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In this final episode of Season 4, Rik from Planet Vulcan reviews his mission on Planet Earth, which is to advocate for a world view based on the scientific investigation of natural processes; and reviews the essays published during Season 4.
Rik and his little female Earthling pal are traveling to the the land of Aloha until winter has passed in the Smoky Mountains, with plans to return with more essays in the spring.

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In this episode, Rik from Planet Vulcan demonstrates that the notion that international trade amounts to warfare that someone wins and someone loses is another of those pervasive undead ideas on Planet Earth that keep rising from the grave, wandering the land and eating brains.
In truth international trade is an unalloyed benefit to consumers in all countries simultaneously, both because of comparative advantage and because it subjects producers to greater competition.  
And while it's generally true that consumers are also producers, it's also generally true that what the typical Earthling producer loses by having to face competition is far less than what the typical Earthling consumer gains as a result of free trade, especially when you consider the long-term systemic effects of tariffs and quotas:  stagnation and decline.
Protectionism ought to be regarded as anti-social and uncivil.

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In this episode, Rik from Planet Vulcan draws a straight line from the mindset and the actions of white European colonialists in the 19th Century to the mindset and the actions of would-be intelligent designers in our own time, particularly within the Progressive movement that began in the late nineteenth century and continues to this day.  Rik notes that in these two cases, and in any agenda based on intelligent-design thinking, the outcomes seldom match the intentions, and actual outcomes in many cases have been appalling.

Earthlings are not generally schooled in the thinking that emerges from a study of evolutionary processes, especially as it applies to your socioeconomic systems;  you seldom question the idea that intelligent design is necessary; and many of you are surprised, even disbelieving, when they are exposed to the idea of spontaneous emergent order, how much it explains and how it opens the door to better thinking.

Prepare to be exposed.

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Does Warren Buffett truly pay less income tax than his secretary?  In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan questions the narrative that high earners do not pay their fair share of the income tax by proposing a different perspective, while also arguing that on another level the argument is moot anyway, because income ought not to be taxed in any case - there are alternative ways to fund government operations that would very likely work better for society in general. 

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In this episode of Fascinating! Rik from Planet Vulcan discusses the substance and the history of modern anarchist thinking, from its beginnings in the nineteenth century where opposition to the state was combined with opposition to capitalism, to twentieth century developments in anarchist thinking, where opposition to the legitimacy of the state is combined with free-market capitalism in Anarcho-Capitalism.  Early thinkers never successfully engaged with the unavoidable problem of scarcity, as anarcho-capitalists have done.  Anarcho-capitalists have fixed one flaw, but are there others?  Is it truly workable?

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan dissects the belief that taxing corporate income is a fair and just way to hold corporations accountable. With wit and sharp analysis, Rik unpacks the misconception that corporations are somehow separate entities that can be taxed without consequence. Instead, he explains that corporations are merely legal constructs—a “nexus of contracts”—and that in reality, it’s actual people who ultimately bear the burden of these taxes.

Rik delves into the complexities of tax incidence, exposing how the costs of corporate taxes are passed on to consumers, employees, and suppliers, leaving no one unscathed. He also challenges the broader issue of income taxation itself, suggesting that a shift toward consumption taxes, or even a carbon tax, might better align with fairness and economic efficiency. If you’ve ever wondered who’s really paying when governments tax corporate income, this episode will leave you with a whole new perspective.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan takes us on a deep dive into the life and enduring influence of John Maynard Keynes, one of the most significant figures in modern economics. From his privileged upbringing in upper-middle-class England to his groundbreaking work during the Great Depression, Keynes shaped what we now know as macroeconomics. But was Keynes’ influence truly revolutionary, or was it a polished extension of medieval intelligent design thinking applied to the economy?

With dry humor and sharp insights, Rik challenges the assumptions behind Keynesian interventionism, drawing parallels to feudal governance and top-down economic planning. While Keynes may have been a brilliant thinker, his legacy of government-managed markets still resonates with ideas from a bygone era, ignoring the power of evolutionary thinking in socioeconomic systems. Join Rik as he unpacks Keynes’ contributions and asks whether it’s time for Earthlings to move beyond the medieval mindset still shaping much of modern economics.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan delves into the brilliant mind of Nobel laureate James M. Buchanan, whose Public Choice theory flips the romanticized view of selfless government on its head. Buchanan argued that politicians and bureaucrats, just like market participants, are driven by self-interest—because, let’s face it, they’re human too. With sharp wit and a healthy dose of Vulcan skepticism, Rik unpacks Buchanan’s belief in the power of evolving systems over the rigid ‘intelligent design’ of governance, while debunking the myth of perfect competition and flawless governance.

From Buchanan’s rugged Scottish roots to his intellectual growth under the influence of Frank H. Knight and Friedrich Hayek, this episode traces his journey from questioning central planning to championing spontaneous order. If you’ve ever felt that centralized control is like a deus ex machina in a story best left to unfold naturally, this one’s for you.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan examines one of Earth’s most intriguing phenomena—religious conversion—through a lens you didn’t see coming: Marxism. Inspired by tales like Saul’s blinding light on the road to Damascus, Rik dives into how the radicalized vision of Marxists mirrors religious awakening. With Vulcan wit and dry humor, we explore how moments of revelation—from spiritual epiphanies to social justice “aha” moments—can transform worldviews faster than you can say "false consciousness."

But it’s not just about the conversion. Rik draws curious parallels between religious and political movements, from the emotional rollercoaster of belief adoption to the communal bonds forged in the fires of dogma. Whether you're into divine intervention or class struggle, this episode offers a cerebral yet playful look at how humans seem wired for conversion—be it to gods or ideologies. Tune in for insights, stay for the wit.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan explores the concept of secularism as Earth’s most intelligent meme—a rare idea that just might help this planet’s diverse inhabitants peacefully coexist. Secularism, often misunderstood as a rival religion, is more like a cosmic DMZ, where everyone can practice their faith without insisting others join their club. But alas, the problem arises when true believers think their revelation is the only one, and things get messy when swords are drawn in defense of "truth."

With his signature Vulcan wit, Rik traces the evolution of secularism, from ancient Greece and Rome to the philosophical revolutions of the Enlightenment, offering a crash course on how separating church and state became the key to liberty and justice for all. Whether you’re a fan of religious freedom or simply tired of the cosmic bickering, this episode will have you questioning why Earth hasn’t yet mastered this meme. Live long, prosper, and embrace secularism!