Sam Harris on The Daily Show in 2010

 

Sam Harris on his book, The Moral Landscape; How Science Can Determine Human Values.

Appearance on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

October 4, 2010

The challenge we’re faced with is to create a global civilization based on shared values, economic, political and social goals. We have to begin giving similar answers to the most important questions in human life. We have to talk about morality and human values in the context of our growing scientific understanding of ourselves in the world.

There is an intellectual and moral emergency. The only people in the world who think they have the right answers to moral questions are religious demagogues who think the universe is 6,000 years old. Everyone else thinks there’s something suspect about the concept of their moral truth.

Morality and values clearly relate to human and animal well-being. Our well-being emerges out of the laws of nature. It’s fantastically complex. Genetics, neurobiology, psychology, sociology and economics and everything that can influence the states of the human brain. All of these domains fall within the purview of science.

There’s a gulf between religious-based morality and the facts we’ve learned. In the best case, religion gives us bad reasons to be good where good reasons are actually available. In the worst case, it separates moral thinking from the actual details of human and animal suffering.

You have an institution like the Catholic church, which, based on its doctrine and actions in the world, is more concerned about preventing contraception than preventing child rape. It’s more concerned about preventing gay marriage than genocide.

Scripture is a real mixed bag. If you want to talk about getting wisdom from scripture, the God of Abraham gets slavery wrong. Slavery is probably the easiest moral questions we’ve ever had to face. If this book was written by an omniscient deity, the true source of moral wisdom in the universe, it should at least get the question of whether it’s right to own people and treat them like farm equipment right. The God of Abraham clearly expects us to keep slaves.

Anyone in this room could improve on the ten commandments in five seconds.

Most people in science believe there’s no place in science to say it’s wrong to oppress women. There’s an intuition that something has happened in the last 200 years of intellectual progress which has made it difficult to say that the Taliban is really wrong in their treatment of women. The moment you realize that the only way to ask whether it’s good for women to be forced to wear burkas is to wonder whether it’s good for human flourishing on any level. Does it make more compassionate men or confident women; does it improve relationships between men and women. We know at this moment in human history that the answer to that question is no. To doubt this scientifically is to pretend that we know nothing about human well-being.

There are so many ways to bring order that are objectively terrible, that make people suffer needlessly. We can understand this at the level of the brain, at the level of society. This is not a no-go area for science. Science of the human mind will understand how to make communities flourish and it’s a myth that we can’t get there through science.

John Deere cut more than $1,300 jobs in Iowa so far this year

I feel for the loyal workers at John Deere, who for decades created wealth for the billionaires, and doing so at great cost to themselves, both physically and mentally. I’m sad for the 1,104 Iowa plants workers that have lost their jobs this year alone.

I think it’s safe to say the jury’s no longer out; the supply-side promise was and remains a failure for the economy at large. The wealth never trickled down and the lower tiers of society, which are on an accelerating decline, and that’s caused all kinds of societal dysfunction (decay, crime, illness, homelessness).

It's a fundamental fact that commerce relies on robust economic activity – a balance between cost of living and living wages – but no one’s explaining how the growing working-poor sector is going to keep Iowa business afloat. Sub-living (& lost) wages for Iowans is cutting into business’ ability to remain a going concern in our state.

Slashing payroll to fund stock dividends and $845 million in buybacks per quarter takes a giant dump on the American dream and the patriotic spirit that grew this country into the world's most prolific maker of goods and creator of wealth.

What's happening now should scare the hell out of every stockholder and corporate executive across the Midwest.

Waterloo	549
Davenport	230
Ankeny	166
Dubuque	100
Urbandale	59
	1,104

 

The Invisible Orchestra: From Farm to Feast

Modern dining, despite its seemingly simple act of consumption, is a carefully orchestrated performance. It involves a complex network of people, from the farmer nurturing the soil to the delivery driver ensuring the meal arrives piping hot. This intricate dance, often invisible to the diner, highlights the value we often take for granted in a convenient, prepared meal.

The "farm to table" movement emphasizes the journey food takes before reaching our plates. Farmers cultivate crops, raise livestock, and ensure responsible practices throughout the process. Processors clean, package, and distribute the ingredients. Chefs, with their creativity and skill, transform these elements into delicious dishes. Restaurants, with their carefully trained staff, provide a seamless dining experience.

While delivery services offer undeniable convenience, the logistics behind them are impressive. They act as conductors, coordinating with farms, restaurants, and delivery drivers to ensure a smooth flow from preparation to your doorstep. Each step requires significant resources – from maintaining refrigerated trucks to employing a network of drivers.

The allure of a delivered meal lies in its ability to bypass the planning, shopping, and cooking involved in a traditional home-cooked dinner. However, this convenience comes at a cost. Delivery services often tack on additional fees, and the final price may not reflect the value of the ingredients or the labor involved.

Understanding the intricate web supporting prepared meals empowers us to make informed choices. We can appreciate the dedication of the unseen figures who bring food to our tables, whether it's a Michelin-starred chef or the delivery driver braving the elements.

Ultimately, the decision rests with the diner. Do we prioritize convenience and are willing to pay a premium for it? Or do we appreciate the value of fresh ingredients, supporting local businesses, and the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal?

Regardless of our choice, recognizing the "invisible orchestra" behind modern dining allows us to savor each bite with a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary effort that goes into putting food on our plates.

 

The Engine of Commerce: Living Wages and a Thriving American Economy

A healthy economy thrives on a delicate balance. Just like any complex system, it requires equitable inputs to generate sufficient outputs. In the case of the American market, often visualized as a vast monetary loop with international connections, the initial spark of input arguably comes from consumers – the lifeblood of retail purchases. But for this engine to truly hum, a crucial element is often overlooked: living wages. Far from being a handout, living wages are the very fuel that propels a thriving American commerce.

We define living wages as personal income sufficient not just for basic needs, but to fully participate in society. This means supporting oneself and any dependents with a dignified standard of living. When a significant portion of the population struggles to afford necessities, the economic engine sputters. Discretionary spending – the fuel for a flourishing retail sector – dries up. Businesses struggle to attract a broad enough customer base to sustain their operations. This imbalance creates a vicious cycle, leading to job losses, stagnating wages, and ultimately, a weakened economy.

Living wages, then, are an integral element of economic equilibrium. A business, like any well-oiled machine, has overheads that necessitate a certain level of output. Just as raw materials or equipment are necessary for production, paying employees a living wage is an inseparable cost of doing business. When businesses prioritize short-term gains over employee well-being, it's akin to running a car on fumes. The engine might sputter along for a while, but long-term sustainability is jeopardized.

This doesn't suggest that every service should be universally affordable. Society thrives on diversity, and some experiences, like enjoying a meticulously prepared meal served by attentive staff, are luxuries. The cost of such an experience naturally incorporates a premium for the service itself. However, this is fundamentally different from the expectation of a basic standard of living. Just as we wouldn't expect everyone to own a yacht, we shouldn't expect everyone to be able to afford a high-end restaurant every night.

But when it comes to everyday essentials, a living wage is the foundation upon which a thriving commerce is built. With disposable income, consumers can patronize local businesses, invest in services, and participate more fully in the economy. This invigorates the local market, creating a ripple effect that benefits businesses large and small. A robust middle class with financial security fuels innovation, entrepreneurship, and ultimately, a strong consumer base.

The question isn't whether living wages are good for the economy, but rather how to achieve them in a sustainable manner. This likely involves a multi-pronged approach, encompassing investments in education and job training, responsible corporate governance, and potentially, adjustments to social safety nets. It's a complex puzzle, but one whose pieces ultimately fit together to create a more robust and equitable economic system.

In conclusion, living wages are not a burden on the American economic engine, but rather its essential fuel. By prioritizing employee well-being and ensuring a broader base of financial security, living wages cultivate a thriving marketplace and a more resilient nation. Just as a balanced engine propels a car forward, living wages ensure the smooth operation of the American economic machine, driving it towards a prosperous and sustainable future.