Double Feature: “Prey” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali & “A Philosopher on Brain Rest” by Megan Craig

We first met with Ayaan Hirsi Ali last year about her work as an advocate for freedom of speech and the rights of Muslim women, as well as her conviction to the values of Western liberalism. Ali was born and raised in Somalia, became a Dutch citizen (and representative) as a young adult, and now is a citizen of the U.S. In this episode, she talks about her new book, “Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women’s Rights.” Find out more about the book and find Ali’s podcast at ayaanhirsiali.com.

In the second part of the program, we hear from associate professor of philosophy and art, Megan Craig. Craig suffered a serious concussion as the result of an ice-skating accident. In order for her brain to heal, doctors advised her to “not think” for a while—difficult medicine for a philosopher. Craig talks about what she contemplated while she tried to put her brain on pause, and how the experience changed the way she thinks about existence.