In this 1895 paper, Lewis Carroll presents a thought-provoking dialogue between Achilles and the Tortoise, exploring the concept of infinite regress in logical arguments. The Tortoise challenges Achilles to use logic to force him to accept the conclusion of a simple deductive argument. However, the Tortoise leads Achilles into an infinite sequence of hypotheticals, demonstrating that even if one accepts all the premises, there is no logical necessity to accept the conclusion. This paradox highlights the difficulties in the foundations of logic and the nature of deductive reasoning.
The novel follows the interweaving paths of three central characters: Llewelyn Moss, who stumbles upon a large sum of money at a drug deal gone wrong; Anton Chigurh, a ruthless and principled hitman hired to retrieve the money; and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, who reflects on the changing world and the moral decay he witnesses. The story is a harrowing exploration of greed, violence, and the consequences of one's actions, set in the harsh landscape of West Texas in 1980. It delves into themes of fate vs. free will, good vs. evil, and the ties of love, blood, and duty that shape destinies.
In 'One Summer: America, 1927', Bill Bryson chronicles the significant events of the summer of 1927 in the United States. The book covers a range of topics including Charles Lindbergh's nonstop transatlantic flight, the Great Mississippi Flood, Babe Ruth's record-breaking baseball season, the transition from the Ford Model T to the Model A, the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, and the advent of talking pictures with 'The Jazz Singer'. Bryson also explores the contrast between the Roaring Twenties and the looming Great Depression, providing a vivid and humorous narrative of daily life and popular culture during that pivotal summer.
Matilda Wormwood is a precocious and intelligent girl who is neglected by her selfish and abusive parents. She finds solace in reading and eventually discovers she has telekinetic powers. At school, she faces the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull but finds support from her compassionate teacher Miss Honey. Matilda uses her intelligence and powers to defend herself and Miss Honey against the cruel adults in her life, ultimately leading to a satisfying resolution where she finds a loving home with Miss Honey.
Written during World War II and published in 1945, 'The Open Society and Its Enemies' is a seminal work in political philosophy. Karl Popper critiques the theories of teleological historicism espoused by Plato, Hegel, and Marx, arguing that these theories undermine individual freedom and pave the way for authoritarian regimes. The book defends the open society and liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of critical rationalism, individual freedom, and the ethos of scientific inquiry in politics. It also discusses the challenges facing open societies, including totalitarianism, dogmatism, and relativism, and advocates for a piecemeal approach to social reform.
In 'The Sovereign Child,' Aaron Stupple delves into the parenting movement known as 'Taking Children Seriously,' which posits that children's reasons, desires, emotions, and creativity are equivalent to those of adults. The book challenges conventional wisdom on rule enforcement in parenting, suggesting that treating children as autonomous individuals can liberate both kids and their parents. Using examples from his experience as a father of five, Stupple examines the harms of rule enforcement and presents alternative approaches based on this forgotten philosophy from the 20th century.
In this highly acclaimed book, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology behind why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically. The book outlines six universal principles of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity. The new and expanded edition includes a seventh principle, Unity, along with new research, insights, and examples. Cialdini uses memorable stories and relatable examples to make the subject accessible and easy to understand, helping readers become more skilled persuaders and defend themselves against unethical influence attempts.
What if everything we think we know about raising children is not just wrong, but actively harmful? Aaron Stupple and Logan Chipkin, authors of "The Sovereign Child," join Infinite Loops to make a case so compelling and radical that it challenges the very foundation of modern parenting and education.
From birth, we're told that children need rules, structure, and authority to thrive. But what if this approach is crushing their natural creativity, problem-solving abilities, and authentic self-development? Stupple and Chipkin argue that children are people—full stop. They have reasons, preferences, and the capacity to make decisions about their own lives, yet we systematically ignore this reality in favor of compliance and control.
We dive deep into their concept of the "foul four"—the four devastating ways that imposing non-consensual rules damages children's relationships with themselves, their parents, problem-solving itself, and their understanding of how to navigate the world. From the arbitrary nature of bedtimes to the deeper psychological damage of forcing gratitude and politeness, this conversation will make you question every "because I said so" moment in your childhood and parenting. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone interested in human flourishing, this episode offers a radically different lens through which to view childhood, autonomy, and what it means to raise great adults.
Important Links:
Show Notes:
- Opening & The Radical Quote
- The Childhood Inversion Problem
- False Dichotomy: Control vs. Neglect
- AI Steel-manning the Opposition
- Edge Cases and Prohibition Parallels
- Podcast Host Reactions & Food Wars
- Evolutionary Food Arguments
- Raising Great Adults
- Scaling Challenges & Sleep Dilemmas
- Market Opportunities & Historical Context
- Why Alternative Schools Didn’t Scale
- The Foul Four Explained
- Game Rules vs. Imposed Rules
- Etiquette, Manners & Sibling Conflicts
- The Bully Problem & Popper’s Paradox
- Class and Economics Arguments
- Rules Built on Sand
- Falsification & Moral Philosophy
- Conformity, Culture & Progress
- Emotional Intelligence & Propaganda
- Self-Silencing & Social Dynamics
- The School Persona Revelation
- Emperor of the World
- Matilda & Closing Thoughts
Books Mentioned:
- The Sovereign Child: How a Forgotten Philosophy Can Liberate Kids and Their Parents (Aaron Stupple with Logan Chipkin)
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Dr. Robert Cialdini)
- The Open Society and Its Enemies (Karl Popper)
- What the Tortoise Said to Achilles (Lewis Carroll)
- No Country for Old Men (Cormac McCarthy)
- One Summer: America 1927 (Bill Bryson)
- Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
- Matilda (Roald Dahl)
Authors Mentioned:
- Jed McKenna
- Jonathan Haidt
- Edward Bernays
- Robert Solomon
- David Deutsch
Infinite Loops 
