Your Opinion Matters - A Discussion Group for Age 40 plus

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[1] Radiolab
Smarty Plants (35 min)
In an episode we first aired in 2018, we asked the question, do you really need a brain to sense the world around you? To remember? Or even learn? Well, it depends on who you ask. Jad and Robert, they are split on this one. Today, Robert drags Jad along on a parade for the surprising feats of brainless plants. Along with a home-inspection duo, a science writer, and some enterprising scientists at Princeton University, we dig into the work of evolutionary ecologist Monica Gagliano, who turns our brain-centered worldview on its head through a series of clever experiments that show plants doing things we never would've imagined. Can Robert get Jad to join the march?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?i=1000683473780

[2] Regenerative agriculture podcast
Unveiling plant consciousness and intelligence (26 min)
In this Podcast Short, John delves into the topic of plant consciousness and intelligence. John talks about how plants are not just passive organisms, but possess significant cognitive abilities and responsiveness. Drawing inspiration from Stephen Herrod Buhner's works, particularly "The Lost Language of Plants," John discusses how plants demonstrate informed decision-making capabilities and can react to human intentions.
John also cites additional scientific findings that assert plants have sophisticated neural networks contained within their root systems, similar to human neural systems, which are capable of learning and memory.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-short-3-unveiling-plant-consciousness-and/id1372359995?i=1000660216586

[3] Outside/In
The not so secret life of plants (39 min)
From the perspective of Western science, plants have long been considered unaware, passive life forms; essentially, rocks that happen to grow.
But there’s something in the air in the world of plant science. New research suggests that plants are aware of the world around them to a far greater extent than previously understood. Plants may be able to sense acoustics, communicate with each other, and make choices… all this without a brain.
These findings are fueling a debate, perhaps even a scientific revolution, which challenges our fundamental definitions of life, intelligence, and consciousness.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-not-so-secret-life-of-plants/id1061222770?i=1000666216782

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OPTIONAL
Yale Podcast Network
EP. 37 – MONICA GAGLIANO ON PLANT INTELLIGENCE AND HUMAN IMAGINATION. (54 min)
Are plants intelligent? Can they think? Can they hear, see, feel, smell and taste? Throughout history, most Western philosophers and scientists answered those questions with a resounding “no.” Plants have long been treated as passive, inanimate objects that form the backdrop to our active lives, rather than highly sensitive organisms with intelligence and agency of their own. But on the cutting edge of modern science, this orthodoxy is being questioned by a group of daring and imaginative scientists — including our guest, Monica Gagliano — who think that plants are radically more sophisticated and sensitive than we’ve been giving them credit for. Gagliano pioneered the field of “plant bioacoustics,” the study of sounds produced by and affecting plants. The results of her groundbreaking experiments suggest that plants may perceive, solve problems, remember, and learn via mechanisms that differ from our own. In this episode, we speak with Gagliano about the profound implications of her discoveries and how listening to plants changed her understanding of the world.
https://yalepodcasts.blubrry.net/2020/11/04/ep-37-monica-gagliano-on-plant-intelligence-and-human-imagination/
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For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
'==============================================================
Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).

• If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
• $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.

[1] TED ED
Ethical dilemma: Whose life is more valuable? -(6 min)
To protect against a possible resurgence of smallpox, the US government is funding research to improve treatments and vaccines. And since it’s unethical to expose people to a highly lethal virus, labs are using monkeys as research subjects. But is it right to harm these animals to protect humanity from a potential threat? Rebecca L. Walker takes a look at this classic ethical dilemma.
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-we-determine-the-value-of-a-life-rebecca-l-walker/digdeeper

[2] 1A
Ethics of Animal Testing (32min)
What would you sacrifice to push efforts forward on eliminating diseases? What about to make sure our products and medicines are safe, especially for our most vulnerable?
These questions lead us to ethical quagmire and, oftentimes, to the use of animals for research, testing, and experimentation. We’ve long heard the term “lab rat.” Its popularity in conversation belies an understanding that these creatures are popular subjects for experimentation. But they’re far from the only ones.
Around 40,000 dogs were used as test subjects in labs last year, according to a leading advocacy group. The most common breed used are beagles.
Journalist Melanie Kaplan adopted Hammie in 2013, a lab beagle who had been used for research for nearly four years. It led her down a years-long rabbit hole to find out more about her companion’s past. It took her to a sanctuary farm for former research animals in Wyoming, a naked mole rat lab at Boston University, and the homes of former researchers.
We discuss her book, “Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research.”
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1a/id1188724250?i=1000740929433

[3] TED
It's Time to Think Outside the Cage (14 min)
Animal testing is largely disfavored globally, but the world is struggling to find alternatives. Dr. Charu Chandrasekera’s research has proven that there is not only a viable replacement, but one that is cheaper, faster, and more relevant to humans.
https://www.ted.com/talks/charu_chandrasekera_it_s_time_to_think_outside_the_cage

[4] TED
The Ethics of Animal Use in Research (14 min)
For decades laboratory animals have contributed to a multitude of medical advancements, ranging from insulin to cutting edge cancer treatments. Their use in research, although vital, has been controversial with many claiming that technology has progressed to a point where they are no longer needed. Computational modeling, cell, and tissue culturing techniques have made leaps and bounds but ultimately we are not yet in a place where animals and their products can be completely removed from the research process. In the past scientists who use animals in their work and spoke out in support have been threatened and harmed but Ph.D. candidate Courtney Bannerman believes it is important for people to hear both sides of the argument for the public to make an informed stance on animal use.
https://www.ted.com/talks/courtney_bannerman_the_ethics_of_animal_use_in_research

For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).

• If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
• $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.

[1] The Waves
What Reality TV Says About Us (27 min)
On this week’s episode of The Waves, historian and original Waves host, Marcia Chatelain is joined by sociologist Danielle Lindemann to talk all things reality TV. They discuss Danielle’s new book, True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us and why we don’t take reality television as seriously as we should. Later in the show they talk about why women are more successful at monetizing their reality TV brand and how the genre takes us on a tour of the class system.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-reality-tv-says-about-us/id317166278?i=1000562308417

[2] Reality(TV) Bites
This is Uncomfortable (42 min)
When reality dating fans tune into their favorite shows like “The Bachelor,” they expect to see dramatic rejections, hateable villains—all the staple elements of the genre. These formulas keep audiences watching and keep the money rolling in for TV networks. And for a relatively small price—networks don’t have to pay teams of writers, and sometimes they don’t even pay the cast. But while corporations profit, there is a hidden cost for the people who make these shows so entertaining. On this episode, we’ll hear about the long-term costs of making reality dating shows from Nadia Jagessar, a contestant on “Indian Matchmaking,” as well as former “Bachelor” producers Jazzy Collins and Michael Carroll.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reality-tv-bites/id1466681015?i=1000618777005

[3] TEDx
Why a therapist recommends reality TV (15 min)
Whether they showcase competitions, talent searches, home renovations, or something else, reality TV shows have captivated Americans, with nearly 80% of us watching them. But beneath the excitement and drama, clinical psychologist Dr. Kimberly Applewhite Teitter believes these shows can provide numerous insights into our own individual identities as well as humanity as a whole.

Kimberly Applewhite Teitter is a licensed psychologist in the Salt Lake City area who works with clients of all ages to harness their inner wisdom and discover their valued life worth living. She enjoys philosophizing about human behaviors and complex systems to whomever will listen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-r4plN_5uI
'==============================================================
For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
'==============================================================
Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).

• If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
• $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.

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# Please listen to the 5 short to medium-length podcasts below before the meetup
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[1] Civics 101
Disinformation and Misinformation (37 min)
In preparation for the upcoming midterms, we talk about lies. This is the true story of the fake world created in disinformation campaigns. The voting populace spreads it like there's no tomorrow, without ever knowing what's real. We tell you what it is and how to avoid it. Our guests today are Samantha Lai of the Brookings Institute and Peter Adams of the News Literacy Project.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disinformation-and-misinformation/id1195657423?i=1000578511788

[2] TED
How we can protect truth in the age of misinformation (19 min)
Fake news can sway elections, tank economies and sow discord in everyday life. Data scientist Sinan Aral demystifies how and why it spreads so quickly -- citing one of the largest studies on misinformation -- and identifies five strategies to help us unweave the tangled web between true and false.
https://www.ted.com/talks/sinan_aral_how_we_can_protect_truth_in_the_age_of_misinformation

[3] Game Changer
The Truth About Misinformation: Myths, Reality, and Rational Beliefs (31 min)
In this episode we are speaking with philosopher Daniel Williams about misinformation—what it is, how it spreads, and whether it is truly on the rise in the form of "fake news". We also explore why people cling to irrational beliefs and how rationalization shapes public discourse. Finally, Daniel shares strategies for tackling misinformation and engaging with those who hold questionable beliefs.
Daniel Williams is a philosopher and researcher at the University of Sussex. His research is focused on the social functions and causes of beliefs with a special interest in self-deception, religious beliefs, political ideologies, and delusions
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-about-misinformation-myths-reality-and/id1536444695?i=1000690877849

[4] TEDx
Why did we stop caring about disinformation? (15 min)
What happens when lying no longer shocks us and dishonesty become normal? In this eye-opening talk, Skylar Hughes, a journalist and psychological researcher, explores why our outrage at fake news has faded and what that means for democracy. Hughes reveals how repeated exposure to lies changes our brains, shifts our social norms, and threatens our moral compass. Skylar Hughes is a Robertson Scholar at Duke University, combining psychological research with frontline experience in combating misinformation. As part of CNN's fact-checking unit, she verified over 100 articles, broadcast packages, and scripts, serving on the Republican National Convention live fact-checking team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9b7ZQh28GY

[5] Life Kit
How to Spot Misinformation (27 min)
Where can you find accurate news? Life Kit wants to empower you to become a savvy, critical media consumer. This episode has five takeaways that will help you ask important questions to spot fake news and take steps toward correcting misinformation.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fake-news-how-to-spot-misinformation/id1461493560?i=1000455559947
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For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
'==============================================================
Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered).

• If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others can get in
• $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.