Sam Harris is an American neuroscientist, philosopher, and author. He is the founder and CEO of Project Reason, a non-profit organization that promotes science and secularism. Harris is known for his critiques of religious faith and his promotion of scientific rationality and secular humanism. He has written several books, including "The End of Faith," "Letter to a Christian Nation," "The Moral Landscape," "Free Will," and "Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion." Harris is also a frequent speaker and commentator on neuroscience, philosophy, and religion issues.
Sam Harris hosts a podcast called "Making Sense," produced by his non-profit organization, Project Reason. The podcast features Harris having in-depth conversations with various guests, including scientists, scholars, authors, and other public figures. Topics of discussion on the podcast include science, philosophy, politics, and current events. The podcast is released weekly, and episodes can be found on various platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube. The podcast has been running since 2013 and has been well-received by listeners for its in-depth and thought-provoking conversations.
Harris has written extensively on neuroscience and its implications for understanding the nature of consciousness, free will, and morality. In addition, he is known for his work on the neural basis of belief and emotion and his critiques of traditional religious and spiritual beliefs.
Project Reason is a non-profit organization that promotes scientific understanding and critical thinking on issues related to religion, morality, and politics. It provides a forum for open and rational discussion of these topics and works to combat the influence of dogmatism and superstition in public life. Some of the activities of Project Reason include public lectures, debates, discussions with experts in various fields, and the production of multimedia content such as podcasts, videos, and articles. Harris' organization also provides educational resources and materials for educators and students.

Chris Anderson is the Head of TED, a non-profit organization devoted to spreading ideas through short, powerful talks. He is also the founder of TEDx, a program that allows communities and organizations to host TED-like events.
Anderson has been involved with TED since 2001 and took over as Head of TED in 2002. Under his leadership, TED has grown into a global phenomenon, with talks being viewed by millions of people in more than 100 languages. He has also been instrumental in expanding the reach of TED by making the words available for free online and by launching the TEDx program.
In addition to his work with TED, Anderson is also an entrepreneur and author. He is the founder of several successful companies. In addition, he has written several books, including "The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More" and "TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking."
Anderson is a firm believer in the power of ideas to change the world, and he has dedicated his career to promoting this idea through TED. He is a charismatic and dynamic speaker and has been praised for his ability to bring together diverse groups of people to share their thoughts and inspire change.
Anderson is also known for his innovative approach to curation, which has helped to make TED one of the most respected and widely-watched platforms for ideas. He has a keen eye for identifying new and emerging trends and is always looking for ways to bring fresh perspectives and voices to the TED stage.
He has also been a champion of using technology to democratize knowledge and ideas, making them more accessible to people worldwide. In addition, he has been an early adopter of new technologies, such as online video and social media, to help spread TED's message and reach new audiences.
Various organizations and publications have also recognized Anderson's work with TED. He has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the field of communications and education and has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
In addition to his role at TED, Anderson is a sought-after speaker and advisor and has been invited to speak at conferences and events worldwide. In addition, he is a regular contributor to various publications, where he shares his insights on the future of technology, business, and culture.
Overall, Chris Anderson is a respected leader and a thought leader in the field of ideas and education, and he continues to inspire and innovate in his role as Head of TED. His work has helped make TED one of the most critical and influential platforms for sharing knowledge and ideas, and his contributions to the field will continue to be felt for years.

Chris

Daniel Pink is an award-winning author and speaker whose books on business and professional success have sold millions of copies in dozens of countries and been translated into over 35 languages. His latest book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, is a deep dive into the science of timing.
Pink has written six books, including four New York Times bestsellers. His first book, Free Agent Nation, set off a national debate on the changing nature of work and was praised by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter. His second book, A Whole New Mind, predicted the rise of right-brain thinking in the workplace and spent six months on the New York Times bestseller list.&nbsp;
His third book, Drive, a No. 1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, explored the science of motivation and revealed the surprising truth about what really drives us to succeed. His fourth book, To Sell is Human, looked at the changing nature of sales, and was named one of the best books of the year by Amazon, Apple, and the Financial Times. His fifth book, When, is a deep dive into the science of timing.&nbsp;
As well as writing books, Pink is a leading business speaker and consultant. He has been described by the American Management Association as “one of the most influential business thinkers in the world,” and millions of people around the world have watched his talks. He has advised a range of leading organizations, including the United States and British governments, Microsoft, Pixar, and the NFL.&nbsp;
Pink has also been a contributing editor at Wired, a columnist for the Sunday Telegraph, and a frequent commentator on National Public Radio. He was a top-ranking student at Northwestern University, where he won a Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Award, and he holds a degree in philosophy from Yale University.&nbsp;
Pink’s books have been praised by a wide range of business, academic, and political leaders. Former U.S. President Barack Obama said of Pink’s book Drive, “It’s a book that every leader in America should read.”&nbsp;
Daniel Pink’s books, talks, and consulting services have inspired millions of people around the world. He is widely recognized as one of the leading authorities on business, motivation, and success.

Daniel

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes and his visionary leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP), is the former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Dr. Collins has served as NHGRI's director since April 1993. Besides leading the Human Genome Project to completion, he initiated a wide range of research projects that built upon the foundation laid by the sequencing of the human genetic blueprint.
As head of NHGRI, Collins oversaw the HGP, the multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, international effort to map and sequence the 3 billion letters in the human DNA instruction book. Many consider this project to have been the most significant scientific undertaking of our time. The ultimate goal is to improve human health.
With Collins at the helm, the HGP attained historical milestones while consistently running ahead of schedule and under budget. A working draft of the human genome sequence was announced in June 2000, and an initial analysis was published in February 2001. HGP scientists finished the sequence in April 2003, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Watson and Crick's seminal publication describing the double helix structure of DNA.
But the exploration of the genome is really just beginning. Building upon the foundation laid by the HGP, researchers around the globe are now collaborating on a wide range of projects that are using genomic tools and technologies to expand their understanding of human biology and combat human disease.
NHGRI-supported initiatives currently include mapping human genetic variation, developing less costly sequencing technologies, and unraveling the genetics of cancer and other common diseases. Following the precedent set by the HGP under Collins' leadership, these projects are committed to making their data rapidly and freely available to the worldwide scientific community.

Francis

Adam Grant is an American psychologist and author widely known for his work on the science of giving, creativity, and organizational psychology. He is the top-rated professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a former professor at the University of Michigan. His first book, Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, was a New York Times bestseller.
Grant is a leading authority on the science of giving, creativity, and organizational psychology. He has written or co-written six books, including Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World and Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. He has also written for The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Business Review, and other publications.
Grant's research focuses on how giving, taking, and exchanging advice affects an individual’s success. He has studied how to maximize the benefits of giving, how to encourage more successful collaborations, and how to foster an environment of innovation and creativity. He has also explored how to assess and develop leadership potential within organizations and how to build workplace cultures where employees are empowered to do their best work.
Grant has received numerous awards and honors, including being named one of the world's 40 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 in 2015, one of the world's 50 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 in 2018, and one of the world's most influential management gurus by The Observer in 2018. He is a recipient of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Mentoring and was named the Most Influential Thinker of the Decade by Poets &amp; Quants in 2020.
In addition to his academic and writing career, Grant is a frequent speaker for organizations, universities, and conferences around the world. He has presented to audiences of thousands at TEDx events, and he has been featured on television and radio programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, and NPR’s Fresh Air. He has also served as a visiting professor at Stanford, Cornell, and INSEAD, and he is currently a visiting professor at the London School of Economics.

Adam

Christian Rätsch (20 April 1957 – 17 September 2022) was a German anthropologist and writer on topics like ethnopharmacology, psychoactive plants, and animals. Rätsch was born in 1957 in a Bohemian community in Hamburg, Germany. His father was an opera singer, and his mother was a ballet dancer. He started learning about shamanism and sacred plants at 10 and had his first drug experience at 12.
Rätsch earned a doctorate in Native American cultures. He conducted field research for three years while living with the Lacandón Indians in Chiapas, Mexico investigating shamanism first-hand, and completed his doctorate on their incantations and spells. Rätsch resided in Hamburg with his wife, Claudia Müller-Ebeling. He is the founder and co-editor of The Yearbook of Ethnomedicine and the Study of Consciousness.
Rätsch died at age 65 from an undiscovered stomach ulcer, which he had staunchly tamed over the years. Christian Rätsch's The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants describes the botany, history, distribution, cultivation, preparation, and dosage of more than 400 psychoactive plants (while not strictly plants, the encyclopedia also includes psychoactive fungi).&nbsp;
The encyclopedia also offers ritual and medicinal use information (see ethnopharmacology). The encyclopedia features 168 detailed monographs on the major psychoactive plants (e.g., Cannabis, Datura, and Papaver) as well as 20 full monographs on psychoactive fungi (e.g., Psilocybe and Amanita).&nbsp;

Christian

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, cultural critic, and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He first gained widespread recognition in 2016 with the publication of his book "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos," which became a best-seller and sparked a global conversation about personal responsibility, masculinity, and the nature of meaning in life.
Peterson's ideas and teachings center around the idea of personal responsibility and self-improvement. He encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and to strive for self-actualization rather than relying on external factors to create meaning and purpose in life. He is known for his critiques of political correctness and what he views as a lack of individual responsibility in society. He is also known for his views on masculinity and the role of men in society.
Peterson is a practicing clinical psychologist who has written extensively on personality and the psychological foundations of human behavior. He has also written about the intersection of psychology and religion and has been critical of postmodernism and Marxism.
Peterson has been a controversial figure, with some seeing him as a champion of free speech and individual rights, while others see him as promoting regressive and harmful ideas. He has faced criticism for his views on gender and race and for his opposition to certain government policies related to these issues.
In addition to his writing and speaking engagements, Peterson has also conducted research on the role of personality in mental health and has been involved in a number of clinical studies. He is also a popular lecturer and has given many public talks on a wide range of topics related to psychology, philosophy, and culture.
Peterson is a well-known figure in the cultural and intellectual landscape, known for his ideas on personal responsibility, self-improvement, and the nature of meaning in life, as well as his critiques of political correctness and certain government policies. Despite his critics, his impact is undeniable. His books and lectures have helped many people to improve themselves and their lives.
In addition to his books and lectures, Jordan Peterson also has a popular YouTube channel where he posts videos on a variety of topics, including psychology, philosophy, and cultural criticism. He is also active on social media, where he engages with his followers and shares his thoughts and ideas.
Peterson's influence extends beyond the academic and intellectual spheres. His ideas have resonated with a wide range of people, from young men seeking guidance on how to navigate the complexities of modern life to professionals looking for ways to improve their personal and professional lives. He has also been a vocal advocate for fathers' importance and encouraged men to take responsibility for their families and communities.
In 2019, Peterson announced that he was suffering from an addiction to benzodiazepines and that he would be taking a leave of absence from his work to focus on his recovery. In 2020, he announced that he was also suffering from a serious case of pneumonia and had to undergo chemotherapy, which left him with many health complications. Despite this, Peterson continues to publish new content, write and speak in interviews, showing great resilience and determination.
In summary, Jordan Peterson is a well-known figure in the cultural and intellectual landscape, known for his ideas on personal responsibility, self-improvement, and the nature of meaning in life. His books and lectures have helped many people to improve themselves and their lives. He is also active on YouTube and social media and continues to publish new content and speak in interviews despite his health issues.

Jordan

Susan Cain is an American author, speaker, and advocate for introverts. She is best known for her bestselling 2012 book, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," which explores introverts' unique strengths and characteristics and the cultural biases that favor extroversion. The book has been widely praised for its insights into the introverted personality and has helped to increase awareness and understanding of introversion.
Cain's book is based on a combination of research and personal experience. It highlights how Western culture values extroversion over introversion and how it has led to the undervaluation of introverted individuals. She argues that society should better appreciate the strengths and contributions of introverts and create more opportunities for them to thrive.
In addition to her writing, Cain is a public speaker and has given numerous talks and lectures on introversion. She is a co-founder of Quiet Revolution, a company that helps people to understand and leverage the power of introverts, and the founder of The Quiet Leadership Institute. This organization trains leaders to lead from their natural strengths, whether introverted or extroverted.
Cain's work has significantly impacted the public understanding of introversion. It has been widely praised for its insights into introverts' unique strengths and characteristics and how society can better support them. As a result, she has been featured in many media outlets such as Time Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, and many more. She is also sought after as a speaker and advisor by organizations and companies looking to create more inclusive and influential cultures.
As a public speaker, Cain focuses on raising awareness about introverts' unique strengths and needs and the cultural biases that favor extroversion. She provides insights into the introverted personality and how society can create more opportunities for introverts to thrive. She also advises introverted individuals on navigating and succeeding in a world that is often geared towards extroverts.
Cain's public speaking engagements often include keynotes, workshops, and lectures at conferences, universities, and other venues. In addition, s In addition, shehas spoken to audiences at conferences and events such as TED, SXSW, and the Aspen Ideas Festival, among others.
Cain is often sought after as a speaker by organizations and companies looking to create more inclusive and influential cultures. She advises bringing out the best in introverted employees and creating an environment that caters to different working styles.
In summary, Susan Cain is a well-known public speaker who has gained a reputation for her insights on introversion and how society can better support and value introverted individuals. As a result, she is sought after by organizations and companies looking to create more inclusive and effective cultures, as well as academic institutions and other venues looking to explore introversion and its impact on society.

Susan

Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on a number of important public health issues. He is a founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a founding member of the American College of Nutrition.
Dr. Greger has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show and the Colbert Report, and his work has been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post. He is the author of How Not to Die and the internationally bestselling book How Not to Die Cookbook. He is also the host of the popular weekly nutrition podcast, NutritionFacts.org.
Dr. Greger graduated from the Tufts University School of Medicine and was trained in internal medicine and nutrition science at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is board certified in general internal medicine and nutrition.
Dr. Greger is a strong proponent of whole food and plant-based nutrition and encourages people to focus on their diets as a primary way to improve their health. His nonprofit organization, NutritionFacts.org, provides free, science-based information about nutrition and health.
Dr. Greger is a regular contributor to the Journal of the American Medical Association. His work has appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the British Medical Journal. He has given talks at numerous events and conferences, including the World Health Organization, the American College of Physicians, and the American Heart Association. He has also appeared on numerous television programs, including The Dr. Oz Show, The Colbert Report, The Today Show, and The Dr. Phil Show.
Dr. Greger is a leader in the field of nutrition and health and is passionate about helping people live healthier and longer lives. He has received numerous awards and honors, including being named as one of the top global thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine in 2012. He is a strong advocate for the use of evidence-based nutrition to prevent and treat chronic diseases.

Dr. Michael

Christopher Hitchens (13 April 1949 – 15 December 2011) was a British-American author, journalist, and literary critic. He was a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, a columnist for Slate, and a visiting professor of liberal studies at the New School. His books, essays, and journalistic career spanned more than four decades. He was a vocal critic of what he called "fascist" ideologies, including communism and religious fundamentalism, and was known for his criticism of Mother Teresa and Henry Kissinger. He wrote extensively about politics, literature, and religion and was a frequent guest on various news programs and talk shows.
Hitchens was born in Portsmouth, England, and attended Balliol College, Oxford. He began his career as a journalist in the 1970s, working for various newspapers and magazines in Britain and the United States. He rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s with his coverage of the Iran-Contra affair, his criticism of Mother Teresa, and his coverage of the Bill Clinton impeachment.
Hitchens was a controversial figure known for his sharp wit and his willingness to take on controversial subjects. He was a vocal critic of religion, particularly organized religion and the influence of religious institutions on politics. He was also a vocal critic of US foreign policy, particularly the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. His book "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" was a best-seller and made him a prominent figure in the "New Atheism" movement.
Hitchens was also a vocal critic of totalitarianism, particularly of the Soviet Union and its satellite states. He wrote extensively about the dangers of totalitarianism, and his book "The Trial of Henry Kissinger" was a critique of the former US Secretary of State's actions during the Nixon Administration.
Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2010 and died on December 15, 2011, at the age of 62. He was widely mourned by friends, colleagues, and fans, and his death was widely covered in the media.
"God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" (2007) was a best-seller and made Hitchens a prominent figure in the "New Atheism" movement. In it, he argues that religion is harmful to society and that it is responsible for many of the world's problems. He also critiques specific religions and religious texts, including the Bible and the Quran.
"The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever" (2007) is a collection of essays and writings from various authors, compiled and edited by Hitchens. It includes works from famous skeptics and critics of religion, such as Mark Twain, George Orwell, and Bertrand Russell.
In "The Trial of Henry Kissinger" (2001), Hitchens accuses former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, of war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically in relation to his actions during the Nixon Administration. He argues that Kissinger was responsible for many deaths and human rights abuses in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
"Letters to a Young Contrarian" (2001) is a collection of letters written by Hitchens to a fictional young person. He gives advice on how to be a contrarian and think independently. He covers topics such as politics, culture, and the importance of free speech. In "Why Orwell Matters" (2002), Hitchens reflects on the life and work of George Orwell and argues that Orwell's writing is still relevant today. He covers Orwell's views on totalitarianism, censorship, and the dangers of propaganda.
"Hitch-22: A Memoir" (2010) is Hitchens's autobiography, in which he reflects on his life and career. He covers his childhood, his time at Oxford, his career as a journalist, and his experiences as a public intellectual.
These are just a few examples of the many books written by Christopher Hitchens. He also wrote several essays and articles and contributed to many publications during his career. His work continues to be widely read and discussed, and his books are considered to be important contributions to the fields of politics, literature, and religion.

Christopher

Paul Graham is an entrepreneur, programmer, and essayist. He is the co-founder of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that has funded over 2,000 companies including Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit. His career has been focused on technology and startups. He began his career as a programmer and software developer, working on various projects and startups. In 1995, he co-founded Viaweb, one of the first web-based companies that allowed users to create their own online stores. The company was later sold to Yahoo in 1998 for $49 million.
After the sale of Viaweb, Graham turned his attention to startup investing and mentoring. In 2005, he co-founded Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that provides funding, resources, and mentorship to early-stage startups. Y Combinator has since funded over 2,000 companies, many of which have gone on to become successful and valuable companies, such as Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit.
Paul Graham has several notable achievements in his career, including:
<ul>
<li>Co-founding Viaweb: Viaweb was one of the first web-based companies that allowed users to create their own online stores. The company was later sold to Yahoo in 1998 for $49 million.</li>
<li>Fellowship at Harvard's Society of Fellows: Graham is a Fellow at Harvard's Society of Fellows, a prestigious group of scholars who receive funding and support to pursue their research.</li>
<li>Helping launch successful startups: Graham has helped launch many successful startups through Y Combinator and has mentored many entrepreneurs. Some of the successful companies that came out of Y Combinator include Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit.</li>
</ul>
In addition to his work with Y Combinator, Graham is also known for his essays on technology and startups. He has written extensively on the startup ecosystem, the role of technology in society, and the future of the internet. His essays have been collected in two books, "Hackers &amp; Painters" and "Ansi Common Lisp." He continues to share his thoughts and insights on his website, paulgraham.com.

Paul

Journalist, photographer, and artist James Oroc was born in the small South Pacific nation of Aotearoa. He pursued and reported on the cutting edge of extreme sports in more than 40 countries around the globe, his work appeared in magazines, films, and on MTV Sports. He was a member of the Burning Man community since 1999, and he was also involved in the documentation and advancement of “Alternative Culture.” Oroc resided in the Dominican Republic.

James

Daniel Kahneman is an Israeli-American psychologist and Nobel Laureate who revolutionized the field of cognitive psychology with his groundbreaking research on decision-making and human behavior. Kahneman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1934 and immigrated to France with his family at the age of 12. He studied psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1961.
Throughout his career, Kahneman has conducted research on how people make decisions and the biases that lead to errors in judgment. He is best known for developing the Prospect Theory, which suggests that people tend to be risk-averse when considering gains and risk-prone when considering losses. His work has also focused on the role of intuition and emotion in decision-making, as well as the effect that cognitive biases can have on our interpretations of the world.
Kahneman is the author of several influential books, including Thinking, Fast and Slow, which has become a bestseller and has been translated into more than 35 languages. His other books include Attention and Effort (1973), Maps of Bounded Rationality (1982), and Choices, Values, and Frames (2000). He has also been a prolific researcher, publishing more than 200 papers in scientific journals and several popular books.
In 2002, Kahneman was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his pioneering work in psychology, which has had a profound impact on economics, finance, and other disciplines. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. Today, he is a professor emeritus at Princeton University and a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Kahneman's research has had a major influence on the study of decision-making, economics, and other fields of psychology. His work has been cited more than 10,000 times, and his influence has been felt in many aspects of life, from the way we make decisions to the way we design policies. He has been called the "father of behavioral economics" and has shown us that our decisions are often not as rational as we think they are.
In addition to his research, Kahneman has been a longtime advocate for the application of psychological principles to social and economic policy. His work has shed light on how we can make more effective decisions, from the individual level to the global level.

Mark is an inner and outer explorer, who has devotedly studied mindfulness meditation practices for three decades. He is passionate about sharing the nature based meditation and has taught mindfulness workshops and meditation retreats on five continents for the past twenty years. Mark is a senior meditation teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught there since 2000.
Mark is an unabashed nature lover and, through his organization, Awake in the Wild, he shares his passion for integrating meditation and nature. He leads wilderness meditation retreats in California, Colorado and New Mexico, taking people on inner and outdoor adventures. Through Awake in the Wild, Mark leads year-long meditation-in-nature teacher trainings in the US &amp; Europe and has trained over 70 Awake in the Wild teachers.
As co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute, Mark leads professional Mindfulness Teacher Trainings in the US and Europe annually and has trained over 300 mindfulness teachers from over 20 countries. Mark holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and draws on his extensive experience in working with students and clients.
Mark’s most recent book is A Field Guide to Nature Meditation: 52 Mindfulness Practices for Joy, Wisdom and Wonder. He is also the author of Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery, From Suffering to Peace:The True Promise of Mindfulness , and Make Peace with Your Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Help Free You from the Inner Critic.
Originally from England, Mark now lives in Marin County, California and enjoys spending his free time hiking, biking and kayaking.

Mark

Richard Maurice Bucke, often called Maurice Bucke, was a prominent Canadian psychiatrist in the late 19th century. An adventurer during his youth, Bucke later studied medicine. Eventually, as a psychiatrist, he headed the provincial Asylum for the Insane in London, Ontario. Bucke was a friend of several noted men of letters in Canada, the United States, and England. Besides publishing professional articles, Bucke wrote three non-fiction books: Man's Moral Nature, Walt Whitman, and Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind, which is his best-known work.
Richard Maurice Bucke was born in 1837 in Methwold, England, the son of Rev. Horatio Walpole Bucke (a parish curate) and his wife, Clarissa Andrews. The parents and their children emigrated to Canada when he was a year old, settling near London, Ontario. Horatio W. Bucke had given up the profession of the religious minister and trusted his family's income to their Ontario farm. A sibling in a large family, Richard Maurice Bucke, was a typical farm boy of that era.&nbsp;
He was an athletic boy who enjoyed a good ball game. When he left home at the age of 16, he traveled to Columbus, Ohio, and then to California. Along the way, Bucke worked at various odd jobs. He was part of a traveling party who had to fight for their lives when they were attacked by Shoshone Indians, on whose territory they were trespassing. In the winter of 1857–58, he was nearly frozen to death in the mountains of California, where he was the sole survivor of a silver-mining party.&nbsp;
He had to walk out over the mountains and suffered extreme frostbite. As a result, a foot and several of his toes were amputated. He then returned to Canada via the Isthmus of Panama, probably in 1858. Bucke enrolled in McGill University's medical school in Montreal, where he delivered a distinguished thesis in 1862. Although he briefly practiced general medicine as a ship's surgeon (to pay for his sea travel), he later specialized in psychiatry. He interned in London (1862–63) at University College Hospital. During that time, he visited France.
He was, for several years, an enthusiast of Auguste Comte's positivist philosophy. Huston Smith said of Comte's philosophy: "Auguste Comte had laid down the line: religion belonged to the childhood of the human race... All genuine knowledge is contained within the boundaries of science." Comte's belief that religion, if by that it meant spirituality, had been outmoded by science contrasts with Bucke's later belief concerning the nature of reality.
Bucke returned to Canada in 1864 and married Jessie Gurd in 1865; they had eight children. In January 1876, Bucke became the superintendent of the Asylum for the Insane in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1877, he was appointed head of the provincial Asylum for the Insane in London, Ontario, a post he held for nearly the remainder of his life. In his work with asylum inmates, he was a reformer who encouraged organized sports and what is now called occupational therapy.&nbsp;
Some of his surgical treatments proved deeply controversial. After adopting the Victorian-era theory that mental illness in women was often due to defective reproductive organs, Bucke began performing surgical removals of these organs from female patients. He continued this practice until his death, despite receiving increasing amounts of criticism from the medical health care community.

Richard

Malcolm Gladwell has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1996. He is the author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw. Prior to joining The New Yorker, he was a reporter at the Washington Post. Gladwell was born in England and grew up in rural Ontario. He now lives in New York.

Malcolm

Douglas

The book addresses the ethno-archaeological evidence for S.  divinorum use in Northern Peru. 

Hamilton Morris is a journalist, author, and documentarian. He is known for his in-depth reporting on psychoactive drugs and their use and his work on the history and culture of these substances. He has written for Vice, The New York Times, and Harper's, among other publications, and produced documentaries on the subject. Morris has also been featured in several media outlets discussing his work and research.
"Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" is a television show hosted and produced by Hamilton Morris. The show first premiered on the Viceland network in 2016 and explored the world of psychoactive drugs and their use, focusing on their history, science, and cultural impact.
Each episode of the show features Morris traveling to different parts of the world to investigate a specific drug or group of drugs and meeting with experts and users to gain a deeper understanding of the substance. The show has been well-received for its in-depth and informative approach to the subject matter and has been praised for its ability to demystify the world of psychoactive drugs.
He began his career as a writer, working for publications such as Vice, The New York Times, and Harper's, where he wrote about psychoactive drugs and their use. Morris is known for his in-depth reporting on psychoactive drugs and their use and his ability to demystify the world of psychoactive medicines through his work. He has received critical acclaim for his work and has been featured in several media outlets discussing his research and findings.

Hamilton

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Douglas Sharon's book, Shamanism & the Sacred Cactus, provides a deep insight into the world of shamanism. It's a great read if you're looking to explore the spiritual practices and rituals of indigenous cultures.

Understanding Shamanism

The sacred cactus, also known as San Pedro, plays a significant role in shamanic rituals. Sharon's research shows how this plant is used for healing and spiritual enlightenment. You'll find it fascinating to see how a plant can have such profound effects.

The Role of the Sacred Cactus

Sharon's book isn't just about shamanism, it's also a journey into the heart of indigenous cultures. He beautifully illustrates the importance of these rituals in their societies. It's a great way to learn about cultures different from your own.

Cultural Significance

One of the key takeaways from Shamanism & the Sacred Cactus is the healing power of shamanic practices. Sharon's book shows how these rituals can help people overcome physical and emotional pain. It's a must-read if you're interested in alternative healing methods.

The Healing Power of Shamanism

Sharon's book highlights the deep connection between nature and spirituality in shamanic practices. It's a reminder of how important it is to respect and protect our environment. If you're looking to dig deeper into the relationship between nature and spirituality, this book is for you.

The Connection Between Nature and Spirituality

Shamanism & the Sacred Cactus

Douglas Sharon is a Canadian cultural anthropologist (UCLA), ethnobotanist and shamanism scholar who has directed both the University of California/Berkeley's Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology and the San Diego Museum of Man. He has conducted more than 40 years of field research and published on pre-Columbian and modern shamanic practices in Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and Bolivia.
His ethnographic film entitled Eduardo the Healer is utilized in university-level anthropology courses and has won awards at the American, Modern Language, and John Muir Medical film festivals. Sharon directs projects in cultural anthropology and lectures internationally on the integration of traditional healing practices with modern public health systems.

Douglas Sharon

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Shamanism & the Sacred Cactus

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Shamanism & the Sacred Cactus

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