129 - Ian Underwood: A New Governance Model for the 21st Century

May 9, 2025

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Extreme Personal Responsibility, Libertarianism, Technology, Guns, Individualism, Social Credit Systems, Freedom, Social Contract, Political Philosophy, Consent Of The Governed, Personal Freedom.

Timothy Allen talks with Ian Underwood.

Ian has been a planetary scientist and artificial intelligence researcher for NASA; the director of the renowned Ask Dr. Math service; co-founder of Bardo Farm and Shaolin Rifleworks; and a popular speaker at liberty-related events.

He’s also written 20 books on liberty related subjects.

In this conversation we explore the multifaceted relationship between individual rights, government authority, and societal norms. We begin with a dive into the nuances of gun ownership across cultures, particularly contrasting American perspectives with European views on self-defense and governmental power.

Ian shares his insights on the philosophical underpinnings of governance, emphasizing the importance of consent and individual rights. The dialogue evolves into a broader examination of how technology reshapes our understanding of governance, community interactions, and the potential for new models of societal organization.

We navigate topics such as the role of education in shaping responsible citizens, the implications of social credit systems, and the evolving landscape of political discourse.

Enjoy the conversation.

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:30) Introduction

(07:27) Start of conversation

(09:42) Gun debate

(13:45) Do guns actually protect you from authoritarian governments?

(18:25) Three questions you should answer before debating political subjects