & Religion. Additionally she is Director of the British Philosophical Association, a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council Advisory Board, and an honorary professor at the Centre for Time, University of Sydney.

Luke Constas - Biology Instructor. New York City.

Michael Esfeld - Univeristy of Lausanne. He researches the structures and causation in the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of mind. His physics interests are summarized here:

Structural realism is a form of holism in the philosophy of physics, claiming that in the domain of fundamental physics, there are in the first place certain structures in the sense of networks of concrete physical relations instead of objects whose identity is constituted by intrinsic properties. We develop a conception of moderate ontological structural realism that recognizes objects as that what stands in the relations, but those objects are characterized mainly by the relations in which they stand. We apply this conception to quantum physics and to space-time as treated in general relativity theory. We currently investigate whether and in what sense these structures can be considered to be causal, their being causal distinguishing physical from mathematical structures and grounding the direction of time.

Ned Hall - Harvard University. He works mainly on metaphysics and philosophy of science, with a special emphasis on philosophical problems associated with the foundations of quantum physics. In the philosophy of physics, his current research focuses on disentangling the various problems associated with the quantum mechanical treatment of measurement, and on elucidating the implications of and conceptual basis for the usual quantum mechanical description of systems containing identical particles. His current interests in the philosophy of science center on the analysis of natural laws and their role within scientific theories. His other work has included investigations into the connections between probability theory and the logic of conditionals, the epistemology and metaphysics of objective probability, and the analysis of causation. He recently edited (with John Collins and L. A. Paul), Causation and Counterfactuals.

Alfredo Morabia, MD - Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. He was board certified in Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Geneva, where he specialized in Occupational Medicine. He practiced both in Switzerland and Italy, before receiving a PhD in Epidemiology and an MHS in Biostatistics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. Dr. Morabiz returned to Switzerland and served as professor and head of the division of Clinical Epidemiology at the University Hospitals of Geneva from 1990 to January 2006. He is currently professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health and at Queens College, City University of New York.

George Newman - Yale University. He is interested in the application of basic cognitive processes, such as categorization and causal reasoning, to consumer behavior.

Currently, his research examines the psychological processes underlying our concepts of authenticity and authentic “originals” in the domains of art, celebrity possessions, and consumer products. He is also interested in pro-social behaviors such as charitable giving and purchasing environmentally-friendly products, and how consumers may balance their desires to “do good” with desires to maximize the efficiency of their donations or purchases. Newman has published work on essentialism, perceptions of animacy, children’s conceptual development, causal reasoning, and identity continuity.

Jonathan Schaffer- Australian National University. He received his PhD from Rutgers University in 1999. He joined the ANU in 2007, from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Jonathan’s main interests are in metaphysics and epistemology. His current research centers on metaphysical monism, coupled with contrastive theories of causation and knowledge.

Daniel Schneider – University of Wisconsin. He is interested in Early Modern Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy and Philosophy of Science. He is particularly interested in the works of Spinoza and the development of a viable rationalist epistemology. He is currently working on a dissertation that examines the foundations of Spinoza’s metaphysics and reexamines the traditional Rationalist/Empiricist dispute.

Define Life

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sift series | 14:59

What is life? In the first installment of our "origin of life" topic, hear various attempts to define life and ponder the life of the internet.

Playing
Define Life
From
Bishop Sand

Origin_logo_small In the exciting and new field of astrobiology, scientists are attempting to create/find new life. They'd better have a definition of life to probe nature, but surprisingly this definition is very difficult to pin down. Hear scientists squirm to define life and candidly describe their thoughts about various attempts at a definition that lead to an interesting conclusion.

This is the first episode in a longer series focused on issues surrounding the origin of life, where you'll get the world experts giving you insight to the current state of the research through a virtual discussion. 

Voices:
Caleb Scharf - Columbia University 
Bob Hazen - Carnegie Institution and George Mason University
Dimitar Sasselov - Harvard University
Steven Benner - Westheimer Institute of Science and Technology 
Luke Constas - Biology teacher in New York
Stephen Mojzsis - Colorado University and Universite Claude Bernard Lyon
Ben Oppenheimer - American Natural History Museum
Ariel Anbar - Arizona State University
Spencer Wells - National Geographic Society and Cornell University 

The Size of Life

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sift series | 10:49

How small and how large can life be? Hear scientists consider various answers to these questions and even attempt to convince you that life can be the size of a planet.

Origin_logo_small This is the second episode in a longer series focused on issues surrounding the origin of life, where you’ll get the world experts giving you insights into the current state of the research.

Voices:
Dimitar Sasselov - Harvard University Astronomer
Susan Perkins - American Museum of Natural History Parisitologist 

The Story of Earth

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sift series | 14:32

The surprising history of the earth and life's impact on it. Also, a new perspective on the future of the planet: earth will likely be in constant change.

Origin_logo_small The secrets of earth's early history (known as the Hadean period) have only recently been discovered thanks to the efforts of scientists like Steve Mojzsis. In this episode, Mojzsis talks about what it must have been like on the "peculiar" early earth. Other scientists weigh in on how life changed the planet a little later. Finally, a perspective of the future of the ever-changing planet.

Voices:
Bob Hazen - Carnegie Institution and George Mason University
Stephen Mojzsis - Colorado University and Universite Claude Bernard Lyon
Ben Oppenheimer - American Natural History Museum
Ariel Anbar - Arizona State University 

Searching Space

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sift series | 17:47

Listen to peoples' first reaction to Saturn alongside astrophysicists who gaze up at the universe for a living. Learn the new techniques scientists use to FIND planets in other solar systems (exoplanets) and hear their thoughts about life in the deep void of space.

Origin_logo_small In the last installment of our Origins of Life series, we join people for their first look at Saturn alongside astrophysicists who gaze up at the universe for a living. Learn the new techniques scientists use to FIND planets in other solar systems (exoplanets) and hear their thoughts about life in the deep void of space.

Voices:
Joe Delfausse - (retired) NY Amateur Astronomer's Association
Caleb Scharf - Columbia University 
Bob Hazen - Carnegie Institution and George Mason University
Dimitar Sasselov - Harvard University
Stephen Mojzsis - Colorado University and Universite Claude Bernard Lyon
Ben Oppenheimer - American Natural History Museum 

Sound is...

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sound series | 14:39

What is sound? We'll define it physically and through our experience. Interesting descriptions abound as we learn why a piano sound is different than a violin sound alongside a small description of human echolocation.

This is the first installment of our series about the information found in sound.

Playing
Sound is...
From
Bishop Sand

Sound_logo_small A fetus begins to respond to sound at 18 weeks old. We are bathed in sound every day of our lives and yet it isn't clear what exactly the phenomenon is because it isn't as visible as, say, light. In this small episode we dissect the outward physical description of sound and also touch on the main aspects of the subjective perception of sound. Learn why instruments and voices are recognizable and why we can learn to echolocate.

This is the first piece in a series about the information found in sound. Contributors to this piece and the others in the series:

Asif Ghazanfar - Princeton Univ.
Bernie Krause - Soundscape artist
Shihab Shamma - Univ. of Maryland
Avery Wang - Shazam Entertainment
Barry Gragg - Dwight School
Robert Remez - Barnard and Columbia Univ.
Andrew Bass - Cornell Univ.
Don Hodges - Univ. of North Carolina 
Mark Randell - Univ. of Derby
Michael Goldstein - Cornell Univ.
Uri Hasson - Princeton Univ.
Karen Froud - Columbia Univ. 

The Animal Orchestra Is Quieting

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sound series | 11:11

Animals communicate with each other like instruments in an orchestra. This natural soundscape is now quieting which can have an effect on humans as well.

Sound_logo_small Bernie Krause is a musician who has drastically shifted his career to study natural soundscapes. He's discovered information hidden in these natural sounds that are telling for animals and us.

Voices:
Bernie Krause - soundscape researcher, musician, author
Jack McElaney - teacher and dean at Dwight School in NYC 

PRX homepage image from Shutterstock

The Cocktail Party Problem

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sound series | 13:34

You’re at a crowded cocktail party and you somehow hear someone talking to you. How does that happen? Your ears are taking in so much sound and somehow you are able to make sense out of that one voice! This is a central question within the neuroscience of sound perception. In this episode, we trace an outline for how we hear in this crowded cocktail party. Listen to University of Maryland Professor, Shihab Shamma, explain.

Cocktail_party_problem_small You’re at a crowded cocktail party and you somehow hear someone talking to you. How does that happen? Your ears are taking in so much sound and somehow you are able to make sense out of that one voice! This is a central question within the neuroscience of sound perception. In this episode, we trace an outline for how we hear in this crowded cocktail party. Listen to University of Maryland Professor, Shihab Shamma, explain.

Education gives us hope, BUT...

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Learning series | 17:21

The purposes and expansion of the educational system.

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Why do we go to school? Yes, knowledge is part of the reason we go through school, but it's actually not the driving purpose of education. Hear three historians of education talk about the purposes of education.

Part 1: The Social Purpose

Part 2: Expansion out of conflict

Part 3: The future ratcheting

Historians: David Labaree (Stanford), Cally Waite (Teachers College - Columbia Univ.), Ben Justice (Rutgers). 

Cocktail Effect Remix

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Sound series | 15:19

In this remix, you’ll hear updated information, restructured content, and a new mix to explain how we parse voices and music in a noisy scene.

Music:
Drew Gragg

Voices:
Shihab Shamma – University of Maryland
Asif Ghazanfar – Princeton University

Screen_shot_2016-01-13_at_11 In this remix, you’ll hear updated information, restructured content, and a new mix to explain how we parse voices and music in a noisy scene. Music: Drew Gragg Voices: Shihab Shamma – University of Maryland Asif Ghazanfar – Princeton University

Risk

From Bishop Sand | Part of the Qualia series | 25:58

In this IMMERSIVE episode, our goal is to immerse you in a soundscape that pulled and pushed you to alternatively feel risk-seeking and risk-averse.

Playing
Risk
From
Bishop Sand

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In this IMMERSIVE episode, our goal is to immerse you in a soundscape that pulled and pushed you to alternatively feel risk-seeking and risk-averse. To preserve this immersive experience, we stripped out a lot of the reporting we did on the science of risk. Here, you can find out more about the science of risk perception. We’ll walk you through the episode, and point out materials – interviews we did with researchers, journal articles we dug up, books we read – that let you dig deeper into the research.

 

 

 

SCENE: You finally make it to the top after a long climb (after a strenuous skinning up).

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: This should make you feel like you’ve invested a lot of resources and effort into an activity. Later, when you make a decision, this investment of resources can color your choice even though it shouldn’t if you’re objectively evaluating a risk. 

 

FIND OUT MORE: Read Heuristic Traps in Recreational Avalanche Accidents.

 

 

 

 

NARRATION: You’re imagining this environment because it is the perfect environment because it’s the perfect setting to explore your feelings towards risk. 

 

FIND OUT MORE: Listen to our interview with Leaf VanBoven (starting at 03:40).

 

 

 

SCENE: You’re very close to skiing down the mountain. You feel the powder under your skis. The wind pushes on your cheeks.

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: Proximity to something (especially something you find somewhat addictive) makes you perceive it as more rewarding than if you would be considering it from a distance.

 

FIND OUT MORE: Listen to our interview with Fernbach (starting at 39:00).

 

 

 

 

SCENE: WE ARE INVINCIBLE!

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: When you are overconfident, you disregard evidence that contradicts your confidence. 

 

FIND OUT MORE: Listen to our interview with McKell Carter and Kim Farrelly (starting at 57:00)

 

 

 

 

SCENE: CINDY’S AVALANCHE STORY

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: Hearing a distastrous result from an expert, which occurs from a similar situation to your own will decreases your confidence in taking the risk and makes you more risk averse. Of course, this is assumming you are not brimming with overconfidence.

 

FIND OUT MORE: By reading SEVERAL(most) of the articles here.

 

 

 

 

SCENE: My intuition is telling me something’s off. Come on, Jake, what are you afraid of?

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: Groups heavily influence decision making during risky situations. Males are particularly good at evoking risky decisions. However, there is a lot of nuance in this dynamic.

 

FIND OUT MORE: Listen to our interview with VanBoven (starting at 13:00 and 30:00)

 

 

 

 

SCENE: You’re normally cautious, so if you think it’s fine then I’m sure it’ll be OK.

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: Contagious understanding. You can get a house of cards effect, where your knowledge in something rests on the belief that someone else in the community has done the intellectual heavy-lifting and have a solid knowledge of something. However, this is not always the case and many people can believe they have knowledge of something even though nobody does.

 

FIND OUT MORE: Listen to our interview with Fernbach (starting at 48:20)

 

 

 

 

SCENE: Question! Why is one type of snow better for avalanches? How do you know? You just guessing?

 

WHAT THIS ILLUSTRATES: In our lives, we often do not notice complexity because it’s cumbersome and doesn’t actually change our decisions. We have an illustion of knowledge. But in risky situations, complexity really matters and one way to poke holes in our normal knowledge illusion is by asking very simple questions, which will (hopefully) give you more pause and consider more factors.

 

FIND OUT MORE: Read Phillip Fernbach’s book “The Knowledge Illusion”. Listen to our interview with Fernbach (starting at 9:30).

 

 

 

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