Lex Fridman Podcast

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#150 – Michael Malice: The White Pill, Freedom, Hope, and Happiness Amidst Chaos

Dec 31, 2020

Guest

Michael Malice

Michael Malice, a witty political thinker and author known for his insights on North Korea, dives into freedom, hope, and humor amidst chaos. He discusses the power of laughter in tough conversations, the absurdities of authoritarian regimes, and reflects on the complexities of leadership amid moral dilemmas. Delving into self-publishing, he explores the hurdles authors face while emphasizing resilience. Malice also critiques the political landscape and the role of love and connection in navigating life's challenges, all with his signature dark humor.

03:09:25

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ANECDOTE

Knock-knock Jokes with Alex Jones

Michael Malice told knock-knock jokes with Alex Jones multiple times on Tim Pool's show.
He had also been on Infowars previously while researching his book, finding Jones more self-aware and humorous than perceived.

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ANECDOTE

The Tim Pool Show Invitation

Tim Pool invited Michael Malice on his show with Alex Jones, a pairing Malice eagerly accepted.
Malice enjoyed providing unique and fun content, especially given the rough year for audiences.

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INSIGHT

Importance of Fun Content

Michael Malice feels a responsibility to provide fun, unique content for his audience.
He embraces silliness and childlike wonder, viewing cynicism as the enemy.

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Navigating Conversations with Kindness and Humor

Embracing Success and Managing Worries

20:52 • 4min

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Exciting Unboxing Adventure: Unique Gadgets and Their Significance

24:24 • 2min

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Navigating the Self-Publishing Frontier

26:27 • 12min

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Redefining Goodness in Leadership

38:53 • 14min

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Resilience and Reflection: Histories of Despair and Courage

53:08 • 16min

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Debating Engagement in WWII

01:09:36 • 20min

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The Farcical Legacy of Kim Jong-il

01:30:00 • 8min

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The Role of Humor Amidst Dark Realities

01:38:30 • 4min

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The Art of Timing in Comedy

01:42:48 • 4min

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Authentic Thoughts and a Playful Endorsement

01:46:30 • 2min

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Navigating Digital Communication: Reflection and Accountability

01:48:03 • 3min

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Navigating Academia and Controversy

01:50:34 • 17min

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Navigating Sensitive Discourse

02:07:15 • 8min

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Liberty and Governance: Anarchism Explored

02:15:35 • 17min

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Redefining Selfishness: Beyond Stereotypes and Misconceptions

02:32:52 • 2min

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Secession and Societal Division

02:34:23 • 10min

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Navigating the 2024 Political Landscape

02:44:36 • 18min

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The Awakening Power of Love and Connection

03:02:51 • 2min

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Finding Happiness and Surrounding Yourself with Positivity

Concierge Confidential

Jason Aten

Unqualified Reservations

Curtis Yarvin

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

A History of Nazi Germany

William L. Shirer

This book is a monumental study based on extensive documentation, including testimony from Nazi leaders and concentration camp inmates, diaries of officials, transcripts of secret conferences, army orders, and private letters. Shirer spent five and a half years sifting through this massive documentation to create a definitive record of one of the most frightening chapters in human history. The book explores how Hitler's regime came to power, its impact on Germany and the world, and its eventual downfall. It is widely acclaimed as the definitive work on Nazi Germany and has won several awards, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction.

The Myth of Sisyphus

Albert Camus

In 'The Myth of Sisyphus', Albert Camus delves into the concept of the absurd, which arises from the conflict between humanity's desire for meaning and the apparent indifference of the universe. Camus argues that this absurdity does not justify suicide but rather requires a revolt against it. He introduces Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to eternally push a boulder up a mountain only for it to roll back down, as the ideal absurd hero. Camus suggests that Sisyphus's acceptance of his fate and his continued effort to push the boulder up the mountain, despite its futility, exemplify the human condition and the possibility of finding happiness in the face of absurdity. The essay also discusses other examples of absurd lives and includes an appendix on the works of Franz Kafka.

The Primal Blueprint offers a holistic approach to living a healthy, vibrant life by aligning modern living with the evolutionary-tested behaviors of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. The book outlines ten 'Primal Blueprint Laws' that help readers reprogram their genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy. It challenges conventional wisdom on diet and exercise, promoting a high-fat diet rich in plants and animals, frequent movement, resistance training, and other lifestyle adjustments. The book is supported by two million years of human evolution and contemporary scientific research, making it a practical and intuitive guide for long-term health and wellness.

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand

Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism.

Dear Reader

The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il

Michael Malice

The Idiot

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky between 1867 and 1869, 'The Idiot' follows the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a young man with a pure and innocent heart, often mistaken for an 'idiot' due to his simplicity and goodness. The novel examines how this 'positively beautiful man' navigates a world filled with corruption, moral decay, and complex human relationships. Myshkin's interactions with characters like Nastasya Filippovna and Aglaia Epanchina highlight themes of love, suffering, sacrifice, and the clash between idealistic values and the harsh realities of society. The novel ultimately leads to Myshkin's mental breakdown and his inability to cope with the world around him.

Red Famine

Stalin's War on Ukraine

Anne Applebaum

The New Right

A Journey to the Fringe of American Politics

Michael Malice

Michael Malice's "The New Right" delves into the complexities of the American right-wing, exploring its various factions and ideologies. The book examines the historical evolution of the movement, tracing its roots and influences. Malice analyzes key figures and their impact on the political landscape. He also discusses the role of social media and other factors in shaping the contemporary right. The book offers a critical yet insightful perspective on the American right, challenging conventional narratives and prompting further discussion.

Michael Malice is a political thinker, podcaster, and author. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/strategy to get free product tour
– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
– Sun Basket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off
– Cash App: https://cash.app/ and use code LexPodcast to get $10

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/
Your Welcome podcast: https://bit.ly/30q8oz1
The New Right (book): https://amzn.to/34gxLo3
Dear Reader (book): https://amzn.to/2HPPlHS
Podcast (Round 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIk1zUy8ehU

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
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RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
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– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

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
(09:47) – Conversation with Alex Jones and Tim Pool
(18:31) – Michael’s outfit
(26:53) – Self-publishing a book
(36:41) – The white pill
(48:05) – What did the volcano say to his true love?
(49:28) – Myth of Sisyphus
(53:09) – Journalism failed to stop Stalin and Hitler
(1:00:53) – Good Germans
(1:04:49) – Richard Wolff
(1:08:20) – Could United States have stayed out of World War II
(1:11:12) – Trump Derangement Syndrome
(1:12:58) – Nazism and Antisemitism
(1:15:40) – Knock knock
(1:22:20) – Putin
(1:30:00) – The evil of Kim Jong-il and North Korea
(1:38:32) – Dark humor
(1:43:18) – Comedy is tragedy plus timing
(1:50:34) – Interviewing difficult guests
(2:00:06) – Curtis Yarvin (Mencius Moldbug)
(2:16:24) – Violence under anarchism
(2:31:58) – Ayn Rand
(2:35:07) – Secession in United States
(2:44:46) – Politics over next 4 years
(2:52:14) – Mars
(2:56:17) – UFOs
(2:59:12) – Psychedelics
(3:03:08) – What is love?

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