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Peter and Michael discuss "Think And Grow Rich," the 1937 classic written by a lifelong fraudster who finds his final mark: You. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: The Untold Story of Napoleon Hill, the Greatest Self-Help Scammer of All Time A Lifetime of Riches How to Lose Friends and Alienate Peopl e How a Different America Responded to the Great Depression The Psychic Scandal How Trump Turned ...
Michael and Peter dissect Angela Duckworth's influential "Grit" theory, tracing its journey from a compelling TED Talk to widespread adoption in education policy, despite its academic shortcomings. They expose how initial studies were overblown, grit's predictive power was often weaker than IQ or study habits, and the concept proved unteachable. Ultimately, Duckworth herself began to distance from its practical application, highlighting the dangers of "TED Talkification" in academia and the real solutions found in addressing systemic issues like poverty.
Peter went on Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase, to revisit a biohacking diet book for the boys. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: The 4-Hour Body Does Glycemic Index Matter for Weight Loss? An Examination of the Evidence New! Improved! Shape Up Your Life! The 4-Hour Body: The Real App You Are Working On Is An App Called Yourself Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!...
Michael and Peter dissect David Graeber's "Bullshit Jobs," an anarchist anthropologist's controversial theory on meaningless work. They scrutinize Graeber's five categories of "bullshit jobs" and his lack of empirical data, finding some ideas resonant but the overall thesis flawed. The discussion expands to explore why increased productivity hasn't led to more leisure, contrasting Graeber's "managerial feudalism" with Juliet Shore's "consumption theory" and highlighting the role of labor protections in global work hour disparities.
Michael and Peter dissect "The Millionaire Next Door," a popular 1996 book claiming that wealth is built through extreme frugality and self-discipline, not high income or inheritance. They expose the book's dubious research methods, sexist stereotypes, and misrepresentation of actual millionaire demographics. The hosts argue that the book promotes a self-serving ideology for the wealthy, while downplaying systemic advantages and income inequality.
Michael and Peter dissect the worst takes of 2025, highlighting media pundits who misinterpreted the political landscape, particularly regarding authoritarian resurgence and Democratic electoral performance. They critique articles engaging in "both-sidesism," dismissing legitimate concerns about elite complicity in the Epstein scandal, and bizarrely blaming the left for right-wing attacks on institutions. The discussion also covers the media's obsession with "wokeness" and misinterpretations of voter behavior on issues like transgender rights.
The boys continue their discussion of Walter Isaacson's "Elon Musk." This is the part where Elon loses his mind. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: From self-proclaimed ‘socialist’ to Team Trump and DeSantis: Elon Musk’s curious politics revealed The Quiet Political Rise of David Sacks, Silicon Valley’s Prophet of Urban Doom Elon Musk biographer admits suggestion SpaceX head blocked Ukraine drone...
A biography that dares to ask: Is a lifetime of worker abuse and narcissism worth it to experience robot butlers? Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: What Elon Musk Gets Wrong about South Africa Elon Musk’s Anti-Semitic, Apartheid-Loving Grandfather Elon Musk claims he was once one of the best Quake players around Watch Elon Musk Talk About Being an ‘Illegal Immigrant’ in Video From 2013 Elon Musk...
This episode thoroughly debunks Yuval Noah Harari's bestselling book, Sapiens, highlighting its reliance on outdated theories about the Cognitive and Agricultural Revolutions and its often-racist framing of European imperialism as knowledge-seeking. The hosts expose Harari's "fake smart" rhetorical style, his contradictory political stances, and how his abstract, "above it all" philosophy appeals to elites seeking to feel progressive without addressing current inequalities. Despite its popularity, the book is revealed to be a largely unsubstantiated and intellectually lazy overview of human history.
Michael and Peter dissect Dale Carnegie's seminal self-help book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," revealing Carnegie's early life of insecurity and failed ventures that shaped his advice. They examine the book's core principles, from sincere appreciation to problematic tips like conflict avoidance and gendered marital expectations, often debunking Carnegie's anecdotally presented "facts." The hosts ultimately conclude that despite its flaws and the cynical evolution of self-help, Carnegie himself was an earnest individual promoting a simple, albeit sometimes naive, message of interpersonal kindness.
Peter and Michael discuss a book that's light on facts and long on sentences. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Book Review: ‘Summer of Our Discontent,’ by Thomas Chatterton Williams Police shootings database 2015-2024 From the archive, 22 March 1991: President Bush sickened by Rodney King case Barack Obama Public Approval Letter To Christopher L. Eisgruber, President Princeton University Police...
Michael and Peter tackle "He's Just Not That Into You," revealing its origins in the Sex and the City writer's room and dissecting its straightforward, yet often overly simplistic dating advice. They explore how the book, despite some sensible points, frequently devolves into strawman arguments and perpetuates post-feminist narratives about women's emotions and responsibility. The hosts also critique the abysmal movie adaptation for contradicting the book's core premise and conclude by discussing author Greg Behrendt's personal struggles with the unexpected fame and public persona the book created.
Did you know that in the split-second it took you to read the title of this episode, your subconscious already figured out that it was going to be extremely good? Peter and Michael talk about Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink," a book that is mostly cute scientific anecdotes but also indirectly resulted in millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted on fraudulent science. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources:...
This episode dives into the Supreme Court's decision in Scrimetti v. America concerning Tennessee's ban on trans youth healthcare. The hosts trace the origins of the case from Matt Walsh's online campaign targeting a Vanderbilt clinic to the state law. They dissect the Supreme Court's majority opinion and Justice Clarence Thomas's concurrence, systematically refuting the factual and logical basis of their arguments against gender-affirming care and the medical consensus.
Last episode we met two Princeton political scientists who are bad at virology. Today we learn that they are also bad at political science. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Lawrence Wright’s “The Plague Year” Jonathan Howard’s “We Want Them Infected” How the Pandemic Defeated America COVID-19: examining the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions US State Restrictions and Excess COVID-19 Pandemic Deaths Imp...
Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri critically review the book "In COVID's Wake," arguing against its premise that pandemic measures were excessive and ineffective. They debunk the authors' claims by examining pre-pandemic public health knowledge, the reality of US lockdowns, Sweden's actual COVID outcomes, and the economic impacts, highlighting the book's misinterpretations and perceived bad faith.
By popular demand we are releasing last month's Patreon bonus episode on the main feed! We chart the transformation of the lab leak from an unfounded theory promoted by right-wing cranks to an unfounded theory promoted by liberal journalists. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!...
Peter and Michael discuss The Let Them Theory, a self-help guide to seeking bliss through unmitigated complacency. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: How to stop screwing yourself over Mel Robbins and Plagiarism Let her? Army wife claims Mel Robbins stole her idea for blockbuster self-help book Mel Robbins’s “Let Them” theory: really that simple? Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Conceptual Framewor...
This episode dissects Josh Hawley's book 'Manhood,' exploring his arguments about masculinity in America. It examines Hawley's use of biblical references, his criticism of modern liberalism, and the broader context of the 'crisis of men and boys' narrative. The hosts analyze Hawley's views in comparison to societal norms, academic research, and the American Psychological Association's guidelines, revealing contradictions and questionable claims.
Are you a single lady struggling to find love with a man? Don't fret! A twice-divorced game show host who thinks conversation is for women is here to help. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!...
Who's to blame for the crisis of American masculinity? On the right, politicians tell men that they being oppressed by feminists and must reassert their manhood by supporting an authoritarian regime. And on the left, users of social media are often very irritating to people who write airport books. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Conscientiousness as a Predictor of the Gender Gap in Academic Achievement Gender Diffe...
This episode critiques Jen Sincero's popular self-help book "You Are a Badass," highlighting its reliance on the Law of Attraction and victim-blaming, particularly concerning depression and poverty. The hosts discuss the book's flawed advice on overcoming subconscious obstacles and generating wealth, including questionable anecdotes and financial tips. The episode also takes a surprising turn to discuss Sincero's earlier, controversial book, "The Straight Girl's Guide to Sleeping with Chicks."
In 2004, historian Thomas Frank proposed a theory about the rightward drift of the white working class. Was he a prescient king whose work presaged the rise of Trump — or a bumbling fool with a broken thesis? Unfortunately it turns out he is a secret third thing that takes one hour and six minutes to explain. Special thanks to Julia Valdés for her help with this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: The Thesis That Drove American P...
Peter and Michael discuss the book that launched the phenomenon of New Atheism and asked the question: What if we hated Muslims, but in a secular way? Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Views of Violence Carnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening System The same motive for anti-US 'terrorism' is cited over and over Does intuitive mindset influence belief in God? Terrorism science: 5 insights into...
What should workers do when they get laid off? In 1998 a bleak, asinine bestseller told them to find another whey. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America Downsizing in America Temp: How American Work, American Business, and the American Dream Became Temporary The Disposable American Spencer Johnson, ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ Author, Dies at 78 What was the New Economy? Boss, Employees S...
Delve into the perplexing figure of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, tracing his path from a police reformer with a background of questionable personal narratives to a tough-on-crime mayor. The episode covers his bizarre public persona, including health guru claims and viral moments like the "trash revolution," alongside discussions of his policy shifts on issues like Rikers Island and the migrant crisis. The hosts also explore campaign finance controversies, including alleged Turkish corruption, and critique media narratives that positioned him as a potential Democratic Party future, highlighting his current historic unpopularity.
Is fact-checking a legitimate enterprise? Is America's most famous fact-checker nothing more than a dweeb? Michael and Peter discuss. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
A memoir about parenting very badly and then getting weirdly defensive when anyone asks you about it. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior, Child Development Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children Does “Tiger Parenting” Exist? Parenting Profiles of Chinese Americans and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes Associations of parenting dimensions and styles with externalizing ...
Is social media to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It's complicated! Thanks to Emily Weinstein , Amy Orben , Andrew Przybylski , Dean Burnett , Michael Mullarkey and Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz for help researching and fact-checking this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Emily Weinstein's book, "Behind Their Screens" Positive and negative uses of social media among adolescents hospitalized for suicidal behavior The Sisyphea...
