Podcast Summary
Request for more wood in new set leads to thicker pieces: The Dark Horse Podcast continues to provide insightful content, faces challenges, and values audience engagement and disagreement, offering exclusive perks and sponsor support.
The Dark Horse Podcast, hosted by doctors Brett Weinstein and Heather Heying, continues to produce insightful content despite facing challenges such as moving studios and dealing with correspondence from viewers. A common request was for more wood in their new set, leading them to use thicker pieces. The podcast can be watched on YouTube and Odysee, and listeners can ask questions at darkhorseummissions.com. They appreciate disagreement and support from their audience, which includes access to private Q&As, their Discord server, and merchandise. They also have sponsors like Vivo Barefoot Shoes, which they wholeheartedly endorse for their comfortable and natural design. The podcast covers various topics, including vaccine mandates, and can be found everywhere books are sold or on their website.
Natural solutions for health issues from Vivobarefoot shoes and Ned CBD: Vivobarefoot shoes promote foot strength and natural movement, while Ned CBD products offer stress relief through GABA inhibition. Both companies prioritize sustainability and transparency.
Both Vivobarefoot shoes and Ned CBD products offer natural solutions to common health issues, with a focus on promoting overall well-being. Vivobarefoot shoes, designed with natural stability, thin soles, and flexibility, aim to increase foot strength and encourage barefoot-like movement. Meanwhile, Ned CBD products, made from USDA certified organic hemp and featuring additional botanicals like ashwagandha, offer stress and anxiety relief through the inhibition of GABA reuptake. Both companies prioritize sustainability and transparency, with Vivobarefoot using natural and recycled materials and Ned sharing third-party lab reports and information about their extraction process. By choosing these products, consumers can support businesses that prioritize natural, eco-friendly solutions over synthetic alternatives.
Public Goods' Subscription Service and Transgender Policies: Public Goods offers discounts for new subscribers and focuses on essentials, while transgender policies face criticism for lacking scientific evidence
Public Goods offers a subscription service for premium essentials, acting as an "everything store." New listeners can receive a discount on their first order as a confidence-building gesture from the company. Meanwhile, in the news, discussions around transgender policies are ongoing, with some advocating for evidence-based approaches rather than political decisions. However, an article in Nature criticized a recent Utah law banning transgender girls from high school girls' sports, as it lacked a scientific basis for defining sex and understanding hormonal effects.
Hormones shape sex development with activational and organizational effects: Hormones influence sex development with immediate responses and long-term effects, starting in utero, but it's impossible to completely change one's sex through hormone treatments.
Hormones like testosterone and estrogen have both activational and organizational effects on the body. Activational effects refer to the immediate response to the hormone, while organizational effects set things in motion during development that cannot be undone later in life. These organizational effects begin in utero and continue into early childhood, making it impossible to completely change one's sex through hormone treatments. The author's argument in the article that we can change sex through hormones and that it's important to transition early contradicts this fact. Additionally, sex is binary in animals, including mammals, and transness is a real phenomenon, but extremely rare.
Trans individuals can align their bodies with their gender identity without changing sex's organizational effects: Trans people can use modern tools and supplements to live authentically, preserving biological differences between men and women
The existence of trans people and their ability to live authentically does not require the elimination of biological differences between men and women. The speaker argues that trans individuals can use modern tools and supplements to align their bodies with their gender identity without changing the fundamental organizational effects of sex. However, trans activists are accused of being dishonest in their political movements, as they claim to be focusing on science while ignoring the logical consequences of their arguments. For instance, they argue for the abolition of sex as a criterion for separating facilities, but at the same time, emphasize the importance of sex differences in the context of gender transitions. This inconsistency is seen as evidence of bad faith and a surgical separation of logical arguments from their consequences.
Transgender identity and species concepts: The role of sexual reproduction and heterosexuality: The debate over transgender identity and species concepts involves understanding the role of sexual reproduction and heterosexuality, which are interconnected but not necessarily prioritizing heterosexuality in species definitions.
The debate surrounding transgender identity and species concepts cannot ignore the role of sexual reproduction and heterosexuality. Paisley Currah, a professor of political science and women's and gender studies, has been criticized for his involvement in both transgender studies and the journal TSQ, which has published works that suggest heterosexuality is central to species definitions. However, Ernst Mayr's widely-used species concept, which emphasizes interbreeding populations, does not solidify heterosexuality's role but rather aims to provide a scientifically useful definition for phylogenetic analysis. The controversy arises because the existence of sexual reproduction and heterosexuality are intertwined, and some argue that this prioritizes heterosexuality in species debates. It's essential to understand that the focus on heterosexuality in this context is a result of the biological realities of sexual reproduction rather than a deliberate attempt to center heterosexuality.
The capture of premier scientific journals by ideologues and the potential dangers it poses: The publication of unfounded assertions in premier scientific journals, such as Nature, undermines their credibility and can infringe on the rights of marginalized groups. This trend, known as 'idea laundering,' can have severe consequences during critical times like global pandemics.
The scientific journal Nature has published an article from Transgender Studies Quarterly, which has been criticized for promoting nonsensical and untrue ideas, and apologized for past instances of prejudice in its own history. This raises concerns about the capture of premier scientific journals by ideologues and the potential dangers it poses, especially during critical times like global pandemics. The case of Nature publishing an article from Transgender Studies Quarterly, which lacks logical standards and is known for publishing unfounded assertions, is a clear example of "idea laundering." This not only undermines the credibility of the journal but also infringes on the rights of marginalized groups, including gay people, women, and now children. It's a dangerous trend that can have severe consequences if not addressed. Science, as a self-correcting process, relies on functional scientific, governance, and public health systems. When these systems get captured, it can lead to a shutdown of STEM and potentially hinder our ability to navigate critical situations, such as a global pandemic.
Exploring the Intersection of Blackness and Transness: Bey's essay challenges the notion that Blackness and transness are strictly tied to physical bodies, instead viewing them as poetic, para ontological forces that shape identities.
The essay "The Transness of Blackness, the Blackness of Transness" by Marquise Bey challenges conventional understandings of the relationships between Blackness and transness. Bey argues that these concepts are poetic, para ontological forces that precede and provide the foundational condition for identities, rather than being strictly tied to physical bodies. The essay invites readers to consider the ways in which transness and Blackness intersect and influence each other, leaving the questions open-ended. The conversation also touched on the controversy surrounding a previous publication in the journal Nature by Paisley Ridgway Carrasco, who was criticized for anti-scientific rhetoric. The speakers debated the responsibility for the publication of such ideas, with some placing blame on the journal and others on the individual. Ultimately, the conversation highlighted the complexities and nuances of intersections of race, gender, and identity, and the importance of critically engaging with these issues.
Universities must guard against anti-scientific ideologies: Universities have a responsibility to uphold academic standards and protect themselves from harmful ideas to prevent their spread and potential damage to functional systems and people.
Universities have a responsibility to uphold academic standards and guard against the spread of anti-scientific ideologies. The analogy of leaving yogurt out on the counter, creating an environment for spoilage and the growth of fungus, was used to illustrate this point. The universities, by not protecting themselves against harmful ideas, have helped create an environment where these ideas can thrive and spread beyond their academic walls. This is not to blame individuals for holding and spreading these ideas, but rather to emphasize the importance of institutions taking a stand against them. The damage caused by these ideologies can be significant, putting functional systems and people at risk. It is the obligation of those in charge of these institutions to protect them and ensure they remain bastions of knowledge and truth.
Addressing concerns about vaccine effects on menstrual cycles: Openly acknowledging and addressing vaccine side effects builds trust and confidence, preventing misinformation and mistrust
When we leave systems open to manipulation, they will be exploited. Whether it's a government, a university, or a journal, if we don't establish checks and balances, they will be taken over. In the case of the coronavirus vaccines and their effect on menstrual cycles, The Washington Post reported on a study that showed a temporary change in menstrual cycles for most women after vaccination. While the study's findings are reassuring that the effects are temporary and have no impact on fertility, the delay in acknowledging and addressing these concerns left many individuals feeling unheard and dismissed. The real lesson here is that it's crucial to address concerns and potential side effects of new treatments and vaccines openly and honestly to build trust and confidence in the system. Leaving these concerns unaddressed can lead to misinformation and mistrust, potentially leading to further harm.
Study on menstrual cycle changes and COVID-19 vaccines: Short-term studies cannot definitively determine long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines on menstrual cycles or fertility. Proper response is to investigate further, not reassure based on limited evidence.
A study looking at menstrual cycle changes in relation to COVID-19 vaccines before and after vaccination cannot definitively determine long-term effects or impact on fertility. The study's lead author, in making claims to the media, has made egregiously misleading statements. Fact-checkers, who often lack scientific expertise, may repeat these claims, leading to confusion. The proper response to potential safety signals should be for the safety apparatus to investigate further, not reassure people based on short-term studies. The absence of evidence for long-term effects in a study does not mean evidence of absence. The study's conclusions, stating that COVID-19 vaccination is likely to be temporary in changing menstrual cycle length, have no basis in the research and are hopeful speculation. Science and hope are not the same, and this instance may be an example of pharmaceutical or brain laundering. The experiment design in the study appears sound, but the extrapolation of results beyond the evidence should be avoided.
The validity of COVID-19 vaccine research on women's menstrual cycles and the politicization of women's definition: The accuracy of COVID-19 vaccine research on women's menstrual cycles is important, but the portrayal of results and politicization of women's definition can distract from the larger health concerns.
The accuracy of scientific research findings depends on the validity of the experiments and the honesty in reporting. In the case discussed, the research on the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on women's menstrual cycles was potentially valid, but the paper's portrayal of the results was questionable. The media's focus on trans men's experiences in relation to this issue was criticized as a distraction from the larger concern of women's health. The definition of women, which is essential for understanding the implications of scientific research, has been politicized, causing unnecessary confusion. It is important to acknowledge and address the sex-specific effects of COVID-19 and its vaccines, including potential impacts on fertility.
Disconnect between women's health and ideological topics: Emphasizing health benefits over ideology can increase public trust and uptake of vaccines or research findings
There's a disconnect between important discussions, such as women's health and fertility, and the focus on ideological topics. This was highlighted during a discussion about research on menstrual effects and potential fertility impacts, which was overshadowed by an emphasis on trans activism in an article from The Washington Post. Elsewhere, Pfizer's low uptake for new bivalent boosters could be due to a marketing problem. Instead of focusing on the health benefits, Pfizer should market these boosters as inoculations for daredevils and thrill seekers, making it more honest and potentially more successful. This shift in marketing strategy could help address concerns and increase public trust.
MHRA transformed from a watchdog to an enabler during COVID-19: The MHRA collaborated with other agencies, broke rules, and allowed vaccine manufacturing and distribution before clinical trials were completed, saving lives during the pandemic but raising ethical concerns
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Great Britain transformed from a traditional regulatory "watchdog" to an "enabler" of pharmaceutical companies. Dame June Raine, the head of the MHRA, spoke about this shift in a talk at Oxford University in March 2022. She proudly mentioned how the MHRA collaborated with other agencies, tore up the rulebook, and allowed pharmaceutical companies to modify the timing of clinical trials, even before safety data was available. This enabled the large-scale manufacturing and distribution of vaccines, such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca, before the completion of clinical trials. This transformation from a watchdog to an enabler was necessary to keep people alive during the emergency, according to Raine. However, this approach raises ethical concerns about the potential risks of approving and distributing untested vaccines on a large scale.
Regulatory apparatus and pharma industry relationship: Critics argue the regulatory bodies' close ties to pharma create conflicts of interest, potentially hindering recognition of safety signals and serving as a 'laundering apparatus' instead.
The regulatory apparatus for drug approvals has been criticized for being too closely tied to the pharmaceutical industry, leading to a potential conflict of interest. Critics argue that this relationship has resulted in a safety system incapable of recognizing genuine safety signals and instead functions as a "laundering apparatus" for pharma. This issue is not unique to the COVID-19 vaccine trials but is a systemic problem. The financial controls of the regulatory apparatus have effectively been handed to pharma, leading some to fear that the regulatory body is no longer serving its intended purpose of preventing dangerous or ineffective treatments from reaching the market. Despite these concerns, the regulatory bodies continue to present themselves as watchdogs, but their internal dialogue reveals a shift towards enabling the pharmaceutical industry. This relationship is not only detrimental to public health but also damages the trust between the regulatory bodies and the public.
Regulatory agencies disregard individual risk and safety concerns: Regulatory agencies prioritize manufacturer's view over individual well-being, disregarding risks for young populations, and questionable accuracy of provided information.
The regulatory agencies involved in the approval and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in both Great Britain and the United States have shown a disregard for individual risk and safety concerns, instead prioritizing a manufacturer's view of the product for all populations. This indifference to individual well-being was evident in the UK's FDA-equivalent's statements about moving from a watchdog role to an enabling one, despite growing concerns and evidence of reproductive consequences and ineffectiveness. The lack of risk stratification analysis further highlights this disregard for individual health, as the vaccines seem to pose greater risks for younger populations, yet many universities in the US are mandating vaccines and boosters for their young student populations. The question remains, was this indifference to individual well-being present from the start, and did the regulatory agencies know that the information they were providing was not entirely accurate? A full reckoning on this matter is unlikely.
Understanding and addressing the current system's issues to prevent future pandemics: Stay informed, question authority, take care of yourself and loved ones to navigate uncertain times.
The current system, which allowed certain events to occur, needs to be understood and addressed to prevent similar issues in the future. The individual in the podcast expresses concern that the system is "completely captured," and that those in power are already preparing for the next pandemic with the changes they've implemented. The podcast also highlights the importance of being aware and questioning authority, as seen in the quote "It'll be easier next time to be the enabler. And no worries about them being a watchdog." It's crucial to stay informed and engage in discussions, whether through platforms like Dark Horse, or through personal research and critical thinking. Additionally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself and loved ones, and staying informed about ongoing issues, such as objections to vaccine mandates. In essence, staying informed, questioning authority, and taking care of oneself and loved ones are key actions to take in the face of uncertain times.
