The Overthinkers

Is the 9-5 Bad for Us?

Why do most people work a 9-5? And should we get rid of it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the latest episode of The Overthinkers.
 
Further reading:
 
History and the origin of the 9-5. https://hbr.org/2021/07/breaking-free-from-a-9-to-5-culture
 
Arguments against 9-5: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/07/25/working-9-to-5-is-an-antiquated-relic-from-the-past-and-should-be-stopped-right-now/
 
Remote workers aren’t as productive: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-04/2024-year-employers-clamp-down-on-remote-work-not-so-fast#:~:text=It's%20true%20that%20widespread%20studies,be%20factors%20in%20the%20decline
 
Benefits of a 9-5: https://medium.com/@lester03g/5-reasons-why-its-good-to-work-9-5-d4c41df9a3ee#:~:text=Working%209%E2%80%935%20builds%20are,between%20work%20and%20personal%20life.
 

Is the World Overpopulated or Underpopulated? (With Dr. Jared Pincin)

Some think the world is getting too many people to sustain the planet. Others warn that we don't have enough kids to care for the old people. Who's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Economist Dr. Jared Pincin to discuss.Info highlighted in episode:
 
World hits 8 billion people:  https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/11/world-population-estimated-eight-billion.html#:~:text=Population%20Division%20estimates%20the%20world,billion%20on%20November%2015%2C%202022.
 
The overpopulation/underpopulation debate:
 
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220905-is-the-world-overpopulated
 
https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23436211/overpopulation-population-8-billion-people

Should Christians Get Offended?

Getting offended is very common today--particularly online. But is being offended off-limits for Christians? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.
Definition of “Offended”: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/offended
 
Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Offended:
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/blessed-are-the-unoffendable
 
https://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2016/december/im-offended-by-easily-offended-christians.html
 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/easily-offended-isnt-a-fruit-of-the-holy-spirit/

Is Evolution Biblical? (With Dr. Dru Johnson)

Christians and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution have often been at odds. But is that conflict justified? Dr. Dru Johnson, Biblical scholar and author of the book "What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture?", walks Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson through the places where Darwin's work matches with the Biblical narrative--and where it diverges. And it's not always where you might think!
Bio of Charles Darwin: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Darwin/Evolution-by-natural-selection-the-London-years-1836-42 

Is Community Possible Today? (With Houston Coley)

We all want community today. But is community possible in a modern society that puts up so many barriers to it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by thinker and filmmaker Houston Coley to discuss.
 
Lack of friends today:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/well/live/adult-friendships-number.htmlhttps://nypost.com/2021/07/27/americans-have-fewer-friends-than-ever-before-study/
 
Health risks of loneliness: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concern#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,smoking%2015%20cigarettes%20a%20day.
 
Rising rates of depression correlating to loss of community:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-changing-culture/201510/are-mental-health-issues-the-rise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpP7ESJ3hEQ
 
Joseph Holmes' review of "The Anxious Generation": https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/
 

Is AI Dangerous?

Is AI Dangerous? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes look at the evidence and discuss. 
AI Definition: https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence
 
Why AI is Dangerous: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-why-ai-may-be-extremely-dangerous-whether-its-conscious-or-not/
 
Why Experts Disagree: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/3/13/24093357/ai-risk-extinction-forecasters-tetlock

Should We Watch the News?

Is watching the news necessary to stay informed, or bad for your mental health? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss. 
 
Growing number of people avoiding the news: https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/08/01/news-avoid-depressing/
 
Media confidence reaches new low: https://news.gallup.com/poll/512861/media-confidence-matches-2016-record-low.aspx
 
News mental health harms: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/strain-media-overload
 
Where and how often people get their news: https://www.statista.com/statistics/717651/most-popular-news-platforms/#:~:text=A%20survey%20on%20news%20consumption,content%20in%20the%20last%20year.
 
Frequency of news consuption: https://www.statista.com/statistics/946580/network-news-usage-frequency/#:~:text=The%20findings%20of%20a%20study,news%20on%20a%20daily%20basis.
 
Why You Should Quit the News: https://markmanson.net/why-you-should-quit-the-news
 
Benefits and harms of watching news: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-global-lens/202302/is-the-news-harming-or-helping-your-psychological-health

Is Tolerance a Virtue?

For an idea so often discussed and debated, tolerance is a relatively recent virtue. Why did it become so popular? And is it overrated? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. 
 
Merriam Webster definition of Tolerance: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance
 
History of the virtue of tolerance: https://iep.utm.edu/tolerati/#H2
 
Popper’s Paradox of Tolerance: https://www.freiheit.org/mexico/limits-tolerance-poppers-paradox#:~:text=In%20practical%20terms%2C%20Popper%20tells,should%20be%20admitted%20without%20limits.
 
Criticism of Popper’s Paradox: https://markmanson.net/the-paradox-of-tolerance
 
Tolerance is Not a Virtue: https://www.equip.org/articles/is-tolerance-a-virtue/

Is Nepotism Bad?

"Nepo Babies" is a term that's grown in popularity in the 2020s. But what is it really about? And is it a problem? Nathan and Joseph discuss what Nepo Babies are, what they mean in the context of the modern world, and what we should do about it.
What is a Nepo Baby?: https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html
 
Nepo Baby Denials of Nepo-Babyness:  https://balleralert.com/profiles/blogs/saweetie-shuts-down-nepo-baby-narrative
-i-worked-hard-for-everything/
 
Nepo Baby discourse is sexist: https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html

Why Do I Feel Like a Failure?

So many people do everything right and still feel like a failure in life. Why does that happen? And how do you fix it? We discuss.
 
1 in 4 men feel like failures: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/one-in-four-men-feel-like-failures-survey-finds/news-story/548fc822a127c3c71570351fb59661d2
 
What is adulting? https://time.com/4361866/adulting-definition-meaning/
 
What is a quarter-life crisis: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tessbrigham/2022/06/07/signs-youre-having-a-quarter-life-crisis-and-what-to-do-about-it/
 
Rising depression rates: https://news.gallup.com/poll/505745/depression-rates-reach-new-highs.aspx