Unpacking Ideas

In this episode we unpack American Social Psychologist Stanley Milgram's 1974 book "Obedience to Authority." This book explores... -Why we lose our sense of moral responsibility when taking orders -Why we are so bad at predicting our capacity to be obedient -Why the desire to be polite can lead us to do evil Links to Reading and Other Books/Movies Mentioned Obedience to Authority by Stanley Milgra...

In this episode we unpack "The Book of Job" from The Old Testament of the Bible This book explores... -Why God allows bad things to happen to innocent people -Why surrender is sometimes the only answer to that which is out of our control -Why pondering the cosmos helps put our personal suffering into perspective Links to Reading and other Books mentioned The King James Bible The Wisdom Books by Ro...

In this episode we unpack Austrian Existential Poet Rainer Maria Rilke's masterpiece "Letters to a Young Poet." These letters explore... -Why solitude is vital for creatives -Why the creative process is similar to the gestation period and birthing of a baby -Why advice is often unhelpful  Links to Reading and other Books mentioned Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke Attached by Amir...

In this episode we unpack Scottish Novelist Robert Louis Stevenson's essay "An Apology for Idlers" from 1877. The essay explores… -Why we should spend a good deal of time being idle in our youth -Why we have a moral duty to be happy -Why books aren't all they're cracked up to be Links to Reading and Articles mentioned "An Apology to Idlers" by Robert Louis Stevenson "Vagabonding" by Rolf Potts **n...

In this episode we unpack "Letter to Menoeceus" by Ancient Greek Philosopher Epicurus.  The Letter explores... -Why death is not something we need to fear -Why those who need luxury least are the ones who enjoy it most -How to make calculations to maximize pleasure and tranquility Links to Reading and articles mentioned "Letter to Menoceus" by Epicurus "Money Buys Happiness Only to a Cer...

In this episode we unpack Roman Orator and Politician Marcus Tullius Cicero's treatise "On Friendship" from 44BCE.  The treatise explores... -Why blind loyalty in friendship should be avoided -How the conception of a "soul mate" has changed throughout the ages -How to choose a friend like a Stoic Links to Reading and Articles Mentioned         "On Friendship...

In this episode we unpack Chinese Military Strategist Sun Tzu's classic treatise "The Art of War" from circa 500BCE. The treatise explores... -Why the supreme general is not the one who fights and wins many battles -Why it is unwise to corner the enemy -How a General should command his soldiers Link to Reading          "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu **note** re...

In this episode we unpack British Mathematician and Biologist Jacob Bronowski’s 1973 essay “The Long Childhood” from his 1973 documentary series “The Ascent of Man.” This essay explores... -Why it is humans who ride horses and not the other way around -Why Traditional civilizations revered the adult and Modern Western civilization reveres the child -Why all Utopias are destined to fail Link to Vid...

In this episode we unpack German Depth Psychologist Erich Neumann's 1949 essay "Depth Psychology and a New Ethic." This essay explores... -The origins and history of consciousness -The stages of ethical development -Why each individual must go on the journey of Individuation Link to Reading "Depth Psychology and a New Ethic" by Erich Neumann **note** reading is not required to enjoy the episo...

In this episode we unpack German Depth Psychologist Erich Neumann's 1949 essay "Depth Psychology and a New Ethic." This essay explores... -How the processes of repression, suppression, and projection work -Why the Judeo-Christian Ethic leads to projecting our negative qualities onto others -Why we scapegoat minorities, psychopaths, and people of superior ability Link to Reading "Depth Psychology a...

In this episode we unpack American Self-Help Coach Dale Carnegie's 1936 best-selling book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." The book explores... -Whether or not all human behavior is self interested -How to make people feel important -Why remembering people's names is such a big deal Link to Reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie **note** reading is not require...

In this episode we unpack American Novelist and Journalist David Foster Wallace's essay "Consider the Lobster" from 2004. The essay explores... -The strange history of eating lobster in America -How the language we use influences the way we think about animals -How future generations might look at the way we currently treat animals Link to Reading "Consider the Lobster" by David Foster Wallace **n...

In this episode we unpack American Transcendentalist Philosopher and Abolitionist Henry David Thoreau's essay "Walking" from 1851. The essay explores... -Why English Literature is lacking the passion and wildness found in Mythology -Why a person's ignorance is sometimes not only useful, but beautiful -How to go on walks in the spirit of undying adventure Link to Reading "Walking" by Henry David Th...

In this episode we unpack Theodore Kaczynski's 1995 essay "Industrial Society and Its Future" or as it is better know "The Unabomber Manifesto" The essays explores... -Kaczynski's predictions about the future of technology -Why modern day people struggle so much with anxiety and depression -Why technological systems limit our freedom and autonomy Link to Reading "Industrial Society and Its Future"...

In this episode we unpack the essay "Of Anger" by the Roman Stoic Philosopher Seneca the Younger.  The essay explores... -Whether or not anger is useful -Why the sword of justice is ill placed in the hands of an angry man -How we should respond to anger when it arises  Link to Reading "Of Anger" by Seneca the Younger **note** reading is not required to enjoy the episode! Host: Zach Stehu...

In this episode we unpack American Transcendentalist Philosopher Ralf Waldo Emerson's 1841 essay "Self-Reliance." The essay explores... -Why envy is ignorance and imitation is suicide -Why we hide our true selves -How to discover who we truly are Link to Reading "Self Reliance" by Ralf Waldo Emerson **note** reading is not required to enjoy the episode! Host: Zach Stehura     UnpackingIdeas.com Gu...

In this episode we unpack French Renaissance Philosopher Michel de Montaigne's essay, "On the Art of Conversation" from 1580.  The essay explores.. -Why disagreement is a crucial aspect of conversation -How talking about ideas can sharpen our thinking -Why we have more to to learn from fools than sages Link to Reading "On the Art of Conversation" by Michel de Montaigne **note** reading is not...