Episode
#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
2:54:20
Published: Sun Apr 03 2022
Description
Chris Blattman is a professor at the University of Chicago studying the causes and consequences of violence and war. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Truebill: https://truebill.com/lex - Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off - Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Chris's Twitter: https://twitter.com/cblatts Chris's Website: https://chrisblattman.com Why We Fight (book): https://amzn.to/3702fjb PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:49) - What is war? (17:59) - Justification for war (40:47) - War in Ukraine (1:24:16) - Nuclear war (1:35:36) - Drug cartels (1:52:19) - Joseph Kony (1:58:23) - World Wars (2:05:31) - Civil wars (2:12:05) - Israeli–Palestinian conflict (2:20:49) - China vs USA (2:26:58) - Love (2:33:23) - Hard data (2:40:58) - Mortality (2:46:04) - Advice for young people (2:50:45) - Tyler Cowen
Chapters
Chris Blattman discusses his research on the causes and consequences of violence and war, which is explored in his book "Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace."
00:00 - 00:53 (00:53)
Summary
Chris Blattman discusses his research on the causes and consequences of violence and war, which is explored in his book "Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace." The conversation also features a list of sponsorships.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This text discusses the benefits of power naps in rejuvenating the body and mind.
00:53 - 07:35 (06:41)
Summary
This text discusses the benefits of power naps in rejuvenating the body and mind. Additionally, it includes a sponsored job credit offer from Indeed.com for upgrading job posts.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The definition of war can be difficult to pin down, especially when dealing with short incidents of violence, and quantitative analysis of conflict requires clear coding of incidents of war.
07:35 - 16:56 (09:20)
Summary
The definition of war can be difficult to pin down, especially when dealing with short incidents of violence, and quantitative analysis of conflict requires clear coding of incidents of war. Despite the differences in appearance, there are common principles that govern certain types of behavior, such as an ethnic riot versus an invasion of a neighboring country.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker explores how war is often analyzed after the fact and attempts to define what makes a war justifiable or not.
16:56 - 26:32 (09:35)
Summary
The speaker explores how war is often analyzed after the fact and attempts to define what makes a war justifiable or not. They question the common narratives surrounding World War II and how we judge the morality of war.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores how irrationalities like passions, misperceptions, and wrong calculations affect our ability to make informed decisions about war and conflict, and the values and principles that may sometimes override the cost of violence.
26:32 - 34:49 (08:17)
Summary
This episode explores how irrationalities like passions, misperceptions, and wrong calculations affect our ability to make informed decisions about war and conflict, and the values and principles that may sometimes override the cost of violence.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The use of game theory is crucial in understanding the strategic incentives and constraints involved in conflict negotiations, as well as the impact of leaders' mistakes and miscalculations.
34:49 - 40:54 (06:04)
Summary
The use of game theory is crucial in understanding the strategic incentives and constraints involved in conflict negotiations, as well as the impact of leaders' mistakes and miscalculations. However, it is important to avoid oversimplification and not discount the influence of nationalism and other factors on conflicts.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Ukrainian crisis can be traced back to the failure of a sensible deal between Ukraine and Russia regarding relinquishing some of Ukraine's sovereignty, which has led to Russia's consolidated political control and Putin's strategic mindset of regaining strength.
40:54 - 47:19 (06:25)
Summary
The Ukrainian crisis can be traced back to the failure of a sensible deal between Ukraine and Russia regarding relinquishing some of Ukraine's sovereignty, which has led to Russia's consolidated political control and Putin's strategic mindset of regaining strength.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker admires the strength and resilience of the Russian and Ukrainian people throughout history, particularly during Operation Barbarossa.
47:19 - 54:31 (07:11)
Summary
The speaker admires the strength and resilience of the Russian and Ukrainian people throughout history, particularly during Operation Barbarossa. However, he also acknowledges the authoritarian nature of Russia and Putin's control over the country.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The susceptibility towards values such as power, status, racial purity, liberty, and sovereignty are heightened in countries with unaccountable leadership, making autocracy desirable to some people despite its irrationality.
54:31 - 1:07:14 (12:42)
Summary
The susceptibility towards values such as power, status, racial purity, liberty, and sovereignty are heightened in countries with unaccountable leadership, making autocracy desirable to some people despite its irrationality.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a complicated situation due to various factors, including Ukrainian intransigence, Russian autocracy, and the uncertain nature of the world.
1:07:14 - 1:16:08 (08:54)
Summary
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a complicated situation due to various factors, including Ukrainian intransigence, Russian autocracy, and the uncertain nature of the world. The uncertainty of the situation makes it challenging for players to agree on the facts, resulting in a prolonged conflict.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Physicists use a "Doomsday Clock" to mark how close we are to nuclear Armageddon, while uncertainty was a key factor in the propaganda during World War Two, which may apply to conflicts such as the current situation with Russia.
1:16:08 - 1:26:25 (10:17)
Summary
Physicists use a "Doomsday Clock" to mark how close we are to nuclear Armageddon, while uncertainty was a key factor in the propaganda during World War Two, which may apply to conflicts such as the current situation with Russia.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The allure of discussing the destruction of the world and human civilization may stem from a personal and emotional perspective rather than scientific analysis.
1:26:25 - 1:35:35 (09:10)
Summary
The allure of discussing the destruction of the world and human civilization may stem from a personal and emotional perspective rather than scientific analysis. People get excited to talk about the escalation of conflict, despite the devastation it may bring, due to a general cynicism or fascination with war throughout human history.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The leaders of criminal organizations often hold meetings to discuss their shared interests, despite being in competition with one another.
1:35:35 - 1:41:17 (05:41)
Summary
The leaders of criminal organizations often hold meetings to discuss their shared interests, despite being in competition with one another. Imprisoning leaders and putting them in the same cell block is a tactic used to prevent them from running their empires.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The transcript explores the complexity of organized crime in Latin America and the different structures and strategies used by criminal organizations to maintain power and avoid prosecution.
1:41:17 - 1:47:19 (06:02)
Summary
The transcript explores the complexity of organized crime in Latin America and the different structures and strategies used by criminal organizations to maintain power and avoid prosecution.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Assessing risks is crucial when it comes to weakening criminal organizations, which can be extremely powerful and a significant part of life in many cities.
1:47:19 - 1:52:18 (04:58)
Summary
Assessing risks is crucial when it comes to weakening criminal organizations, which can be extremely powerful and a significant part of life in many cities. While there is a low risk involved, it requires working with experts to properly evaluate potential risks.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The hosts discuss the tactics used by child abductors and how they appeal to a very small fraction of the population.
1:52:18 - 1:58:40 (06:22)
Summary
The hosts discuss the tactics used by child abductors and how they appeal to a very small fraction of the population. They also briefly touch upon the political landscape of Uganda and how it contributes to the problem.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode tackles the challenges in power-sharing practices that are present in democratic countries and how it could cause political instability and conflict.
1:58:40 - 2:09:52 (11:11)
Summary
This podcast episode tackles the challenges in power-sharing practices that are present in democratic countries and how it could cause political instability and conflict. It looks into Lebanon's political landscape to highlight the negatives of such practices and provides potential solutions.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode discusses the collaborative efforts of economists, political scientists, psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists in understanding and addressing different forms of violence, including low-scale sporadic violence.
2:09:52 - 2:17:20 (07:28)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the collaborative efforts of economists, political scientists, psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists in understanding and addressing different forms of violence, including low-scale sporadic violence.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
As China continues to rise, it has become important to reduce the cultural gap between China and the United States.
2:17:20 - 2:27:23 (10:03)
Summary
As China continues to rise, it has become important to reduce the cultural gap between China and the United States. Greater interdependence and interrelationships are crucial to building peace, as well as implementing more checks and balances on power.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The assumption that relationships in intense circumstances do not matter when it comes to economic growth has been proven false.
2:27:23 - 2:33:58 (06:34)
Summary
The assumption that relationships in intense circumstances do not matter when it comes to economic growth has been proven false. Instead, it is important to consider how relationships can contribute to the development of effective growth programs.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
An academic and her team needed to overcome many obstacles to collect systematic data in safe and ethical ways from conflict zones to understand how to help people.
2:33:58 - 2:41:37 (07:39)
Summary
An academic and her team needed to overcome many obstacles to collect systematic data in safe and ethical ways from conflict zones to understand how to help people.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast transcript discusses the speaker's approach of minimizing any risk related to mortality while contemplating it as a way of optimizing the approach as one would do while managing groceries.
2:41:37 - 2:45:51 (04:13)
Summary
The podcast transcript discusses the speaker's approach of minimizing any risk related to mortality while contemplating it as a way of optimizing the approach as one would do while managing groceries.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares their experience of trying multiple careers before finding a blend of academia, activism, research, and international development that sparked their passion.
2:45:51 - 2:51:53 (06:02)
Summary
The speaker shares their experience of trying multiple careers before finding a blend of academia, activism, research, and international development that sparked their passion. It wasn't until they found a career where the work was almost superfluous and they would do it for free that they knew they had found their love.
Episode#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about quitting jobs when a relationship isn't going somewhere and talks about their work in achieving peace and conflict resolution.
2:51:53 - 2:53:47 (01:53)
Summary
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about quitting jobs when a relationship isn't going somewhere and talks about their work in achieving peace and conflict resolution.