Other Life

Jacob Siegel is author of The Information State: Politics in the Age of Total Control. We discuss his thesis that the U.S. has shifted into a new form of governance where digital protocols and data infrastructures have displaced traditional legal and institutional sovereignty. Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Army intelligence officer who used Palantir in Afghanistan, Siegel describes what he calls the "paradox of information": these systems appear omnipotent but routinely fail to deliver their intended political outcomes, as illustrated by Vietnam, Russiagate, and the Biden-era censorship apparatus. The conversation covers Palantir's seductive but misleading graphical interfaces, why progressive/positivist epistemology is structurally predisposed to information control, AI's dual trajectory toward both planetary-scale power consolidation and intimate personal influence, Elon Musk's DOGE initiative and the possibility it served as a data-harvesting operation for Grok, the Anthropic-Pentagon standoff, Tablet Magazine's editorial model, AI's role in professional writing, and the removal of a positive review of Siegel's book from The Baffler following apparent pressure from disinformation researcher Renée DiResta.The Information State: Politics in the Age of Total Control by Jacob Siegel- Order from Amazon- Order from a local bookshop0:00 Intro2:11 Vietnam as the laboratory for surveillance and automation4:23 Does Palantir actually work?10:38 Will AI tip the scales toward/against government control?13:29 Why progressivism is predisposed to information control17:27 Anthropic vs. Hegseth, Grok and the government20:11 Planetary capture: AI as a winner-take-all competition22:19 AI will re-personalize technology23:06 Why DOGE failed27:30 Crypto and Andreessen on Rogan30:15 The overreach-backlash-entrenchment cycle36:34 What makes Tablet Magazine work40:10 AI and professional writing46:42 The Baffler pulls a positive review of the book53:56 Clint Watts and the revolving door59:15 Closing thoughts

I had a tweet go viral about fatherhood and the responses were fascinating. Matt Walsh did a segment on it, TMZ did a segment, thousands of parents shared their own takes. In this episode, I reflect on what the discourse revealed to me.While I love my children deeply, I often find the act of playing with them tedious. The massive backlash to this basic fact contrasted sharply with the private support I received from many fathers. I use this experience to explore a theory about modern fatherhood: that we are living through an explosion of complexity where traditional benchmarks for what constitutes "enough" (money, safety, success) have dissolved, leaving fathers in a state of constant silent anxiety. I conclude with a reflection on the indie scholar path: One does not have to be a talking head like Matt Walsh, play-acting like an uptight know-it-all, but one also does not have to be a sad, silent nobody who never formulates any interesting or meaningful observations. A lot of people think I'm an attention seeker because I go viral occasionally, but I've actually been doing only one thing for about 15 years. My usually quiet, humble thinking and writing just occasionally break into the limelight. This is fine.✦ Order my new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar

In this episode, we analyze the sentence "Neo-China arrives from the future" from Nick Land's 1994 essay "Meltdown." For Land, Capital is an autonomous intelligence from the future and China is the privileged site of arrival due to its lack of Western moral constraints. We cover China's Special Economic Zones, Land's predictions of Western decline versus Eastern acceleration, and the concept of Sino-futurism. Looking at the data, we find that Land's concept here is surprisingly prescient and accurately predictive; given the mention of China in "The Dark Enlightenment" and his own move to to Shanghai, this idea is arguably one of his most serious, long-term, and high-conviction ideas. I offer one counter-hypothesis on why I think China might not remain the privileged site of technocapital acceleration in the medium-term.00:00 Intro01:45 "Arriving from the future"04:02 Why China? Western Moral Drag10:15 Why this sentence is underrated14:08 China in "The Dark Enlightenment"18:08 A closer look at Chinese Acceleration22:15 Sinofuturism (00:00) - Intro (01:45) - "Arriving from the future" (04:02) - Why China? Western Moral Drag (10:15) - Why this sentence is underrated (14:08) - China in "The Dark Enlightenment" (18:08) - A closer look at Chinese Acceleration (22:15) - Sinofuturism

I jumped on the livestream for the first time in a while. I discuss the Montaigne chapter in The Independent Scholar, the current debate around IVF & Embryo Selection, and take some questions.I wrote about IVF and Embryo Selection here: https://justinmurphy.studio/ivf/✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ Pre-order my new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar (00:00) - Introduction and Welcome Back (02:18) - Life Updates and Current Work (06:44) - On Independent Scholarship (08:10) - Montaigne as an Independent Scholar (19:26) - On Embryo Selection and IVF (24:58) - Why Do Shrimp Matter More Than Embryos? (25:59) - Why Do Video Game Characters Matter More Than Embryos? (35:37) - Long-Term Consequences of Embryo Selection (43:58) - In-Utero Gene Editing is Approved by the Church (45:41) - Final Thoughts and Q&A

I can't deny it, so let's explore what it means, how it happens, what it feels like, and why it might be... great?In this episode, I share my struggle over the past few years, after having kids and experiencing significant creative and professional challenges. I reflect on the challenges of consistent creative work, the mental and emotional toll having it derailed, and the blessed but weird fabric of life as a father and husband. Despite feeling despondent and losing momentum in my projects, I discuss how this period has given me a valuable reset, akin to a kind of 'ego death.' I explore the liberating and ultimately beneficial aspects of falling off, the importance of accepting defeat to start anew, and how this crisis clarified my true goals and motivations.(00:00) - Opening Up: I Fell Off (00:53) - The Pain of Falling Off (02:39) - Ego Death (05:59) - Parenthood (11:35) - Liberation Through Accepting Defeat (17:55) - Mental and Financial Issues (18:53) - What Writing the Book Has Taught me (20:06) - The Challenges of Restarting (22:59) - Confirmation of the True Calling (24:42) - The Indie Scholar Vocation (33:58) - The Importance of Quality Work (36:02) - Final Reflections Other Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ Pre-order my new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar

In this episode, I review the state of Urbit and my history with this ambitious project to rebuild the internet. I explain why I stepped back, detailing what's happened with the network in the past few years, including the challenges faced by startups attempting to build on the platform and the surprising return of founder Curtis Yarvin. I take an honest look at how my initial timeline expectations were off, and other mistakes I made.This period taught me a lot about technology, market sentiment, and cognition. I share how the experience has shaped my current thinking, as well as my current work with Zorp, a startup from the Urbit ecosystem now building Nockchain. I discuss the attraction of zero-knowledge proofs and why I've adopted a more patient attitude in my relationship with radical technology projects, now preferring to work behind the scenes if I really believe in something.This is my first update on what I've been doing with Nockchain over the past year, helping to build their audience.01:21 Discovering Urbit02:44 Involvement with Urbit04:44 Challenges and Reflections05:38 The Independent Scholar06:57 Urbit's Market Dynamics15:31 Urbit Startups and Setbacks22:49 The Rise and Fall of Urbit23:38 Orbit's Struggles and My Realizations24:54 Current State and Future Potential of Urbit31:42 The Promise of Zero Knowledge Proofs35:18 Introducing Nock Chain38:31 Reflections and Lessons Learned45:05 The Launch of Nock ChainOther Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar

This episode unpacks the seventh and eighth sentences of Nick Land's "Meltdown," where "soft engineering slithers out of its box into yours" and "human security is lurching into crisis." We consider how Land's vision of programming the body manifests in surprising ways, from COVID-19 as a biological agent turned symbolic force, to the AI of Ex Machina. The idea of the human body as a programmable interface, with roots in William Burroughs, is central to understanding these unfolding crises.This episode also touches on the rapid, horizontal replication that bypasses old hierarchies – seen in actual cloning, the way internet personalities jump expertise ("transversal replication" via Deleuze & Guattari), and even how IVF restructures reproduction. Cyberotics, like AI girlfriends, and the merging of biological and memetic viruses further illustrate this acceleration where boundaries dissolve and new forms of replication flood in.Other Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar

This episode unpacks the third sentence from Nick Land's "Meltdown.""As markets learn to manufacture intelligence, politics modernizes, upgrades paranoia, and tries to get a grip."What does it mean for markets to "manufacture intelligence"? Drawing on Hayek and Mises, we discuss how this phrase is not merely a figure of speech. The earliest stock markets around the year 1600 illustrate the concept.We then consider the reaction of politics to this ascendant market intelligence. Much of political modernism, along with its heightened paranoia, is an attempt to cope with or "get a grip" on forces it cannot control. We discuss examples from Soviet collectivization to the "paranoid style" in American politics.The idea finds surprising applicability in the contemporary debate around Artificial Intelligence. As AI accelerates, familiar calls for control and "safety" emerge. Referencing Land's "Machinic Desire," we discuss "Politically Organized Defensive Systems" (PODS) and their core rule: "the outside must pass by way of the inside." This is what's going on when it comes to AI governance and the push to centralize oversight of a rapidly escalating new form of intelligence.Other Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar

Socrates shows up late, looks like hell, and still somehow rules the room. What's really going in the Symposium? Plato uses a dinner party to show how authentic love is more intoxicating than alcohol. We explore the relationship between erotic desire and philosophy, and how philosophy is often a cold shower on our lesser temptations.We examine why talented poets like Aristophanes might be the fiercest skeptics of love, Alcalbiades’ dramatic interruption, and how Socrates’ uncompromising pursuit of truth brings admiration as well as danger. Perhaps the only desire strong enough to guide us well is the love of the good, no matter the cost.Other Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholarAlex PriouAlex Priou is a philosopher who works on Plato and Pre-Socratic thought. Alex is the author of three books on Plato: *Becoming Socrates: Political Philosophy in Plato’s Parmenides* (2018), *Defending Socrates: Political Philosophy Before the Tribunal of Science* (2023), and—the pretext for this converstaion—[*Musings on Plato’s Symposium*](https://amzn.to/43BtkEv) (2023). He also co-hosts [*The New Thinkery*](http://www.thenewthinkery.com), a political philosophy podcast. Learn more about Alex's work at [alexpriou.com](http://www.alexpriou.com).

Johnathan Bi shares his journey from successful tech founder to independent philosophy lecturer, explaining why he walked away from founder equity to pursue his passion for bringing philosophical works to a broader audience. Through a unique modern patronage model backed by tech leaders, he's creating high-production lecture videos while maintaining his own independence.The conversation explores how modern education systems, particularly in places like Beijing, systematically push students away from humanities toward technical subjects. Bi offers fascinating insights into the parallels between Renaissance patronage and modern content creation, revealing how he's built sustainable funding relationships while staying true to his scholarly mission. His approach challenges conventional wisdom about career paths and content monetization, suggesting a new model for independent intellectual work in the digital age.

I'm joined by Nina Power and DC Miller to discuss Plato's Republic. Topics include physical training and physical pleasure, philosophy under political repression, the training of philosophy, wealth, social class, and the role of irony in philosophy.Starting with the opening scene of The Republic, we explore how philosophy operates under political pressure and the relationship between justice, truth, and madness. We discuss the role of wealth in philosophical pursuit, Christianity's synthesis of Greek philosophical ideas, and whether philosophy should be universally accessible or the province of a select few.03:02 Plato’s Republic and Justice 07:09 Should Philosophy Be Popular? 14:35 Wealth 34:29 Thinking 35:17 Christianity and Free Speech 36:43 Beauty 38:11 Philosophy and Social Class 43:26 Madness and Philosophy 53:28 The Role of Physical Training in Philosophy 59:51 Irony

I explore Nietzsche's critique of Christianity in The Genealogy of Morals, and specifically how it stands against what we find in the New Testament, especially the Gospel of John. Nietzsche’s understanding of Christian belief as naive and slavish is inconsistent with the sophisticated epistemology presented by John. I discuss the pursuit of truth, the function of miracles, and the essence of sin according to John. Christ seems to be advocating for the pursuit of truth, not some kind of naive, blind faith. Nietzsche’s accusations against Christianity just don't hold up, and probably reflect his own personal struggles with resentment.Other Life✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar (00:00) - Nietzsche vs. John (02:28) - Introduction (05:27) - Nietzsche's Critique of Christianity (09:42) - Christ on Truth and Belief in John (20:06) - The Rationality of Christianity (26:36) - Knowledge and Ethics (31:41) - Nietzsche's Critique of Truth (36:02) - Truth and Freedom

For references, see Nietzsche on the Pride of the Philosopher in Contrast to the Slave✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

A personal reflection and update on my 5-year journey to design a new kind of scholarly life for the internet era. In a previous podcast, I shared how the Other Life company hit some hard times. Here I explain what I learned from that, and how I've turned it around. I share some meditations on the pursuit of weird goals, finding one's own path, and some new things I've come to learn about entrepreneurship. The ultimate meaning and purpose of the "other life" concept has really come home to me in the past few months.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.coIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org(00:00) - A Late Night Message (01:19) - On authenticity (04:12) - Creativity vs. Business (10:51) - The Creator Economy and Power (11:50) - Network Power (14:46) - The Fear of Failure (16:19) - What is the Other Life? (18:53) - On Truth (19:17) - The Future of Other Life

On muddling through, faith, and the absurdity of pursuing a singular creative vision on the open market...A story about the past few months of Other Life (and the next few).✦ If you’re in the Los Angeles area, come to our meetup tomorrow Friday Dec. 1 at 3pm in Santa Monica. RSVP here.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://otherlife.co✦ Become a member https://otherlife.co/upgrade

I'm joined by author William Egginton to discuss his new book The Rigor of Angels. We talk Borges, Kant, and Heisenberg—and the big idea(s) they had in common. We discuss the antimonies of knowledge and the possibility that art is their solution. We discuss Coltrane, intelligence, creativity, biography, academia, and specialization vs. generalism. At the end, we discuss writing and publishing, the changing landscape of the book publishing industry, and how to think about writing for different audiences.Chapters:(0:00:00) - The Rigor of Angels(0:10:43) - The Antinomies of Knowledge(0:19:55) - Impact of Great Art and Thinkers(0:23:41) - Curiosity and Conviviality(0:30:31) - Creativity and Intelligence(0:43:28) - The Future of Writing and Publishing(0:49:27) - Academic vs. Popular WritingWilliam Egginton:✦ Buy the Rigor of Angels: https://amzn.to/3Rj3fDV✦ William on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamEggintonOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world. https://otherlife.co✦ Become a member. https://otherlife.co/upgradeIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're an independent writer, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

We dissect the complex life of Ezra Pound, one of the most interesting and controversial poetic geniuses of the 20th century. You'll gain insight into: Why Pound was so influential, his extraordinary talent-spotting skills, and his knack for turning vibrant social scenes into artistic movements. However, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride, as we also delve into the darker sides of Pound's life, including his descent into Fascism and anti-semitism. I believe the story is a cautionary tale about resentment, the modern passion par excellence, and a dangerous trap for people who rebel against institutions.This podcast will help you understand Pound's poetic and cultural innovations, including Imagism and Vorticism, and how his strong opinions and unique perspective propelled him, despite his controversial and often off-putting personality. We'll recount his turbulent career during WWI and WWII, his friendship with W.B. Yeats, the launch of Blast Magazine, and much more.This podcast is based on a close reading of Ezra Pound: The Solitary Volcano (1987) by John Tytell.Chapters(0:00:00) - Intro(0:04:04) - Summary of Lessons From Ezra Pound's Life(0:17:22) - Dense Networks and Creative Success(0:26:26) - Imagism and Vorticism(0:37:05) - Wyndham Lewis and Blast Magazine(0:42:41) - A Restless and Controversial Personality(0:53:07) - Taste, Talent-Spotting, and Pound's Extreme Generosity(1:04:52) - Downward Spiral(1:18:29) - Ezra Pound's Reflections Late in Life(1:22:07) - Final LessonsOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the community and get the bi-annual print edition by becoming a member. https://otherlife.co/upgradeIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org (00:00) - Overview (04:04) - Summary of Lessons From Ezra Pound's Life (17:22) - Intense Friendships and Creative Success (26:26) - Imagism and Vorticism (37:05) - Wyndham Lewis, Blast Magazine (42:41) - A Restless and Controversial Personality (53:07) - Taste, Talent-Spotting, and Pound's Extreme Generosity (01:04:52) - Downward Spiral Into Fascism (01:18:29) - Ezra Pound's Reflections Late in Life (01:22:07) - Final Lessons

A deep dive into the life of William S. Burroughs based on a close reading of Ted Morgan's 1988 biography, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs. Burroughs is one of the most independent creative spirits of the 20th century. My goal is to understand how he did it; how he remained so free but was also so influential and successful.I discuss his transformation from a heroin addict living off his parents' allowance to an internationally acclaimed writer, who was inducted into the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1983. Hear about his unique brand of conservative anarchism, his significant influence on the counterculture of the '60s and '70s, his parenting, and the social-psychological correlates of his creative freedom.Burroughs was a blend of the Yankee inventor and the fire-and-brimstone Methodist preacher. We explore his grandfather's invention of the arithmometer and his uncle Ivy Lee's career as a public relations expert. These stories shed light on the roots of Burroughs' radical literary career, which combined a penchant for invention with a desire to go his own way and attack the respectable order of things.I also discuss Burroughs' late entry into writing and his experiences as a heroin user and a criminal, which taught him a lot about how the world works. I explore his failed attempt to build a commercial farm, his theory of 'factualism', which anticipates Nick Land and Deleuze, and much more.What did you think of this format, dedicated to a close reading of a great writer's biography? I'd love to hear from you.Chapters00:00 William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life06:30 Burroughs' Complex Heritage16:55 Burroughs' Late Blooming30:40 The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups43:49 Lessons From Burroughs' Life50:25 What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote59:08 Did Burroughs Murder his Wife?07:35 The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels15:27 More Lessons From the Life of BurroughsOther Life✦ Quit your passive media consumption and read great books every day. https://otherlife.co✦ Get the bi-annual print edition and other perks by becoming a dues-paying member. https://otherlife.co/upgradeIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on your own writing, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org (00:00) - - William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life (06:30) - - Burroughs' Complex Heritage (16:55) - - Burroughs' Late Blooming (30:40) - - The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups (43:49) - - Lessons From Burroughs' Life (50:25) - - What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote (59:08) - - Did Burroughs Murder his Wife? (07:35) - - The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels (15:27) - - More Lessons From the Life of Burroughs

We discuss the life and times of John Kennedy Toole (1937-1969), the influential author behind the classic novel, A Confederacy of Dunces. We're joined by independent writer Dan Baltic, who teaches us some of the lessons he has learned from Toole's life and career.Dive into the captivating world of A Confederacy of Dunces, as we discuss the book's main character, Ignatius J Riley; learn how Toole's persistence (or lack thereof) serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary independent writers; as well as the parallels between Toole's struggles and Dan's rise as an independent author on the internet. Dan shares his experience building an audience on Twitter, publishing his first novel, and the lessons he's learned himself.We try to unlock the strategies and goals of dissident writers, and how independent authors like Dan are able to make a living and continue producing great art. We'll discuss the pros and cons of traditional publishing deals, vs. the world of independent publishing.Chapters:(0:03:46) - Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces"(0:15:45) - John Kennedy Tool's Life and Work(0:29:40) - Persistence and Patience for Writers(0:33:21) - Navigating the Confusion of Independent Publishing(0:43:02) - Building a Twitter Audience for Success(0:48:34) - Unlocking Twitter for Independent Writers(1:02:17) - Success for Independent Writers(1:13:09) - Lessons for Starting a ProjectDan Baltic:Twitter - https://twitter.com/baltic_danNUTCRANKR - https://terrorhousepress.com/product/nutcrankr/Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.coIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Can artificial intelligence ever truly replace the human mind? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the delicate balance between embracing AI's power for mechanical tasks, such as summarizing and translating, while preserving the uniquely human elements that make great works truly great.Join us as we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, breaking down categorical humanism and unreconstructed Faustianism, two alternative viewpoints on the topic. We discuss why neither position is fully consistent or defensible, and the importance of understanding the different aspects of human cognition in order to determine which elements can be outsourced to machines and which must remain uniquely human. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about where we draw the line between human intelligence and machine intelligence.Chapters:(00:00:22) - Two Futures for AI(00:05:11) - What Should Writers Outsource To AI?Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Why do some incredibly talented individuals never reach their full potential? In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating life of Ezra Pound, a true genius in the realm of language and literature, yet somehow failing to make the lasting impact of his contemporaries like TS Eliot or WB Yeats. We'll explore the idea I call "the curse of genius" and how Pound's obsession with power and acknowledgment may have held him back from greatness.Join me in this thought-provoking exploration of Ezra Pound's life and career, from his influential role as an editor and promoter of other poets, to his controversial leanings toward fascism later in life. We'll seek to understand the man behind the poetry, the impact he had on the world of arts and letters, and the lessons we can learn from his story for our own personal endeavors and for recognizing the pitfalls that can accompany great talent and ambition.Chapters:(00:01:21) - Pound's Curse(00:05:28) - What Happens When You Aim for Influence?(00:08:58) - Let the Chips Fall Where They MayOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

In this episode, we explore the principle of writing for oneself and how many of history's greatest writers have operated on this principle. We discuss the importance of writing in a way that pleases only oneself and how sacrificing even a hair of one's vision in order to please someone else is the most abject of treacheries. Listen in as we examine the stakes of writing and how it truly matters whether you're writing for yourself out of a conviction in truth and beauty, or for others in order to please them.We also discuss the challenges of writing for oneself in the era of social media, where the nearness of the audience can make one lose the self. We consider the difficulty of recultivating the self in today's world and how it requires a certain degree of anti-social discipline and effortful recultivation of the self.Chapters:(0:00:00) - Writing for Yourself(0:05:56) - Cultivating A Self Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Why do 22-year-olds today have the testosterone levels of 67-year-old men from the year 2000? Could it be because high testosterone activities and behaviors are increasingly being criminalized? I dive into the theory that the modern world is contributing to the decline in testosterone levels by stigmatizing and punishing testosterone-loaded activities, leading to a downward spiral in overall testosterone levels.Join me as look at the evolution of law enforcement, the rise of a culture that labels aggressive behaviors as "toxic," and how movies from the 70s and 80s highlight a higher testosterone society. Discover how this decline in testosterone affects men today and how our society has slowly evolved to prevent these once-commonplace behaviors from happening. 0:00:39 - Testosterone and Prison0:02:04 - Testosterone in the 70's and 80's0:06:16 - Toxic Masculinity and Testosterone0:08:26 - Testosterone's Catch 22(Sorry for some clicking in the audio, there were some issues with my set up that I didn't notice until after I was done recording. We'll get that sorted!)Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Today we're looking at the life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, an eighteenth-century English critic who embodied the true spirit of self-reliance and perseverance. Despite facing various hardships in his life, Dr. Johnson managed to defy the odds and become one of the most influential figures in the history of English letters. Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of this unconventional thinker, and learn how his life can serve as a powerful reminder that success is indeed possible, even for those who may not fit into traditional molds.We delve into his unique approach to life and work, highlighting how his unorthodox methods eventually played a significant role in his success, and how his unwavering belief in his own abilities and his refusal to rely on external support allowed him to carve out a path to success. Success is inevitable for those who put in the work.0:00:00 - Intro and Early Life0:04:50 - Samuel Johnson's Writing Career0:12:36 - The Patronage Model0:18:55 - Success By Perseverance and Self-Reliance(Sorry for some clicking in the audio, there were some issues with my set up that I didn't notice until after I was done recording. We'll get that sorted!)Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

What can the ancient philosopher Plato teach us about building a network and thriving in today's intellectual economy? I talk with Alex Petkas, a Princeton PhD in classics, who shares insights on Plato's rise and his brand-building strategies within the decentralized world of Athens in the late fifth and fourth centuries BC, where widespread literacy and the new media technology of writing created an intellectual landscape strikingly similar to the one we inhabit today.(0:00:00) - Introduction(0:04:51) - Plato and Ancient Greek Writing(0:20:04) - Plato's Models and Brand Building(0:33:55) - Plato's Rise and Influence(0:43:45) - Plato and the Power of Mystery(0:52:44) - Plato's Network and Philosophical Training(1:02:44) - The Economic Machinery of Philosophy(1:07:56) - Plato's Power Machinery and Business Model(1:20:29) - Plato's Lessons on Building a Network(1:25:59) - Plato's Lessons for Decentralized Thinking(1:35:31) - Alex's Rome RetreatAlex Petkas | https://ancientlifecoach.com/Learn more about Alex's upcoming Men's Retreat in Rome: https://ancientlifecoach.com/retreat/Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/joinIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Oscar Wilde and J.R.R. Tolkien used consumer culture to create works of art. In this podcast, we try to draw some lessons from their lives. I'm joined by Paul Fortunato, an English professor at the University of Houston Downtown. Paul is also a member of Opus Dei, and the author of a book about Oscar Wilde's "consumer modernism." We discuss how Wilde and Tolkien successfully navigated the "creator economy," as well as Oscar Wilde's little-known Catholicism.✦ Subscribe to Paul on Youtube✦ Paul's book on Oscar WildeOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

It's widely believed the YouTube algorithm radicalizes viewers but Mark's research puts this theory to rest. Researcher and longtime member of the Other Life community, Mark Ledwich, has been studying the YouTube algorithm independently for several years. His research has been published in academic journals and now on a public website called transparency.tube. He joins the podcast to discuss how the YouTube algorithm really works, what everyone is getting wrong, and why it matters. He also comes to pick a bone with my position on shoplifting from self-checkout kiosks.Check out Mark's research at transparency.tube.Follow Mark on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mark_ledwichOther Life ✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co ✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer ✦ We're building a new country at https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org ✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Colin Redemer is a professor at Saint Mary's College of California and VP of the Davenant Institute. This podcast is all about Virtue Ethics and the Aristotelian ethical tradition. Is Virtue Ethics superior to utilitarianism and effective altruism? What is human excellence? What is eudaimonia? How should one live? We also discuss later developments in Aristotelian ethics, from Aquinas to Anscombe to MacIntyre.✦ Order Colin's new book, The Shining Human Creature✦ Follow Colin on Twitter✦ Learn more about the Davenant InstituteOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computer✦ Become a member at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on an independent project, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

Some lessons from the life of painter Francis Bacon. I think the unique force and violence of Bacon’s paintings derive partially from the ascetic Lebenswelt he cultivated. Into his small but chaotic atelier, Bacon allowed almost nothing other than painting supplies and his varied source materials: Photographs, books, magazines, etc. He locked himself into an otherwise closed circuit of his own reflections. He would even write handwritten notes to himself about what he should be thinking about.✦ Read more (with images) at otherlife.co/francisbaconOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Join the community at https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on an independent project, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

I spent a lot of time reading and thinking about AI this week. I’m especially interested in the implications it will have for writers and the so-called creator economy. Obviously things will change if it becomes nearly free to generate decently intelligent content with machines. But how will things change exactly, and how should writers spend their time now to position themselves for these changes? I think the implications are not obvious. Specifically, AI will increase the economic power of deep classical education, and truly unique artistic personality. In this podcast, I explain why.I wrote more about this at otherlife.co/writing-machinesOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer✦ Join the community https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

I'd like to share with you some biographies of great writers, artists, maybe some inventors—people who represent the other life ethos—people who have produced great work from the fringes, or in weird niches they carved out for themselves in life.Here is a passage from a biography of the French novelist Balzac, Prométhée: ou, La vie de Balzac (1965) by André Maurois. I've translated it to English, of course.This is a story about reading books, childhood, the productive benefits of disordered knowledge, unjustified presumption, an obsession with printed paper, ecstasy as a motivator and a product, and a kind of hunger that nothing can ever satisfy.It paints a fascinating picture of education in France in the early 19th century. But it's also an inspiring vignette about something we see in the early lives of many great writers, which is... Here we have a strange, disaffected, aloof child who just seems a bit absurd or confused or even dumb—his teachers and classmates literally thought he was just stupid—but his appetite for wonder and knowledge drives him, from an early age, to just totally withdraw from society, into a life of the mind. That's the other life.If you'd rather read than listen, see otherlife.co/balzac.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer✦ Join our network state at https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ The next cohort of IndieThinkers.org starts Jan 16. If you're working on independent projects, request an invitation.

Luke Smith was a PhD student in linguistics before he grew his Youtube channel to 168,000 subscribers—with his unique perspectives on digital, financial, and mental sovereignty. This is the first time he's told his story at length.I invited Luke to be the special guest at this year's mansion because I think he exemplifies the Other Life mentality. Luke has totally exited the institutional grid, he maintains a very independent perspective and lifestyle, and he publishes his ideas to a growing audience without compromising his principles. Luke only uses Free and Open Source Software, does not watch any TV or streaming services, and recently became an Orthodox Christian.I think you'll find this talk interesting, unique, funny, and inspiring.A special shoutout goes to Marissa Cade—a longstanding and most valued member of the community—for running the mansion meetup this year. It wouldn't have happened if she didn't volunteer to run it. And she did a great job, so huge thanks Marissa.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Asher Penn is the founder and editor of Sex Magazine, now in its 10th year. We talk about the magazine business, how to persist on countercultural projects for the long haul, what's cool and what's not, how to spot underground talent, the enduring value of print, what Asher learned from interviewing William Gibson, and much more. This was recorded at Urbit Assembly 2022. Asher PennBuy Sex Magazine at https://sexmag.bigcartel.com/Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Subscribe to The Network Age podcast wherever you get your podcasts https://rss.com/podcasts/thenetworkage~timluc-miptev: https://twitter.com/basileSportif~nilrun-mardux: https://twitter.com/alephdao~bichul-ritsen: https://twitter.com/bichulrRecommended reading mentionedhttps://bichulritsen.substack.com/p/how-to-explain-ftx-to-your-motherhttps://www.thediff.co/p/money-credit-trust-ftxOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer

Alex Lee Moyer is the director of TFW NO GF and most recently Alex's War. We discuss Alex's perspective on filmmaking, Hollywood, independent vs. institutional pathways, and why it's worthwhile to produce politically difficult work. This was recorded at Urbit Assembly 2022.Alex Lee Moyer✦ Watch Moyer's new documentary on Alex JonesOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Don't Obey the Algorithms; Ye is the GOAT; my review of Sam Kriss on "The Internet is Already Over", and Nick Land Dead or Alive.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org (00:00) - Don't Obey the Algorithms (07:51) - On Sam Kriss, "The Internet is Already Over" (18:19) - Why Ye is the GOAT: A Holy Fool (29:17) - Is Nick Land Dead?! Elon Musk Answers

Every sentence from Nick Land's Meltdown, one at a time. https://nicklandcourse.comOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

Now that we're past Peak Wokeness, has "heterodoxy" exhausted itself? That's the argument of David Fuller, co-founder of Rebel Wisdom, a popular but now retired media brand. We discuss the problem of audience capture, whether Eric Weinstein and Jordan Peterson lost the plot, why David and Alexander decided to shut down Rebel Wisdom, and the deep-reaching effects that Covid has had on public intellectual life.David Fuller✦ David Fuller on Twitter✦ David's website Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Joey Krug is Co-Chief Investment Officer at Pantera Capital, the biggest crypto hedge fund in the world. Joey's AngelList syndicate is also one of the most successful ever. We talk about Urbit as an investment and how to identify underpriced value more generally.Joey Krug✦ Joey on Twitter✦ Pantera CapitalOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Timluc is a top Urbit engineer and founder of Uqbar, a zero-knowledge ETH Layer 2 built on Urbit.Timluc is one of the highest-conviction Urbit bulls in the world. We talked about why he has so much confidence in Urbit, what people misunderstand about Urbit, why he went from BTC Maxi to ETH Maxi, and what he learned about crypto living in Ukraine when the war broke out.~timluc-miptev✦ Follow Timluc on Twitter✦ Subscribe to timluc's new podcast The Network Age✦ The Uqbar crew is eager to talk with you in their Urbit group: ~hocwyn-tipwex/uqbar-event-horizon-foreverOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computerIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

Marty Bent is the founder of TFTC.io, a media company focused on Bitcoin and freedom in the digital age. We discuss the "ESG" movement, how Marty built his media company, and how he's now building a natural gas company with Bitcoin mining.Marty Bent✦ Marty's newsletter✦ Marty's podcasts✦ Marty on TwitterOther Life✦ Subscribe to the Other Life newsletter✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computer✦ Join the community at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

~Nilrun-mardux is co-host of The Network Age podcast and founder of AlephDAO, an early network state project on Urbit via El Salvador.~Nilrun-mardux✦ Nilrun is on Twitter at @alephdao✦ Subscribe to The Network Age podcast (formerly Web0) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google PodcastsOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit planet at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

Ellie Hain and Joe Edelman are itinerant thinkers designing a new kind of social movement. We discuss what they've learned from Charles Taylor and Amartya Sen, why Effective Altruism can be so cringe, Joe's role building Couchsurfing.com, and much more.Ellie HainJoe EdelmanOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.country

Logistical acceleration refers to the logistic function, otherwise known as an S-shaped growth curve. Techno-economic interactivity is a key postulate of Land's ideas. Elsewhere, he will frequently use the adjective techonomic.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at https://imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Chris Williamson runs the Modern Wisdom podcast and YouTube channel. We discuss how Chris went from zero subscribers to nearly half a million; how to get big guests; and how to think about wisdom in the internet era.Modern Wisdom by Chris WilliamsonPodcastYouTubeOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world✦ Get a free Urbit ship✦ We're building a new country

Curtis Yarvin is the author of the Gray Mirror newsletter.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world✦ Get a free Urbit ship✦ We're building a new country

otherlife.co/mysteriousOther Life✦ Get a free Urbit planet at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.country

In the most underrated work of social theory from the 1990s, Nick Land presents a sweeping theory of modernity.With about 3,500 words and only 4 citations, Meltdown seems to comprehend—and arguably foretell—a range of momentous historical developments that will only arrive decades later. From cryptocurrency to the Covid pandemic, Meltdown sees it all coming.And yet, few social scientists have ever deigned to take this work seriously.The time is nigh. otherlife.co/renaissance-rationalizationOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ We're building a network state https://imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on creative or intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

Geoffrey Shullenberger (@daily_barbarian) is a lecturer at NYU and runs the newsletter and podcast. Geoffrey teaches the Other Life course on René Girard.The Girard Course✦ Download our free 18-page syllabus to get started reading GirardOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit ship at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org

Rachel-Rose O'Leary was an artist before getting into crypto through Nick Land and Julian Assange. She's now a programmer working with Amir Taaki to build a crypto-anarchist DeFi ecosystem called DarkFi.✦ DarkFi✦ Rachel-Rose on TwitterOther Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world OtherLife.co✦ Get a free Urbit planet at imperceptible.computer✦ We're building a new country at imperceptible.countryIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of IndieThinkers.org