The Living Philosophy

Brendan Graham Dempsey, a metatheory researcher at the Institute of Applied Metatheory and host of the Metamodern Meaning podcast, delves into the measurement of worldviews and cultural evolution. He discusses how we can quantify complexity in human thought, exploring the application of hierarchical complexity in various texts. Brendan also highlights the surprising insights from scoring ancient texts and modern literature, while addressing the implications of cognitive complexity in societal contexts and its relation to educational systems.

"The protection of interiority is the central motivation of Metamodernism." So says Greg Dember, a Seattle-based musician, songwriter and independent researcher in Metamodernism. As the co-founder of the What Is Metamodern? website with Linda Ceriello, PhD, Greg’s writing and podcast appearances speaking on metamodernism have helped popularize the terminology outside of academic discourse through accessible writing. He is the author of Say Hello To Metamodernism!: Understanding Today’s Culture of Ironesty, Felt Experience, and Empathic Reflexivity (2024 Exact Rush). He is also a co-editor of the forthcoming multi-author volume, My Impossible Soul: The Metamodern Music of Sufjan Stevens (Bloomsbury/Lexington). He holds a BA (1987) from Yale University.____________Greg and Linda's Metamodern site - https://www.whatismetamodern.comGreg's article on the 11 methods of Metamodernism - https://medium.com/what-is-metamodern/after-postmodernism-eleven-metamodern-methods-in-the-arts-767f7b646cae Greg's book on Metamodernism - https://www.amazon.com/Say-Hello-Metamodernism-Understanding-Reflexivity/dp/B0DHGFKZ8W/__________In this conversation, I sit down with Greg to explore metamodernism as the cultural backdrop that's emerged since roughly 2000, taking over from postmodernism's ironic detachment. We discuss how metamodernism oscillates between modern earnestness and postmodern irony to defend the significance of interiority and felt experience. Greg introduces his framework of 11 metamodern methods—including empathic reflexivity and the double frame—and we examine how artists like the Daniels (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Wes Anderson, Bo Burnham, and even The Beatles navigate this territory. The conversation ranges from David Letterman's evolution to Don Quixote as a proto-metamodern text, exploring how this sensibility has spread from indie niches into mainstream culture, and what it means for how we make and experience art today._____________⏳Timestamps0:00 Episode Intro2:26 Greg's current work: Sufjan Stevens book3:26 What is metamodernism? Cultural backdrop since 20104:50 From modernism to postmodernism to metamodernism7:36 David Letterman: from postmodern irony to Metamodern maturity10:32 The oscillation between modern and postmodern attributes12:26 Jimmy Fallon and the trend toward sincere enthusiasm15:56 Felt experience vs. detached observation19:26 Bo Burnham's Metamodern masterpiece "Inside"24:31 Rick Glassman and the Dance of Irony25:26 The new sincerity and its relationship to metamodernism28:26 Defending interiority as Metamodernism's central motivation31:38 From indie niches to mainstream: Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift33:29 Everything Everywhere All At Once: metamodernism as hell38:26 Wes Anderson and the metamodern sensibility39:28 The 11 metamodern methods framework40:31 Method #1: Empathic reflexivity40:56 Method #2: Oscillation between modern/postmodern dualities41:24 Method #3: The double frame (Raoul Eshelman)44:26 Quirky as a metamodern aesthetic46:26 Irony vs. cynicism: an important distinction49:26 Don Quixote as proto-metamodern?53:26 History rhymes: Shakespeare, Nietzsche, and cultural crossroads57:26 Exploring quirky and other metamodern methods59:39 Play, playfulness, and Wes Anderson1:01:01 Method #4: Meta-cute1:01:46 Moonrise Kingdom and Fantastic Mr. Fox as meta-cute1:03:56 Protecting interiority: the motivation behind metamodern art1:04:56 Metamodernism as reclaiming something eternally human1:06:26 Sufjan Stevens and the Illinois album1:07:16 Proto-metamodern vs. actually metamodern: the key distinction1:08:26 The Metamodern "Rocky Racoon"1:12:29 The Proto Metamodern Morrissey and The Smiths1:14:43 Guest recommendation: Linda Ceriello1:14:58 Where to find Greg's work

Dr. Erik Goodwyn is a practising psychiatrist with a background in neurobiology who bridges the worlds of neuroscience, Jungian psychology, and fantasy. Erik is co-editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Jungian Studies and as well as dozens of academic papers he has written books on the neurobiology of the gods, dreams, and archetypes, and this year published his first fantasy novel, King of the Forgotten Darkness, which won the Literary Titan Golden Book Award.You can find Erik's work at:Website: https://erikgoodwyn.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theimaginariumIn this conversation, I sit down with Erik to explore the neuroscience of dreams and their connection to creativity, trauma, and healing. We dive deep into how the default mode network operates during dreaming, why dreams create "as if" narratives to help us make sense of our lives, and how the psyche uses metaphor to consolidate memory, regulate emotions, and plan for the future. Erik shares fascinating insights from his clinical work, including how trauma dreams evolve during the healing process and why some dreams seem to bookend creative projects. We also venture into the realm of fantasy literature, discussing how writers like Tolkien and Sanderson use fantastical elements to tell deeply human stories about real lived experiences.⏳Timestamps00:00 James's Intro01:31 Beginning: Wyoming, Mountain Time, and writing fantasy03:24 Architects vs. Gardeners: Erik's writing process08:16 The divine child archetype in therapy dreams09:13 "as if": how dreams create meaning through metaphor11:58 Dreams in crisis mode vs. exploratory mode (PTSD example)15:08 Memory consolidation and forward planning in dreams16:37 The default mode network during dreaming19:32 Creativity and the default mode network24:19 Dream sequences: Exploration of themes across multiple dreams29:27 The body's natural healing process through dreams40:58 Ernest Hartman and contextualizing metaphors42:14 What is fantasy really about? Beyond escapism43:01 Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as meditation on the problem of evil43:04 Evil and grace in Middle-earth45:29 Morgoth, Sauron, and the continuation of evil46:37 Guest recommendation: Stefano Carpani47:19 Where to find Erik

https://cjthex.com/subscribe → subscribe to CJ's mailing list for all things CJ the X https://tinyurl.com/asdi708uo → buy tickets to CJ's show in San Francisco, CA on the 10th OctoberI sat down with CJ the X recently to discuss the creative process, pragmatism, their recent world tour and later in the weird world of dreams. We also talk about the topic that first brought us together many moons ago: Jordan Peterson and CJ's year long deep dive into him that dragged him deeper into the philosophical quest. ⏳Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:39 - Reflections on CJ's Intercontinental Speaking Tour05:56 - Wrestling with the need to be right10:27 - Play, fear and the creative process15:27 - Colonised by the algorithm17:47 - Search for Signal19:27 - Exploring the Balance of Routine and Passion23:52 - Flywheel or Passion?26:14 - CJ's journey from chaotic fun to serious philosophy27:33 - CJ done with YouTube?32:28 - CJ's Jordan Peterson video36:28 - James's struggle with intellectual responsibility40:43 - CJ on why passion has to be the guide44:18 - Is CJ a Platonist or a Pragmatism45:55 - CJ on the sacred and the profane47:11 - James on holding knowledge lightly48:39 - The Metaphysical Club49:48 - The strands of pragmatism50:34 - C.S. Peirce51:18 - William James and Peirce's Relationship53:44 - Pragmatism and Jordan Peterson55:55 - What is Pragmatism?57:17 - Pragmatism vs. Postmodernism1:00:48 - Is Western civilisation the peak?1:01:35 - Peterson's Pragmatic Christianity 1:04:19 - The dangers of high status1:05:51 - CJ's lessons learned from speaking tour1:11:28 - CJ's Anti-mimetic attitude1:14:55 - James starting Jungian Masters1:15:38 - James on Dreams1:16:55 - CJ's troubled relationship with the dreamworld1:19:32 - Dreams and creativity1:24:40 - CJ on James's excessive curiosity1:26:18 - CJ's read on James's alien dreams1:27:36 - Connection between dreams and creativity1:30:01 - James wants to study CJ's dreams1:34:44 - Wrapping up1:35:27 - CJ's Guest Recommendations

Gary Clark, a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide and author focused on the intersection of Jungian psychology and neuroscience, discusses how psychedelics provide new insights into Jung's theories of the collective unconscious. He explores the roles of primary and secondary consciousness, and how psychedelics can reveal deeper archetypal layers of the mind. Clark also addresses cross-cultural motifs observed in psychedelic experiences, challenges some mainstream assumptions, and considers the therapeutic potential of mystical experiences for mental health.

This episode is an exploration of the allegations of racism against Jung and looks at some possible defences of Jung. Since Dalal published Jung: A Racist in 1988 there has been something of an open crisis in Jungian circles regarding the extent of the issue and what is to be done about it. This episode is about laying out the issue in as clear a way as possible. To learn more about the schism in the Jungian community see Samuels 2019 in the Further Reading section below. ____________________ 📚 References: - Hannah, B. (1976). Jung: His Life and His Work. New York: Putnam - Jung, C.G. (1909) Report on America. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 18. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C.G. (1927) Woman in Europe. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 10. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C.G. (1927a) Mind and Earth. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 10. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C.G. (1930) The Complications of American Psychology. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 10. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C.G. (1930) A Radio Talk in Munich. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 18. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C. G. (1935). The Tavistock lectures. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, vol. 18. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. - Jung, C. G. (1989). Memories, Dreams, Reflections. New York: Vintage Books. - Radin, P. (1927). Primitive Man as Philosopher. New York: D. Appleton and Company - Shamdasani, S. (2003). Jung and the making of modern psychology: The dream of a science. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. 📚 Further Reading: - Dalal F (1988) Jung: A Racist. British Journal of Psychotherapy 4(3): 263–279. - Collins J (2009) ‘Shadow Selves’: Jung, Africa and the Psyche. Interventions 11(1). Routledge: 69–80. - Brewster F (2013) Wheel of Fire: The African American Dreamer and Cultural Consciousness. Jung Journal 7(1): 70–87. - Brewster F (2017) African Americans and Jungian Psychology: Leaving the Shadows. London: Routledge. - Samuels A (2018) Jung and ‘Africans’: a critical and contemporary review of some of the issues. International Journal of Jungian Studies 10(2). Brill: 122–134. - Samuels A (2019) Notes on the Open Letter on Jung and ‘Africans’ published in the British Journal of Psychotherapy, November 2018. Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society 24(2): 217–229. - Johnson, J. (2020) Being white, being Jungian: implications of Jung’s encounter with the ‘non-European’ other1. The Journal of analytical psychology 65(4). J Anal Psychol. - Carter C (2021) Time for space at the table: an African American - Native American analyst-in-training’s first-hand reflections. A call for the IAAP to publicly denounce (but not erase) the White supremacist writings of C.G. Jung. The Journal of analytical psychology 66(1). J Anal Psychol. ________________ ⭐ Support the channel (thank you!) ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy ▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy _________________ 💬 More from The Living Philosophy ▶ Discord https://discord.gg/XNd4gTpfu9 ▶ 📨 Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/ ________________ 🎼 Media Used: 1. Eye - Hara Noda 2. Five Leaves - Hara Noda 3. Anew - Hara Noda 4. Goodnight Mr. Malone - Bladverk Band 5. Mural - Hara Noda 6. Waltz for Maybe - Jonah Aardekke All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com _________________ ⌛ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 2:13 Jung: A Racist 5:46 One African Race 8:53 Nature Over Nurture 11:31 Jung on African Americans 16:58 Defence 1: Primitive Compliment 19:21 Defence 2: Man of His Times 21:50 Implications

Jung describes Americans as having an “astonishingly feeble resistance to collective influences” which he found “positively terrifying”. His 1931 article on the uniquely American psychology is filled with novel insights into American psychology: its herdlike nature, the Heroic Ideal driving it as well as showcasing some of Jung’s more unsavoury Shadow elements — his racism which we’ll talk more about in the next episode. ____________________ 📚 Further Reading: - Jung, C.G. 1931. The Complications of American Psychology ________________ ⭐ Support the channel (thank you!) ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy ▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy _________________ 💬 More from The Living Philosophy ▶ 📨 Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.com/ ________________ 🎼 Media Used: 1. Eliot Ness - Bladverk Band 2. Common Language - Venla 3. Dans Les Pensées - Franz Gordon 4. Here and Now - Bladverk Band All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com _________________ ⌛ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:50 It’s Complicated 06:52 The Heroic Ideal 09:25 The Source of American Psychology

Synchronicity was coined by psychological pioneer Carl Jung. Its meaning is simple: a Synchronicity is a “meaningful coincidence”. But it seems that there has been a lot of misreading of Jung going on. In this episode we are going back to Jung’s original definition of Synchronicity in his 1952 work “Synchronicity: An Acausal Principle” to see what he really meant by the term. ____________________ 📚 Further Reading: - Atmanspacher, H. “The Pauli-Jung Conjecture and Its Impact Today” - Cambray, J., “Synchronicity as emergence” in “Analytical Psychology: Contemporary Perspectives in Jungian Analysis” - Cavalli, C. “Synchronicity and the emergence of meaning” - Jung, C.G. and Pauli, W., “The Interpretation of Nature and the Psyche” - Jung, C.G. and Jaffé, E., “Memories, dreams, reflections” - Jung, C.G. “Letters of C. G. Jung vol.1” - Shinoda Bolen, J., “The Tao of Psychology” - Main, R., “Synchronicity and analysis: Jung and after” http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13642530701725924 - Main, R., “Revelations of chance: synchronicity as spiritual experience” - von Franz, M. L., “On divination and synchronicity: the psychology of meaningful chance” ________________ ⭐ Support the channel (thank you!) ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy ▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy _________________ 💬 More from The Living Philosophy ▶ Discord https://discord.gg/XNd4gTpfu9 ▶ 📨 Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/ ________________ 🎼 Media Used: 1. A Garden Romance - Martin Landström 2. I May Have Lost Forever - Martin Landström 3. Paris in the Rain - Martin Landström 4. Moonlight Sparkle - William Claeson 5. Sea Smoke - Gustav Lundgren Trio 6. Make You Smile - Magnus Ringblom Quartet 7. Balance - Amaranth Cove 8. Silent Waves - Helmut Schenker 9. Monograph - Johannes Bornlöf All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com _________________ ⌛ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 03:50 1. Temporal Alignment Component 06:46 2. Internal/External Component 10:37 3. Acausal Component 14:56 (concrete) synchronicity vs. (abstract) Synchronicity 18:38 Winks from the Universe?

________________ 📚 Further Reading: - Camus, Albert, *The Myth of Sisyphus* - Camus, Albert, *The Outsider* - Camus, Albert, *The Rebel* - Camus, Albert, *Caligula* ________________ ⭐ Support the channel (thank you!) ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy ▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy _________________ 💬 More from The Living Philosophy ▶ 📨 Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/ ________________ 🎼 Media Used: 1. Cessura - Ever So Blue 2. Refreshing - Megan Wofford 3. Nova Scotia - Synthetic Tides 4. Save You from the Death - Ruiqi Zhao 5. By Night - Hushed 6. Common Language - Vendla All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com _________________ ⌛ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 4:07 1. Suicide 5:41 2.Philosophical Suicide 7:36 3. Absurdism 12:57 4. The living philosophy of Absurdism

Could Neuralink accidentally turn all its users into a hive mind? That’s what we’re going to be exploring in this episode where we take a look inside the brain and at the possibility for Neuralink’s high bandwidth and low latency to transform the nature of consciousness. _________________ 📚 Further Reading: Peter Watts' talk "Conscious Ants and Human Hives": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4uwaw_5Q3I Further reading on split brain 1: https://www.nature.com/articles/483260a](https://www.nature.com/articles/483260a) Further reading on split brain 2: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/07/split-brain-research-sperry-gazzaniga/399290/ _________________ ⭐ Support the channel (thank you!) ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy ▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy _________________ 💬 More from The Living Philosophy ▶ Discord https://discord.gg/XNd4gTpfu9 ▶ 📨 Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/ _________________ 🎼 Media Used: A Garden Romance - Martin Landstrom (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) The Way of the Warrior - Yi Nantiro (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) Go that Extra Mile - Jay Varton (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) From the Past - DEX 1200 (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) Moon Child - Bonnie Grace (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) AAALRIGHT - Cospe (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) Sometimes I’m So Happy - So Vea (courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com) _________________ ⌛ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 2:06 Split Brain Science 5:55 Watts Argument: Merging of Consciousness 9:14 The Age of BCIs 10:47 What Will a Super-Consciousness Look Like?