Tranquilizing with the Trivial

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Escaping boredom or anxiety by indulging in trivial distractions like drugs, alcohol, or wasting time on the internet doesn't fully satisfy the underlying unease. The habit of turning to trivial activities to avoid facing deeper existential questions can lead to a sense of not truly living. Delving into profound existential questions may cause discomfort, but avoiding them by immersing in mundane concerns only delays the inevitable confrontation with reality.

David and Tamler conclude their discussion of Ernest Becker’s The Denial of Death. We talk about Becker’s philosophy of science (does he have one?), his sweeping explanations for strongman leaders, neuroses, mental illness, sexual fetishes, and the refreshing absence of an answer or resolution to the existential paradox at the heart of being human. Plus, a special Pod Save the Wizards intro - we have a political gabfest about Biden, the infamous debate, Kamala Harris, and more…

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker [amazon.com affiliate link]

The Denial of Death [wikipedia.org]

Let us know where we should hold our 300th episode listener meet-up [surveymonkey.com]