To The Best Of Our Knowledge Giving Up
Sep 13, 2025
In this thought-provoking discussion, guests John Oakes, author of 'The Fast,' Adam Phillips, a psychoanalyst, and Maggie Jackson, author of 'Uncertain,' explore the liberating power of giving up. They challenge conventional wisdom on persistence, highlighting fasting's potential for transformation and the benefits of letting go of certainty. The conversation delves into the fine line between noble sacrifice and failure, and how embracing uncertainty can lead to deeper, more authentic connections. Open your mind to a new perspective on surrender!
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Weeklong Fast Turned Meditative
- John Oakes fasted for a week and expected collapse but reached a contemplative plateau after the first 48–72 hours.
- He described staring into the distance and feeling a meditative clarity during the fast.
Fasting Breaks Automaticity
- Fasting interrupts automatic daily routines and creates space for new thoughts to emerge.
- John Oakes frames fasting as an assertion of personal boundaries and a rehearsal in agency.
Physiology Explains Fasted Clarity
- The body shifts chemically in multi-day fasts producing ketones, endocannabinoids, and serotonin that can induce calm and focus.
- These physiological changes explain why some fasters report clarity, though benefits remain context-dependent.
