Lex Fridman & Jonathan Haidt: The Techno Monk & The Social Scientist

Join Matt and Chris for a deep dive into the discourse created by Darryl Cooper’s controversial interview with Tucker Carlson. The decoders tackle Cooper’s revisionist takes on Winston Churchill, Hitler, and WWII, asking whether throwing in strategic disclaimers really makes it all okay.They also explore reactions from the wider comment-o-sphere, including the musings of libertarian firebrand/idiot Dave Smith, mainstream historians and history YouTubers, and the hosts of Triggernometry, Konstantin and Francis, as they try to unpack Niall Ferguson’s sharp critique of Cooper. Along the way, Sam Harris enters the fray, on a search for grown-ups in the alternative media.But does Harris offer a mature critique, or is he engaging in his own cycle of grievance-mongering? Matt and Chris examine his response and consider if it rises above or contributes to the podcasting noise. Whether you are a staunch critic of Sam Harris or a devoted fan, we promise this episode has something to disappoint everyone!LinksTucker Carlson: Darryl Cooper: The True History of the Jonestown Cult, WWII, and How Winston Churchill Ruined EuropeThe History Underground: Was Churchill the Chief Villain of WWII??? A Response to Darryl Cooper & Tucker CarlsonCooper's follow up thread on X.Triggernometry: “Tucker Has Become an Enabler of Fascists” - Sir Niall FergusonDave Smith | Darryl Cooper | Part Of The Problem 1169Sam Harris: Episode 383 Where Are the Grown-Ups?Free Press: Sohrab Ahmari. Pseudo-Scholars and the Rise of the Barbarian RightSPLC: McInnes, Molyneux, and 4chan: Investigating pathways to the alt-rightVox: Ezra Klein. Sam Harris, Charles Murray, and the allure of race scienceVox. The Sam Harris Debate.Arthur Jensen Profile at SPLC. The researcher who contributed to the Neo-Nazi journal.The Churchill Project. Reply to Darryl Cooper: The Truth About World War II.The Bulwark: Robert Tracinski. The “Charlottesville Hoax” Hoax.Independent Article on the 'Cat' roasting video.<a...

24 Sep 20242h 23min

We rip off the unconvincing plastic mask to reveal the true gurus lurking underneath and discuss:Russian Propaganda and Influencer ScandalProfit Incentives in Alternative Media and the Need for DisclosureExcessive Profiteering and AdvertisingLex Fridman interviews Trump (with love)Trump and Anti-Vaxx Conspiracy TheoriesTrump and Kamala Debate Reactions and Heterodox TakesDestiny vs. the Low Bar of the Alternative MediaWhen Joe met BretRogan & Bret's Massive Projection and HypocrisyFinancial Incentives in Alternative MediaGabor Maté cites some Neuroimaging StudiesMatt's HUGE Correction on Twitter FundingThe University of Austin in Texas still exists!The full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1 hr 47 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusLinksLegal Eagle video on the Tenet Media scandalKanai, R., Feilden, T., Firth, C., & Rees, G. (2011). Political orientations are correlated with brain structure in young adults. Current Biology, 21(8), 677-680.Boekel, W., Wagenmakers, E. J., Belay, L., Verhagen, J., Brown, S., & Forstmann, B. U. (2015). A purely confirmatory replication study of structural brain-behavior correlations. cortex, 66, 115-133.Joe Rogan Experience #2198 - Bret WeinsteinDonald Trump Interview | Lex Fridman Podcast #442The Guardian: We each have a Nazi in us. We need to understand the psychological roots of authoritarianism. Gabor Maté.

16 Sep 202451min

Join Matt and Chris as they conclude their deep dive into the content of Dr. K, the streaming psychiatrist behind Healthy Gamer GG. In previous episodes, they explored his promotion of Ayurvedic medicine and his use of the rhetorical strategies often seen in Complementary and Alternative Medicine spaces. This time, they tackle his more controversial work: the (non)therapy sessions with influencers, focusing particularly on his challenging and controversial conversation with the late streamer Reckful.The episode considers how Dr. K navigates the boundaries between professional therapy and public conversation, examines his response to an official reprimand from his governing body, and questions whether his justifications withstand scrutiny.Matt and Chris critically assess the validity of legalistic defences, the ethics of publicly streaming sensitive conversations with vulnerable individuals, and broader concerns about mixing mental health care with entertainment.It's a lengthy episode and features discussions on patient-therapist power dynamics, definitional debates, and the complexities surrounding regulatory oversight and professional/general ethics.We warn you this is not a very light episode and deals with sensitive issues related to suicide and mental health.LinksHealthyGamerGG: Talking Depression with ReckfulHealthyGamerGG: EthicsHealthyGamerGG: Ludwig and Dr. K's Journey of Death and ConsciousnessHealthyGamerGG: Tired of Work, Society, and Life... (featuring response to reprimand)Dr. K's official reprimand by the Medical BoardDr. Mike: Debating The Value Of Eastern Medicine (Ayurveda) | Healthy Gamer Dr. KCritical Video by MrGirl: Dr. K - RecklessCritical YouTube video by Koubitz: Dr. K's Hidden AgendaThe New York Times: The Gamer and the PsychiatristHealthyGamerGG Official Response to Reprimand on Reddit

13 Sep 20244h 29min

World travels complete the Guru Decoders reconvene to examine how the Gurusphere has been behaving in their absence. Bad news abounds.Featuring:Introduction and Hosts' ReunionChris's Travel Tales Cultural Observations and ComparisonsHealth Concerns and Anti-Vax MovementRFK Jr. and Political EndorsementsQuarantine Measures in HistoryBret Weinstein endorses TrumpEric Weinstein's quasi-endorsementStephen Bartlett promotes Bret and gets in trouble for adsPlagiarism Allegations against Robin Di AngeloElon Musk's Twitter Investors RevealedKonstantin Kisin vs. a normal InterviewJonathan Pageau and 5G ConspiraciesSam Harris & Destiny ConversationSam's Analysis of Jordan PetersonSocial Media Derangement: Sam vs. DestinyOffline vs Online BehaviourFocus on the Far Left vs. the Far RightClosing Thoughts & Next EpisodeThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1 hr 36 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusLinksRFK endorsing TrumpDelusions, Right and Left: A Conversation with “Destiny” (Steven Bonnell) (Episode #381)Konstantin Kisin vs. NBC interviewerFortune: Elon Musk was just forced to reveal who really owns X. Here’s the listBBC: Steven Bartlett nutrition adverts banned for being misleadingEric's quasi-endorsement of RFK Jnr. and TrumpBad Stats clip of Pageau from Peterson AcademyBret endorsing Trump and RFK Jr.Free Beacon: Robin DiAngelo Plagiarized Minority Scholars, Complaint Alleges

31 Aug 202445min

We reflect on the meaning of some biblical scriptures to understand the gurus, alongside:Jonathan Pageau gets into the OlympicsRFK Jnr. and the Dead BearGuru Dystopia: Trump Meets Adin RossEric Weinstein enters the 2024 CampaignThe penetrating insights of Joe RoganCoffeezilla fights back against Logan Paul's defamation caseLitigious Musk and nuisance lawsuitsCelebrity cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other scamsFlashbacks to Simon Singh vs. The British Chiropractic AssociationElon Musk's Interview with Jordan PetersonJordan Peterson's interview 'techniques'All Meat Diet ProselytisingMusk vs. the Sumo ChampionThe incredible confidence of self-help gurusThe importance of 'smarts' in successThe meaning of the Zacchaeus storyThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1hr 19 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusLinksCoffeezilla Defense DropCoffeezilla - Logan Paul Sued MeCoffeezilla - I got scammed for $1,000,000 (about his indemnity insurance)Adin Ross looks up the word fascistThe Horrific Clip of Trump meeting Adin with Hasan's commentaryVideo of Jordan Peterson's interview of Elon MuskThe Guardian: Simon Singh wins libel battleNew York Post article about Elon vs. The Sumo WrestlerRFK talking to Roseanne about the BearNew Yorker: What Does Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Actually Want?

14 Aug 202444min

In this life-enhancing episode, Matt and Chris venture into the futuristic world of tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson, clarifying along the way that he’s not the ACDC frontman. They examine Johnson's Project Blueprint and 'Don't Die' movement—a quest for indefinite lifespan extension through supplements and lifestyle changes—and consider whether their apprehension means they are actually death lovers gorging themselves each day on death burgers and life-draining whiskey.The decoders analyze his carefully crafted appearance and branding, considering how he presents himself as a revolutionary figure but in reality seems to be peddling some familiar tropes, along with a supplement line and some expensive blueberries. As usual, they consider the rhetorical moves, parasocial manipulations, and the likelihood for the lofty claims to become a reality.One thing that is clear by the end: Bryan Johnson is certainly not a modern-day vampire.LinksTracing Woodgrains thread on Bryan JohnsonBlocked and Reported: Episode 199: Was The Naked Man In The Woods Vindicated, Or Is The Naked Man In The Woods Douchey As Charged, Or BOTH??Blueprint by Bryan JohnsonFortune article on Bryan Johnson's Dont Die Dinner with Huberman and the KardashiansBryan Johnson YouTube: I'm Starting A RevolutionIf you want to support the show, join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus

11 Aug 20241h 22min

We tour the Guru-sphere's balanced and considered response to the Olympics Opening Ceremony and Kamala Harris replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. And oh boy are they on form!Addressing Petty Grievances: The Show's FormatThe Furor French Olympics Opening CeremonyTrump's Assassination ConspiraciesThe Great Flowering of Kamala Harris TakesKonstantin Kisin and Cringe ImmunitySteven Pinker vs. TriggernometryBret Weinstein's New Conspiracy HypothesisThe Wonders of Peterson AcademyBret's Falsifiable PredictionWe Never Miss!The Importance of Supporting the PodcastLex Fridman's Selective Centrism and Wounded Bird PoseThe Hypocrisy of Reactionary PuritansKen Klippenstein on Steve Bannon's War RoomFinal Thoughts and FarwellThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1hr 17 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusLinksBret's New Conspiracy HypothesisTriggernometry: Is This the Death of Harvard? - Steven PinkerLex's wounded bird poseJournalist Ken Klippenstein Enters The War Room

4 Aug 202446min

Join Matt and Chris as they hunker down with the dulcet reassuring tones of Gabor Maté, the Hungarian-Canadian physician renowned for his unconventional perspectives on trauma, stress, and addiction.Inspired by Maté they reflect on early childhood experiences, explore whether unprocessed trauma has steered them towards a life engulfed by modern gurus, and discover how to stay true to their authentic selves & avoid manifesting debilitating illnesses.With an atmospheric background storm setting the scene for the early segments, tune in for 'cheerful' discussions about childhood trauma, emotional repression, the unexpected cause of female cancer, and the toxic horror that is modern life.The episode also considers 'classic' YouTuber motifs and selected long-form insights, courtesy of "Diary of a CEO" host Stephen Bartlett.So get ready to uncover the authentic crystal butterfly within, cast off the myth of normality, and soar unfettered by past trauma.LinksThe Diary of a CEO- Gabor Mate: The Childhood Lie That’s Ruining All Of Our Lives. | E193The Diary of a CEO- Doctor Gabor Mate: The Shocking Link Between Kindness & Illness!The Conversation: Gabor Maté claims trauma contributes to everything: from cancer to ADHD. But what does the evidence say?Business Live: Huel advert on Steven Bartlett’s podcast The Diary Of A CEO bannedHuel -Steve Bartlett joins Huel Board

3 Aug 20242h 48min