Summary
In this episode of the StarTalk podcast, host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews author Malcolm Gladwell. The conversation covers a range of topics, including Gladwell's approach to storytelling, his personal connection to the topic of race, and his latest book, "The Bomber Mafia." The discussion also explores the intersection between science and society, with a focus on the potential psychological changes that could occur if all cars on the road were self-driving. The episode ends with a discussion on the dangers of violence and war, with a reminder that the world used to be worse than it is today.
Gladwell discusses the transition of black lawyers and politicians in the 70s, sharing his own experiences of being a fish out of water and how being a tall black male can lead to unfair punishment in schools. The podcast briefly touches on Gladwell's current book, which explores the events leading up to the longest night of the Second World War.
The discussion on self-driving cars raises concerns about the ethical implications of autonomous vehicles, including the possibility of errors in the software causing fatalities. Gladwell and Tyson also discuss the potential for bias being introduced into AI systems and the unintentional consequences of only testing on white people and not considering the diversity of the population.
Overall, the conversation is a thoughtful exploration of the intersection between science and society, with a focus on the potential benefits and drawbacks of technological advancements such as self-driving cars.
