Episode · No Stupid Questions · 2026-09-06
Books mentioned on 91. Do You Savor or Gobble?
What’s the difference between people who preserve special things and people who devour them right away? Why do we love to binge-watch?
Stephen Dubner discussed Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. Also mentioned: Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Amusing Ourselves to Death
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman is a media critique arguing that the shift from a print-based culture to a television-dominated society degrades public discourse by turning serious political and intellectual subjects into mere entertainment.
Discussed“If you want to be depressed about our ability to succumb to that, I think of a book from maybe 30 years ago by Neil Postman called Amusing Ourselves to Death, which wasn't about binge watching because it didn't exist”
Where to get it
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Anarchy, State, and Utopia
Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick is a foundational 1974 political philosophy book that defends libertarianism and introduces famous thought experiments like the pleasure machine.
Discussed“But Angela was likely thinking of the thought experiment described by American philosopher Robert Nozick in his 1974 book, Anarchy, State, and Utopia. In the book, humans have the choice to experience reality as it exists, or to live forever in a pleasant simulation.”
Where to get it
