We have normalized lines on maps -- but they are unnatural to the way we live. They are toxic in the ways they push us to think of people in categories decided by the accidents of geography and politics.

We must free our minds.

We must tear down these walls.

Welcome to Episode 51 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Hooray! We've reached episode 50, and it's time for an AMA. In this episode, Amit and Ajay answer questions from gentle readers that were solicited through Twitter and elsewhere. No holds barred, straight from the heart!

This episode was first published on YouTube on June 7, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Podcasting is such an exciting medium. Would YOU like to start a podcast? Do you have questions about first principles & what you need to get started? Here's our attempt at a podcasting masterclass!

Welcome to Episode 49 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma & Ajay Shah.

Started in 2017, The Seen and the Unseen went against conventional wisdom & built up a cult audience. In this episode, Amit shares everything he has learnt about podcasting, all the way from higher-order thinking to the brasstacks of starting. Enjoy!

This episode was first published on YouTube on May 31, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

In these insular times of shrill nationalistic rhetoric, there is a danger that we may become less globalised instead of more. But internationalisation (aka I18N) is key to India's progress. The more Indian firms learn to compete in the global marketplace, the more our nation will prosper.

Welcome to Episode 48 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Ajay shares his thinking around what I18N implies, how it involves more than exports, and how Indian firms can make that journey.

This episode was first published on YouTube on May 24, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

India is too large to be governed in a top-down way, with an all-powerful center. It makes a mockery of democracy. Decentralisation is the only way out.

Welcome to Episode 47 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss how a country as large and diverse as India needs more local government. But what does this mean in practical terms? Should we be happy with dictatorial chief ministers? How does democracy work at the level of a village? Why do we need many more states -- and empowered cities? Does Bubba really know the Pope?

This episode was first published on YouTube on May 17, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

It is fashionable for privileged elites to have ideas about the world that make them feel virtuous -- but end up harming the poor. Stay away from such Luxury Beliefs!

Welcome to Episode 46 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss how socialism, focusing on inequality, banning victimless crimes and being generally against capitalism can fill you with a sense of your own goodness -- but also end up hurting the poor.

Dive in with an open mind!

This episode was first published on YouTube on May 10, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Our brains are hardwired to think in ways suited to a pre-historic world -- which is why there are so many fallacies in our thinking!

Welcome to Episode 45 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss five foundational fallacies, and speak about how we can improve our thinking if we learn to recognise them and avoid them.

Who can object to becoming a better thinker!

This episode was first published on YouTube on May 3, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Imagine a world without maps. What is out there? How do you reach that place? What does the world look like?

Maps brought us from darkness into light.

Welcome to Episode 44 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Ajay and Amit speak about the evolution of maps, from the laborious survey work pioneered by the legendary George Everest to the miracles of modern technology, which gives us a real-time high-definition picture of the world. Also, Amit gives Ajay an exam. Can he pass? Can he? Whaddya think?

This episode was first published on YouTube on April 26, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

We are surrounded by stories that need to be told, must be told, will blow your mind!

Welcome to Episode 43 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit and Ajay continue the series of talking about stories that should be films. Amit builds fiction based on IIT aspirants and vloggers, as well as a real life story about the Delhi of the 1800s, a Delhi in churn. Ajay tells us about missing plutonium up on Nanda Devi, how a navy was once 'delivered' and a most unusual package parachuting down in Africa.

This episode was first published on YouTube on April 19, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Populism is on an upsurge across the world. It is a danger to democracy and civilisation. But what does that term even mean?

Welcome to Episode 42 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.

In this episode, Amit and Ajay break down what political scientists mean by 'populism' -- it's isn't simply what is popular! They discuss the populist playbook as laid out by Jan-Werner Muller in his great book 'What is Populism?' You might find it sounds familar, no matter where you are. Ajay then shares his insights from four countries where he has followed populism closely -- one of which holds out hope for redemption.

This episode was first published on YouTube on April 12, 2024. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.