There are many different systems for quantifying a person's essential essence. You could use an Ayurvedic questionnaire to determine your doshic levels, you could consult an astrologer to identify your most auspicious dates and the origins of your personality quirks, or you could even ask a psychologist to take a personality inventory and discover your OCEAN traits. But if you want pure insight, crystallised through something that is BEYOND science, you must find yourself that very rare and extr...
Oct 05, 2024•53 min•Ep. 111
This is a preview episode to remind those who might be interested that we have a bonus Decoding Academia series, available at the Patreon at the Revolutionary Genius tier and above, which is now up to episode 30! On Decoding Academia we usually focus on specific papers and indulge our more nerdy and academic tendencies. It is almost like a journal club of two! In this episode, we take a look at a study exploring the connections between Dark Humour, online trolling, and Dark personality tendencie...
Oct 02, 2024•33 min
Join Matt and Chris for a deep dive into the discourse created by Darryl Cooper’s controversial interview with Tucker Carlson. The decoders tackle Cooper’s revisionist takes on Winston Churchill, Hitler, and WWII, asking whether throwing in strategic disclaimers really makes it all okay. They also explore reactions from the wider comment-o-sphere, including the musings of libertarian firebrand/idiot Dave Smith, mainstream historians and history YouTubers, and the hosts of Triggernometry, Konstan...
Sep 24, 2024•2 hr 24 min•Ep. 110
We rip off the unconvincing plastic mask to reveal the true gurus lurking underneath and discuss: Russian Propaganda and Influencer Scandal Profit Incentives in Alternative Media and the Need for Disclosure Excessive Profiteering and Advertising Lex Fridman interviews Trump (with love) Trump and Anti-Vaxx Conspiracy Theories Trump and Kamala Debate Reactions and Heterodox Takes Destiny vs. the Low Bar of the Alternative Media When Joe met Bret Rogan & Bret's Massive Projection and Hypocrisy ...
Sep 16, 2024•52 min
Join Matt and Chris as they conclude their deep dive into the content of Dr. K, the streaming psychiatrist behind Healthy Gamer GG. In previous episodes, they explored his promotion of Ayurvedic medicine and his use of the rhetorical strategies often seen in Complementary and Alternative Medicine spaces. This time, they tackle his more controversial work: the (non)therapy sessions with influencers, focusing particularly on his challenging and controversial conversation with the late streamer Rec...
Sep 13, 2024•4 hr 29 min•Ep. 109
World travels complete the Guru Decoders reconvene to examine how the Gurusphere has been behaving in their absence. Bad news abounds. Featuring: Introduction and Hosts' Reunion Chris's Travel Tales Cultural Observations and Comparisons Health Concerns and Anti-Vax Movement RFK Jr. and Political Endorsements Quarantine Measures in History Bret Weinstein endorses Trump Eric Weinstein's quasi-endorsement Stephen Bartlett promotes Bret and gets in trouble for ads Plagiarism Allegations against Robi...
Aug 31, 2024•46 min
We reflect on the meaning of some biblical scriptures to understand the gurus, alongside: Jonathan Pageau gets into the Olympics RFK Jnr. and the Dead Bear Guru Dystopia: Trump Meets Adin Ross Eric Weinstein enters the 2024 Campaign The penetrating insights of Joe Rogan Coffeezilla fights back against Logan Paul's defamation case Litigious Musk and nuisance lawsuits Celebrity cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other scams Flashbacks to Simon Singh vs. The British Chiropractic Association Elon Musk's In...
Aug 14, 2024•44 min
In this life-enhancing episode, Matt and Chris venture into the futuristic world of tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson, clarifying along the way that he’s not the ACDC frontman. They examine Johnson's Project Blueprint and 'Don't Die' movement—a quest for indefinite lifespan extension through supplements and lifestyle changes—and consider whether their apprehension means they are actually death lovers gorging themselves each day on death burgers and life-draining whiskey. The de...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 108
We tour the Guru-sphere's balanced and considered response to the Olympics Opening Ceremony and Kamala Harris replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. And oh boy are they on form! Addressing Petty Grievances: The Show's Format The Furor French Olympics Opening Ceremony Trump's Assassination Conspiracies The Great Flowering of Kamala Harris Takes Konstantin Kisin and Cringe Immunity Steven Pinker vs. Triggernometry Bret Weinstein's New Conspiracy Hypothesis The Wonders of Peterso...
Aug 03, 2024•46 min
Join Matt and Chris as they hunker down with the dulcet reassuring tones of Gabor Maté, the Hungarian-Canadian physician renowned for his unconventional perspectives on trauma, stress, and addiction. Inspired by Maté they reflect on early childhood experiences, explore whether unprocessed trauma has steered them towards a life engulfed by modern gurus, and discover how to stay true to their authentic selves & avoid manifesting debilitating illnesses. With an atmospheric background storm sett...
Aug 03, 2024•3 hr 49 min•Ep. 107
We are a little behind the news cycle with this release, so we apologise for that. For context this episode was recorded after Trump's assassination attempt but before Biden announced he was stepping down. We will return with the Gurusphere's insane reaction to that event next time. Here we consider: Trump's leaked conversation with RFK Junior A very special request from Matt Tammy Peterson's admiration for Tommy Robinson Alex Jones releasing NEW Sandy Hook conspiracy theories on InfoWars Jonath...
Jul 27, 2024•42 min
Decoding the Gurus is now a venerable institution and as such we have built up quite a menagerie of would-be gurus and even a handful of not-really gurus. So like all the hip kids today, we decided to look back at our previous gurus and arrange them on a tier list of Secular Guruosity. If you would like to play along we’ve made a version accessible online so you can provide your rankings ( available here ) or you can see ours. Also, due to an image-importing hiccup, we missed Sam Harris (B), Rob...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 106
A special Supplementary Material where we take a gander at some of the reactions to the recent assassination attempt on Trump and then dig deeper with some responsible model conspiracy hypothesizing with Bret and Heather. Also featuring: Our completely predictable response to the shooting John Cusack's Conspiracy Theory Tim Kennedy's Conspiracy Venn Diagram Scientific Cosplay with Bret and Heather Learning about logic with Heather The Lab Leak theory revisited with Bret The Fall of Plato's ...
Jul 19, 2024•32 min
Join Matt and Chris for a trademark 'short' episode as they continue to navigate the complex, occasionally controversial world of Dr. K in this second multi-dimensional episode. This time they take a look at some more recent content and reflect on whether they were wrong to identify Dr. K as such a strong advocate of Ayurvedic medicine. In their investigations, they explore the science of visualisation and manifestation, updated genomic information about the Doshas, and the power of mantras to b...
Jul 08, 2024•4 hr 58 min•Ep. 105
We get put in our place by an old champion, who reminds us why they are the king. Also this episode: Chris' post-conference thoughts on the UK Matt's Great American Burger Giveaway Non-Tribal Joe Rogan meets Jimmy Dore Lex Fridman meets Ivanka Trump The UK election and the heterodox response Jordan Peterson and the spiritual kingdom of Farageism Russell Brand and Alex Jones pray together Galaxy Brains Collide: Eric Weinstein meets Terrence Howard Still wearing a jacket to save the world Eri...
Jul 06, 2024•38 min
Alok Kanojia, better known as Dr. K, is a charismatic psychiatrist and online streamer who offers a unique blend of psychological, self-help, and spiritual advice to guide individuals through the complexities of modern life, aiming to help them become Healthy Gamers™. Join Matt and Chris as they embark on a multi-part journey through the diverse biomes of Dr. K's content and try to ascertain the meta. In this first episode, Matt and Chris take a critical look at a 2019 video in which Dr. K discu...
Jun 23, 2024•3 hr 15 min•Ep. 104
We stare into the abyss and welcome darkness into our souls as we discuss: Feedback on the Žižek episode Middle Aged Men's Health Update Alina Chan and the newest round of Lab Leak Discourse Discourse Surfing Pundits Alex O'Connor cornering Jordan Peterson on the resurrection The philosophical and Marxist implications of Peppa Pig Potential Alternatives to Hipster Christianity and New Atheism Andrew Gold's Heretics Channel and Toxic YouTube Dynamics Editorializing and Responsible Criticism Balaj...
Jun 07, 2024•43 min
Join Matt and Chris as they plunge into the heady mental universe of Slavoj Žižek, the Slovenian philosopher known for his eclectic and provocative ideas. The duo parses Žižek's 'unconventional' takes on ideology, consumerism, and revolutionary theory, peppered with his playful movie criticism of films like Jaws and a Clockwork Orange and even a few that he hasn't even watched. We delve into snuffle-laced discussions of transgressive acts, revolutionary politics, moderate conservative commu...
Jun 02, 2024•3 hr 33 min•Ep. 103
We curse the dark omens emerging from the Gurusphere as we consider: The Illusion of Disciplinary Boundaries Flint Dibble Feedback and Rays of Hope Russell Brand and Bret Weinstein: Guru One-upmanship Bret Weinstein loves MOINNNNK Hard Ad Pivots and Peasants Popping out of Wells Ken Klippenstein and Populist Rhetoric Questioning mainstream narratives and their so-called 'experts' QAnon Anonymous missing Left Wing Populism? Alex O'Connor, Jordan Peterson and the costs of indulgent podcasting Chri...
May 27, 2024•37 min
Matt and Chris jump into the world of debates, dramas, and online personas with the ever-controversial streamer, Destiny (Steven Bonnell). We discuss our Decoding episode a little bit but mostly broader issues including the value of 'debate porn', edginess & Twitter bomb-throwing, reality TV orbiter drama, and the perils of hero worship and parasocial relationships. As you might anticipate, we also cover various 'hot-button' issues including Destiny's involvement in Israel-Palestine discours...
May 24, 2024•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 102
We do bonus episodes every month that are focused on analysing academic content or discussing research and we thought it might be useful to let new listeners know! So find attached a preview... In this episode of Decoding Academia, Matt and Chris delve into a paper that explores the complex world of dark personality traits and their impact on authenticity. They examine how traits like narcissism and psychopathy might intersect with the concept of the true self, and consider whether cultural diff...
May 16, 2024•30 min
We shake our heads in despair at some truly terrible Guru crossovers: Old Man Health Routines: Jogging, Diets, and the Pursuit of 'Wellness' Jordan Peterson and Russell Brand offer the apotheosis of indulgent Christian-themed sensemaking Taylor Lorenz and activist journalism Are Twitch Streamers the Future of Journalism? No. Huberman gets himself in hot water over Marijuana episode The Value of Debating Pseudoscience with Huberman Casey Means: Cramming all the pseudoscience red flags into a...
May 10, 2024•50 min
In this episode, join Matt and Chris as they enjoy a stimulating discussion with the archaeologist Flint Dibble. Flint recently appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss the evidence (or lack thereof) of advanced ancient civilizations facing off against the famed pseudoarchaeologist Graham Hancock. The episode was a four-and-a-half-hour tour de force in science communication and effective debunking, thanks to Flint's efforts. We talk to Flint about his experience on the show, the extensive...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 101
We watch in awe as the guru-sphere grapples with a host of 'alternative' theories: Bret promotes pseudoscience on Polio and alternative theories on evolution The Gurusphere collides with Tucker's takes on evolution Rogan and Tucker praise Alex Jones' prophetic abilities Tucker's views on spiritual UFOs Hasan endorses Lex Fridman as the most genuine centrist Contrasting Destiny and Hasan's transparency World War 3 Warnings The Great Archaeology Debate: Dibble vs. Hancock Graham Hancock- A Grievan...
Apr 26, 2024•44 min
In this episode, Matt and Chris dive deep into the world of online streamers, focusing on the pioneering and controversial figure Steven Bonell II, better known as Destiny (AKA Mr Borelli). As seasoned explorers of sense-making jungles, Petersonian crystalline structures, and mind-bending labyrinths in Weinstein World, they thought they were prepared for anything. However, the drama-infused degeneracy of the streamer swamps proves to offer some new challenges. Having previously dipped their toes...
Apr 22, 2024•3 hr 16 min•Ep. 100
We ponder whether, due to our naivety, do we actually deserve the gurus and other topics, including: Is Hasan Piker even better than we said? The ethical quandaries of online therapy with Dr. K The False Halos of Status and Success The Rest is History Luther series and parallels with Secular Gurus The Power of Polemicists: Peterson, Trump, and Martin Luther? Secular vs. Religious Gurus Shit-posting Missives Orthodoxic Atheism and Orthopraxic Religion Lex Fridman's Reflections on Intellectual Hum...
Apr 13, 2024•36 min
Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, a writer, and a popular 'public intellectual'. He rose to fame with Sapiens (2014), his popular science book that sought to outline a 'History of Humankind' and followed this up with a more future-focused sequel, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016). More recently, he's been converting his insights into a format targeted at younger people with Unstoppable Us: How Humans Took Over the World (2022). In general, Harari is a go-to public intellectual for pe...
Apr 05, 2024•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 99
We test the boundaries of the Supplementary format with a stacked third edition containing: Matt's Review of Dune 2 and the Three-Body Problem Hasan Piker's Anti-Capitalist Merch The Controversy Surrounding Andrew Huberman Differential Charity and Selective Decoupling Grace before meals at Triggernometry and Christian Hipsterism Jordan and Bret's Pseudoacademic-ese High-Level Idea Jacking Dream Instructions Links Hasan Piker's Ideologie Store New York Magazine: Andrew Huberman's Mechanisms of Co...
Mar 31, 2024•52 min
We take a look at a recent conversation between Jordan Peterson and the streamer Steven Bonnell (AKA Destiny) and use the opportunity to reflect on Jordan's journey as a public intellectual and guru. We consider how his stances have changed, whether he is more extreme now than when he emerged or if it is just his presentation style that has shifted. Along the way, we look at his demon-infested understanding of the COVID-19 vaccines, his climate change denialism, and address the unresolved questi...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 98
The adventure in formatting continues with the second Supplementary Material episode, in which we: lament we don't command the same level of loyalty as Sam's fans commend a noted sycophant for warning about idolising heros assess the degree to which the "Dissident Dialogues" conference is anything other than bog-standard right-wing orthodoxy; and reveal the TRUTH about Norman Finkelstein's angry ranting as well as so many more opinionated meanderings , for those decent citizens who are willing t...
Mar 22, 2024•37 min
