Lex Fridman Podcast

#178 – Michael Malice and Yaron Brook: Ayn Rand, Human Nature, and Anarchy

Apr 24, 2021

Michael Malice, an anarchist and political thinker, joins Yaron Brook, an Objectivist philosopher and chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute, for a lively discussion. They dive into Ayn Rand's controversial views on self-interest and altruism, challenging societal norms around morality. The duo debates anarchy versus state governance, exploring the complexities of violence and authority. They also touch on education about historical atrocities and the transformative power of personal integrity. Expect sharp wit and engaging philosophical insights!

00:00

Creator website

Episode guests

Yaron Brook

Michael Malice

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Bank, Let's Talk About Safe Words

00:48

The Fed's power base and the role of elites in bailouts

01:20

Christian Themes in Judaism: Exploring Guilt and Cultural Mechanisms

01:12

Fascism is bending laws of reality

00:47

Intro

2min

Philosophy and Products: A Thoughtful Exchange

7min

Survival, Philosophy, and the Nature of Reality

27min

Humility vs. Pride: Navigating Knowledge and Identity

19min

Islands of Thought: Navigating Relationships and Humility

2min

The Evolving Role of Religion and Myth

8min

Facts, Feelings, and Philosophy

14min

Challenging Norms: The Impact of Ayn Rand

23min

Ideologies Under Scrutiny

29min

10.

Technology vs. Authoritarianism

8min

11.

Bitcoin vs. Traditional Monetary Systems

12min

12.

Bitcoin vs Gold: The Future of Money

14min

13.

The Debate on Governance and Liberty

11min

14.

Anarchy vs. State Power: A Debate on Violence and Governance

32min

15.

Philosophical Discourse on Anarchy and Governance

15min

16.

Exploring Ayn Rand's Philosophical Legacy and Political Views

1min

17.

Acknowledging Historical Atrocities: Lessons from Stalinism and Communism

4min

18.

Character Complexity in Ayn Rand's Works

8min

19.

Pursuing Authenticity and Integrity

26min

20.

Embracing Kindness and Connection

7min

21.

The Art of Conversation and Human Connection

2min

Michael Malice is an anarchist. Yaron Brook is an objectivist. Both are podcasters and authors. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Michael’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelmalice
Michael’s Community: https://malice.locals.com/
Michael’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5tj5QCpJKIl-KIa4Gib5Xw
Michael’s Website: http://michaelmalice.com/about/
Yaron’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/yaronbrook
Yaron’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ybrook
Yaron’s Website: https://yaronbrookshow.com/

PODCAST INFO:
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RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
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SUPPORT & CONNECT:
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– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(09:43) – Desert island thought experiment
(15:00) – Communism
(18:30) – Immanuel Kant
(19:39) – Donald Hoffman
(30:10) – DMT elves
(38:52) – Humility
(55:45) – Jordan Peterson and religion
(1:05:23) – Ben Shapiro: facts don’t care about your feelings
(1:19:23) – Why Ayn Rand is controversial
(1:41:01) – Selfishness
(1:44:43) – Communism and fascism
(2:11:42) – Authoritarianism
(2:20:02) – Bitcoin
(2:46:13) – Anarchy debate
(3:44:08) – Dangers of communism
(3:49:47) – Favorite character in Ayn Rand s Atlas Shrugged
(3:58:25) – Advice for young people
(4:15:24) – Does love require sacrifice?
(4:23:12) – Back to the island

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