With deep experience, qualifications and credentials, we examine the views of Donald Hoffman. He thinks that reality as we experience it is just our consciousness in action. There are no inanimate objects people - just objects of our consciousness. AI’s Summary Could our senses be deceiving us, fashioning a reality tailored more for survival than for truth? Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman joins us to challenge the very foundations of our experiences, proposing that evolution has crafted our s...
Jun 14, 2022•55 min•Ep. 26
In anarchy, would a leader emerge? Our Summary In a bid to reach peak fact-free discussion, we attempt to use Peter the Great era Russia as a springboard for talking over anarchy and leadership. Also, can we have a little less research and a little more adventure? Do we need to yelp everything? Why hand over your power to other people? AI’s Summary Have you ever wondered how a town in New Hampshire ended up in a standoff with a bear population? This episode takes you to unexpected places, from t...
Jun 07, 2022•49 min•Ep. 25
We learn that Jon hates being wheeled around and we can’t resist making bad jokes about colonoscopies. Oh, and pain? What is that? Would you care about it if you could forget about it? AI’s Summary Could your most vivid memories be hiding in the shadows of amnesia? We invite you to a mind-bending exploration of memory loss, where the lines between reality and the forgotten are blurred. Our guest shares a compelling story that may just untangle the intricate web between traumatic memories and sel...
May 31, 2022•53 min•Ep. 24
Well, we may be in a 200 year hangover period after the tech bender of the 90s and 2000s. It’s rough now on balance, but it might get way better than ever in the future. We look at categories impacted by new tech: education, social connectivity, commerce, news, entertainment, etc. Get ready for Jon to defend individual agency and strength of will. Get ready to hear me want to regulate our tech overlords. AI’s Summary Has the digital era truly been a boon for humanity, or are we just caught in a ...
May 24, 2022•56 min•Ep. 23
Episode 22, in which Matt repeatedly avoids Jon’s really good and important question: what is the basis for determining what is right and wrong? Terminator 2 Judgement Day becomes a jumping off point for moral frameworks, insanity and learning that Jon and Matt were part of the No Friends Club . AI's Summary Join us as we escape the summer heat and tackle a refreshing variety of topics, from the quirks of juice cleanses to the rich tapestry of comedy films that have become part of our cultural D...
May 17, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 22
In which we explore the depths of ignorance while opining about the veracity of Milton Friedman’s economic principles. Are we big fans of inflation? Tune in to find out. It’s really a good time. AI Summary Unlock the secrets of inflation with our deep-dive into a topic that has economists and laypeople alike scratching their heads. From Milton Friedman's famous theories to the stark realities of navigating a fluctuating economy, we promise a journey that will illuminate the hidden intricacies of...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 21
Does anyone understand inflation? We don't! That doesn't stop us from talking about it though. Seems like we are aiming for some hot government control. It's hard to tell. Check it out. AI's Summary Economists wield calculators and graphs like sorcerers with wands, but is there true magic in their methods, or are we merely witnessing a grand illusion of control? This episode pulls back the curtain on inflation and the enigmatic nature of economics, daring to question its status as a hard science...
Apr 26, 2022•59 min•Ep. 20
What is the difference between anarchy and liberty? Does liberty come from the government, or maybe it's something that the government infringes upon? We don't know, and you will know less once you tune in. AI's Summary Listen in as we embark on a thought-provoking journey through the multifaceted concept of liberty, discussing its boundaries in relation to government authority and individual freedoms. We ponder the distinction between liberty and anarchy, tackling the common misconceptions abou...
Apr 12, 2022•55 min•Ep. 19
Is intelligence automatically good? How many kinds of smart are there? Why do we glorify smarts? Also, Jon can't stand people wearing gray sweatpants. Just try and skip this episode. AI's Summary Unlock the complexities of intelligence with us as we dissect its many shades beyond mere IQ scores. Our latest episode promises to illuminate the nuanced ways in which being smart impacts life, from the bittersweet realities of heightened awareness to the intricate dance of emotional and street smarts....
Apr 05, 2022•53 min•Ep. 18
Policy? What even is that thing? We don't really know, but it is the policy of this podcast to assist you in getting to sleep. Just click play. We will walk you through the difference between law and policy and set up a tense policy discussion on school dress code. AI's Summary Listen in as we unpack the elusive concept of policy and its intricate relationship with law, exploring how it subtly yet profoundly shapes our daily lives. We dissect how policies emerge from a tapestry of sources – whet...
Mar 08, 2022•42 min•Ep. 17
Big railroad? Big oil? What about Big Deviled Ham? Rules are for suckers, or, an episode in which we discover that government-haters must also hate capitalism, that the dress code at school was overly restrictive and the power of diversity is manifest when Matt eats a gyro. Also, checks and balances between Adam Smith's Invisible Hand and the Visible Fist. AI's Summary Get ready to dissect the multifaceted world of capitalism, as we scrutinize its moral implications, the concept of the "invisibl...
Mar 01, 2022•57 min•Ep. 16
45+ minutes of bashing sports as a concept while agreeing how much we love sports. We are nothing if not consistent. Oh, and we talk about how exceptional we are as parents. AI's Summary Grappling with the idea that sports might not be the golden ticket we once thought, we engaged in a spirited debate about their true value from childhood through to adulthood. Our guest unpacked the common defense that sports teach teamwork and sportsmanship, suggesting these benefits may not be exclusive to the...
Feb 22, 2022•46 min•Ep. 15
There are limited resources. Animals fight over resources. Humans are animals. Crypto guards resources, it can't be stolen. Discuss. AI's Summary Could the answer to diminishing the ubiquity of violence in human society be hidden within the enigmatic world of cryptocurrency? This episode takes you through a profound journey, alongside our guests, a prominent macro-economist and a military specialist from MIT, as we unravel the threads connecting the defense of property to the potential for viole...
Feb 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 14
Here, we achieve apex impracticality. Maybe 50+ minutes good be best summarized by the Golden Rule. Also, maybe VR could be useful for more than virtual roller coaster rides and bring us viscerally into hardships of others. Like an empathy generator. And, if that wasn't enough, we get into the cost of crypto-currency (needs no army to protect) vs. current currency (backed by an army). Then we begin to charter the No Kill Club. Step 1: transcend national borders. Easy. AI's Summary Can the vacuum...
Feb 08, 2022•57 min•Ep. 13
Can you hold an abstract ideal as a primary aim and not lose a consistent morality? Can Matt ever stop talking? No one knows. AI's Summary Can our pursuit of a grand vision lead us astray from our moral compass, or does it steer us towards a greater good? Our latest episode engages with this provocative question, as we grapple with the tension between moral conduct and outcome-focused actions. We discuss the risks of justifying behavior solely on envisioned ideals, whether personal or societal. ...
Feb 01, 2022•48 min•Ep. 12
In which we wring our hands about where lying and secrets sit on the spectrum of violence, when lying might be expected or necessary. Like when we eat your food. AI's Summary Secrets have a way of weaving themselves into the tapestry of our lives, often lurking just beneath the surface of our everyday interactions. I remember the mixed feelings of anticipation and dread I felt as a child, peering into the forbidden cookie jar, aware of both the allure and the potential reprimand. It's this intri...
Jan 25, 2022•32 min•Ep. 11
In which we talk about needy needy needs and how Matt was worried about peeing wrong for 20 years. AI's Summary Unlock the labyrinth of parent-child relationships and discover the shifts in moral and parenting obligations that have evolved over the decades. This conversation promises to challenge your preconceived notions and guide you through the intricacies of respect, conflict resolution, and the balance between listening and responding. We delve into the role of individualism, particularly i...
Jan 04, 2022•51 min•Ep. 10
Are dreams worth following? Can passion cash out? Maybe try tracking 3 things: skills, passion and market needs. And maybe a fourth? Listen to find out. It may spread your toes. Oh, and college choice doesn't matter. AI's Summary Have you ever felt torn between chasing your passion and the practical pursuit of a profession you excel in? Our latest episode navigates the crossroads of personal interests and economic realities, offering a candid look at the ever-pervasive advice to 'follow your pas...
Dec 14, 2021•52 min•Ep. 9
Gather round while we examine what Matt's kids think he believes. We settle long-standing arguments about science and religion. And if that wasn't enough, Jon nails the difference between medical professionals and medical science. Also, are there more sciences to come, or do we have all the kinds of science that are possible? AI's Summary Listen in as we explore the fascinating dynamics between how we see ourselves and how we're perceived by those closest to us. I share a personal story about as...
Nov 30, 2021•35 min•Ep. 8
Our Summary Is America in decline? Yes! Yes it is. Listen along as we figure out that a society can only last as long as people's suffering is just right. Not too much, not too little. C'mon, join us as we luxuriate in our failing institutions, in Texas' secession fantasy, tribes and the decimated middle class. AI's Summary Listen in as we explore the pressing question of whether America is in the midst of a decline, a topic that's as complex as it is controversial. We take a hard look at the in...
Nov 23, 2021•37 min•Ep. 7
Our Summary In which we realize we don't believe in anything, that we forget where our 'original' ideas come from, the challenges related to bitchy resting face, A.I.'s Summary Prepare for a captivating journey into the depths of personal beliefs and values. Get ready to challenge your thought processes and explore the origins of your beliefs, influenced by factors often overlooked, such as media, upbringing, and the environment around us. You'll be thrilled by the powerful revelations that surf...
Nov 09, 2021•49 min•Ep. 6
In which we have no choice but to explore the depths of our lack of control, we worry about exposing ourselves to the wrong thing and we lie to remain heroic, if only in our own minds - Beliebers of our own BS. A.I.'s Summary Have you ever found yourself questioning the extent of your control over your actions and beliefs? We're stirring up a deep discussion around the idea of free will in this episode, sifting through our perceptions, beliefs, and thoughts. We grapple with the challenging quest...
Nov 02, 2021•29 min•Ep. 5
In which we realize we don't know the world is round, but we know that flat Earthers are the worst. We sound out ep-is-ta-mah-lah-gee and then are embarrassed for using the work. How do we know we can trust institutions? Well, science has a system for falsifying. Journalism used to have one, even if it was faulty. Oh, and Willie Nelson is dead. A.I.'s Summary Prepare yourself for an incredible journey as we dissect the complex web of personal beliefs and their profound impact on our decision-mak...
Oct 26, 2021•35 min•Ep. 4
In which 'gravitons' are misnamed 'Gravitrons' by a moron. Wait, what?! Gravity isn't a force pulling objects towards other objects with larger mass? Objects are moving along curved space-time? It's an episode in which we are vexed and offer no contribution to the topic of gravity. We appear to give up and start opining on science, religion, philosophy and what they are good for. Keeping it real. Real humble. Also, we note that the ad-driven model on the internet is destroying everything. Finall...
Oct 19, 2021•52 min•Ep. 3
In which we feel truly ignorant. Intuition fails. Is there no language other than beyond-us-math to comprehend such things as a clock running faster in orbit vs. on the ground; an apple is not pulled to the ground when it falls from the tree; and light does not move faster when emitted from a moving object? None of it makes any sense. A.I.'s Summary Prepare for a cosmic ride as we tackle the brain-twisting concepts of relativity, promising to shed light on the incredibly complex yet fascinating ...
Oct 12, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2
In which Jon and Matt explore Matt’s extremist reaction to Jon’s interest in Stoicism ("It’s a slave’s philosophy!”). The idea here is that Stoicism can be a philosophy to rise above the little things and provide more time to focus on things that truly matter. On the other hand, is it a philosophy that justifies inaction and ambivalence? A.I.'s Summary Prepare for a journey into the realm of philosophy as we explore Stoicism, Buddhism, and Minimalism. Promise yourself a transformative listening ...
Oct 05, 2021•26 min•Ep. 1
