The Tim Ferriss Show cover image

The Tim Ferriss Show

#677: HERESIES — Exploring Animal Communication, Cloning Humans, The Dangers of The American Dream, and More

Jun 14, 2023
Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired magazine and author, discusses the philosophy of animal communication and the ethics of human cloning. Harvard's Noah Feldman delves into the dangers of the American Dream and challenges conventional governance systems. Anthropologist Maggie Spivey-Faulkner shares insights on cultural identity, while Joshua L. Steiner explores the implications of genetic diversity. They engage in lively debates on independent thinking, the transformative power of active listening, and the intriguing potential of AI in interspecies communication.
01:52:59

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Agreements, including constitutions, should be more adaptable and open to amendment to reflect the changing needs and values of society.
  • Human cloning should be accepted as it could provide an option for parents who have lost a child and wish to bring them back in some form.

Deep dives

Heresy: Written Constitutions are Overrated

Noah Feldman argues that written constitutions are overrated due to their immutability and the false assumption that they can accurately capture and uphold agreements over time. He believes that agreements, including constitutions, should be more adaptable and open to amendment in order to reflect the changing needs and values of society. Noah points to examples like the UK's unwritten constitution and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as alternative models that have shown long-term success without relying on fixed written documents. However, this heresy has sparked debates around the importance of written agreements, the role of constitutions in governance, and the necessity of adaptability in legal frameworks.

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