

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

Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 22min
Episode 124 - It's-a Luigi time!
Explore the legal drama surrounding the acquittal of Daniel Penny in a subway incident that raises questions about public safety and mental health. Delve into healthcare struggles, from corporate greed to global politics, spotlighting a South Korean president's martial law declaration and troubling lawsuit against Amazon over shipping delays. Laughter meets controversy in discussions on healthcare choices for young people and Boeing's legal woes, all while tackling geopolitical tensions in Syria and breakthroughs in quantum computing.

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 14min
Episode 123 - The Pardoner's Tale
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Wes was right! Biden pardoned HunterEducation secretary getting TombstonedFBI investigating numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointeesTrump threatens 25% tariffs on Canada and MexicoTrump is already laying the groundwork to say “mission accomplished”Sinaloa Cartel announces it will kill anyone who makes - or uses as an adulterant - fentanyl for sale in the US.The Government is coming for the money appsBiden DoJ trying to force Google to sell Chrome browserHezbollah only ceased fire long enough to eat lunch and reload. Who could possibly have seen this coming.Ceasefire precipitated a reignition of the Syrian Civil WarAnd Assad fled to Russia.Russia struck Ukraine with multiple ICBM’s… or maybe MRBM’s with MIRV’s… which did nothing.US gives permission for Ukraine to strike in Russia with long range misslesUS gives "non-persistent" anti-personnel mines to UkraineNetanyahu indicted by International Criminal CourtNinety-seven trucks lost and their drivers were forced at gunpoint to unload their aid after crossing into GazaUN has now paused aidGeorgia is now on day 4 of riots and govt resignationsAustralian Parliament bans social media for under-16sHead of Adani Group - Indian multinational conglomerate - and 7 others indicted in US court for bribes of Indian officials of over $250MSouth Korea opens a rooftop Starbucks with a bunch of those quarter-operated binoculars so people can gawk at North Korea.Happy News!orcas have been seen wearing salmon as hats!Australian man holding on to impenetrable rock for a decade finds out it’s a metoriteWalmart rolls back DEI, will no longer discriminate based on race and sex!First new treatment in 50 years for asthma!New carbon capture method just droppedCanadian woman saves boy from drowning in ice waterA hiker has been found after being missing for 50 days in a park in British ColombiaTroop DeploymentsDavid - The Dragon’s BankerEneasz - Lightcone, the folks running LessWrong.com and Lighthaven, are in fundraiser mode.Wes - Everything is non-binaryGot 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

Nov 20, 2024 • 1h 5min
Episode 122 - It's MAGA Time!
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Polymarket whale-bet explained!Interesting analysisLol, it’s back down nowIndictments against Trump will be dismissed, Jack Smith to resign Trump says he’ll close the Department of EducationWill ease restrictions on self-driving carsTrump already making appointmentsPharma & biotech stocks immediately fellTrump made him eat McDonaldsTwo days later the House Ethics Committee was going to release a report about his behaviorIt was going to include testimony from a woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17Republicans chose John Thune as Majority LeaderDC Circuit found CEQ has no rulemaking authorityThere’s currently a case pending before SCOTUS involving the same issueFBI raided the home of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan Jewish soccer fans attacked in AmsterdamUS said it will not limit arms transfers to Israel a month after warning IsraelBaguette News! Schneider Electric ransomware crew demands $125k paid in baguettesUS authorizes unlimited use of long-range munitions against targets in Russian territoryRussia threatens “escalation” again, 5 more times this year and we get a free coffeeHappy News!Lost Vonnegut Board Game is now availableNotre Dame’s bells tolled for the first time in years last weekGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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

Nov 4, 2024 • 1h 36min
Episode 121 - Election Eve!
The podcast dives into the intriguing world of politics as the election looms, touching on the Philly DA's lawsuit against Elon Musk over an illegal lottery. Captivating discussions illuminate the ethical implications of gambling intertwined with elections and reveal the Supreme Court's controversial voter roll decisions. Humorously critiquing Puerto Rican identity, the hosts explore cybersecurity threats and military actions between Israel and Iran. With light-hearted takes on futuristic innovations and a heartfelt apology from Biden, the episode captivates with its blend of serious and playful dialogue.

Oct 23, 2024 • 59min
Episode 120 - WTF DOJ?
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:DoJ is suing South Bend, INSouth Bend says they’re going to fight itDurham, NC’s fire department did a b******t consent decree over “discriminatory” test“Vance Dossier” finally published, and censored by Ex-TwitterCuba without power four days in a rowPolymarket is 60/40 TrumpDemocrats are claiming that it’s market manipulated by overseas crypto accountsDeepfake video posted accusing Tim Walz of sexual assaultVance: I wouldn’t have certified the election because tech companies censored the Hunter Biden laptop storySinwar killed by a random grunt.Office building in Prospera forcefully closed by Roatan governmentCalifornia Coastal Commission denies launches to SpaceX for Musk’s unfavorable opinionsMusk giving away $1M daily to swing state voter that signs a PAC pledge FTC Click-to-Cancel RuleHappy News!SpaceX lands Super Heavy booster on the first try "Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order" to be founded in AlbaniaJean Hebert hired by US Department of Health and Human Services to reverse brain tissue damage and degradation (by injecting embryonic cells) with the eventual goal of literally permanently reversing aging of the brain.McDonald’s Press ReleaseGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra and Down At McDonnelzzz by the Electric Six 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

Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 36min
Episode 119 - JD Vance has Dreamy Eyes
Wes, Eneasz, and (eventually) David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:A year after treatment with stem cells, a 25yr old woman that had type 1 diabetes is producing her own insulin Giant Sheep Cloner gets $24k fine and 6 monthsHarris: nuke the filibuster to protect abortionMark Robinson, the NC Republican Senate Candidate, is real weirdNYC Mayor Eric Adams indictedLots of NYC corruption, follows fire chiefs, police commissioner AI News:Gavin Newsome vetoed SB 1047OpenAI is going for-profit, more top talent leaves including last of the original boardRaised 6.6B in latest round, investors can pull that money back if they don’t transition to for-profit within 2 yearsDavid’s war corner:Israel took out leader of Hezbollah, and three of his successors, none of which lasted more than 36 hoursIsrael launched ground offensive into LebanonAlso hit a shipment of Russian weapons very close to a Russian baseIran launched 180 missiles at IsraelHead of Iranian counter-mossad unit was a mossad agentUS strikes Houthi strongholds in Yemen to protect shipping in Red Sea after Houthis resume attacking USN vessels in Red Sea (15 targets)China: nuclear sub sank during construction, tested ICBMChina hacks US federal wiretapping network, in some vague way. Feds ain’t talking, but broadband providers breached in a way that targeted wire-tapping requests. Reminder that building backdoors into encryption or tech means creating that door for anyone dedicated enough to unlock it.Longshoremen are striking because f**k you“In today's world I'll cripple you. I will cripple you and you have no idea what that means."Maryland Police paid out $2.75 million in back pay for having standardsThe test was pathetically easy and focused on police workHappy News!Thailand first in South East Asia to recognise same-sex marriageFirst new schizophrenia drug in 70 years!Russian F16 buzzes US fighter jetNew Mozart piece foundHemophilia B cured (70% improvement) with a single-course gene therapy, approved by FDA!Twitter is right, you can land a plane if you gotta, as anon lady proves“Poopa Scoopa Luca” 6yr old boy runs his own business to adopt a kittyGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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

Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 42min
Episode 118 - An Iron Dome for your Dick
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Honesty researcher Francesca Gino fabricated data, took the bloggers who revealed it to court. Judge dismissed the suit33 bomb threats in Springfield since the debate Harris is now 53% in Nate Silver’s modelAnother chucklefuck tried to take a shot at Trump, this time at a golf courseLeft a letter offering a $150k bounty on whoever finished the jobFlorida will be doing its own independent criminal investigation, apparently.Trump: cap credit card interest rates at 10%!Trump has a platform now!Teamsters decided not to endorseHezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire. Almost no one wants to call it war thoughHezbollah pagers got blow'd upCommentary: this was impressiveThen walkie-talkies and kornets anti-tank munitions!UN urges deescalation because of course they did. Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar possibly killed, possibly by IsraelUkraine hit a major ammo dump in Russia. Russia pulled elite troops off the line in the East to try to block the Kursk incursionRussia apparently tried to test-fire a nuclear-capable ICBM. It exploded in the silo. Four top ISIS leaders killed in Iraq in a joint strikeUK judge held business must give equal pay for “equal” workChina’s VC sector has collapsedXi stated years ago that US-style consumer-facing tech companies are net harmful Meta to ban RT, other Russian state-run media outlets globallyNLRB forced Starbucks to reopen 2 stores and give everyone back payBoeing union wants 40% pay raise, pensions, and demands Boeing makes next plane in Washington state rather than South CarolinaBoeing has offered 30% and $6k “incentive”.NYT union wants goodies GPT-o1 did some hackingpage 10 of system cardSignificant human evolution in the last 10000 yearsStereotype threat is the latest psych phenomenon to fail to replicateFed cut rates by .5%Internal SCOTUS communications leakedHappy News!Neuralink Blindsight device given “breakthrough” designation by FDAYou can get passports online now!Three Mile Island nuke plant reopening to power Microsoft AI!FDA allows Apple to turn on software that makes AirPods into hearing aidsChina almost lands reusable rocket.SpaceX completes first all-civilian space walk!Also tested new space suit.New startup to build giant gun to send stuff to space comes out of stealthFood coloring Yellow Dye #5 makes skin transparent!New Jersey rocker Bon Jovi talks a woman off a bridgeFrom Hanania: “The Electoral College Is Anti-Democracy in a Bad WayGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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

Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 25min
Episode 117 - Whale Tales
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:UCLA can’t allow protesters to block Jewish students from campus Venezuelan judge issues arrest warrant for rightful presidentHe’s now fled to SpainRussian court sentenced a US-Russian woman to 12 years in prison for “treason” tied to a $51 donation to a charity supporting Ukraine6 days of anti-Netanyahu protests in IsraelUS DOJ announced terrorism charges against six senior leaders of HamasTelegram ends end-to-end encryption optionElection NewsJack Smith filed a new indictment against Trump for election fraudHe also appealed the dismissal of the classified docs caseTrump’s sentencing delayed until after the electionVance says Trump will veto a national abortion banTrump said he doesn’t support Florida’s 6-week ban, but won’t vote to overturn itTrump says he'll ask Elon Musk to lead government efficiency commission if he wins electionDick Cheney endorsed HarrisGrandpa BUFF releases campaign platformSocial Media NewsBrazil going full censorship. Banned ex-Twitter after Elon refused to censor certain accounts for “misinformation”Starlink isn’t complying with the order and is now being threatenedThird Circuit ruled Tik Tok is liable for algorithmic recommendations Zuck says Facebook was pressured into doing censorship in 2020 and 2021Russia was secretly funding some well-known right-wing influencersAustralian judge ruled that women’s groups must allow trans womenGrover told the court that she would not address Tickle as “Ms”Blocked and Reported on Tickle v. GiggleGermany accuses Poland of sabotaging investigation into Nord Stream PipelineGermany to close land borders due to “irregular migration, threats from Islamist terrorism, and cross-border crime”.Sixteen Republican-led states sued the Biden administration over a new policy that seeks to enable spouses of US citizens (who do not have legal status) to apply for permanent residency without leaving the USUS Citizen (F, 26 yr old) killed in West Bank during IDF’s 9-day operation there. Hundreds of thousands of AI songs listened to by thousands of bots = $10M profitInvestigation into TicketMaster because dynamic pricing is maybe illegal in UK? Mpox is spreading. Go get your Monkey Pox vaccineHappy News!Argentina - Since Millei's repeal of rent control laws took effect on December 29, the supply of rental housing in Buenos Aires has jumped by nearly 200%, and rents lowered in some casesIsrael, Hamas agree to zoned three-day pauses for Gaza polio vaccinations of 640K childrenTeslas in Sentry Mode help solve crimes2x annual antibiotics in young children reduced mortality by 13% in sub-Saharan Africa researchers found a protein – called DdrC (for DNA Damage Repair Protein C) - with an unprecedented ability to repair DNA damageBryan Hance runs Bike IndexTroop DeploymentDavid - Xiaomara Castro hasn’t only tried to f**k over ProsperaOur interview with Jorge, the Mayor of ProsperaEneasz - Condolences to the People of Carbon County, WyomingWes - On-demand entertainment is good for kidsGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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 28, 2024 • 1h 20min
Episode 116 - The Regan Revolution
Eneasz is at Burning Man, so Wes and David are joined by Regan Arntz-Gray to keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communityRegan’s SubstackMoral Mayhem podcastRegan on ex-TwitterSupport us on Substack!News discussed:Injunction issued against noncompete banRFK Jr. dropped out and endorsed TrumpTrump’s email hackedTrump and Harris both want to eliminate taxes on tipsHarris wants to ban “price gouging” by grocery storesProfit margins are around 2%Ukraine launches Three Day Special Military Operation to denazify Russia Israel launches preemptive strike on HezbollahFDA denied approval for MDMA to treat PTSDMacaroon refuses to cede power to the New Popular Front governmentTelegram CEO arrested by FranceBiden Admin negotiated lower prices for 10 common medications under MedicareUAW suing Trump and Musk for threatening union organizersFederal Judge held that ban on machineguns is unconstitutionalHappy News!USA won the olympics!NASA finally tapping in Elon to rescue astronauts trapped on ISS.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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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 13, 2024 • 1h 25min
Episode 115 - The Musical Episode
Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what’s going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:There was a Biden vs Lettuce! The Lettuce won.CrowdStrike Falcon is endpoint monitoring software. (doesn’t just protect from malicious code, also tracks assets). Reminder: Any time you have auto-update enabled for anything, you have installed a free backdoorThe UBI experiment actually showed a lot of major upsides! Increased entrepreneurship, people held out longer for better jobs (which contributed to the lower employment number!), young people got more edu and single parents did more child raising, people were able to leave abusive relationships. Looking at naive averages isn’t that useful. (also AskWhoCastsAI is one of my fav podcasts)The World Central Kitchen fuckup has been investigated. “An Australian review into the deaths said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) decided to launch missiles at the convoy after mistakenly believing it was being hijacked by Hamas”Leaked Zoom recording of white house staff & DNC discussing how to best censor reports of Biden’s mental decline. Most interesting part is how polite the threats are. Stuff like ‘you say you’re reducing disinformation, but it looks like this disinformation about Biden’s decline is still up on facebook. I’m not sure that’s what reduction looks like’. Feels like Reality Is Becoming Impossible To SatirizeUS recognizes challenger as winner as riots continue in Venezuela Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed by detonating a bomb planted in advance in his bedroom at the Iranian government official residenceIran vows major counterstrikes on the 12thHamas names a top architect of the Oct 7 terror rampage as new leader Hezbollah top commander Fouad Shukur (behind recent rocket attack in Isreal) killed by airstrike in Lebanontop Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif killed in GazaDays of riots in Britain. Backlash against immigration and perceived rise in crime. Best way to fix that is always beating up innocent minorities and destroying local businesses.Walz!Google lost antitrust suitTwitter files antitrust lawsuit against GARM. Sounds like BS lawsuit, but GARM does legit threaten corps that advertise on media outlets that they want to destroy with standard “shame if your store burned down” mob tactics. Much like patent trolls what they do is legal but should get them jail/confiscation/blinding. Russian prisoner exchange. The tween & teen kids of a spy couple discover they’re Russian on the flight over to Russia.MegaQuake advisory in Japan In Bangladesh a government job quota system favoring the in-group sparked weeks of deadly riots (after over a decade of ratcheting authoritarianism and economic issues). Finally the prime minister fled the country after protestors stormed her residence, the president dissolved parliament, and the military is forming an interim govt.BAGUETTE NEWS! Frenchman’s Giant Baguette is his undoing at the pole vault. (is offered $250k porn deal??) Joins acapella group.More top people leave Open AI - cofounder John Schulman leaves to join Anthropic, president Greg Brockman takes extended leave of absence, a VP resigns.accused 9/11 mastermind and two others gitmo got a plea deal, next day it was rescindedHappy News!“bridge editing” papers published in Nature promise more precise gene editing than CRISPR with fewer errors and disruptions.Nanofiber molecules cause human cartilage to begin regeneration process, which humans can’t do in adulthood. Could lead to actual joint repair/regrowth. So far only on cell samples, not in humans.Texas Heart Institute implants the first Total Artificial Heart. Made of titanium and don’t require anti-rejection medications. Uses rotary blood pump with a single moving part that utilizes a magnetically levitated rotor to greatly reduce friction and wear. Increases blood flow with demand to up to 12L/minute, allowing patients to exercise! Was only a place-holder for this surgery, but meant for long-term eventually. 3500 people on heart transplant list ATM.Australia begins campaign to eradicate peanut allergyTroop DeploymentEneasz - Kamala Harris is The Mask That SmilesWes - Don’t be a Baby About the ElectionGot 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/vvcmifu6 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killer Apple: 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