Decoding the Gurus26 Feb 2022

Interview with Virginia Heffernan on Edge, the dangers of Scientism, & Culture Wars

On this week's show we have a broad ranging discussion with the well known journalist and author Virginia Heffernan. Virginia has written a bunch on the topic of technology, social media, scientism, and especially the Edge organisation. We discuss her research into Edge and related figures but also range further afield to cover debates in academia, the culture war and gurus, anthropology debates in the 90s, race & IQ rationalists, and other such topics.

One short service note is that Matt is incognito for part of the conversation as he had a prior appointment so you will have to endure Chris functioning on his own but do not fear our intrepid psychologist re-emerges to offer some words of wisdom at the end. Also, the conversation with Virginia was recorded in advance of the events in Ukraine so no recent events are discussed (which is probably for the best).

For those who want to do a bit more digging on the topics discussed, below are a bunch of related articles and you can also follow Virginia on Twitter (@page88) and check out her new podcast 'This is Critical' which encourages people to look critically at a wide array of topics, which is quite on brand for us!

Links

Virginia's piece on Edge & John Brockman
Virginia's essays on Wired
Virginia's Substack piece on Jordan Peterson
Virginia's Substack piece on Peter Thiel
Virginia's Website
Virginia's book: Magic & Loss- The Internet as Art
Insider article on the sordid tale of Chris chan
Two articles Chris wrote on his ancient blog about the Captain Cook debate (part 1 and part 2)

This Week's Sponsor

Check out the sponsor of this week's episode, Ground News, and get the app at ground.news/gurus.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(247)

Gary Stevenson: The People's Economist

In this episode, Matt and Chris take a look at one of the UK’s most compelling economic crusaders: Gary Stevenson, aka Gary’s Economics. A millionaire trader turned YouTube firebrand, Gary’s message i...

4 Maj 20253h 52min

Supplementary Material 27: Joe Rogan vs. Douglas Murray vs. Sam Harris vs. DTG

We immerse ourselves in the dark waves of the discourse to bring you treasures beyond mere mortal ken. Supplementary Material 2700:00 Introduction & Australian Holidays03:53 James Lindsay's New Revela...

25 Apr 202546min

Michael Shellenberger: Conspiratorial Propaganda

In this episode, Matt and Chris pour themselves a stiff drink and slip into the fever‑dream crossover of Jordan Peterson and Michael Shellenberger, a conversation that opens with the claim that Wester...

18 Apr 20252h 7min

Decoding the Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

In this stunning crossover episode, Matt and Chris are joined by Australian 'media personality' and podcast host Josh Szeps for a joyful discussion of podcasts, gurusphere, and general media dynamics....

16 Apr 20251h 17min

Supplementary Material 26: Flint Dibble Interview, Bonding over Outgroup Hate, and Manly Sycophancy

We project our insecurities onto the gurusphere, wallowing in our inadequacy to bond over shared hatred of outgroups, and interview Flint Dibble along the way.Supplementary Material 2600:00 Introducti...

12 Apr 20251h 14min

Lex Fridman & Douglas Murray: The Wise Man from the Land of Peace

In this very special decoding, Matt and Chris revisit the wisdom of the internet’s favourite philosopher-warrior/political theorist, Lex Fridman, as he dives once again into the complex realities of t...

6 Apr 20251h 22min

Supplementary Material 25: Ancient Pyramids, Sesame Street Monsters, & MORE Lab Leak Discourse

We embrace our hybridity, stare down Lovecraftian Donkey-Dragon hybrids, and enter into true Dialogos.Supplementary Material 2501:06 DTG Grievance Mongering02:25 Book Club Reflections04:09 Important H...

30 Mars 202541min

Mini Decoding: Back in the K-Hole

In this very special episode, Matt and Chris, despite swearing off any further Dr. K content after their previous three-part series, find themselves bleary-eyed and once again tumbling into the famili...

29 Mars 20251h 29min