Robert Wright's Nonzero

Bob is very funny and knowledgeable, and he somehow manages to have on the most important and interesting people from academia, tech, policy, politics, journalism, and any other field you can think of. I in particular look forward to his episodes with Paul Bloom. Also Bob’s Substack is great, and his book The Evolution of God will change your life.

I had to stop listening to his most recent episode of his podcast when he repeated the claim that Israel is perpetrating ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. He’s either lying or too stupid and drunk on his own ideology to know it.

I’ve listened to his show on and off since 2008. He usually has a interesting collection of guests that are interesting. Much of the show is foreign policy heavy if you’re into that thing. Only loses points due to the continued presence of the always rancid Mickey Kaus, who I regard as a Diet Coke white nationalist.

I’ve been a fan of Bob Wright’s since before they were called “podcasts.” He’s not only a pioneer of the genre, but he doesn’t get stuck in old material. He’s one of the brightest minds out there, and he sticks to topics that actually matter, some of which I wouldn’t know about otherwise. He is also entertaining, and that’s not always an easy combo to do, i.e, brainy AND funny.