Learning English with Human Beans

• #25 - The Genius Illusion - Pt. 3

  What if the biggest obstacle to recognizing genius today... is our own brain?In the final installment of our "The Genius Illusion" trilogy, George and Alice explore the psychological and structural reasons for our nostalgia for a past filled with giants. Discover how cognitive biases, like "survivorship bias," systematically polish history to make it seem brighter than it truly was.This episode finally reveals where genius is hiding in the 21st century: not in solitary heroes, but in collaborative networks and complex systems. Don't miss the conclusion of this debate that will change the way you see our modern world, all while enriching your English vocabulary on psychology and innovation.Sources:Wald, A. (1943). A Method of Estimating Plane Vulnerability Based on Damage of Survivors. Statistical Research Group, Columbia University.The Decision Lab. (2021, 11 octobre). Survivorship bias. The Decision Lab. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/survivorship-biasRoese, N. J., & Vohs, K. D. (2012). Hindsight bias. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(5), 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691612454303Halbwachs, M. (1992). On collective memory. University of Chicago Press.London, J. (1909). Martin Eden. Macmillan.

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• #24 - The Genius Illusion - Pt. 2

  Is a genius born... or made? In this second installment of our "The Genius Illusion" trilogy, the debate intensifies.After questioning the very definition of genius, George and Alice tackle its origins. George argues that even a talent like Newton's or Beethoven's is a product of its time, needing the validation of institutions to enter the history books. Alice, on the other hand, defends the "Great Man" theory—the idea of the exceptional individual who shapes their time.This episode takes you behind the scenes of the "hero factory" to reveal the social and historical forces behind the greatest names in history. Join the discussion and enrich your English vocabulary on history and sociology.Sources: Bourdieu, P. (1991). Language and symbolic power. Harvard University Press.Bourdieu, P. (1993). The field of cultural production: Essays on art and literature. Columbia University Press.Carlyle, T. (1841). On heroes, hero-worship, and the heroic in history. James Fraser.DeNora, T. (1995). Beethoven and the construction of genius: Musical politics in Vienna, 1792–1803. University of California Press.Spencer, H. (1896). The study of sociology. D. Appleton and Company.

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• #23 - The Genius Illusion - Pt. 1

  Before we can ask where all the geniuses have gone, we must first ask: what is a genius?In the first of a three-part series on "The Genius Illusion," George and Alice embark on a historical investigation to deconstruct the very idea of greatness. They trace the surprising evolution of the concept, from the divine guiding spirits of ancient Rome to the modern cult of the solitary, suffering hero.This foundational episode challenges our most basic assumptions, changes how you see the titans of the past, and sets the stage for the next two parts of our deep dive. All while learning key English vocabulary to discuss these ambitious ideas.Sources:Dubos, J.-B. (1719). Critical reflections on poetry and painting.Voltaire. (1764). Philosophical dictionary.Condorcet, N. de. (1795). Sketch for a historical picture of the progress of the human mind .Kant, I. (1790). Critique of the power of judgment .Nietzsche, F. (1878). Human, all too human.

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• #22 - ADHD: A Journey into the Distracted Mind

  What if the biggest symptom of ADHD wasn't just distraction, but a silent, relentless internal monologue?In this episode, George and Alice move beyond the stereotypes to explore the internal world of ADHD. They dive into the science behind the brain's "frantic hamster wheel" and discuss the real human cost of this common but misunderstood neurodevelopmental disorder. Join them for an empathetic journey that will change how you see ADHD, all while learning key English vocabulary. Sources: Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Neuronal mechanisms underlying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neurotherapeutics, 6(4), 661–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurt.2009.07.006Castellanos, F. X., & Proal, E. (2012). Large-scale brain systems in ADHD: Beyond the prefrontal-striatal model. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2011.11.007Shaw, P., Eckstrand, K., Sharp, W., Blumenthal, J., Lerch, J. P., Greenstein, D., ... & Rapoport, J. L. (2007). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is characterized by a delay in cortical maturation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(49), 19649–19654. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0707741104Thapar, A., Cooper, M., Eyre, O., & Langley, K. (2013). What have we learnt about the causes of ADHD? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02611.x

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• #21 - The Universe Inside - "The Life of Chuck"

  What if a Stephen King story wasn't designed to scare you, but to make you cry with joy?  That's the bold premise of The Life of Chuck, a film that tells a life story... by starting at the end. Join George and Alice for an in-depth discussion of this poignant Mike Flanagan adaptation. Discover how its inverted narrative structure reveals the hidden beauty in an ordinary life , and dive into its central philosophy: that every individual "contains multitudes." 

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