Wiser Tomorrow

A conversation with Andy Chan of Books to Prisoners, sponsored by Evincer:
https://evincer.org/?link=wiser

Books to Prisoners - https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/
To Make a Donation - https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/donate-money

00:00 - Introduction
02:18 - What is Books to Prisoners?
06:03 - The Dangers of Donating Old Books?
07:58 - Banning Books
10:19 - Changing the Book Banning Process
18:24 - Evincer.org
19:55 - What Books Should be Banned in Prisons?
24:29 - Punishment vs. Rehabilitation
27:31 - Do Prisoners Deserve Books?
30:35 - How Big of an Impact Could Books to Prisoners Make?
34:32 - The Impact of Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
38:59 - What is the Most Challenging Part of Books to Prisoner's Mission?
43:31 - Research on the Impact of Books to Prisoners Programs
48:05 - Changing Just One Person's Life
51:36 - Mandatory Prison Reading Programs?
55:50 - How to Donate to Books to Prisoners

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https://evincer.org?link=wiser

 @modernday_eratosthenes is a STEM communicator teaching people of all ages to better understand science, and appreciate recent breakthroughs in the world of STEM.

00:00 - Teaser
00:20 - Introduction
02:26 - Science and Religion 
15:39 - Evincer.org
17:53 - Escaping the Arab Spring
36:25 - Bots, bots, bots!
40:41 - Performance Artist to Mathematician
49:19 - Imposter Syndrome
53:02 - Name Change to Ashley Christine
1:03:15 - Math and Science on TikTok vs. YouTube vs. ...
1:06:21 - Controversy
1:11:45 - The Future of ModernDay Eratosthenes
1:18:40 - Problems with Scientific Education and Careers
1:37:04 - The Big Revelation

Ashley's Pages:

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@modernday_eratosthenes?lang=en
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9cogm-CFVxzvFi9LaGChQ
Twitter - https://x.com/ashleyinstem
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/therealmoderndayeratosthenes/

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Harris Sultan is an ex-Muslim atheist activist and author of the book The Curse of God: Why I Left Islam. Harris has been at the forefront of atheist activism in Pakistan and now in the West, using his Urdu and English channels to delve into thought-provoking discussions on atheism and critique of Islam.

In our conversation, we discuss the history and role of Islam in many facets of modern life, particularly in the West, from immigration policy to the consequences of radical religious belief.

English Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisSultanAtheist
Urdu Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PakistaniMulhid
Website - https://harrissultan.com/

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Max Miller is the creator and host of Tasting History with Max Miller.

On Tasting History, Max recreates recipes from around the world and across time, sharing the story behind these dishes and discussing the broader historical context. From Viking mead to Spartan staples, Celtic snacks, and 20th-century sweets, Max takes you back in time to learn about the world's favorite foods and how they tell the story of human civilization.

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Dr. Amber Wise is a cannabis scientist and scientific director at Medicine Creek Analytics. Amber has a background in chemistry, receiving her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and serving as a professor at Chicago State University. She has become a familiar face in the world of cannabis, making several appearances across publications, including WIRED's "Tech Support" series.  

In our conversation, we explore many facets of cannabis and cannabis science, from the chemical and biological foundations to regulatory considerations and consequences. So whether you're a regular cannabis user, a professional chemist, or just curious, I hope you enjoy!

Medicine Creek Analytics - https://medicinecreekanalytics.com/

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Dr. Eli Kraisler is a theoretical physicist specializing in Density-Functional Theory (DFT), and leads his own research group at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics. Born in Uzhgorod, Ukraine, and later repatriated to Israel, Dr. Kraisler's journey through academia has taken him across the globe, from Tel Aviv University to Germany's Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, and finally, to establishing his own research group at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics.

Eli's diverse background and theoretical expertise provide a unique perspective as we delve into the intersections of science, society, and the subtleties of discovery. Our conversation navigates through the history of science, the complexities associated with attributing names in and out of science, and the often underappreciated magic of serendipity in scientific discovery. We further explore how science is shaped by, and in turn shapes, the cultural contexts in which it operates.

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Today I'm speaking with  @jREG - YouTuber, satirist, social commentator, and artist. jREG is infamous for his impenetrably ironic and hilarious social & political commentary told through skits, conversations, monologues, and everything in between. From discussing radical and esoteric ideologies to sharing his experience with mental illness,  jREG exemplifies what it means to be a digital artist in the era of the early internet.

jREG's Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jREG
jREACTIONS Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jREACTONS

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David Hoffman is an award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and online content creator who has documented the ordinary to the extraordinary from as early as the 1960s. From his Emmy Award winning series, to his viral archival videos, David has lived and documented key points in history in the United States and across the world. In our conversation, we speak about his creative process, many stories from his incredible career, and what it takes to make compelling media.

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Today I’ll be speaking with Dr. Michael Middlebrooks, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Tampa. Michael is a marine ecologist and invertebrate zoologist, with an infectious enthusiasm for underwater life, and in particular, sea slugs. Much of Michael’s work has centered around photosynthetic sea slugs, truly bizarre organisms with many mysteries still outstanding. Michael and I discuss these creatures and so much more, including what scientists hope to learn from the venom of cone snails and the remarkable nature of cephalopod intelligence. 

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Dr. Vaibhav Pai is a Senior Research Scientist with the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. The Allen Discovery Center investigates the reading and writing of the Morphogenetic Code - how networks of cells communicate to create and repair complex anatomical shapes. Dr. Pai explores the role of bioelectrical signaling, aiming to answer a key question within what is often considered the "dark matter of biology": how information processing in cells implements robust control of large-scale patterning. Combining many tools and disciplines, his work offers numerous potential applications in regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and bioengineering. 

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Today I'm speaking with Dr. Jared Henderson, philosopher, YouTuber, and co-host of "The Classical Mind" podcast. Jared received his PhD in philosophy, specializing in the philosophy of language and logic, having also published in philosophical theology. Over the last several months, Jared has begun to share his thoughts and ideas on books and philosophy, exploring the way they impact our lives. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, including the implications of artificial intelligence, the toxic nature of the modern media landscape, and combating nihilistic thinking to find meaning in our lives. 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@_jared
Podcast - https://theclassicalmind.com/

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Dr. Josh Bongard is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, and director of the Morphology, Evolution & Cognition Laboratory. His groundbreaking work is centered around using AI to design novel organisms, pushing the boundaries and blurring the lines between robotics and biology. We take a deep dive into the fascinating world of Xenobots, programmable bio-hybrid organisms that have the potential to revolutionize everything from regenerative medicine to scientific research itself. As we explore this emerging world, our conversation also touches upon the many nuances of intelligence, and we discuss the different interpretations and manifestations of intelligence, as well as whether physical bodies are a prerequisite for its emergence. So please, join us as we delve into the confluence of AI, biology, and robotics to try and better understand the future of intelligence and the potential of these groundbreaking technologies. 

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Justin Cottle is the lab director and a lead content creator for “The Institute of Human Anatomy” (IOHA). The IOHA is a private cadaver lab that, as they say, aims to teach as many people as possible about the one thing that everyone carries with them for their entire lives - their bodies. From showcasing the effects of drugs and alcohol, to highlighting the miracle that is human reproduction, the Institute of Human Anatomy makes understanding and appreciating our bodies both easy and entertaining. Only a few years after beginning to share their educational content online, they’ve amassed over 10 million followers on TikTok, over 5 million subscribers on YouTube, and hundreds of thousands more across other platforms. Speaking with Justin was an absolute pleasure, and we spoke about many things, from their rise to social media dominance, to how his work has shaped his perspective on life, death, and the human condition.

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Today I’m speaking with Corey Gil-Shuster from “The Ask Project”, otherwise known as the “Ask an Israeli” / “Ask a Palestinian Project". 

Corey asks viewer submitted questions to people across both Israel and Palestine, with topics ranging from food to religion. Corey’s work is among the best, and sadly the few, to be consistently documenting and sharing what real people think and feel, helping to educate those on both sides of the conflict about one another, as well as others elsewhere in the world.

As we discuss in our conversation, and is obvious to anyone who has studied or experienced this issue at any level, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is truly one of the most complex, tragic, and ceaseless geopolitical catastrophes in modern history. Corey’s work provides rare and much needed insight into the lives and perspectives of the people who have lived through the conflict.

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Today I’m introducing a new narrative series covering a wide range of topics, from the history of science, to recent archeological discoveries. This won’t be replacing my regular conversations, but instead will allow me an avenue to cover more specific topics, in more detail, and in an organized fashion. I’ll also be posting this series in written form, which you can find on the Wiser Tomorrow Substack. I’ve been very excited to introduce this format to the Wiser Tomorrow project, and look forward to hearing the response.

To kick off this series, I’m going to begin by sharing what I consider to be one of the most compelling stories of a groundbreaking scientific discovery in the last hundred years. This is the discovery of quasicrystals, for which the Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded in 2011, and which fundamentally changed our most basic understanding of matter and the universe. This is a story that began centuries ago, and will likely continue on far into the future, and marks a significant advancement in the fields of chemistry and materials science. This is also a story of perseverance, highlighting the importance of thinking for yourself, and following evidence, not the crowd. So please, sit back, and let me take you through a fascinating part of scientific history, for which there are surely more surprises to come. 

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Today I’m speaking with Dr. Jim Pfaus, Professor of Neuroscience at Charles University in Prague, and the Research Director of the Center for Sexual Health and Intervention at the Czech National Institute of Mental Health. Jim’s research focuses on the neurobiology, neurochemistry, and molecular biology of sexual behavior, and examines how the brain’s neurochemical and neuroanatomical systems are organized for sexual arousal, desire, pleasure, and inhibition. Over Jim’s more than 30 years as a professor, he has received countless awards for his work as both a research scientist and science communicator, and his work has been reported worldwide in popular media including Time, Scientific American, the BBC, and many more.

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Today I’m here with Fraser Cain of the Fraser Cain YouTube channel, Universe Today, and Astronomy Cast. Across his work, Fraser offers space and astronomy news, covering everything from the big bang, to the latest and greatest space-bound missions. We had the chance to speak about a wide range of topics, including the James Webb Space Telescope, the difference between Eastern and Western perspectives on science & institutions, the importance of citizen science, and more. 

Fraser Cain - https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain 
Universe Today - https://www.universetoday.com/
Astronomy Cast - http://www.astronomycast.com/

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Today I’m speaking with Morne from Mamlambo Fossils. Morne is a fossil hunter living on the South Island of New Zealand, searching for Miocene and Cretaceous era fossils, and preparing them for donation to museums for research or as educational tools for the next generation of scientists. The Mamlambo channel and social media accounts document his discoveries, and inspire others who are interested in fossil hunting, or the many disciplines that are behind the hobby. Morne is nothing short of delightful, and his warm and generous disposition make him the perfect ambassador between amateur and professional fossil hunters and paleontologists. We spoke on many topics, from Morne’s own journey into fossil hunting, to how citizen science offers enormous potential to contribute to the field.

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Today I'm speaking with Natasha from  @NatashasAdventures . Natasha makes videos about Russian life and culture, including her experience as a Russian who left the country following the war in Ukraine. We spoke on many topics from life in the far East of Russia, to Natasha's personal experiences being affected by the conflict. 

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Today I’m honored to be speaking with Jordan Harbinger, host of the Jordan Harbinger Show. Promoting lifelong learning, Jordan interviews some of the world’s most fascinating and accomplished people, offering insight and advice from those who lead by example. I’m speaking with Jordan today as a part of a charity event, donating to a variety of charities over the course of 2023, including Ava’s Kitchen for families with children battling cancer, Hustle 2.0, an educational program for inmates, GiveDirectly, and to sponsor children from Children International. I myself have made a donation of $550, and encourage anyone listening to consider donating to one of these incredible causes, and links to donate will be included in the description of this episode. 

Ava's Kitchen - https://avaskitchen.org/
Hustle 2.0 - https://www.hustle20.com/
GiveDirectly - https://www.givedirectly.org/
Children International - https://www.children.org/

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