Keep Talking

Josh Chin is the China Deputy Bureau Chief for "The Wall Street Journal" and is the co-author of the book "Surveillance State: China's Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control."During our conversation, Josh talks about China's use of surveillance technology in Xinjiang, how it is using that technology to monitor and send Uyghurs to modern gulags (places the Chinese government calls "re-education camps"), and how the Chinese are exporting this technology around the world.Josh also talks about being kicked out of China in 2020, how China could unleash this technology on dissidents in the future, and how he would respond to those who are ambivalent to government surveillance because "they have nothing to hide."------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:10) Josh's interest in China(07:07) The rise of China's surveillance technology(11:18) The surveillance of the Uyghurs(15:46) What triggers a Uyghur being sent to a gulag?(18:35) The arbitrariness of which Uyghurs disappear is intentional(23:57) The abuse and torture of Uyghurs in Chinese gulags(25:46) Possibly 20-30% of the Uyghur population has been sent to gulags(26:47) China's official statement about what's happening to Uyghurs(27:46) The details of facial recognition technology(31:58) Why do the findings of "Surveillance State" matter?(33:57) A response to "I have nothing to hide"(38:44) How can surveillance information be used against people?(43:19) Who is Xi Jinping?(45:46) Where is China exporting its surveillance technology?(50:12) Is the Uyghur experiment a prototype for future totalitarianism?(56:10) Josh's expulsion from China in 2020(59:38) Are China's human rights abuses, on balance, warranted?(1:08:02) China and TikTok(1:12:08) Thoughts on the future of China and the West

Joe Henrich is a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University and is the author of the book "The WEIRDest People in the World."During our conversation, Joe talks about his interest in human nature, how cultures change people biologically, how the mating laws of the Roman Catholic Church and the literacy imperatives of Protestantism changed Western civilization, cultural limitations on the Big 5 Personality traits, monogamy and polygyny, modern dating, objective truth, right and wrong, and what UN parking ticket data tells us about different countries in the world.WEIRD stands for "Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic," and if you're listening to this episode, you likely fall in that category. Joe is an encyclopedia of information about human beings, who we are, how we're different, and how we got this way. He offers advice for struggling young men, political leaders contemplating foreign intervention, and on how to think clearly about ethics and moral relativism.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackPatreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(03:04) Interest in evolutionary biology and human culture(04:50) The effect of culture on humans(08:04) Culture changes people biologically(11:21) WEIRD vs. non-WEIRD people(13:34) How the structure of the family effects Han Chinese(14:26) The effect of the Catholic Church in Germany(15:08) Scotch-Irish segmentary lineage culture(18:56) How the Catholic Church's rules unwittingly fueled Europe's rise(21:53) How Protestantism's work and word ethic drove Europe's prosperity(25:20) What a kin-based society looked like before the Catholic Church(27:49) Ways that culture changes people's brains(32:26) Testosterone does not go down post-fatherhood for men in polygynous cultures(39:01) Failing young men, dating technology, and modern dating(41:48) What can go wrong in polygynous societies?(43:56) How can we help young men prosper?(47:36) The Big 5 personality traits may be culturally-specific to WEIRD people(51:54) Making sense of human nature(54:16) Evolutionary psychology and human culture(56:46) The future of dating and mating in the West(59:46) Different cultures and American foreign policy mistakes(1:02:56) Joe's advice on American foreign policy(1:04:36) China's male gender imbalance and future societal problems(1:06:28) Advice for struggling young men(1:09:46) United Nations parking tickets data(1:13:51) Moral relativism and Ayaan Hirsi Ali(1:19:41) Truth and science colliding with postmodernism(1:22:26) What's next for Joe

Huw Price is an author, was the Bertrand Russell Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and is the co-founder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.During our conversation, Huw talks about meeting Jaan Tallinn of Skype, learning about lesser-known existential risks of artificial intelligence and catastrophic new biological threats, the founding of the Centre in 2012, what an existential threat is, a near-existential event in 1962, and what an average citizen can do to mitigate the probability of an extinction event.There is no more important subject than the prevention of our own annihilation and the continuation of the human story. It is harrowing to learn how close we have already come to ending human existence on Earth, and it behooves all of us to learn a bit about what our x-risks are and align our priorities, knowledge, wisdom, and resources to lessen its likelihood.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:47) Getting involved in x-risk(13:27) What is existential risk?(19:10) What would an existential event look like?(23:23) The x-risk of AI(26:40) The x-risk of biological threats(30:30) "The Precipice"(31:28) How Vasili Arkhipov likely saved humanity(37:28) The Future of Life Institute(40:35) The x-risk of nuclear weapons(44:12) The risks of climate change(50:55) 1 in 6 chance of human extinction this century(53:35) Is it unethical to have children?(1:00:28) Actions people can make to mitigate x-risk(1:02:14) Do x-risk issues cause Huw depression?(1:04:13) Should people become "preppers"?(1:06:40) Huw's advice to deal with x-risks(1:10:25) Leaders in the x-risk community(1:12:30) Advice for mindset and attitude(1:15:20) Sources of hope and optimism

William Davis is a cardiologist and an author who has written both the best-selling book "Wheat Belly" and his most recent, "Super Gut." During our conversation, Bill talks about the human microbiome, the role of the gut as the "second brain" in the human body, how a modern diet and a modern microbiome may be contributing to common ailments of civilization like inflammation and depression, his suggestions for healthy eating and lifestyle, and what supplements he suggests people consume to improve their microbiome.Nothing is more important to human flourishing than one's health, and Bill offers some original insights and under-the-radar options that people may want to consider. He discusses the role of antibiotics in our culture, bacteria and endotoxemia, and gives advice for healthy living.I know that outside-the-box tinkering with my own lifestyle has dramatically improved my own health through mitigating stress, getting adequate sleep, eliminating or significantly reducing certain foods, and doing daily rigorous exercise that includes heat or cold exposure. Healthy people are happy people and good citizens, and I think we should be open to tinkering with our habits and foods to maximize our well-being. And perhaps one or two ideas from this conversation might resonate with you, and help you in your own life.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:47) Getting involved in x-risk(13:27) What is existential risk?(19:10) What would an existential event look like?(23:23) The x-risk of AI(26:40) The x-risk of biological threats(30:30) "The Precipice"(31:28) How Vasili Arkhipov likely saved humanity(37:28) The Future of Life Institute(40:35) The x-risk of nuclear weapons(44:12) The risks of climate change(50:55) 1 in 6 chance of human extinction this century(53:35) Is it unethical to have children?(1:00:28) Actions people can make to mitigate x-risk(1:02:14) Do x-risk issues cause Huw depression? (1:04:13) Should people become "preppers"?(1:06:40) Huw's advice to deal with x-risks(1:10:25) Leaders in the x-risk community(1:12:30) Advice for mindset and attitude(1:15:20) Sources of hope and optimism

Jim Fadiman is an author, an educator, and is America's leading expert on the science of microdosing. During our conversation, Jim talks about his relationship with his favorite Harvard professor, Richard Alpert (later Ram Dass), his first psychedelic experience, and why he decided to dedicate so much of his career to the study of psychedelics and microdosing.Jim also discusses The Fadiman Protocol for microdosing, what microdosing is and proper dosing and frequency of use, microdosing's potential for human well-being, creativity, and to combat mental illness, and how a healthy society might wisely integrate such practices into its civilization.Jim believes that our culture is growing more open to the potential promise of psychedelics, and I think he's right. Documentaries like Netflix's "How to Change Your Mind" and books like his, "The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide," offer knowledge that has been suppressed and demonized to be more accurately detailed and publicly available.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:48) Interest in psychedelics and microdosing(04:19) Life as a graduate student(07:28) Richard Alpert and Bill Richards(10:59) The link between theology and psychedelics(15:01) Inspiration from a psychedelic experience(17:32) Religious views prior to psilocybin experience(21:33) The 1970s-1990s as era of lost opportunities in psychedelic research(24:32) Spiritual unwellness in modern people(28:00) “Flump'ing” in the 1960's(30:14) Psychedelic research during its illegality(33:07) How Jim's transcendent experience affected him(37:27) Resistance to psychedelic research(42:04) Quotes by Jim on psychedelics(49:05) What is meant by microdosing?(50:58) Some positive affects of microdosing(52:54) The "sweet spot" quantity and frequency for microdosing(01:05:10) Possible psychedelic dosage mistakes and their impact(01:07:38) Psilocybin as a "nootropic vitamin" for healthy living(01:12:53) Microdosing for intellectual or creative pursuits(01:21:40) Francis Crick, LSD, and the DNA double helix discovery(01:23:47) Microdosing and alleviating human suffering(01:30:21) The role of psychedelics in a healthy, flourishing society and culture

Deirdre McCloskey is an economist, the author of more than 20 books, and is one of America's most prominent trans academics. During our conversation, Deirdre talks about growing up in the 1940's and 1950's, knowing from an early age that she wanted to be a woman, her marriage of more than 30 years to the "love of her life" and fathering two children, and her epiphany in the 1990's, at more than 50 years of age, that she wanted to transition from a man to a woman.Deirdre also details the reaction of her family to her desire to transition, how she was twice institutionalized, progress in trans rights in America, and her disagreements with positions taken by individuals like Kathleen Stock and Helen Joyce, who have publicly voiced concerns about allowing children to go through hormone therapy and insist that the majority of kids who transition later regret their decision.As I note during the conversation, I think most people are trying to form their views on this sensitive issue, to best determine what is true and what is decent. A free society should allow adults to do what they want, provided they aren't harming others. I try to understand the concerns of people on both sides of this debate around children, and no matter how one might come down on it, I admire Deirdre's courage in authentically living her life, in being true to herself, and in her commitment to free speech, to allow open and important moral conversations to happen.------------Support via Venmo------------Show notesSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:50) “Crossing: A Memoir” quote: boyhood(09:49) Early life and sexuality(14:29) Gender conversations with her ex-wife(16:53) Concealments from her ex-wife(17:44) Being sexually different in the 50s and 60s(20:23) Cross-dressing(21:31) Gender transition after decades of marriage(23:09) 50 years as a male(25:45) Her resistance towards gender change(28:10) Praying to be a woman(29:19) Lived experience as a man identifying as a woman(31:19) The moment of epiphany to transition(35:26) Clarity on the epiphany(36:33) Loved ones’ reactions to the gender transition(38:54) Being institutionalized against her will(41:25) Classical liberalism and freedom(43:13) The experience of being institutionalized(45:59) Changing cultural views on gender transitions(50:09) Life post gender transition(53:50) Self-actualization and gender transition(58:25) The best part about being a female(01:01:16) Living doubt-free post gender transition(01:05:00) Freedom of speech being paramount(01:06:26) Is gender change irreversible?(01:11:41) Do children often regret gender transition?(01:16:29) Are claims of children regretting their gender change fabricated?(01:19:19) The state’s involvement in personal decisions(01:23:00) Removing the state from personal decisions(01:27:47) Courage, and being a public example

Barbara Demick is a journalist, an essayist, and is the author of both "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea" and "Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town." During our conversation, Barbara talks about how she became interested in North Korea, the founding of North Korea in 1945, how its society is structured, its ability to isolate its citizens from the outside world, its famine in the 1990's, the defectors she met who became the key characters in her book, and whether its leadership are true-believing Communists or primarily hungry for power.She also talks about her more recent book, "Eat the Buddha," which details the Chinese history and relationship with Tibet, the day-to-day lives of ordinary Tibetan citizens, what happened in 1958, Tibetan acts of self-immolation, and the influence of the Dalai Lama. As Barbara mentions during the interview, it's the role of the journalist to provide the truth, not to provide hope. And in both of these oppressed places, any enduring hope that may change the plight of North Koreans and Tibetans must start by having an accurate understanding of the tragedy, the history, and lived reality of its people.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:35) Early life and interest in studying North Korea(05:53) The creation of North Korea(08:50) North Korea from the 50s to 80s(11:32) Getting access to North Koreans(19:22) The traumas of the North Koreans(23:08) “Nothing To Envy” quotes and the book’s impact on North Koreans(28:10) The North Korean famine of the 90s(31:31) Is the North Korean leadership evil, or committed Communists?(35:45) North Korea in 2022(39:27) “Nothing To Envy” quotes – abuse of power in North Korea(44:48) Threats to freedom in the US(48:34) Hope for North Korean people(49:01) Interest in studying the relationship between China and Tibet(55:09) The importance of the year 1958 for Tibet(59:58) “Eat The Buddha” quotes(01:05:37) Life of a Tibetan(01:12:06) Lesser-known truths about North Korea and Tibet

Merit Cudkowicz is a scientist, a doctor, a researcher, and is both the director of the Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS and Chief of Neurology at Mass General Hospital in Boston. During our conversation, Merit talks about her journey to becoming a doctor and provides a definition of ALS, commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." She also discusses her interest in ALS, describes its symptoms and how it affects those who have it, the influence of genes and environment on its development, how one can live to mitigate one's risk of getting ALS, what we don't yet know about its onset, current research to fight the disease, and reasons for hope.To me, ALS is one of the most terrifying diseases a human being can get: normal psychological and intellectual function as one's body deteriorates, eventually resulting in a total inability to move, swallow, and eventually, breathe. Merit is optimistic about the future of our ability to understand and combat this horrible illness, and if she's correct, it will be because of the hard work, brilliance, and determination of people like her.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on Spotify------------(00:00) Introduction(02:23) Early life and interest in Science and Medicine(03:45) Building interest in immunology(04:38) Getting introduced to ALS(06:35) The experience of witnessing someone go through ALS(09:28) What is meant by ALS?(10:43) The most common symptoms of ALS(11:55) The tests used to diagnose ALS(12:45) How long ALS has been around in the world(13:17) Lou Gehrig’s battle with ALS(14:19) What causes the muscular deterioration leading to ALS?(17:12) Preventing ALS(20:22) Probable lifestyle factors causing ALS(22:59) The appropriate level of stress in humans(26:11) The influence of an unhealthy lifestyle in causing life-threatening diseases(28:26) Recommendations for a healthy lifestyle(31:18) The role of inflammation in causing disease in humans(33:30) The factors triggering high inflammation levels in humans(35:57) The future of ALS research and treatment(39:58) Hope for people with genetic reasons for ALS(41:55) Identifying the first changes in people with ALS(43:51) The scope for more robust research around ALS(46:10) The progress made in our fight against ALS(47:44) Other ALS researchers to follow(49:27) Potentially helpful treatment options for ALS(53:29) Available resources for people with ALS(56:17) The evolutionary reasons for the existence of ALS(01:00:57) Using psychedelics to treat ALS(01:06:40): Are people ever cured of ALS?(01:08:23) Merit's inspiration behind getting into ALS research

Jack Barsky is a former KGB spy who worked undercover in the United States for ten years, from 1978 to 1988. During our conversation, Jack talks about his early life in East Germany, being selected for espionage by the Soviet government, his prior commitment to and belief in Communism, his impression of the United States and its people upon entering the U.S., his objectives as a spy, his experience living in America, the flaws and dangers of utopianism, and the KGB experience of one of his contemporaries, Vladimir Putin.Jack is now a U.S. citizen, and his life story, detailed both in his memoir, "Deep Undercover," and in the podcast "The Agent," is one of the most fascinating that I have come across. He has lived for decades in two parallel worlds - in Soviet and American civilization - and has important wisdom and reflections to share about his experiences and each system's compatibility with human nature.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:34) Early life in East Germany(06:44) Belief in Communism(18:32) Jack's parents(21:56) A good candidate for espionage(25:03) What was The Stasi?(29:53) Objectives as a spy for the Soviet Union in the U.S.(39:41) The qualities the KGB looked for in their recruits(40:34) What Jack knew about his tasks in the U.S. before being deployed(47:24) Perception of Americans(56:12) Resonating with the ideas of the U.S. Constitution(01:02:13) Soviet vs. American system(01:06:25) Assessment of Putin as a man and leader(01:15:00) Important lessons from Jack’s life

Robert Greene is the author of many best-selling books, including "The Laws of Human Nature," "Mastery," "The Art of Seduction," "The 33 Strategies of War," and "The 48 Laws of Power," which is the primary subject of our conversation.During our conversation, Robert talks about his definition of power, why humans crave power, how a lack of power affects human beings, how individuals might increase their power in their own life, and how his own increase in power has affected his life. He also talks about American's reluctance to speak openly about power, Carl Jung's concept of "the shadow" and how it may apply to that collective reluctance, whether power is fundamentally neutral - neither good or bad - and the relationship between love and power."The 48 Laws of Power" is more than twenty years old, yet it is consistently in the top 10 of Amazon's best-seller list. Robert's work can help people understand power's role in human affairs, and with more knowledge and honesty, perhaps individuals can use power both to improve one's life, live with self-awareness, and hold oneself to high standards. As I noted during our conversation, one of my favorite quotes from history comes from Lincoln:“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:38) ‘Power’ as explained in "The 48 Laws Of Power"(06:11) Robert's depression before writing "The 48 Laws of Power"(10:41) Why are people reluctant to talk about power?(15:22) The link between the desire for fulfillment and power(19:36) From powerless to powerful: Robert’s story(24:08) Human's desire to gain power through autonomy and authenticity(28:57) How to live a life that increases one's power(34:38) The importance of self-mastery(39:41) Lincoln's quote about power(46:00) Is power inherently neutral, neither good or bad?(53:58) Carl Jung's quote on "the shadow"(49:27) What are examples of America's shadow?(57:45) The importance of integrating one's shadow(01:06:34) How can the American center hold, given our polarization?(01:13:45) Four laws of power for modern times(01:16:22) The relationship between power and love