The Problem with Reading
The Problem with Reading
A book appreciation club hosted by one catholic, one anglican, and one orthodox nerd. We talk about book chapters, special topics, and what we're drinking.
Currently:
-James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-present)
Previously:
-Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429)
-Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416)
-Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405)
-Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318)
-Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310)
-Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119)
You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Currently:
-James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-present)
Previously:
-Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429)
-Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416)
-Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405)
-Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318)
-Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310)
-Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119)
You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 1h 4min
516 The Problem with... "Return of the Strong Gods" ft. Mojo
Special and longtime-coming Guest Mojo joins to discuss R. R. Reno's 2019 book "Return of the Strong Gods." In it, Reno argues that the Postwar Consensus after World War 2 substituted weak gods of openness in reaction to the ideological horrors that caused the conflict. But what happens when weak gods stick around too long and the consensus starts to fray? Stephen and Brevin have read about it, Mojo lived it, and everybody has something to rant (or romp) about, so have a listen!
Mar 23, 2026 • 47min
515 The Problem with..."Convivial Marxists and Personal Knowledge, Part 5"
Marxists, friendship, and how to fully commit while possibly being wrong! Polanyi keeps digging the hole deeper, but also starts to hint at his answer. Sam has a love-hate relationship with Ikea, Brevin is suffering seasonal heating mismatches, and everyone is having a good time. Have a listen!
Feb 23, 2026 • 45min
514 The Problem with..."Ice, Windows 11, and Personal Knowledge, Part 4"
The gents investigate their scientific passions and perils in this episode. Can we trust the beauty of reality to out, or will personal attacks prevail? Polanyi argues that intellectual passion is essential to the progress of science; but Sam just wants to talk about the Seahawks, and Stephen's lonely calculations are ruined by our computer overlords. Have a listen!
Feb 9, 2026 • 47min
513 The Problem with..."Language Skills and Personal Knowledge, Part 3"
“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of skills and language. In their real lives, the co-hosts might be lacking some skill. Stephen might have a DUI, Sam is fighting Big Insurance, and Brevin is switching his Internet Provider. Have a listen!
Dec 10, 2025 • 43min
512 The Problem with..."Resident Evil and Personal Knowledge, Part 2"
“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of probability, information, randomness, and interpretation. While the search for the resolution to the seemingly intractable problem of subjective vs objective knowledge is important, everyone is keeping busy on the side: Stephen has a definitive analysis of the Resident Evil games to pitch, Brevin is meditating on nuclear nightmares, and Sam is listening to esoteric progressive rock. Have a listen!
Oct 27, 2025 • 46min
511 The Problem with..."Personal Knowledge, Part 1"
Our next book is “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi. Polymath, chemist, philosophy of science and politics, Polanyi has the ambitious goal to rescue knowledge itself from the subjective/objective gulf. We’re going to have tacit knowledge, violins, the speed of light, and much, much more. Join us for this adventure!
Oct 1, 2025 • 42min
510 The Problem with..."Seeing Like a Citizen, and Seeing Like a State, Part 7"
We conclude our journey through the eyes of state. Sam prepares for a harrowing experience, Stephen breaks his back (again) and Brevin welcomes Fall with the traditional liturgy. Have a listen!
Sep 13, 2025 • 60min
509 The Problem with..."Polycropping, Death Cab, and Seeing Like a State, Part 6"
Polycropping, practical knowledge, and National Park Shenanigans; Have a listen!
Jul 28, 2025 • 48min
508 The Problem with..."Communes, Spinal Tap, and Seeing Like a State, Part 5"
Back in the day, all the cool kids were collectivizing farms, by force if necessary (it generally was). Did you know they were all High Modernists? James Scott tells the stories of Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Russia and their violent agricultural revolutions. The unfortunate meeting of capitalist and communist minds, united in the confidence of technocratic solutions, had immense the human cost, but led, inevitably, to legibility, and the reinforcement of the centralized state's position. Also, Spinal Tap for Sam, Stephen is mad about Grok, and Brevin's phone is going to explode. Have a listen!
Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 14min
507 The Problem with..."Metaphysics" ft. Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike joins the podcast to teach Metaphysics 101 and put Dr. Stephen in his place. We discuss the inescapability of metaphysics, the ontological argument (for perfect unicorns), and more. Plus, a game to decide the ultimate meta-metaphysician, and Mike hates basketball. Have a listen!
