This week I'm joined by Brant MacDuff, taxidermist and conservation activist. I had a great time chatting with Brant at NECSS and was happy to have him on the show to discuss how an art about death can inspire concern for life. Brant's website: https://www.immortalanimals.com/about Invocation: Will Price (feel better!) Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36s Music by ...
Sep 05, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 106
This week I'm joined by Greg Sadler (@philosopher70). Greg is a public philosopher and cofounder of ReasonIO. We discuss the shifting trends in public philosophy and how philosophy can help us address important parts of our lived experiences, especially involving anger. ReasonIO: https://reasonio.wordpress.com/ Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36s Music by GW Rodri...
Aug 29, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 105
I'm joined this week by a friend of a friend of the show. Michael Cogswell is currently studying Deep Learning at Georgia Tech, and he helps me work through some of the important basics of deep learning and what it can mean for life in the void. Deep Learning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_learning Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36s Music by GW Rodriguez Sib...
Aug 23, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 104
I'm joined this week by Hunter Ash, longtime friend of the show and my go to source for a variety of sciency philosophy questions. He came to me with a really interesting argument to follow up on the brief discussion of panpsychism back in our Frankish episodes. I definitely recommend giving those a re-listen alongside this episode. Invocation: In the Metaphysicians office by Daniel Cappell Panpsychism primer: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/panpsychism/ Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check ou...
Aug 16, 2019•57 min•Ep. 103
Part two of my debate with Bo Winegard, Assistant Professor at Marietta College, cohost of the psyphilopod podcast, and frequent contributor to Quillette. We've engaged in several disagreements on twitter and thought it could be valuable to debate some of these issues on the show. We focused our debate on the question "should society attempt to promote social progress by changing human nature". Invocation: Dril https://twitter.com/dril/status/473265809079693312?lang=en Bo's article on Progressiv...
Aug 08, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 102
My guest this week is Bo Winegard, Assistant Professor at Marietta College, cohost of the psyphilopod podcast, and frequent contributor to Quillette. We've engaged in several disagreements on twitter and thought it could be valuable to debate some of these issues on the show. We focused our debate on the question "should society attempt to promote social progress by changing human nature". The argument is naturally wide ranging. Invocation: The Tower of Babel Bo's article on Progressivism and th...
Aug 01, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 101
We made it! We achieved a major arbitrary numeric goal! So glad to be celebrating with my guest this week, fellow philosophy twitter fiend Nathan Oseroff- Spicer, who joins me to discuss the darker sides of philosophy twitter before succumbing to our realism lightening round. Definitely follow him if you're not already: @nathanoseroff Invocation: The Power by Naomi Alderman If you enjoy the show and want to celebrate our 100th birthday, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTune...
Jul 25, 2019•56 min•Ep. 100
Death is a reoccurring topic on this show, but this week still feels a little different. I'm joined by Dave Warnock, who is currently engaged in a project called Dying Out Loud. Dave is living with a terminal diagnosis, and he's spending some of his remaining time generously communicating with others about the process of dying. Usually the title of this show is content warning enough, but in this case gonna just reiterate that this discussion may bring things up for folks. Dying out loud Faceboo...
Jul 18, 2019•57 min•Ep. 99
We love talking emptiness of the self here in the void, and so I got the perfect not self to join me and discuss lots of fun topics in the world of Indian Philosophy. @SomeStingray is a must follow on philosophy twitter and we have a great time here, especially during the real/not real lightening round. Philosophy twitter will want to take careful notes in that section so you can troll the fish later. Invocation: Listener Submission from Robert Souza If you enjoy the show, please Like and Review...
Jul 11, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 98
This week I'm joined by Toby Buckle of the Political philosophy podcast to discuss a particularly depressing theory of politics from his Machiavelli series centered around the desires to dominate/humiliate and the desires to avoid domination/humiliation. It feels very relevant to our current voidy moment. Invocation: Void Goddess Marianne Williamson's actual tweets. Political Philosophy Podcast: https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://y...
Jul 04, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 97
This week I'm joined by the verbose socialist Ben Burgis to discuss his book Give them an Argument: Logic for the Left. We talk best practices, the limits of discourse, and why we wish it were true that leftist teachers were actually rising up and seizing the means of education. Give the Right an Argument: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Them-Argument-Logic-Left-ebook/dp/B07RD8MZ4L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K0B9OIP1DZLO&keywords=give+them+an+argument&qid=1561561925&s=gateway&sprefix=give+them...
Jun 27, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 96
This week I'm joined by the wonderful Callie Wright (@calliegetsit), host of the Queersplaining podcast (@queersplaining), where she does in depth reporting on less visible stories within the LGBTQ community. We discuss going beyond the reoccurring narratives about LGBTQ lives, and how that plays out internally and in public forums like sports and politics. Invocation: The Power by Naomi Alderman Editing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day...
Jun 20, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 95
This week I'm joined by C. Thi Nguyen (@add_hawk) to discuss echo chambers, how they're more dangerous than mere epistemic bubbles, and how gaming might help! Thi's article on Echo Chambers: https://aeon.co/essays/why-its-as-hard-to-escape-an-echo-chamber-as-it-is-to-flee-a-cult Thi's website: https://objectionable.net/ Invocation: Peter Chiykowski Shortstory.com Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoid
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 94
Part two of my rousing conversation with Dr. Keith Frankish, where we try to answer the ageless question "Where is my mind? Where is my mind?". Keith is a brilliant proponent of the theory of Illusionism with regard to the existence of phenomenal state. I've read many of his papers and think they're excellent, and while Keith and I come from "different churches" when it comes to philosophy of mind, we agree on a lot, especially what's at stake in all of this, so it's really fun working through t...
Jun 07, 2019•47 min•Ep. 93
As far as I can tell, I'm having the phenomenal sensation of joy at finally getting to have this conversation with Dr. Keith Frankish. Keith is a brilliant proponent of the theory of Illusionism with regard to the existence of phenomenal state. I've read many of his papers and think they're excellent, and while Keith and I come from "different churches" when it comes to philosophy of mind, we agree on a lot, especially what's at stake in all of this, so it's really fun working through these argu...
Jun 07, 2019•57 min•Ep. 92
Like the uncomfortable sensation in a limb you sat on too long, we’re back! So sorry for the hiatus, I promise it won't happen again. This week we're joined by Ryan Bell from the Life after God podcast. Ryan is a former pastor who was effectively excommunicated for his progressive views and now helps individuals as they try to make sense of a life after religion. We discuss the loss of belief in a just universe, and all the freedom that can come with a healthier morality. Ryan's Podcast: http://...
Jun 06, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 91
Aaron gives us an update on his court case, we discuss the Muller Report, and then give our take on the people running for the Democratic Presidential bid. Open Invocation: Walt Whitman Making The Void Livable: Mortal Kombat 11
May 06, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 90
For this installment of Better Know a Philosopher, we're talking about Frances Kamm. Aaron has had to pleasure to work with her recently, so he has first hand knowledge on how awesome she is. Making the Void Livable: https://direkris.itch.io/you-are-jeff-bezos
May 05, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 89
Today we're welcoming Cam Garrity, a puppeteer, podcaster, graphic artist, and so much more. We discuss the beauty of puppetry, while Cam gives us some insights into why it's such a wonderful medium. Opening Invocation: Kafka's "A Little Fable"
Apr 21, 2019•-3365 sec
Our guest this week is Brenden Webber of the Philosophy Guy Podcast . We each list our top 3 voidy films and discuss their merits that make them void worthy. Opening Invocation: Kafka's "A Little Fable" Making The Void Livable: The high school that put on a theatrical production of Alien.
Apr 11, 2019•46 min
This week we're joined by Toby Buckle of the Political Philosophy Podcast. We discuss the role of language in political debate. Special thanks to Toby for supplying us with his backup audio and special thanks to Brian Ziegenhagen for editing the show. Opening Invocation: Jake the Fake Jake Political Philosophy Podcast: https://www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/
Apr 05, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 86
Aaron just couldn't get enough Ayn Rand from episode 83 that we decided to revisit one of her main philosophical principles: Egoism. We attempt to steel bot the idea and then tear it down to pieces. Opening Invocation: Ricklantis Mixup Making The Void Livable: Rock Climbing
Mar 17, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 85
Here to have out age old battle of free will with Aaron is none other than Darron ( @NecessaryBeing ). They get into the weeds discussing free will, determinism, and if it's possible for there to be a spectrum. Opening Invocation: Deacon of Doubt @DeaconDoubt
Mar 09, 2019•48 min
For our next installment of Better Know a Philosopher, we tackle Ayn Rand. We look at her life and work including Atlas Shrugged. Opening Invocation: Charles Bukowski (The Last Night of the Earth Poems) Making the Void Livable: Young people, like the ones who talking with Dianne Feinstein
Mar 03, 2019•2 min•Ep. 83
Joining us for this episode is Mark from the How To Heretic Podcast . We talk about Mark's experience as a gay man growing up in Utah, the Mormon church, Pride, and many other topics.
Feb 28, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Today, Aaron and GW discuss relevant topics like the terribleness of Black Face, and why you shouldn't blindly trust 23andMe. We look at not only the privacy issues, but the philosophical issues with a DNA database. Open Invocation: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Hero of the Week???: Philosophers in Space / Embrace The Void Facebook group
Feb 15, 2019•59 min
And now the continuation of our interview with Massimo. Opening Invocation: Evan Matthews and Ben Oldham Hero of the Week: Why we shouldn't use the word Hero.
Feb 07, 2019•58 min
In this installment we bring on a very special guest Massimo Pigliucci to discuss Stoicism. He has a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. Opening Invocation: Seneca, On Earthquakes
Feb 02, 2019•57 min
Time for another installment of our Better Know a Philosopher serise. We dive into Judith Jarvis Thomson, author of the famous Trolly Problem thought experiment and has an interesting thought experiment on abortion. Opening Invocation: Absurdist Existentialism Hero of the Week: Teachers
Jan 27, 2019•1 hr 2 min
This week we're joined by Marie D'Elephant from Everyone's Agnostic Podcast . Marie talks about leaving her religion and how that impacted her to this day. We also discuss a myriad of topics relating to religion, death, and polyamory. Opening Invocation: The World Has Turned And Left Me Here by Weezer Hero of the Week: Marie's cat (and our pets in general)
Jan 17, 2019•1 hr 6 min
