Hacking State

Hacking State

By Alex MurshakSociety & CultureScienceArtsPhilosophy
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Hacking State episodes

  • 60 - Garrett Dailey: A Neighborhood Where All Your Friends Live

    Garrett Dailey is a designer and brand consultant, and the founder of Lucid, a consultancy that helps startups simplify their pitches and messaging. He is a former philosophy writer and a fixture of the Austin startup ecosystem.

    We discuss the death of third places, Walt Disney's original plan for EPCOT, why the network state fails, charter cities, Dunbar's number, his three-house co-op on an Austin cul-de-sac, and how to build a neighborhood where all your friends live.

    pitchlucid.com

    x.com/garrettcdailey
    gdailey.com

     

    Basetown is in our hearts.

    ---

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    1 hr 10 min
  • 59 - Tom Mullaney: How We Disappear — The Art of Being Forgotten

    I sit down with Thomas S. Mullaney — professor of modern Chinese history and the history of technology at Stanford, Guggenheim Fellow, and director of Stanford's Program in Science, Technology & Society — to discuss his new book, How We Disappear: A Personal History of Information (W. W. Norton). It's his eighth book and first with a trade press, following The Chinese Typewriter and The Chinese Computer, and it turns from how information comes into being toward how it degrades, collapses, and disappears.

    Our conversation begins with the ordinary ways the past is lost — not fires or catastrophes, but the everyday decisions that quietly erase records, like a family clearing out a box of irreplaceable papers after a death. Mullaney sets this against entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, and his argument that you can't hack your way out of decay — you can only slow it down.

    We discuss his central thesis for the digital age: that digitization is not preservation. Mullaney explains why magnetic and optical media are among the most fragile formats ever made, why even Stanford has digitized only one to two percent of its archives, and why he'd rather see institutions invest in better finding aids than in mass scanning that produces files without meaning.

    The conversation turns to why any of this matters. Mullaney argues that writing history is the same act as living a life — both are acts of compression that throw out nearly everything to hold onto a coherent story. We explore how this connects to identity, to compression as a definition of intelligence, to Durkheim's anomie, and to the difference between biological death and the death of the creative impulse.

    We get into the politics of forgetting: the EU's right to be forgotten, "design for forgetting" as an engineering principle, and Mullaney's view of what a dignified disappearance looks like — the park bench a stranger sits on without ever knowing whose name is on it, rather than the statue no one reads. He makes the case for being "okay and not okay with it at the same time," rejecting both nihilism and hedonism as easy ways out.

    We close on the AI angle, connecting Mullaney's finding-aid argument to my own work building tools like an MCP server for congress.gov — the idea that archives need a navigable map more than they need total digitization.

    Get the book: How We Disappear: A Personal History of Information (W. W. Norton)

    Follow Tom Mullaney: X/Twitter | Stanford profile

    ---

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    1 hr 32 min
  • 58 - Aidan Beshoff: Below the Surface of the Mind

    I sit down with Aidan Beshoff, a qualified hypnotist, certified practitioner of clinical hypnotherapy, past life regression, QHHT, and ceremonial magick, and the founder of Higher Self Hypnosis. For the past five years, Aidan has helped others overcome deep subconscious patterns through an unconventional path that bridges ancient wisdom and modern science.

    Our conversation begins with Aidan's own story — hitting a breaking point during COVID after years of anxiety and depression, and discovering meditation as a gateway into the subconscious mind. He describes the subconscious as a dimension of ourselves that extends beyond what we can directly perceive, using the iceberg model and a VR simulation analogy to illustrate the relationship between conscious awareness and the deeper layers beneath it. We discuss why the subconscious is so difficult to study empirically, and why that difficulty has kept practices like hypnosis in the same category as witchcraft until relatively recently.

    We then turn to the mechanics of hypnosis itself — what differentiates it from meditation, how it employs imagery, symbolism, and emotion to bypass the conscious mind's filtering layer, and why suggestibility and agreeability are such critical factors in whether hypnosis works for a given person. Aidan walks through the surprising efficacy data: a 70-80% success rate for chronic pain versus only 40-45% for addiction, and explains why — with addiction, part of you still does not want to change, whereas with pain, all systems are on board except the one that isn't.

    The conversation goes into deeper territory as we explore past life regression. Aidan argues you don't need to believe in reincarnation for the practice to be useful — the subconscious is essentially painting a movie you can extract wisdom from, drawing from what he describes as a collective source. He shares that people with narrow belief systems tend to regress to childhood, while those with broader frameworks have reported experiences on different planets or as pure energy. The point, he insists, is never who you were but why you had that experience.

    We close with Aidan's personal motivation — a childhood obsession with fantasy and magic that was stripped away during adolescence, and how engaging with these practices remystified his life. He describes ceremonial magick as "a cross-section between art and math," and likens these practices to becoming a better surfer: they don't take away the waves, but they make you better at riding them.

     

    Aidan on Instagram: @hi.subconscious | @higherselfhypno

     

     

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    1 hr 1 min
  • 57 - Rambo Van Halen Reports The Death of Hollywood

    I sit down with Rambo Van Halen to discuss his new book, Hollywood Samizdat, released through Passage Press, which serves as a personal account of his experiences in the film industry.

    What was initially intended as a farewell letter to the film industry turned into a more profound reflection—a kind of obituary for a once-thriving sector that he believes is no longer what it used to be. Rambo candidly shares his thoughts on the decline of traditional Hollywood, describing it as a significant loss of artistry and craftsmanship.


    Rambo highlights the impact of a changing media landscape, drastically altered by feminization, economics, and risk aversion. He discusses the industry's shift away from original content, with more emphasis on sequels and remakes due to a fear of financial loss. This risk-averse culture, combined with the effects of technology and changing societal norms, has led to what he describes as a disheartening era for filmmakers and audiences alike. He reflects on his experiences as a line producer, navigating the complex and often dysfunctional dynamics of film sets characterized by power struggles among executives and a new wave of corporate governance.

    Rambo candidly shares his thoughts about the corporatization of the industry, attributing the dilution of creativity to a more collaborative but ultimately less decisive approach in decision-making—thanks to the impact of movements like Me Too. We explore the implications of this shift and how it has led to a creative landscape dominated by committee decision-making rather than inspired artistry. The contradictions inherent in this new environment are further complicated by the influx of technology companies entering the film space and their obsession with metrics. This has changed how stories are created and the type of content that gets greenlit, raising questions about the integrity of artistic expression.

    Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the intersection of identity politics and filmmaking, discussing how diversity initiatives have prioritized representation over competence. Rambo shares anecdotes of the industry's changing dynamics, particularly the challenges of maintaining a meritocratic environment in light of new hiring practices. He draws parallels between Hollywood and the tech industry to highlight the broader implications of these shifts across various sectors.

    As the discussion winds down, Rambo shares his vision for the future of entertainment—exploring potential avenues outside of traditional filmmaking and the unique opportunities for live performance. We contemplate the value that humanity places on genuine, shared experiences in a world increasingly moving toward digital isolation.

    This conversation offers a multifaceted view of the contemporary film industry, reflecting on its past glory and the challenges moving forward. Rambo's insights provide not only a personal narrative but also a broader commentary on the state of creativity, audience engagement, and the future of storytelling in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

     

    LINKS:

    Rambo on X:

    https://x.com/RamboVanHalen

    Buy Book, Hollywood Samizdat:

    https://passage.press/products/hollywood-samizdat

     

     

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    If you enjoyed this talk, please leave a review on Spotify/iTunes.

     

    Listen on:

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexmurshak

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

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    1 hr 37 min
  • 56 - The Machine that Makes the Machine with Matt Parlmer

    Matt Parlmer is the founder and CEO of General Fabrication Company, a self-reproducing factory company. 

    We cover the origins of Gen Fab in the realization that we now have the tools to build machines that build themselves (see: The Von Neumann Constructor), the possibilities created by small modular manufacturing in electronics, robotic wet labs, and more; building a vertically integrated industrial company, light industrial parts farms, the need for American industrial policy to include civilian industry in re-industrialization strategy, levers for re-shoring American manufacturing, the unexpected passing of our good friend, Nick Simmons, and the future of General Fabrication.

    Links:

    • Support Nick Simmons' wife and family's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-nick-simmons-life-and-legacy
    • Matt Parlmer's memorial post for Nick Simmons: https://mattparlmer.substack.com/p/remembering-nick-simmons
    • General Fabrication website: https://www.genfab.co/
    • Matt Parlmer on X: https://x.com/mattparlmer
    • General Fabrication on X: https://x.com/genfabco

      •  

       

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      If you enjoyed this talk, please leave a review on Spotify/iTunes.

       

      Listen on:

      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexmurshak

      Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

      RSS: https://feed.podbean.com/hackingstate/feed.xml

       

      2 hr 5 min
    • 55 - Aneil Mallavarapu: Why AI Cannot Have Consciousness

      Aneil Mallavarapu is a biochemist, award winning computer scientist, and Managing Partner at Humain Ventures; investing in early stage life science and health tech startups.

      We talk about his pioneering work in systems biology at Harvard that led to the creation of Little b, a programming language for modeling biological systems with modularity and abstraction, the phenomenology of consciousness, the “hard problem” of consciousness, taking consciousness as fundamental, the limits of radical materialism, why our brains are not like classical computers, reconciling theories of consciousness with physics, the computational intractability of consciousness, the specter of AI civil rights, and Austin as the epicenter of the emerging science of the mind.

       

      Aneil on X: https://x.com/aneilbaboo

      His paper, "Programming with models: Modularity and abstraction provide powerful capabilities for systems biology"

       

       

       

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      If you enjoyed this talk, please leave a review on Spotify/iTunes.

      Listen on:

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      Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

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      1 hr 52 min
    • 54 - Kyle Housley: The Right to Bear Arms and the Wrong Way to Think About Love

      Kyle Housley is a writer and co-host of a new podcast, Horizons Review, with longtime friend of the show, Cody Moser, exploring neglected intellectual texts and thinkers. We discuss the pathologization of normal relationship dynamics through misused psychological terminology, and extensively examine Second Amendment jurisprudence, particularly Kyle's disagreement with the Heller case on original meaning grounds.

      Kyle critiques how terms like "narcissism" and "transactional relationships" are misapplied to pathologize healthy interpersonal expectations and natural give-and-take in friendships and romantic partnerships. He argues this reflects broader cultural problems with dismissing relational obligations in favor of personal convenience.

      The majority of our conversation focuses on Kyle's disagreement with the 2008 Heller case. He argues that the core holding identifying self-defense as the primary protected right is wrong on original meaning grounds. Instead, he contends the amendment's original purpose was to protect citizens' right to bear arms most useful in military service to maintain effective militias, not individual self-defense which was already protected under common law.

      Kyle provides extensive historical context on the founders' deep concerns about standing armies versus citizen soldiers, heavily influenced by Roman Republic history and fears that professional armies would lead to the same factional civil wars that destroyed Rome. We explore the distinction between a "right to rebellion" versus organized resistance, the founders' view of standing armies as mercenaries, and how the militia clause connects to republican virtue and citizenship.

      We conclude by examining modern challenges to Second Amendment interpretation, including 3D-printed guns and drone warfare, and how technological advances create new questions about effective citizen militia capability in the 21st century.

       

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      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexmurshak

      Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

      RSS: https://feed.podbean.com/hackingstate/feed.xml

      1 hr 5 min
    • 53 - Charles Herrman: Duties of Honor vs. Rights of Dignity

      In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Charles Herman, a philosopher and senior research fellow at the American Institute for Philosophical and Cultural Thought. We explore into a distinction that Charles has been developing, which revolves around the concepts of honor versus dignity cultures.

      Drawing insights from his Substack post titled “A Short Survey of Honor and Dignity,” we explore how this theoretical framework can help explain significant pairings throughout Western history, including the philosophical debates between Epicureanism and Stoicism, Romanticism versus Classicism, and the modern cultural divide between liberalism and conservatism.


      To start, Charles defines the core attributes of honor and dignity cultures. In an honor-based culture, esteem is earnestly sought and is predicated on notions of trust, respect, and earned merit. Individuals are expected to exemplify socially approved behavior to maintain their standing and reputation. In contrast, dignity cultures center around inherent worth and individual rights, grounded in the belief that all human beings deserve a certain measure of respect, regardless of their achievements or failures. This fundamental distinction, as Charles elaborates, has immense implications on behaviors and social interactions within these cultures.

      As our conversation unfolds, we discuss how the perception of status differs radically in honor versus dignity systems. Honor cultures traditionally elevate status through established hierarchy, often venerating elders and those who have earned their merit. This contrasts sharply with dignity cultures, which emphasize equal rights and universal dignity upheld by rationalism, a legacy of Enlightenment thought. Charles analyzes how these two cultures negotiate relationships, particularly in contractual matters, shedding light on cultural tensions witnessed in historical and contemporary political negotiations.

      Diverting into the realm of risk, Charles highlights that honor cultures appear more accepting of death and risk-taking, viewing these as part of a dignified existence. This differs from the almost preventative, risk-averse mindset prevalent in dignity-based societies. The conversation probes deep into the psychology of risk, challenging us to consider how these frameworks fundamentally affect ambition and the pursuit of personal goals.

      We further contemplate the adaptive qualities of these cultural systems. While Charles notes that 90% of the world's current population embraces honor-based systems, he suggests that adaptability is not inherently tied to type of culture. Rather, he points out that historical shifts—such as the changing landscapes of governance in modern China—demonstrate that various political systems can exhibit forms of adaptability.

      The discourse also touches on the implications of free riding within dignity cultures, especially in the context of immigration policies in Europe. Charles critically examines how dignity frameworks, which emphasize inherent worth, may inadvertently neglect the pragmatic implications of individual contributions to society, illustrating a vulnerable point in the dignity culture paradigm.

      As we wind down, the conversation shifts to the philosophical roots of dignity, questioning how secularization and the loss of metaphysical foundations may impact its future longevity. Charles argues that while dignity is a relatively recent sociocultural construct, the progress made in this aspect over the last few centuries cannot be overlooked. Yet, he emphasizes that the respect and adherence to human rights remain critical challenges that practitioners of dignity culture must navigate moving forward.

      This episode invites listeners to reflect upon the nuanced interplay between honor and dignity within their own contexts. We draw conclusions on how these cultural frameworks influence our personal interactions and societal structures, highlighting the potential for mutual understanding and respect across differing cultural ideologies. Concluding our dialogue, Charles encourages the audience to explore his works on various platforms, as he captivates with further examination of these critical themes.

       

      A Short Survey of Honor and Diginity: https://charlesherrman.substack.com/p/a-short-survey-of-honor-and-dignity

      Charles' Substack: https://charlesherrman.substack.com/

       

       

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      Listen on:

      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexmurshak

      Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

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      1 hr
    • 52 - Uberboyo: Christ vs. Nietzsche - The West's Moral Revolutionaries

      In this episode, I sit down with Uberboyo, a prominent YouTuber and Nietzschean thinker, to explore the complex relationship between Christianity and Nietzscheanism.

      Our conversation begins by examining what it means to be "Nietzschean" - not as an ideology, but as a methodology for approaching morality and understanding psychological patterns in society. We discuss how moral systems evolve with changing demographics, comparing the nationalist God of the Old Testament with the more universal God of later Christianity. Uberboyo presents a fascinating neurological perspective, discussing how the brain's threat detection center influences both religious belief and tribal identity, suggesting both are rising among younger generations disillusioned with modern culture.

      The conversation goes into the psychological distinction between "life-affirming" and "life-denying" worldviews, with parallels drawn between ancient Rome's decline and our current cultural moment. We discuss the challenges facing Western civilization, the generational divide between institutional "Boomer" thinking and the more tribalistic instincts emerging in Gen Z, and whether there might be a path forward that incorporates elements of both Christian and Nietzschean thought. Throughout our discussion, we grapple with profound questions about metaphysics, morality, and meaning in an age of decadence and cultural transformation.

      Despite our challenges, Uberboyo offers a white pill of hope: the possibility that younger generations might organically develop healthier moral instincts, potentially leading to cultural renewal in the West.

       

      Uberboyo's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrk8Y2fsR5i_5c1iTR9tZpg

      Uberboyo's website: https://uberboyo.com/

       

       

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      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XB9XYULrAY4dp0qIJVvCg

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      1 hr 16 min
    • 51 - Patrick Casey: The New New Right

      I sit down with Patrick Casey — political commentator, writer, and creator of Restoring Order — for a deep-dive interview on the state of right-wing politics in America.

      We explore the rise of the dissident right, Trump’s 2024 comeback, paleoconservatism, the influence of online political movements, and the challenges of building lasting alliances on the right.

      Topics include: the impact of tech elites on immigration policy, generational shifts among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the return to traditional religion among young conservatives, and the future of nationalism, populism, and right-wing strategy. Patrick also shares insights into his own motivations, his view of Trump’s evolving political instincts, and which figures he’s eager to interview next — from J.D. Vance to Nick Land.

       

       

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      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexmurshak

      Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-state/id1689677076

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      56 min

    About Hacking State

    From the publisher's feed

    Exploring how technology changes our relationship to power, each other, and ourselves.


    Making sense of the techno-acceleration, Alex Murshak conducts in-depth interviews on the philosophy…