Fauxlosophers

NFTs could be the future of ownership, but right now, people seem to have some wacky ideas about how this would be implemented. Can digital things really be owned? And now the Zucc himself is trying to sell you a world where NFTs are the only meaningful form of ownership. How's that going? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach u...

We're all frustrated with fake and misleading online reviews of products and services. This week, we discuss the issue and try to come up with a solution for keeping them trustworthy. TomSka "Please Fire Me" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32JcVrowndw -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - E...

Many in our society decry its rampant consumerism that destroys the environment, further impoverishes people attempting to appear wealthy, and funnels money to the rich who exploit it. But what is consumerism really? Why is it that we are so upset at ourselves for wanting things? Is there a good reason to hate it, or is it actually good for us? Additionally, we'll discuss one weird trick you can u...

This week, Joe expresses his concerns about desensitization to violence and sex in media, and David wonders whether we've really changed over the past several decades. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is su...

Most people treat the law with great respect. We justify everything through the letter of law. Even when exercising our most basic human rights like the freedom of speech, we lean upon laws like the First Amendment to justify it. But there's a dark side to all this as well. We are right to have and use laws to protect our individual rights, but tyrants are just as happy to use the letter of law to...

Due to some recent personal turmoil, we were unable to record a full episode for this week, so please enjoy this from our archive: a reading of Paul Graham's essay The Four Quadrants of Conformism. Paul has written many compelling essays, and this is one of our favorites. It outlines a basic lens with which to understand many archetypes in our culture that seem to transcend time. You can find the...

Is all art political in one way or another? Why do people get so upset at political messaging in art? And how does nostalgia make it more difficult to appreciate new works? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers...

There's a growing movement of people protesting the status quo of the labor market. What motivates this idea? Should you quit your job? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like you. If...

This week, we complete our discussion on the right to exist. This time, we discuss nations and countries as well as animals and species. What does it even mean for a nation to exist, and why are humans so special among animals? CGP Grey countries video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AivEQmfPpk -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can...

Is it a person's right to exist? The universe is rather apathetic to our existence, so why should society feel any burdens to protect you? If people do have the right to exist, what does this really mean philosophically? Do you have the right to demand labor from others to preserve your existence or to demand that others recognize a particular identity of yours? -- If you have suggestions for futu...

This week, we take a deep dive into the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer as well as the Greek philosopher Epicurus. Each of them have interesting takes on pleasure and pain and their importance in how one should make decisions in their life. However, we found that although these conceptions are aesthetically pleasing, they leave room for problems to emerge if put into practice. CGP Grey's 7 ways...

This week, we explore the controversy of child labor laws. How did we get into the situation we now see? How was childhood and child labor viewed historically? Is it time for children to be allowed to work again? Roblox controversy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the foll...

What even is a conspiracy theory? Conspiracies are real, so why is there such a negative connotation with the phrase? How can we recognize and question irrational conspiracy theories? All this and more, this week. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https...

This week, we consider the demographics of the people who wrote the history we read today as well as how people in the far future will see our time based on what we leave behind. Who had the motivation to write history, and how accurate could they have been? Considering the cultural differences between urban and rural lifestyles, how accurately will today's history be portrayed for the future? --...

What's changed in the way we view communities? How has internet culture shaped and been shaped by the structure of online communities over time? This week, we'll discuss such things as the awkwardness of meeting your neighbors and how reddit's downvote button is totally a "disagree" button. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach...

Money, so they say, is the root of all evil today. How did we get here, and why do many of the richest people in our society seem to promote anti-capitalist virtues? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supp...

This week, we discuss the ethics of people with influence exploiting their social reach for monetary gain. From Elon Musk to Veritasium, money makes a difference. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is support...

What was/is the New Atheism movement, and why has the term become a pejorative? What mistakes were made that could have avoided this outcome, and how can we apply this knowledge today in our pursuit of truth? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://an...

This week, we discuss why people hate and fear doxxing, the act of revealing someone's personal information online. Why do people value their anonymity, and is it really so healthy that people do so? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/f...

Should governments protect their citizens abroad? This week, we discuss the complicated and touchy relationships between governments surrounding law, embassies, and military bases. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlo...

This week, we discuss some illuminating takes from non-Americans on American freedom. Would life be better with somebody else making the decisions? Should we bring back the king? What type of mindset leads people to resent freedom and willingly sacrifice it? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - E...

This week, we discuss the tiers of advanced civilizations and the possible motivations of alien civilizations. What might an encounter with intelligent aliens be like? Why haven't we seen any yet? Will there be war? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: htt...

Science fiction often includes themes of a united humanity. If humanity could ever truly unite, what should our goals be? We discuss just that this week, along with such tangents as intelligent aliens and nuclear war. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: h...

If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like you. If you feel inclined to donate, you can do so through any of the following platforms: - Patreon: https://patreon.com/fauxlosophers - PayPal: h...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of stories and myths to their respective cultures, and we consider the possibility and ethics of deliberately altering narratives to achieve a cultural shift. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm...