Absolutely Mental
18 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 782 ratingsAll three seasons available at https://absolutelymental.com/
In this new audio series, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor, director, and writer Ricky Gervais phones his favorite smart friend, the neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, to ask some very important questions...and some not-so-important ones.
Gervais and Harris contemplate the wonders of science and the chaos of modern life while having many good laughs.
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Episodes
S3 EP 7: Why do we lie?
March 02, 2022 12:46 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBRicky and Sam discuss the morality of lying, including white lies, Santa Claus, and the best excuse to get out of a party.
Season Three is Available Now
March 02, 2022 12:45 - 1 minute - 2.23 MBGolden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor, director, and writer Ricky Gervais and his favorite smart friend, neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, are back again - this time for Season 3.
S2 EP 10: Why do we laugh?
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 13 minutes - 12 MBRicky calls Sam to ask why humans laugh. They break down the mechanics of stand up comedy, the science behind tickling, and the mistakes of a very sad middle school teacher... Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 9: The Monkey Mind
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBRicky asks Sam to explain the “monkey mind.” They also explore the illusion of free will, the nature of thought and distraction, and more of Sam’s mumbo jumbo. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 8: Why can’t we cure pain?
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBRicky calls Sam to ask why there isn’t a cure for all physical pain. They discuss phantom pain in amputees, the origins of language, and the dangers of tying your shoes. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 7: Lions, Twitter, and Billionaires...
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBRicky asks Sam what single concept he’d like everyone in the world to understand. They also discuss space tourism, the morality underlying animal behavior, and Ricky’s award-winning tweets. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 6: 3 Questions for the Aliens
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 8 minutes - 7.91 MBRicky poses a thought experiment where Sam would act as a human representative to speak with super-intelligent aliens. Sam would ask the aliens to cure aging. Ricky would rather know which version of the Office they liked more. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 5: Q&A
September 24, 2021 01:12 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBRicky poses Sam a question from a listener. They discuss mental illness, the relationship between mind and body, and why, when Christ returns to earth, it definitely won’t be on a spaceship. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 4: The certainty (and uncertainty) of death
September 24, 2021 01:11 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBRicky and Sam debate whether or not it would be better to know the date of your death. They also discuss the flaws in human memory, what uploading our consciousnesses might look like, and why snails would make terrible comedians. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 3: What is anxiety?
September 24, 2021 01:11 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBRicky and Sam explore the origins of anxiety. They also discuss aging, stand up comedy, and having a heart attack on stage. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 2: How does hypnosis work?
September 24, 2021 01:11 - 13 minutes - 12.9 MBRicky and Sam discuss the mechanics of hypnosis and the possibility of a “truth serum.” They also condemn swallowing live frogs at parties. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S2 EP 1: Why do we care about the future of humanity?
September 24, 2021 00:51 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBWe care about what happens after we die... but why? Ricky and Sam kick off season two by discussing our desire to leave the earth better than we found it. Ricky officially denounces Satan. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
Season Two is Available Now
September 24, 2021 00:43 - 1 minute - 1.92 MBGolden Globe and Emmy-winning actor, director, and writer Ricky Gervais and his favorite smart friend, neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, are back at it and this season Absolutely Mental is going deeper. Get access to all 10 full episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S1 EP 2: What makes something funny?
August 17, 2021 09:52 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn this teaser of episode 2, Sam calls Ricky to discuss where to draw the line in comedy. Ricky thinks everything is on the table. Except the word “vagina.” Get access to all 11 episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
EP 2: What makes something funny?
August 17, 2021 09:52 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn this teaser of episode 2, Sam calls Ricky to discuss where to draw the line in comedy. Ricky thinks everything is on the table. Except the word “vagina.” Get access to all 11 episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
S1 EP 1: Why do we dream?
May 10, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBRicky calls Sam to ask why we dream. They discuss why puns are terrible and explore some of the mechanics of comedy. Get access to the other 10 episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
EP 1: Why do we dream?
May 10, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBRicky calls Sam to ask why we dream. They discuss why puns are terrible and explore some of the mechanics of comedy. Get access to the other 10 episodes at https://absolutelymental.com
Introducing Absolutely Mental
May 06, 2021 13:53 - 1 minute - 3 MBAll 11 episodes available at AbsolutelyMental.com In this new podcast series, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor, director, and writer Ricky Gervais phones his favorite smart friend, the neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, to ask some very important questions...and some not-so-important ones. Gervais and Harris contemplate the wonders of science and the chaos of modern life while having many good laughs.