Dr Jonathan Frost

Month: July 2023

  • Personal development thought leaders

    Contemporary thought leaders in the field of personal development as of my last training cut-off in September 2021:

    1. Tony Robbins – A motivational speaker and author known for his seminars and self-help books like “Awaken the Giant Within.”
    2. Brené Brown – A research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair. Known for her work on vulnerability, courage, empathy, and shame.
    3. Deepak Chopra – An Indian-American author, public speaker, and advocate of alternative medicine.
    4. Robin Sharma – Known for his “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” series, Sharma’s work focuses on leadership and personal development.
    5. Simon Sinek – A British-American author and motivational speaker known for “Start With Why” and his theory of the ‘Golden Circle’.
    6. Angela Duckworth – A psychologist known for her research on grit and self-control. She is the author of “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.”
    7. James Clear – An author known for his work on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement. His best-selling book is “Atomic Habits.”
    8. Carol S. Dweck – A psychologist known for her work on the mindset psychological trait. She wrote “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”
    9. Stephen Covey – Though he passed away in 2012, Covey’s work continues to influence the field of personal development. He’s best known for “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
    10. Tim Ferriss – An author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Known for “The 4-Hour Workweek” and his experiments in lifestyle design.
    11. Marie Forleo – A life coach, motivational speaker, author, and host of MarieTV.
    12. Eckhart Tolle – A spiritual teacher and author known for “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth.”
    13. Daniel Goleman – An author and science journalist known for his work on emotional intelligence.
    14. Gretchen Rubin – An author, podcaster, and speaker. Known for her work on happiness and habit formation, including “The Happiness Project.”
    15. Jordan Peterson – A Canadian psychologist and professor known for his work on psychological constructs and self-improvement. He’s the author of “12 Rules for Life.”

    Remember, personal development is a very personal journey and different approaches work for different people. It’s important to find the thought leaders and strategies that resonate with you and align with your goals and values.

  • Investigative journalists

    contemporary investigative journalists and fact-checkers who have gained recognition for their work combating misinformation as of my last training cut-off in September 2021:

    1. Glenn Kessler – Editor and chief writer for The Fact Checker at The Washington Post.
    2. Daniel Dale – Reporter for CNN, well-known for fact-checking political figures.
    3. Maggie Haberman – White House correspondent for The New York Times, known for her in-depth reporting and analysis.
    4. Brian Stelter – CNN’s chief media correspondent and the host of “Reliable Sources,” where he often addresses misinformation in media.
    5. Jane Lytvynenko – Senior reporter for BuzzFeed News, specializing in misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories.
    6. Craig Silverman – Media editor for BuzzFeed News, known for his fact-checking and fake news analysis.
    7. Brandy Zadrozny – Reporter for NBC News, where she covers misinformation, extremism, and the internet.
    8. Ben Collins – Reporter for NBC News, often works with Zadrozny to cover disinformation and extremism.
    9. Oliver Darcy – Senior media reporter for CNN, focusing on disinformation and the intersection of media and politics.
    10. Raju Narisetti – Global publishing editor at McKinsey & Company and former senior vice president of strategy at News Corp, known for his work on media ethics and misinformation.
    11. Judd Legum – Founder of Popular Information, a newsletter dedicated to political accountability.
    12. Renee DiResta – Technical research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, she investigates the spread of malign narratives across social networks, and assists policymakers in understanding and responding to the problem.
    13. PolitiFact Staff – PolitiFact is an American nonprofit project operated by the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, with offices there and in Washington, D.C. It began in 2007 as a project of the Tampa Bay Times (then the St. Petersburg Times), with reporters and editors from the newspaper and its affiliated news media partners reporting on the accuracy of statements made by elected officials, candidates, their staffs, lobbyists, interest groups, and others involved in U.S. politics.
    14. Kim Zetter – An award-winning, senior staff reporter at Wired covering cybercrime, privacy, and security.
    15. Rasmus Kleis Nielsen – Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and Professor of Political Communication at the University of Oxford, known for his work analyzing trends in digital, social, and mobile news.
    16. Matt Taibbi – American author, journalist, and podcaster. He has reported on finance, media, politics, and sports.
    17. Zach Weissmueller – Reporter, Producer at Reason TV
    18. Nick Gillespie – Editor at large at Reason, the libertarian magazine of “free minds and free markets.”

    These journalists and fact-checkers use various methods, from traditional reporting to the use of technology and social media analytics, to investigate and combat misinformation.

  • Covid Lab Leak Commentators

    Some hypothesize that the virus originated from a lab, a theory known as the “lab-leak hypothesis,” while others suggest that it emerged naturally from wildlife.

    Here are several individuals who, as of September 2021, have contributed to discussions about the potential for a lab leak as the origin of the COVID-19 virus. Note that inclusion in this list does not indicate endorsement of the lab leak theory; these individuals have diverse views and have contributed to the discussion in different ways:

    1. Dr. Robert Redfield – The former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who stated in a CNN documentary that he believes the lab-leak theory is the most likely scenario.
    2. Dr. Anthony Fauci – Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and chief medical advisor to the president, who has expressed that while a zoonotic origin is most likely, further investigation into the lab leak theory is warranted.
    3. Nicholas Wade – A science writer who has written extensively about the lab-leak theory.
    4. Jamie Metzl – A WHO advisor and member of the WHO expert advisory committee on human genome editing who has called for a more thorough investigation into the lab leak theory.
    5. Dr. Richard Ebright – A molecular biologist who has been critical of gain-of-function research and has called for further investigation into the lab leak theory.
    6. Alina Chan – A molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard who has called for further investigation into the lab leak theory.
    7. Dr. Shi Zhengli – A virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, known for her research on bat coronaviruses, who has denied the lab leak theory.
    8. Peter Daszak – President of EcoHealth Alliance, which has collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. He was part of the WHO team investigating the origins of the virus and has defended the natural origin theory while dismissing the lab leak theory.
    9. Dr. Kristian Andersen – A virologist who has published work supporting the natural origin theory but has also called for further investigation into the lab leak theory.
    10. David Relman – A microbiologist who has called for a deeper investigation into the origins of the virus.
    11. Yuri Deigin – A biotech entrepreneur and longevity researcher who has written extensively about the possibility of a lab leak.
    12. Dr. Filippa Lentzos – A biosecurity and biosafety researcher who has advocated for a more thorough investigation of the lab leak theory.
    13. Dr. Ralph Baric – A virologist who has collaborated with Shi Zhengli on research related to coronaviruses. His work has been cited in discussions of the lab leak theory.
    14. Matt Ridley – A British journalist and author who has written about the possibility of a lab leak.
    15. Dr. Stanley Perlman – A professor of microbiology who has suggested that the lab leak theory, while possible, is less likely than a natural spillover event.

    As the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is a topic of ongoing scientific investigation, views and hypotheses about it may continue to evolve. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, it’s best to refer to the latest publications from reputable sources and global health authorities.

  • Economic and societal collapse

    Contemporary thought leaders who are contributing to the discourse on societal and economic issues such as inequality, environmental degradation, economic instability, and other factors that can contribute to societal collapse:

    1. Jason Hickel – An economic anthropologist and author known for his work on global inequality, political economy, post-development, and ecological economics.
    2. Joseph E. Stiglitz – A Nobel laureate in economics who has written extensively about income inequality and the pitfalls of globalization.
    3. Yanis Varoufakis – A Greek economist and former finance minister known for his critiques of the European Union’s economic policies and his work on the global financial crisis.
    4. Nafeez Ahmed – An investigative journalist known for his work on systemic crises in ecology, energy, economics, and society.
    5. Thomas Piketty – A French economist whose work focuses on wealth and income inequality in Europe and the United States.
    6. Daron Acemoglu – A Turkish economist who has written extensively on the role of institutions in economic development and societal collapse.
    7. Naomi Klein – A Canadian author and social activist known for her critiques of corporate globalization and capitalism’s role in climate change.
    8. Richard Heinberg – A journalist and educator who has written extensively about energy, economic, and ecological issues, focusing on the challenges posed by peak oil, climate change, and economic instability.
    9. David Graeber – A late anthropologist and anarchist, known for his critical interpretations of capitalism and neoliberal ideology.
    10. Kate Raworth – An economist known for her “Doughnut Economics” model, which emphasizes balance in economic development to prevent environmental degradation and societal collapse.
    11. Greta Thunberg – Although not an economist, this young environmental activist has had a profound impact on the conversation about climate change and its potential to trigger societal collapse.
    12. Dmitry Orlov – A Russian-American engineer and writer who writes about the potential economic, ecological and political decline and collapse in the United States.
    13. Jared Diamond – A geographer and author of “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed,” which examines why ancient societies, including the Anasazi of the American Southwest and the Viking colonies of Greenland, fell apart.
    14. Chris Hedges – A Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and social activist known for his books on American society, including “America: The Farewell Tour,” which explores the potential for social collapse.
    15. James Howard Kunstler – An American author known for his books about suburban development, urban decay, and the challenges of the coming post-oil age.

  • Modern economists

    Contemporary economists who have made substantial contributions to modern economic theory, particularly in areas related to environmental, energy, and sustainability issues:

    1. Robert Costanza – Known for his work in ecological economics and the concept of ‘natural capital’.
    2. Herman Daly – One of the founders of the field of ecological economics and a strong proponent of a steady state economy.
    3. William Nordhaus – The 2018 Nobel laureate in economics for integrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis. Some argue that these models massively underestimate the negative effect of climate change.
    4. Nicholas Stern – Known for the influential Stern Review on the economics of climate change, which argued that the cost of strong, early action on climate change would be much less than the cost of inaction.
    5. Joseph Stiglitz – A Nobel laureate who has written extensively on inequality, globalization, and the need for an economic paradigm that accounts for environmental and social sustainability.
    6. Amartya Sen – A Nobel laureate known for his work on welfare economics and social choice theory, which has important implications for environmental policy.
    7. Jeffrey Sachs – Known for his work on sustainable development and climate change economics.
    8. J. B. Ruhl – A leading scholar in the field of environmental law, who emphasizes the role of regulations and incentives in driving sustainable practices.
    9. Juliet Schor – An economist and sociologist who focuses on issues of work, consumption, and sustainability.
    10. Paul Ekins – An influential figure in the development of green economics and sustainable development.
    11. Kate Raworth – Known for her concept of ‘Doughnut Economics’, which outlines a sustainable economy that meets all human needs without exceeding ecological limits.
    12. Partha Dasgupta – An economist known for his significant contributions to environmental and resource economics.
    13. Tim Jackson – Known for his work on prosperity without growth, arguing for economies that can function and thrive without relying on endless consumption and environmental exploitation.
    14. Kenneth Arrow – A Nobel laureate whose work has touched on a broad array of topics, including environmental economics and the idea of ‘learning by doing’ in technology development.
    15. Naomi Klein – An author and social activist known for her critiques of corporate globalization and her work on capitalism and climate change.
    16. Steven Keen – Australian economist and author. He considers himself a post-Keynesian, criticising neoclassical economics as inconsistent, unscientific and empirically unsupported.

    Please note that although the work of these economists includes considerations of environmental and energy issues, their theoretical approaches and policy recommendations can be quite diverse.

  • The scientific method

    What problems are caused by politicians’ lack of understanding of the scientific method?

    1. Climate Change Denial: Politicians who lack understanding of the scientific method might deny climate change, leading to policy decisions that harm the environment and exacerbate climate-related problems.
    2. Insufficient Pandemic Response: A lack of understanding of science can lead to inadequate responses to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where ignoring or misunderstanding scientific data can have severe consequences.
    3. Poor Environmental Policies: Ignorance of scientific research can lead to policies that harm the environment, such as allowing excessive pollution or deforestation.
    4. Lack of Funding for Scientific Research: Politicians who don’t understand the importance of the scientific method may not allocate sufficient funds for scientific research, hindering innovation and progress.
    5. Misinformation: A lack of understanding can lead to the spread of misinformation about important scientific topics, such as vaccines, climate change, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
    6. Ineffective Education Policies: Without understanding the scientific method, politicians may fail to implement effective science education policies, leaving students ill-prepared for many modern jobs and hindering scientific literacy in the population.
    7. Underestimation of Health Risks: Politicians may underestimate the health risks of certain policies if they don’t understand the scientific studies that reveal these risks. This can lead to public health issues.
    8. Resistance to Technological Advancements: A lack of understanding of the scientific method can lead to resistance against new technologies, such as AI or genetic engineering, potentially hindering societal progress.
    9. Lack of Evidence-based Policies: Without a solid understanding of the scientific method, politicians might make policies based on intuition, ideology, or political convenience, rather than evidence. This can lead to ineffective or harmful policies.
    10. Hindrance to Climate Change Mitigation Efforts: Politicians lacking in scientific understanding may hinder efforts to mitigate climate change by failing to support policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or promoting renewable energy sources.

    Some scientists have succumbed to outside influences and sacrificed their integrity to keep in favour with their senior colleagues or for financial gain.

    The scientific method on the other hand cannot be corrupted.

    • Make a systematic observation
    • Propose a hypothesis
    • Design and perform an experiment
    • Make a measurement
    • Compare experimental result and hypothesis
    • In case of disagreement modify hypothesis

  • Science Communicators

    Here is a list of individuals recognized as thought leaders in the field of science communication and popularization.

    1. Neil deGrasse Tyson – An American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator, Tyson is the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space and a research associate in the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
    2. Bill Nye – Known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” he is a mechanical engineer, science communicator, and television presenter who has made science accessible and fun for children and adults alike.
    3. Carl Zimmer – An award-winning popular science writer and blogger, particularly on the topics of evolution and parasites.
    4. Ira Flatow – The long-time host of the Public Radio International’s program Science Friday, Flatow has been a TV journalist and host for over 40 years.
    5. Emily Calandrelli – An American science communicator and host of the Netflix show “Emily’s Wonder Lab.” She is also known for her work on “Xploration Outer Space.”
    6. Brian Cox – A particle physicist, Royal Society professor, and BBC presenter, Cox is known for presenting a number of science programs for the BBC and for his books on physics.
    7. Alice Roberts – An English biological anthropologist, biologist, television presenter and author, primarily known for her role on BBC’s series including “The Incredible Human Journey” and “Digging for Britain.”
    8. Vsauce (Michael Stevens) – Michael Stevens is the creator and host of Vsauce, an educational YouTube channel that touches on many scientific topics.
    9. Adam Rutherford – A British geneticist, author, and broadcaster, Rutherford hosts the BBC Radio 4 program “Inside Science.”
    10. Amy Mainzer – An American astronomer, specializing in astrophysical instrumentation and infrared astronomy. She is the host of the PBS Kids series “Ready Jet Go!”
    11. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (Philipp Dettmer) – Philipp Dettmer is the founder of the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt, which is known for its distinctive animated videos that explain complex scientific concepts in simple terms.
    12. Hank Green – Co-creator of the YouTube channels Vlogbrothers, Crash Course, and SciShow, Green is a prominent figure in using online video for science education.
    13. Richard Dawkins – An ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author, Dawkins is known for his popularization of science and for his advocacy of atheism.
    14. Michio Kaku – A theoretical physicist, futurist, and popularizer of science, Kaku has written several books about physics and related topics and has appeared on many radio and television programs.
    15. Jane Goodall – Known for her long-term research on wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, Goodall is a British primatologist and anthropologist. She is a major figure in science communication, particularly in relation to conservation and animal behavior.
    16. David Borlace – Just Have A Think Youtube Channel
    17. Martin Rees – UK Astronomer Royal, futurist
    18. Jim Al-Khalili – Iraqi-British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. He is professor of theoretical physics

  • Contemporary leaders in political reform


    ChatGPT 4.0 knowledge cutoff in September 2021, here are some influential figures who have made significant contributions to the discourse on political reform:

    1. Lawrence Lessig: A Harvard Law professor who has advocated for campaign finance reform in the United States to reduce the influence of money in politics.
    2. Yuval Noah Harari: Known for his books “Sapiens” and “Homo Deus,” Harari often comments on contemporary political issues, including political reform.
    3. Elizabeth Warren: A U.S. senator and former presidential candidate who has advocated for reforms to address income inequality, corporate governance, and financial regulation.
    4. Yanis Varoufakis: A Greek economist and politician who has spoken extensively about the need for democratic reform within the European Union.
    5. Ezra Klein: An American journalist, blogger, and political commentator who co-founded Vox Media, a platform that analyzes, shares, and explains the news.
    6. Bernie Sanders: A U.S. senator who has long advocated for political reforms to address wealth inequality, healthcare, and education, among other issues.
    7. Marina Silva: A Brazilian environmentalist and politician known for her advocacy for environmental protection and sustainable development.
    8. Caroline Lucas: A British politician and member of the Green Party who advocates for electoral reform and a more proportional representation system in the UK.
    9. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: A U.S. congresswoman known for advocating for various political reforms, including campaign finance reform and addressing income inequality.
    10. Cori Bush: A U.S. congresswoman and activist who has advocated for reform on issues of racial justice, healthcare, and wealth inequality.
    11. George Monbiot: A British writer known for his environmental and political activism. He writes a regular column for The Guardian.
    12. Noam Chomsky: Known for his criticism of U.S. foreign policy, media, and capitalism, Chomsky’s work often involves advocacy for political reform.
    13. Garry Kasparov: A former World Chess Champion turned political activist, he’s an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and advocates for reforms in Russia.
    14. Amartya Sen: A Nobel laureate in economics, Sen’s work on welfare economics, social choice theory, and political philosophy contributes significantly to the political reform discourse.
    15. Cornel West: An American philosopher, political activist, and social critic who has written and spoken extensively about race, class, and justice in America.

  • Historic Education Thought Leaders

    As of my last update in September 2021, here are some of the most influential thought leaders in educational psychology. These individuals have made significant contributions through their research, theories, or applications:

    1. Jean Piaget: Swiss psychologist known for his work in child development, particularly his theory of cognitive development, which delineates how children construct knowledge.
    2. Lev Vygotsky: Russian psychologist who emphasized the role of social interaction and culture in cognitive development, introducing the concept of the “Zone of Proximal Development.”
    3. John Dewey: Philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform.
    4. Albert Bandura: Known for his social learning theory (later renamed social cognitive theory), which focuses on the role of observational learning, social experience, and reciprocal determinism in the development of personality.
    5. Jerome Bruner: Cognitive psychologist who introduced the idea of the “spiral curriculum,” where knowledge is revisited in different ways over time, promoting a deeper understanding.
    6. Howard Gardner: Developed the theory of multiple intelligences, which suggests that traditional methods of measuring intelligence are inadequate.
    7. Benjamin Bloom: Education psychologist who created “Bloom’s Taxonomy,” a framework for categorizing educational goals.
    8. Carl Rogers: Developed the humanistic approach to psychology, emphasizing the importance of the individual’s experience and self-concept in their learning.
    9. Erik Erikson: Known for his theory of psychosocial development, which outlined eight stages from infancy to adulthood, focusing on identity and conflict resolution.
    10. Robert Sternberg: Known for his triarchic theory of intelligence, which divides intellectual activity into three categories: analytical, creative, and practical.
    11. David Ausubel: Known for his work on advance organizers, which are used to help students link their existing knowledge to the new information they’re learning.
    12. Daniel Goleman: Introduced and popularized the concept of emotional intelligence, the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions.
    13. B.F. Skinner: Behavioral psychologist known for developing the theory of operant conditioning, which is used to understand and manage classroom behaviors.
    14. Edward Thorndike: Known for his work in animal behavior and the learning theory that led to the development of operant conditioning within behaviorism.
    15. John B. Watson: Founder of behaviorism, arguing that psychology should scientifically study observable behavior.

  • Education Thought Leaders

    As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I can provide a list of influential figures in educational psychology during the more recent years. Keep in mind that the field is dynamic, and new thought leaders may have emerged since then. The following people have made substantial contributions to the field either through their research, theories, or applications:

    1. Angela Duckworth: Known for her work on grit, a non-cognitive trait defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals.
    2. Carol Dweck: Developed the concept of “mindset” in her research, distinguishing between a “fixed mindset” and a “growth mindset”.
    3. David Yeager: His research focuses on how we can use psychological insights to help adolescents develop non-cognitive skills and improve their academic motivation.
    4. Dylan Wiliam: A British educationalist who has contributed significantly to formative assessment and effective ways of giving feedback to learners.
    5. Robert J. Marzano: An educational researcher in the United States who has done extensive work on teacher effectiveness and has developed strategies to improve students’ learning.
    6. John Hattie: His research focuses on factors affecting student achievement, and he’s best known for his work on visible learning.
    7. Sonia Nieto: She has done significant work on multicultural education, diversity, and teacher education.
    8. Alfie Kohn: An influential voice in education, known for his criticism of standard-based education, grading, and homework.
    9. Christopher Emdin: Known for his work in urban science education and his development of the concept of “Reality Pedagogy”.
    10. Richard E. Mayer: His research focuses on multimedia learning and the cognitive aspects of how people learn from words and pictures.
    11. Pedro Noguera: His work focuses on how schools are influenced by social and economic conditions.
    12. Daniel Willingham: His research intersects cognitive psychology and K-12 education, writing about the application of findings from cognitive psychology to K-12 education.
    13. Gloria Ladson-Billings: Her work in culturally relevant pedagogy and critical race theory has been influential in education.
    14. Yong Zhao: A foundation professor at the School of Education, known for his work on the implications of globalization and technology on education.
    15. Lisa Delpit: She has conducted extensive research on how to increase the success of students of color and improve the education received by poor children in the United States.