Very Bad Wizards

Dive into an intricate exploration of Borges' 'The Circular Ruins,' where the line between creator and creation blurs. The discussion travels through themes like identity, solipsism, and the philosophical nature of dreams. In a fascinating twist, they tackle political endorsements and how trust in science varies among differing beliefs. With humor and depth, the hosts reflect on existential questions, the creative process, and the cyclical nature of reality. Expect both laughter and introspection as they unravel these complex ideas.

A quirky discussion kicks off with an AI necklace that promises companionship during hikes and first kisses. The hosts delve into the flaws of cognitive science, challenging its claims of universality and demanding more evidence. They tackle the cultural bias in psychological research, emphasizing the need for diverse samples. With a nod to neurodiversity, they explore how societal changes may impact perceptions of intelligence and autism. The conversation is a mix of humor and insightful critiques, making for a thought-provoking listen.

Philosopher David Shoemaker from Cornell joins the conversation, bringing his expertise in exploring profound themes. They dive into Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining,' debating the hotel’s haunting symbolism and dissecting the duality of characters like the Gradys. The impact of the Steadicam on our perception of dread is questioned, as well as Shelly Duvall's performance. They even ponder historical injustices and what a land acknowledgment at the Overlook might look like, delivering a rich tapestry of horror, psychology, and cinematic artistry.

David and Tamler explore the depths of Plato's allegory of the cave, linking it to mystical traditions like Gnosticism and Sufism. They delve into the dialectic as a method for reaching the Form of the Good and challenge the perception of philosophers as irrelevant. The discussion also covers terror management theory, examining how awareness of mortality shapes human behavior and societal dynamics. Additionally, they critique research methodologies in social psychology and highlight the complex relationship between philosophy and modern spiritual thought.

Delve into Plato's cave allegory and forms, reflection on professional wisdom, personal contentment, social connections, and podcast evolution. Explore justice and ruling in 'The Republic,' and Plato's allegory of the cave. Discover education as transformative, philosophical text appreciation.

The podcast delves into Ernest Becker's philosophy of science and explanations for strongman leaders, neuroses, mental illness, and sexual fetishes. They explore the existential paradox of being human and discuss political topics like Biden, debate, and Kamala Harris. The hosts express gratitude to supporters and discuss human desire for transcendence, fear of mortality, and the role of artists in confronting mortality and creating meaning in life.

The podcast delves into Ernest Becker's 'The Denial of Death,' exploring how our fear of mortality drives human behavior. They humorously discuss the correlation between penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership, linking it to psychosexual theories. The conversation contrasts Freudian theories with existential dilemmas and explores facing the fear of death authentically.

In this podcast, the hosts explore the mysteries of the film 'Oldboy' by Park Chan-wook, focusing on a man seeking revenge after being imprisoned for 15 years. They discuss the gender differences in vocabulary and the insights from a linguistics paper. The conversation touches on dark and twisted scenes in narratives, emotional complexities in movies, and themes of redemption and revenge in Asian cinema. The hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the intense movie scenes, exploring themes of memory, psychological manipulation, and transformative character journeys.

Discussing the cultural differences between rice and wheat farming communities in China, highlighting the impact on collectivism and holistic thinking. Exploring a study on censorship and self-censorship among social psychologists. Delving into evolutionary implications of sexually coercive behavior and controversial views on biological sex in academia. Analyzing cultural influences on self-perception and research measures in cultural studies. Playful banter on dinner choices and individualism rounds out the engaging discussion.

Hosts discuss top 3 existentialist movies, lack of research on metaphysics of puns, and surprisingly positive opinions on recent paper. Delve into ontology of art and puns, challenge traditional views on language ontology, and explore flexibility of words. Light-hearted banter on puns and humor theories. Dive into existential movies shaping identity through choices, analyze Blade Runner themes, compare Double Indemnity vs Locke decisions, and explore genetic dreams in Gattaca.