In this book, I.F. Stone delves into the trial of Socrates, presenting a nuanced and critical view of the events. Stone argues that Socrates was not a martyr for free speech and democracy but rather a critic of Athenian democracy who advocated for rule by autocratic dictators. The book examines the political earthquakes in late fifth-century Athens that led to Socrates' prosecution and execution. Stone also critiques Socrates' methods and philosophy, suggesting that he undermined faith in Athenian democracy and that his death was a result of his own actions and contempt for the city's institutions. Despite this, Stone condemns Athens for executing Socrates, highlighting the contradiction between the city's ideals of free speech and its actions.
In this book, Joseph Henrich explores how Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations developed their unique psychological profiles. He argues that changes in family structures, marriage, and religion, particularly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, led to the emergence of WEIRD psychology. This psychology is characterized by individualism, self-obsession, control-orientation, nonconformity, and analytical thinking, which contrast with the more group-focused and shame-driven cultures of non-Western societies. Henrich uses research from anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explain how these psychological differences contributed to the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe[1][4][5].
“Ignoring what is obvious incurs a huge cost.
It requires you to go about your day numbing yourself to the reality of who you are and what you want—which is a waste of time for you and everyone around you.
By contrast, admitting what is obvious is freeing and motivating. But it’s terrifying to do it. Sometimes the most obvious truths about ourselves are hard to see because the consequences of those truths seem so dire.”
Those are the opening lines of one of my favourite essays I’ve read in the last year, written by this week’s guest on Infinite Loops - Dan Shipper.
Dan is the Co-founder and CEO of Every, a media company that wants to be an intellectual lighthouse amidst the tempest that is the Age of AI.
Every began life in 2020 as a bundle of digital newsletters (almost like a centralised version of Substack with more of an editorial flourish). These days, it’s blossomed into an ecosystem of colourful newsletters, podcasts, courses, and software products, all oriented around the unpacking of a single question - “What comes next?”
Every is already one of my go-to destinations for all things interesting. It’s less brain food than brain buffet (the kind of buffet that serves fresh blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup).
In our conversation, Dan shares his thoughts on everything from AI companions; his approach to erecting the Every ‘Pyramid’; his playbook for building new media companies; the idea of LLMs as mirrors for humanity; and using content to ‘find your people’.
What I love about him is how candidly and thoughtfully he talks about his journey to discover his own truth. His realisation that he didn’t need to hang up his boots as a writer in order to become a founder is something that particularly hit home for me.
Dan Shipper is also my underdog pick to eventually wrest the title of Infinite Loops Emperor from reigning clubhouse leader Alex Danco. By which I mean to say, this is most certainly not the last time Dan joins us on the show, so you may as well get to know him better.
For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack.
Important Links:
Show Notes:
- Dan’s Superhero Origin Story
- Writers as Founders
- What Would You Pay To Do?
- The Every Pyramid
- The New Media Playbook
- How To Find Your People
- Our AI Mirrors
- From Explanation Problems to Engineering Problems
- On Intuition
- From The Knowledge Economy To The Allocation Economy
- The Reluctance To AI Adoption
- AI Companions
- Dan, The Emperor of The World
Books and Articles Mentioned:
Infinite Loops 
