Episode 411

The Victimhood Pandemic

A Conversation with Scott Barry Kaufman

April 25, 2025

Sam Harris speaks with Scott Barry Kaufman about Scott’s new book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. They discuss victimhood culture, narcissism and psychopathy, the personality traits of successful individuals, the dark triad of personality traits, how victimhood culture presents on the Left vs. the Right, free speech, self-esteem and meaning in the age of AI, the replication crisis, the personality traits of MAGA conservatives, IQ, psychedelics, and other topics.

Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D., is among the top 1 percent of the most cited scientists in the world for his groundbreaking research on intelligence, creativity, and human potential. He is a professor at Columbia University and the director of the Center for Human Potential. He has authored eleven books, including Rise Above, Choose Growth, Transcend, Wired to Create, and Ungifted. Dr. Kaufman hosts The Psychology Podcast, which is widely considered one of the top psychology podcasts in the world. Dr. Kaufman received his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Yale University. In 2015, he was named one of “50 groundbreaking scientists who are changing the way we see the world” by Business Insider.

Website: scottbarrykaufman.com

X: @sbkaufman

 

Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.