In 'Systemantics', John Gall provides a unique perspective on systems design by highlighting how complex systems inherently tend to fail. He introduces key concepts such as Gall's Law, which states that a complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. The book also discusses how systems often oppose their own proper function, and how the introduction of a system does not reduce the total number of problems but merely changes their form and relative importance. Gall's work is characterized by witty observations and critiques on the failures of system design, advocating for a bottom-up approach to building systems[3][4][5].
Harvey Mansfield's "Manliness" explores the concept of manliness in the context of contemporary society. Mansfield argues that the traditional understanding of manliness, which emphasizes virtues such as courage, self-reliance, and responsibility, has been undermined by modern trends. He challenges the prevailing view that manliness is a harmful or outdated concept. Mansfield's work is a thoughtful and provocative examination of gender roles and the challenges facing men in the 21st century. He calls for a renewed appreciation of traditional masculine virtues and their importance in a healthy society. The book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about gender and masculinity.
Jordan Peterson sits down with journalist, bestselling author, and founder of Public.News, Michael Shellenberger. They discuss the key moments that ushered in rapid transparency for the U.S., from the Twitter Files to Donald Trump taking the white house. They also explore how new generations can take political responsibility for the future of the West, the need to rebuild trust in public institutions, and how to make every desert bloom.
Michael Shellenberger is the founder of Public, the C.B.R. Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin, and the bestselling author of San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities (HarperCollins 2021) and Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All (HarperCollins 2020). He is a Time Magazine "Hero of the Environment," Green Book Award winner, Dao Journalism Prize-winner, and Founder of Civilization Works.
Michael has broken major stories, including on the Twitter Files, for which he won the 2023 Dao Award for journalism; the Censorship Industrial Complex; San Francisco’s cash incentives for homelessness; the “Amazon Forest are the lungs of the world” myth; climate pseudoscience; climate anxiety; the U.S. government support for fracking; and forest management, climate change, and California’s fires.
This episode was filmed on January 14th, 2025
| Links |
For Michael Shellenberger:
On X https://x.com/shellenberger?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Public.News on Substack https://www.public.news/
Michael On Substack https://substack.com/@shellenberger
Preorder Michael’s upcoming book “Pathocracy” https://www.buffalostreetbooks.com/book/9780063421578
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 
