The Genius of Thomas Sowell

• "Trump & Sowell" with James Fishback

  In this episode I explore what Thomas Sowell thought about Donald Trump the first time he ran for President in 2015, and I discuss how Sowell's views on Trump evolved over the years.The episode features a live, studio-audience conversation I had with James Fishback about why some people dislike Trump so much and how Trump supporters often view his bugs as features.James Fishback is the founder of IncubateDebate.org, a high school debate league dedicated dedicated to free and open debate and the clash of ideas, in a civil atmosphere.I contacted James after reading an article he penned for The Free Press, you can find the article here: https://www.thefp.com/p/judges-ruin-high-school-debate-tournaments.The musical theme of this episode features some of the songs played at Donald Trump's political rallies during his 2024 presidential campaign. I encourage you to check out the full list of songs Trump's team selected to pump up his followers and also inspire patriotic feelings: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7673XgxqA16yhdVEFvpYyh Support the show• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan• Email me at [email protected]• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

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  1:33:20
• "Race, IQ & Sowell" with Nathan Cofnas, Part 2

  This is Part 2 of Episode 40, “Race, IQ and Sowell” with Nathan Cofnas. A few weeks after I recorded my original conversation with Nathan Cofnas, which I released in Episode 40, Part 1, I hosted a live conversation with Nathan on X Spaces which opened the floor up to the public and anyone who wanted to get in on the discussion. We had a great group discussion about hereditarianism and we got to hear more about Nathan’s thinking on this controversial subject, and why Nathan thinks Sowell gets it wrong on this subject. If you were intellectually stimulated by Part 1 of this episode, I think you will like Part 2 as well.I really enjoy this format of public conversation because almost everyone who wants to speak can, and I get a kick out of hosting and moderating these conversations, so expect more of these in the future.I encourage you to subscribe to Nathan’s substack and read his three essays which are mentioned in the discussion:#1) Are smart people superior?#2) A Guide for the Heredarian revolution, and#3) Thomas Sowell’s wishful thinking about raceIf I sound like a fan of Nathan Cofnas, it’s probably because I am. What I like most about him is not his positions or conclusions but that he gets me to think and rethink my positions on some of Thomas Sowell’s diehard arguments. I think they call this critical thinking, or something like that. It’s kind of fun once you get used to it.I hope you enjoy this episode.Support the show• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan• Email me at [email protected]• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

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  1:49:52
• "Race, IQ & Sowell" with Nathan Cofnas, Part 1

  In today’s episode we explore the theme of "Race and IQ" and whether or not different racial groups have different levels of innate intelligence.Sowell explored this subject in depth in his 2013 book “Intellectuals and Race."Joining me to discuss this controversial topic is Professor Nathan Cofnas, who has written extensively on this subject.I highly recommend you read the following to get the most out of this episode:1) "Intellectuals and Race" by Thomas Sowell (of course you should read it!)2) "A Guide for the Hereditarian Revolution" by Nathan Cofnas3) "Thomas Sowell's Wishful Thinking About Race" by Nathan Cofnas.You can find Professor Cofnas's Substack at: https://substack.com/@nathancofnas.• This episodes' song list1. Strange Fruit Billie Holiday 19392. Carefully Taught South Pacific 19493. Black Boys Hair 19644. Birmingham Sunday Joan Baez 19645. Mr Rogers Kiddie Pool scene 19696. Black and White three dog night 19727. Why can’t we be friends War 19758. War Bob Marley 19769. What color is God’s skin 197710. Redemption Song Marley 198011. Ebony and Ivory 198212. My Hometown bruce 198413. People are People Depeche Mode 198414. Black or white Michael Jackson 199115. Colored People DC talk 199516. Changes by Tupac 199817. Everyone’s a little bit racist 200318. Stop the hatred Wyclef 2021THERE ARE 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST:1) Support the show financially by subscribing with a monthly contribution on Patreon:   www.Patreon.com/SowellGeniusThe money raised through Patreon supports our efforts to popularize the books and ideas of Thomas Sowell.----------------------------------------------2) Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This helps a lot by nudging the show to the top of searches. I really appreciate the many positive reviews, especially this one by Jonsby: "This is one of the few podcasts that I actually slow down so I can savor it!"------------------Support the show• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan• Email me at [email protected]• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

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  2:27:25
• "Honesty & Sowell" with Dan Ariely

  In today’s episode we explore the theme of “Honesty.” Sowell wrote about honesty in his latest book “Social Justice Fallacies,” and also in his 2000 classic “Basic Economics.” In addition, his 1993 collection of essays called “Is Reality Optional?” contains an essay about honesty which has a very unexpected spin to it.We learn that honesty is not just a moral virtue, it’s also a form of human capital that varies greatly from culture to culture and from group to group within a particular culture.I explore themes from those 3 Sowell books and I interview Dan Ariely, author of "The Honest Truth about Dishonesty: How we lie to everyone, especially ourselves," published in 2012.  Notes to help you get the most out of this episode:• My three favorite Dan Ariely books;1. "Predictably Irrational" (2008)2. "The Upside of Irrationality" (2010)3. "The Honest Truth about Dishonesty" (2012)• This episodes' song list:1. "Honesty" by Billy Joel2. PS22 Children's Choir rendition of "Honesty" 3. "A Matter of Trust" by Billy Joel4. "Honesty" Saxaphone Cover by  Max Sax5. "Honor Pledge Song" by Princeton Triangle Club 6.  "Honesty" orchestral version by the Japanese Army Band 7. "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny Cash 8. "And So it Goes" by Billy Joel 9. "Piano Man" by Billy Joel 10. "She's Always a Woman" by Billy Joel 11.  "Lullabye" by Billy Joel12. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel 13. "Two Thousand Years" by Billy Joel 14.  "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel15.  "Honesty" Violin cover by ShikiTHERE ARE 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST:1) Support the show financially by subscribing with a monthly contribution on Patreon:   www.Patreon.com/SowellGeniusThe money raised through Patreon supports our efforts to popularize the books and ideas of Thomas Sowell.----------------------------------------------2) Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. This helps a lot by nudging the show to the top of Google searches. I really appreciate the many positive reviews, especially this one by Jonsby: "This is one of the few podcasts that I actually slow down so I can savor it!"----------------------------------------------3) Purchase our Thomas Sowell Post It Note pads:  You can find all 300+ digital images of the post it notes HERE, feel free to download them and use them however you like.To purchase pads of printed post it notes, please visit our shopSupport the show• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan• Email me at [email protected]• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

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  2:12:38
• "Social Pathologies & Sowell" with Theodore Dalrymple

  This episode features a deep dive into Theodore Dalrymple's 2001 masterpiece "Life at the Bottom," one of Thomas Sowell's favorite books, and one of my all time favorites as well. I strongly suggest you read or listen to this book as soon as possible, You can thank me later. I prefer the audiobook to the written book, just because the audiobook narrator does such a fantastic job.I interview Dalrymple about his book and about his thoughts on Sowell's body of work.Notes to help you get the most out of this episode:• My four favorite Theodore Dalrymple books:1.  "Life at the Bottom" (2001)2. "Our Culture, What's Left of It" (2007)3. "Admirable Evastions"  (2020)4. "Spoilt Rotton"  (2011)Theodore Dalrymple has published over 30 books and has a new book coming out soon.• This episodes' song list; all songs by Eminem.-Lose Yourself instrumental-Lose Yourself original version-Without Me-The Kiss (skit)-Sing for the Moment (with Aerosmith)-Love the Way you Lie (with Rihanna)-Superman-Guilty Conscience-River (with Ed Sheeran)-Lose Yourself orchestralTHERE ARE 4 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST:1) Support the show financially by subscribing with a monthly contribution on Patreon:   www.Patreon.com/SowellGeniusThe money raised through Patreon supports our efforts to popularize the books and ideas of Thomas Sowell.----------------------------------------------2) Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. This helps a lot by nudging the show to the top of Google searches. I really appreciate the many positive reviews, especially this one by Jonsby: "This is one of the few podcasts that I actually slow down so I can savor it!"----------------------------------------------3) Purchase our Thomas Sowell Post It Note pads:  You can find all 250+ digital images of the post it notes HERE, feel free to download them and use them however you like.To purchase pads of printed post it notes, please visit our shop at: GeniusSowell.etsy.com ----------------------------------------------4) NEW! Purchase our Thomas Sowell faux postage stamps, you can see them here: https://x.com/alanwolan/status/1750903763978911931?s=46.To purchase, PayPal $4/sheet of 30 stamps to: [email protected]'t forget to put your mailing address in the PayPal notes section so I know where to send them.I know you have thousands of other podcasts you could be listening to, and I truly appreciate the time and interest you show in mine.Alan WolanSupport the show• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan• Email me at [email protected]• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

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  1:31:26

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