Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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I sat down with theoretical physicist Dr. Steven Koonin, author of "Unsettled" and former Under Secretary of Energy for Science under President Obama, to discuss what he calls the "consensus trap." He argues that the 2008 financial crisis, COVID policies, and climate alarmism all followed the same template, and the people who got it wrong faced no accountability while the costs fell on the poor. Institutions built policy on flawed models, manufactured an elite consensus, and punished the scientists who dissented.
We get into:
- Why Fauci saying "I represent science" was a betrayal of science
- How the RCP 8.5 climate scenario was used for propaganda
- Working as BP's chief scientist and inside the Department of Energy
- Why the global energy transition hasn't moved the needle on fossil fuel use
- Why wind and solar can’t be the backbone of the electric grid
- The real risks of EMP attacks and solar storms
- The state of nuclear power and small modular reactors
- How AI is reshaping energy reliability, affordability, and emissions
Subscribe and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss a single video!
Order a copy of “Unsettled”: https://a.co/d/0b7F59dt
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Dad Saves America is a project of Emergent Order Foundation, a pro-liberty non-profit organization. Any dollar amount of value you derive from this podcast, please consider donating today to support our work.
Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website
_____________________________________
Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: shop.dadsavesamerica.com
Another great way to support our work is by visiting our curated Amazon shop featuring our guests’ books and dad stuff I actually use. This channel earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Please visit & bookmark: amazon.com/shop/dadsavesamerica
Visit Dad Saves America on Substack: dadsavesamerica.com
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Outline:
[0:00] Can science be “settled”?
[12:40] What is a scientific model?
[20:26] Human behavior is hard to predict
[25:37] Cause and effect in complex systems
[28:34] Why are scientists swayed by “consensus”?
[33:48] Working in the Obama administration
[43:00] Insane climate models were treated as sane
[53:42] Fossil fuels and power grids are life-saving
[1:03:39] The risk of an EMP attack
[1:12:39] AI data centers and energy reliability
[1:18:06] “But we need climate action!”
[1:26:54] The incentives inside scientific institutions
[1:31:57] How the military drives scientific research
[1:39:26] Should we worry about the Skynet timeline?
[1:51:28] Always check your opinions against real data
Proud papa, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and arm-chair philosopher John Papola explores the biggest issues facing our country through the lens of fatherhood, releasing exclusive interviews and deep dives every week. We need to make sure the next generation of Americans is raised to thrive in a free society and be champions of civilization.
Dad Saves America has hosted all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla.
#scientificmethod #energysecurity #climatechange
Protect your privacy on the cellular level with Cape at cape.co/dadsavesamerica. Use code DADSAVESAMERICA33 at checkout for 33% off your first 6 months.
_____________________________________
I sat down with theoretical physicist Dr. Steven Koonin, author of "Unsettled" and former Under Secretary of Energy for Science under President Obama, to discuss what he calls the "consensus trap." He argues that the 2008 financial crisis, COVID policies, and climate alarmism all followed the same template, and the people who got it wrong faced no accountability while the costs fell on the poor. Institutions built policy on flawed models, manufactured an elite consensus, and punished the scientists who dissented.
We get into:
- Why Fauci saying "I represent science" was a betrayal of science
- How the RCP 8.5 climate scenario was used for propaganda
- Working as BP's chief scientist and inside the Department of Energy
- Why the global energy transition hasn't moved the needle on fossil fuel use
- Why wind and solar can’t be the backbone of the electric grid
- The real risks of EMP attacks and solar storms
- The state of nuclear power and small modular reactors
- How AI is reshaping energy reliability, affordability, and emissions
Subscribe and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss a single video!
Order a copy of “Unsettled”: https://a.co/d/0b7F59dt
_____________________________________
Dad Saves America is a project of Emergent Order Foundation, a pro-liberty non-profit organization. Any dollar amount of value you derive from this podcast, please consider donating today to support our work.
Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website
_____________________________________
Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: shop.dadsavesamerica.com
Another great way to support our work is by visiting our curated Amazon shop featuring our guests’ books and dad stuff I actually use. This channel earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Please visit & bookmark: amazon.com/shop/dadsavesamerica
Visit Dad Saves America on Substack: dadsavesamerica.com
_____________________________________
Outline:
[0:00] Can science be “settled”?
[12:40] What is a scientific model?
[20:26] Human behavior is hard to predict
[25:37] Cause and effect in complex systems
[28:34] Why are scientists swayed by “consensus”?
[33:48] Working in the Obama administration
[43:00] Insane climate models were treated as sane
[53:42] Fossil fuels and power grids are life-saving
[1:03:39] The risk of an EMP attack
[1:12:39] AI data centers and energy reliability
[1:18:06] “But we need climate action!”
[1:26:54] The incentives inside scientific institutions
[1:31:57] How the military drives scientific research
[1:39:26] Should we worry about the Skynet timeline?
[1:51:28] Always check your opinions against real data
Proud papa, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and arm-chair philosopher John Papola explores the biggest issues facing our country through the lens of fatherhood, releasing exclusive interviews and deep dives every week. We need to make sure the next generation of Americans is raised to thrive in a free society and be champions of civilization.
Dad Saves America has hosted all sorts of experts in the studio, including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Drew, Michael Shellenberger, Bret Weinstein, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Adam Carolla.
#scientificmethod #energysecurity #climatechange
