

The Mind Killer
Wesley Fenza
Your hosts Wesley Fenza, Eneasz Brodski, and David Spearman discuss the week's news. mindkiller.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 10, 2025 • 56min
141 - Nothing Can Change
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News Links:Emil Bove confirmed 50-49 to lifetime appointment on Third CircuitFollowup: Trump tariffs went into effect on 60 countriesAlso 100% tariff on computer chips?? Arab states (finally) called on Hamas to surrenderHamas: no disarmament unless Palestinian state is created with Jerusalem as capitalTrump fired the guys who report the job numbers (BLS Director)Bukele extends El Salvador’s presidential terms to 6 years and removes term limits, setting him up to be Dictator For LifeFed refused to cut rates again and Trump is all pissed offRFK terminating funding for mRNA vaccine researchGPT-5 released Zvi: “Early indications look like best possible situation, we can relax, let the mundane utility flow”White House announces AI Action Plan to “win the race”, Zvi says it’s actually pretty good, all things consideredTexas Democrats leave state to prevent a legislative quorum and block redistricting. Gov issued arrest warrants and asked FBI for help, FBI says yes, without comment on how. Last time this happened was 2021Mayor of LA signs an order that prohibits Senate Bill 9 from applying to places damaged by the recent massive fires. That’s the one that lets people build an extra house on their property, and/or split their single home into a double.Waymo recently mapped the streets of Boston (sparking “concern” that they didn’t permission). The Teamsters are pushing legislation to stop robotaxis there, to protect their jobs. Since Waymo’s get in 90% fewer accidents than human drivers, this is sacrificing thousands of lives for union jobs. News you can ignore: Tea app that let women gossip about men was hacked, releasing all their names/photos/IDs Happy News!Nuclear power… on the moon!UK & Germany will have Lyft robotaxis next year, sourced from BaiduBystander sees man fall unconscious onto train track as a train approaches, sprints across the track and yanks him to safety seconds before impact.Troop DeploymentWes - Find Aella a HusbandGot something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we’ll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 5, 2025 • 23min
BONUS - Tornado Cash
Wes interviews Ryan Singer about Tornado Cash and the Roman Storm trial. This one is important enough that there’s no paywall, so enjoy you lucky duckies!Check out Ryan’s current project at vex.trade This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 30, 2025 • 40min
140 - You're Welcome
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News Links:WSJ: DoJ told Trump that his name is in the filesGhislaine Maxwell given “limited immunity” by DoJTwo courts have issued nationwide injunctions against birthright citizenship orderThe James Webb Space Telescope found that all cosmic background radiation is explicable from Early Mature GalaxiesTrade deal with EUAlso 15% deal with JapanGENIUS Act passedCongress rescinded $9 billion in funding for foreign aid and PBSTulsi Gabbard released a dumb Russiagate reportDoJ is forming a “task force”French dude climbs out onto a narrow-ass ledge 6 floors up to help his neighbors escape an apartment fire through a tiny window.Ozzy concert raised $190M for Parkinsons research & Children’s HospitalsTroop DeploymentEneasz - Red Means No reviewGot something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we’ll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 23min
139 - We're All Doomed
Joining Wes and Eneasz is Liron Jabira, host of the Doom Debates podcast and a sharp critic of podcast logic. They dive into the fallout from a federal ruling on the 'click to cancel' law, the impact of tariffs on copper imports, and the recent obstacles in transgender sports. The discussion takes a wild turn with a legal case involving AI-generated false precedents, showcasing the ethical dilemmas in tech. They also tackle the complexities of U.S. fiscal policies and the implications of political controversies, all delivered with wit and insight.

Jul 10, 2025 • 41min
SCOTUS Bonus!
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindkiller.substack.comWes and Eneasz are joined by Tracing Woodgrains to discuss the current Supreme Court term

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
138 - A Bunch of A******s
Dive into a lively discussion on the backlash against childhood vaccinations and the implications of recent SCOTUS rulings on minors' health choices. Explore the quirky intersection of military strategy and cutting-edge tech amidst U.S.-Iran tensions. Enjoy humorous insights on population density and groundbreaking genetic research, like the Synthetic Human Genome Project. The dialogue also touches on the need for copyright reform and its impact on AI, providing a thoughtful yet entertaining take on contemporary issues.

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 24min
137 - The Waymo of the Body
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News Links:Klimar Abrego Garcia is coming home!Sadly, the Iranian talks were canceledPossibly damaged centrifugesThursday before attacks IAEA says Iran in violation of nuclear obligations, and Iran announced it would make a new enrichment facilityUkraine hit the Kerch Strait Bridge with UUSAssassination of Minnesota lawmakerIn the UK, there’s a tradition of letting the party of any lawmaker killed in an act of political violence run unopposed in the by-election.Elon apologized to TrumpTrump memo says to stop immigration enforcement against agriculture, restaurants, and hotelsTruth Social postTrump EO: repeal ban on supersonic flight!Trump EO: investigate Biden’s mental stateRFK fired the entire CDC vaccine advisory committeeHalf of new appointees are anti-vaxxersJim O’Niell confirmed as deputy director of HHSAmes v. Ohio Dept of Youth ServicesWest Taiwan is doing gain of function research… IN SPAAAAAAAAAACE!Disney and Universal are suing AI firm Midjourney for copyright infringementyou can build a place to live in the Bay area for $42k! (just not legally)Happy News!Canada getting cheaper semaglutide soonContact lenses give humans a limited ability to see InfraredNuclues Embryo is advertising full genetic screening for IVFFederal judge approved a $2.8B settlement that allows colleges to pay student athletes directly for the first time and grants back pay to athletes who were barred from payments (back to 2016)It's very likely that we're now able to provide people with organ transplants from pigs. Doctors implanted a 62 yr old with a pig's kidney that had been given 69 edits to beGot something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we’ll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
136 - Live from LessOnline!
Wes and Eneasz are joined by Steven, with a short appearance from Sammy to keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Rightwing populist wins Polish presidential electionTariffs (finally) struck down by federal courtTrump taking steel tariff from 25% to 50%, but approving Nippon Steel dealTrump EO: pause on student visasAlso wants to “aggressively revoke” Chinese student visasMeanwhile, a Federal Court blocked Trump’s order to deny Harvard student visasSCOTUS: deadlocked 4-4 over whether you can exclude religious schools from public fundingSCOTUS curtails NEPA a bit more in an oil-shipping caseTwo Israeli embassy staff (a young couple) shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington DCA man throwing molotov cocktails and using make-shift flamethrower injures 8 at a gathering in Boulder in support of Israeli hostagesEmil Bove nominated to Third CircuitElon is leaving DOGEHe’s not happy with the “big beautiful” budget bill“Take It Down Act” passeshttps://rachelshu.com/Happy News!Penny is finally dead!!Badass doctor gives established medical science a middle finger/shrug of indifference to invent a novel way to remove a chordoma from a 19 year old’s brain stem.(second source)Every agency has 365 days to list out all the regulations that have a criminal penalty and then that report has to be made public and must be updated annually.First Personalized CRISPR Therapy for 9 month old treats a rare genetic disorder!Rapid bedside test predicts sepsis with over 90 percent accuracy (Nature article link)Sesame Street will continue to air on Netflix (and on PBS/PBS Kids)Got something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we’ll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

May 21, 2025 • 1h 18min
135 - Better Call Stalin (feat. Kelsey Piper!)
Kelsey Piper, a writer for Vox's Future Perfect and co-author of Plane Crash, joins the discussion on various pressing topics. The trio tackles the complexities of recent U.S. immigration policies and judicial rulings, emphasizing the need for equitable refugee acceptance. They humorously analyze drug policies and the impact of tariffs on American manufacturing. In a lighter note, they discuss public health controversies like fluoride regulations, showcasing the blend of serious and quirky in today's political landscape.

May 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
134 - What If the Pig Was All Bacon?
The hosts humorously dissect Cinco de Mayo and its history, turning misconceptions into appreciation. They tackle the complexities of government funding, political maneuvering, and a scandal involving a judge. Discussions also highlight a major power outage in the Iberian Peninsula and skepticism towards authority in education. Current events feature a sarcastic take on Elon Musk and North Korean troops, while positive news celebrates medical advancements and gene-edited pigs promising tastier bacon. The narrative wraps with reflections on childhood joy amidst adult worries.


