The Problem with Reading

516 The Problem with... "Return of the Strong Gods" ft. Mojo

Special and longtime-coming Guest Mojo joins to discuss R. R. Reno's 2019 book "Return of the Strong Gods." In it, Reno argues that the Postwar Consensus after World War 2 substituted weak gods of openness in reaction to the ideological horrors that caused the conflict. But what happens when weak gods stick around too long and the consensus starts to fray? Stephen and Brevin have read about it, Mojo lived it, and everybody has something to rant (or romp) about, so have a listen!

515 The Problem with..."Convivial Marxists and Personal Knowledge, Part 5"

Marxists, friendship, and how to fully commit while possibly being wrong! Polanyi keeps digging the hole deeper, but also starts to hint at his answer. Sam has a love-hate relationship with Ikea, Brevin is suffering seasonal heating mismatches, and everyone is having a good time. Have a listen!

514 The Problem with..."Ice, Windows 11, and Personal Knowledge, Part 4"

The gents investigate their scientific passions and perils in this episode. Can we trust the beauty of reality to out, or will personal attacks prevail? Polanyi argues that intellectual passion is essential to the progress of science; but Sam just wants to talk about the Seahawks, and Stephen's lonely calculations are ruined by our computer overlords. Have a listen!

513 The Problem with..."Language Skills and Personal Knowledge, Part 3"

“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of skills and language. In their real lives, the co-hosts might be lacking some skill. Stephen might have a DUI, Sam is fighting Big Insurance, and Brevin is switching his Internet Provider. Have a listen!

512 The Problem with..."Resident Evil and Personal Knowledge, Part 2"

“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of probability, information, randomness, and interpretation. While the search for the resolution to the seemingly intractable problem of subjective vs objective knowledge is important, everyone is keeping busy on the side: Stephen has a definitive analysis of the Resident Evil games to pitch, Brevin is meditating on nuclear nightmares, and Sam is listening to esoteric progressive rock. Have a listen!