Modern Wisdom

#570 - Helen Lewis - Investigating The World Of Modern Gurus

Dec 29, 2022

Helen Lewis, a journalist at The Atlantic and author, dives into the intriguing world of modern gurus who have stepped in where traditional religions have lost their grip. She discusses why a Canadian man drinks his own urine and unpacks the multifaceted legacy of Steve Jobs. The conversation also critiques the allure of internet gurus, their authenticity, and the public's fascination with flawed figures. Lewis addresses rising tensions surrounding race, identity, and anti-vaccine sentiments, while navigating the complexities of productivity culture in today’s society.

01:34:43

Creator website

Episode guests

Helen Lewis

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The peak-end rule

01:18

The Cost of Overworking

01:37

The Dark Side of Academia

01:40

Intro

6min

Exploring the Fascination with Internet Subcultures

2min

The Allure of Internet Gurus

13min

Navigating the Guru Complex

25min

Understanding Alternative Health Beliefs and Anti-Vaccine Sentiments

4min

Navigating the Complexities of Health and Nutrition Science

2min

Navigating Productivity and Perspectives

16min

Confronting Race and Identity

22min

Exploring the Relevance of Modern Gurus

3min

Helen Lewis is a journalist at The Atlantic and an author

Humanity has become much less religious and in the ruins of this fresh, listless world, bereft of traditional insight, a cadre of new gurus have risen to take the high priests' place of dispensing insights about how to live. Helen's new BBC Sounds documentary series delves into this world of secular gurus.

Expect to learn why a Canadian man has started drinking his own urine, why Steve Jobs was much more than just a tech inventor, how much it costs to be accused of racism over dinner while being banned from crying, why so many people are turning away from mainstream media, Helen's post-mortem on the IDW, the mortal problem that productivity gurus are helping address and much more...

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Extra Stuff:

Listen to The New Gurus - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001g9sq/episodes/player

Follow Helen on Twitter - https://twitter.com/helenlewis

Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/

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