Conversations with Peter Boghossian

In this conversation with Wang Kai Chun (Steven), a foreign policy advisor at the Legislative Yuan R.O.C. in Taiwan, we discussed Taiwan-U.S. relations, military preparedness, foreign policy, and the implications of a potential Trump presidency for Taiwan. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I had a delightful conversation with Professor Walter Block, a prominent economist and staunch anarcho-capitalist. Renowned for his extensive publications and contributions to the field, Block offered insightful perspectives on anarcho-capitalism, explaining its core principles and their relevance to contemporary society. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Lin Fei-fan, former Deputy Secretary-General of the DPP and a key figure in Taiwan's 2014 Sunflower Movement, discusses the significance of Taiwan in the global landscape. He highlights the resilience of Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression and stress the importance of U.S. support. The conversation also touches on the unique cultural aspects of Taiwanese society compared to the U.S., underscoring the need to preserve Taiwanese identity amid rising immigration. Lin emphasizes the urgency for international cooperation in maintaining peace in the region.

In this gripping discussion, a leading Taiwanese military defense expert, who remains anonymous due to safety concerns, shares insights on Taiwan's precarious position amid rising tensions with China. They explore the critical role of technology, particularly semiconductors, in Taiwan's defense strategy. The conversation delves into asymmetric warfare tactics, the implications of potential military scenarios, and Taiwan's aspirations for autonomy and deterrence against Chinese aggression. The importance of U.S. support and the delicate balance between democracy and authoritarianism are also highlighted.

Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer, head of the Center for Applied History and IR Theory at MCC, Budapest, discusses the shifting dynamics of global power, focusing on the rise of BRICS as a significant player against Western dominance. He examines cultural impacts stemming from geopolitical shifts, including changes in migration policies and the role of the state in family life. The conversation also touches on the implications of Canada's political landscape and the complexities surrounding immigration in Europe, emphasizing the need for informed dialogue amid rapid societal changes.

In this two-part series, we sit down with Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer, Head of Center: Applied History and IR Theory at MCC, Budapest. Ralph specializes in the cultural dimensions of identity formation and its impact on social cohesion. He offers incredible insights on understanding the current political climate in America, especially in light of the shifting dynamics in the country's political landscape. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Dr. Alexander Huang, Chairman of Taiwan’s Council on Strategic & Wargaming Studies, shares vital insights into Taiwan's geopolitical landscape. He discusses the importance of Taiwan's ties with the West and its crucial role in semiconductor production. The conversation highlights Taiwan's resilience amid the threat of invasion and their potential path toward nuclear armament. Huang also emphasizes how the upcoming U.S. election may shape Taiwan's future and explores the delicate balance of military readiness and diplomatic relations with China.

Wael Taji Miller is a Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium's School of Psychology. Taji's research focuses on the intersection of innovation, evolved psychology, and contemporary societal challenges. We discussed social and cultural evolution, particularly the implications of losing our capacity to engage differing viewpoints. We agreed that the erosion of the possibility of dialogue with those who hold opposing perspectives poses a threat to society. This is a kind of cultural decay that's linked not only to entrenched ideologies but also to the challenges posed by modern technology, which too often amplifies division rather than fostering understanding. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Mia Hughes is an Ottawa-based British journalist and researcher for Michael Shellenberger's nonprofit, Environmental Progress. Mia authored the WPATH Files report, which exposed widespread medical mistreatment of children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults in the realm of gender-affirming care. We were both in Lisbon, Portugal, for the Genspect conference—which uncoincidentally coincided with WPATH's conference. (NB I reached out to WPATH organizers and speakers to have a conversation about their reasoning for gender-affirming care. As expected, I received no responses. Throughout this conversation I made an effort to steelman WPATH arguments.) Mia and I began with the concept of "Gender Soul." This led to a discussion about medical interventions in gender-affirming care. Watch this episode on YouTube.

StealthGPT can write academic papers. It can also write peer-reviewed papers and Ph.D. theses. And it can write them in such a way that they are undetectable by AI. In this conversation, I talk with Jozef Gherman, creator of StealthGPT. Jozef on X Watch this episode on YouTube.