Other Life

In this engaging conversation, philosopher Alex Priou delves into Plato's Symposium, revealing how Socrates captivates despite his unconventional appearance. They discuss the intoxicating nature of authentic love versus the pitfalls of desire, emphasizing philosophy's role as a 'cold shower' for temptation. Priou highlights the dynamic relationships among key figures like Aristophanes and Alcibiades, exploring love's complexities. The chat also touches on the evolving landscape of academia, urging scholars to blend depth with accessibility in their writing.

Johnathan Bi shares his journey from successful tech founder to independent philosophy lecturer, explaining why he walked away from founder equity to pursue his passion for bringing philosophical works to a broader audience. Through a unique modern patronage model backed by tech leaders, he's creating high-production lecture videos while maintaining his own independence.The conversation explores how modern education systems, particularly in places like Beijing, systematically push students away from humanities toward technical subjects. Bi offers fascinating insights into the parallels between Renaissance patronage and modern content creation, revealing how he's built sustainable funding relationships while staying true to his scholarly mission. His approach challenges conventional wisdom about career paths and content monetization, suggesting a new model for independent intellectual work in the digital age.

Nina Power, a philosopher and writer known for her work on Plato, and DC Miller, a philosopher and editor focusing on Plato's societal influence, dive deep into the intricacies of Plato's Republic. They explore how philosophy navigates political repression and the connections between justice, truth, and madness. The conversation includes the impact of wealth on philosophical pursuits, the accessibility of philosophy, and the interplay between physical training and intellectual resilience. Their insights reveal the tension between societal roles and the courage required to pursue genuine inquiry.

Dive into a compelling exploration of Nietzsche's critique of Christianity and the contrasting insights of the Gospel of John. The conversation highlights the invitation to pursue truth rather than blind faith, advocating for a deeper understanding of miracles and their place in modern life. Delve into the intricate ties between truth, morality, and freedom, emphasizing how a genuine commitment to truth can lead to ethical living and transformative experiences. This thought-provoking dialogue invites listeners to reevaluate their beliefs and understanding of reality.

For references, see Nietzsche on the Pride of the Philosopher in Contrast to the Slave✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org

A personal reflection and update on my 5-year journey to design a new kind of scholarly life for the internet era. In a previous podcast, I shared how the Other Life company hit some hard times. Here I explain what I learned from that, and how I've turned it around. I share some meditations on the pursuit of weird goals, finding one's own path, and some new things I've come to learn about entrepreneurship. The ultimate meaning and purpose of the "other life" concept has really come home to me in the past few months.Other Life✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.coIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org(00:00) - A Late Night Message (01:19) - On authenticity (04:12) - Creativity vs. Business (10:51) - The Creator Economy and Power (11:50) - Network Power (14:46) - The Fear of Failure (16:19) - What is the Other Life? (18:53) - On Truth (19:17) - The Future of Other Life

The podcast discusses the challenges of business decline and seeking new opportunities, as well as reflections on the past and ambitious vision. Updates are provided on projects and events, and the host shares their experience at a rustic inn in Wyoming and plans for the annual meetup.

Author William Egginton discusses his new book 'The Rigor of Angels' and the connections between Borges, Kant, and Heisenberg. They explore the antimonies of knowledge and the role of art in solving them. The conversation includes topics like creativity, intelligence, the changing landscape of book publishing, and the balance between work and personal life.

In this podcast, we delve into the complex life of Ezra Pound, a controversial poetic genius of the 20th century. We explore his extraordinary talent-spotting skills and his ability to turn vibrant social scenes into artistic movements. We also discuss his descent into Fascism and anti-semitism, as well as his poetic and cultural innovations. Learn about his friendship with W.B. Yeats, the launch of Blast Magazine, and the cautionary tale his life provides about resentment.

A deep dive into the life of William S. Burroughs based on a close reading of Ted Morgan's 1988 biography, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs. Burroughs is one of the most independent creative spirits of the 20th century. My goal is to understand how he did it; how he remained so free but was also so influential and successful.I discuss his transformation from a heroin addict living off his parents' allowance to an internationally acclaimed writer, who was inducted into the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1983. Hear about his unique brand of conservative anarchism, his significant influence on the counterculture of the '60s and '70s, his parenting, and the social-psychological correlates of his creative freedom.Burroughs was a blend of the Yankee inventor and the fire-and-brimstone Methodist preacher. We explore his grandfather's invention of the arithmometer and his uncle Ivy Lee's career as a public relations expert. These stories shed light on the roots of Burroughs' radical literary career, which combined a penchant for invention with a desire to go his own way and attack the respectable order of things.I also discuss Burroughs' late entry into writing and his experiences as a heroin user and a criminal, which taught him a lot about how the world works. I explore his failed attempt to build a commercial farm, his theory of 'factualism', which anticipates Nick Land and Deleuze, and much more.What did you think of this format, dedicated to a close reading of a great writer's biography? I'd love to hear from you.Chapters00:00 William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life06:30 Burroughs' Complex Heritage16:55 Burroughs' Late Blooming30:40 The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups43:49 Lessons From Burroughs' Life50:25 What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote59:08 Did Burroughs Murder his Wife?07:35 The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels15:27 More Lessons From the Life of BurroughsOther Life✦ Quit your passive media consumption and read great books every day. https://otherlife.co✦ Get the bi-annual print edition and other perks by becoming a dues-paying member. https://otherlife.co/upgradeIndieThinkers.org✦ If you're working on your own writing, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org (00:00) - - William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life (06:30) - - Burroughs' Complex Heritage (16:55) - - Burroughs' Late Blooming (30:40) - - The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups (43:49) - - Lessons From Burroughs' Life (50:25) - - What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote (59:08) - - Did Burroughs Murder his Wife? (07:35) - - The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels (15:27) - - More Lessons From the Life of Burroughs