Episodi
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Cedric Chin is the CEO & Founder of Commoncog. Commoncog is a publication dedicated to accelerating business expertise.Commoncog asks two questions: a) what is business expertise? b) what do we know about accelerating it?In this conversation, Cedric and I dive into how Asian tycoons are made and the essential skills business operators must master in Southeast Asia. TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Trailer & Intro
01:10 Understanding Business Expertise
05:33 The Triad of Business Expertise
10:49 What Business School Misses Out
14:52 Why Are There So Many Conglomerates in SoutheastAsia?
20:11 Not Everything Is About Corruption
23:48 What Makes A Good Tycoon?
29:03 Why Tycoons Are Politically Shrewd
31:37 Unique Features About Southeast Asian Markets
35:22 Kwek Leng Beng's Business Acumen
39:08 The Allure of Startups
41:41 How Robert Kuok Succeeded
46:07 Will There Be More Asian Tycoons?
49:09 What We Can Learn from Constellation Software
54:59 Cultivating Intellectual Dexterity
01:02:14 Advice For Fresh Graduate
Full transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: [email protected]
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Karthik Nachiappan is a Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore. His work focuses on India’s foreign and economic policy, particularly in trade, technology, and global governance. He is the author of Does India Negotiate? (Oxford University Press)In this episode, we talk about the policy interests of India, the role it seeks to play on a global stage and how it manages its own interest as a strategically autonomous power.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:03 How To Understand India
05:42 India's Core Interests
09:16 India's Strengths in a Multipolar World
13:02 Is India Obstructionist?
20:10 The India-Pakistan Conflict: A Historical Perspective
28:12 The Role of China in South Asia
33:31 India's Strategic Ambiguity
35:22 India's Economic Growth Challenges
43:35 India's Future Relationship with Singapore & Southeast Asia
49:25 Advice for Young Graduates
Full transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/
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Episodi mancanti?
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Professor Euston Quah is a prominent Singaporean economist and the Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he also serves as Head of the Economics Division.
Known for his work in cost-benefit analysis, environmental economics, and policy economics, he has advised various government agencies and chaired national committees in Singapore.
His research often bridges economic theory with practical policymaking, particularly in sustainability, public infrastructure, and regulatory impact.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Who Is Albert Winsemius?
05:55 How Albert Winsemius Made Singapore Better
20:35 The Art of Economic Advising
27:56 Market Failures and State Intervention
30:12 Intellectual Tradition of Economics in Singapore
31:06 Singapore's Entrance Into An Uncertain World
34:27 Why Cost-Benefit Analysis
42:22 How To Appraise Costs & Benefits
45:37 Limitations of Cost-Benefit Analysis
51:54 How Valuation Works
54:08 Why Sensitivity Analysis
60:09 Advice for Graduates Entering the Workforce
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Grace Shao is a Financial/tech journalist turned analyst based in Hong Kong. On her Substack, she writes about AI and its relationship with energy, big tech, and society.
She can be found at: https://substack.com/@gshao
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Trailer & Intro
01:30 Understanding the Chinese Internet Ecosystem
06:06 The Evolution of Chinese Entrepreneurs
08:21 China's Smartphone Revolution
10:45 The Rise of Super Apps in China
15:32 AI Adoption in China's Industrial Economy
19:16 US and China – Difference in AI
24:07 Comparative Advantages: US vs. China in AI
26:16 Chinese Cultural Attitude Towards AI
28:11 AI in Manufacturing
32:17 America's AI Advantage
36:08 Navigating the Chip Ban and China's Self-Sufficiency
37:43 Funding Challenges for Chinese Tech Companies
43:23 The Evolution of Tech Entrepreneurs in China
49:20 The Role of Education in Shaping Tech Talent
55:21 China's Tech Role in Southeast Asia
58:25 Advice for Fresh Graduates
Full transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/
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Inderjit Singh is a former Member of Parliament in Singapore who served under the People's Action Party (PAP) from 1996 to 2015, representing the Ang Mo Kio GRC. A seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, he is known for his candid views on innovation, entrepreneurship, and policymaking. Inderjit played a key role in shaping Singapore’s start-up ecosystem and has remained an influential voice on economic competitiveness, SME growth, and education reform issues. He is also the founder of multiple tech ventures and continues to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.
TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction & Trailer to Inderjit Singh01:13 Inderjit's Journey As An Entrepreneur07:15 The Difficulty In Gaining Funding in 1990s14:09 Can Singapore Produce Our Own TSMC14:28 Singapore's Semiconductor Landscape17:27 Did Singapore Give Up?19:04 Revitalising Manufacturing in Singapore22:01 Becoming the World's Prototyping Hub25:39 What It Takes To Build A Startup31:09 Addressing the Financing Gap for Entrepreneurs33:43 Identifying Opportunities for Singaporean Entrepreneurs38:44 Fostering Linkages Between Research and Industry40:08 Balancing Foreign and Local Talent41:49 Inderjit Singh's Book42:18 Can Singapore Be More Risk Tolerant?44:45 How Government Can Support Industry47:09 Managing A Tech Company & Politics53:14 How Inderjit Navigated Politics54:36 What Makes A Good Political Leader57:17 Singapore's Future Challenges01:04:06 Advice for Fresh GraduateFull transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: [email protected] access to every episode by subscribing for free on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/keith-yap8 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/front-row/id1771599400
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Manoj Pradhan founded the independent macroeconomic research firm Talking Heads Macroeconomics, based in London. The firm specialises in analysing global and emerging market macroeconomic trends and their implications for financial markets. He was previously managing director at Morgan Stanley, where he led the global economics team.In this episode, we talk about why ageing societies will create a more inflationary global economic environment. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Trailer 00:51 China's Economic Integration: A Historical Perspective 03:49 The Impact of China's Workforce on Global Economy 06:41 Inequality Dynamics: Global and Domestic Perspectives 11:01 The Great Demographic Reversal: Challenges Ahead 12:30 Cost of Aging 18:09 Aging in Advanced Economies 22:57 The Political Challenge Of Raising Taxes 25:30 Can Technology Enhance Growth? 33:14 Global Labor Dynamics: India and Africa's Role 37:40 Impact of Tariffs on Global Economy 44:31 Addressing Demographic Challenges 51:02 Innovative Solutions for Healthier Societies 56:36 Advice For Fresh Graduate Entering The Workforce
00:00 Trailer
00:51 China's Economic Integration: A Historical Perspective
03:49 The Impact of China's Workforce on Global Economy
06:41 Inequality Dynamics: Global and Domestic Perspectives
11:01 The Great Demographic Reversal: Challenges Ahead
12:30 Cost of Aging
18:09 Aging in Advanced Economies
22:57 The Political Challenge Of Raising Taxes
25:30 Can Technology Enhance Growth?
33:14 Global Labor Dynamics: India and Africa's Role
37:40 Impact of Tariffs on Global Economy
44:31 Addressing Demographic Challenges
51:02 Innovative Solutions for Healthier Societies
56:36 Advice For Fresh Graduates
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Zhou Bo is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University.In his prior life, he was a Senior Colonel in the People's Liberation Army of China. In this episode, we discuss the role China seeks to play on the international stage amidst its intensifying rivalry with the USA.
00:00 Intro
01:20 - China's Multifaceted Identity
04:47 Perceptions of China: Fear and Uncertainty
07:41 China's Historical Context and Future Aspirations
10:40 China's Core Interests and Global Role
12:06 China's Economic Development Initiatives
17:12 China's Security Role in the Global Order
20:07 China's Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
29:06 China's Role as a Broker in Global Conflicts
33:07 US-China Relations: A Complex Rivalry
38:58 Navigating the South China Sea Disputes
41:13 Lessons from Trump's First Term
48:28 Building Trust Between China and the US
53:10 China's Image in the Global Arena
53:58 Advice For The Young
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Bilahari Kausikan is a Singaporean academic and retired diplomat.
He was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the former ambassador to the UN and Russia.
Before his retirement, Bilahari was the Chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore.
In this episode, he unpacks the dilemmas and challenges that Singapore and Southeast Asia face in an age of intensifying US-China competition.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Trailer & Intro
01:33 Bilahari's Take on GE2025
05:09 Navigating an Ambiguous World
08:27 The Evolution of International Order
16:35 Why Singapore Is Better Prepared
17:33 US-China And The New Cold War?
31:16 America's Political Dilemmas
36:46 How Southeast Asia Is Adapting To A Rising China
42:42 The South China Sea Challenge47:52 Can China Benefit From Trump
51:33 The Gaza Dilemma
01:07:19 How Singapore Should Respond
01:12:21 Singapore's Unique Identity
01:17:56 Advice For The Young
Full transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/
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John Carbrey is a Canadian entrepreneur and venture investor.
In 2005, he founded Intrafinity, which built powerful web content management tools used by universities, hospitals, and Fortune 500 companies across North America.
In 2008, he launched SharpSchool, a spinoff focused on communication and web platforms for K–12 school districts.
It quickly scaled to serve nearly 10% of U.S. schools, delivering over a billion web and mobile views annually.
After selling both companies to West Corporation (now known as Intrado, an American telecommunications conglomerate) in 2015, John led the global tech team and helped grow West’s education division from $40M to $70M in ARR.
Today, he's building FutureSight, a venture studio that partners with SaaS founders to co-create the next wave of high-impact startups.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro & Teaser
00:55 Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Initial Ventures
04:42 Building and Scaling Companies in Canada
09:00 Transitioning from Founder to Executive
11:31 The Importance of Reflection In Your Career
13:35 Silicon Valley's Work Culture and Its Impact
17:56 The Psychological Tax of Hustling
24:11 Wanting Well: Redefining Success and Value
27:21 Understanding Mimetic Desire and Its Impact
33:41 Wounds and Their Influence on Our Desires
40:06 Wanting Well: Beyond Individual Desires
43:14 The Purpose of Business in Society
46:15 Finding Great Co-Founders
51:18 Example of An Excellent Founder
60:07 Advice For Fresh Graduate
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Steven Okun, is the Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors. He is a recognized expert on U.S. foreign policy, global trade, sustainability, and corporate public affairs across the Asia-Pacific region.
With over 25 years of experience spanning government and private sectors, he excels at turning complex policy changes into actionable business strategies. Based in Singapore since 2003, Steven has consistently forecasted major geopolitical trends, including reciprocal tariffs, trade policy shifts under a second Trump administration, and U.S.-China decoupling—well ahead of mainstream adoption."00:00 Introduction to Stephen Okun and APEC Advisors
01:24 What Was It Like Under Clinton Administration
05:02 Campaigning in the U.S. vs. Singapore
09:05 How Civil Service Works in The US
11:07 U.S. Foreign Policy
14:12 The Rise of Donald Trump
20:17 Hyper-Partisanship in American Politics
23:37 Lessons from Trump 1.0 to Trump 2.0
27:51 Trump's Intellectual Influences
30:23 The Power Dynamics in Congress and the Presidency
32:39 Understanding Trump's Tariff Strategy
38:26 The China Plus One Strategy
43:39 American Inertia To Industrial Policy
47:02 How US Businesses Adapt
54:55 Opportunities Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty
01:00:02 How To Get Trump To Cut Tariffs
01:02:21 Advice For Fresh Grads
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Dr. Vaughn Tan is a strategy consultant, advisor, and researcher. He currently leads Southeast Asia executive education for University College London, where he was part of the founding strategy faculty in the School of Management. He is the author of The Uncertainty Mindset (Columbia Univ. Press, 2020), a book about using uncertainty as a strategic tool for designing high-performing innovation organizations.Vaughn works with the leadership teams of corporations, startups, governments, and NGOS to develop their innovation capacity and ability to manage uncertainty. His executive education practice focuses on building programmes that develop participants’ leadership capacity, strategic vision, and innovation ability. He speaks regularly at conferences and for leadership teams on uncertainty, strategy, innovation, and the future of work in a time of AI.He is currently a Fellow of the Singapore Government’s Centre for Strategic Futures, an Rethink Food Executive Board member, and an advisor on diversity and inclusion matters to Wellcome.CHAPTERS: 00:00 TRAILER00:53 Understanding Risk vs. Uncertainty03:30 Navigating Uncertainty in Decision Making09:05 The Importance of Embracing Uncertainty14:46 Learning from High-End Cuisine 17:06 Vaughn's Favourite Example22:07 Designing for Productive Discomfort28:58 How Desperation By Design Works35:11 Singapore As An Innovator39:07 Should Singapore Re-Invent Its Education System? 45:37 Beyond Credentialism In Adult Learning52:23 Reframing Singapore's Economic Strategy57:53 Closing Questions
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Allen Lau is a self-described 'recovering' CEO, and 3x entrepreneur, an engineer by training, a rocket scientist at heart, and a venture capitalist by profession. He was the CEO and co-founder of Wattpad, the world's largest social storytelling company with 100 million monthly users. A few years ago, the AI-powered company was acquired by Naver for over US$660 million.Allen is now co-founder and operating partner at Two Small Fish Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that is investing in the next frontier of computing and its applications. He also serves on the board of MaRS, the largest urban innovation hub in North America, and Openmind Research Institute, a non-profit organization focused on conducting AI research leading to a better understanding of minds.In this episode, Allen talks about what it took to grow Wattpad, the world's largest social storytelling platform and why he thinks deep tech is the future of innovation. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Trailer 00:51 Allen's Founding of Wattpad06:49 The Cold Start Problem To Building A Marketplace13:57 Persisting Through The Trough15:26 Scaling Up: The Decision to Expand18:35 Securing VC Funding25:18 Wattpad's Refusal To Enter Silicon Valley33:07 Lessons As A CEO36:41 Why CEOs Need To Constantly Communicate40:05 Wattpad's Strategic Growth and Evolution42:28 Navigating Naver's Acquisition 48:10 Investing In Deep Tech57:18 The Future of Technology and Innovation01:03:47 What Singapore and Canada Share In Common01:08:08 Book Recommendation & AdviceFeel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: [email protected]
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Magnus Grimeland is the founder and CEO of Antler. Before Antler, Magnus co-founded Zalora, taking the company from zero to Asia’s leading fashion e-commerce platform, and then helped scale Global Fashion Group across 26 markets. His former colleagues have gone on to found leading Southeast Asian startups such as Gojek and Stashaway. He is a Harvard graduate, a former McKinsey partner, and served in the Norwegian Naval Special Forces.Today, PitchBook ranks Antler as the most active VC globally, and Dealroom recognizes the firm as the most active investor in AI startups.In this episode, Magnus breaks down the biggest lessons he learnt from Zalora and how Antler is changing the world through Day Zero investments. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro00:59 Early Days of Zalora01:47 Early E-commerce in Southeast Asia04:40 Lessons from Building Zalora07:21 Navigating Southeast Asia's Market Challenges12:35 The Importance Of Talent in Founders16:51 Antler vs YC20:13 What Makes A Founder Great?27:22 Screening for Founders32:02 Building A Strong Global Network37:23 When Hierarchical Leadership Can Fail40:46 The Case For Singapore As A Global Startup Hub47:49 Closing QuestionsFeel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: [email protected]
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Taimur Baig, PhD, heads global economics as well as macro strategy for interest rate, credit, and currency at DBS Group Research. He also advises the bank on risk management and investment strategy.Dr. Baig has published extensively for both specialists and a general audience, on areas including monetary policy, digital currency, financial technology, climate change, demographics, frontier markets, fiscal policy efficacy, and financial market contagion. He is the host of “Kopi Time,” a widely followed podcast series on markets and economies.In this episode, he makes the case for economic optimism in a world of uncertainty.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Trailer01:07 The Role of a Chief Economist02:55 Transforming Data into Insights06:51 The Smoot-Hawley Tariffs And Trade Wars Today10:06 The US Debt Challenge12:13 Reindustrialization of USA14:27 Can America Remain Innovative?16:08 China's Economic Paradox19:05 China's Competitive Advantages23:39 India's Growth Potential28:01 The Warming In India-China Relations30:07 Southeast Asia's Golden Age32:35 Future Growth Areas in Southeast Asia36:06 Advice for the Youth
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Wang Gungwu is an internationally renowned historian famed for his scholarship on the history of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, as well as the history and civilisation of China and Southeast Asia. In his illustrious academic career, Wang has held eminent appointments in various universities and organisations around the world. He was a history professor at the University of Malaya (1963–68) and the Australian National University (1968–86), and the vice-chancellor at the University of Hong Kong (1986–95). He is currently a professor emeritus at the Australian National University and a University Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the highest academic title conferred by NUS.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Trailer 01:03 The Importance of Understanding China's Rise 08:27 Navigating A Chinese Political Identity 20:03 Mao Zedong's Misunderstood Legacy 25:27 The Role of History in Chinese Nation-Building 31:52 Comparing Xi Jinping And Mao Zedong 32:48 Xi Jinping's Influence 37:03 Modernity with Chinese Characteristics 40:46 Balancing Political Stability and Economic Growth 45:52 ASEAN's Role in a Multipolar World 48:59 Maritime Power Dynamics in South China Sea 54:44 Avoiding Conflict In The US-China Rivalry 01:03:30 Lessons for Future Leaders 01:07:23 Advice For Fresh Graduates
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Ong Ye Kung is the Minister for Health. He was elected Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in September 2015, and was re-elected in July 2020 in Sembawang GRC.He had held the positions of Minister for Transport, Minister for Education, Second Minister for Defence and board member of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He is also the Chairman of the Chinese Development Assistance CouncilIn this conversation, we discuss what it took for Singapore to overcome the pandemic, why the Singapore-Johor Economic Zone might change the game for Singapore and what Singapore needs to thrive in such turbulent times.
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In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, a distinguished diplomat and international civil servant who served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Dr. Heyzer also led the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), transforming it into a powerful advocate for women's rights and empowerment globally.
This episode was produced in conjunction with the upcoming International Women's Day, with the hope of getting more of us to reflect on the progress we have made and what is needed for the road ahead.
Dr. Heyzer speaks candidly about her efforts to empower women through economic security, break the silence on gender-based violence, and ensure women's inclusion in peace negotiations—drawing from her direct experience with peace processes in Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She offers a thoughtful assessment of the UN's challenges in modern conflicts and her vision for reforming this critical institution for a new era.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Teaser/Introduction01:02 The Origins of The UN07:00 The Importance Of The UN For Countries10:06 Singapore's Journey and the UN's Influence10:56 Dr Heyzer's Journey19:20 Women's Rights In The 20th Century27:14 The Progress Made For Women's Rights34:55 Understanding The Tangible Impact of The UN44:03 The Role of Women in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Efforts46:56 Role Of The UN In Conflicts47:40 Challenges Facing the UN in Modern Conflicts52:46 Reimagining the UN for a New Era56:15 Advice for Future Leaders
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In my first ever solo audio episode, I thought to share with a book that I have read and re-read every year.
I re-read Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going during a recent holiday and thought I should share with you my thoughts on this book (and why you have to read this!)
Let me know your thoughts!
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Robert Wu is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and thinker.He started working for BigOne Lab, China’s leading data & information service provider, first as an employee/partner, and later, with a buyout, became its CEO.
You can find his China-focused Substack here at https://www.baiguan.news/?r=8th0v
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Trailer and Intro
01:32 DeepSeek's Watershed Moment for China's AI
02:21 China's Emergence As A Tech Leader
10:02 Why Was China Not A Known 1-N Innovator?
13:58 The Funding of Innovation in China
17:27 The Current State of Venture Capital in China
21:22 The Role of State Subsidies in Chinese Innovation
25:52 Tesla's Catfish Effect
31:01 How Tesla Benefitted From China33:37 Chinese Tech Talent
39:03 What's Behind The Crackdown on Jack Ma
45:02 Cultural Differences Between China and the West
50:50 Understanding Censorship in China
55:22 Current Challenges in China
57:35 Advice for Graduates
Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: [email protected]
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Professor John van Wyhe is a historian of science at the National University of Singapore and the founder and Director of Darwin Online– probably the most comprehensive scholarly website on any historical person.
His research has resolved long-standing mysteries and myths such as Darwin’s so-called delay, when Darwin received Wallace’s evolution essay, whether Darwin was the naturalist on the Beagle, where the legend of Darwin’s finches comes from, and whether Darwin lost his faith because his daughter Annie died.
His book, Darwin: A Companion, has been called “the most amazing book on Darwin ever published”. It includes thousands of new discoveries and the most extensive iconography of any historical figure in science.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Teaser & Introduction
01:42 The Intellectual Climate of Darwin's Time
07:10 Darwin's Early Life and Influences
10:47 The Voyage of the Beagle
16:48 Understanding Natural Selection
26:45 Darwin's Contributions to Geology
31:55 Nature vs. Nurture Debate
39:52 The Controversial Reception of Darwin's Theory
42:09 The Descent of Man and Its Implications
47:19 The Church's Acceptance of Evolution
50:05 The Importance of Earthworms
53:40 Darwin's Daily Life and Productivity
56:14 Cultivating Observational Skills
01:00:13 Setting the Record Straight on Wallace
01:03:57 Wallace's Contributions to Science
01:09:05 Advice for Graduate Students
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