Drawing off an excellent article from Joshuah Bearman, Eddie and Morgan welcome special guest Carson Wack onto the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations involved in Ross Ulbricht's development of the Silk Road. Along they way they touch on details about libertarianism, morality on the internet, and ... Solyndra?

Rationalish

49: Ross Ulbricht, Libertarianism, and the Silk Road

Is drinking heavily an American phenomenon? No. Is drinking alone an American phenomenon? Perhaps. Morgan and Eddie discuss The Atlantic article titled "America Has a Drinking Problem", an essay that walks us through the historical use of alcohol as a socialization tool. They also discuss the 2020 Academy Award-nominated Danish film "Another Round", a movie with a fascinating premise where four middle-aged friends test out a Norwegian philosopher's theory that mankind was born with a BAC that is too low. Here are the links to the sources we discuss: The Atlantic - America Has a Drinking Problem Another Round - Trailer 

48: "America Has a Drinking Problem"

Musician and composer Jonny Pickett joins the podcast to tell the story behind his new album "Made in China." During the episode he tells the story behind the last song on the album, "John Rabe", named for a Nazi living in China during WWII who saved approximately 200,000 lives during a massacre by the Japanese army.  Listen to the song here: John Rabe You can support Jonny's music here: Patreon

47: John Rabe

Morgan and Eddie speak with special guest and Portland resident/aficionado Tyler Green about gentrification and its impact on parks, businesses, and the local community. 

46: Gentrification

Morgan and Eddie reflect on Trumpism and political activism and the implications this holds for American democracy moving forward. 

45: Future of American Politics

Eddie and Morgan are joined by Stanford immunology PhD student Hunter Martinez to discuss epigentics, vaccines, and collaboration in academia.

44: Epigenetics and Vaccines

There are plenty of seemingly inhabitable planets, so why no evidence of other life? On this episode, Morgan and Eddie discuss the Fermi Paradox.

43: Fermi Paradox

Joe Biden won. And so did Mitch McConnell. So now Morgan and Eddie have to deal with what this means.

42: Election Reflection

Morgan and Eddie talk about academia, something they love like a relative they can't get rid of.

41: Academia

Morgan's sister, Demi, describes the hyper-rational Effective Altruism movement.

40: Effective Altruism

We found a teenager to explain online gaming to us two has-been's.

39: Online Gaming

What happens when there is the biggest financial data leak in history? Listen to find out...

38: Panama Papers

Everyone has a soft spot for some conspiracy theory. Morgan & Eddie share theirs.

37: Conspiracy Theories

What is virtual environmentalism? Could it help with climate change? Listen & find out...

36: Debrief - Virtual Environmentalism

What is the rightful name of the country north of Greece? Listen to this episode to find out...

35: North(?) Macedonia

Two young researchers try to ask the right questions about world events and politics. Episodes every two weeks. Come for the insight, stay for the puns.