Engineering is ranked highly not for being exciting, but for its grounding in reality. It is deemed the "least bullshit" field because its success is tied to tangible outcomes where failure is non-negotiable, such as a bridge collapsing.
The hosts distinguish between two neurosciences: the "charlatan" pop-science version that overreaches to explain topics like ethics, and the valuable core science studying biological mechanisms. They note that most actual neuroscientists agree with this critical distinction.
A host discovers his name in the Epstein files live on air, sparking a discussion on how money and influence can wash away morals, even in academia. The hosts argue there was no excuse for association, as Epstein's crimes were public knowledge.
Anthropology is ranked highly not for its consistency but for its immense potential. At its best, it offers unparalleled, S-tier learning experiences. However, it also presents a high risk of getting bogged down in petty, insufferable academic disputes.
A host, who is a professional philosopher, argues that his English degree provided a better foundation for his career than a philosophy degree would have. This suggests broad interdisciplinary training in the humanities can surpass the benefits of early specialization.
The hosts argue that while studying the classics is vital, Classics departments often fail students. They are criticized for being "moribund," focusing on tedious linguistic analysis, and alienating students from profound content—a view shared by some professors within the field.
The hosts adopt a "tier ranking" format to evaluate college majors based on intuitive, "vibes-based" gut reactions. This approach prioritizes a subjective, holistic feeling about a field over conventional metrics like career prospects or societal contribution.
The hosts justify pursuing an "impractical" major like English by citing a student's philosophy: if the future seems bleak, personal fulfillment from studying a passion outweighs the perceived benefits of a "safer" major. This frames passion as a rational choice in uncertain times.
Political Science is ranked at the bottom tier because its departments are dominated by quantitative analysis over political theory. Students complain they can no longer find theory courses, as the field has been taken over by statistical modeling that often yields little insight.
Challenging the "learn to code" mantra, the hosts rank Computer Science poorly. They argue that AI may render basic coding skills obsolete and that the field is responsible for "destroying what's good about the world," reflecting a backlash against tech utopianism.