15 episodes

Columnist and author Tim Dowling gets world-leading experts to help him understand complex, interesting and unique topics.

Insult My Intelligence Tim Dowling

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 10 Ratings

Columnist and author Tim Dowling gets world-leading experts to help him understand complex, interesting and unique topics.

    What is Effective Altruism?

    What is Effective Altruism?

    Tim Dowling speaks with Managing Director of the charity organisation GiveWell Buddy Shah all about effective altruism. What it is, how GiveWell implements it and why we should be more effective in our altruism. He also speaks with Bastian Jaeger a psychology professor who has been studying why people tend to be so ineffective when giving to charity. 

    • 31 min
    What happened to the Neanderthals?

    What happened to the Neanderthals?

    Tim Dowling speaks with research leader of human evolution at the London Natural History Museum Chris Stringer and archaeologist Dr Rebecca Wragg about Neanderthals. They explain the difference between the lives and looks of early Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals. They also explain which are the most credible explanations for the disappearance of Neanderthals.

    • 44 min
    How Are We Still Discovering Mammals?

    How Are We Still Discovering Mammals?

    In this episode Tim Dowling speaks with biologist Mario Moura and explore Kristofer Helgen about the millions of animals that aren’t currently known to science. Helgen explains how, in 2013, he discovered the Olinguito, the most recently discovered predator. Mario Moura explains where the best places are to look when trying to discover new mammals.

    • 27 min
    Can We Control the Weather?

    Can We Control the Weather?

    Tim Dowling investigates the history of weather control, with the help of guests Dr Kristine Harper and Jim Fleming. Starting with the con men in the 19th century, through to the government sponsored weather control of the 20th century and even what the future of weather control and climate change could look like. Despite a history littered with weather control failures governments have continued to invest huge amounts to control the skies.

    • 28 min
    How do they set the Doomsday Clock?

    How do they set the Doomsday Clock?

    Tim Dowling interviews Rachel Bronson the CEO of the Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists, the organisation in charge of setting the Doomsday Clock. They discuss the Doomsday Clock's history and origins and how it has changed in the last 75 years. They also question whether the current time of 100 seconds to midnight is where it should be.

    • 34 min
    Has The Internet Broken Copyright?

    Has The Internet Broken Copyright?

    Tim Dowling speaks with Law Professor Jennifer Jenkins who is Director of The Center for the Study of the Public Domain, about the confusing and messy state of copyright law. He also speaks with veteran youtuber Tom Scott on how the internet and youtube in particular have broken copyright.

    • 39 min

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