Emily Unleashed

Historically, physicists like Ed Jaynes and his predecessors championed probability theory as an essential tool in scientific inquiry. Garrett argues that scientists are often better positioned than statisticians to innovate in statistical methods because these methods are meant to be practical tools rather than theoretical endpoints.   Contrasting the Bayesian and frequentist approaches, Garrett advocates for Bayesian methods, explaining that they allow scientists to incorporate prior knowledge, which is crucial for practical applications, like estimating probabilities in drug trials or climate science. Unfortunately, frequentist methods dominate, partly due to historical momentum but often fall short in high-stakes or complex fields where a nuanced understanding of uncertainty is needed. Kaplan and Garrett touch on real-world examples, like the insurance industry's implicit Bayesian methods and the successful use of Bayesian techniques in finding submarines.   Touching on the broader implications of "postmodern" science, Garrett identifies meta-analysis and underpowered datasets as culprits for non-replicability, especially in biomedical sciences. He contrasts this with the relative rigor of physics, which benefits from fewer variables and more mathematical control.

In this bonus episode James Franklin interviews Anton Garrett about his connections to major figures in probability theory, particularly E.T. Jaynes and David Stove. Garrett used Jaynes's work on probability to solve problems in statistical mechanics during his doctorate at Cambridge and Jaynes led him to the work of R.T. Cox. Cox showed that the rules of probability are essential for true-or-false propositions, providing a foundation for objective probability theory. Garrett knew Jaynes as a shy but brilliant physicist who applied the "maximum entropy method" to astrophysics, leading to significant advancements in deblurring images. He also recalls Jaynes's love for music and his quiet demeanor, contrasting with his confident academic writing. The two also discuss David Stove, whom Garrett met at the University of Sydney. Stove criticized Karl Popper's philosophy of science, arguing that Popper's rejection of inductive logic was flawed. Stove believed that induction, when done correctly, aligns with probability theory and is essential to scientific reasoning. Garrett also reflects on Stove's concerns about political correctness (or "woke culture") in academia, which he believes is damaging free thought.  

In Episode 7, Emily sits down with James Franklin, an Australian philosopher and mathematician. James was a student of David Stove in the 1970s, and later, a close friend. Emily and James dig into Stove's work on logical probability and philosophy of science, particularly his critique of David Hume's skepticism regarding induction. During the left-wing activism of the 1970s David Stove's politically conservative views led him to be an outsider, with it taking years for his ideas to gain recognition. His polemical book, Popper and After (https://www.amazon.com/Popper-After-F..., criticized influential philosophers like Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn, calling them "irrationalists." Popper's idea that scientific theories could only be falsified, not confirmed, was particularly targeted by Stove, arguing that this undermined the rationality of science, reducing scientific progress to sociological factors rather than evidence. Franklin elaborates on how Stove believed this probabilistic reasoning was essential in fields like science and law. In addition to discussing Stove, Franklin talks about his own academic work, particularly in logical probability, philosophy of science, mathematics, and ethics. He has written extensively on the objective basis of these fields, arguing for the existence of absolute truths in areas ranging from scientific reasoning to moral philosophy. Franklin's latest book on ethics, The Worth of Persons: The Foundations of Ethics (https://www.amazon.com/Worth-Persons-..., asserts that ethical truths are grounded in the inherent value of human beings, rejecting relativism in favor of objective moral necessity.

In this episode of Emily Unleashed, Dr. Edward Calabrese discusses his research on hormesis and the flawed origins of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model, which has shaped regulatory policies on radiation, chemical exposure, and cancer risk for decades. The LNT model assumes that even the smallest doses of radiation or carcinogens can cause harm, with no safe level of exposure. Dr. Calabrese argues that this model is based on a flawed understanding of biology, particularly the failure to consider the body's ability to repair damage from low-dose exposures. Considered by many to be "Mr. Hormesis," Dr. Calabrese has spent much of his career researching the phenomenon, which suggests that low doses of harmful substances like radiation or chemicals can actually have beneficial effects by stimulating adaptive responses in cells. The more widely accepted LNT model traces back to the work of Hermann Muller, who won a Nobel Prize in 1946 for his research on radiation-induced mutations. Muller claimed that radiation caused mutations in a linear fashion, but Calabrese reveals that Muller's findings were based on incomplete or flawed data, and Muller ignored or suppressed evidence that contradicted his theory, particularly the existence of DNA repair mechanisms. The acceptance of the LNT model led to overly conservative public health policies and regulations, such as expensive cleanup efforts for contaminated sites and excessive fear of low-dose exposures. Calabrese argues that a paradigm shift that embraces hormesis could revolutionize treatments for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, and could lead to more effective and less costly public health regulations.  

Emily Unleashed shifts gears this week, featuring a guest from the art world. Josh Vietti, a violinist and music composer, shares his journey of blending classical violin with contemporary music genres like hip-hop. Emily covers his journey to music as a profession and digs into his creative process.  ______   Growing up passionate about music and playing violin, Josh received a scholarship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but didn't consider it professionally until after trying out various jobs. Beginning with busking on the streets of Santa Monica, he eventually started selling homemade CDs and built up a fan base.   He eventually made a career of his music, playing gigs at Carnegie Hall, opening at NBA games, and working with some of the biggest names in pop music. His cover of 50 Cent's In Da Club, and other hip hop songs helped explode his popularity.   Josh emphasizes the importance of formal training and mastering the basics of music, but relishes in the creative freedom he finds in blending it with beats and modern sounds. The conversation touches on the broader music industry trends, the evolution of streaming, and the challenges of making a living as an independent artist.   Overall, the interview highlights Josh Vietti's innovative approach to music, blending genres, and navigating the changing landscape of the music industry as an independent artist.  

In this episode of Emily Unleashed, Emily Kaplan sits down with Stanford professor Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to discuss his academic journey and how his background in economics shaped his critical approach to healthcare decision-making. They dive into his influential Santa Clara study, which revealed a much higher infection rate than initially reported, sparking controversy and leading to his outspoken opposition to lockdowns and other public health policies. Despite facing immense backlash and threats to his career, Bhattacharya continues to advocate for scientific integrity and reform within public health. Tune in for a candid conversation about standing up for truth, challenging the status quo, and the consequences that come with it.

Our release of Emily Unleashed episodes continues this week with its third episode, where Emily talks with Pashtana Durrani. Durrani founded the Non-Profit Organization, LEARN Afghanistan, which provides quality education for children, especially girls in Afghanistan. Due to Taliban repression, Durrani was force to find ways around restrictions limiting the education of girls in Afghanistan. Her approach centers on collaborating with local tribal leaders to gain their support, making it a community-driven initiative. She emphasizes that Afghan communities are not inherently against educating girls but are often constrained by safety concerns due to the Taliban's bans. Through radio programs, microbytes (short, downloadable lessons), and remote learning the organization is able to deliver education in areas where traditional schooling is inaccessible. She remains hopeful, believing that even though the Taliban holds power, Afghan women will continue to find ways to learn and work, especially through technology. Durrani is currently unable to return to Afghanistan but remains hopeful for the future of Afghan girls and the resilience of her country.  

In this interview Emily and Drew focus on critical thinking, especially among younger audiences. Dr. Drew elaborates on the current state of discourse in society, expressing his concern about what he calls a "pandemic of irrational certitude." He emphasizes that this certitude is often irrational, as it resists the natural uncertainty that comes with rational thinking. He points out that true rationality requires an acceptance of uncertainty and a willingness to engage in open, critical discussions.   To this day Dr. Drew maintains a private practice in addition to hosting several ongoing podcasts.

In this inaugural episode of the show Adam and Emily dive deep into the importance of critical thinking, questioning authority, and being a rebel.   Starting from his youth Adam had rebellious streaks, but often found practical circumstances kept him in line. Once he found his voice in comedy he was able to push boundaries and address uncomfortable truths.   Through COVID-19 and into today's world, Adam has found that questioning prevailing narratives has become more and more rare, even when official narratives are irrational.

Emily Unleashed: A Critical Thinking Show for The Broken Science Initiative Critical thinking is in the toilet. Americans, lacking the will to challenge conventional wisdom, are blindly deferring more and more autonomy to perceived authorities. Curiosity and a healthy rebellious attitude, once a mainstay in the American zeitgeist, are now perceived as dangerous traits. Individuals who challenge authority face dire consequences including public humiliation, private isolation, job loss, and excommunication from their peer-groups. If we're to have any hope of returning to a nation of innovators, creators and a people who believe in the rights of the individual over the consensus of a few in power this fear-based mindset needs to be called out and rectified. Unleashed will feature prominent guests in art and science who exemplify the antidote to these problems. In some cases their willingness to revolutionize their own industry has led to wild success and in others it has led to being canceled–and in some cases both outcomes are true. The goal of the interviews will be to showcase how these individuals recognized a problem, or a lacking in the current offerings, and felt compelled to change things. Curating a mixture of guests that range industries from science to art, Unleashed will (hopefully) create a narrative theme that rebelling against the norm is often necessary and is the only path to progress. We hope to encourage listeners to ask questions, consider how they might improve their own lives by doing things their way, rather than simply falling in line. Agency is a key element in building a revolution of critical thinkers; people need to believe they have the right to ask for information, admit when they don't understand, and feel entitled to answers from those dictating demands. Our guests will tell our audience how and why they stood up and called for change. Providing the public with examples of real people who have done this gives the audience a vision of what being brave in the face of opposition looks like. It should, if done properly, inspire people to replicate these examples and support those in the trenches. In turn, I hope we raise a new army of thinkers who recognize that curiosity and standing up for what you believe in is directly tied to our innate sense of free will and without it, we succumb to a life as automatons deferring all our power to arbitrary sources of authority. As the host of Unleashed, I bring a few important cards to the game. As a former investigative reporter who has reported for newspapers, magazines, written columns and as one of the youngest producers at 20/20 and Primetime where I covered murder and medical mysteries, I have experience with deep-dive interviews and can get down to the crux of these issues. In my role as the founder of The Kleio Group, I have helped people who have been canceled for standing up to authorities. I see how these takedowns work, what strategies are implemented and how to combat them. I am one of the few people who worked in the media and saw how it was being weaponized against critical thinking. I left because of this deterioration of balance, fact checking and what I saw as an overly politicized agenda being forced on newsrooms. I pivoted from giving voice to the voiceless as a reporter to helping those being wrongly maligned by the media. My extensive work covering health and medicine plays a prominent role in my work as co-founder of The Broken Science Initiative. I am well practiced at reading medical studies, pointing out, in simple ways, why they're misleading, poorly designed, making claims of significance they cannot make, etc. With the same approach I take to deconstructing medical studies, I will apply a similar framework to interviews with artists, comedians, musicians, and business leaders. We will consider why their ideas were so controversial at the time, why the threat of their novel approach rued feathers and how they handled it. In some cases, the guests changed paradigms and we will examine how the ideas that were once controversial are now commonly held and widely accepted. We will discuss what that experience taught them. It will also be interesting to get into how they've changed since their days of rebellion, do they still hold those same values and where do they come from? What advice do they have for a young rebel? What would the current state be if they hadn't had the impact they had? And, for those that were canceled, we'll get into what they would have done differently, if anything, and what they learned from the experience. We'll discuss what their ideas were based on and when the culture/industry/environment might accept them and how even if they don't become a part of the conventional wisdom, the introduction of the ideas played a pivotal role in the conversation at-large. The broad range of guests for this show exemplifies the critical criteria common in all creative thinkers. Musicians, comedians, activists, scientists, business innovators, etc all bring essential stories to this narrative. By including guests from many industries, we will draw in a larger audience who will hopefully enjoy one episode on a hero of theirs and stay to listen to others they may not have heard of before. Through this continuum, we build our narrative thread, which will be Unleashed's theme: How to be an independent thinker and why those who challenge the status quo are the ones who push us all forward.