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An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About? Join us, as we try to puzzl ...
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Matt and Chris dip their toes into the fetid, guru-infested swamp surrounding the 2024 U.S. election. Straining to see what lurks in the murky depths, they encounter dark shapes, including Eric Weinstein pledging his services to whoever wins (or will give him a call), Joe Rogan conspiracy hypothesizing with Donald Trump, the Free Press hosting a tr…
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Supplementary Material 17: American Dreams, YouTube Algorithms, and Poisonous Plastics
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In this episode, Chris and Matt open the lid on Matt's adventures in America. Basking in the land of the free, Matt is forced to consider YouTube dynamics, indulgent podcast conversations, potential Russian influence campaigns, and the environmental toxins that sound him. We will return soon with another SM election special and a better mic for Mat…
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In this special international episode of Decoding the Gurus, Chris and Matt jump on the hottest online topic and devote an hour to reviewing Richard Dawkins' influential work from the 1970s, The Selfish Gene. This book influenced Matt and Chris when they were teenage decoders, but how does it hold up now that they have evolved into (quasi)adult for…
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Interview with Flint Dibble (Round 2): Battling Pseudo Archaeology & Sharing Science
1:55:29
1:55:29
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We return to the world of lost civilizations, pseudo-archaeology, and real archaeology with Cardiff University archaeologist Flint Dibble. Sadly the senior member of the Decoding team was absent for the interview but junior decoder Chris struggled on as best he could. This episode, recorded just before the release of Ancient Apocalypse Season 2 on …
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John Vervaeke and Jordan Peterson: Word Worshipers
3:05:19
3:05:19
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That's right—we’re back in the heady world of sense-making, but don't worry, we're just in time to witness the final resolution of the ever-looming 'Meaning Crisis.' Join Matt and Chris as they embark on an epic journey with the cognitively inclined philosopher John Vervaeke and none other than the uber-guru, Jordan Peterson, himself. Together, the…
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Supplementary Material 16: Riding a Phoenix to Rescue the Gurusphere
47:41
47:41
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We plunge ever deeper into the convoluted world of guru punditry and are dazzled at the theatrics at the 'Rescue the Republic' event, inspired by the profound insights of Eric Weinstein on political speeches, and thrilled at Michael Moynihan's hard knock interview with the moderate heterodox thinker Megyn Kelly. Join us won't you? 00:00 Introductio…
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There are many different systems for quantifying a person's essential essence. You could use an Ayurvedic questionnaire to determine your doshic levels, you could consult an astrologer to identify your most auspicious dates and the origins of your personality quirks, or you could even ask a psychologist to take a personality inventory and discover …
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Decoding Academia 30: Sadistic Trolls love Dark Humour *Preview*
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This is a preview episode to remind those who might be interested that we have a bonus Decoding Academia series, available at the Patreon at the Revolutionary Genius tier and above, which is now up to episode 30! On Decoding Academia we usually focus on specific papers and indulge our more nerdy and academic tendencies. It is almost like a journal …
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Darryl Cooper, Nazi Apologetics, & Disturbances in the Discourse
2:23:34
2:23:34
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Join Matt and Chris for a deep dive into the discourse created by Darryl Cooper’s controversial interview with Tucker Carlson. The decoders tackle Cooper’s revisionist takes on Winston Churchill, Hitler, and WWII, asking whether throwing in strategic disclaimers really makes it all okay. They also explore reactions from the wider comment-o-sphere, …
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Supplementary Material 15: Russian Stooges, Lex Love-bombs, and Heterodox Hypocrisy
51:40
51:40
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We rip off the unconvincing plastic mask to reveal the true gurus lurking underneath and discuss: Russian Propaganda and Influencer Scandal Profit Incentives in Alternative Media and the Need for Disclosure Excessive Profiteering and Advertising Lex Fridman interviews Trump (with love) Trump and Anti-Vaxx Conspiracy Theories Trump and Kamala Debate…
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Dr. K (Part 3): Therapeutic Non-Therapy
4:29:05
4:29:05
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Join Matt and Chris as they conclude their deep dive into the content of Dr. K, the streaming psychiatrist behind Healthy Gamer GG. In previous episodes, they explored his promotion of Ayurvedic medicine and his use of the rhetorical strategies often seen in Complementary and Alternative Medicine spaces. This time, they tackle his more controversia…
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Supplementary Materials 14: Return to the Gurusphere
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45:53
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World travels complete the Guru Decoders reconvene to examine how the Gurusphere has been behaving in their absence. Bad news abounds. Featuring: Introduction and Hosts' Reunion Chris's Travel Tales Cultural Observations and Comparisons Health Concerns and Anti-Vax Movement RFK Jr. and Political Endorsements Quarantine Measures in History Bret Wein…
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Supplementary Materials 13: Dead Bears, Biblical Stories, and Coffeezilla's Legal Battle
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44:12
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We reflect on the meaning of some biblical scriptures to understand the gurus, alongside: Jonathan Pageau gets into the Olympics RFK Jnr. and the Dead Bear Guru Dystopia: Trump Meets Adin Ross Eric Weinstein enters the 2024 Campaign The penetrating insights of Joe Rogan Coffeezilla fights back against Logan Paul's defamation case Litigious Musk and…
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Bryan Johnson: Definitely not a vampire!
1:22:15
1:22:15
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In this life-enhancing episode, Matt and Chris venture into the futuristic world of tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson, clarifying along the way that he’s not the ACDC frontman. They examine Johnson's Project Blueprint and 'Don't Die' movement—a quest for indefinite lifespan extension through supplements and lifestyle changes—and conside…
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Supplementary Materials 12: Olympic Ceremonies and Presidential Candidates
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We tour the Guru-sphere's balanced and considered response to the Olympics Opening Ceremony and Kamala Harris replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. And oh boy are they on form! Addressing Petty Grievances: The Show's Format The Furor French Olympics Opening Ceremony Trump's Assassination Conspiracies The Great Flowering of Kamal…
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Gabor Maté: Achieving Authenticity, Tackling Trauma, and Minimizing Modern Malaise
2:48:55
2:48:55
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Join Matt and Chris as they hunker down with the dulcet reassuring tones of Gabor Maté, the Hungarian-Canadian physician renowned for his unconventional perspectives on trauma, stress, and addiction. Inspired by Maté they reflect on early childhood experiences, explore whether unprocessed trauma has steered them towards a life engulfed by modern gu…
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Supplementary Materials 11: Alex Jones is at it again
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We are a little behind the news cycle with this release, so we apologise for that. For context this episode was recorded after Trump's assassination attempt but before Biden announced he was stepping down. We will return with the Gurusphere's insane reaction to that event next time. Here we consider: Trump's leaked conversation with RFK Junior A ve…
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Decoding the Gurus is now a venerable institution and as such we have built up quite a menagerie of would-be gurus and even a handful of not-really gurus. So like all the hip kids today, we decided to look back at our previous gurus and arrange them on a tier list of Secular Guruosity. If you would like to play along we’ve made a version accessible…
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Supplementary Materials 10: Rigorous Conspiracy Hypothesising about the Trump Shooting
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A special Supplementary Material where we take a gander at some of the reactions to the recent assassination attempt on Trump and then dig deeper with some responsible model conspiracy hypothesizing with Bret and Heather. Also featuring: Our completely predictable response to the shooting John Cusack's Conspiracy Theory Tim Kennedy's Conspiracy Ven…
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Dr. K (Part 2): Rhetorical Judo Flips
3:58:10
3:58:10
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Join Matt and Chris for a trademark 'short' episode as they continue to navigate the complex, occasionally controversial world of Dr. K in this second multi-dimensional episode. This time they take a look at some more recent content and reflect on whether they were wrong to identify Dr. K as such a strong advocate of Ayurvedic medicine. In their in…
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Supplementary Materials 9: Galaxy Brains Collide
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38:13
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We get put in our place by an old champion, who reminds us why they are the king. Also this episode: Chris' post-conference thoughts on the UK Matt's Great American Burger Giveaway Non-Tribal Joe Rogan meets Jimmy Dore Lex Fridman meets Ivanka Trump The UK election and the heterodox response Jordan Peterson and the spiritual kingdom of Farageism Ru…
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Dr. K (Part 1): OPed Ayurvedic Medicine vs. Nerfed 'Western' Allopathy
3:14:58
3:14:58
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Alok Kanojia, better known as Dr. K, is a charismatic psychiatrist and online streamer who offers a unique blend of psychological, self-help, and spiritual advice to guide individuals through the complexities of modern life, aiming to help them become Healthy Gamers™. Join Matt and Chris as they embark on a multi-part journey through the diverse bi…
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Supplementary Materials 8: Lab Leak Discourse, Toxic YouTube Dynamics, and the Metaphysics of Peppa Pig
42:49
42:49
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We stare into the abyss and welcome darkness into our souls as we discuss: Feedback on the Žižek episode Middle Aged Men's Health Update Alina Chan and the newest round of Lab Leak Discourse Discourse Surfing Pundits Alex O'Connor cornering Jordan Peterson on the resurrection The philosophical and Marxist implications of Peppa Pig Potential Alterna…
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Slavoj Žižek: When is a shark not a shark?
2:33:04
2:33:04
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Join Matt and Chris as they plunge into the heady mental universe of Slavoj Žižek, the Slovenian philosopher known for his eclectic and provocative ideas. The duo parses Žižek's 'unconventional' takes on ideology, consumerism, and revolutionary theory, peppered with his playful movie criticism of films like Jaws and a Clockwork Orange and even a fe…
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Supplementary Materials 7: Guru Oneupmanship, Hard Ad Pivots, MOOOINK, and Left Wing Populism
37:04
37:04
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We curse the dark omens emerging from the Gurusphere as we consider: The Illusion of Disciplinary Boundaries Flint Dibble Feedback and Rays of Hope Russell Brand and Bret Weinstein: Guru One-upmanship Bret Weinstein loves MOINNNNK Hard Ad Pivots and Peasants Popping out of Wells Ken Klippenstein and Populist Rhetoric Questioning mainstream narrativ…
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