Embrace The Void

Religious studies scholar Joseph Blankholm discusses the complexities of defining religion and the historical origins of atheism and secularism. The podcast explores the connection between conversion and ethics, the need for morally intensive communities in secularism, and a psychological problem in secularism. It also delves into the intersection of secular, spiritual, and religious beliefs through a multigenerational study.

My guest this week is Danny Fortuna, a Warhammer 40k lore master and founder of the Facebook group Warhammer Heresyposting. Danny founded the group as a space for anti-woke 40k fans after he was banned from several other groups over debates around female space marines and other identity politics issues. We discuss whether 40k is satire, whether female space marines are compatible with 40k lore, whether the lore should change if they're not, and the argument around "go woke, go broke". Enjoy!Music by GW RodriguezDanny's video on Wokeness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O302cRs3WfcPhilsophers in Space episode on 40k and gamergate: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/helsreach-and-grimdark-gamergateSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Next Episode: Camp Omni with Megan Pike

My returning guest is M.R.X Dentith, a philosophy professor at BNUZH’s Center for international philosophy, with a focus on conspiracy theories, secrecy, and fake news. They’re also cohost of the podcaster’s guide to the conspiracy and recently published a spicy article called “I know it when I see it”- Motivating examples in the social psychology of conspiracy theory theory. They frequently provide nuanced criticism of the research on these issues in ways I find very compelling, so I’m excited to have them back.Music by GW RodriguezSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Recent appearances:Aaron was recently on Cog Dis to talk about Antisemitic Conspiracism: https://www.dissonancepod.com/episode-675-talking-antisemitism-with-aaron-rabinowitz/Aaron and Callie from Philosophers in Space and Queersplaining were recently on The Psychology Podcast to discuss all things trans. Check it out and share it around, we really did try to cover allllll the bases: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/aaron-rabinowitz-callie-wright-what-we-get-wrong-about-transgender-people/Next Episode: Warhammer 40k and Gamergate with Danny Fortuna

My guest this week is Bryce Eakin, an AI engineer currently working in the area medical ethics. We discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI in various parts of the medical process and where this technology is likely headed in the next few years.Music by GW RodriguezSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Recent appearances:Aaron was recently on Cog Dis to talk about Antisemitic Conspiracism: https://www.dissonancepod.com/episode-675-talking-antisemitism-with-aaron-rabinowitz/Aaron and Callie from Philosophers in Space and Queersplaining were recently on The Psychology Podcast to discuss all things trans. Check it out and share it around, we really did try to cover allllll the bases: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/aaron-rabinowitz-callie-wright-what-we-get-wrong-about-transgender-people/Next Episode: TBA

Dr. Debbie Ging, Professor of Digital Media and Gender, discusses the rise of male hate online, analyzing data from online communities, conspiracy thinking and vulnerability in the manosphere, the influence of American toxic masculinity and lad culture, and engages in a lighthearted conversation about philosophy.

Barbie Dangond, a professional gestational surrogate, discusses surrogacy and bioethics, her company Lift Life Travel, and expanding trips. They explore the preferences of surrogates and the importance of making surrogacy more accessible. They also delve into a philosophical conversation about the nature of reality. Barbie shares her personal surrogacy journey and offers support and advice for anyone interested.

Matthew Krevat, a secular and skeptical organizer with Triangle Freethought Society, discusses his experiences with local organizing and balancing the interests of skeptics and atheists within a single group. They explore challenges in engaging in conversations, generational conflicts, dangers of infighting within groups, and issues within the community like woke ideologies and the impact of COVID. They also discuss the transition from online to in-person activities and engage in a game exploring concepts like bodies, minds, free will, and more.

My guest this week is Rachel Handley, a teaching fellow in philosophy at Trinity college Dublin, and author of a recent collection of sci-fi short stories entitled Possible Worlds and Other Stories. The book is a fun exercise in multiverse building that scratches that meta-itch a lot of us have, but it also has some lovely touching human moments. We discuss why possible worlds are having a moment, the gendered history of possible worlds, and a few of Rachel's possible worlds that I enjoyed so much.Convocation: NoneRachel’s Website: https://rachelhandleyphilosophy.weebly.com/Music by GW RodriguezSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Recent appearances:Aaron was recently on Cog Dis to talk about Antisemitic Conspiracism: https://www.dissonancepod.com/episode-675-talking-antisemitism-with-aaron-rabinowitz/Aaron and Callie from Philosophers in Space and Queersplaining were recently on The Psychology Podcast to discuss all things trans. Check it out and share it around, we really did try to cover allllll the bases: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/aaron-rabinowitz-callie-wright-what-we-get-wrong-about-transgender-people/Next Episode: TBA

My guest this week is David Burke, a PhD student at Bathe’s Spa University, with a focus on studying the philosophy of heavy metal. He has written on the Neitzchien elements of heavy metal and argues that metal should be taken seriously as a philosophical art form.Convocation: NoneMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Recent appearances:Aaron was recently on Cog Dis to talk about Antisemitic Conspiracism: https://www.dissonancepod.com/episode-675-talking-antisemitism-with-aaron-rabinowitz/Aaron and Callie from Philosophers in Space and Queersplaining were recently on The Psychology Podcast to discuss all things trans. Check it out and share it around, we really did try to cover allllll the bases: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/aaron-rabinowitz-callie-wright-what-we-get-wrong-about-transgender-people/Next Episode: Possible Worlds and Other Stories with Rachel Handley

My guest this week is Devon Graham, one of the Assistant state directors for American Atheists in Florida. We discuss the challenges of secular organizing in deeply red territories and conflicts within movement secularism over the relationship between secular values and social justice.Convocation: NoneMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pods:Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.htmlSupport us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Recent appearances:Aaron was recently on Cog Dis to talk about Antisemitic Conspiracism: https://www.dissonancepod.com/episode-675-talking-antisemitism-with-aaron-rabinowitz/Aaron and Callie from Philosophers in Space and Queersplaining were recently on The Psychology Podcast to discuss all things trans. Check it out and share it around, we really did try to cover allllll the bases: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/aaron-rabinowitz-callie-wright-what-we-get-wrong-about-transgender-people/Next Episode: Philosophy of Metal with David Burke