This podcast ranks and compares influential figures like Carl Sagan, Russell Brand, and Robin DiAngelo on their impact, beliefs, and actions. They debate controversial figures and evaluate individuals like Christopher Hitchens and Eliezer Yudkowsky based on their influence and qualities. The hosts use a unique ranking system to assess gurus and public figures, discussing their behavior, philosophies, and competitive nature in a lighthearted manner.
Eric Weinstein emerges as the top-tier secular guru with profound insights.
Jordan Peterson defies conventional guru stereotypes.
Joe Rogan balances multiple perspectives with pseudo-intellectual tendencies, placing him in the B tier.
Deep dives
Eric Weinstein: The Top Tier Modern Secular Guru
Eric Weinstein, known for his influential presence and profound insights, takes the top tier spot as a modern secular guru.
Jordon Peterson: Not a Modern Guru
Jordan Peterson, the renowned academic and thinker, does not fit the mold of a modern guru.
Joe Rogan: A Blend of Conduit and Pseudo-Intellectual Pretensions
Joe Rogan embodies a mix of being a conduit for a variety of perspectives and having pseudo-intellectual pretensions, landing him in the B tier.
Dr. K: Balancing Mental Health Influence and Ayurvedic Medicine Advocacy
Dr. K, known for mental health influence and advocacy for Ayurvedic medicine, settles nicely in the B tier alongside Huberman.
Ending Remarks: Decoding the Gurus Tier List
The tier list reflects a diverse spectrum of modern gurus, highlighting the range of personas and impacts within the space. Each placement signifies a unique blend of influence and characteristics, shaping the landscape of contemporary thought leaders.
Decoding the Gurus is now a venerable institution and as such we have built up quite a menagerie of would-be gurus and even a handful of not-really gurus.
So like all the hip kids today, we decided to look back at our previous gurus and arrange them on a tier list of Secular Guruosity.
If you would like to play along we’ve made a version accessible online so you can provide your rankings (available here) or you can see ours.
Also, due to an image-importing hiccup, we missed Sam Harris (B), Robert Wright (D) and Richard Dawkins (D). All are now added to the template!
Hope you enjoy and we will be back soon with a full-length decoding of Gabor Maté before the concluding chapter of the Dr. K trilogy.
If you want to support the show, join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode