The Colbert Report Season 5 Episode 20 James Surowiecki, Jonah Lehrer

In season 5 episode 20 of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes two special guests to the show - James Surowiecki, author of "The Wisdom of Crowds," and Jonah Lehrer, author of "How We Decide." The episode kicks off with Colbert jokingly asking the two authors if they have ever considered writing a book together called "The Wisdom of Deciding Crowds."

Throughout the episode, Colbert engages in a lively discussion with Surowiecki and Lehrer about decision-making, the power and fallibility of crowds, and the role of emotions in the decision-making process. The three men delve into a variety of topics, ranging from the accuracy of prediction markets to the dangers of groupthink in corporate boardrooms.

As always, Colbert injects his signature humor into the conversation, teasing Lehrer about his "hip, young author" persona and playfully mocking Surowiecki's book for supposedly giving people an excuse to be lazy ("Why should I come up with my own ideas when the crowd will do it for me?").

Despite the lighthearted banter, the discussion is ultimately a serious one, with all three men tackling complex and thought-provoking issues. Surowiecki, in particular, provides some interesting insights into the potential benefits and pitfalls of collective decision making, drawing on real-world examples ranging from the Challenger disaster to the popularity of Google's search algorithm.

Lehrer also weighs in with some fascinating observations about the brain science behind decision making, offering insights into how emotions can both help and hinder our ability to make good choices. Throughout the episode, Colbert proves himself to be a skilled interviewer, deftly guiding the conversation and keeping things lively and engaging.

Overall, season 5 episode 20 of The Colbert Report is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode that is sure to leave viewers with plenty to ponder. Whether you're a fan of Surowiecki and Lehrer's work or just interested in the science of decision making, this episode is definitely one to watch.