Axegrrl - 02 April 2009 01:03 AM

Has anyone from the PoI podcast EVER explained why the podcast isn’t longer?

I think DJ or Thomas said awhile back that the podcast was designed to be played on some college radio stations, and so they kept the length down for that reason. IIRC when PoI first started there were some significantly longer episodes (around an hour). But presumably they are expected to fit into a 30 minute slot now.

Great talk over all, but I would like to know which part of the religious world view it is that Dr. Linden thinks exists outside of the human brain? Is he suggesting that there are aspects of science that are merely presumptuous narratives not based on empirical evidence?

I really enjoy the book; however, I am so sick of people getting Skinner wrong. No one reads Skinner, and everyone thinks they know what he said. In Linden’s book, page. 53, he states Skinner said “the human brain is a ‘blank slate’ with no genetic constraints and that human cognition and personality are entirely formed by experience.” This is so wrong. It is infuriating that he is still portrayed this way.

Until we can design a better one either electronically or with neurons, I don’t see how we can say the brain is crappy. Good episode, though. First one I’ve actually heard.

I think Dr. Linden was trying to say that to believe in either science or religion takes faith to some degree. Science less than religion, though.

This was an amazing podcast episode.  Linden presents very interesting views with a neuroscience perspective.  My favorite part is when he describes how religion and science come from the same cognitive origin and how each branches out into science welcoming opposing views while religion refuses to subject itself to any modes of inquiry.  Also I never knew that humans and hyenas are the only species that die during child birth.  I am currently shopping online for this book.  A hardcover version of this book will be a magnificent addition to my collection.