Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Anil Seth (University of Sussex) explains the Bayesian brain model and challenges Dennett's views on consciousness They explore perception, illusion, free will, and even the prospects of mind uploading, weaving together neuroscience, philosophy, and AI.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:01:08 - What's alluring about "consciousness" research?- 01:03:51 - Defining "phenomenology"- 02:05:56 - What does it mean to "explain" consciousness?- 03:14:52 - Difference between illusion and hallucination- 04:18:16 - If perception is tuned for fitness, why care about objective reality?- 05:24:44 - Applying Donald Hoffman's ideas to Anil Seth's- 06:33:39 - Does time actually slow down, during high valence emotions- 07:36:31 - Details on the Bayesian model of consciousness- 08:41:50 - Can you be wrong about your own perceptions?- 09:46:29 - Myth of left brain vs. right brain- 10:54:31 - The role of the "ego" and the loss of it- 11:56:45 - Consciousness and quantum mechanics- 13:00:37 - Sapir Whorf hypothesis and Curt's polemics- 14:10:24 - Language and conscious experience- 15:13:33 - Can I "see" without noticing? What's the difference?- 16:17:27 - The Bayesian model of consciousness (and its limitations)- 17:25:16 - How does the Bayesian model deal with mental disorders- 18:36:26 - Gödel's incompleteness theorem's implications on the computational nature of the brain- 19:42:23 - Can we upload our minds? (a neuroscientific perspective)- 20:45:48 - Integrated Information Theory and measuring Phi- 21:50:21 - Peter Lush's recent paper and undermining the rubber hand illusion- 22:55:09 - Placebo effect and hypnosis- 24:01:25 - Experiments involving psychedelics (LSD and microdosing)- 25:04:01 - Anil's personal insights from psychedelics- 26:06:18 - Anil's views on Daniel Dennett's "Explaining Consciousness"- 27:12:26 - Compatibilism, free will, and Douglas Hofstadter- 28:15:21 - Global Workspace Theory- 29:19:45 - Anil Seth and Pragmatism- 30:22:39 - Curt's list of final questions, repudiated- 31:23:35 - How do the various AI architectures relate to the brain? (GAN / Convultional / etc.)- 32:32:17 - How does Anil stay so fit?- 33:33:44 - Comporting rationalism with irrational behaviorsRESOURCES:- Patreon for conversations on Theories of Everything, Consciousness, Free Will, and God: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Help support conversations like this via PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44- Anil Seth's Links WEBSITE: https://anilseth.com- TWITTER: https://twitter.com/anilkseth- TED TALK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyu7v7nWzfo- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Corbell reveals the inside story of Bob Lazar's raid and exposes Skinwalker Ranch UFO encounters They explore source credibility, government secrecy, and the creative process behind investigative documentaries.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:04:17 - Choosing topics- 00:06:01 - Early paranormal interest- 00:07:02 - Reason to interview- 00:09:06 - Who is Bob Lazar- 00:13:31 - Trust in John Lear- 00:14:43 - Credible UFO sources- 00:18:21 - Reason for alien visits- 00:18:59 - Human-like aliens- 00:25:11 - Skinwalker Ranch intro- 00:26:13 - Alien displays in cities?- 00:28:26 - Psychedelics and aliens- 00:30:02 - Tic-Tac video motive- 00:32:04 - Defending Jeremy- 00:37:16 - Daily routine and meditation- 00:40:26 - Film funding sources- 00:42:30 - Creative scene design- 00:45:05 - Unreleased director's cut- 00:45:46 - Netflix contract details- 00:46:15 - Music and visual style- 00:50:14 - Alien-government collusion?- 00:51:46 - Disinformation and Project Blue Book- 00:54:49 - Curiosity weaponized?- 00:55:48 - Next project preview- 00:56:45 - Timing film releases- 00:58:03 - Access tips for filmmakers- 00:59:28 - Government surveillance?- 01:01:15 - Lazar raid and Element 115- 01:14:10 - Why Lazar not killed- 01:16:13 - John Lear story- 01:21:48 - Aliens as small phenomenon- 01:23:23 - Skinwalker, bigfoot, etc.- 01:29:07 - Aliens see us as containers- 01:34:32 - Richard Doty story- 01:37:43 - Paid debunking?- 01:38:37 - Hostile UFO cases- 01:41:17 - Skinwalker activities- 01:46:31 - Audience: Jeremy as kid- 01:46:45 - Audience: Job danger- 01:47:06 - Audience: Best UFO evidence- 01:47:36 - Audience: Changing books- 01:48:19 - Audience: Hand scanner in CE- 01:50:47 - Audience: Sensemaking & Future Shock- 01:51:06 - Audience: Filming problems- 01:51:25 - Audience: Disclosure prospects- 01:51:41 - Audience: Filmmaker advice- 01:52:03 - Audience: Wright Patterson thoughts- 01:52:50 - Audience: Alien tech influence- 01:54:01 - Audience: Species continuity- 01:54:32 - Audience: Aliens and religion- 01:54:59 - Audience: Jeremy's fascinationSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurtRESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4wZbcovkXY Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merel Kindt discusses how fear extinction can be achieved permanently, covering propranolol, epigenetics, psychedelics, and the broader implications of erasing fear. The conversation explores scientific approaches to phobias, PTSD, and future challenges in fear‑removal research.- 00:00 - Introduction to fear extinction- 14:07 - Propranolol and blood/brain barrier- 18:32 - Epigenetics and inherited fears- 26:33 - Removing fear of public speaking- 30:36 - PTSD- 33:45 - Psychedelics MDMA for self‑treatment- 37:29 - Pilot study with cigarette addiction- 42:31 - Should we get rid of fear? Consequences- 43:13 - MDMA vs LSD vs Psilocybin- 48:07 - Fear of silverfish- 50:13 - Modeling‑based phobias- 54:37 - Kindt 2009 paper on memory engrams- 55:34 - Kindt 2019 paper- 58:02 - Imagery scripting- 59:35 - Disgust removal?- 1:00:36 - How beta‑blockers work- 1:02:04 - Sleep for memory reconsolidation- 1:03:33 - Startle reflex measurement- 1:06:07 - Testing alternative beta‑blocker- 1:07:12 - Future challenges and limitationsSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44RESOURCES:- DOCUMENTARY SERIES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM3G6kITdYk- MEREL'S WEBSITE: https://kindtclinics.com/en/- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Haier reveals how brain efficiency correlates with IQ and explains the controversial g-factor of intelligence They examine controversies such as The Bell Curve, discuss genetic and environmental influences, and explore interventions from brain training to neuromodulation.- 0:00:00 - Intro and book overview- 0:02:50 - Bell Curve controversy- 0:06:26 - Brain efficiency hypothesis- 0:16:06 - Stigma, race and IQ- 0:21:31 - IQ and morality- 0:22:27 - IQ vs g‑factor vs intelligence- 0:23:46 - Chronometry ratio scale- 0:26:38 - Low IQ as societal problem- 0:29:04 - Genetics and interventions- 0:31:18 - Brain training and nootropics- 0:31:55 - Dual n‑back- 0:33:17 - TDCS, PEMF and EM‑stimulation- 0:36:01 - Parietofrontal integration theory- 0:46:50 - IQ correlates with life outcomes- 0:47:47 - Character and morality tests- 0:49:16 - RAPM test demo- 0:53:24 - Path length between regions- 0:57:36 - Finn et al 2015 study- 1:04:12 - IQ genes probabilistic- 1:05:14 - Children IQ vs parents- 1:06:46 - Brain damage and savantism- 1:08:34 - Openness and intelligence- 1:09:40 - LSD trips and intelligence- 1:11:01 - IQ and happiness- 1:11:53 - Flynn effect limits- 1:15:26 - Factors that decrease IQ- 1:16:59 - IQ and consciousness- 1:22:00 - Mindfulness meditation- 1:23:27 - Joscha Bach on intelligence- 1:24:26 - Eric Weinstein on intelligence- 1:27:16 - Elon Musk Neurolink- 1:27:57 - AI and IQ tests for computers- 1:31:14 - Finding g‑factor in animals- 1:32:55 - What separates humansSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter (Curt): https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44- Documentary site: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.comRESOURCES:- RICHARD HAIER'S LINKS WEBSITE: http://richardhaier.com- BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Neuroscience-I... Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joscha Bach explores the nature of intelligence, consciousness, and reality, tackling questions from the definition of truth to the existence of free will. He contrasts various theories of consciousness, discusses the role of art and society, and presents his own model of control, attention, and reflective recall.- 0:00:00 - Introduction- 0:00:17 - Work ethic and daily routine- 0:01:35 - Definition of truth- 0:04:41 - Quantum graph as nature's substratum- 0:06:25 - Mathematics as language descriptor- 0:13:52 - Constructivist mathematics and reality- 0:17:06 - Meaning of existence and pi- 0:20:14 - Something vs nothing, existence default- 0:21:11 - Bach's model vs multiverse- 0:26:51 - Is the universe deterministic- 0:28:23 - Determining initial conditions and rules- 0:30:55 - Nature of time, fundamental?- 0:34:21 - Optimal algorithm for finding truth- 0:40:40 - Simplicity of fundamental laws- 0:50:17 - Art and the artist's cost function- 0:54:02 - Ideas as stories driven by intuitions- 0:58:00 - Society's minimal role in training intuitions- 0:59:24 - Art under repressive government- 1:04:01 - Market case for civil rights- 1:06:40 - Fascism vs communism- 1:10:50 - Control/attention/reflective recall model- 1:13:32 - Consciousness vs attention- 1:16:02 - Chinese Room experiment- 1:25:22 - Understanding predicated on consciousness- 1:26:22 - Integrated Information Theory (IIT)- 1:30:15 - Donald Hoffman's consciousness theory- 1:32:40 - Hofstadter's strange loop theory- 1:34:10 - Holonomic brain theory- 1:34:42 - Dennett's consciousness theory- 1:36:57 - Sensorimotor (embodied cognition) theory- 1:44:39 - What is intelligence?- 1:45:08 - Intelligence vs consciousness- 1:46:36 - Free will in Bach's model- 1:48:46 - Opposite of free will and addiction- 1:51:48 - Changing identity to live forever- 1:59:13 - Depersonalization and illusory self- 2:02:25 - Fear of loss of control- 2:05:00 - Heart and conscience- 2:07:28 - Testing/falsifying Bach's consciousness model- 2:13:46 - Evolution of Bach's model- 2:14:41 - Stopping lucid dreaming- 2:15:33 - Dreams and GANs- 2:18:08 - Why we don't remember dreams- 2:19:58 - Are dreams real? Is reality a dream?- 2:20:39 - Practically improving experience- 2:23:56 - What matters more than survival?- 2:28:27 - Bach's identity- 2:29:44 - Is hating humanity objectively wrong?- 2:30:31 - Practical Platonism- 2:33:00 - What "God" is- 2:36:24 - Gods as real as you claim- 2:37:44 - Nature of prayer and its effect- 2:41:06 - Society losing future and culture- 2:43:24 - Disagreement with Jordan Peterson- 2:47:16 - Millennials as authoritarian generation- 2:48:31 - Views on social justice movement- 2:51:29 - UBI vs social inequality and AGI- 2:57:39 - Nested hierarchy of "I"s- 2:59:22 - Innovation as "cheating" in USA- 3:02:27 - Activists operating on false info- 3:03:04 - Bach's Marxist roots and lessons- 3:08:45 - BONUS BIT: Societal problemsRESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MNBxfrmfmI Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Robert Brown (University of Toronto) argues for mathematical Platonism and examines the Continuum Hypothesis He examines moral realism, the nature of mathematical objects, and debates free will versus physics while probing Platonism and alternative foundations.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:01:17 - The connection between mathematics and ethics- 00:03:05 - Mathematical concepts that are interpreted solely physically (thick and thin concepts)- 00:16:33 - The continuum hypothesis- 00:19:23 - A counter proof to the continuum hypothesis- 00:24:45 - What's possible can have probability of zero (measure zero, technically)- 00:33:50 - Platonism and "thick" mathematical concepts- 00:34:39 - Moral realism / objectivity, without God- 00:36:59 - Does 2+2=5?- 00:40:43 - Moral intuitions as serving a marker for what's "correct"?- 00:46:42 - What's makes some theory correct beside its ability to predict / explain?- 00:47:54 - Does libertarian Free Will exist, and how is it coexistent with physics?- 00:53:13 - VIEWER TEST: Platonism test for the audience- 00:54:53 - Did Shakespeare invent Hamlet, or discover it?- 00:56:09 - What created the Platonic world?- 00:57:42 - Eternal vs Sempiternal- 00:59:12 - Thought experiments as a tool of probing physics, without experiment- 01:00:39 - Galileo's thought experiment demonstrating objects fall at the same rate despite different masses / heaviness- 01:03:39 - Thought experiment demonstrating relative motion (invariance of physical laws given uniform motion)- 01:05:01 - The Tower thought experiment demonstrating the opposite of the above- 01:09:43 - VIEWER TEST: Are you a Newtonian absolutist, or a Leibnizian relationalist?- 01:12:45 - Why did Prof Brown go into the philosophy of math, instead of directly into mathematics (or physics)?- 01:13:20 - Have any philosophical problems ever been solved?- 01:14:47 - Is God good? Or is goodness independent of God?- 01:15:41 - Descartes vs Leibniz on God's power (God can do anything -- except what's logically impossible)- 01:18:43 - The parochial view of physicists / mathematicians to dismiss what they can't define- 01:22:31 - Thought experiment from Newton regarding the necessity of space- 01:24:45 - Einstein's variation on the above thought experiment- 01:28:17 - How to classify thought experiments- 01:31:35 - Prof. Brown's thoughts on Wolfram's TOE and Eric Weinstein's TOE- 01:32:40 - Nicholas Gisin's thoughts on real numbers, and free will- 01:33:02 - What other foundations are there to physics, other than classical logic?- 01:39:05 - What does Mathematical Realism look like when it's NOT Platonic?- 01:45:31 - The physical laws themselves as abstract entities, which have causal power- 01:55:55 - Lee Smolin's Principle of Precedence as a bridge between Platonism and non-Platonism- 01:59:01 - Deriving an "ought" from an "is"- 02:03:29 - What does James not like about Sam Harris?- 02:06:45 - Is Math discovered or invented?- 02:10:18 - Does Platonism entail some idea of a God?- 02:14:49 - Theism vs Deism- 02:16:34 - On the Sokal Affair and the trouble with Postmodernism- 02:22:01 - Limits of free speech?- 02:27:41 - The problem of commercializing research- 02:33:09 - On Jordan Peterson's "Darwinian" definition of truthSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44RESOURCES:- Graphics are included in the YouTube version to make it easier to comprehend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV7BQZy1A6o- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Vervaeke examines the meaning crisis and argues for integrating Buddhism with Christianity via psychedelics He weaves cognitive science, philosophy, and personal practice to map how we can cultivate wisdom and purpose.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:02:43 - What is an "affordance" in Cognitive Science?- 00:07:28 - The different uses of the word "meaning"- 00:10:10 - Materialism vs Physical-ism- 00:12:48 - What is "truth"? Harris vs Peterson from a Cognitive Scientific perspective- 00:17:43 - Perspectival knowledge (definition and examples)- 00:21:13 - The ways we practice narrative- 00:27:13 - The two world model- 00:31:13 - Buddhism's influence on John's worldview- 00:33:43 - The definition of Harry Frankfurt's "bullshit"- 00:42:43 - Addiction- 00:45:48 - Relationship between Lucifer and Frankfurt's BS- 00:55:23 - What is the "meaning crisis"? (explicating the "meaning of life")- 01:10:23 - Poetry should be read aloud- 01:11:53 - Faith, love, and participatory knowledge- 01:18:23 - The Platonic / Aristotelian influence on Christianity- 01:21:43 - How do reverse-engineer other points of view (such as what it's like to be someone in the 1200s)- 01:32:13 - The relationship between "reason" and "love"- 01:47:43 - The skepticism toward wisdom institutions and the birth of narcissism- 01:49:43 - The way Vervaeke uses the word "God" (God as affording transcendence)- 01:54:53 - The language of myth is lost but we retain the grammar- 02:00:43 - Where are we going with the "meaning crisis"? Is it getting worse?- 02:06:20 - How does John manage his time?- 02:07:45 - What do psychedelics provide that meditation doesn't?- 02:18:00 - Modelling truth in the other domains of knowledge (procedural, participatory, perspectival)- 02:21:40 - The "interpretation crisis" vs the "meaning crisis"- 02:22:40 - "Meaning" is not present in the scientific world view- 02:25:50 - What's relevance? (technical term is: "relevance realization")- 02:31:30 - John Vervaeke's origin of recognition of others- 02:34:10 - How does John collaborate?- 02:38:50 - People will sacrifice wealth for meaning- 02:43:50 - What is "evil"? Buddhism vs Christianity- 02:49:35 - Is Nihilism negative to the psyche, or salutary?- 02:50:00 - What could "free will" mean, possibly? ("freedom" in a certain sense isn't intrinsically "good")- 02:57:20 - Trolley Problem + Sam Harris' model of "evil" being neurological and a reduction of responsibility- 03:00:50 - Jungian individuation's relationship to the Big 5 model- 03:05:50 - How do we practically use this knowledge to cultivate character?- 03:10:45 - On self-deception- 03:13:00 - Tony Robbins (and other self development gurus) operate primarily on the placebo effect- 03:14:15 - "Being in the present moment" is horrible advice- 03:17:10 - What is 3rd generation Cognitive Science?- 03:24:40 - On "wisdom is knowing the difference between what you control and what you don't."- 03:27:50 - What wisdom is (relevance realization)- 03:28:15 - Which theory of consciousness does Vervaeke think is most correct / wrong?- 03:32:50 - Are intelligent people more "consciousness" or wise? If so, are they then more valuable people?- 03:39:00 - What is "reason" vs "rationality"?- 03:41:30 - Audience question: What is objectivity / what is real?- 03:45:40 - Audience question: On evil, and a "moral dimension"- 03:48:00 - Audience question: Is the point of meditation to reduce anxiety?RESOURCES:- Prof. John Vervaeke's info: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke- "Meaning Crisis" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ- John's Twitter: https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curt Jaimungal interviews Noam Chomsky, diving into consciousness, free will, and the nature of God before tackling moral relativism, activism, and the challenges of modern education. The conversation also examines neoliberal influences, Black Lives Matter, and Chomsky’s personal reflections on religion and politics.- 0:00 - Introduction- 0:32 - Consciousness and free will- 6:04 - Views on God- 8:02 - Moral relativism vs objectivism- 9:55 - Mythology and religious upbringing- 13:30 - Childhood and religion comment- 17:53 - Christianity as pacifism, liberation theology- 22:12 - Liberation of the poor activism- 24:02 - Neoliberalism origins- 30:40 - Job as autocrat control- 36:48 - Democratic education ideas- 39:32 - Neoliberal crisis- 42:20 - Schools vs learning instinct- 49:00 - Illich de‑schooling critique- 52:15 - Multiple school systems- 54:52 - Charter schools problems- 57:36 - Openness, diversity, BLM- 1:00:28 - Imprisonment fear- 1:01:38 - Trump war crimesSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44RESOURCES:- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rupert Sheldrake exposes alleged scientific deception and defends his peer-reviewed dog telepathy experiments They explore why mainstream science dismisses Sheldrake's ideas, discuss the role of myth and religion, and consider the possibility of simulation and psychedelic insight.- 0:00 - Introduction- 1:00 - Scientists dismiss Sheldrake's ideas- 2:40 - Will science end?- 5:10 - Natural vs supernatural divide- 11:10 - Sheldrake on Dennett's consciousness theory- 13:10 - Nature of reason- 15:25 - Unconscious within unconscious- 18:05 - Free will and external influence- 22:05 - Ordered or random consciousness bedrock- 28:15 - Psychedelic reality- 28:25 - LSD vs DMT differences- 35:10 - Religion ahead of science- 37:50 - Dog telepathy experiment controversy- 44:25 - Richard Wiseman's alleged distortion- 48:08 - Wikipedia manipulation by skeptics- 50:00 - Myth and truth- 53:40 - Simulation hypothesis- 56:00 - Religion, myth, and creation- 57:10 - New Atheists' view of God- 1:04:10 - Views on Jordan Peterson- 1:06:10 - Where to find more on SheldrakeSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44RESOURCES:- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoriesOfEverything- All the data Rupert Sheldrake references is here: https://www.sheldrake.org/research- mini-doc about the affair is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrLJhBC3X4- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Wolff discusses the foundations of Marxist economics, the relevance of Black Lives Matter, defunding the police, and the prospects of a third‑wave socialism. He examines historical Marxist ideas, contemporary activism, and policy proposals while questioning institutional biases.- 0:00 - Humility as condition for scholarship- 4:04 - How Wolff became a Marxist economist- 14:14 - West’s fear of Marxism- 17:36 - Taboo of Marxism and education- 23:58 - Definitions of Marxism, Socialism, Communism- 36:02 - The “third phase” of Socialism- 40:10 - Different experiments of Communism- 42:22 - Marx on worker co‑ops- 50:59 - Violence and self‑defense in revolution- 53:20 - Defunding the police movement- 57:32 - Is the state antithetical to Marxism?- 1:02:07 - Black Lives Matter- 1:04:02 - Anarcho‑communism and Marxism- 1:06:02 - Advice for BLM activism- 1:08:02 - Root problem: race or economics?- 1:12:37 - Measuring freedom- 1:16:43 - Identity politics and class- 1:18:45 - Where Wolff disagrees with Marx- 1:22:36 - Limits of right and left politics- 1:25:50 - Policy Wolff would enact if elected- 1:29:50 - Kamala Harris’ father as Marxist- 1:30:45 - Quota‑based systems and affirmative action- 1:35:51 - Definitive answer on affirmative action- 1:38:19 - Hegel’s relation to Marx- 1:40:14 - Hegelian contradiction and logic- 1:42:08 - Overview of the labor theory of value- 1:45:26 - Exploitation in employer‑employee relationsRESOURCES:- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoriesOfEverything- Patreon for conversations on Theories of Everything, Consciousness, Free Will, and God: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Help support conversations like this via PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44 Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edward Stuart, Professor Emeritus of Economics, examines the core differences between capitalism, socialism, and communism, debating their historical outcomes and contemporary relevance in China, the United States, and the Korean peninsula.- 0:00:00 - Introduction to Prof. Edward Stuart- 0:01:11 - Difference between Socialism, Social Democracy, and Communism- 0:03:53 - Social democracy vs Welfare State- 0:04:32 - What is State Capitalism? And does that characterize China?- 0:08:05 - Is China successful economically, because of Capitalism or Communism?- 0:12:50 - Does Stalin's regime deserve praise for raising literacy, health care, employment?- 0:20:30 - What about Mao? (same question as above)- 0:23:23 - South vs North Korea on Capitalism vs Communism- 0:34:39 - Why North Korea will collapse economically and politically imminently- 0:35:50 - Not "real" Communism: Why equality doesn't happen in Communist societies- 0:40:03 - Difference between economic collapse and a Depression- 0:41:03 - Conditions for Depression and current US predicament- 0:54:22 - US tariffs on China and economic growth/protection- 0:59:23 - Is the US economy headed toward another Depression?- 1:01:51 - Why printing money doesn't always lead to inflation- 1:04:15 - Hyperinflation and how to paradoxically solve it- 1:08:14 - "Communism has killed 10's of millions?" True.- 1:09:41 - "Capitalism has lifted more out of poverty than any other system?" Partially true.- 1:13:55 - Can slavery be blamed on Capitalism given it needs voluntary exchange? (+ an economics joke)- 1:19:30 - What is "black envy" vs "white envy"? Does Marxism lead to "black envy"?- 1:29:21 - Edward Stuart's biggest differences with Richard Wolff- 1:30:58 - Where you can find more from Prof. Edward Stuart- 1:31:33 - Bonus: Economics vs. PhysicsSPONSORS:- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluthefilm Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Vanderklay, a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, joins Curt Jaimungal to examine how Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, Jonathan Pageau, and Sam Harris shape a “new Christianity.” They debate the nature of Christian belief, the role of God, and the intersection of religion with secularism and the state.- 0:00:00 - Introduction to Paul Vanderklay- 0:02:55 - Pros and cons of Peterson, Vervaeke, and Pageau approaches- 0:08:10 - How Christian is the “new Christianity” put forward by Peterson and Jung- 0:10:04 - Is this the same old debate referenced by Dostoevsky and Nietzsche?- 0:13:15 - Solzhenitsyn and the new definition of “religion”- 0:16:32 - What makes someone a Christian?- 0:20:42 - What is God? (thoughts on the Sam Harris / Peterson debate)- 0:24:24 - Why deriding God by analogizing him to “Zeus” is incorrect- 0:27:30 - Relationship between Christianity, Secularism, and the State- 0:34:16 - Can you rationally prove God’s existence?- 0:44:40 - Is Sam Harris a Christian?- 0:47:47 - How “religion without religion” makes sense- 0:53:19 - Does freedom just mean “more choice”?SPONSORS:- Curt Jaimungal Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Curt Jaimungal Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluthefilmRESOURCES:- PAUL VANDERKLAY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsDIP_K6J6VSTqlq-9IPlg- PAUL VANDERKLAY Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulVanderKlay- JOHN VERVAEKE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke- JONATHAN PAGEAU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtCTSf3UwRU14nYWr_xm-dQ- JONATHAN PAGEAU Twitter: https://twitter.com/PageauJonathan Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Moffat (88-year-old physicist) explains his Modified Gravity theory and shares stories of meeting Schrödinger He also shares personal stories, including his meeting with Feynman and his early start in mathematics, while reviewing his current work and non‑technical books.- 0:00:00 - Modified Gravity and theory origins- 0:24:58 - Does MOG match data?- 0:29:53 - Black holes: mass, spin, alpha- 0:32:49 - Thoughts on TOE, Weinberg and Wolfram- 0:34:56 - Problem with quantum gravity- 0:43:16 - Modifying QFT and learning method- 0:55:27 - Higgs emergence from non‑renormalizable SU(2)xU(1)- 1:00:16 - Higgs needed for unitarity in Moffat's theory- 1:04:54 - Arrow of Time- 1:06:44 - Meeting Feynman (brief story)- 1:07:36 - Difficulty of modifying gravity- 1:10:58 - Current research focus- 1:12:01 - Non‑technical books by Moffat- 1:14:04 - Black hole singularities and coordinates- 1:18:55 - Early math/physics start from painter with PTSD- 1:30:16 - Einstein's early TOE attempts- 1:41:04 - Bohr and Schrödinger vs Einstein- 1:52:17 - Attending Dirac's course- 2:02:44 - Appreciation for Prof. Brian KeatingSPONSORS:- Patreon: NEW https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal - Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluthefilm Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sabine Hossenfelder dismantles aesthetic arguments in fundamental physics and challenges quantum gravity approaches She critiques the reliance on aesthetic arguments in fundamental physics and shares insights from her work on quantum gravity.RESOURCES:- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w- Sabine's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SabineHossenfelder/videos- Sabine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/skdh- Follow us: http://twitter.com/bluthefilm Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Keating (UCSD) evaluates Weinstein's Geometric Unity and Wolfram's Theory of Everything proposals I talk with Brian Keating about theories of everything, the role of free will, and his thoughts on the ideas of Eric Weinstein and Stephen Wolfram. Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Hoffman (UCI) proves consciousness creates reality and spacetime is merely an interface hiding truth Host Curt Jaimungal, a mathematical physicist, probes the scientific and philosophical implications, making it the most technical conversation Hoffman has given. Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Douglas Lain (Marxist writer) debates violent revolution versus peaceful change and Christianity's role in society The conversation shifts from interview to friendly debate, with Peter Glinos also joining the discussion.RESOURCES:- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyoQK-mZXr2ws4C0nXGCH1w Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Goldstein, an American philosopher, novelist and public intellectual, discusses Gödel's incompleteness, Sam Harris's Landscape, and her debate with Jordan Peterson. She also introduces her upcoming documentary Better Left Unsaid, exploring when the left goes too far.RESOURCES:- Better Left Unsaid: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbetterleftunsaidfilm.com&v=VkL3BcKEB6Y&event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2hVZF95dHY2U1NHcy1nRTBTMkZqd3JpdGY0Z3xBQ3Jtc0trdU5UYUl3ZE05dm5FZWRjTW5OZWlVdWhoRmpILXRQaHcyemprS3ozNm1CVkFKanRYaU41cnpXSzU2TEE5SmpqX2pxZXM4eFhqSE9ZZzY0OXoxcWxPZGJpVE5Bd09FRG5LRnBSSjhFd2FpamU3aFVQNA== Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Weinstein joins Curt to discuss how he generates ideas, the Marxist roots of Black Lives Matter, and his decision to avoid nootropics. The conversation deconstructs his cognitive process and offers a fresh perspective on contemporary cultural debates.RESOURCES:- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoriesOfEverything- Patreon for conversations on Theories of Everything, Consciousness, Free Will, and God: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Help support conversations like this via PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44- Eric's podcast, The Portal: https://www.youtube.com/user/nobani88 Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Pinker (Harvard) defends free speech against radical left censorship and discusses Peterson controversy The conversation explores the radical left, free speech, and the challenges of presenting controversial ideas.RESOURCES:- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noam Chomsky (MIT) dissects Jordan Peterson's ideas, postmodernism, and Michel Foucault's influence on academia The interview is conducted by Peter Glinos and Curt Jaimungal for the documentary Better Left Unsaid.RESOURCES:- http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I subscribe to The Economist for their science and tech coverage. As a TOE listener, get 35% off! No other podcast has this: https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices