Are all men created equal? If not, should all men be treated equally? How does this fit a capitalistic or socialistic system?

In this episode of Heterogeneous Genius, we discuss religion, resources, and women as the major instigators of conflict in the world. Also, we talk about a lack of personal ethics and morals in today's society; ultimately, a lack of personal identity. Then, forceful vs. non-forceful authority, the importance and prevalence of conformity in our system, and, lastly, gun rights.

We start by discussing some current difficulties of living in our economic system. Then we talk about selfishness versus selflessness and where we see the existence of benevolence in our society today. Then, glutinous consumerism and consumption. Lastly, we discuss the idea that many people need to be recognized for their good deeds, and that seemingly selfless acts have a strong selfish component to them.

Brandon is in a tent in the African jungle as we discuss Erich Fromm's The Sane Society. We cover "abstractification", exchanging goods and services for money, and the concept of money as a varying symbol for vastly diverse quantities of goods and services. We also discuss human beings as a commodity.

We continue through Erich Fromm’s The Sane Society, looking at Fromm’s description of 19th Century capitalism, how it has changed, and how we see things changing in the future. The illusion of freedom and the bottom line.

Brandon travels along Interstate 5 in California as we discuss the importance of challenging your belief systems. Brandon relates his own experience of questioning Christianity and the personal challenges that creates. We also discuss the benefits and hazards of mass organized religion.

Recurring guest Ian Aldion joins us for this episode, where we start by talking a bit about the recent elections in Turkey, which brings us to the topic of information restriction and censorship. Next we move to the meat of the episode, Erich Fromm's The Sane Society. We discuss the beginnings of chapter 5, which is about social character and how we, as individuals, are shaped to fit within our society, and the mental health of modern man.

In this episode of Heterogeneous Genius we discuss chapter three of Erich Fromm's The Sane Society; individuality vs. conformity, and destruction and creation as two sides of the same coin. Also, we discuss humans as transcending animals, rational ability of animals, and the wearing off of novel experience.

Brandon opens the show by asking what we would do if all our basic needs were provided for. Then we discuss whether or not conflict is necessary for human life and what role conflict plays in art. Later we discuss managing chaos, touching on aspects from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and Erich Fromm's The Sane Society.

This episode comes to you from Minnesota, Iraq, and Turkey. Ian joins us to talk about chapter two of Erich Fromm's The Sane Society. We discuss sociological relativism vs. normative humanism, and the idea that a society, as a whole, can be mentally unhealthy.