The universe & consciousness; Iran war; trans; Trump; immigration; Ayn Rand, egoism & more (5 calls)

The Dan Norton Show, 2 May 2026, Livestream #97 0:00 Intro "Christ is King" (engaging with a religious chatter) Reading update: Books of Samuel 17:56 "Trump has not initiated this war with Iran by seeking approval from Congress, but do you think as I do, that the it is just to defend America from the Islamists Iran supports? Iran is the problem." (Super Chat from Jeff Bannister) 24:27 God or no God? 34:10 Call with Otangelo about God, the universe, time, etc. Does the universe need to be explained? Quoting scientists Consciousness from matter? 1:30:29 End of call Channel memberships _1984_ and 2+2=4 Existentialism and mystics of spirit Time and motion, space and modern physics Being able to say why is it important Screening a call 1:59:32 Call with Conrad, mostly on whether we can know a reality exists independent of our minds Where "good" and "bad" come from Necessary/sufficient conditions of something being "bad" (2:05:00 until 2:07:41 Conrad's audio is missing) Trump and taxes as bad because anti-reason and anti-reality Reality and subjective experience: Is there something independent of the mind? Dreams and hallucinations Passage from Ayn Rand Perception and experience 2:53:43 End of call Perception and experience (continued) 3:01:15 Call with John on various political issues The Trump administration and the Iran war, regime change, war strategy Trans issues, e.g., sports, woman of year, Korean spa Libertarians Elon Musk Trump Immigration Welfare Welfare for people so they don't revolt 4:17:39 End of call, some closing thoughts "what do you think about Mackie's argument on cognitivism?" Screening two callers 4:38:50 Break until 4:50:01 4:51:10 Call with Josie Rand's metaphysics, A is A Perceptual illusions Capitalism, libertarians Deleuze and continental philosophy Is there one right approach to philosophy? 5:28:46 End of call 5:30:04 Call with Mesa of Life on Ayn Rand, egoism, etc. Tribal animosities, conspiracies Nuclear power, egoism/altruism in foreign policy Why are Islamists anti-West? Pendulum swings Men and women, birthrate Ayn Rand on children/family Is jumping on a grenade selfless? Purpose Could being a bank robber be in your self-interest if you're not caught? Egoism and relations with others Capitalism--not what we have today Reason vs. rationalism Egoism and narcissism Individuals and societies succeed or fail together 7:08:19 End of call Outro _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Call 657-233-0878 (the number on my thumbnail/background) to be on the show. Or, to call the show by Zoom, click: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87692185462. Or dial 669-444-9171; then, when prompted, enter the Zoom meeting ID: 876 9218 5462#; press # again to continue. Zoom calls can be made via the Zoom app or an Internet browser. Country code for international callers: 1 (United States). _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ways to support the channel: --Watch/listen, like, subscribe, comment, chat, share Ways to financially support the channel: --Become a channel member by clicking the "Join" button --Super Chats, Super Stickers, Super Thanks (comments with money attached) --https://www.patreon.com/DanNorton --https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DanNorton11 #aynrand #objectivism #philosophy #religion #ethics #politics #debate #Trump #left #right #altruism #faith #capitalism #ancap #libertarian #atheism #egoism #god #call