Truth Island (Aaron Azerad)

Kenny and I explore why so many of us are truth averse.

Kenny and I discuss the dangers of developing too much pride and differentiating between basic self-respect and hubris.

Topics:

Hubris...the dangers of believing one is above the collective.

Solipsism...quite possibly the most dangerous philosophy ever invented.

Pride prevents us from embracing new ideas and improving.

Focusing on yourself does not mean you are prideful, but rather you are acting from a place of humility.

When to start helping someone else.

If the cameras are rolling, you are being prideful my friend.

The overlap between respect and pride.

Speaking your truth but not going extra.

True pride tempers arrogance.

A short mini episode in why we have more power to control the possibility of a technological dystopia than we might imagine.

Kenny and I explore some of the root causes of apathy and if our apathetic inclinations can be overcome.

I'm joined by Sam Belz, who helps me better understand how I can better regulate my emotions and think more critically. Some of the topics we examine are; what we feel on the inside versus how we behave in the moment, truth with love, the appropriateness of acting with rage, standing up for one's self, and much more.

Kenny and I try and breakdown how much of our lives should be spent living in the present versus planning for the future.

In this mini episode, I explain why the only barrier preventing us from doing something is death.

This episode is the ninth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the prosperous rule of the emperor Domitian. 

This episode is the eighth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the prosperous rule of the emperor Vespasian. 

Alexander and I try and create a podcast for the ages on the importance of being remembered for all the right reasons.

Topics:

There has never been so many opportunities for the common person to leave behind a footprint.

People tend to remember accomplishment not pleasure.

Legacy tends to favor those who uplifted the human condition.

The pros and cons of family dynasties.

The problems with 'wealth' legacies.

History smiles favorably upon those pushing the needle forward.

A terrible means will NOT be forgiven by a glorious outcome.

Changing the focus on who we worship in the here and now.

Alexander and I discuss the future of work and the meaning behind what we do.

Topics:

Work in relation to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Poorly and highly developed recreation .

Slackin' it versus becoming the best you can be.

Create art as if your life depended on it.

AI...the next Michelangelo?

Failure is the breeding ground for new art.

Replication can never pass for new.

Accountability within the Recreational Economy.

I am joined with Joe Bullock as we discuss the importance of why people who think slowly are not less intelligent, despite what we have been lead to believe. Some of the topics we touch upon are the differences between a philosophical mind versus an analytical, how philosophical thinking helps break 'templates', and why the traditional metrics in which we evaluate intelligence may need reexamining.

In this mini episode I will be discussing the nature of fire as it relates to human motivation.

Alexander and I discuss the importance of leadership and empathy.

Topics:

Empathy is sometimes more of a journey.

Experiences can make the abstract real.

A walk down the emphatic trail...

The more experiences you can comprehend the better you can predict how people will behave.

You can't quench the thirst of a village with tears alone.

Training people to see beyond the veil of false empathy.

Sometimes it's the people that appear to care the least, that care the most.

Alexander and I discuss, why exactly we tend to value people less when there are more of them both at a party or even in cities such as New York, that have high population densities.

Topics:

Society forces us to try and network a bit too much.

We sometimes gamble away good conversations.

The power of changing just one person.

We tend to value expansion over quality.

Two is a magic number.

How a place such as New York can impede one's thinking.

In life, there is no safety in numbers.

Alexander and I attempt to define what ingredients are needed when constructing a family suitable for raising children.

Kenny and I discuss some of the positive feelings that are associated with altruistic behavior.

Sam and I patiently discuss how to be both productive and patient at the same exact time.

Topics:

2020...The year of the philosopher.

Everything we needed was right in front of us all along.

How hard times can teach us to be grateful.

Serenity in what can't be changed, action for the things that can be.

There is a reason why we can't see at night.

The importance of journaling.

Even when faced with a brick wall...there are always moves to be played.

In this episode Alexander and I tackle the difficult concept of separating social responsibility from personal accountability. We dive into actionable steps that we as individuals can take to ensure that we are always trying our best and at the same time discuss the need of social programs in the form of healthcare, food, and housing.

Editorial Note: I was experimenting with some new recording technology and the audio is rather low......however the quality of conversation is very high!

Kenny and I discuss the importance of being brave, in a world where cowardice and complacency have become the new normal.

Kenny and I discuss why only an 'elect' few of us can resist social conditioning but the vast preponderance of us cannot.

Topics:

You don't have to be 'special' to break free.

America's prosperity has made us weak.

We like the appearance of education but not actually learning.

A lot of noble causes are simply motivated by the desire to earn money.

When we make things easy and fun, we compromise their inherit utility and value.

Tragedy begets true awakening.

The true anecdote to depression.

We need to overcome the sedation model.

An alliance between philosophers and scientists?

Check Out Kenny's Work:

https://www.amazon.com/Nigerian-Prince-Kenechukwu-Chidi-Nnoli/dp/B08B384J8N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kenechukwu+nnoli&qid=1604092789&sr=8-1

https://www.kennynnoli.com/

Luke and I discuss where as humans our moral code derives from.

Topics:

The family unit and morality.

Nietzsche and the Genealogy of Morals.

Slave morals versus Master morals...who knew?

No true altruism in this world.

Switching between Master and Slave mindset.

Lessons from a cheese sandwich.

Being a good person is not just being submissive.

Utilizing the full gambits of emotions justly...makes for perfection.

Context matters.

Check Out Luke's Book: Songs of Isolation

https://www.azurelorica.com/

I am joined by Tarot Card reader Fedra Ekres, who gives me a brief introduction to the umbrella term 'Paganism' as we discuss the term's origin and it's practice throughout Europe and into modern day America.

Topics Covered:

It started with the Greeks!

Pagans...early doctors?

Coming to America...in disguise.

More of a women thing.

Fortune teller...please make me rich.

Yoga becomes Yoga and into the 2000s

You can check out Fedra or contact her by clicking on the links below:

https://www.instagram.com/fedratarot/ 

https://www.facebook.com/fedratarot

Email: fedraekres@gmail.com 

https://www.thumbtack.com/ny/ronkonkoma/tarot-card-readings/fedra/service/339473884466561254?utm_medium=web&utm_source=txt&surface=sp

In this episode Kenny and I try and figure out what makes an evil person by accidently stumbling across some of the qualities that make a good person.

Alexander helps me figure out which types of problems can be solved without giving them a second thought, from those requiring extensive analysis.

Kenny and I discuss that as time passes, the decent among us seem to be growing more and more invisible!

Topics:

The two missed calls dilemma.

Find why can't we find happiness in our respective social hierarchies?

The sex and money endgame.

Bad energy tends to roll down the pyramid.

Good people remind us of our deficiencies.

The good has now become society's new sacrificial lamb.

Should the good people start speaking up?

The artificial versus the organic good.

Check Out Kenny's Work:

https://www.amazon.com/Nigerian-Prince-Kenechukwu-Chidi-Nnoli/dp/B08B384J8N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kenechukwu+nnoli&qid=1604092789&sr=8-1

https://www.kennynnoli.com/

This episode is the sixteenth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we resume our timeline and discuss the crisis of the third century.

Joe and I try to figure out why we always assume the worst in people ranging from things such as small compliments to just how trustful we ought to be in life.

Topics Covered:

Assumptions about people versus reality.

How personal traumas keep us jaded.

Times in life we shouldn't be too trusting.

How to integrate new people into our lives with little risk.

When to push the eject button.

Basic trust in humanity.

I am joined by Christopher who shares his story about giving up television back in 2014.

Topics:

Starting to sound like the people on TV....

Intellectuals tend not to be shown in a good light.

Should one go cold turkey or gradually phase it out?

Why early TV shows were better written than today.

Oh...the things you could if you gave up TV...

Utilizing media that has a specific application.

The effects of a society with a low verbal IQ

TV...the beginning of the end of original thought?

The stunting of emotional growth.

If you got to watch, watch with purpose.

Check out the full scientific paper down below:

https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/25/5/1188/311796

In this mini episode, I discuss why we should never become intoxicated over the disdain or loathing we have for others, even if it makes us feel good in the short term.

Kenny and I discuss why it may be a good idea to be a bit more detached from what happens to you in life.

This episode is the seventieth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we resume our timeline and discuss how the crisis of the third century was resolved.

Alexander and I discuss potential alternatives to the highly polarized and ideologically driven political class that now dominates.

Topics:

We are trained to pay attention to those who are the most radicalized and entertaining.

Truth is a giant puzzle in which we all hold a piece.

The significance of the "Middle Way."

The middle is not necessarily the median viewpoint.

Extreme zealots are incapable of holding down a conversation.

Our desire for entertainment is usurping our will to find solutions.

Plato warns us of the dangers of having a ruling class that is too wealthy.

We can't expect our representatives to represent us, until they start living like us.

In this first part, Alexander and I discuss how education both succeeds and fails at cultivating curiosity.

Kenny and I sort which human characteristics remain under the domain of 'free will' and which are entirely determined by our biology.

This episode is the twelfth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the dysfunctional rule of the Emperor Commodus.

In the second part in our series Gabby and I explore the personality traits of extroversion and introversion and discuss whether these are even real.

Topics Mentioned:

Personality tests in the workplace.

Introversion contingent upon group dynamic.

I like people.....but I just want to work alone.....

Extroversion.....fading as the day progresses.

Parental responsibility in fostering healthy social behavior.

Comic Book Boy.....loner or socially misaligned?

Check Out Gabby's Organizational Services Below:

https://gabriellealicia.com/

Joining me on the program is Lauren Andreu, who helps me navigate the difficult terrain of class and identity, regarding where the focus should be in order to eradicate poverty and other various forms of injustice. Some of the topics that we explore are Affirmative Action, Hiring Discrimination, Inadequately funded public institutions, class versus group policy measures, and unfair incarceration practices.

Sam and I try to tackle the issue raised in a previous podcast about what exactly is the middle road to walk between being content in life and having higher hopes and dreams?

Some Topics Covered:

Why childhood patience is a virtue.

Dealing with missed expectations.

Important questions to always be asking yourself about where you are in life.

The voices and eyes that live inside our head.

Thinking about that annoying tendency of philosophers to speak up and tell the truth at the most inopportune times, Kenny and I try and figure out key rule for when one is morally obligated to speak the truth and when one should bite their tongue for the time being.

Topics:

Timing...Timing...Timing.

Friends who don't really want to hear the truth.

Sometimes truth takes years to process.

Rules for how to take advice from someone you don't respect.

Honor versus Truth...which is more honorable?

Patrick and I discuss some of the difficult questions that one must ask themselves before deciding to become a parent.

Topics:

Biological imperative to multiply?

A child will not change your core personality predispositions.

Take your 20s as an opportunity to know thy self.

More personality tests to help people discover if parenthood is right for them.

America's corrosion of the middleclass makes it difficult to raise children straight out of high school.

People need to know their options before they can make an informed decision.

The dark...dark...dark...secrets of every educator.

Our 'shyness' regarding conversations about sex.

If we are truly serious about ending poverty...we need to invest more in serious sex ed talks.

Removing the stigma from older women who don't wish to have kids.

Mastering loneliness might also be the key to our salvation.

Brett and I discuss the role legitimacy plays in building consent and governing a nation.

Daniel and I continue our discussion on why we as a society have stopped caring about learning and education in general.

Topics

What the data says about income and educational outcomes.

The ugly truth...are we all meant to be philosophers and high thinkers?

Is it possible to value smart people just for being smart?

Are the affluent hoarding the keys to success?

Parenting 101.

What can be done to make learning and education sexy again?

Continuing with the events of January 6th, Brett and I take a break from our Roman Empire series to discuss some of the safeguards that protect our republic and how an informed citizenry is requisite to maintaining that democracy.

Roger and I take a deep dive as to some of the psychological reasons why we procrastinate, such as the fear of shattering our self identity through failure, avoidance behaviors, and when exactly we ought to encourage our friends to be more productive.

This episode is the eleventh part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the prosperous rule of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. 

In this mini episode I discuss, how each of us is endowed with the power of invisibility.

This episode is the fourth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the rule of Augustus Caesar.

Kenny and I consider whether or not humans can peacefully coexist with one another or are destined to remained divided.

In the aftermath of the election and in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Dallas and I discuss strategies for dealing with people that are highly disagreeable or sensitive in their points of view.

Topics:

Separator or mediator?

Are we inherently tribal?

The dangers and perks of cliques.

Unnecessary exclusion versus forming genuine friendship based on common interests.

Being careful when cliquish preferences are denying people opportunities.

Focusing on commonality more so than differences.

Marketing expert Claire Bevan helps me understand the slippery road of healthy self promotion versus attention seeking behavior.

Topics Covered:

Humility versus lack of self-confidence.

Setting a goal for success.

Asking others for help.

When are you too out there?

Metrics of success.

Kenny and I examine everything from technology to parenting in trying to uncover why we as a society can no longer pay attention to just about anything for the more than two minutes.

Topics:

We like to blame technology, but never the people giving their kids technology.

Parents are now afraid of their children...

Getting away from 'child oriented' teaching and parenting.

America's desire to create 'magical moments'.

We need to figure out ways to rebuild delayed gratification.

The glories of looking things up in a good ol' dictionary.

Why are the masses fed technology but the elites don't partake?

It's not the number of holes that you dig.

Check Out Kenny's Work:

https://www.amazon.com/Nigerian-Prince-Kenechukwu-Chidi-Nnoli/dp/B08B384J8N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kenechukwu+nnoli&qid=1604092789&sr=8-1

https://www.kennynnoli.com/

Kenny and I discuss how emotional baggage both informs our decisions in helping us detect danger but at the same time creates giant blind spots in our thinking.

This episode is the thirteenth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we take a break from our Roman chronology and discuss the life of a Roman slave.

Kenny and I discuss how the absence of nuance has lead to a deterioration in conversation and how we make sense of the world around us.

After a life of some pretty rough and ugly encounters, Sam and I try to make sense of the past, analyzing the people and institutions that have wronged us, but at the same formulate rules for not living with a chip on one's shoulder.

Topics:

Removing yourself from tyrannical organizations.

Trusting your initial intuition before long-term resentment can build.

It's not that Millennials are lazy, we simply strive for purpose in what we do.

Unpacking: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

Always keep a running tally but be open to new situations and people.

I am joined with Jon Lindinger, who helps me understand why it is so essential that we as humans constantly grow.

Some of the topics we touch upon are:

Investing in one's self due to uncertainty.

Relationships where only one partner is growth oriented.

Growing in the shadows.

Being unable to help others as a result of poor choices.

For more information and self-development coaching you can visit Jon's website xenotheory.org

https://www.xenotheory.org/

In this mini episode, I point out some of the blind spots in our thinking regarding human efficiency.

Reexamining the studies conducted by Stanley Milgram and Philip Zimbardo, Dave and I discuss whether good people can succumb to vile behavior. Some themes explored are what characteristics allow people to resist, the need to socially conform, past trauma, and empowering the powerless.

Prerequisites: For those unfamiliar with either the Milgram or Zimbardo experiments the following short YouTube clips might serve as helpful:

Khan Academy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2TCfex1aFw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJFzqfLMBIw

Gabby joins me to share her exciting journey quitting her conventional 9-5 and starting her very own podcast Corporate Quitter.

Topics:

What exactly is this company trying to achieve?

The power of positive micro-interactions.

5:00...quitting time?

Where has all the overtime gone?

The 8-8-8 day.

The inverse relationship between 'meaning' and pay.

The squeeze in the middle.

Don't pull up the ladder behind you.

Mentorship or suppressing potential competition?

Take a risk...but don't fail on my watch.

Not benefitting the average Joe.

***Check back soon for a link to Gabby's new podcast Corporate Quitter***

Alexander and I discuss the various chains that might be holding us back from achieving our potential and when in life it might be necessary to tether ourselves to a pole.

Topics:

Damnation need not punishment in the afterlife.

Don't hold onto anything too tightly, otherwise your hand will get burned.

We were not meant to do the same thing for the entirety of our lives.

Death is the greatest motivator.

On your bike ride, you'll always be looking for the next hill but don't forget to enjoy the ride itself.

Stop blaming external forces.

Create an 80 year map of your life, not a five year plan.

Developing your own unique sense of service.

Don't ignore the call.

Stoicism that meets the demands of the occasion.

Read The Archer:

https://www.amazon.com/Archer-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0593318277/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Archer&qid=1606310421&sr=8-1

I am joined with Dallas Brennan as we discuss whether meaning and happiness are one in the same and if not which one matters more? Some topics that we cover are the easy versus the difficult path, losing yourself in art, positive nihilism, and what happens when someone close to you only loves the happy trail...

While not needed to understand the conversation, I strongly recommend reading Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" and watching the film Rocky. Links down below:

https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ0a2tUh4Nc

In this episode, Roger and I discuss why sometimes our most intelligent and hardworking members of society seldom reach positions of power. Using Plato's The Republic as a guide we explore what virtues a good society and class of rulers should have and what parallels our society has with ancient Greece in regards to corruption and fraudulent forms of idealism.  

Kenny and I discuss what it means to be a philosopher and how we view the world....and how the world sometimes views us.

Topics:

What makes someone into a philosopher?

Aloof and detached or deep in thought?

The difference between comedians and philosophers.

Philosophers need better public relations.

Be a philosopher....but be something else as well.

I'm joined once again by Roger as we discuss the delicate balance that exists between order and chaos and how these forces govern our existence.

No prerequisites are required but familiarity with Jordan Peterson's theory on order and chaos is very helpful. Included down below is a link to his full lecture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhsYatBZoG4

Joe and I try and understand the concepts of 'socialism' and 'capitalism' and what these concepts look like in their absolute form and the various shortcomings each of these systems has.

Topics:

"I won't milk the cows."

Liberty versus equality.

Both systems can lead to extreme tyranny.

Are we entitled to baseline rights, to pursue freedom?

The answer for now is really a mixed economy...but just how mixed?

Government and businesses are an unwritten form of checks and balances.

The two buckets of socialism...needed and unneeded benefits.

What is the maximum that we can give to people without killing incentive?

The rising tide of sufficiency.

How to correctly redistribute....(to be continued)

Gabby and I discuss why our houses and apartments are a bit more than giant crash pads.

Topics

Properly designed spaces can motivate you.

Know which pieces of furniture are of supreme importance.

The male versus the female mind regarding space.

Organizing can actually make you feel good.

Not unpacking a suitcase...a look into the subconscious?

Functionality is going to look and feel different to everyone.

The memories and personas forged in different spaces.

At the very least...clean your room!

Need help organizing your space? Checkout Gabby below:

https://gabriellealicia.com/

Using the crisis of climate change, Brett and I discuss whether people are simply misinformed or if we secretly harbor feelings of ambivalence towards extinction.

Kenny and I debate what is the correct balance between being feared and loved.

Alexander and I discuss the philosophical implications if humans are not the only form of intelligent life.

Topics:

We as a species don't have our act together.

Problems tend to travel with us.

We'll never have it as good as we do right now on this big blue ball called Earth.

We are no longer evolving with this planet.

Good Technology versus bad technology.

The dangers of playing with genetics.

Aliens feeding us breadcrumbs?

Entitlement can cause contempt.

In light of recent events in the stock market, Joe and I explain how current market volatility has more to do with value fabrication more than anything else.

Topics:

Income inequality eventually comes for the rich.

All of capitalism is predicated on sustaining markets which can afford the goods and services being offered...there is no way around this.

The dangers of a stock market that does not reflect real world economic conditions.

The psychological construction of value.

Executive compensation and perverse incentive structures.

The practice of short selling is not a problem...it's when short sellers manipulate value that it becomes a problem.

Capping executive compensation to a certain percentage beyond the lowest paid employee.

Consequences can help correct risky and corrupt behavior.

Once people discover there are no real gold coins in the treasure chest...chaos ensues.

Layoffs and minimum wage jobs should be an indicator of weakness not strength.

We need to bring back good ol' fashioned SHAME.

Joe and I try and wrestle with the times in our lives where conformity is an absolute necessity for survival, from the times when not conforming is absolutely essential to our survival (paradoxical, I know).

Topics We Hit:

The Military listen or die....

Challenging something out of selfishness versus finding a better way.

You want to be the guy in a cult asking a lot of questions.

What to do when challenging the status quo might mean death.

Joe and I discuss the dangers of only knowing how to do one thing and how it is not only damaging our economy but stunting human growth and potential.

Topics

A leftover byproduct of the industrial age.

Employers seeing workers as a means to an end.

Oh no...here comes the automation and new platforms.

What is the individual's responsibility in developing new skills?

What is the role of employers and the government in retraining people?

Employee rotation...a possible solution?

Even the highly educated are not immune...

Always stop and evaluate what exactly is it that you are being asked to do.

I'm joined once again with Claire, as she helps walk me through the steps that our fictional disenchanted office worker should take in order to rebuild their self-esteem, rally people to their cause, and find purpose in the work they perform.

I am joined by Tricia, who comes on the show to discuss whether or not we can change the people in our lives.

Topics:

Trying to change people is typically not true altruism.

The dangers of imposing one's value system onto another.

"Help is not helpful, unless it is helpful."

Friendly suggestions without punishment.

The difference between changing a person and fixing inequities in a relationship.

Accepting people in their original incarnation.

You need to be super vigilante for red flags when meeting new people.

Accepting people for who they are.

The Hard Reset Button.

Interested In Counselling Services? Check Out Tricia Down Below:

https://sites.google.com/view/triciaguntertherapist/

I compare my notes as both a student and teacher in the U.S. with Daniel who grew up in Toronto, Canada. Our discussion dives into some of the things that are missing from the U.S. education system...and perhaps a thing or two that Canada can learn from us.

Topics:

It varies from place to place.

A brief look at Montessori

Can high and average kids be taught together?

Should we be training everyone to attend University?

Low expectations...the real death bullet of education.

Sam shares his experience travelling America with just a handful of clothes and what lessons we can all learn from this and some of the more serious concerns of this lifestyle.

Topics:

The 3 Robe System.

How having less can free us from fear of loss.

How we project material desires onto others.

Respect for different people's lifestyle.

How to show gratitude and exercise mindfulness when relying on the generosity of others.

The power of the left behind shaving razors...

Kenny and I attempt to draw boundary lines between the individual and the people closest to them.

Through the lens of the Robert Frost poem The Road Not Taken Katen and I examine how we can evaluate the life choices we've made and how exactly these decisions influence who we are.

Topics Covered

Not living with regret.

Evaluating which roads in life have served us best and reexamining those pathways.

You're never too old to start embarking down a new path or rediscovering a trail you abandoned long ago.

We are no longer living in a world of just two roads....

Kenny and I discuss some of the things and people that we falsely pay just a bit too much attention to.

Topics:

The things we cherish today might easily become tomorrow's plastic toys.

Our temporary obsessions come not just with a cost, but with an opportunity cost as well.

We tend to value what others value without really thinking it through.

Momentary pleasure will only lead to regret later.

We are failing to make the most crucial investment of all...our youth.

Impatience and visibility can be blinding.

The people we surround ourselves with are based on the best of times, not the worst of times.

Compassion versus competence, why not both?

Patrick comes on again to share his experience with leaving teaching, trying new things, and if the concept of being a 'drifter' is really such a negative label.

Topics:

Why it's wise to try as many things as possible.

Drifter versus explorer.

Sometimes necessity push us in certain directions.

Monotony is the first sign of trouble.

Playing the long game.

Extensive travelling...the ultimate cure to our freedom cravings.

Is the Grasshopper always right?

You need to be constantly vigilante and looking for new opportunities otherwise this life will eat you alive.

Rich or poor...did you enjoy the journey?

This episode is the fifteenth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we take a break from our Roman chronology and discuss how trade functioned in Rome.

Kenny and I discuss why being humble is one of the best ways to combat evil tendencies.

In light of recent events and the storming of the nation's capitol, I am joined by Kenny who asks me some important questions as to why we as a country are so divided.

Navigating child psychologist Piaget's hierarchy of human development, Joe and I discuss the differences between abstract thinkers and those that think concretely.

Topics Covered:

The boy and the messy kitchen.

Does punishment and reflection, induce abstract reasoning?

Is abstract reasoning above concrete as Piaget suggests?

The ideal is both!

Possible solutions and hurdles in getting these minds to work together.

Do concrete thinkers have the final laugh?

This serves as a brief introduction to episode one and provides a brief history of nihilism, post-modernism, and existentialism. It is recommended that listeners first play this introduction before listening to the full discussion on truth.

*Correction: A more accurate date for the fall of the Roman Empire has been noted as 476 AD not 395 AD

I am joined once again with Kenny as we discuss why it is exactly that our television shows, movies, and songs have completely corroded in intellectual quality and weight over the past few decades.

Some Topics Covered:

What made artists take more chances in the 60's?

Elite filmmakers versus the masses.

Can money turn artists into sellouts?

The impact of 'high art'

Are intellectually rigorous forms of art for everyone?

This episode concludes our conversation from last week, on what exactly constitutes evil.

I am joined by Jim who discusses the importance of archetypes throughout the ages and the importance of good role models.

Topics:

The Greeks Gods, walking embodiments of the best and worst in us.

Archetypes are still living within our culture.

The importance of superheroes.

Does what we idolize influence our behavior or is it the reverse?

Video games and the rise of the negative archetype simulation.

Negative archetypes have the power to promote a more apathetic society.

The need for media that lionizes what we truly cherish in this world.

The need to enmesh the old cannon within new media.

Alexander and I using our qualitative minds try and figure out when exactly we should be relying on our learned human experience and when we may need to consult a t-test to figure out the right answer.

Topics

The failures of using data to compare ourselves to others.

Why our value systems often triumph over empirical evidence.

The ways in which statistics can be corrupted (cherry picking variables).

The role of qualitative researchers in posing new research questions and theoretical ideas that can later be tested.

Ending the hate...for qualitative thinkers.

Scientists must forgo hubris and take a small dose of humility when speaking about universal truths.

What the path of research could look like moving forward.

Kenny and I try to unravel whether being impressionable is something that one should outgrow or if keeping an open mind is a sign of wisdom.

Kenny and I try and decide when it is appropriate to hold people responsible for their actions and when one should exercise forgiveness.

Joe and I navigate some of the immediate hurdles we will likely encounter as the U.S. emerges from the pandemic as well as some of the more long-term problems that still loom over us.

Topics:

Times of extreme peril require a strong guiding hand.

Stimulus packages serve as good first aid but are not the cure.

Access to easy credit and tax cuts cloak real economic problems.

The invisible elephant in the room is really not enough jobs for everyone.

Capitalism is predicated on the idea of selling to markets which are rich enough to afford the goods being sold.

Some of the problems with UBI.

We need to start building and producing our way out of these problems.

Correcting the inequities of our modern economic system actually PREVENTS revolutions from occurring.

Moving away from ideologically originated solutions to pragmatic solutions.

A thriving middle class actually makes everyone richer in the end.

Kenny and I attempt to answer the age old question of whether people are born evil and must learn to be good or if people are born good but are corrupted by society.

This episode is the fourth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the conclusion of the civil war between Marc Antony and Octavius.

Kenny and I unmask the various forms in which phony behavior disguises itself.

Nearly a month into 2021, Kenny and I discuss how we can live with the daily uncertainties that challenge us.

Topics:

If it never rained, life would get boring quick.

Absolute certainty can lead to absolute stagnation.

Humans need growth...perhaps more so than their need for stability.

I like it safe...or am I simply afraid?

Conquering today's uncertainties leads to more global stability.

The best remedy for uncertainty is taking action.

Evan and I discuss if some of our more complex ideas and ideologies should have labels.

Topics:

Centrism is a type of category and not independent thought.

Labels come with a lot of packaging.

The same label may not mean the same thing to different people.

Being precise in your label.

The curious case of Albert Einstein.

Labels and reaction time.

Learning from history and predicting the future.

Not all philosophers are apathetic tea drinkers.

Taking action in concert with other people.

The sexiness of labels.

The importance of the game plan behind the label.

The meaning of labels overtime.

Tribalism and self-identity.

I am joined once again with Alexander as we discuss, an idea floated in 2006's bestseller The Secret and work done by an organization called the Global Consciousness Project which claims to be able to measure varying amounts of consciousness in living organisms such as plants and on a global scale during cataclysmic events.

Some topics we hit upon are; healthy skepticism versus hostile rejection, pathways for fringe science to pass through the gates of scientific rigor, structural and bureaucratic limitations of science in academia, and unexplained coincidences.

Links down below:

The Secret (2006)

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1582701709

The Global Project

http://global-mind.org/gcpintro.html

In this mini episode, I discuss why it is not helpful to simply hope and pray for time to pass during these turbulent times of COVID and economic/political uncertainty.