Decoding the Gurus

We are joined by Alexander Beiner, current founder of Kainos and former co-founder of Rebel Wisdom, to grapple with that eternally slippery concept: sensemaking. Naturally, this leads us through interdisciplinary adventurism, reflections on the (il)legitimacy of academia, and the recurring “meaning crisis” that haunts our times. Sense will be made, unmade, and possibly reinvented along the way.LinksAlexander's Substack: KainosAlexander's recent documentary: LeviathanOur original episode that mentions KainosA related discussion we had a while back on the StoaOur previous episode with Jamie Wheal

Chris and Matt walk into a bar with an atheist sensemaker, an Ayurvedic Guru, and a Christian Apologist, and predictable frivolities ensue. Featuring not one but two good-natured, robust exchanges of opinion between our two hosts.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 42 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 39: Panpsychics, Sensemakers, and Bad Guys00:00 Introduction01:17 AI and the Music Industry05:34 Is Chris a Bad Guy?10:44 Vibe Physics with Travis Kalanick16:10 Efforts to Falsify and AI21:02 Gordon Pennycook with Sean Carroll: Vibes vs Analysis32:44 Libertarianism and Personal Beliefs35:10 A mini-debate on internal consistency42:49 Matt's Personal Philosophy44:16 Philosophical Feedback on the Sensemakers55:06 Atheist vs Christian vs Spiritual Thinker57:03 Dr. K's Role in the Discussion01:09:01 Alex's Stance on Purpose01:12:31 Dr. K's Perspective on Purpose01:23:45 Dr. K and the Atheist pose01:34:29 Philosophical Musings on Panpsychism01:41:18 OutroSourcesAngela Collier: Conspiracy physics and you (and also me)All In Podcast: Travis Kalanick talks about AI (July 11, 2025)333 | Gordon Pennycook on Unthinkingness, Conspiracies, and What to Do About ThemPennycook, G., Cheyne, J. A., Barr, N., Koehler, D. J., & Fugelsang, J. A. (2015). On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit. Judgment and Decision Making, 10(6), 549-563.The Diary of a CEO: Atheist vs Christian vs Spiritual Thinker: Is Not Believing In God Causing More Harm Than Good?!

In another exciting Required Reading episode, Chris and Matt offer their penetrating, high IQ thoughts on the latest book by journalist and podcast quizmaster, Helen Lewis. Titled 'The Genius Myth: The Dangerous Allure of Rebels, Monsters, and Rule Breakers', the book tears into some of the long-enduring myths surrounding historical and contemporary geniuses from Picasso to Elon Musk. It's a critical dissection of gurus and devoted fans, so very on topic! And yes, it is better than Cod...Full episode is available to Patreons on the Revolutionary Genius tier! (1hr 13 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusLinksThe Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea by Helen LewisSnippy Review at The Philosophers MagazineLess snippy review at the ObserverRequired Reading: The Genius Myth00:00 Book Review: Genius Myth04:11 The Genius Myth: Book Thoughts!07:02 Exploring the Concept of Genius08:49 IQ Tests and High IQ Societies10:55 Social Perception of Intelligence12:20 Elon Musk and Modern Genius16:08 Historical Perspectives on Genius18:42 The people behind the Geniuses25:15 The Role of Context and Luck27:44 Mythmaking and Cultural Icons45:01 The Flawed Genius Stereotype50:50 What about Tim Robinson?52:51 The deranging impact of attention01:03:33 Overall Thoughts01:12:44 Better than Cod

We welcome Al Murray, the comedian who might just be your new favourite historian, to Decoding the Gurus. In a crossover you probably didn’t expect, we discuss World War II, Wehraboos, gurus, and the contemporary comedy scene... something for all the family.Along the way, we touch on British nostalgia, military fetishism, and self-styled “truth tellers”. A chat about history, humour, and hubris, not necessarily in that order.LinksWe Have Ways of Making You Talk – Al Murray & James HollandAl Murray’s YouTube channelFollow Al on X (Twitter)

Kicking off cult season, Chris and Matt take a dip into the manipulative world of NXIVM founder and self-proclaimed 200-IQ “Vanguard,” Keith Raniere, as he talks with his then-disciple and ex-Hollywood actress, Allison Mack. Through a haze of pseudo-profound musings and decorative scholarship, Raniere sermonises on creativity, authenticity, and the human spirit, all while orchestrating a coercive sex cult built on obedience, sleep deprivation, and... volleyball.Matt and Chris lament how his wordy self-help cosmology mirrors the rhetorical habits of secular gurus: the cultivation of parasocial intimacy, the disdain for anything mainstream, and the promise of “revolutionary” insights that will reveal your true self (for a fee). From the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to “authentic soulfulness”, it’s a masterclass in generating pseudo-profound semantic fog, where love and pain blur into one transcendent teaching.By the end, you may find yourself sharing Raniere’s final revelation about what it truly means to feel… nauseated.SourcesYouTube: Keith Raniere, Ringleader of NXIVM Sex Slave Cult, Interviewed by Allison Mack, Top Cult Member

Join Matt and Chris as they dive into the controversy-ridden world of the lab leak theory, accompanied by biochemist-turned-author Philipp Markolin. Philipp details his journey into the abyss of lab leak lore and sensationalist media, documenting how thorough research was pushed aside in favour of conspiratorial discourse. For those who dream of a world where science triumphs over sensationalism, this episode is your bittersweet symphony.LinksPhilipp's SubstackLab Leak Fever Book SiteNew Documentary Movie about the Lab LeakOur previous episode on the Lab LeakBad Boy of Science: Sam Gregson's channel that includes many interviews with Philipp and relevant scientists

We end the futile struggle, embrace the toxins, and become one with our mould brethren.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 38 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 3800:00 Intro02:54 Boomer Matt reacts to Twitter videos07:31 Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the 9/11 Files12:42 Eric's Google Ngram Investigations17:08 Vindication on the Elephant Graveyard22:00 Eric's ARC lecture goes viral25:24 Andrew Huberman is NOT a phrenologist...29:06 Eric Weinstein vs. Piers Morgan33:44 Everyone knows Eric is a serious thinker46:09 Peterson is taken out of the Gurusphere by Demons and Toxic Mould52:09 Gurus and Bespoke Alternative Health57:00 Social Contagion Hypocrisy01:02:55 Toxic Mould Symbiosis?01:04:46 Pewdiepie, Diogenes, and the Seeker Mindset01:16:14 The Wisdom of the Ancients01:21:01 The Meaning Crisis and Christian Pivots01:22:29 Konstantin Kisin's surprising Christian pivot01:25:17 The best person Konstantin ever met (not Francis)01:30:22 The Fifth Column Agrees with Megyn Kelly 88% of the time01:33:07 Megyn Kelly explains how the Democrats crossed the line and must pay01:41:35 Intellectual Clerics for MAGA01:43:16 Slightly Adversarial libertarians for hire01:47:00 Drew Pavlou and Fluid Populism01:50:17 Two Varieties of Online Derangement: Noah Smith's Hot Takes01:53:57 Need for Attention = Desire for Virality01:57:23 Status Seeking Networkers vs Paul Bloom02:01:27 Reflecting on the Al Murray Interview02:02:22 The struggle of podcasters02:04:52 Paul Bloom: The best person in the world?02:06:00 Mike Israetel's Thesis Controversy02:10:30 What does a PhD mean?02:16:55 David Deutsch visits Curt Jaimungal02:22:32 The Dangers of Doubling Down: Pirate Software02:23:32 Hasan Piker and Shock Collar-gate02:27:15 Matt's Take on Shock Collars02:33:51 Dystopia Update: Putin wants Trump to win the Nobel Prize02:37:11 OutroSourcesShellenberger and Tucker discuss the CIA’s role in 9/11Grok pressing Eric to get specificThe Elephant GraveyardViral post about Eric’s ARC speech on scienceHuberman’s phrenology endorsementJordan Peterson’s Health Update from MikhailaChris Williamson: It’s time to talk about my health.Chang, C., & Gershwin, M. E. (2019). The myth of mycotoxins and mold injury. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 57(3), 449–455.Borchers, A. T., Chang, C., & Eric Gershwin, M. (2017). Mold and human health: A reality check. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 52(3), 305–322.a...

Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones, hierarchies, and normativity, we return to the sensemaking labyrinth to see just how many more words and concepts the combined powers of Peterson, Vervaeke, and Hall can stretch to breaking point.This second leg of the voyage allows us to chart more of the universal sensemaking grammar, with its biblical scaffolding, liberal use of metaphors, and frequent exhortations to ascend Jacob’s ladder. But alongside Peterson's predictable biblical musings, you can also thrill at unexpected treats like John Vervaeke unveiling how finite transcendence connects to inexhaustible intelligibility and Jordan Hall explaining that even silence can be a form of sensemaking.Expect symbolic snakes, dangling ropes, and ecological psychology refashioned for mystical ascent, Augustine rediscovered through Plato, and culture reframed as an alcoholic parent. Or if you prefer, enjoy detours into atheists and their Luciferian egos, the sacred role of play, and the profound revelations that can be drawn from childhood disappointments at McDonald’s and grandfathers complaining about Nixonian duplicitySo join us for the final leg of the Sensemaking Odyssey. Sharpen your mind, get ready to traverse through 3D space, and prepare for an encounter with the Logos... in the context of listening to a podcast.SourcesA Dialogue So Dangerous, It Just Might Bring You Wisdom | John Vervaeke and Jordan Hall | EP 532

Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 3700:00 Introduction01:10 Cooking Gurus?05:39 Sensemaking Overindulgence07:19 Feedback on The Elephant Graveyard Segment14:07 Gary is awarded an Honorary Doctorate by SOAS19:15 On the Murder of Charlie Kirk24:49 Murder is Bad & Charlie Kirk was a Polemicist38:07 Hypocritical Calls for Violence: Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson41:32 The Superficial Celebrations of Luigi Mangione44:52 Michael Shermer is an entirely non-skeptical partisan47:16 Eric Weinstein and the rush to post49:48 Joe Rogan argues with his friend on vaccines58:11 Predictable Pivot01:05:30 Blocked and Reported discuss the Interpersonal Psychodramas of the Heterodox01:07:07 The Thick Skin of Michael Shellenberger01:11:41 Being Bret Weinstein's +101:13:39 Dave Rubin does not appreciate public criticism01:16:29 A Heterodox DM encounter01:21:01 Money and Macro's Video on Gary's Economics01:27:56 The DTG approach vs Debunking01:29:43 The Nature of Expertise and Criticism01:31:17 Researching Guru Claims01:36:37 Destiny invokes the Prisoner's Dilemma and Tit for Tat strategies01:40:59 Generous Tit for Tat01:46:28 Konstantin Kisin's warning about alternative media01:54:26 Konstantin's "Consistency"02:01:44 Next Gurus and Fake Outro02:03:44 Decoding the Gamers: Caves of Qud and Two Point Museum02:08:11 Retro School Games: Drug Wars, Beachhead and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?02:11:53 Real OutroSourcesSOAS honorary awardees for 2025What did Elon Musk say at far-right UK rally and did his remarks break the law?“We Either Fight Back or Die” – Elon Musk's Fierce Speech at London 'Unite The Kingdom' Rally | APTShermer's tweet after Charlie Kirk's murderJoe Rogan and Bryan Callen on vaccinesHe Had One Product, $80K in Funding, and One Influencer - And Unilever Just Acquired His Company for 9 FiguresMichael Shellenberger Mixed Up Two Guys With Sorta Similar Names And Falsely Told His Readers — And Congress — One Of Them Might Be A Spy As A ResultBlocked and Reported Premium: Taylor Lorenz And The Perils Of Journafluencing (Part...

Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many, many deep and complex concepts and puzzle over definitions of conscience, the vertical hierarchy, value, normativity, goals & ideals, quests, the ultimate unifying meta-narrative, self-sacrifice, and touchstones.With frequent excursions into a wild assortment of biblical stories, Platonic philosophy, Jungian psychology, Martial Art stances, and much, much more! This is a voyage through the refracted and refracting philosophical frameworks of three contemporary sensemaking powerhouses.So get your oars ready and prepare your mind to taste the Dialogos, vis-à-vis Moses...SourcesA Dialogue So Dangerous, It Just Might Bring You Wisdom | John Vervaeke and Jordan Hall | EP 532

We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis have enough nuance.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 3600:00 Introduction and an Intervention01:59 Tomatoes, Holidays, and Hollywood Remakes06:15 AI x Indulgent People06:41 AI Chatbots and Delusional Gurus10:46 Sir Robert Edward Grant and the Architect 12:26 Critiquing the Critics13:31 Eric Weinstein engages with Dialogos with his silicon friend Grok22:25 Tim Nguyen details the Distributed Weinstein Suppression Complex24:20 Sabine Hossenfelder's Google Doc27:10 2+2 Discourse and a surprise appearance from Kareem Carr29:34 Chris's 10 Tips for Sabine34:39 Coffeezilla does more Anomaly Hunting on Epstein Videos37:50 Conspiracy Chat39:58  Ghislaine Maxwell's potential deal 42:29 Thoughts on the Elephant Graveyard's Video on the Joe Rogan Comedy Cult49:45 Details vs Vibes52:46 Rogan's Fact-Checking and Comedian Dynamics54:54 The Rogan Anti-Human Tech Elite Conspiracy Theory59:40 Master Geniuses vs. a bunch of dickheads who like the same stuff01:03:55 Lex Friedman and the Role of Softball Interviews01:06:28 Conspiracy Theories vs. Real Conspiracies01:15:51 Overall thoughts on the Elephant Graveyard Video Essay01:19:18 Ana Kasparian thinks the Jews knew about 9/1101:22:21 Jordan Peterson's Health and Mould Toxicity01:24:24 Good Fungus vs Bad Mould01:26:08 Bespoke Medicine and American Individualism01:29:57 Streamers saying Stupid Things: Taylor Lorenz on DSA Nazis01:33:08 Populist anti-vaccine rhetoric in Japan!01:35:58 Bill Maher and Andrew Huberman discuss the problems with medicine01:38:40 Chris Rufo and Right Wing Outrage over the Cracker Barrel logo01:42:31 The War on Christmas in Australia01:44:35 Jonathan Pageau's revisionist World War II symbolism01:48:29 Pageau's Postmodern Narratives02:03:32 Finding the Balance between Nazism and Liberalism02:14:02 Random Shoutout02:15:45 Matt's Cognitive Decline and Professor ArchetypesSourcesArticle on Sir Robert Edward Grant and The ArchitectEric talking with his silicon friend @grokEric waxing lyrical about Grok and praising Elon for his unique insightsTim Nguyen — Physics Grifters: Eric Weinstein, Sabine Hossenfelder, and a Crisis of CredibilitySabine vindicates herself in a Google DocKareem Carr thinks Sabine’s document is great!

We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 35 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 3500:05 Introduction  01:52 Matt's Apology06:55 Just Life...12:34 Matt's Foodie Corner 14:01 Dedunking Dan Richards finds Sabine16:37 Sabine cultivates parasocial defenders18:16 Ana Kasparian gets deeper into ZOG conspiracies24:44 Gary vs Game Theory40:26 Support the Channel to Save the World47:10 Bryan Johnson and Methylene blue51:52 Scientific Cosplay Online53:51 Keith Rainiere and Sensemaking Parallels54:57 High IQ YoungHoon Kim tweets about proof of God56:19 Guru and Cult Leader Parallels01:01:13 The Validity of the Gurometer in Question?!?01:03:03 Hacking Social Heuristics01:07:38 Cult Leaders vs Secular Gurus01:12:33 Anti-Democratic moves by Trump01:15:03 Dan Carlin on Trump01:18:30 Streamers Talking Nonsense: Hasan on ISIS01:21:24 Ideological Fixation and Motivated Conspiracism01:27:22 OutroSourcesThe Cushendun Sea Caves from Game of ThronesKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is Boosting TourismDeDunking: Eric Weinstein's Theory — Real Physicist vs Pseudo PoserAna Kasparian tweeting about the “Zionist Occupied Government”Gary’s Economics: Game Theory is BrokenCritical Reddit thread on Gary’s Game Theory videoHenrich, J., McElreath, R., Barr, A., Ensminger, J., Barrett, C., Bolyanatz, A., ... & Ziker, J. (2006). Costly punishment across human societies. Science, 312(5781), 1767–1770.The Selfish Gene, Chapter 12: Nice Guys Finish First (Richard Dawkins)High IQ YoungHoon Kim tweets about proof of GodI was Jordan Peterson’s strongest supporter. Now I think he’s dangerousDan Carlin’s tweet about TrumpBBC: National Guard troops appear in Washington DC as mayor rejects Trump's 'authoritarian push'Nathan Baker: Keith Raniere, Ringleader of NXIVM Sex Slave Cult, Interviewed by Allison Mack, Top Cult...

In this watery simulation of an episode, Matt and Chris uncover the true purpose of Scott Adams’ existence: not to shape reality, but to provide training data for future AIs working on plumbing-related problems. Somewhere in a cosmic server farm, Scott is endlessly confronted with blocked drains, dripping faucets, and municipal water conspiracies, while his “insights” fuel the next generation of household maintenance bots.Against this surreal backdrop, Naval Ravikant enters the scene — investor, tweeter, self-styled philosopher, and, in practice, just another discourse surfer riding the waves of online conspiracism. The conversation opens with a familiar chorus of right-wing talking points, drifts into feverish speculation about lawfare, censorship, and “imported voters,” and finally winds down in the dim light of dorm-room metaphysics, where slogans like “happiness is a choice” are served up as if they were profound insights.Naval presents himself as a detached sage, offering a boutique blend of political commentary and Daoist-tinged wisdom. In reality, he delivers little more than predictable polemics and recycled aphorisms. Imagining himself a great man of history dispensing lyrical truths in tweet-sized form, he produces nothing that rises above the usual culture-war debris. The posture is Buddha-with-a-smartphone; the reality is a credulous tech elite mistaking his own Twitter feed for a philosophy seminar.What follows is Elon-as-Ben-Franklin fanboying, Trump rebranded as a “bottom-up” leader of the people, and a level of self-congratulation so thick it could be used to terraform Mars. By the end, you may find yourself nostalgic for the leaky pipes in Scott’s simulation — at least they produce real water...SourcesModern Wisdom (Chris Williamson): 44 Harsh Truths About The Game Of Life - Naval Ravikant (4K)Real Coffee with Scott Adams: Conversation with Naval Ravikant

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the potent juices of the manosphere with British journalist and author James Bloodworth. James recently published Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere and takes us on a whirlwind tour of various misogynistic and anti-feminist subcultures, including pickup artists, incels, and the blue, red, and black pill communities. Drawing on his personal experiences and research, James discusses the appeal and dangers of the manosphere, touching on themes such as insecure masculinity and the commodification of social interactions. We also get into some joyful political implications and consider the role of social media in spreading these messages. One for all the family!LinksLost Boys - Journey into the ManosphereJames' SubstackThe Guardian – Journey into the Manosphere – Review of Lost BoysProspect Magazine – Matthew Goodwin, Reform and the politics of resentment – Bloodworth’s recent article on Matt Goodwin

We drown in waves of ideological fluidity as the gurusphere continues to crash all around us.Supplementary Material 3400:00 Introduction01:26 Irish Stew and Dog Exercise Report03:45 A new 276 IQ Genius11:47 Fresh and Fit Antisemitism16:51 Are things getting dumber?21:22 Asmongold on the Epstein Files24:53 Epstein Conspiratorial Discourse helps Ghislaine Maxwell29:00 Vinay Prasad resigns from his MAGA position31:17 Eric Weinstein is the Architect of the Great Reset!32:37 Google Eyed Loons vs. Willing Apparatchik36:40 The Young Turks are joined by... Scott Adams38:51 Ana Kasparian sits down with Tucker Carlson44:46 Jimmy the Giant enters the arena46:11 Jimmy the Giant meets Konstantin Kisin57:12 Debating the Middle Class YouTube Grifters01:06:15 The Gurusphere Grift01:08:16 Jimmy the Giant reflects on his performance01:11:16 Discourse standards for Research01:15:05 Jimmy defends his criticisms01:22:27 Jimmy the Giant deletes his videos and apologises to Konstantin01:28:04 The Call to Action to support the Grand Mission01:32:32 Separating Issues from Support of Influencers01:37:13 Jimmy the Giant explains how the Elites created Wokeness01:47:16 Woke Wars and Psyops01:49:33 The Right Wing Media Outrage Ecosystem01:55:26 False Consciousness and the Billionaires02:02:47 AI limitations and Hallucinations02:07:08 Post Hoc-Reasoning in AI and People02:14:22 OutroThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (2hrs 16 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSourcesYounghoon Kim: World’s Highest IQ Score (276) Scientifically Documented in New Academic PreprintFresh and Fit idiots being giggly anti-semitic and praising HitlerJoanne Freeman: The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil WarGhislaine Maxwell moved to Federal prison camp in TexasComment on the move from Prison ConsultantPoor Vinay Prasad – The Disgraceful Campaign Against a Top FDA OfficialEric responds to accusations that he is the mastermind behind the Great ReplacementTYT’s The Conversation: Scott Adams Reflects on Life after his Terminal Cancer DiagnosisAna Kasparian on the Tucker Carlson showClips from now deleted Triggernometry video: He Called me a Grifter… it didn’t go so well

In this exhausting deep dive, Matt and Chris take a break from counting their billionaire stipends to devote (what some might call) an inordinate amount of time to Gary Stevenson’s recent appearance with a challenging interviewer: Tomás from Despolariza. They grapple with the indeterminacy of Schrödinger’s Gary, who oscillates between being an economic and mathematical genius revealing what THEY don’t want you to know on YouTube, and a pragmatic but selfless political activist who oversimplifies complex problems and sacrifices nuance (and himself) in the name of urgent reform.Despite insisting that he hates fame and has no desire to promote his best-selling book or be a popular YouTuber, Gary takes the time to remind us all of how often he’s recognised on the street and precisely how many millions of views his channel racks up each month. These are depressingly familiar guru tropes, as are his sweeping claims that you can’t trust politicians, economists, academics, journalists, the media, his old colleagues… or even graphs.Gary’s core message that growing inequality is economically and politically unsustainable is an important one. And his ability to communicate the stakes of that problem to a large audience could be beneficial. So the criticism lies not with his stated goals but with the guru-tastic packaging and unwillingness to deal with complexity.Luckily, there is a solution... Gary. Only he and his YouTube channel can save your grandchildren from abject poverty and Nigel Farage. And if you doubt him, just look at how many millions he made for himself and the bank with his uncanny predictions… or those monthly viewer stats. Oh, and did we mention he has an elite education from LSE?Links#89 GARY STEVENSON - Economics, Trading, Inequality, Wealth, Populism, Tax, Depolarize.Zucman, G. (2015). The hidden wealth of nations: The scourge of tax havens. In The hidden wealth of nations. University of Chicago Press.Francis-Devine, B. (2025). Income inequality in the UK. House of Commons Library.Francis-Devine, B. (2025). Wealth in Great Britain. House of Commons Library.

In this mini-decoding, Matt and Chris examine Sabine Hossenfelder's recent fervent defence of Eric Weinstein and her sharp rebuke of his critics, including Sean Carroll. Sabine suggests that Eric poses a genuine threat to the physics establishment and that he is terrifying them by exposing their weak points. Moreover, according to Sabine, Geometric Unity, Eric's homegrown Theory of Everything, is on par with String Theory, if not better, since it wastes less money! This episode takes a critical look at those claims and Sabine's own heated rhetoric and performative outrage, examining how her defence of Eric aligns with a broader online anti-science contrarian ecosystem.So join us as we ponder whether Sabine is a brave, truth-telling rebel challenging a stagnant scientific orthodoxy and defending an honest man who is under attack for simply daring to question the powers that be... or whether she is just another contrarian YouTuber pandering to anti-science sentiment, defending fellow influencers, and playing the game of algorithm-driven clickbait outrage.Links- Sabine Hossenfelder: Physicists are afraid of Eric Weinstein -- and they should be- Sabine Hossenfelder: Do we need a Theory of Everything?- Decoding the Gurus: Sabine Hossenfelder: Science is a Liar ... Sometimes- Professor Dave Explains: Sabine Hossenfelder Joins the Eric Weinstein Damage Control Parade- Sabine cheers on Bryan Johnson on Twitter- Tim Nguyen discusses Sabine's response on Twitter- Dr. Brian Keating: What Is A Theory of Everything? Featuring Sabine Hossenfelder, Lee Smolin, & Eric Weinstein

In this packed supplementary episode, we tackle all of the urgent global issues, ranging from Epstein file conspiracies to Matt’s immense love of a fantasy game where dwarves punch ducks for fun. Along the way, we’re joined by a stellar cast of commentators, including some old favourites. Strap in… it’s a long one.Supplementary Material 3300:00 Introductory Banter: Old Squeaky and Matt's Wall04:40 Mecha Hitler's rampage07:46 Grok's Controversial Behavior11:12 Linda Yaccarino's grinning departure from X13:05 Elmo's anti-semitic conspiracy tirade14:11 Connor McGregor taints the timeline15:03 Eric joins Diary of a CEO to give some advice23:07 The Weinstein enigma28:11 Eric Weinstein on Jeffrey Epstein33:02 Eric vs. Mick West Round 235:15 Plastic Bag Wearing Philosophers, Pornographic AI Companions, and Neo-Liberalism 41:45 Weinstein vs Sean Carrol: Further Developments43:57 Professor Dave's New Video on Eric with Christian Ferko50:44 A Physicist's view of Geometric Unity54:06 Debating Prof. Dave on Eric's Motivations59:04 Peter Thiel and Ross Douhat on the Antichrist01:08:31 Professor Dave Summarises Eric01:20:49 Mockery and Different Styles of Criticism01:25:18 Jeffrey Epstein Scandal Introduction01:28:09 Trump's Response and Conspiracy Theories01:31:18 Andrew Schulz' Cognitive Dissonance01:38:32 Trump's Deep State Assassination Attempt01:40:01 Megyn Kelly has another explanation01:46:15 The Court Intrigues of MAGA01:50:02 The Epstein Online Economy01:57:54 Tim Pool's spin: It's the Democrats!02:00:26 Destiny and Contrapoints get Conspiracy Theories02:01:53 The Weinstein takes on Epstein: Welcome to the Infinite Truman Show02:03:33 Scott Adams' Take: A Commander In Chief Issue02:04:42 Epstein: The Foreign Agent?02:07:20 Coffeezilla's Anomaly Hunting02:11:47 Destiny Reacting to Coffeezilla and the Fluidity of Conspiracies02:18:06 Doing Your Own Research on the Acosta Quote02:20:29 Epstein Takes From QAnon Anonymous to Red Scare 02:25:18 Critical Evaluation of Claims: Consulting Reports on Epstein's Suicide02:35:55 Hasan demonstrates responsible Conspiracy Hypothesising02:39:34 New Conspiracy Lore02:42:19 Tribal Matters02:43:31 Matt's Gaming Grotto: Baldurs Gates, Dwarf Fortresses, and Rogue Traders02:53:40 Matt's Sick Mind02:54:57 OutroThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (2hrs 57 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSourcesJeremy Howard’s TweetMecha Hitler Twitter (The Guardian)Elmo Hacked (The Guardian)Conor McGregor Shares Unsolicited Pics (Daily Mail)Stephen Bartlett Reprimanded by ASA (Marketing Week)Eric Being Mysterious with Mick West (Twitter)a...

In this episode of "Decoding Academia: Required Readings", Chris and Matt take a joint stroll through the history of Buddhism through Donald S. Lopez Jr.'s latest book, 'Buddhism: A Journey Through History.' We discuss the unexpected historical and cultural facets of Buddhism, how modern interpretations can often romanticise ancient practices, and whether Matt's mind has been blown. We also consider important issues like the Buddha's retractable penis, incredibly long tongue, and just how strongly we should condemn monks scribbling pictures of their would-be brides. So join us in the cycle of samsara as we strive to earn some merit and at least crawl a little closer to enlightenment.Book ReviewedLopez, D. S. (2025). Buddhism: A Journey through History. Yale University Press.Required Readings - Buddhism A Journey Through History00:00 Introduction to Decoding Academia01:51 Current Book Selection: Buddhism a Journey Through History02:56 Initial Impressions and Apologies06:00 Buddhism's Complexities and Contradictions07:59 Western Perceptions vs. Historical Realities11:27 The Historical Buddha?17:09 Buddhist Approaches to Texts22:09 Comparisons with Other Religions26:38 Orthopraxic Buddhism29:53 Petty Buddhism34:20 Matt's Religion Hot Take37:17 Ashoka: The Buddhist King?39:02 Buddhism's Syncretic Nature39:35 The Syncretic Approach42:49 Anti-Colonial Buddhism43:44 Buddhist Modernism and Science46:58 The Buddhist Canon51:26 Matt's History Thoughts53:06 Buddhism's Cultural and Social Role55:55 Gods and Supernatural Beings56:48 The Attitude towards Women59:36 The Value of Buddhism01:03:35 Religions as Cultural Technologies with Social Functions01:05:54 Monastic Issues01:12:51 Religious Motivations01:14:38 OutroThe full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1hr 17 mins).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus

In this academic-themed interview episode of Decoding the Gurus, Matt and Chris sit down to chat with Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone (@chazfirestone) about their recent paper 'Is Visual Perception WEIRD? The Müller-Lyer Illusion and the Cultural Byproduct Hypothesis.'In a conversation that serves as a welcome tonic to the endless lamentations of the gurus about academic groupthink and closed-minded silos, Dorsa and Chaz discuss the interdisciplinary nature of their work, debates around universal vs. culturally specific psychology, and the strength of evidence that visual perception varies between cultures. We also learn about the dangers of being STUPID: Studying Topics Uninformed by Prior Investigations in the Discipline, and attempt to uncover just how much Chaz enjoys popping balloons.A fun one that might even leave you a little bit more optimistic than usual!LinksAmir, D., & Firestone, C. (2025). Is visual perception WEIRD? The Müller-Lyer illusion and the cultural byproduct hypothesis. Psychological Review.Dorsa's Homepage and Mind and Culture Lab.Chaz's Perception & Mind Lab Homepage, his instagram, and his BJJ victory video.Decoding Academia 33: The Great Müller-Lyer Debate from Fish Tanks to Eye OperationsMickey Inzlicht's Substack on the Paper and the Debates around it.Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, A. (2010). The weirdest people in the world?. Behavioral and brain sciences, 33(2-3), 61-83.Lucca, K., Yuen, F., Wang, Y., Alessandroni, N., Allison, O., Alvarez, M., ... & Hamlin, J. K. (2025). Infants’ Social Evaluation of Helpers and Hinderers: A Large‐Scale, Multi‐Lab, Coordinated Replication Study. Developmental Science, 28(1), e13581.