In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research. He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin. The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics[1][2][4].
In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death. He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world. Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death. He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash[2][5][4].
Charles Hoskinson is the CEO and Founder of Input Output Global (IOHK), the company behind the Cardano blockchain, a proof-of-stake platform hosting the ADA cryptocurrency. A mathematician by training, Hoskinson co-founded Ethereum in 2013.
He launched IOHK with Jeremy Wood in 2015, raising $62 million in a 2017 ICO for Cardano, initially targeting the Japanese market before global expansion. Hoskinson advocates for decentralized governance, as seen in Cardano’s 2024 Voltaire framework and 2025 Wyoming Integrity PAC to challenge state stablecoin policies.
His ventures extend to longevity science, with a $100 million investment in the Hoskinson Health & Wellness Clinic in Wyoming, and quirky pursuits like glow-in-the-dark botany and a 2023 Papua New Guinea expedition for extraterrestrial objects. With a net worth estimated at $1.2 billion, he owns an 11,000-acre Wyoming ranch and remains a vocal critic of centralized control in crypto.
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X - https://x.com/IOHK_Charles
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@charleshoskinsoncrypto
Input Output Global - https://iohk.io
Cardano - https://cardano.org
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