LINKS

https://x.com/@micahzarin

https://substack.com/@micahzarin

0:00 – Suffering

18:15 – Psychedelics

27:49 – Immortality and Eugenics

32:06 – Animals

42:40 – AI, QM, and The Brain

Michael Huemer is a philosophy professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, author of The Problem of Political Authority and Skepticism and the Veil of Perception.We talk about phenomenal conservatism, anarcho-capitalism, whether AI could be conscious, what makes an experience belong to someone, and whether your dog has concepts.

0:00 How Huemer forms his beliefs

0:45 Phenomenal conservatism

3:36 Descartes and radical doubt

5:04 Anarcho-capitalism

24:21 AI — net positive or net negative?

25:57 Could AI be conscious?

28:19 Where does consciousness start?

36:09 Is the mind the only teleological thing?

42:28 Can you have experience without a self?

50:45 Do animals have concepts?

52:30 Advice for 17-year-olds

Paolo Aluffi, author of Algebra: Chapter 0 and professor at Florida State University, sits down to talk about what it actually means to do mathematics, and why most people have never seen the real thing.

00:00 — What does a mathematician actually do?

01:43 — How Algebra: Chapter 0 came to be

03:05 — The three types of students in every math class

07:39 — How Paolo got into mathematics

09:24 — If not math, then music

11:19 — What makes a mathematical structure "natural"?

12:40 — Grothendieck and the bridge between geometry and number theory

16:17 — The rising sea

19:02 — "If mathematics is hard, it's probably wrong"

20:01 — Are we early in the history of mathematics?

20:45 — The four color theorem and mathematical maturity

22:10 — Elliptic curves and the limits of intuition

24:19 — Does the world run on logic?

24:51 — How human intuition solves unsolvable combinatorial problems

29:32 — Is mathematics discovered or invented?

32:50 — Pure math vs applied math — and why Riemann never thought about GPS

In Episode 8 of EBKP I’m joined by theoretical computer scientist Scott Aaronson to explore one of the deepest questions at the intersection of philosophy, physics, and computation.

We discuss whether the brain could, even in principle, be simulated by a digital computer, what the Church–Turing thesis actually says about minds, and how quantum mechanics complicates questions of free will, prediction, and consciousness.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Preview

00:33 Is the brain a computer?

04:49 Is consciousness finite?

10:00 Information, physics, and limits

17:14 Interpreting quantum mechanics

24:53 Many worlds and decision-making

28:09 Free will and predictability

37:37 Could AI be conscious?

46:17 What is a quantum computer?

Why does scrolling feel better than reading, thinking, or even resting? Why is scrolling addictive?

If you’ve ever thought “I’m cooked” but couldn’t stop scrolling, this is why.

Guest: Todd McGowan (Why Theory)

Chapters

0:00 – Intro + who Todd is

2:33 – Why scrolling feels so good (jouissance)

5:00 – Brainrot, Gen Z/Gen Alpha, and desire

14:54 – What brainrot actually is

17:36 – Memes, repetition, and absurd humor

23:45 – Numbers, recognition, and the algorithm

31:58 – AI, capitalism, fascism, and collapse

38:07 – How to resist the desire machine

Can Objective Truth Survive 2025? A leftist (Micah) and a conservative (Brandon Ilizarov) go head-to-head on faith, Gaza, capitalism, diets, college admissions, “cancel culture,” and whether logic still means anything in an algorithmic world. It’s raw, fast, and (sometimes) uncomfortable—exactly how grown-up conversations should be.

Websites Mentioned:

https://www.trackaipac.com/

https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org/

WATCH if you like: Sam Harris vs Peterson, Lex Fridman debates, Triggernometry, Coleman Hughes, Destiny.

⚠️ Content notes: war, politics, mental health, diet/health claims.

SUBSCRIBE + COMMENT: Do you think objective truth still exists? Drop TRUTH or VIBES below and tell us why.

WHAT WE ARGUE ABOUT

• God, deathbed conversions, and meaning (religion vs “art is my god”)

• Gaza/Israel ethics, “anti-war but pro-human,” and precision vs collateral

• Capitalism’s incentives: GLP-1/Ozempic, insulin, shrimp-on-a-treadmill and why weird science matters

• Diet wars: carnivore/raw milk vs vegan/GMOs, “plant defense chemicals,” bioavailability

• Climate change and why culture, not Congress, moves people

• Cancel culture, forgiveness, and admitting you were wrong

• Grades, SATs, “test-optional,” race vs class, and what diversity actually means

• Utilitarianism: drowning child, bed nets, and when logic leads somewhere insane

• Voting-rights hot take: IQ tests vs better civic education

• Conspiracies & skepticism: pagers, JFK, MLK, Epstein, Google/ChatGPT warping our reasoning

#EliteBallKnowledge #Philosophy #ObjectiveTruth #Debate #LeftVsRight #Gaza #Utilitarianism #FreeSpeech #Education #Admissions #GLP1 #Vegan #Carnivore #RawMilk #Climate #AIPAC #Conspiracy #CancelCulture #AI #Google

In this conversation, Micah and Denis delve into various philosophical themes, exploring the nature of existence, the role of education in fostering creativity, and the impact of capitalism on society. They discuss the complexities of human experience, the implications of wealth and power, and the challenges posed by modern ideologies. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of these topics, moving beyond simplistic binaries to appreciate the intricacies of life. In this engaging conversation, Micah and Denis explore a variety of themes including the significance of favorite words, the impact of music and media on personal growth, and the philosophical insights derived from literature. They reflect on their childhood experiences, the role of parents in shaping perspectives, and the interconnectedness of philosophy with various disciplines. The discussion highlights how art and media can influence thought processes and the importance of fostering a sense of wonder in children.

In this conversation, Micah, Omar, and Esat discuss their personal backgrounds, aspirations, and views on various societal issues. They explore the right to self-defense, the polarization in society, and critique the education system. The discussion also delves into freedom of speech, the role of government in regulating businesses, and the implications of wealth distribution, particularly concerning billionaires. The conversation emphasizes the importance of civility in debates and the responsibility to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The right to self-defense is seen as innate but should have limitations.

Polarization in society is exacerbated by a two-party system.

Education should encourage diverse perspectives and critical thinking.

Freedom of speech is essential for a healthy society.

Censorship can stifle important discussions and ideas.

Billionaires should use their wealth to help others.

The government has a role in regulating businesses for public good.

Civility in debates is crucial for understanding differing viewpoints.

In this episode of the Elite Ball Knowledge Podcast, Benjamin Davidson discusses his philosophical beliefs, including his views on the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the nature of consciousness. He explores the arguments for and against the existence of God, the role of mathematics in understanding the universe, and the concept of personal identity. Davidson also delves into ethics, free will, and the challenges faced by Gen Z in a rapidly changing world.

00:00

Exploring Beliefs and Background

02:52

The Problem of Evil and God's Existence

06:09

Arguments for and Against Deism

08:40

Mathematics: Discovery or Invention?

12:04

The Nature of Objects and the Ship of Theseus

14:46

The Concept of Self and Personal Identity

17:57

Consciousness: Emergence and Evolution

24:28

The Nature of Consciousness

27:16

AI and Consciousness: A Comparative Analysis

30:17

Emergent Properties: Consciousness in AI vs. Humans

33:07

Ethics and Moral Statements: Truth or Emotion?

38:41

Free Will: Illusion or Reality?

43:11

The State of the World: Perspectives for Gen Z

What happens when your dream major turns out to be nothing like you imagined? In this episode of Elite Ball Knowledge, I talk with Michael Cai, a Harvard student who recently switched from computer science and linguistics to neuroscience.

We dive into why he left CS, how idealism gets crushed by the tech industry, and the weird ethics of attention economies and AI slop. From populism to philosophy, generational burnout to post-capitalist meaning, this one spirals fast—but never aimlessly. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re studying the right thing, whether tech is saving the world or just running it, or why so many brilliant people still feel completely lost—this episode is for you.

Topics include:

– Why people leave computer science

– Free market ethics and tech dystopias

– Philosophy as a survival skill

– Populism and generational alienation

– Mental health, apathy, and the myth of meaning

– Harvard vs the idea of Harvard