Sebastian Junger, a New York Times bestselling author and Peabody Award winner, shares his remarkable insights on danger and mortality. He discusses his harrowing experience with a burst aneurysm and the emotional trauma that lingered. Junger delves into the connection between danger and meaning, recounting his time as a war reporter and the communal bonds formed in perilous situations. He also explores the concepts of awe, psychedelics, and near-death experiences, challenging conventional notions of life and consciousness.
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Junger's Path to War Reporting
Sebastian Junger felt a need to be tested in a mortal way to mature.
He became a war reporter, starting in Sarajevo during the Bosnian Civil War.
insights INSIGHT
Meaning and Danger
Consequences create meaning, making dangerous situations feel significant.
Activities lacking danger, like golf, can feel less meaningful despite being enjoyable.
insights INSIGHT
Tribal Bonds in Extremis
Shared hardship and risk create intense social bonds, exemplified by war reporters and soldiers.
These bonds foster meaning and a sense of belonging, even in dire circumstances.
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In this book, Bob Woodward provides an intimate and sweeping account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and American history. The narrative centers on President Joe Biden’s approach to managing the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Donald Trump’s efforts to regain political power. Woodward reveals the complexity and consequences of wartime back-channel diplomacy and decision-making, highlighting efforts to deter the use of nuclear weapons and prevent a rapid slide into World War III.
Tribe
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In 'Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging', Sebastian Junger delves into the human desire for community and belonging. Drawing from history, psychology, and anthropology, Junger examines why many individuals, including combat veterans, often feel a stronger sense of belonging in tribal or wartime environments than in modern society. He argues that the lack of community in affluent societies can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, while disasters and wars can paradoxically bring people together and foster a sense of unity. The book challenges the notion that modern society is superior to tribal societies, highlighting the benefits of egalitarianism and community found in the latter. Junger also discusses how the absence of these communal bonds can affect veterans returning from war and suggests that societal changes could help reintegrate them and improve overall societal well-being.
The perfect storm
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The book recounts the story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat from Gloucester, Massachusetts, that was lost at sea during the severe 1991 Perfect Storm. Junger details the lives of the crew members, their families, and the rescue efforts during the storm. The narrative combines technical information about fishing and storms with a compassionate and vivid portrayal of the men's experiences. It also includes accounts of other vessels caught in the storm and the rescue operations by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sam Harris speaks with Sebastian Junger about danger and death. They discuss Sebastian's career as a journalist in war zones, the connection between danger and meaning, his experience of nearly dying from a burst aneurysm in his abdomen, his lingering trauma, the concept of "awe," psychedelics, near-death experiences, atheism, psychic phenomena, consciousness and the brain, and other topics.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
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