Solutions From The Multiverse: Recent Episodes
Adam Braus & Scot Maupin
Hosts Adam Braus (@ajbraus) and Scot Maupin (@scotmaupin) meet up each week where Adam brings a new idea to help the world and Scot picks and prods at it with jokes and questions. The result is an informative and entertaining podcast that always gets you thinking.
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Can music and speech combine to create powerful emotional experiences? Join us as we explore this fascinating intersection, starting with a light-hearted chat about our attempts at pop music. We dive deep into the creative process of blending musical elements like violin and percussion with iconic speeches from figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Martin Luther King Jr. Our journey takes a poignant turn as we discuss future compositions inspired by speeches from "The Matrix" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," reflecting on the timeless and moving message of humanity, kindness, and unity embedded in Chaplin's words.
Imagine a journal that celebrates ambitious ideas with high-risk, high-reward potential. We dream aloud about launching a groundbreaking academic journal that breaks away from the conservative norms of traditional publications. Dubbed the "Journal of Big Swings," this project aims to prioritize bold, innovative theories that may not yet be fully provable but deserve exploration. Our brainstorming session includes humorous potential names and the crucial role of reputable contributors to establish credibility. We wrap up this segment with a playful discussion on how enthusiastic supporters of ambitious academic research could propel such a journal into existence.
Discover the future of note-taking with digital tools like Obsidian, which help users create interconnected, personal knowledge networks. We discuss how such software can revolutionize the way we organize and visualize information, leading to an innovative idea for an academic journal named "The Journal of Ambitious Inquiry." This journal would offer a platform for sharing and discussing bold hypotheses without the immediate need for evidence. We close by examining the challenges revolutionary ideas face in traditional academic publishing and the need for more flexible avenues to recognize and disseminate transformative concepts. The episode concludes with a call for innovation in academic publishing to better support groundbreaking ideas.
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
Ever wondered how something as simple as a gradient puzzle could transform your day? Find out in this episode as we celebrate the zen-like qualities of gradient puzzles and their unique ability to relax and center your mind. Then, join us as we toast an extraordinary academic milestone: our guest's insightful paper on compassionate principalism in bioethics has been accepted by a prestigious journal. Discover how integrating compassion into healthcare could revolutionize the way we treat pain and suffering, offering a more holistic approach to medical ethics.
Ever thought printing more money could solve national debt? Think again. We break down why this common misconception is flawed and explore the real driving forces behind national debt—policies that have favored the wealthy since the 1980s. This discussion not only debunks the household debt analogy but also highlights the societal and geopolitical consequences of national borrowing. Learn why the issue isn’t just about government overspending, but rather how wealth disparity and tax policies have shaped our current financial landscape.
Why has national debt become a tool for enriching the wealthy rather than addressing public needs? We take a deep dive into the historical tax rates and the growing influence of money in politics, revealing how these factors contribute to political gridlock. With insights into potential solutions like ranked choice voting and reflections on the pandemic response, we offer a comprehensive look at how to tackle these entrenched issues. Plus, hear our critical review of Noah Fisher's "Economics 102" podcast for more perspectives on economic stability. Join us for a thought-provoking journey through the complexities of national debt, enriched by our guest's expert insights and timely reflections on upcoming 4th of July celebrations.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
Ever wondered why a millionaire and a minimum wage worker pay the same fine for a traffic violation? Today, we propose a groundbreaking idea: work day fines! Imagine fines proportionate to your daily income, making penalties just as impactful whether you're loaded or living paycheck to paycheck. We discuss how this system could balance the scales of justice and re-focus law enforcement on more serious crimes. Plus, we tackle potential hurdles like unreported income and how to handle them.
Next up, prepare for a mind-bending concept: The Empty Needle. This one's for those who crave the sensation of getting a tattoo but aren't interested in the ink. Join us as we unpack the psychological and cultural allure of pain rituals, comparing this idea to ancient practices across various societies. We even brainstorm some catchy names and ponder broader applications like hyper acupuncture. This isn't just about tattoos; it's about exploring why we seek controlled pain experiences in the first place.
Finally, let's talk beans—fart-free beans, that is! Imagine a world where beans don't cause gas, thanks to selective breeding, specialized treatments, or genetic magic. We explore the science of gas emissions, potential health benefits, and even the whimsical idea of harnessing fart energy. From the mechanics of flatulence to the social history of the fart, this segment offers plenty of laughs and insights. Join us as we wrap up with a light-hearted yet informative look at the evolution of human gas and its broader implications.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
Can humor survive the era of cancel culture? Today, we tackle the intriguing concept of "lapelle de voie"—the call of the void—and its implications for banter and social interactions. We also explore the quirky idea of "cancel cultural appropriation," where people take on others' grievances. Our conversation shifts to an exciting personal project: innovative shirt designs aimed at reducing laundry frequency and combating climate change. You'll hear about the creative process and the costs involved in tailoring these unique garments.
In our quest for fresh perspectives, we lament the rise of recycled concepts and missed opportunities for genuine innovation, even on platforms like TED. The episode also dives into a compelling discussion on morality and ethics. Do we need a divine arbiter to guide our behavior, or could a placebo deity suffice? We explore the role of religion in shaping laws and guiding moral actions, ending with a poignant story about conscientious objection during the Vietnam War and its impact on one man's career in community health.
We then dissect the complexities of ethics, pondering what constitutes necessary and avoidable suffering. Through various ethical theories and historical examples like slavery and theft, we question the inherent moral worth of individuals. The episode wraps up with a fascinating look at empathy, cooperation, and the evolutionary roots of moral behavior. Using game theory and real-world scenarios, we highlight how cooperation and compassion can arise naturally, even without religious influence. Tune in for a thought-provoking blend of humor, social insight, and sustainability.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
Imagine limitless, virtually free energy from geothermal fusion lasers! This episode explores groundbreaking advancements in geothermal energy, spotlighting a revolutionary laser technology capable of drilling through the Earth's crust to tap into superheated rocks. We discuss the transformative potential of setting up geothermal power plants anywhere, examine the risks like potential volcanic activity, and compare this to other futuristic energy solutions such as wave power and plasma-based fusion energy. Join us for a deep dive into the practicality and environmental impact of these pioneering technologies.
Next, we shift our focus to a fascinating debate: Are grand cathedrals still relevant today? One side argues that these architectural marvels offer sublime beauty and spiritual experiences akin to natural wonders, using the Cathedral of the Light in Oakland as a modern example. The other side questions whether the resources invested in such monumental structures could be better spent on practical community improvements like planting trees or addressing homelessness. We explore both perspectives, weighing the inspirational value against ethical considerations of funding such projects.
To wrap things up, we delve into political reform with a discussion on sortition—randomly selecting representatives as an alternative to traditional elections. Could this method democratize politics and reduce the influence of money? We discuss the potential benefits, like eliminating partisan conflicts and making political roles more accessible, alongside the risks, such as having unqualified candidates. We also consider sortition's application beyond politics, in contexts like companies and cities. Tune in for thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional thinking on energy, architecture, and governance!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
What happens when a routine visit to a CrossFit gym turns into a saga of bans and baffling expectations? Join us as we recount the comedic chaos of our fitness journeys, topped off with a sprinkle of multiverse madness. Scott and I unravel the peculiar world of gym culture, sharing laughs over the highs and lows of our workouts. We also dive headfirst into the concept of multiverse travel, imagining encounters with our alternate selves and comparing our lives to those of other "Adams" scattered across the cosmos.
In an alternate universe where the Children's Bill of Rights took center stage instead of the Build Back Better plan, everything changes. We explore this parallel reality where Democrats rebranded themselves as the ultimate champions of family values, winning bipartisan support and reshaping public perception. From permanent child tax credits to ambitious climate measures, we humorously dissect the political and social ramifications of prioritizing children's welfare. What if society genuinely placed children's rights at the forefront? We muse over hypothetical rights for kids, reflecting on how these changes could transform our world.
Our journey doesn't stop there. We venture further into the implications of progressive child welfare policies in this alternate universe. Imagine rent support linked to having children, slashing poverty rates, and completely revamping societal attitudes toward family life. We draw thought-provoking parallels to our own political landscape, touching on themes from "Children of Men" and even toying with the wild idea of state-subsidized plastic surgery to boost population growth. This episode is packed with humor, insightful political commentary, and whimsical multiverse speculations that promise to entertain and engage.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Send us a Text Message.
Imagine strutting out the door each morning, confident that your stylish shirt is also your silent warrior in the battle against climate change. In our latest episode, we spill the secrets of a fashion revolution that could see your laundry pile diminish alongside your carbon footprint. We're not just airing out our ideas; we're calling on our community of eco-conscious fashionistas to help refine a concept I've been stewing over for years: the no-armpit-contact shirt. Tackling the woes of sweat and the inefficiency of constant washing, we're threading the needle between style and sustainability. So, grab your thinking caps – or should I say, your non-sweat-absorbing eco-hats – and join us in reimagining the future of fashion.
Who knew brainstorming extraterrestrial fashion could lead to human clothing innovation? We sure didn't, but here we are, chuckling about Xenomorph fashion statements while unearthing practical solutions for our earthly sweat issues. Laugh along as we poke fun at bizarre fashion ideas and then pivot to dissect real-life apparel hacks that could keep your pits pristine. And don't miss our critical look at an Amazon product designed for the sweaty among us. By episode's end, you'll be ready to drape yourself in a Pharaoh-esque tunic or a sleek, odor-resistant "muscle T," all in the name of conquering body odor without sacrificing an ounce of style.
Our conversation isn't just skin-deep; we're wrestling with the energy conundrum America faces as we ironically ramp up consumption amidst dwindling resources. Hear our playful yet poignant take on energy-saving practices that can be as simple (and amusing) as air-drying your newly designed duds. We even touch on Bitcoin's energy hunger and the zany cost of turning to AI for late-night chats. Wrapping up with a controversial wink at extreme climate activism, we underscore the urgent need to rethink our habits – all while keeping it light-hearted. Join us for a romp through the world of sustainable fashion, where saving the planet never looked so good.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever considered how a year-round school calendar might shake up the traditional learning experience? Our latest episode tackles this question head-on, as we share personal stories and compare the potential academic and social benefits for students, teachers, and parents. From reducing learning loss to integrating summer fun through themed activities like robotics and sports camps, we cover the spectrum of possibilities that could keep the spirit of summer alive while enhancing education.
But why stop at education? The debate heats up as we pivot to societal systems, dissecting capitalism versus socialism, and introducing my future book concept, "The F Word." We explore the shared disdain for feudalism—an analogy for power concentration—and discuss how to achieve a balance of freedom and constraints within our economic reality. Expect a few laughs and unexpected detours as we navigate corporate hierarchies, retail mannequins, and the pursuit of a more equitable society.
Capping off our spirited discourse, we challenge the notion that Western philosophy is a gateway to fascism. Instead, we advocate for an anti-feudal society that champions free speech, collaboration, and equality before the law. We break down the open versus closed society debate and urge our listeners to transcend the outdated socialism versus capitalism dichotomy. Join us in pushing for foundational values that promote a fair and open community, all while coining new terms and invoking a touch of humor along the way.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
https://plus12socks.com/
Ever slipped into a pair of socks and wondered if they're doing more harm than good? Join me as we explore the intriguing world of anatomically correct socks with Tanya from Austria, a pioneer in the field. Our lively chat starts off with a mix-up of time zones before diving headfirst into the transformative nature of socks designed to embrace the natural asymmetry of our feet. I share my eye-opening experience with these foot-friendly creations, and Tanya sheds light on the philosophy behind socks that are not just comfortable but aimed at proper toe alignment. It's a revelation for anyone who's ever thoughtlessly pulled on a tube sock.
The adventure doesn't stop at mere sock enlightenment, though. We take a closer look at the development of Plus 12 Barefoot Socks, the innovative children's footwear that champions healthy foot growth. We unravel the necessity of space within shoes and Tanya's decade of dedication to creating socks that support the barefoot shoe movement. You'll be fascinated by the tales of perseverance, collaboration with the proficient knitter Gunter, and the specialized knitting machine that brought these foot-shaped socks to life. It's a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the meticulous craft of producing footwear that's not just comfy but healthy.
As we wrap up, we delve into the broader implications of foot health, discussing 'zookosis' and the importance of anatomically correct footwear. Our conversation touches on the rise of barefoot shoes and how my journey to becoming a barefoot shoe enthusiast highlights the tug-of-war between societal norms and the well-being of our feet. Before parting ways with Tanya, we reflect on the enriching exchange and my own testimonial of these European-crafted socks that have left a lasting impression on my soles and soul. If you're curious about making a simple yet impactful change for healthier, happier feet, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Could your diploma be silently sabotaging your job prospects? This week we're tearing down the ivory towers of higher education, proposing a radical shift in hiring practices that could ignite a firestorm of debate. Buckle up as we examine the prospect of educational attainment as a protected category, challenging employers to value skills and achievements over the name of your university. Our conversation spans the potential upheaval of prestigious institutions' business models to the real implications of meritocracy versus privilege in the job market. We're not shying away from the tough questions: Is an Ivy League education just a glorified membership to an exclusive club, or does it genuinely set you up for success?
Join us, alongside guests from varied academic paths, as we share insights from our stints at places like St. John's College and the University of Kansas. We weigh in on the recent San Francisco high school decision to drop entrance exams, opening up a broader dialogue on educational equality and fairness in society. The crux of our debate: should the value of one’s work experience and tangible accomplishments trump the brand of their alma mater? We're not just theorizing; we scrutinize how the #MeToo movement has already influenced hiring in the finance industry, hinting at the seismic changes that could ripple through the job market if educational discrimination were curtailed. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey through the intersection of education, hiring, and societal change.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever wondered if Venus, the goddess of love, could catch waves on her iconic shell? We've got that covered, and much more, in a whimsical journey through art and the lighter side of life's curiosities. Our banter takes us from the strokes of Botticelli's brush to the pressing question of why our toothpaste tastes so darn sweet. We'll share laughs and insights, exploring how the classics influence our modern hobbies, and even venture into the trial and tribulations of concocting homemade toothpaste – because who doesn't want a little DIY in their dental routine?
Prepare to have your taste buds and health notions stirred as we pop the tab on the diet soda debate. It's a fizzy topic, with artificial sweeteners under the microscope and their baffling link to obesity. But it's not just about what we sip; it's about the minty freshness we swish every day. We'll discuss an intriguing toothpaste experiment that might just be the secret weapon against sugar cravings. Join us and our guest experts as we scrutinize our daily habits and ponder the possibility of a sweetness-free lifestyle – one toothbrush stroke at a time.
Finally, we brush up on the nitty-gritty of natural toothpaste and consider if a sweetener-free grin is within reach. I'll recount my own saga of ditching the sugary paste for a concoction of my own, and the discoveries that came with it. We'll also muse over the potential for natural toothpaste companies to disrupt the sugary status quo. And for dessert? A dab of dental humor as we consider whether our ancestors' confectionery choices might just influence our modern palates and practices. Tune in for a dose of education peppered with giggles, and who knows, you might just find yourself rethinking your brushing ritual!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Let's kick things off with a bit of unexpected whimsy as Tsunami Jake sends us down a rabbit hole of prison reform, sports, and the colorful world of mascots. It's 'The Longest Yard' meets real life, and you won't want to miss the laughs and insights. But it's not all jest; we segue into the significant topic of plummeting birth rates, picking apart Ezra Klein's take and offering our own solutions from a previous episode that champions accelerated education and women's empowerment. And for those craving some cuteness overload, our live bunny cat cam promises fuzzy feels and spontaneous chuckles.
As we peel back the layers of society, we ask ourselves – could the concept of Zootopia be more than just an animated fantasy? We explore the potential of a society designed to satisfy the diverse needs of its citizens and discuss the phenomenon of "zookosis," where environments fail to cater to natural behaviors, drawing parallels with the human condition. We even ponder Pixar's 'Elemental' and its poignant commentary on community coexistence. This deep dive into the societal fabric is interspersed with musings on the American multicultural experience, proving that thought-provoking content and entertainment can coexist.
Wrapping up this dynamic episode, we ponder the ramifications of industrialization on our youth, society, and even the ethics of zoos, pulling wisdom from psychologist Jonathan Haidt. Can we align societal norms with human nature, referencing attachment theory and Dunbar's number? It's a rich conversation that ultimately lands us in the heartwarming realm of Stone Soup, a metaphor for community and cooperation. So, join us as we cook up a broth of ideas, laughter, and community spirit that'll leave you nourished in more ways than one.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever found yourself questioning the quirky blend of senses known as synesthesia or wondering how a simple car accident could spiral into an opioid addiction? We've roped in Bedford Williamson, a cherished voice on our show for the third time, to tease apart these intricate topics with us. Our lively banter soon gives way to a deep dive into how our daily commutes and healthcare decisions could be inadvertently fueling a public health crisis. We're pulling back the curtain on the opaque links between transportation, chronic pain, and the surge in opioid dependencies, urging a fresh perspective on the roles we play in this complex issue.
The asphalt battlefield of cars versus bikes takes center stage as we probe the radical notion of car bans and accident illegality. We dissect the cultural phenomena like Critical Mass and the friction between cyclists and drivers, musing over a future where bike lanes rule the roads. Our conversation steers us through the implications of a car-centric lifestyle, connecting the dots to the opioid epidemic, and pedaling the idea that perhaps the remedy lies not on four wheels, but two. Join us as we navigate the thorny discussions around infrastructure and the health of our communities, proposing transformational shifts that could pave the way to a healthier society.
Wrapping up this journey, we cross oceans to compare drug policies from Portugal's groundbreaking stance to Oregon's recent teething problems with decriminalization. The complex tapestry of healthcare support services, our penchant for quick fixes, and the American healthcare system's love affair with immediate, aggressive interventions come under scrutiny. From philosophical musings to personal survival stories, like emerging from the ashes of a house fire, we're connecting personal trials with societal challenges, wrapping up a conversation filled with insights that promise to linger in your thoughts. Listen in; it's an episode brimming with revelations that could very well reshape the contours of our society.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever ponder why our feline friends emit those curious chirps when eyeing birds through the window? We kick off with a whimsical discussion about these endearingly odd behaviors before shifting to the silver screen's latest hot topic – the 'Roadhouse' remake. With Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor stepping into the dance-free zone of this classic's redo, we're stirring the pot and asking: is the magic of the original being sidelined for star power? Bedford Williamson joins us once more, bringing his sharp wit and cinematic savvy to the table, ready to dissect these film industry choices with us.
Strap in for a rhythm-infused rollercoaster as we tackle the daring notion of musical numbers busting into the realms of action-packed franchises like 'Fast and Furious.' Could a high-speed car chase suddenly segue into a full-blown ballad? We explore the finesse required to integrate song and dance into unexpected genres, citing the charm of "La La Land" and the quirky beats of "500 Days of Summer." Yet, we're not afraid to call out missteps like that notorious 'Spider-Man 3' boogie. And what about "Brave"? Bedford contributes his expertise on whether a dash of Scottish folk could have seasoned Pixar's animated stew just right.
Finally, we sweep through the stars with a symphony of ideas, from the catchy tunes of "Frozen" to the hypothetical melodies of a "Star Wars" space opera. Delving into the realm of musical casting, we applaud Hugh Jackman's transformation into "The Greatest Showman" and even flirt with the notion of a 'Joker' sequel, crescendoing into a Gaga-led spectacle. And as we pull back the curtain on a city's life through song, inspired by urbanist Jane Jacobs, we ponder the enduring significance of the arts in our AI-dominated zeitgeist. So, tune in for a harmonious blend of critique, culture, and creativity that's sure to strike a chord.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Have you ever stopped to consider what a world without coffee or sushi might look like? It's not just a caffeine-deprived dystopia we're talking about, but a real consequence of the shifting climate that's threatening the staples we hold dear. As we unravel the threads of climate change's impact, we also tip our hats to cities like Albuquerque for championing free public transit—a move that could ripple through our communities and the environment in surprising ways. Plus, we don't hold back on sharing those personal, rainy-day bike rides that bring a smile, even amid the challenges of our changing world.
Navigating the stormy seas of free speech, we question the line between expression and incitement. The paradox of tolerance takes center stage, scratching at the surface of what we can say, should say, and must curtail in the interest of a harmonious society. Platforms like Twitter find themselves in the hot seat, as we dissect their role in content policing and the intersection with defamation laws. Join us for a deep, spirited discussion that might just redefine your understanding of the words we wield in public discourse.
Wrapping up, we plunge into the debate about same-sex marriage and the expression of views that crash against the societal imperative of inclusion. Our conversation is a call to arms—inviting you, our listeners, to weigh in with well-informed perspectives, especially if you think we're missing a piece of the puzzle. As we sign off with gratitude and a touch of whimsy, we leave you with a challenge: stay informed, stay critical, and above all, stay engaged with the complex tapestry of tolerance, intolerance, and the freedom that binds them.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
NEW: This episode we recorded in both audio AND video, so if you'd like to watch a video version of it with Adam and Scot's faces, check out:
https://youtu.be/K-oM6RMAzII
When I tied the knot, I wasn't handed a magical manual for a blissful marriage—just a state-issued pamphlet as thin as my patience with bureaucracy. Let's tear that pamphlet apart as we navigate the precarious, but often rewarding, landscapes of marriage and family dynamics. With a mix of humor and seriousness, Scott and I dissect the inadequacies of one-size-fits-all solutions and propose a more personalized support system for newlyweds. We don’t shy away from the thorny subjects, like the correlation between religiosity and divorce rates, and whether faith-based premarital counseling is the glue for marital longevity or simply societal pressure in disguise.
Have you ever wondered if the controversial speech of public figures can do more than just ruffle feathers? Can it actually affect our collective mental health? We break down the balance between free speech and protecting the public's mental psyche, using contemporary examples to stir the pot. And, inspired by Andrew Yang's innovative policy ideas, we examine the prospect of free, secular marital counseling networks. But that's not all—financial planning and division of labor also make the cut as we share methods for couples to manage their resources cooperatively.
The concept of 'moments' might just be the secret ingredient for sustaining intimacy in a marriage. From daily check-ins to monthly surprises, we suggest a framework for building a deeper connection with your significant other. We then wade into the turbulent waters of infidelity, considering how psychologists and married individuals perceive adultery differently. Scott and I don't hold back as we discuss the complexities of emotional co-regulation, attachment theory, and even propose the idea of a secular, free marital counseling network in California. Tune in for an episode that's like a heart-to-heart with an old friend—honest, sometimes raw, but always with your best interests at heart.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Prepare to be tickled by the thought of "Parks and Rec" star Adam Scott endorsing our humble podcast, as we find ourselves wrapped up in a name game that's equal parts amusing and bewildering. But it's not all chuckles and snickers; we strap in for a heady debate on Apple's potential pivot into the nuclear scene with the whimsically coined "Apple Core" reactors. This week's episode jaunts from celebrity musings to the fertile ground of energy innovation, offering a blend of laughter and contemplation that's sure to energize your curiosity.
With the wheels of our conversation greased, we cruise into the enigmatic Project Titan, imagining Apple's automotive ambitions without succumbing to the puns of 'CarPod.' The dialogue then takes a scenic route to discuss corporate giants and their market-shaking moves, all while unpacking the promise of small modular nuclear reactors. These pint-sized powerhouses could alter the energy landscape forever, and we're here painting a vivid picture of this nuclear new world order, minus the usual tech jargon.
Our finale is a globetrotting thank you to you, our international listeners, from every corner of the world. We wrap up with a nod to the craft of plausible science fiction storytelling, indulging in the genre's ability to both stretch the limits of our imagination and echo our reality. Whether you're a fan of witty banter or cerebral debates, you'll find your spark in this episode. So tune in, and let's embark on a journey that's as expansive as it is electrifying.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Discover the unexpected economic advantages of Medicare for All — a concept that may sound controversial but holds promise for both public welfare and corporate America. Join me, Adam Brous, alongside my insightful co-host Scott, as we unravel healthcare's Gordian knot. This episode isn't just a dialogue; it's an exploration of a groundbreaking perspective that sees Medicare for All not as a burden, but as a potential jackpot for the business world.
We're no strangers to the hefty price tags attached to private healthcare taxes, including premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. However, this time we're flipping the script and examining Medicare for All as a substantial tax break that could save a fortune for individuals and corporations alike. As we dissect policies from the Obama era to Biden's current administration, we reveal the surprising inertia of governance and propose a strategic realignment of Medicare for All as an economic reform poised to unite citizen welfare and corporate prosperity.
Wrapping up our provocative exchange, we delve into 'job lock' and its ramifications on the labor market. Imagine a world where businesses are freed from the financial shackles of providing health insurance, potentially triggering a surge in innovation and profit. We also tackle the transition for those employed in the private health insurance industry, ensuring their skillset's versatility paves the way for new opportunities within the reformed system. Tune in for a session that not only informs but also challenges your perspective on one of the most pivotal issues of our time.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Embark on a linguistic escapade with us as we traverse the playful avenues of the Spanish language and its cultural idioms. Prepare to chuckle as our guest and I compare the youthful charm of 'muchacho' with the gravitas of 'hombre' and share a laugh over the endearing oddity of international expressions. But it's not all about the words we say; we also muse over the unexpected innovations that sprout from life's little conundrums and how film and television are uniting audiences across language barriers. Trust us, by the end of our conversation, you'll see subtitles in a whole new light.
Ever wondered what would happen if we sprinkled classic literature into our movie nights? We tinker with the idea of promoting literacy through an unconventional blend of highbrow subtitles and cinematic stories. Meanwhile, the thought of AI in dubbing leads us down a path of cautious optimism, discussing its power to both enlighten and deceive. Our chat takes a slight detour into the realm of global politics as we reflect on the Argentine president's recent assertions at Davos and the fine line between technological progress and moral responsibility.
Education doesn't have to be dull, and we're spinning the gears on how to jazz it up using the glitter of Super Bowl-level ad campaigns. Imagine celebrities and viral sensations like Mr. Beast championing the quest for knowledge, inspiring a new generation to hit the books with as much fervor as they scroll through their feeds. Lastly, we unlock the doors to literary greats, offering practical guideposts to the enigmatic worlds of Kafka and Tolstoy. Whether you're a seasoned bibliophile or a curious newbie, this episode will leave you with fresh strategies to tackle those towering classics you've been eyeing on the shelf.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever wondered what happens after the confetti settles for lottery jackpot winners? Join us, Scot Maupin and Adam Braus, along with our thought-provoking guest Owen Raisch, as we lay bare the emotional rollercoaster of instant wealth and its less-often-discussed pitfalls. Buckle up for a candid chat filled with laughter over language faux pas and heartwarming visions of how a 'Neighborhood Lottery' could foster community development and change the narrative from personal gain to collective prosperity.
Lotteries, often perceived as a beacon of hope, harbor untold stories from the founding of historic American institutions to the ethical quagmires they present today. Our discussion wanders through the quirky trivia of ancient lotteries, the somber realities of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," and lands on the idea that lotteries could be anything but a regressive tax on hope. With Owen's insights, we examine the potential for a reimagined lottery system, one that could pave the way for neighborhood transformation and inject a dose of morality into this age-old gamble.
The concept of shared wealth takes center stage as we envision a world where communities unite over shared lottery wins, investing in local projects and strengthening bonds. We mull over the potential for heartwarming documentaries to capture these transformative stories and discuss the practical challenges that could arise from such an initiative. As we wrap up, we shift gears and enter "Solutions from the Multiverse," where the whimsical ideas we toss around might just hold the key to tackling everyday issues with a dash of imagination and a sprinkle of humor.
You can reach Owen Raisch on X (nee Twitter) here:
https://twitter.com/owenraisch
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Have you ever stumbled upon a musical gem that felt like it was crafted just for you? That's what happened to me, Adam Brouse, with "Tokyo" by The Books, and it sparked a delightful journey into the serendipity of music discovery. Scott Moppen and I share this audio odyssey, weaving together the threads of enchanting tunes, sleep's evolution, and the great outdoors. We muse over a world where the simulated starry nights indoors could rival the thrill of sleeping in nature's own cradle.
The cozy allure of outdoor slumber — no tent required — is more than just a quirky preference; it's a call to our primal roots. In this episode, we imagine an Airbnb of the future, bedecked with leafy mattresses and a symphony of nocturnal sounds. We laugh over the ludicrous yet oddly compelling notion of a face umbrella, designed for those who dream of dozing under open skies but can't quite commit. It's an episode that blends the whimsical with the inventive, offering up a platter of fresh, unconventional ideas with every weekly installment.
As the sun sets on this week's conversational adventure, Scott and I reflect on life's simpler pleasures. Through tales of hastily eaten meals and our mission to dream up solutions for the world's conundrums, we extend an invitation for you to join us. Unroll your metaphorical sleeping bag and settle in for a night under the cosmos of creativity, as we continue to offer up new ways to perceive and interact with the multiverse around us. Tune in, and let's explore together.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Prepare to be whisked from the playful world of innovative shower systems to the economic trials of Argentina, all within a single episode. With new President Javier Miele at the helm, we tackle the nation's inflation crisis head-on. Our discourse, laced with humor yet grounded in reality, explores the vibrant culture and fiscal challenges that define Argentina today. Beyond the whimsy of gravity-defying showers, we delve into Miele's libertarian strategies aimed at rejuvenating the economy, painting a vivid portrait of a country on the brink of transformative change.
Hayekian currencies emerge as the star of this episode, promising a monetary revolution for Argentina's financial landscape. As President Miele unravels the complexities of introducing these tailored currencies, we consider the transformative potential of such economic innovation, made possible through judicious regulation and local entrepreneurial spirit. Imagine a currency that adapts to your lifestyle, defies inflation, and redefines commerce; this is the future we discuss with excitement and a touch of skepticism, probing the promise and pitfalls of these personalized economic tools.
We conclude with a candid discussion on the heavyweights of economics—the central banks—and their pervasive influence on our pockets and policies. From the Cantillon Effect to the Federal Reserve's profit margins, you'll get an insider look at the mechanics of money and its far-reaching effects on both economies and individuals. As we navigate the controversial terrains of Bitcoin ETFs and the environmental footprint of cryptocurrencies, we contemplate the merits of Hayekian currencies as a possible antidote to the volatility of inflation. Join us for this thought-provoking journey through the world of currency, where humor meets economic theory, and where the future of Argentina's economy could set a global precedent.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ready to be part of a family like no other? Imagine a world where your kin might include a comedian, a policy wonk, or even a Brazilian goose trained as a security guard. That's the kind of wild ride we're inviting you on with Scott Moppen and Adam Prouse, as we tackle the outlandish yet thought-provoking concept of extended civil families, inspired by none other than Kurt Vonnegut. We promise an episode where laughter meets innovation, and you'll find yourself both entertained and enlightened by our musings on redefining community support.
Forget everything you thought you knew about governance, taxes, and charity. This isn't your average political debate; it's a no-holds-barred, humorous yet incisive examination of what binds us together as a society, from mutual aid to the passion of sports fans. As we weave through the potential of nontraditional families to reshape our approach to societal issues, you'll discover the surprising ways in which we're already connected.
Wrap up your listening experience with a visionary glance at the future, where Medicare for All is just the tip of the iceberg, and "gangs for good" could be the new norm. We're breaking down the challenges and opportunities of micro-communities, pondering the revolutionary potential of a new family system, and offering a cheeky nod to the transformative power of mutual aid. Join us for a conversation that's as much about laughter as it is about the serious business of crafting a society that thrives on empathy, engagement, and the occasional gaggle of guardian geese.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
We can't ignore the elephant in the room—climate change. The stark reality of its impacts, including the 2023 peak in coal usage, serves as a reminder that our actions today sculpt the world of tomorrow.
Fasten your seatbelts as we zoom into the magnetic pull of cities like Austin, where the secret ingredient to its charm is nothing other than 'fun'. It's a provocative thought—the notion that a city's cultural vibrancy could be the magnet for economic prosperity. And we're not just talking theory; I open up about my brush with the job market, leading us into a lively debate on how cities can evolve into hubs of excitement and opportunity. We explore how embracing unique cultural events and the arts, coupled with affordable housing, can transform cities like Tulsa into the next big things, steering clear of the soulless suburban sprawl.
To cap off our urban odyssey, we delve into the concept of fun as a transformative power for cities facing housing crises and climate change. Drawing from my own experiences applying for a role at Elon Musk's prospective university, we discuss how injecting enjoyment into our cities isn't just a lofty idea—it's a practical solution rooted in celebration and innovation. We envision a future where cities are not just habitable, but irresistibly vibrant, and suggest ways to bring this vision to fruition. Join us as we rally for a world where the path to improvement is indeed paved with enjoyment, and every city has a shot at becoming a place you can't wait to call home.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ever wondered how a fart noise machine could segue into a revolutionary idea for AM radio? That's exactly where my co-host Scott and I start our latest episode of Solutions of the Multi-various, but trust us, the conversation escalates quickly. We're tossing around the game-changing notion of big-name streaming giants like Spotify revitalizing the AM waves with podcast programming. It's a fusion of old-school and cutting-edge that could redefine passive listening and content discovery. So, forget about the noise of the day; we're here to tune you into the potential harmony between podcasts and traditional radio frequencies.
Between reminiscing about the simplicity of radio's golden era and questioning Spotify's missing comments feature, Scott and I don't shy away from the quirks and conundrums of modern audio consumption. As we introduce ourselves, you'll find that this isn't just another tech talk. We're here to stitch together the future of podcasting with threads of accessibility, community, and nostalgia. Imagine podcasts piped into the nooks and crannies of daily life, turning ordinary moments into shared experiences. And we're not just dreaming out loud; we're proposing tangible ways Spotify could amplify the podcast landscape.
Wrapping up, we compare the intimate followings of podcast creators to the massive audiences of YouTube stars, envisioning a world where voices from the airwaves become as iconic as video personalities. From bowling alleys ringing with the latest podcast episodes to the whimsical thought of eight-track recordings, we're mapping out a future where every hum of static finds its place in the symphony of sounds. So plug in, get comfortable, and let's explore how the charm of the past could broadcast a brighter future for podcast enthusiasts everywhere.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Hapy Nu Year! Dear listeners! Scot and Ih coudn't reezist bringing in the nu year with a bang, and trust me, this episohd iz the fihercracker yoo'v been wayting fohr. Buckel up az wee whisk yoo araund the glohb with a tapestry of Nu Year'z frazes, gigel ohver cultural quirks, and reveal the zesty chalengg Scot sets fohr himself—embrasing the contentious condiment nohn az manaiz. Az wee mul over our rezolooshuns, wee sprinkel in a dash of political hewmohr, remihnding us al that our aspirashuns can bee just az lofty az aur ability to run fohr ofis.
Hav u ever stopt to ponder the perplexing puzel that iz Inglish spelling? Wee'r taking the bul bih the horns and adresing Califohrnia's literasy shocker, with a lihvly deebait on whether fohnetic Inglish coud bee the superheeroh wee need. Ih eeven take won fohr the team, crafting the episohd descripshun fohneticaly to ilustrait the point! Wee'll navigate thru the trecherous waters of educashun sistems and etimology, al whihl considering how our beloved aksents coud survihv this linguistic leap.
As wee clohs aut this linguistic soiree, we contemplait Inglish's soft power and its potenshal to uniht thru a fohnetic maikover. From the 'Top Gun' and 'Star Wars' lohr too the curious world of fohnetics, wee cover the spectrum of storyteling and languag intricasys. Finaly, wee ponder the big questshuns: Coud simplifying Inglish spelling truly bolster democrasy and sihentific literasy? And iz the world ready fohr Nu Inglish? Wether u're a word nerd or just up fohr a gud chat, this episohd iz packt with thawt-provoking insihts and a harty dohs of humor. Join us fohr a jurnee thru languag lihk u've never herd befohr!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Are you ready to have your perspective on American higher education thoroughly challenged? Brace yourselves as we bring to the table, "The Caging of the American Mind", a book that shines a torch on the issues plaguing American higher education today. Far from blaming political correctness or multiculturalism, we delve deep into the problems of sky-high costs and predatory practices rampant in higher education. Our fascinating conversation will give you a fresh viewpoint on what's really wrong and how we might borrow solutions from other universes.
Stay tuned as we explore the hurdles that new nonprofit colleges in the US come up against. Despite their innovative approach, they often hit a wall when it comes to accreditation, impacting their growth and the ability to offer federal financial aid. We'll take a magnifying glass to the role of accreditors, who have evolved into powerful entities with strong government backing. Tread with us down this path, as we unravel how this evolution, though initially well-intentioned, may have led to unintended consequences on education's quality and accessibility.
Finally, let's envision the potential of new colleges - institutions that could be catalysts for societal change and could play a crucial role in shaping political beliefs. We'll stir up a conversation around the concept of personhood, discussing its application to humans, aliens, and AI, and how this inclusive term could find a place in our education system. Together, we'll navigate through these stimulating topics that promise to shake up your understanding of education in America.
Check out Adam's new book: The Caging of the American Mind: How We Broke Higher Education and How to Fix It
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
A few clarifications : 1) our current calendar is the Gregorian calendar. The Julian was similar but came before that. 2) the solar year is roughly 365 days long and the lunar year is roughly 354 days so the month of Yule is always 11 days long. 3) Braus weighs 13.5 stone.
Ready to shake up your golf game and shake off an outdated calendar system? We're plunging headfirst into the exciting world of Park Golf on today's episode, a simplified version of the classic sport that's winning hearts worldwide. We'll pop open a surprise package from the USA Park Golf Association and share our personal experiences with this emerging sport.
We're also taking a deep dive into timekeeping, from the Julian and Roman calendars, right up to a revolutionary concept of an intergalactic calendar. Uncover the historical roots of these systems and the vital role of Julius Caesar in shaping our modern calendar. We'll explore the framework of a solar lunar calendar and how it could bring us more in tune with nature's rhythms. Venture with us into discussions on adopting the Norse calendar, featuring its unique naming system, and the radical idea of changing the metric system for a more inclusive holiday season.
We'll then transport you to Germany and Japan, sharing our first-hand experiences - from martial arts lessons in an 'Ikea dojo' to the cultural norms of communal changing and showering. We'll take a look at the Germanic and Norse calendars and the dissimilarities with the Julian calendar. Finally, we'll explore the prospects of an intergalactic calendar and its implications for future space travel. So join us for this exhilarating journey into sports, culture, and timekeeping!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
What if the future of podcasting isn't live and synchronized, but rather recorded at your convenience? We’re pioneering into the uncharted territory of asynchronous podcasting and believe us, it’s been quite a ride! We'll share the highs and lows, the convenience versus the occasional disconnect, and the interesting parallels with other forms of asynchronous communication. Tune in to find out if we think this could be the modality that changes the podcasting landscape forever!
However, not all that glitters is gold. We faced some critical challenges with asynchronous podcasting that left us a tad bit disappointed. From disjointed energy to the tedious editing process, we’ll share the bittersweet truth of our experience. We'll also discuss an intriguing YouTube channel that merges two personas into one seamless conversation, and a quirky radio show where the host argues with himself in multiple voices. Through all the trials and tribulations, we believe every experiment, even those that don't pan out, adds to our understanding and informs our future path. So, let’s hop onto this rollercoaster ride of innovative parties, pizza toppings, and podcasting experiments!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Are you ready to challenge conventional wisdom? This episode is a journey into unexpected climate change solutions. We're shaking things up by talking about deconstructing highways and replacing them with multi-use neighborhoods. Imagine a world where highways, traditionally seen as symbols of progress, are torn down to make way for sustainable, human-scale neighborhoods that breathe new life into our cities and revolutionize the way we view urban planning. This isn't just an ecological endeavor. It's a socio-economic one, too.
We then get a little eccentric, veering into the world of panic rooms. But we're not talking about your average panic room. We're reimagining apartments with multiple panic rooms, each designed to cater to different fears. It's an outlandish concept, but one that makes for an engaging conversation. We'll also share a remarkable success story from Madison, Wisconsin, where the city's natural features were ingeniously used to create a dense, vibrant downtown area.
As if tearing down highways and designing panic panic rooms weren't enough, we also delve into the world of cloning and its implications on our perceptions of reality, drawing references from films such as "The Prestige." We illuminate the moral dilemmas of cloning and the captivating science of memory. In a lighter vein, we reflect on the benefits of martial arts and Mark Zuckerberg's foray into jiu-jitsu. Come, join us on this rollercoaster ride of an episode that's sure to make you question, laugh, and perhaps even transform your thinking.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
What if there was a way to truly express your opinions on movies, restaurants, and more, using a simple scoring system? Welcome to our new recording space in Oakland where we're about to explore how the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a tool known to the marketing and product design world, can revolutionize the way we evaluate our entertainment and dining experiences. From dissecting classic movie archetypes and recognizing exceptions like District 9, to discussing the human instinct for storytelling and the solid foundation a three-act structure provides - we're shedding light on the fascinating world of narratives.
Ever wondered what it would be like to wield influence, to have the power to drive change just by expressing your opinion? We're talking about the potential of NPS to do exactly that. Breaking down the three categories - promoters, neutrals, and detractors - we're exploring the challenges in achieving a high NPS score and the significance of hitting the elusive 70. We're also discussing the potential risks and rewards of power, be it on the big screens or in the back alleys.
And if you're a fan of online ratings, hold your breath as we venture into how NPS could be calculated using IMDb ratings or applied to Yelp reviews. With a peek into the Reddit community's opinions on Star Wars and ideas to split restaurant ratings into food and ambience, we're unpacking the potential of NPS to revolutionize customer satisfaction. So, join us on this thrilling ride as we debate the value of a well-made movie and muse over the possibility of creating a software that utilizes IMDb's open API to calculate NPS for movies and TV shows. Change the way you perceive ratings, and who knows - you might just discover a new favorite movie along the way!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Imagine a world where artificial intelligence reigns supreme, making pivotal decisions that directly impact humanity. Sounds like a dystopian movie plot, right? Not in this thought-provoking episode with AI ethics expert Ben Byford. Ben unravels the complex web of AI ethics, shedding light on the importance of ethical considerations in AI deployment and consumption. How do we instil morality in a machine? Could AI ever be sentient? And what on earth is a "Jiminy Cricket" module for AI? Get ready for a deep dive into these pressing questions and more.
As we navigate the fascinating world of AI ethics, we take a pause to consider the human brain's vital role in our ethical decision-making processes. Taking a closer look at the amygdala, the brain's fear and aggression center, we explore its potential influence on AI behavior. The conversation then swerves into the ethical minefield of self-driving cars and the Moral Machine Net, a controversial project that grapples with life-or-death decisions.
Finally, we tackle the ethical challenges looming in AI development, dissecting the possible dangers of large language models and the need for stringent regulations. The impact of AI on humanity is a thrilling yet frightening prospect, and as our journey through AI ethics with Ben draws to a close, we leave you with one final thought: the future of AI ethics isn't just about machines—it's about us. So tune in, buckle up and prepare for a roller coaster ride into the world of AI ethics.
Connect with Ben Byford:
Website: https://benbyford.com/
Podcast: https://www.machine-ethics.net/
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-byford/
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Strap in as we navigate the complex landscape of emotions. Feelings – good, bad, and ugly, they're all essential. We're shining a light on the importance of understanding and expressing emotions, and the contrasting ways different cultures and genders approach this. Let's not forget the intriguing twins paradox – two doctors in one family. And, the cherry on top - the prospect of earning a PhD by publication. You'll never look at your feelings the same way again.
Lastly, we'll set sail on the pursuit of happiness. Often linked to our emotional state, happiness isn't always about material wealth. We're revealing how the harmony of our feelings, rather than our bank balance, plays a significant role in our joy. Whether you are rich or poor, mastering your emotional seascape might just be the key to unlocking happiness. So, come aboard with us on this enlightening journey and don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for more.
Note: The technique used in the first two sentences is 'posing a provocative question'.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Are you ready to fasten your seatbelts and embark on a journey where we tackle the real essence of safety, its influence on progress, and the way it shapes the notion of justice? Get set to traverse the intriguing world of football, examine the role of safety in the professional success of Deion Sanders, and chuckle over the quirky title of the Tight End position. We also meander into the realms of pop culture, reminiscing about the Hanson family, hitting the high notes with K-Pop, and journeying through historical events like the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Moving away from the hustle and bustle of pop culture, we shift gears to discuss safety's profound impact on liberation. We analyze the revolutionary role of the safety bicycle in propelling the women's movement. From the lurking dangers of horses and penny farthings to the exhilarating velocity of different bicycles, we probe how enhancing safety in society liberates individuals and fosters economic growth. We also delve into the implications of the absence of universal healthcare, childcare, and elderly care on people's freedoms and choices.
On a personal note, our conversation veers towards our fencing skills and the role of personal safety in curbing freedom. In contrast, we joke about the perils of having a king and mull over the idea of the best defense being a good offense. Treading on serious ground, we reflect upon the history of racial injustice in America, highlighting the power of boycotts and direct action. Drawing upon the civil rights movement and the bus boycott in Birmingham, Alabama, we ponder over how safety and security deficits hinder liberation. But fear not, we also lighten the mood with a spirited debate on the best Star Wars movie and a fun comparison between the Cars and Godfather movie franchises.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Prepare to be enthralled by our fascinating guest Eric Finkelstein, a food enthusiast whose passion has led him on an extraordinary journey involving Michelin-star restaurants and the Guinness World Records. Eric, who is known for his unique practice of photographing his restaurant meals and sharing them on Google Maps, spills the beans on his record-breaking feat of visiting the most Michelin-star restaurants in one day. But, his record was recently broken and now this culinary explorer is planning to regain his title.
As we chat with Eric, the conversation takes an unexpected turn toward the world of time machines and their potential impact on world records. From pondering the complex implications of the simulation theory to discussing the possible advantage of dark-colored sheets in combating sebum buildup, our discourse ventures into the realm of the extraordinary. Curiously, we also explore the concept of stubbing toes being part of a simulation, blending humor and philosophy.
But hold your forks and knives, because the journey isn't over. We delve into the ancient understanding of pregnancy and the worship of goddesses, drawing connections with Nietzsche's ideas and Hinduism. We also reflect on how science has influenced our understanding of life and religion, finding parallels in this profound dialog with Eric's and Adam's quest to conceptualize engaging podcast topics. Come join us in this metaphysical banquet where culinary adventures meet intellectual musings. Trust us, it's a feast for the mind that you won't want to miss!
Check out the movie Wine Club on IMDb and via its social channel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wineclubmovie/
Here is the Multi-Language Song Episode of The Perfect Show that we talked about in the intro:
https://pod.link/1579838291/episode/779d24ce16534a7aa3359de24f7db10c
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
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- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Imagine a world where mothers and those without children earn the same, where parental leave is a basic human right and not a luxury. Is it a utopia or a feasible reality? In this episode, we tackle the contentious topic of the wage gap between mothers and other workers, arguing for the adoption of universal maternity and paternity paid leave. We discuss the potential of such policies to mitigate wage disparities, as well as their potential to positively impact mental health by reducing the career cost of parenthood and allowing both parents to bond with their newborn.
In a turn of conversation, we address America's escalating mental health crisis, exploring potential triggers, including the omnipresent roles of social media, stress, and technology. We establish the integral role of parental leave and discuss the changing dynamics of women in the workforce, delineating how these shifts may be contributing to the mental health crisis. We also delve deep into the concept of attachment theory, examining its influence on parenting styles and subsequent impact on the mental health of children.
Mass Shootings and Mental Illness
Wrapping up our thought-provoking discourse, we shed light on the impact of maternal sensitivity on mental health, contemplating the potential consequences of certain sleep training methods. We advocate for universal childcare as a means to foster a securely attached population and discuss the detrimental effects of poverty on maternal sensitivity and the negative outcomes of disorganized attachment. In conclusion, we ruminate on the significance of maternity and paternity leave in shaping the well-being of families and children. We take a critical look at both the Republican and Democratic party policies and their pertinence to mental health. Join us for an episode filled with illuminating insights and tangible solutions to prevalent issues.
Don't forget to visit our YouTube channel to watch the weekly Wheel of BUGS! Series we are also releasing weekly.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ready to take a leap from the conventional board gaming realm? We promise to rattle your neurons with an innovative twist to your favourite game, Pandemic, called Oligarchy. Brace yourselves as we navigate through the mechanism of this rousing version that not only promises fun but also poses intriguing questions about societal dynamics. We also have some exciting news from a friend participating in the World Board Game Championships in Las Vegas. So, gear up for a riveting episode that celebrates the world of board games!
Let's also take you on a journey through the past, where we unravel the historical connection between classic games like Risk and geopolitics. Surprising, isn't it? But there's more! We talk about how America, through its military presence, has carved a subtle empire that's often overlooked. Ever wondered about an 'American Belt and Road Initiative' and its potential implications? Well, we have got you covered!
And, to add a cherry on the cake, we roll out the carpet for our favourite board games, including Joust, Euker, Hearts, Bridge, and Magic the Gathering. We stir in some serious discussions about using these games as tools to teach about oligarchy. We also delve into the concept of Schadenfreude and its implications in gaming. So, fasten your seatbelts as we traverse through the fascinating world of geopolitics, societal dynamics, and the sheer joy of board gaming.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
We're using our YouTube for something new!
Today we bring you this new episode of Scot's Great Idea Show, where Scot grabs the driver's wheel from Adam for an episode and guides the topic.
Today's topic is all about bugs, and how eating insects and other tiny creatures can help solve problems big and small. With a strong nutritional profile and a low carbon footprint, the pound-for-pound resource cost for bugs versus other types of meat like beef, pork, or chicken, saves water, saves carbon emissions, and saves space.
But none of that would matter if it also didn't create a spectacle, pushing against your mental image of what is and isn't food, and gave Scot an opportunity to formulate this all into a game to film for YouTube.
So listen to us talk about bugs and our bug experiences, and then head over to https://www.youtube.com/@SolutionsFromTheMultiverse and see the video we made right after the episode.
Direct Video Link Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfRIQ1v4lsQ&ab_channel=SolutionsFromtheMultiverse
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
The second half of our outside experiment. This was the episode we recorded right after the park canvasing we did in Episode 60.
Imagine a world where the economically disadvantaged are the first to be supported in times of crisis, not the last. Where instead of bailing out the wealthy, bailouts work from the bottom up. This is the concept we're examining in our latest episode, challenging the status quo and discussing what this might look like in practice. We look at the potential effects of this approach on different sectors, including commercial real estate, and discuss incentives to get employees back to the office post-pandemic, like free commute money and wage increases.
But who really are the 'bottom?' And how can we prevent the wealthy from exploiting these crises for personal gain? We wade into these murky waters, discussing the potential benefits of laws like the Bottom Out Bailout Act and how it could impact everyday people. Our exploration of disaster capitalism will make you rethink the way we handle crises, and consider how unions, universal healthcare, and widespread access to education could contribute to a more resilient system.
Taking the concept of bottom-up bailouts further, we analyze the potential impacts on economic resilience. We debate how a shift in our approach to bailouts could incentivize economic growth and provide broader protection in times of crises. As we scrutinize the current system that often leaves the majority with little to no support, we question the consequences of bailouts for the wealthy and how this could lead to improved decision-making in the future. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion. Change is possible, but only if we dare to imagine it.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
A peek behind the curtain as we bring you a different type of episode, recording us as we went to meet people in person out in the park last Saturday. We walked and met people, then set up a table and recorded outside in the park. The episode we recorded there is also being released today as SFM episode 61.
How often do you find yourself in a park, lost in the beauty of nature, and wishing you could strike a stimulating conversation with someone? We promise you'll learn exciting ways to initiate discussions as we recount our adventure in Dolores Park, where we not only enjoyed the beautiful landscape, but also engaged parkgoers in vibrant conversations. We found an astonishing number of people unfamiliar with the concept of podcasts, presenting us the golden opportunity to introduce our show's mission - to bring unheard solutions to the world's problems. From voting to education and poverty, we covered an array of topics and even personally endorsed a riveting book, the Bhagavad Gita.
Remember dining at a Brazilian steakhouse, where you flip a card to signal that you're ready for more? We brought a similar concept to life in our discussions by experimenting with 'conversation starters', wearing a card on our chests to indicate the willingness to converse. We debated whether conversations should always have a goal or if they can be approached without an agenda. We also explored the possibility of conversations being a pure pleasure source, making life a tad bit more interesting.
On a more profound note, we unraveled the impact of Nietzsche on our worldviews, diving into the intriguing concept of 'crony beliefs'. We also explored Soren Kierkegaard's idea of 'conviction', how he cleverly used pseudonyms in his writings, and the role of conviction in decision-making. We used marriage as an example to discuss the balance between conviction and practicality, and even recalled the story of the mathematician Thales, who pragmatically employed his knowledge of weather patterns. So, buckle up for a thought-provoking journey as we oscillate between philosophy and practicality in decision-making.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Welcome, listeners, to an episode that bursts with wild ideas, insightful discussions, and creative thinking. Today, we're exploring the unexpected, from the adrenaline-fueled thrill of rage rooms to honking horns in Delhi, and their innovative solution. We dive headfirst into a birthday party in a rage room, equipped with sledgehammers, crowbars, and artifacts ready for destruction. Meanwhile, halfway across the globe, an unusual practice is in play—traffic lights that extend based on the noise level to combat excessive honking.
In addition, we dissect the notion of peer-reviewed documentaries, advocating for a system that ensures accuracy in content. Imagine an organization of ethical documentarians, challenging each other's work, ensuring the highest standard of truth is met before making it public. We also explore the intriguing theories of Graham Hancock, questioning if we've underestimated the intellect of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This episode takes you on a rollercoaster ride, challenging widely accepted norms and sparking curiosity.
But hold onto your seats, because we also enter the world of conspiracy theories, discuss the implications of an identity shock, and ponder about how impoverishment can make individuals more susceptible to fringe ideas. We then switch gears, navigating the world of dating apps and the infamous 80-20 rule, while contemplating the potential role of AI in enhancing profile pictures. We’ll also tackle the contentious facts presented in vegan documentaries and discuss the importance of peer review. Step onboard for an episode exploding with original solutions and thought-provoking dialogue. It's time to unpick the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Imagine a world without sushi or vanilla ice cream. Harrowing, isn't it? This week, we're exploring the ramifications of climate change on our favorite foods, and the conversation gets as juicy as a prime cut of Brazilian steakhouse beef. From the idea of climate calming to the concept of a Rube Goldberg machine, we're serving up a discussion as diverse as an international buffet.
But it's not all fun and food games. We're also looking hard at the challenges of climate change advocacy, contrasting the fear tactics used by the left and right wings. The right wing picks tangible things to inspire fear, while the left wing often uses abstract concepts that people struggle to understand. We're suggesting a fresh tactic - taking everyday things that people love, like beaches and vanilla ice cream, and highlighting how they could disappear due to climate change. We're also exploring the idea of the 15-minute city and how it can transform our lives.
Finally, we're addressing the elephant in the room: the accountability of wealth and corporations in the battle against climate change. This is a complex landscape, where obligation scales with agency and where the wealthy and corporations must take action or face dire consequences. From the power of messaging to the imminent disappearance of binder clips, this episode is a smorgasbord of thought-provoking discussions you won't want to miss! So, pull up a chair, grab a spoon, and let's dig in. Because if we don't act, we stand to lose more than just our favorite desserts.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Ready to get your mind buzzing with the electrifying possibilities of fusion energy? This episode is exactly what you need. We pull back the curtain on this enigmatic power source, exploring why it’s been elusive for decades and how AI might pave the way for its development. You'll learn about the parallels between the urgency of the Manhattan Project and today's quest for clean, sustainable energy. All while we dissect the movie Oppenheimer, and the need for an editor's cut.
The journey doesn't stop at fusion energy. We shed light on intriguing projects across the globe, backed by powerhouses like Bill Gates. We navigate through the fusion energy landscape in Canada, England, and Silicon Valley. The conversation takes a deep dive into the dream of free electricity and its potential to revolutionize high-speed rail, electric vehicles, and planes. We even size up the concept of a Fusion Manhattan Project, its potential to create a supply chain of fusion physicists, engineers, and scientists, and the crucial differences between fission and fusion energy.
We wrap up the episode by tackling the global refugee crisis and climate change's influence on it. How are extreme weather events escalating the crisis? Could a massive influx of funds create renewable energy sources and abate climate change? We explore it all. But don't worry, we end on a lighter note, taking you on a fun ride with the Fire Breathing Kittens tabletop game. So tune in, and let's navigate these electrifying and challenging topics together.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Feeling overwhelmed by the world's biggest issues and struggling to see how your individual actions can make a meaningful difference? Let's shake up your perspective. In our latest episode, we dip our toes into the turbulent yet intriguing waters of general strikes, drawing parallels with historical game-changers like the invention of chain mail and the anatomists defying Galen's theories.
We dive into the fearless advocacy of Greta Thunberg's organization, Fridays for the Future, and their call for Fridays to be a day of protest and withdrawal of cooperation from the economy and the government. Take a trip down memory lane as we revisit the 2002 Spanish general strike, an event that showcased the sheer power of collective action. We also ponder on uniting different causes under the banner of a general strike, illuminating the broad spectrum of issues it could address - from climate change to universal healthcare and childcare.
As we draw towards the end, we don't shy away from scrutinizing the capitalist system, its fragility, and how a general strike could send shockwaves through the status quo. Taking a cue from Scott Mopin, we introduce the concept of a 'Strotest', a potential new protest form. We also indulge in a comparative study between the American lifestyle and the Norwegian way of life. On a lighter note, we wrap up the episode with a podcast recommendation - Fire Breathing Kittens, a fun-filled, adventure-packed tabletop role-playing game podcast that you just can't miss! Join us on this epic journey and let's reimagine the world together.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com
Scot: @scotmaupin
adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books)
The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast)
The Numey (inflation-free currency)
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
There is a build-up of small solutions, each one too short for its own episode. So here they are rapid-fire style. The last one is a doozy!
What's your favorite?
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episodes.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
It is SFM's 1 year anniversary! 🎉🎊🍾🥳
In this episode, Scot and Braus celebrate and reminisce on the past year of presenting new and unheard-of solutions to all of you.
Thanks for your support.
Enjoy!
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
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Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episodes.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
You probably know that buying local is good to do, but what if there were a full theory of economic development based on the idea?
There is a near-universal consensus that countries should do the opposite of buying local—the theory of "export-oriented development" says countries should maximize their exports and then import everything they need from elsewhere. But this causes the major problems of globalization: economic imperialism, exploitation, unsustainable growth, and ecological destruction.
In this episode, Braus and Scot will discuss a little-known, but very promising alternative theory to export-oriented development called Urban Import Substitution. The concept was first proposed by Jane Jacobs in her book Cities and The Wealth of Nations.
Simply put it says that economic growth is more sustainable and resilient when cities focus on replacing their imports with local production.
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episodes.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Enjoy this sprawling episode in which Braus and Scot discuss a bunch of different solutions, the biggest one being how cremation, like everything else, has to ditch natural gas in favor of a low-carbon alternative. 🌎
In the second half, our hosts debate cremation vs. burial and celebrity vs. being historical.
Enjoy!
Listen to our friend "What It's Like To" - Apple Podcasts - Spotify
Help these new solutions spread by ...
- Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts
- Leaving a 5-star review
- Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference)
Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episodes.
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Slavery... sucks. And it wasn't "abolished" with the civil war. "49.6 million people live in modern slavery – in forced labour and forced marriage." (Antislavery.org)
One form of modern human bondage is human trafficking in the sex trade. In this episode, Braus and Scot bring their solutions and humor (respectively) into this serious topic. Braus proposes a law that has worked well in Sweden but is unknown in the United States. Braus calls it "Johns not Janes"—or making it legal to sell sex but not to buy it.
After 24 years of Sweden putting this law into effect, prostitution and human trafficking are down by more than half. (https://www.mic.com/articles/112814/here-s-what-s-happened-in-sweden-16-years-since-decriminalizing-prostitution)
Listen to our friend "What It's Like To" - Apple Podcasts - Spotify
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Click and Clack here on Car Talk
We've been pretty car-phobic on SFM so far, so in this sprawling and goofy episode, Scot and Braus reverse that trend and consider some car solutions that you will likely not expect. No flying cars here! Most of the episode focuses on the right to die with dignity and how cars, oddly, could be part of the solution to that massive and growing problem.
To learn more about death with dignity, visit https://www.compassionandchoices.org/.
Listen to our friend "What It's Like To" - Apple Podcasts - Spotify
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Happy 4th of July! 🦅💥🇺🇸
Come to think of it, do you really live in a democracy if you spend 95% of your time lorded over by our bosses and CEOs? No! So how could we have more democracy at work?
Today Braus proposes a new designation of "democratic corporations". These corporations would continue to pay the rock-bottom low corporate tax rate of 21% (lowered from 35% in 2017). Authoritarian corporations will face a "Tyrant Tax" of an additional tax of 21%.
A democratic corporation is a corporation that has at least one of three characteristics: 1) customer governed, 2) employee governed, or 3) 95% unionized labor.
This would reward and incentivize the adoption of democracy in the economy and workplace, and disincentivize against authoritarian and oligarchic corporations. Yay!
To learn more about democratic workplaces visit Democracy At Work.
Listen to our friend "What It's Like To" - Apple Podcasts - Spotify
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Unpleasant Biological Fact: Men can start families almost any time in their lives, while women can only do so reliably before roughly the age of 40.
So, what would it mean for women and the movement for women's liberation if we deliberately designed society to launch young people sooner?
In today's solution, Braus proposes using recent advancements in evidence-based education to accelerate the pace of education so that people would have the equivalent training of today's master's degree holders by the time they were 21 years old. This accelerated timeframe would give women a chance to start middle-class careers before wanting to settle down and start a family before they were 30.
Impossible you say!? What if I told you Braus is already making this a reality with his new college Elton College which offers 3-year bachelor's degrees and 1-year MBAs?
Listen to our friend "What It's Like To" - Apple Podcasts - Spotify
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
If we support democracy, we've got to support and promote voting. But get-out-the-vote (or GOTV) promotions are often lackluster doorknob hangers or cringe advertising promotions by celebrities like Vote or Die or Rock the Vote. What else could we do to promote folks going out to vote?
In today's solution, Braus proposes voting sweepstakes. If you vote, that enters you to win. For each election, there is a political winner but also a regular citizen who wins a cash prize. The plan could be set up by the government or a GOTV non-profit. Folks could start small and experiment with a mayoral or congressional election and measure what the effects of the voting sweepstakes would be.
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Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
What would solve all of our social ills? Unlimited energy from cold fusion? A benevolent general artificial intelligence? The arrival of angels and the rapture?
Those would be great, but in this solution, Braus will propose something simpler:
protected bike lanes.
Today most people won't bike in a big city because it is (or feels) too dangerous. By making biking save, the protected bike lane has shown to quintuple (that is x5) the population of cyclists overnight. (Lessons from Green Lanes 2014) Protected bike lanes also make cycling more diverse because women and people of color disproportionally choose not to bike without them.
Protected bike lanes are cheap and as long as they don't gobble up parking (which they don't have to) most people support protected bike lanes. Car people are happy they won't hit a bike, bike people are happy they won't be hit by a car!
But there is more!
The humble protected bike lane does more than protect bikes, cars, and pedestrians from bonking into each other, it also changes people's mindsets. When people can ride their bikes, they begin to see and envision the city as an urbanist does. They see the benefits of livable, dense, multi-use buildings. They see how pedestrians, bikes, cars, and transit could weave into a glorious multi-modal transit system.
If we want an army of urbanists to support transit infrastructure and dense urban living, we can build that army by first producing protected bike lanes.
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Morality is a mess.
The stakes for being good and virtuous are the highest they have been in over 100 years. Depending on who you ask, if you make the wrong decisions today, you could contribute to destroying the earth, bring about the end of democracy, or go straight to hell. And, no matter who you ask, saying or doing what others consider inappropriate or evil could get you canceled and cost you your friends, your job, and your reputation.
In the solution today, Braus suggests reviving a 100-year-old theory of good and evil that can help us meet the moral challenges of our times.
"As little needless suffering as possible."
Enjoy!
For more, read Braus's book on the same topic: https://tinyurl.com/the-future-of-good
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Each week a new solution. This week is not so much a new solution as an application of a hot new idea to an old practice. With abortion and LGBTQ+ issues in the news every day in these times, many folks resort to the concept of bodily autonomy to (rightly) defend the rights of grown adults (and some teens with the help of their parents) to make decisions about their own bodies. Butt out government!
However, after a short and totally unscientific survey of about 5 people, Braus discovered that this allegiance to bodily autonomy does not extend to circumcision. Many, many people are in favor of a practice that seems to defy bodily autonomy. The solution? Voluntary circumcision for people on their 18th birthday.
A good idea? A terrible idea? History shall decide.
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Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
On January 6th the United States experienced something very close to a coup. So this next election, where Donald Trump will run again and likely fight the results again, the people have prepared. The forces of democracy (left and right) in our country have banded together and started a 14-point, nationwide plan to prevent election fraud and any potential coup.
NOT! In fact, precious little has been done to protect our democracy and elections since January 6. What will you do on January 6, 2025, if there is a more significant, even more dangerous attack on our country?
Well, the Solutions gang is not resting on our laurels. We've got a humdinger of a solution for our democracy-minded listeners. Form ranks! Tune in to learn how to form a nonviolent anti-coup militia ready to help stop the next coup.
The Anti-Coup by Gene Sharp
The Success of Nonviolent Conflict TEDxTalk by Erica Chenoweth PhD Harvard
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Disclaimer: This solution is not science or representing data or research, it is just a hunch based on a scientific rationale.
Men's sperm counts have dropped off significantly in the last few decades in the United States. And no one knows why exactly.
No one has discussed one possible answer: memory foam mattresses! The introduction of memory foam mattresses to American bedrooms correlates directly with the drop in sperm counts. Everyone knows that if you want to improve your sperm count you switch from briefs to boxers. Why? Heat. Or rather coolness. Sperm need temperatures below body heat to quicken. Memory foam, however, is a known heatsink.
Even if you aren't worried about your or your partner's little swimmers, heat is a major disruptor of a good night's sleep.
So, tune in to this rollicking conversation with Scott and Braus for a laugh and a good discussion of sperm counts and sleep hygiene.
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Lust, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath
The seven deadly sins are a neat sort of concept. They are the "major vices." Perhaps because they are diabolical they are easier to remember than the cardinal virtues: Justice, Prudence, Temperance, and Fortitude.
But the list is a bit old school no?
In today's solution, Braus proposes that we should have an updated list of deadly sins for the modern world. The old list is built for a world of material scarcity, and the new list is built for material abundance.
What sins would you put on that list?
Here's Braus's initial proposal:
- Waste
- Ignorance
- Snobbery
- Abandonment
- Narcissism
- Philistinism
- Cruelty/Pusillanimity
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
For the first time in hundreds of years, the average life expectancy in the US went down the past few years. That ought to freak you out. So what can we do about it.
At the same time, some folks are starting to think there should be a sort of upper-age limit to public service. After all, there are age limits for entering public service (25 for congress, 30 for senate, 35 for president).
If you were looking for an age limit for public servants, you might take the average life expectancy. That would make room for fresh blood and incentivize politicians to increase the average life expectancy!
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Kansas City has done a neat thing. They've made all public transportation free as of 2019. In 2023, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is about to spend millions installing new turnstiles—what if instead they just took the turnstiles out? You still can't get a transfer between BART and MUNI (trains and buses)—what if instead of making the payment systems interoperable (which would cost millions), just stop charging?
To everyday people, it seems like public tranit is funded mostly by fares, but when you dig into the numbers, you find that fares only make up a small fraction of the funding. Most of the funds for public transit come from taxes. So making public transportation free (while also improving its quality) is entirely financially doable. So let's do it!
Also consider how much it costs to drive a 3,000 lbs car on the road? It's free. Why does it cost money to carry your 150 lbs body down town?
Come listen to this provocatively pragmatic take.
Happy Earth Day! 🌎
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
College ball is a multi-billion dollar industry, and while the coaches are paid millions, the players (often people of color) are given nothing but a scholarship to attend college. Only a small fraction of those players end up in the NBA.
In this Braus proposes a way to pay college basketball players by taking a page from the book of the economist Thomas Piketty who proposed fixing the inequality in capitalism by awarding everyone a universal inheritance at the beginning of middle age.
Joined by Bedford Williams, Scot and Braus in this conversation cut across basketball, economics, and society. Join in for a wide ranging solution to some big problems.
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
In this controversial (and dare we say 🍌🍌🍌) episode, Braus pushes the limit of political activism.
Believe it or not, anyone in the world can volunteer their time to help an American political campaign (click here to read the rules from the Federal Elections Commission: https://www.fec.gov/updates/foreign-nationals/). This means that if you are an international person, perhaps from Canada or Germany or ANYWHERE, you are welcome to begin volunteering for the American politicians that you believe would be better for the world.
Now, do we think these international folks are going to be pro 2nd amendment or support common-sense gun laws? Will they want American to continue to fight multiple wars endlessly? Will they want the US to have a universal healthcare system? Will they want the US to fight climate change? It is obvious that most international people would be on the side of peace and prosperity in the US. So should the allies of peace and prosperity here in the US welcome the support of everyone abroad?
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Most classrooms are based on lectures, worksheets, textbooks, and exams. But what if instead, learning was built around interesting real-world projects? While "project-based learning" is usually limited to college and above, our guest today (a founder of a new college in Berlin!) will suggest that even first graders ought to start learning through projects.
What projects have you been learning from recently?
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In this light-hearted episode, Braus and Scot flex their nerd muscles discussing a potential new fantasy VR game.
Who doesn't want to be a wizard or a witch? Who hasn't been enchanted by the spells of mages and sorcerers like Gandolf or Dumbledore? Existing VR magic games are simple "press A to shoot fireball" sorts of games. In the new "Mage Simulator" game, players have to learn to cast spells like a real wizard would. The magic spells grow in length, complexity, and difficulty as they grow in power. The better the wizard is at magic, the more powerful they are when facing off against enemies or other wizards. The details of exactly how the game should be designed are fuzzy, but the core idea of doing magic is intoxicating. Come enjoy this nerdy romp that spans technology, video games, and magic.
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
What if virtually anyone could go see Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Picasso’s Guernica? Today you can’t bc they live in NYC and Madrid (respectively). But what if every major city had a museum filled with exact reproductions of these great works of art?
In today’s episode, Braus, Scot, and a guest Jonah Burns (an artist and the composer and producer of SFM intro music) discuss the idea of these doppelgänger museums. What value are they to local artists? To the public? To the history of art? To future artists?
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Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are public and private institutions of higher learning established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that catered specifically to black Americans. The HBCUs represent a powerful legacy of education and societal advancement.
So here's the idea—LGBTQ+ folks start new "Historically Gay Colleges & Universities" or HGCUs. Each of these new HGCUs would be a much-needed beacon of progress, equity, research, and education for the country and the world.
Tune in to hear Braus and Scot flesh out this provocative and progressive idea.
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Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Guns are dangerous for those who own them and their families, but people still want to feel safe and protect themselves. Following our "X with half the consequences" theme, this week Braus and Scot discuss some non-lethal weapons people can buy instead of guns.
We discuss the relative pro's and con's of baseball bats or compressed air pistols that shoot bb's, nylon pellets, and even pepper spray pellets. If we replaced bullet-based guns with these non-lethal alternatives could protect our homes but still keep ourselves and our families safe from gun violence?
Is There a Link Between Mental Health and Mass Shootings? - Columbia Dept of Psychiatry. TLDR - no there is not.
Compressed Air Guns:
- Byrna SD Pepper
- Defense Innovation's 11 Umarex T4E
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College debt is quite a pickle. If you don't do anything its an albatross around young people's necks. If you forgive it all, there's no accountability for colleges. We need something in between.
Enter today's solution: Student Debt Default Insurance. And who better to help us suss out how this would work than Nathan Dauschmidt, VP of Strategy and Innovation at Great American Insurance Group.
Student Debt Default Insurance does not exist today, but it could. Basically, it means buying an insurance policy on one or a group of students' college debt. If any of them default on the debt, the insurance policy pays the monthly payments until the graduate can pay. The more likely a student will default, the higher the premiums on the insurance. If the government required all colleges to buy insurance for all their students' debt, bad colleges would have higher premiums, and good colleges would have low premiums. This would mean there is accountability for colleges while keeping ample student debt for students. We'd get our cake and eat it too.
So, what do you think? Should a startup start offering student debt insurance policies? Would you buy one? Could this be a way to alleviate the burdens of student debt and create accountability for colleges?
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Inflation in 2022 was over 7%. That means your salary's buying power went down by 7%. The value of your retirement and house went down by 7%. All the prices of basic goods like food and apparel and gas and housing and healthcare and education went up by 7% on average. The high inflation spooked the markets and pushed the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates which made it impossible for millions of people to buy homes. Now with higher interest rates, the Republicans are threatening to cut Social Security and Medicare to pay off the deficit.
Do we really have to have inflation? What if we built a currency that didn't experience inflation at all? That's the solution Braus will propose today. For over 14 years Braus has been working to build a new, inflation-resistant currency called the Numey — and it went live just a week ago! Based on the theories of the Nobel-prize-winning economist F. A. Hayek, the currency avoids inflation by keeping a strong reserve of valuable assets. Numey keeps a 100% reserve of total market ETFs—generally considered the best long-term investment available today.
Solutioners who are interested can create their Numey wallet at paywithnumey.com.
Rap Battles between Hayek and Keynes:
1. Keynes vs. Hayek: Round One
2. Keynes vs. Hayek: Second Round
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Is California a progressive state or one ruled by Tea Party libertarians? If you watch the news, you'd think the former, but if you explore the state's bizarre tax policy, you might decide on the latter.
California is a place of great contrasts, one might even say hypocrisy. That hypocrisy extends deep into the state's tax and educational system. In this solution, Braus offers a new solution to improving CA's educational system funding and explains the 50-year history of how CA tried to improve the equity of its public school funding, and how many Californian's fought back and largely maintained the status quo of inequality.
Tune in to see if California really is as progressive as it claims.
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
So... what if we could slow down or even partially reverse aging? The stuff of science fiction? Well not much longer.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered that perhaps a medically-common technique called plasmapheresis (the same process as simple plasma donation) might already be rejuvenating people. While more dedicated research is needed, Braus proposes (and Scot disposes) of this promising solution to aging. Tune in to learn more.
Links to research:
- https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/06/15/diluting-blood-plasma-rejuvenates-tissue-reverses-aging-in-mice/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1473050221001282
- https://www.science.org/content/article/young-blood-renews-old-mice
At least one company, Lyfspn, is beginning human trials of plasmapheresis longevity treatments.
https://longevity.technology/news/be-part-of-bringing-plasmapheresis-to-trial/
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
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Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
In this episode, Braus proposes a new diet for the planet: Sustainatarianism.
This diet maximizes human nutrient absorption against the ecological costs of carbon output and harm to biodiversity. Food waste is very harmful to the planet but vegetarianism and veganism do not forbid food waste, just meat. Moreover, there are certain types of meat such as grass feed beef and sustainable aquaculture that upcycle unusable ocean and tillage land into a supremely nutrient-dense food source. Tillage land and the ocean would not otherwise sequester carbon or help feed people or really provide much in the way of biodiversity, so growing cows or fish on this land is actually an ecologically smart move.
Tune in to this episode to listen to Braus and Scot exchange tales of their own explorations of vegetarianism and veganism, dumpster diving in college, and the challenges and opportunities of being a green citizen.
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Most people agree that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a pretty stupid way to measure the growth of a society's economy because it ignores critical aspects of human welfare and happiness.
However, Gross Domestic Happiness, an alternative to GDP, has proven to be difficult to measure and highly subjective. What makes people happy differs across cultures and individuals.
In this episode, Braus proposes (and Scot disposes of) the idea of using a new metric: Gross Domestic Misery (GDM), to measure a country's economic development. GDM is less subjective since what makes us miserable is more objective than what makes us happy. It is also easier to measure from some widely gathered statistics, such as poverty and unemployment rates.
The Future of Good - tinyurl.com/the-future-of-good
What would the World Bank or the IMF recommend differently if they were trying to minimize Gross Domestic Misery instead of trying maximize Gross Domestic Product?
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Many folks have heard that education in Finland is the cat's meow, so the solution today is: Why don't we start Finnish-style schools here in the US-of-A?
In this episode, Braus gets schooled by two experts in Finnish and international education: Sanna de Araújo, Head of School Concepts at Lumo Education — a consulting company that helps people start Finnish-style schools around the world — and Laura Benson the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at International Schools Services — an organization that supports international schools generally.
Stay tuned in to hear why experts consider Finnish schools to be so great, decide if it is really feasible to bring Finnish-style learning to the US, and be the first in the know about a quiet revolution Sanna and Laura and their organizations are igniting around the world in education.
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Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Celebrities today try to get into the limelight with sex tapes and scandals, and influencers try to get likes and clicks with narcissistic self-promotion. But what if celebrities and influencers could get what they wanted and make society better off? What if there were thousands of living moral exemplars for people to celebrate, admire, and take inspiration?
Today Scot and Adam talk about a little-known concept: Royal Prestige. Royal prestige is how royalty become and stay royalty. It is the countless ceremonies and rituals that make up a royal's life. But does the schedule make the royal or the royal make the schedule? Taking queues from the former king of Thailand, Braus suggests that maybe gaining royal prestige in the US is easier than we might think.
Do we really need royalty in the US? No, not real royalty. It's not even legal. But it is possible today, especially using social media, for someone to begin to experiment with accruing royal prestige. Who knows what could happen? Could there be, someday, a King or Queen of America?
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Americans eat too much sugar. Obviously! But it might be more complicated than that. Recent science suggests that fructose might be more of a culprit than glucose when it comes to heart disease and even asthma. Could we still eat sweets if we cut back the fructose?
References:
Fructose absorption - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1993
Review article: fructose malabsorption and the bigger picture - Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2006
Comparison of free fructose and glucose to sucrose in the ability to cause fatty liver - European Journal of Nutrition 2010
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
How can I find love? How can I be a better partner? How can we stay together forever? How can we keep it spicy in the bedroom?
These are all great questions, and Scot and Adam do not have the answers! But! The answers are known by psychologists, therapists, and relationship experts. The problem is these skills, tools, and knowledge often get into people's brains too late and their relationships suffer.
What if dating apps like Tinder and Bumble used their tremendous reach and sophisticated technology to put the answers to these questions into people's brains sooner, like when they were dating?
In this episode, Scot and Adam discuss what the world would be like if dating apps actually educated people about how to be good at romance and relationships. Could swiping on Tinder lead to building a world full of strong, loving relationships?
Let's hope so!
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Americans love trains, but we need them to lose their goddamn minds. Post-pandemic a poll conducted by OneRail found that 64% of Americans "view public transit and passenger rail favorably." And what's not to love? You don't have to drive. It's safe. It's good for the climate. It's scenic, exciting, and memorable.
So how can America make a train network that is a glory instead of one that would embarrass Bulgaria?
We need people not just to see trains "favorably"—they need to pine for trains, dream about them, draw them, collect them, and brag about them. We need people to see trains when they close their eyes.
That is train mania.
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: braus@eltoncollege.org
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
While the corporate and online media folks keep reporting on the stupid actions of billionaires (Musk, Trump, Ye, etc), people in the United States continue to not to be able to afford their healthcare bills.
In this episode of SolutionsFM we'll talk to Andre Stackhouse, the Director at Whole Washington and co-founder at Medicare For All Everywhere. Instead of lobbying legislators, Whole Washington is working to make Medicare For All (i.e. affordable healthcare) the law of the land in Washington through a direct ballot initiative. Medicare For All Everywhere is an umbrella organization supporting a state-by-state solution to getting Medicare For All in the US.
Listen up to learn how passing Medicare For All through federal and state legislatures has stalled and how a state-by-state solution might be our surest way to, someday, have all Americans be able to afford high-quality healthcare.
You can get in touch with Andre as @captainstack on twitter and email him at andre@wholewashington.org.
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
It's a change of pace this week for Solutions From The Multiverse as Scot and Adam switch chairs for an episode.
Welcome to an episode of Scot's Great Idea Show where we find out Scot's 'cure for hiccups' and examine the other cures for and causes of this annoying occurrence.
Scot walks Adam through his method, and they discuss what they think is going on there, and what all these anecdotal cures may have in common.
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Political correct language is mostly applied to race and gender, but what about wealth and class?
We’ve replaced inaccurate and offensive terms like "illegal alien" with more accurate, less offensive ones like "undocumented immigrant.” Should we also use better language when talking about class?
What does "middle class" mean anyways? And why does everyone in America think they are in it? They even they they are in the "upper" middle class? What's that? We don't know exactly. Maybe someone fancy knows. Shrug
Anyways in this episode Adam and Scot suggest another, more accurate way to talk about how much money everyone's got.
Tune in to learn if you are in the precariat the salariat or the owner class.
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
Featuring Tom Charron* from CalRCV
GO VOTE.
Politics in the US has gotten more and more extreme over the past few years. A complex mix of changes in class, laws, technology, and the media have created a witches' brew for political extremism. The January 6th insurrection and the recent assassination attempt on Nancy Pelosi underscore this new brand of violent political extremism.
Rank Choice Voting (RCV) is one way many experts suggest we can slow down, stop, and even reverse this trend in extremism. RCV supporters also claim the voting rule change would eliminate "spoiler votes" and open up all elections to third-party candidates. To understand RCV more, in this episode of SFM, Scot and Braus interviewed Tom Charron the cofounder of CalRCV, the organization fighting for Rank Choice Voting in California.
The solution this week is not RCV itself; instead, the gang explores some potential out-of-the-box ways to spread RCV across the state and the country.
To get involved with spreading RCV, join up at fairvote.org or calrcv.org.
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Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.
What color are things in the distance? How does the atmosphere make things look far away? In this mini episode, Braus and Scot take a little jaunt and talk about a common misconception among artists and everyday people about the planet we live on.
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Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the...
Voting is... hard. Not only do you have to fill out and mail in your ballot or schlepp to your polling station and wait in line, but it is also just difficult to know who to vote for, especially in down-ballot races. When voting is hard, fewer people do it, and do it accurately to their own values.
What if there were an easier way to vote?
In this episode our brave solutioners Braus and Scot suggest a new and simple way to make voting easier: a website that tracks and displays all political endorsements. Political endorsements are a fantastic way to figure out how you want to vote for, but political endorsements are not searchable or easily discoverable. You have to go to the specific website of the specific endorser to find them!
What if Twitter, Google, Ballotipedia, or a new startup put all political endorsements in one place for us to find and search? Could we get more people to vote, especially more young people? Could we help support democracy?
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Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for the...
Hey everyone, we're bringing back banishment.
Seriously though, we put too many people in prison in the United States. What if convicted criminals were, under certain circumstances, exiled from their city, state, or nation instead of imprisoned? Could we improve public safety while reducing the cost and inhumanity of having such a large prison population?
Sounds outlandish, so outlandish the solution is from another universe? Perfect for SFTM!
*SFTM is a listener supported podcast***
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*Comments? Feedback? Questions? Connect!***
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Website: solutionsfromthemultiverse.com
Twitter: @solutionsFTM
Adam: ...
Big Philanthropy is a Big Problem. Religions, large family foundations, and giant non-profit trusts sling around huge sums of money and lots of it is wasted or funneled back into for-profit ventures. Today we look at how reforming non-profit governance could help make non-profits prioritize their missions and stop bowing to big moneyed interests.
Everyone knows that non-profits have to make enough money to keep their doors open and lights on, so it is not surprising that they fundraise or even charge for services, but not everyone knows that the members of the boards of non-profits legally must prioritize the financial well-being of the organization, even if it is at odds with the organization's mission. This is why many non-profits take actions that are, well... a lot like a for-profit business: they follow the money.
Board members have what is called a "fiduciary duty" to the non-profit they govern. So, for instance, if a big foundation says to a non-profit "we'll donate $1M to your organization if you do X, Y, and Z" the board of that non-profit is going to be hard pressed not to take that money, even if X, Y, and Z are not priorities for the organization's mission. If a board member advocates refusing this money and keeping the organization laser-focused on their mission, they can be kicked off the board or even sued by the organization or the other board members.
Today we ask, what if board members had a missionary duty that superceded their fiduciary duty? What if board members or even members of the public could sue a non-profit that wasted or misused money by spending it in ways that did not support their mission? Could we curb Big Philanthropy's choke hold on the non-profit sector? Could we help non-profits spend less on nibbling crudite and more on fighting cruelty?
*SFTM is a listener supported podcast***
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Website: solutionsfromthemultiverse.com
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Adam: ...
Many successful people claim that having high self-esteem was a big factor, even the primary factor, in their success. In California in the 1980s, politicians claimed that if students had higher self-esteem, they would have better grades and engage less in smoking and premarital sex.
Is self-esteem the kind of solution that these self-esteem boosters claim? Will it solve our personal and social problems? Well, it is complicated.
Braus is an expert in evidence-based research about education and learning, and in this episode, he goes ham on the complex and often misunderstood idea of self-esteem. What is it, how do we measure it, what does it do to people, and how to build it?
Should we, as a society, develop more self-esteem or do we have too much? Does self-esteem help people to be more successful? Will a teenager or child make better choices and have more success if they have more self-esteem?
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Putin surprised the world when he ordered an invasion of Ukraine. The US and our allies went into action. We have given over $40B to Ukraine in military aid. We've made Russia into a pariah state. We've put embargos on Russian goods including oil and natural gas. The outcomes have been mixed. The Ukrainian military, with our help, has been able to do better than expected against the military of a superpower. However, our use of sanctions however has not had such a clear impact. Putin or his circle of oligarchs have not been affected enough to make them stop their illegal invasion. In many ways, our sanctions have raised the oil price, helping Russian oil oligarchs and hurting regular Russian citizens (as well as Americans and Europeans!).
In this episode, listen to Scot and Adam (who are NOT foreign affairs experts!) explore one thing that we might have used to take even more strategic actions against Putin's illegal war. What if instead of being generally anti-Russian, we deliberately chose to be pro-Russian culture but anti-Putin and anti-invasion? What if the US government and our allies supported Ukraine, only put in sanctions that hurt Putin and his cronies, and executed a Russian charm offensive? Would we be in a stronger strategic position than today?
We. Don't. Know.
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Website: solutionsfromthemultiverse.com
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Twitter: @SolutionsFTM
Adam Braus: @ajbraus
Scot Maupin: @scotmaupin
Israel, Singapore, Germany, and many other nations have a required year of national service. Some Americas, such as Jon Stewart, have suggested we ought to adopt the same policy, but the idea has never really gotten momentum. Recently there was almost a "climate corp" program that would give people a chance to volunteer through the government to help the climate, but legislators blocked the plan at the last minute.
In this episode, Braus and Scot visit this idea but take a completely different approach. And make a bunch of jokes.
Could this new, distinctly American version of a year of national service begin to gain traction?
During COVID everyone faced significant mental and physical health problems. For this unprecedented problem, we need new and unprecedented solutions. Scot and Adam welcome their first guest, Dan Morse the director of Social Prescribing USA.
What if your doctor could prescribe art classes and gardening in addition to medicine and physical therapy? New research shows that volunteering and other social hobbies can significantly improve mental and physical health, so why don't doctors prescribe these sorts of activities? Perhaps they should!
Stay tuned to learn about a new solution for better health and wellness (and jokes!).
To find more information on Social Prescribing visit or message:
SocialPerscribingUSA.com
SocialPerscribingUSA@gmail.com
Dan's Twitter @dfmorse23
We are looking for more guests for the podcast—the only requirement is having a new and plausible solution to share. Email solutionsfromthemultivers@gmail.com to nominate yourself or someone else.
How well do you know your city?
In London, taxi drivers gain an almost preternatural sense of direction in the city. This superpower was called "the knowledge."
Since the advent of the Google Maps app, we rely more and more on our apps for our maps, and we lose, in some ways, "the knowledge" of our own cities.
In this episode, Braus and Scot have a solution—an AI that gives you directions the old-fashioned way.
It might sound like a silly idea, but it raises the deeper question of our relationship to technology. Should we build technology that makes us stronger or weaker? More fragile or self-reliant? More knowledgeable or more unaware?
Enjoy!
Voting rights are under attack in the U.S. There are lots of proposed solutions out there to protect the sanctity of the ballot and even encourage voting. But out of these, none of them actually expand the right to vote to a larger group of citizens. If we want to actually expand voting, we have to go younger. And why not?
In this episode, Scot and Braus propose what might sound like a radical idea—lower the voting age to 14. Is this a radical idea? More or less radical than the idea of letting non-land-owners vote, or let men of color vote, or let women vote...? What arguments did people then cite to argue against extending the votes to these groups? They weren't smart enough? They weren't educated enough? They didn't have the right opinions or the right experience?
Greta Thunberg began protesting when she was 15 years old. Malala Yousafzai gave her first political speech at 11. With the advent of the internet teenagers have access to as much information as any adult. Why do we continue to prevent them from full political enfranchisement?
American democracy is ... busted.
The Electoral congress, the Supreme Court, a gerrymandered House of Representatives, the filibuster in the Senate. No matter your politics, it is a fact that all of these institutions are non-democratic—they don't reflect the will of the majority of Americans. They enable a small, vocal, well-organized minority to tyrannize over the majority of folks.
We've got big problems, which sometimes require big solutions. There are lots of solutions bandied about on how to make America a democracy again, but we think you will not have heard this one.
Comments? Feedback?
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
Personal assistants are flourishing from Alexa to Siri to Microsoft's Cortana. But they talk like ... robots! They all live deep in the uncanny valley.
But what if interacting with these personal assistants was fun, efficient, and easy? Could a new speech interface design help this tech to realize its true potential?
Let's see if there's a solution for this.
Comments? Feedback?
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
Here is a myth you've been told since you were a child:
If you are accused of a crime, you will face a jury of your peers who will decide if you are innocent. They will only decide you are guilty if your guilt is "beyond a reasonable doubt."
This is, for all intents and purposes, not true in the U.S. today.
The advocacy group, The Marshall Project, reports that "trials are rare. About 94 percent of felony convictions at the state level and about 97 percent at the federal level are the result of plea bargains." A plea bargain is where an alleged criminal agrees to put in a guilty plea for a lighter punishment.
Prosecutors and police have an entire toolbox of tools for how they can pressure and lean on an alleged criminal into a plea bargain, even one with a defense attorney. And trials are slow and expensive. Picking 12 jurors, then presenting them with all the evidence and teaching them the law is extremely time (and money) consuming.
But what if trials were affordable, quick, and just? How many fewer innocent people would be behind bars? Could we get closer to the ideal of no one going to prison unless it was "beyond a reasonable doubt" that they were guilty?
Is there a solution here we are overlooking?
Comments? Feedback?
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
It is damn hard to raise a family in the U.S., especially for mothers. They face discrimination, unequal wages, disproportionately bear the financial and time burden of raising the children, and much more.
Did you know that the often quoted "Women make 76 cents on the dollar relative to a man" is actually hiding discrimination against mothers? As reported by Vox in an episode of their lovely Explained series on Netflix, childless women make almost parity with men, it is mothers that are paid only 60 cents on the dollar. When you average mothers and childless women together, you get that famous 76 cents on the dollar figure.
And equal pay is just one issue among many that drastically affects mothers. Maternity and paternity leave, affordable and accessible healthcare, the issue of forced birth and bodily autonomy, affordable and accessible childcare, and high-quality education are all issues of critical importance to moms.
The current ways to fight for these social programs are not working. What if there was a new solution?
What can moms do? What can we all do to support moms?
Comments? Feedback?
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
Urban planners and urbanites can all generally agree that US cities have a "missing middle," that is, they are missing houses that are of a middle height between single-family homes and skyscrapers and of a middle price range for working-class people.
Building enough housing and housing that is affordable are critical issues for building a prosperous, equitable, environmentally conscious, and diverse society. NIMBYs and YIMBYs fight back and forth about how much and where to build more housing, but in our backyard here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we just see political gridlock.
95% of SF itself is limited to buildings only 40 feet tall (roughly 3 stories), and more than 80% of the Bay Area is exclusionary single-family zoning. Do the YIMBYs only want more soring towers, and will the NIMBYs grid everything to a halt? Or can we find a solution that resolves this controversy and helps our cities prosper and improve?
Comments? Feedback?
Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com
Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
Scot and Adam kick off the podcast in this inaugural episode. (Follow and tweet us @ajbraus and @scotmaupin.)
The problem with medical care in the U.S. is not the quality, it is the lack of access. Roughly 40M people in the U.S. do not have health insurance and more than double that are underinsured. Even people who are insured often are hesitant to go to the doctor because of copays and deductibles.
The Guardian reported that "A 2009 study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found 45,000 Americans die every year as a direct result of not having any health insurance coverage." That's roughly the same number as the U.S. soldiers that died in the Vietnam war.
CNBC reported that "A new study from academic researchers found that 66.5 percent of all bankruptcies were tied to medical issues —either because of high costs for care or time out of work. An estimated 530,000 families turn to bankruptcy each year because of medical issues and bills, the research found."
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, suggested that if there were universal access to healthcare, roughly 338,000 fewer people would have died of COVID-19.
Basically, the healthcare system is a snarl. So how do we fix it?
Tune in to hear a new solution from another verse.
Comments? Feedback? Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.
Scot and Adam kick off the podcast in this inaugural episode. (Follow and tweet us @ajbraus and @scotmaupin.)
The problem with medical care in the U.S. is not the quality, it is the lack of access. Roughly 40M people in the U.S. do not have health insurance and more than double that are underinsured. Even people who are insured often are hesitant to go to the doctor because of copays and deductibles.
The Guardian reported that "A 2009 study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found 45,000 Americans die every year as a direct result of not having any health insurance coverage." That's roughly the same number as the U.S. soldiers that died in the Vietnam war.
CNBC reported that "A new study from academic researchers found that 66.5 percent of all bankruptcies were tied to medical issues —either because of high costs for care or time out of work. An estimated 530,000 families turn to bankruptcy each year because of medical issues and bills, the research found."
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, suggested that if there were universal access to healthcare, roughly 338,000 fewer people would have died of COVID-19.
Basically, the healthcare system is a snarl. So how do we fix it?
Tune in to hear a new solution from another verse.
Comments? Feedback? Connect with us on Twitter.
Adam: @ajbraus
Scot: @scotmaupin
Thanks to Jonah Burns for our intro and outro music.