As a Podcast

Player Piano, by Kurt Vonnegut

12:30 • May 11, 2025

In this episode, we dive into the world of Doctor Paul Proteus, a central figure in a society dominated by machines and a rigid hierarchy. Paul is initially a highly-ranked manager at the Ilium Works, one of the massive industrial complexes that define the landscape. Despite his position, Paul finds himself increasingly disillusioned with the system. He has connections on both sides of the river – the engineered, managerial north bank where he lives and works, and the ol

The Time Machine, by H. G. Wells

26:58 • Apr 1, 2025

Get ready to journey beyond the limits of time itself! In this episode, we delve into H.G. Wells' classic tale, The Time Machine, following the incredible experiences of a brilliant inventor known only as the Time Traveller. After astonishing his guests with a demonstration of a miniature time-travel device that vanishes into thin air, the Time Traveller unveils his grand creation: a full-sized machine capable of traversing the vast epochs of time. Brace yourself as he recounts his pe

The Oregon Trail, by Francis Parkman

14:03 • Dec 2, 2024

Francis Parkman's The Oregon Trail, a book recounting the author's 1846 journey across the American West. Buy the book on Amazon Get the book from Google Books (free) Parkman's narrative details his experiences, including encounters with various Native American tribes, the challenges of traversing difficult terrain, and observations of the diverse individuals he met along the

Outlive, by Peter Attia

23:18 • Nov 13, 2024

Outlive, by Peter Attia is a book that examines the science and art of longevity and challenges the reader to rethink conventional approaches to health and wellness. Buy the book on Amazon The author, a physician and researcher, argues that modern medicine, known as Medicine 2.0, often focuses on treating disease after it has manifested, resulting in a limited healthspan. He proposes a new paradigm, Medicine 3.0, that emphasizes preventive measures and lifestyle int

The Case Against Sugar, by Gary Taubes

22:32 • Nov 11, 2024

The book The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes argues that sugar, particularly sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, is a primary driver of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Buy the book on Amazon The author presents a historical analysis of sugar consumption, tracing its evolution from a luxury to a dietary staple. Taubes explores the scientific evidence linking sugar to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and a host of other health problems, chall

On Freedom, by Timothy Snyder

23:49 • Oct 23, 2024

On Freedom, by Timothy Snyder explores the multifaceted nature of freedom, arguing that it is not simply the absence of constraints, but a complex and dynamic process of personal and collective action. Buy this book on Amazon Snyder draws on various historical examples, including the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of fascism, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, to demonstrate how freedom requires a commitment to truth, solidarity, and unpredictability. He also a

Nexus, by Yuval Noah Harari

19:49 • Oct 22, 2024

Yuval Noah Harari's book Nexus, which focuses on the history of information networks and explores the impact of information technology on human societies. Buy this book on Amazon The text examines how information shapes our understanding of reality, creates connections between individuals and groups, and fosters cooperation and conflict. The excerpt highlights the role of stories and myths in building networks, the challenges of bureaucracy and its potential to dist

The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt

23:29 • Oct 21, 2024

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation argues that the rise of smartphones and social media among children and adolescents has led to a mental health crisis and other societal problems. Buy the book on Amazon He uses data from the US, UK, and other countries to support his claim that these technologies contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and addiction. The book explores how technology has changed childhood, advocating for a “play-based childhood”

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

15:52 • Oct 20, 2024

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy explores the adventures of Arthur Dent, a hapless Englishman, and Ford Prefect, an alien researcher, who find themselves traveling through the galaxy after Earth's destruction. Buy the book on Amazon Humorous encounters, absurd situations, and the ongoing quest for the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. The discovery of the Babel fish, a creature that translates languages, and the Heart of Gold, a spaceship powered by

A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century, by Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein

27:02 • Oct 15, 2024

The book, A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century, examines the evolution of human behavior and biology through the lens of evolutionary theory. Buy the book on Amazon The authors, Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein, argue that modern society's problems, such as the obsession with growth and the prevalence of mismatch diseases, are rooted in a disconnect between our modern lifestyle and our evolutionary past. They suggest that to overcome these challenges, we

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

12:30 • Oct 14, 2024

Aldous Huxley's novel, Brave New World. The story follows the journey of John, a "savage," raised on a reservation, who is brought to the World State, a technologically advanced society where human beings are genetically engineered and conditioned from birth. Buy this book on Amazon The World State emphasizes stability and happiness, and its citizens are kept content through the use of soma, a powerful drug that suppresses all negative emotions. John, however

The End is Always Near, by Dan Carlin

13:14 • Oct 13, 2024

Dan Carlins The End Is Always Near is a non-fiction book that explores the history of civilization, particularly its rise and fall. Buy the book on Amazon Carlin, a podcast host, uses a blend of storytelling and historical research to examine the common thread of societal collapse throughout history. The book analyzes various factors that have contributed to the downfall of civilizations, including pandemics, climate change, warfare, and the impact of "toughness" in

1984, by George Orwell

12:36 • Oct 12, 2024

George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four explores the novel's themes of totalitarian control, language manipulation, and the psychological effects of oppression. Buy the book on Amazon Orwell critiques the dangers of totalitarianism through the dystopian world of Oceania, where the Party controls every aspect of citizens' lives, including their thoughts and memories. The novel examines the manipulation of language, particularly the creation of Newspeak, a language desig

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, by Ethan Mollick

20:20 • Oct 12, 2024

Ethan Mollick's book Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. It discusses the implications of the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their impact on various aspects of life, especially work and education. Buy this book on Amazon Mollick argues that LLMs are not simply sophisticated software programs, but rather co-intelligences that can be viewed as alien beings capable of performing tasks traditionally thought to be exclusively human. He proposes

The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson

13:56 • Oct 12, 2024

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson is a science fiction novel set in a future where nanotechnology is pervasive. Buy this book on Amazon The excerpts highlight several key themes of the novel, including the clash between technology and humanity, the importance of culture and education, and the power of storytelling. The novel explores how nanotechnology shapes society, transforming the world from a chaotic mix of competing phyles to a highly stratified society