

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

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.

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 17min
133 - F**k Me? No F**k You!
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Wisconsin “partial veto” upheldTrump did the math wrong. The China tariff is 145%According to WSJ (WSJ), someone distracted pro-tariff advisor NavarroEveryone is insider tradingThere are a bunch of exceptions for tech products, but not inputs to tech productsChina is suspending critical mineral exportsChina is strengthening alliances w SE Asia and reaching out to EuropeBritish Steel thingCalifornia sued the Trump administration, alleging that use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs is unlawfulSCOTUS told Trump to bring back at least one guy in El Salvador jailBukele says he’s not going to “smuggle a terrorist into the United States”Trump thinks SCOTUS ruled in his favorhe should have been deported due to multiple domestic violence restraining ordersSen. Chris Van Hollen flew down to El Salvador to meet with him personallySCOTUS: no more El Salvador removals while case in pendingWe’re deporting all the smart peopleEU gives staff 'burner phones, laptops' for US visitsTrump EO: do more coal mining on federal lands!4chan is deadAlso, the PopeTrump sent Harvard a ridiculous list of demands, and they refusedThere is now a portal for deregulation suggestionsThe White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretaryUK Supreme Court: trans women aren’t biological womenPA governor’s mansion set on fire while he & fam slept inside it.Hilarious newsa German man was jogging in a park when he spotted a dead body. The German police called in homicide, cadaver dogs, morticians, etc. and investigated for five hours before they discovered the “dead body” was, in fact, a sex doll.Judge denies qualified immunity to police officers who argued they had arguable probable cause to believe a driver was stonedDirector Kratsios of the office of Science and Technology Policy: “Our technologies allow us to manipulate time and space.”Happy News!Cambridge University's Institute of Astronomy found chemicals associated with life in alien planet's atmosphere.OpenPhil donates $500k to save Tuberculosis vaccine study at HarvardScientists in Pennsylvania have created an antiviral chewing gumTroop DeploymentWes - Cowboy Chords by the Fine VintagesGot 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

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
132 - They Tariffed the Happy News
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:At least one person deported had no criminal record or tattoos, and was here on a legal asylum claimOther people taken for random tattoosTariffs on everyone except Russia & North KoreaThey didn’t even use the formula right“Critical Trade Theory”Kelsy Piper demonstrates how adults would approach tariffsStocks jumped massively on fake news of tarriff delay, Trump says lolno, stocks back downChina responds with 34% tariffVietnam offers to remove all tarriffsNetanyahu vowed to eliminate Israel’s trade deficitEO: proof of citizenship required to vote in federal electionsTrump fired a federal prosecutor who was prosecuting one of his wealthy donorsPeter Marks forced out of FDA(by RFK?)Seems like it was because RFK hates vaccinesTrump fired the head of the NSA because Laura Loomer told him toSays he won’t rule out running for a 3rd termHundreds of palestinians protest against Hamas in Gaza.Hamas forcibly disperses them, only tortured to death a few.Le Pen used $4.5M of EU funds to pay her party’s political staffClaims this is lawfareProtestors rally in support in ParisIsrael just announced “expanding operations” to seize “extensive territory”Putin is drafting 160,000 new soldiers“Black babies do better with black doctors” was a lieQuote: “I’d rather not focus on this. If we’re telling the story from the perspective of saving black infants this undermines the narrative.”Cory Booker sets a record for talking a lot in the SenateState Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin and Florida retain status quo of D/R splitAI-2027 is the latest in the AI Essay MetaHappy News!Chinese autonomous passenger drones (driverless flying taxis)AquaDream, the world’s first fully underwater theme park. roller coasters beneath the waves, drift past glowing jellyfish, dodge sharks, and even race dolphins. No word on if they’ve discovered a magic-power-granting insanity-drug. From the video game “Don’t Create BioShock”A woman with complete paralysis and zero vocal function just regained the ability to speak at ~conversational speed. Fancy Nature Article here, twitter thread breakdown hereDirewolves are back!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

Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 13min
131 - 100% OpSec
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Kelsey Piper and friends dug deep into PEPFAR effectivenessThe astronauts stranded on the ISS are back safe. And they were greeted back to Earth by a pod of dolphins!Federal government awards contract for our angry triangle to BoeingICE rounded up a bunch of Venezuelans and flew them to prison in VenezuelaRoberts responds in a public statementVance is explicitly promoting defiance of the courtsChief Justice Roberts's 2024 year-end report calls it out directly.Green Card Holder Who Has Been in US for 50 Years Detained for weeks.Canadian held for two weeks in prison for document snafuEO Abolishing DoEd.What the DoEd actually does:Bad news on the economyRFK is trying to remove cell phones from schoolsGaza war back onBombed the s**t out of the Houthis, Iran disavows, Trump doesn’t buy itSecDef was discussing the plan on Signal with a reporterRussia & Ukraine agreed not to damage energy infrastructureRussia immediately attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructureSubscriber request: NYU was hackedEducation Department investigating more than 50 colleges and universities over racial preferencesColumbia University has agreed to a list of demands in return for negotiations to reinstate its $400m Columbia said it expelled, suspended, or temporarily revoked degrees from some students who seized a building during campus protests last springGreenpeace must pay more than $660 million in damagesHappy News!Prisoners in solitary confinement given VRTaiwan signed a deal to invest $44 billion in Alaskan LNG infrastructureMIT engineers turn skin cells directly into neurons for cell therapyMexican government found a swarm of giraffes in the state bordering El PasoBYD (china) unveiled a new battery and charging system that it says can provide 249 miles of range with a five-minute chargeIdaho cuts regulations by 25% in four years by implementing Zero-Based RegulationUtah just passed a permitting reform lawTroop DeploymentDavid - If you liked The Dragon’s Banker, you should read Oathbreakers AnonymousEneasz - How To Believe False ThingsWes - Men and women are different, but not that differentGot 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

Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 31min
Episode 130 - There's a New Tariff in Town
The hosts dive into the chaotic world of tariffs, discussing recent implementations between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and how they affect trade relations. A serious conversation follows about a measles outbreak and the contentious role of vaccinations in public health. Political tensions heat up with critiques of major appointments and the implications of U.S. foreign policy on Venezuela. Humor infuses discussions on unusual tariff practices and the complexities of immigration law, highlighting today's absurdities with a satirical twist.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 13min
129 - You're Fired!
The hosts tackle bizarre news, including the amusing arrest of Ziz. They dive into the chaos of recent executive orders that shrink the federal workforce and skepticism about proposed military budget cuts. The tumultuous political landscape in NYC, marked by corruption claims, is scrutinized. They also discuss Steak and Shake’s quirky tallow fries and a concerning measles outbreak in Texas. Lastly, advancements in quantum computing and geopolitical tensions, including a cargo ship mishap near the Suez Canal, are explored with a blend of humor and skepticism.

Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 37min
128 - Non-White Non-Straight Non-Men
The hosts share amusing anecdotes about bizarre Philly events and celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl win. They delve into the reinstatement of PEPFAR and its global health impact, while also discussing the chaotic antics of a political figure. Revelations about drone sightings and their ties to hobbyists stir debate, alongside critiques of executive power and budget challenges. They tackle identity issues faced by non-binary individuals and explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI, all wrapped in a mix of humor and skepticism.

Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 44min
127 - Executive Onslaught
Dive into the wild world of politics as the hosts tackle fire-damaged property laws and the absurdity of political actions like executive orders. They celebrate Philly’s quirky traditions around the Eagles' win and dissect the complexities of U.S. immigration policies. Expect laughs as they critique Biden's ceasefire efforts in Gaza and the turbulence of artificial intelligence advancements. From capuchin monkeys to Barbie film critiques, this podcast blends humor with thought-provoking discussions on societal themes.

Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 10min
Episode 126 - FIRE Water Burn
A fascinating discussion unfolds as the hosts dive into the effects of congestion pricing in Manhattan, showing early successes in traffic reduction. They humorously compare cities while dissecting a controversial court ruling regarding Trump. Serious environmental crises are highlighted, particularly with the ongoing LA wildfires and rebuilding challenges. The humor continues with a critique of current political decisions, such as Biden's block on a major steel sale, and the hosts offer a skeptical look at social media's evolving landscape alongside poignant reflections on recent scientific achievements.

Jan 1, 2025 • 56min
Episode 125 - The Newspapers Say Say Say It's True
Join the discussion as hosts dive into the impact of Biden commuting death row sentences and the ethical dilemmas surrounding capital punishment. Explore the chaotic legal battles involving Trump, the scrutiny of labor strikes like the Teamsters hitting Amazon, and the complexities of H-1B visa regulations. Delve into the peculiar intersection of holiday cheer and military incidents, punctuated with a bizarre Russian propaganda featuring Santa. Plus, marvel at advancements such as a gene-edited pig kidney transplant in humans!