In the first episode of the Contemplations of the Lotus Eaters, Hugo and Josh discuss the model of city-states as an alternative present throughout history to the nation-states ubiquitous today.
In the first episode of the Contemplations of the Lotus Eaters, Hugo and Josh discuss the model of city-states as an alternative present throughout history to the nation-states ubiquitous today.
In this episode of the Contemplations of the Lotus Eaters, Hugo and Josh hypothesize what a world full of modern-day city-states might look like and whether it would be achievable or even desirable.
In this episode of the Contemplations of the Lotus Eaters, Hugo and Josh hypothesize what a world full of modern-day city-states might look like and whether it would be achievable or even desirable.
2021x3 The Potential of Artificial Intelligence Episode overview
Air date
Mar 20, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss predictions about the future of AI, the benchmark for AI intelligence, where we are at currently, machine learning and whole brain emulation.
Josh and Hugo discuss predictions about the future of AI, the benchmark for AI intelligence, where we are at currently, machine learning and whole brain emulation.
2021x4 Will Superintelligent AI Destroy Humanity? Episode overview
Air date
Mar 21, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss the two models of superintelligent AI development and the potential dangers associated with superintelligence.
Josh and Hugo discuss the two models of superintelligent AI development and the potential dangers associated with superintelligence.
2021x5 Why Are Some Countries Poor and Others Rich? Episode overview
Air date
Mar 27, 2021
Hugo and Josh discuss different development theories with a focus on Acemoglu and Robinson’s theory of institutions, laid out in the book Why Nations Fail, and debate its merits.
Hugo and Josh discuss different development theories with a focus on Acemoglu and Robinson’s theory of institutions, laid out in the book Why Nations Fail, and debate its merits.
Hugo and Josh discuss Acemoglu and Robinson’s theory of development, asking the question whether inclusive political institutions are synonymous with democracy, touching upon the distinction between democracy and good governance.
Hugo and Josh discuss Acemoglu and Robinson’s theory of development, asking the question whether inclusive political institutions are synonymous with democracy, touching upon the distinction between democracy and good governance.
2021x7 Marx’s Life and How It Shaped His Beliefs: Part I Episode overview
Air date
Apr 03, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss Marx’s early life, how his experiences, thoughts and behaviour shaped his views and make parallels between Marx’s life and that of his modern day devotees.
Josh and Hugo discuss Marx’s early life, how his experiences, thoughts and behaviour shaped his views and make parallels between Marx’s life and that of his modern day devotees.
2021x8 Marx’s Life and How It Shaped His Beliefs: Part II Episode overview
Air date
Apr 04, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss Marx’s life, how his experiences, thoughts and behaviour shaped his views and make parallels between Marx’s life and that of his modern day devotees.
Josh and Hugo discuss Marx’s life, how his experiences, thoughts and behaviour shaped his views and make parallels between Marx’s life and that of his modern day devotees.
2021x9 How Voting Systems Determine Political Results Episode overview
Air date
Apr 10, 2021
Hugo and Josh discuss the implications of using different voting systems - what effects they have on parties, political conflicts, and the broader culture.
Hugo and Josh discuss the implications of using different voting systems - what effects they have on parties, political conflicts, and the broader culture.
Hugo and Josh discuss the criteria for rating and comparing different electoral systems and look in more detail at several alternatives and less used systems.
Hugo and Josh discuss the criteria for rating and comparing different electoral systems and look in more detail at several alternatives and less used systems.
2021x11 Does Personality Predict Our Political Views? Episode overview
Air date
Apr 17, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss research into politics and personality, it’s post-World War Two origins, and how people’s politics are associated with the Big 5 personality traits and personal values.
Josh and Hugo discuss research into politics and personality, it’s post-World War Two origins, and how people’s politics are associated with the Big 5 personality traits and personal values.
Josh and Hugo discuss virtue signalling, why it occurs and the association with the Dark Triad of personality. They also discuss predictors of right-wing authoritarianism, prejudice and .. show full overview
Josh and Hugo discuss virtue signalling, why it occurs and the association with the Dark Triad of personality. They also discuss predictors of right-wing authoritarianism, prejudice and conspiratorial belief’s association with the Big 5 personality traits.
Hugo and Josh discuss the different theories of punishment, trying to figure out which one makes the most sense, and dissect some problems that arise in relation to certain theories.
Hugo and Josh discuss the different theories of punishment, trying to figure out which one makes the most sense, and dissect some problems that arise in relation to certain theories.
Hugo and Josh discuss different forms of regulation - from state to social to economic - and examine the characteristics and consequences tied to each of them.
Hugo and Josh discuss different forms of regulation - from state to social to economic - and examine the characteristics and consequences tied to each of them.
Josh and Hugo discuss the life and teachings of Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Also discussed is the science underlying the practice of meditation.
Josh and Hugo discuss the life and teachings of Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Also discussed is the science underlying the practice of meditation.
Hugo and Josh discuss the differences and similarities between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome and explore the possibility that the two might be closer to one another than one might think.
Hugo and Josh discuss the differences and similarities between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome and explore the possibility that the two might be closer to one another than one might think.
Hugo and Josh discuss egalitarianism and equality, looking at what they are, why they are so prominent in political debates, and whether they are noble values and desirable goals to strive towards.
Hugo and Josh discuss egalitarianism and equality, looking at what they are, why they are so prominent in political debates, and whether they are noble values and desirable goals to strive towards.
2021x23 Why Is There a “Crisis” in the Human Sciences? Episode overview
Air date
Jun 05, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss the current replication crisis in the sciences, in particular the human sciences. They discuss the philosophies of science and scientific practises that created the crisis and the current progress on solving the crisis.
Josh and Hugo discuss the current replication crisis in the sciences, in particular the human sciences. They discuss the philosophies of science and scientific practises that created the crisis and the current progress on solving the crisis.
2021x24 How to Best Classify Political Beliefs? Episode overview
Air date
Jun 12, 2021
Hugo and Josh discuss the many ways to classify, distinguish, and group together political beliefs, trying to find out which one does the best job at representing the existing political .. show full overview
Hugo and Josh discuss the many ways to classify, distinguish, and group together political beliefs, trying to find out which one does the best job at representing the existing political landscape and whether political attitudes can be accurately tested.
Hugo and Josh discuss the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, looking in detail and discussing the merits of the progress and policy targets included in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Hugo and Josh discuss the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, looking in detail and discussing the merits of the progress and policy targets included in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
2021x26 The Impact of Social Media on the Individual Episode overview
Air date
Jun 26, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss how social media impacts individuals in differing and complex ways and make suggestions on how to use social media in a positive way.
Josh and Hugo discuss how social media impacts individuals in differing and complex ways and make suggestions on how to use social media in a positive way.
2021x27 What Adaptations Make Human Beings Exceptional? Episode overview
Air date
Jul 03, 2021
Josh and Hugo discuss the evolutionary adaptations that modern humans have and how they have contributed to our species dominance.
Josh and Hugo discuss the evolutionary adaptations that modern humans have and how they have contributed to our species dominance.
2021x28 ‘Our Common Agenda’ for a Post-Covid World Episode overview
Air date
Jul 10, 2021
Hugo and Carl review the United Nations’ emerging “Our Common Agenda” coming out of the UN’s 75th anniversary, including the declaration setting out its main outlines, and discuss the future of the UN more broadly.
Hugo and Carl review the United Nations’ emerging “Our Common Agenda” coming out of the UN’s 75th anniversary, including the declaration setting out its main outlines, and discuss the future of the UN more broadly.
Josh and Hugo discuss Western policies towards drugs and drug use by looking at the effects of drugs, recreational use, addiction, and the damage the current status quo causes.
Josh and Hugo discuss Western policies towards drugs and drug use by looking at the effects of drugs, recreational use, addiction, and the damage the current status quo causes.
2021x30 How to Tell If We Are Living in Socialism Episode overview
Air date
Jul 24, 2021
Hugo and Josh discuss the nature of the Western political systems and whether what we have now is closer to capitalism or socialism.
Hugo and Josh discuss the nature of the Western political systems and whether what we have now is closer to capitalism or socialism.
Hugo and Josh discuss the concept of political representation, what the alternative views of it are, and whether the idea corresponds to what really happens in politics.
Hugo and Josh discuss the concept of political representation, what the alternative views of it are, and whether the idea corresponds to what really happens in politics.
Hugo and Josh review the debate around borders and migration, trying to expand it with arguments not usually present when the issue is discussed among the public.
Hugo and Josh review the debate around borders and migration, trying to expand it with arguments not usually present when the issue is discussed among the public.
Hugo and Josh discuss the nature and history of government schooling, what school does to children and their learning and development, and mention some available alternatives.
Hugo and Josh discuss the nature and history of government schooling, what school does to children and their learning and development, and mention some available alternatives.
Josh and Thomas discuss the field of parapsychology which applies the scientific method to claims of the paranormal. The two such claims examined here are those of the existence of ghosts and the ability to tell the future.
Josh and Thomas discuss the field of parapsychology which applies the scientific method to claims of the paranormal. The two such claims examined here are those of the existence of ghosts and the ability to tell the future.
2021x45 How Can “Bad People” Become Popular and Liked? Episode overview
Air date
Nov 06, 2021
Josh and Harry discuss how morally bad people can appear to be well liked by others and how this can come to be.
Josh and Harry discuss how morally bad people can appear to be well liked by others and how this can come to be.
Josh and Thomas discuss Philosophical Idealism. How some variations of idealism are used by the left, what the original proponents actually argue for and the limitations of these .. show full overview
Josh and Thomas discuss Philosophical Idealism. How some variations of idealism are used by the left, what the original proponents actually argue for and the limitations of these perspectives. They also discuss how the sensory information we receive of the outside world may not actually represent reality.
Josh and Beau discuss the research into human altruism and selfishness, whether they are as distinct as they seem and try to establish which of the conflicting theories is most accurate.
Josh and Beau discuss the research into human altruism and selfishness, whether they are as distinct as they seem and try to establish which of the conflicting theories is most accurate.
2021x52Season finale The Culture and Politics of Russia : Part I Episode overview
Air date
Dec 25, 2021
Josh and Beau provide an overview of the Geography, history, culture, politics and economy of Russia. In this part, they discuss the history and geography of the country.
Josh and Beau provide an overview of the Geography, history, culture, politics and economy of Russia. In this part, they discuss the history and geography of the country.
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