The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast

China is shrinking demographically and economically (relative to the United States). Some cheer this development, thinking it lowers the chance of military conflict with the United States and her allies. Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, Michael Beckley, the author of the recent and excellent book, Danger Zone, argues that the opposite is true: for the next five to ten years, a fading China will likely be even more dangerous. The United States and the West would do well to keep that in mind. So, for the next few years especially, the United States is in the danger zone.Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Shawn Klein, an Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University and expert in the ethics and philosophy of sport, dives deep into why sports matter. He explores the ethical dilemmas of contact sports and the responsibilities of fans. Klein discusses how fandom shapes our identities and communities while addressing the emotional highs and lows of being a supporter. He also examines sports as a unique form of human expression, balancing risk with the joy of competition, and challenges common misconceptions about the nature of sports.

Become a paid subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm a poor professor? Thanks! ☕In a world in which only the present moment exists, travel to the past would be impossible, no? And perhaps even suicidal since time travel in such a universe would be leaving the whole of reality? Steven and I begin the episode by debating these questions. (You can find Steven's original article here, my reply here, Steven’s counter here, and my final reply here). Our conversation then turns to the question of abortion and father's rights, why luck is a myth, and the disastrous effects of AI on teaching in higher education. And just like myself, Steven likes to work on topics that come from left field—the baseball examples help too!Steven Hales is Professor of Philosophy at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He also is the author of, account other books, The Myth of Luck: Philosophy, Fate, and Fortune. Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Become a paid subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏In a fun and freewheeling conversation, philosopher Andrew M. Bailey and I discuss his current book Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin about the power of Bitcoin as a resistance money, the basics of how bitcoin works, and why you as an ordinary consumer should consider Bitcoin as a form of currency. Bitcoin is for anyone who values autonomy and privacy — more and more so into the future!Andrew M. Bailey is a former philosophy professor at Yale-NUS in Singapore, and soon to be an Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Wyoming and a senior fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute.Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Become a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm only a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine—which I no longer endorse, but which is fun to discuss regardless—arguing that procreation (having children) is wrong most, if not all, the time. You can find a copy of the published article HERE. It was also the subject of a reddit thread a few years ago HERE.I checked the audio for accuracy, but the level of rigor ain't great. In any case, if you would prefer to listen to audiobots — that sound like NPR hosts — discussing my work in an easy to understand and digest format, then listen away!If subscribers like this feature, then I will add it as a regular on Uncommon Wisdom. If so, then let me know in the comments. Enjoy!Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Become a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm only a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine on the dark sides of political and legislative transparency. Sunlight ain't all good folks! There's a reason that the Founders wrote and debated the Constitution behind closed doors. This podcast is based on an article that can be found HERE. I checked the audio for accuracy, but the level of rigor ain't great. In any case, if you would prefer to listen to audiobots — that sound like NPR hosts — discussing my work in an easy to understand and digest format, then listen away!If subscribers like this feature, then I will add it as a regular on Uncommon Wisdom. If so, then let me know in the comments. Enjoy!Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Consider becoming a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Thanks! 🙏This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine on the implications of moral mediocrity on how just a society can be. You can find the official article linked HERE. I have checked the audio for accuracy, though the level of rigor is somewhat lacking. In any case, if you would prefer to listen to audiobots — that sound like NPR hosts — discussing my work in an easy to understand and digest format, then listen away!If subscribers like this feature, then I will add it as a regular on Uncommon Wisdom. If so, then let me know in the comments. Enjoy!Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Peter and I discuss the value and benefits of voting at the margins, the ethics and efficacy of censorship, and why having children is better and more nuanced than the debate over natalism would have one believe.Peter Ryan Brookes (Oxford) is a PPE (philosophy, politics, economics) tutor in the UK. He writes the persistent ruminator on Substack. Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Prof. Morris and I discuss the problem of evil, skeptical theism (God’s reasons are beyond our ability to understand), and how to think about suffering in a Christian context. We also discuss her recent paper on the topic, and her book on the basics of Christian philosophy. Prof. Morris is an associate professor of instruction in the philosophy department at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She received her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. Her current research interests are philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and the intersection thereof.Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

Economist Bryan Caplan, a professor at George Mason University and an acclaimed author, shares his insights on the transformative power of AI. He discusses its potential influence on immigration and national security while arguing that housing regulations have significantly inflated prices. Caplan highlights how AI is reshaping telework and education, but also notes its limitations in mass persuasion. He raises concerns about authoritarian regimes leveraging AI for surveillance, yet maintains an optimistic view on AI’s overall impact.