The Good World: Recent Episodes
Seth Samuels
Rested from his trip to lake country, Seth talks about originalism, and uses it as an example of how we often project our preferences onto someone else in order to avoid accountability.
A surprise follow-up to yesterday's birthday episode. Seth talks about how rules are not enough, and the mutually-informative relationship between rules and culture. If we want a better world, it's not enough to change the system, we need a culture that loves and empowers everyone instead of trying to sort us by some arbitrary measure of value.
Seth talks about the way that the news media relies on your brain's fears and threat perception in a way that keeps you hooked, keeps their wallets full, and keeps us all afraid and unhappy.
Seth talks about the way that the news media relies on your brain's fears and threat perception in a way that keeps you hooked, keeps their wallets full, and keeps us all afraid and unhappy.
Seth talks about his experience growing up in the world of private-school-educated well-funded "elites" and how the stories that surround that culture can often cut us off from the wonder and ability of everyone else around us. He also talks a bit about the ways that people use data to avoid accountability, instead of engaging with hard questions about the assumptions that shape our knowledge.
Seth shares some working theories (aren't they all) on the origins of bigotry and hatred, both historically and as applied to today. He makes an appeal for moving beyond violence. Also in the middle, there's some stuff about tonal languages and banh mi.
Seth talks about the ways our brains are pre-programmed, and what we can do to choose a different path. We've had the status quo drilled into our heads but we have the power to choose something better.
Seth share's a friends insight about men and resilience, discusses some of his own past experiences with feelings of inferiority, and turns towards something bigger than any of us.
Seth talks about some of the conflicts we see and the way that our brains attach inherited history to our own identities, and become (often deeply) defensive as a result.
Seth talks about the ways we inherit beliefs without realizing it, and how the back-and-forth nature of bullying poisons our entire social ecosystem.
Unicorn hat by Joy Nelson (https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoyNelsonArt)
Seth deals with a couple of wrenches thrown in his day, swaps Charlie out for some tires, gives a bird's eye perspective on humanity, and gets a little goofy.
Unicorn hat by Joy Nelson (https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoyNelsonArt)
Seth discusses his efforts to figure out how to deal with evil in the world, and shares his solution to the larger cultural issues that corrupt us and turn us against each other.
Seth talks about his visit from his dad, and follows up on some topics from last week, leading into a discussion of the ways we as humans can take control of our own destiny. Seth also discusses some statistical techniques and what they taught him about life.
Seth recovers from a heavier episode with some lighthearted stories about Charlie, then shares some of the media that has influenced him in recent years.
TV shows that are mentioned:
Bojack Horseman (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3398228/)
Steven Universe (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3061046/)
Books that are mentioned:
Utopia for Realists (https://bookshop.org/a/24081/9780316471916)
See No Stranger (https://bookshop.org/a/24081/9780525509097)
Combatting Cult Mind Control (https://bookshop.org/a/24081/9780967068824)
NOTE: These url's for the books are through the bookshop.org affiliate program, and if I'm understanding it correctly, I'll get some very small cut of your purchase if you buy one of these books through these links. I only recommend books that I personally read and derived value from, but you should be aware. If you feel weird about it, I'd still encourage you to read these books without using my URL. Particularly the first two, which changed my life. The main value I got from the third book was in its reinforcing the power of connection and love, rather than resorting to shame and condemnation. Anyway, please enjoy.
Content warning: violence, abuse, suicide, sexual assault.
Seth gets into some heavy topics, because the world won't let us avoid them and we can't either. But we can use our understanding of suffering to build something better.
Why does the internet need yet another straight white man? Seth talks about perspective, our brain's survival instincts, and the idea of the Good World. Also a sandwich.
Seth discusses some of his approach to religion and theology, and how it fits into his efforts to find peace with others, even if he doesn't immediately understand them.
Seth kicks off the dog park ridealong series by driving to the dog park and talking about getting away from the competitive garbage in our society, and working towards something better.