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)

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.

I am joined by Pegor who talks about his journey as an atheist and some of the ways that rigorously testing his beliefs and keeping an open mind have helped him test his worldview.

Topics:

◉ The consequences of not challenging yourself for too long.

◉ If you never leave your cave, how do you know what's on the outside?

◉ The importance of in-person debates and encounters.

◉ Recognizing a hole in your worldview is sometimes the precursor to growth and change.

◉ Don't let your belief system become an immune system against new ideas.

◉ How we approach people and ideas sets the tone for those interactions.

◉ Strawmanning and Steelmanning...impediments to developing understanding.

◉ True dialogue versus indoctrination.

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.

Sam and I, using the folktale of Faust and the modern implication of the word 'Faustian bargain' discuss some of the ways that we might be making deals with the devil and not even realizing it.

Topics:

◉ The devil isn't some dude in a suit and moustache...it's within you.

◉ Corrupt deals happen a lot in politics but are a product of how society operates.

◉ Every deal we accept brings us further away from our authentic self.

◉ Rich and powerful people don't always have your back.

◉ Most of our politicians are rich in power but poor in soul.

◉ Inner mastery before outward mastery is key.

◉ What happens when fear enters the equation.

◉ We create our own version of Heaven and Hell right here on Earth.

I am joined with Jonathan who discusses his unique strategy in approaching people who he disagrees with.

Topics

◉ We are attracted to what is easy and familiar.

◉ Overcoming the language barrier.

◉ We all put food into our mouths in the same way.

◉ A true tourist travels to experience things not to curate things.

◉ Always be very curious in new surroundings.

◉ When approaching others, always bring something to the table.

◉ Change will never come from the top.

◉ Disagreement need not beget hate.

◉ The leaving the room effect.

Ever look up at the stars and search for meaning? I am joined once again by Fedra who gives us a brief introduction to understanding the stars and planets.

Topics

◉ Taking solace in the stars but not passivity.

◉ Getting your natal chart done.

◉ Consult Astrology but don't become too attached.

◉ Let's make a deal...just not when Mercury is in retrograde.

◉ We are in the age of Aquarius...a goodtime for thinkers!

◉ Carl Jung and synchronicity

◉ No such thing as coincidence, only people that were meant to be there.

◉ The Universe has your back.

In light of the recent election, Claire and I discuss why we shouldn't allow politics or forces in the 'outer spheres' of life to control our mood or come in the way of our individual growth and benchmarks.

Topics:

◉ Politics is not a stand in for religion and philosophy.

◉ Being informed without taking action, doesn't help all that much.

◉ Understanding your priorities in life.

◉ If you don't take care of yourself...how can you even possibly think about helping others?

◉ Don't be too easily carried off by the winds of destiny.

◉ Experiment but grow at the same time.

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.

Sam and I discuss why fear can sometimes be the most destructive force in our lives.

Topics:

◉ Having a strong sense of confidence.

◉ The robot way of emotions is not the path of strength but of fear.

◉ A quiet household is not a happy household.

◉ If you can't trust your friends, they are not your friends.

◉ How the judgements of others often prevent us from being our true self.