

595: No Such Thing As The Treaty Of Velociraptors
Aug 7, 2025
Elf Lyons, a comedian known for her clowning style and award-winning shows, joins Andrew O'Neill, a stand-up comedian and author of 'The History of Heavy Metal'. They dive into the chaotic world of clown training, highlighting its quirky anecdotes and the ethics of clowning. The conversation shifts to the amusing rivalry between philosophers Hegel and Schopenhauer, emphasizing their contrasting views. They also explore Andrew Carnegie's whimsical idea of using dinosaurs for world peace, revealing the humorous contradictions in his optimism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Clown Training's Harsh Methods
- Elf Lyons shared brutal clown teacher Philip Gollier's style of harsh, playful insults during training.
- This tough method fosters ego shedding and embracing oneself on stage for authentic clowning.
Bouffon Clowns Inspire Fear
- The bouffon clown archetype represents dark, subversive satire with roots as societal outcasts.
- This archetype partly explains the modern fear of clowns with its sharp, acid wit.
Schopenhauer's Philosophy Rivalry
- Ray O'Leary recounts Schopenhauer's bitter rivalry with Hegel in 1820s Berlin philosophy lectures.
- Schopenhauer's cantankerous nature even led to metaphysical and paranormal interests, including ghost apparitions.