Best David Hornsby Podcasts (2025)

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Halloween SPECIAL | The philosophy of the apocalypse 44:25

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4d ago44:25

44:25

Why are we fascinated by apocalyptic stories? Join the team at the IAI for a reading of four Halloween-themed articles, written by historian and philosopher Natalie Lawrence, professor of political philosophy Matthew Festenstein, and professor of comparative literature Florian Mussgnug. From the allure of the end times to the symbolic value of mons…

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The importance of giving up | Adam Phillips 27:14

7d ago27:14

27:14

Einstein was called “slow” at school, J. K. Rowling collected a dozen rejections, and Walt Disney was once fired for “lacking imagination.” We love stories of perseverance—but what’s the cost of never letting go? In this conversation, psychoanalyst Adam Phillips argues that our obsession with endurance can have hidden, corrosive effects. He invites…

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Best Indie Comics for Big Two Readers with Glenn Matchett 2:00:11

8d ago2:00:11

2:00:11

This week, Joe talks with his friend Glenn about the best indie comics for big two readers. These are comics from publishers like Image, Boom! Studios and Dark Horse that would be good gateway series for readers who have primarily read comics from Marvel and DC. It also sparked an interesting conversation about accessibility in comics, and how inti…

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Slavoj Žižek on philosophy today | The madness of reality 38:03

14d ago38:03

38:03

Slavoj Žižek is back in a new interview where he takes us through his thoughts on the role of philosophy, the future of sex, his fear and love of AI and, as always, so much more. Tune in to hear one of contemporary philosophy's most original and darkly comedic minds expose his thoughts on the present and where we are heading - though that is imposs…

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Kickstarter Conversation: Christof Bogacs, David Hazan and Phil Appley on Requiem #1-3 54:00

16d ago54:00

54:00

This week, Joe talks with the creative trio of Christof Bogacs (co-writer), David Hazan (co-writer) and Phil Appley (artist) about the first three issues of their horrific sci-fi thriller, Requiem. I loved the first two issues of Requiem, described as a sci-fi horror murder mystery for fans of Alien: Earth, The Expanse, Dead Space and Event Horizon…

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How to fathom timelessness | Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes 31:23

21d ago31:23

31:23

What should time mean to us? Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is a philosopher of mind who specialises in the thought of Alfred North Whitehead, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Benedict de Spinoza, and in fields pertaining to panpsychism and altered states of mind. In this talk, he combines insights from psychedelic experiences with an intriguing view put forward by…

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After postmodernism | Hilary Lawson, Robin van den Akker, Abby Innes, Sophie Scott-Brown 47:13

25d ago47:13

47:13

Hugely influential in the latter decades of the 20th century, postmodernism transformed many academic disciplines and culture at large. Associated with an attack on objective truth and the uniqueness of meaning, it called into question the whole edifice of knowledge which Western culture had previously glorified. But it left many lost, and in the w…

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Kickstarter Conversation: Frederik Hornung on Seconds to Midnight: Book One 56:11

23d ago56:11

56:11

This week, Joe talks with horror cartoonist Frederik Hornung about Seconds to Midnight: Book One, his new retro pulp horror anthology. This was a really fun, seasonally appropriate conversation talking about the creepy themes and influences of the book and the various unsettling stories involved. We also discuss some of our favourite horror movies,…

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The language of the unconscious: Pyschoanalysis and AI | Alenka Zupančič 29:46

26d ago29:46

29:46

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My Top 5 Picks for December 2025 Solicitations 26:37

30d ago26:37

26:37

This week, Joe gives his Top 5 picks from the December 2025 comics solicitations for Marvel, DC, Image, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, and Oni Press. He also gives his honourable mentions for this month. You can find the December 2025 comics solicitations for all publishers mentioned at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ comicreleases.com/category/solicitat…

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The Enlightenment is racist (and why) | Kehinde Andrews 20:38

1M ago20:38

20:38

The Enlightenment has faced a lot of criticism in recent years - its defenders and detractors often come head to head, scrambling to articulate its ultimate value or lack thereof to contemporary society. This podcast contributes to this wider debate and question facing all those interested in philosophy and politics: Are Enlightenment ideas salvage…

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The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era 29:29

2M ago29:29

29:29

We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is crucial to realising our potential. Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philos…

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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

2M ago46:51

46:51

Truth, delusion and psychedelic reality Do psychedelics reveal hidden layers of reality, or are we simply tripping? Psychedelics are back in the cultural zeitgeist, this time as a treatment for mental health issues. However, critics argue that psychedelics only work by replacing mental illness with a distorted view of reality - but, is this an accu…

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The unconscious mind: Is the unconscious real? 48:58

2M ago48:58

48:58

The unconscious has become a well-known feature of our human lived experience since Freud. We often refer to unwanted impulses, suppressed thoughts, unconscious desires, and the like. But what IS the unconscious? Is it just an easy excuse for our behaviour? Or is it a necessary piece of what it means to be human? Join our diverse and rich panel as …

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A landscape of consciousness | Robert Lawrence Kuhn and Hilary Lawson 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

Will we ever reach a conclusive, agreed-upon theory of consciousness? Over the millennia of recorded history, countless stories, theories, and arguments have emerged to explain the origins of consciousness. And yet, here we are in 2025 - post-Plato, post-Descartes, post-scientific revolution - and still we don't understand the phenomenon of conscio…

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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

The psychedelic revolution Will LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine treatments live up to the hype? For decades, psychedelics were derided as dangerous recreational drugs; now many claim they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of mental health. With hundreds of clinical trials now taking place, the psychedelic therapeutic market is p…

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The illusion of separation | Jessica Frazier on the Monism of Hindu philosophy 24:39

2M ago24:39

24:39

Indian philosophy and the search for unity In our everyday lives we act as though we are all separate individuals, but is this really the case? Jessica Frazer argues that reality is ultimately unified, and that this shift in perspective can change the way we live our lives. It can help you lose your isolated ego and escape feelings of alienation fr…

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The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

3M ago27:44

27:44

From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of 'nothing' is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of 'nothing' is even more bewildering than we might first imagine. Parmenides argued that non-being is impossible because thinking about nothing is still something. Join philosopher Peter van I…

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Is free will an illusion? The chemistry of freedom | Patrick Haggard, George Ellis, Jennifer Hornsby 40:10

3M ago40:10

40:10

The question of free will - and whether we have it or not - is age-old across philosophy, religion, and human thought in general. Having free will allows us to have meaning, responsibility, reward and punishment. Yet discoveries in neuroscience have put our ability to choose, outside of a set of neuronal reactions, in question. Do we have free will…

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Has the world gone to Hell? | Slavoj Žižek on fascism, shame, and dirty jokes 41:11

3M ago41:11

41:11

Žižek: "Trump did what The Left couldn't" As we look around at the state of the modern world, it's very easy to get disheartened - and that's putting it lightly! From pointless wars and endless suffering to the decline of social bonds and trustworthy institutions, there really is a lot to get you down. Fortunately, maverick philosopher Slavoj Žižek…

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Video games and the meaning of life | James Tartaglia 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

Video games are changing how we think. Many are so realistic that some argue they are becoming reality. In this talk by philosopher James Tartaglia, he uncovers the relationship between games and reality. James Tartaglia is Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Keele University. His latest book is Inner Space Philosophy: Why the Next Stage of Hum…

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The philosophy of literature SPECIAL | George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Aldous Huxley, and more 44:01

3M ago44:01

44:01

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ. Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few. These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, …

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How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

In this IAI Studio interview, philosopher and science writer Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the evolution of consciousness and the enduring mystery of the mind–body problem. Drawing on his work with octopuses and other animals, he argues that consciousness emerged gradually through increasingly complex forms of sensory-motor interaction, rather than …

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Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

4M ago27:15

27:15

Human nature and the possibility of utopia The idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and communism and beyond, widely disparate groups have attempted to plan or create a utopia. But is it achievable? And if not, why not…

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More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz 18:32

4M ago18:32

18:32

Why more is less We're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead…

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The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn 43:28

4M ago43:28

43:28

Our culture prizes logic and rationality, if not above all else, as two of the most fundamental social traits. But are we missing out by overlooking the irrational? Can logic explain everything, or what is it missing? And is it possible to live (and enjoy) a life led by logic? Logic, in philosophy and beyond, seems to always to be self-evidently ri…

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Consciousness begins in the body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

4M ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

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Creator Chit Chat: John Lees on Orla! 1:26:37

4M ago1:26:37

1:26:37

This week, Joe talks with writer John Lees about his new "offbeat romcom/creature-feature mashup" comic, Orla! Orla! #1 releases on August 6th, with final order cut-off on July 14th (the last day that a comic shop can be guaranteed a copy), so make sure to order it with your local comic shop if you're interested! If you read the first issue and enj…

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The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

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Doctor Who Season 2 (2025) with Glenn Matchett 2:42:39

4M ago2:42:39

2:42:39

This week, Joe talks with his friend Glenn about the latest season of Doctor Who. Doctor Who Season 2 (2025) aired from the 12th April to the 31st May. It starred Ncuti Gatwa, Varada Sethu and more. This is a full spoilers conversation, so please keep that in mind if you're not caught up on the show! You can find Glenn Matchett on Blue Sky ⁠⁠@glenn…

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Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

4M ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

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The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

5M ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

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Kickstarter Conversation: Pj Fairweather on Don't Fold Presents: Something Alien Anthology 1:09:32

5M ago1:09:32

1:09:32

This week, Joe talks with comic creator Pj Fairweather about Don't Fold Presents: Something Alien Anthology, the first Kickstarter campaign from their new indie publisher, Don't Fold Press. The mission of Don't Fold Press is to promote the "creation of Capital C Comics ... that can only be a comic ... [and] leans into the artform", which immediatel…

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A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

5M ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

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Kickstarter Conversation: Zach Chapman on Dino Knights 1:08:19

5M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

This week, Joe talks with indie comic creator Zach Chapman about his current Kickstarter campaign, Dino Knights. Dino Knights is "a science fiction arthurian fantasy comic", featuring "dinosaurs, knights, time travel and evil robots". It is the start of a brand new ongoing series for fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Phillip K Dick, Once & Futu…

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

5M ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

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My Top 5 Picks for July 2025 Solicitations 29:06

5M ago29:06

29:06

This week, Joe gives his Top 5 picks from the July 2025 comics solicitations for Marvel, DC, Image, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, and Oni Press. He also gives his honourable mentions for this month. You can find the July 2025 comics solicitations for all publishers mentioned at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ comicreleases.com/category/solicitations/2025…

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Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

5M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

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Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

5M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

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The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

6M ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

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Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

6M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

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The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

6M ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

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Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

6M ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

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Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

6M ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day Omnibus Vol. 1 with Glenn Matchett 2:45:35

6M ago2:45:35

2:45:35

This week, Joe discusses the first Spider-Man: Brand New Day omnibus with friend and long-time Spider-Man reader, Glenn Matchett. The first omnibus covers Amazing Spider-Man #546-583, plus various odds and ends. This conversation does contain some spoilers for those issues, so you have been warned. You can find Glenn Matchett on Blue Sky ⁠@glennmat…

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The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

6M ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

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Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

7M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

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The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

7M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

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Best Comics of January to March 2025 with Anomaly616 2:57:06

7M ago2:57:06

2:57:06

This week Joe chats with his friend Owen, also known as Anomaly616 and Massive-Verse Central, about the best comics of the year so far! This conversation does contain some spoilers for the books mentioned, so please keep that in mind if you are not caught up on any of them. If you want to hear our thoughts on any particular books, check out the tim…

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The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

7M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…