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The Spiritual Crisis of Modern Intelligence ft. Sam Harris | Shane Smith Has Questions

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Oct 16, 2025

Guest

Sam Harris

Sam Harris, a philosopher and neuroscientist known for his insights on consciousness and AI ethics, joins Shane Smith for a thought-provoking discussion. They explore the impact of psychedelics on self-awareness and the importance of meditation in a rapidly changing world. Harris warns about the existential risks of unaligned AI and critiques tech billionaires' ethics. He delves into the illusion of free will and its moral implications, advocating for a compassionate understanding of our shared humanity amidst technological advances.

02:32:42

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ANECDOTE

Dalai Lama Security Detail Experience

Sam Harris volunteered briefly on the Dalai Lama's security detail and describes the strange crowd dynamics he witnessed.
He contrasts the Dalai Lama's loving demeanor with the paranoia required for protective work.

insights

INSIGHT

Speed Makes Machines Superhuman

Speed multiplies intelligence: machines thinking millions to billions of times faster than humans gain superhuman advantage.
Even human-level AI would feel omniscient if it had vastly greater subjective processing time.

insights

INSIGHT

Arms Races Undermine AI Safety

The main AI risk is an alignment problem where superintelligence pursues goals inimical to human well-being.
Arms-race incentives make careful safety work less likely, raising existential stakes.

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Volunteer Security on the Dalai Lama Detail

02:44 • 2min

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Quantum Weirdness and Many-Worlds Intuition

05:09 • 9min

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AI Speed, Superintelligence, and the Alignment Problem

13:54 • 11min

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The Risk of Hooked, Networked AI

25:11 • 55sec

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Economic and Political Consequences of Advanced AI

Lightning Round: Predictions and Odds

33:15 • 2min

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Reputational Consequences for Billionaires

35:07 • 8min

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From Stanford to Meditation: Leaving Academia

43:18 • 2min

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MDMA Experience That Shifted Perspective

45:00 • 11min

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LSD, Retreats, and the Risk of Bad Trips

55:52 • 6min

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Why Meditation Over Repeated Psychedelics

01:02:16 • 15min

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The Illusion of a Central Self and Consciousness as Content

01:17:24 • 10min

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From Spiritual Insight to Public Critique of Religion

01:27:10 • 6min

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Free Will Is an Illusion and Its Ethical Implications

01:33:13 • 11min

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Practical Consequences of Denying Libertarian Free Will

01:44:06 • 9min

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Media, Social Media Addiction, and Leaving Twitter

01:53:05 • 3min

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Platform Moderation vs. Government Censorship

01:56:10 • 6min

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Why Not Give Controversial Figures a Platform

02:02:21 • 5min

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The Allure of Half-Truths and Polarized Reputational Physics

02:07:16 • 4min

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Erosion of Institutional Trust and Democratic Risk

02:11:43 • 7min

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Balancing Meditation Practice with Public Engagement

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The only dance there is

talks given at the Menninger Foundation, Topeka, Kansas, 1970, and at Spring Grove Hospital, Spring Grove, Maryland, 1972.

Ram Dass

This book is a compilation of two lectures given by Ram Dass at the Menninger Foundation in 1970 and Spring Grove Hospital in 1972. It serves as a guide for understanding consciousness, blending Eastern spirituality with Western psychology. Ram Dass shares insights into the non-dualistic outlook of Advaita Vedanta and discusses topics like the Hindu chakra system and its parallels with psychological systems.

#1108

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

The Moral Landscape

How Science Can Determine Human Values

Sam Harris

In this book, Sam Harris challenges the traditional separation between scientific facts and human values. He argues that morality can be understood in terms of human and animal well-being, and that science can provide objective answers to moral questions. Harris contends that moral relativism is false and that science can tell us how we ought to live to achieve the greatest well-being. He uses his expertise in philosophy and neuroscience to make a case for a science of morality, emphasizing that moral values should be grounded in empirical facts about what causes people to flourish.

#581

• Mentioned in 39 episodes

Waking Up

A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion

Sam Harris

In this book, Sam Harris argues that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow. He explores the scientific underpinnings of spirituality, suggesting that how we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the quality of our lives. The book is part memoir and part exploration, discussing the illusion of the self, the benefits of meditation, and the importance of understanding consciousness through both scientific and philosophical lenses.

#1248

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

Free Will

Sam Harris

In 'Free Will,' Sam Harris argues that the concept of free will is inherently flawed and incoherent. He contends that our thoughts, intentions, and actions are determined by prior causes outside our conscious control, whether these causes are deterministic or the result of chance. Harris uses examples such as the Cheshire murders to illustrate how even heinous crimes can be seen as the product of uncontrollable experiences and neurological mechanisms, rather than free will. The book challenges readers to reconsider their views on morality, law, and personal responsibility in light of this understanding.

#780

• Mentioned in 32 episodes

The End Of Faith

Sam Harris

In this book, Sam Harris delivers a critical analysis of the clash between reason and religious faith in the modern world. He argues that religious beliefs, even moderate ones, can lead to dangerous consequences, such as terrorism, and that these beliefs are not grounded in empirical evidence. Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to propose a secular and humanistic foundation for ethics and spirituality. The book is a call to action against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics and advocates for a rational approach to ethics based on human happiness and suffering.

#2735

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Letter to a Christian Nation

Sam Harris

In 'Letter to a Christian Nation', Sam Harris responds to the feedback he received after the publication of his first book, 'The End of Faith'. Harris argues against the rationality of Christian scriptures and the concept of intelligent design, highlighting the conflicts between religion and science. He critiques the moral and intellectual implications of religious dogma, particularly in areas such as stem-cell research, condom use in Africa, and the prevention of HIV and AIDS. Harris also addresses the problem of evil and the perceived false morality created by religious beliefs. The book is written in the form of an open letter to a Christian in the United States, aiming to challenge the influence of faith on public policy and societal values.

#1307

• Mentioned in 22 episodes

Lying

Sam Harris

In 'Lying', Sam Harris explores the consequences of dishonesty, from small 'white lies' to large-scale deceptions. He argues that lying, even with benevolent intentions, damages personal relationships and public trust. Harris advocates for honesty in all interactions, suggesting that it simplifies life and improves society. He also discusses the psychological and social impacts of lying, emphasizing that maintaining lies can be stressful and ultimately harmful. The book promotes 'skillful truth-telling' as a better alternative to lying, even in situations where tact is required to avoid harm.

Shane Smith sits down with Sam Harris, philosopher, neuroscientist, and bestselling author for a deep conversation about artificial intelligence, consciousness, and the fragile future of humanity. They begin with Sam’s early life and unlikely path, from studying English at Stanford to dropping out after a transformative MDMA experience that led him to India and Nepal, where he meditated and even served briefly on the Dalai Lama’s security detail. What follows is a wide-ranging exploration of how psychedelics, meditation, and neuroscience all shape our understanding of the mind and what happens when machines start thinking faster than we ever could. From the quantum weirdness of parallel universes to the moral peril of unaligned AI, Sam warns that humanity isn’t in an arms race with China or Google—but with its own ignorance. The two dive into the ethics of wealth and power, the danger of tech billionaires acting like Bond villains, and how meditation might be the only antidote to an accelerating world we no longer understand. Funny, philosophical, and fearlessly honest, this episode tackles everything from Elon Musk and Bill Gates to psychedelics and the illusion of the self, weaving science and spirituality into a single, provocative conversation about where we go next.

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