In this episode, I look back on my journey with Urbit, the ambitious project to rebuild the internet, why I stepped back, detailing the project's unexpected twists, including the challenges faced by startups attempting to build on the platform and the surprising return of founder Curtis Yarvin. I take an honest look at how his initial timeline expectations were off and the difficulties encountered, like the "death by a thousand paper cuts" from technical issues that made building on Urbit painful.
This period offered significant learning about technology projects, market sentiment, and the allure of hype cycles. I share how these experiences shaped my current, more measured approach, as well as my year long involvement with Zorp, a startup from the Urbit ecosystem now building Nockchain, a novel zero knowledge proof of work blockchain. He discusses the potential of ZKPs and why I've adopted a strategy of patient, behind the scenes work before public promotion.
I also discuss working on Nockchain, even building an anonymous following for its blog from scratch. I talk about Nockchain's imminent "fair launch," where anyone can begin mining. This episode is a candid reflection on past miscalculations and a look at a new venture in radical sovereignty technology.
01:21 Discovering Urbit
02:44 Involvement with Urbit
04:44 Challenges and Reflections
05:38 The Independent Scholar
06:57 Urbit's Market Dynamics
15:31 Urbit Startups and Setbacks
22:49 The Rise and Fall of Urbit
23:38 Orbit's Struggles and My Realizations
24:54 Current State and Future Potential of Urbit
31:42 The Promise of Zero Knowledge Proofs
35:18 Introducing Nock Chain
38:31 Reflections and Lessons Learned
45:05 The Launch of Nock Chain
Other Life
✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co
✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade
✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar
This episode unpacks the seventh and eighth sentences of Nick Land's "Meltdown," where "soft engineering slithers out of its box into yours" and "human security is lurching into crisis." We consider how Land's vision of programming the body manifests in surprising ways, from COVID-19 as a biological agent turned symbolic force, to the AI of Ex Machina. The idea of the human body as a programmable interface, with roots in William Burroughs, is central to understanding these unfolding crises.
This episode also touches on the rapid, horizontal replication that bypasses old hierarchies – seen in actual cloning, the way internet personalities jump expertise ("transversal replication" via Deleuze & Guattari), and even how IVF restructures reproduction. Cyberotics, like AI girlfriends, and the merging of biological and memetic viruses further illustrate this acceleration where boundaries dissolve and new forms of replication flood in.
Other Life
✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co
✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade
✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar
This episode unpacks the third sentence from Nick Land's "Meltdown."
"As markets learn to manufacture intelligence, politics modernizes, upgrades paranoia, and tries to get a grip."
What does it mean for markets to "manufacture intelligence"? Drawing on Hayek and Mises, we discuss how this phrase is not merely a figure of speech. The earliest stock markets around the year 1600 illustrate the concept.
We then consider the reaction of politics to this ascendant market intelligence. Much of political modernism, along with its heightened paranoia, is an attempt to cope with or "get a grip" on forces it cannot control. We discuss examples from Soviet collectivization to the "paranoid style" in American politics.
The idea finds surprising applicability in the contemporary debate around Artificial Intelligence. As AI accelerates, familiar calls for control and "safety" emerge. Referencing Land's "Machinic Desire," we discuss "Politically Organized Defensive Systems" (PODS) and their core rule: "the outside must pass by way of the inside." This is what's going on when it comes to AI governance and the push to centralize oversight of a rapidly escalating new form of intelligence.
Other Life
✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co
✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade
✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar
Socrates shows up late, looks like hell, and still somehow rules the room. What's really going in the Symposium? Plato uses a dinner party to show how authentic love is more intoxicating than alcohol. We explore the relationship between erotic desire and philosophy, and how philosophy is often a cold shower on our lesser temptations.
We examine why talented poets like Aristophanes might be the fiercest skeptics of love, Alcalbiades’ dramatic interruption, and how Socrates’ uncompromising pursuit of truth brings admiration as well as danger. Perhaps the only desire strong enough to guide us well is the love of the good, no matter the cost.
Other Life
✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co
✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade
✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar
Alex Priou
Alex Priou is a philosopher who works on Plato and Pre-Socratic thought. Alex is the author of three books on Plato: *Becoming Socrates: Political Philosophy in Plato’s Parmenides* (2018), *Defending Socrates: Political Philosophy Before the Tribunal of Science* (2023), and—the pretext for this converstaion—[*Musings on Plato’s Symposium*](https://amzn.to/43BtkEv) (2023). He also co-hosts [*The New Thinkery*](http://www.thenewthinkery.com), a political philosophy podcast. Learn more about Alex's work at [alexpriou.com](http://www.alexpriou.com).
Johnathan Bi shares his journey from successful tech founder to independent philosophy lecturer, explaining why he walked away from founder equity to pursue his passion for bringing philosophical works to a broader audience. Through a unique modern patronage model backed by tech leaders, he's creating high-production lecture videos while maintaining his own independence.
The conversation explores how modern education systems, particularly in places like Beijing, systematically push students away from humanities toward technical subjects. Bi offers fascinating insights into the parallels between Renaissance patronage and modern content creation, revealing how he's built sustainable funding relationships while staying true to his scholarly mission. His approach challenges conventional wisdom about career paths and content monetization, suggesting a new model for independent intellectual work in the digital age.
I'm joined by Nina Power and DC Miller to discuss Plato's Republic. Topics include physical training and physical pleasure, philosophy under political repression, the training of philosophy, wealth, social class, and the role of irony in philosophy.
Starting with the opening scene of The Republic, we explore how philosophy operates under political pressure and the relationship between justice, truth, and madness. We discuss the role of wealth in philosophical pursuit, Christianity's synthesis of Greek philosophical ideas, and whether philosophy should be universally accessible or the province of a select few.
03:02 Plato’s Republic and Justice
07:09 Should Philosophy Be Popular?
14:35 Wealth
34:29 Thinking
35:17 Christianity and Free Speech
36:43 Beauty
38:11 Philosophy and Social Class
43:26 Madness and Philosophy
53:28 The Role of Physical Training in Philosophy
59:51 Irony
I explore Nietzsche's critique of Christianity in The Genealogy of Morals, and specifically how it stands against what we find in the New Testament, especially the Gospel of John. Nietzsche’s understanding of Christian belief as naive and slavish is inconsistent with the sophisticated epistemology presented by John. I discuss the pursuit of truth, the function of miracles, and the essence of sin according to John. Christ seems to be advocating for the pursuit of truth, not some kind of naive, blind faith. Nietzsche’s accusations against Christianity just don't hold up, and probably reflect his own personal struggles with resentment.
Other Life
✦ The coolest free newsletter in the world: https://otherlife.co
✦ The monthly PRINT edition: https://otherlife.co/upgrade
✦ My new book, The Independent Scholar: https://otherlife.co/scholar
For references, see Nietzsche on the Pride of the Philosopher in Contrast to the Slave
✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co
✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
A personal reflection and update on my 5-year journey to design a new kind of scholarly life for the internet era. In a previous podcast, I shared how the Other Life company hit some hard times. Here I explain what I learned from that, and how I've turned it around. I share some meditations on the pursuit of weird goals, finding one's own path, and some new things I've come to learn about entrepreneurship. The ultimate meaning and purpose of the "other life" concept has really come home to me in the past few months.
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://OtherLife.co
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent creative work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
On muddling through, faith, and the absurdity of pursuing a singular creative vision on the open market...
A story about the past few months of Other Life (and the next few).
✦ If you’re in the Los Angeles area, come to our meetup tomorrow Friday Dec. 1 at 3pm in Santa Monica. RSVP here.
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world https://otherlife.co
✦ Become a member https://otherlife.co/upgrade
I'm joined by author William Egginton to discuss his new book The Rigor of Angels. We talk Borges, Kant, and Heisenberg—and the big idea(s) they had in common. We discuss the antimonies of knowledge and the possibility that art is their solution. We discuss Coltrane, intelligence, creativity, biography, academia, and specialization vs. generalism. At the end, we discuss writing and publishing, the changing landscape of the book publishing industry, and how to think about writing for different audiences.
Chapters:
(0:00:00) - The Rigor of Angels
(0:10:43) - The Antinomies of Knowledge
(0:19:55) - Impact of Great Art and Thinkers
(0:23:41) - Curiosity and Conviviality
(0:30:31) - Creativity and Intelligence
(0:43:28) - The Future of Writing and Publishing
(0:49:27) - Academic vs. Popular Writing
William Egginton:
✦ Buy the Rigor of Angels: https://amzn.to/3Rj3fDV
✦ William on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamEgginton
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world. https://otherlife.co
✦ Become a member. https://otherlife.co/upgrade
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're an independent writer, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
We dissect the complex life of Ezra Pound, one of the most interesting and controversial poetic geniuses of the 20th century. You'll gain insight into: Why Pound was so influential, his extraordinary talent-spotting skills, and his knack for turning vibrant social scenes into artistic movements. However, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride, as we also delve into the darker sides of Pound's life, including his descent into Fascism and anti-semitism. I believe the story is a cautionary tale about resentment, the modern passion par excellence, and a dangerous trap for people who rebel against institutions.
This podcast will help you understand Pound's poetic and cultural innovations, including Imagism and Vorticism, and how his strong opinions and unique perspective propelled him, despite his controversial and often off-putting personality. We'll recount his turbulent career during WWI and WWII, his friendship with W.B. Yeats, the launch of Blast Magazine, and much more.
This podcast is based on a close reading of Ezra Pound: The Solitary Volcano (1987) by John Tytell.
Chapters
(0:00:00) - Intro
(0:04:04) - Summary of Lessons From Ezra Pound's Life
(0:17:22) - Dense Networks and Creative Success
(0:26:26) - Imagism and Vorticism
(0:37:05) - Wyndham Lewis and Blast Magazine
(0:42:41) - A Restless and Controversial Personality
(0:53:07) - Taste, Talent-Spotting, and Pound's Extreme Generosity
(1:04:52) - Downward Spiral
(1:18:29) - Ezra Pound's Reflections Late in Life
(1:22:07) - Final Lessons
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest newsletter in the world. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the community and get the bi-annual print edition by becoming a member. https://otherlife.co/upgrade
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent intellectual work, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
A deep dive into the life of William S. Burroughs based on a close reading of Ted Morgan's 1988 biography, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs. Burroughs is one of the most independent creative spirits of the 20th century. My goal is to understand how he did it; how he remained so free but was also so influential and successful.
I discuss his transformation from a heroin addict living off his parents' allowance to an internationally acclaimed writer, who was inducted into the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1983. Hear about his unique brand of conservative anarchism, his significant influence on the counterculture of the '60s and '70s, his parenting, and the social-psychological correlates of his creative freedom.
Burroughs was a blend of the Yankee inventor and the fire-and-brimstone Methodist preacher. We explore his grandfather's invention of the arithmometer and his uncle Ivy Lee's career as a public relations expert. These stories shed light on the roots of Burroughs' radical literary career, which combined a penchant for invention with a desire to go his own way and attack the respectable order of things.
I also discuss Burroughs' late entry into writing and his experiences as a heroin user and a criminal, which taught him a lot about how the world works. I explore his failed attempt to build a commercial farm, his theory of 'factualism', which anticipates Nick Land and Deleuze, and much more.
What did you think of this format, dedicated to a close reading of a great writer's biography? I'd love to hear from you.
Chapters
Other Life
✦ Quit your passive media consumption and read great books every day. https://otherlife.co
✦ Get the bi-annual print edition and other perks by becoming a dues-paying member. https://otherlife.co/upgrade
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on your own writing, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
We discuss the life and times of John Kennedy Toole (1937-1969), the influential author behind the classic novel, A Confederacy of Dunces. We're joined by independent writer Dan Baltic, who teaches us some of the lessons he has learned from Toole's life and career.
Dive into the captivating world of A Confederacy of Dunces, as we discuss the book's main character, Ignatius J Riley; learn how Toole's persistence (or lack thereof) serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary independent writers; as well as the parallels between Toole's struggles and Dan's rise as an independent author on the internet. Dan shares his experience building an audience on Twitter, publishing his first novel, and the lessons he's learned himself.
We try to unlock the strategies and goals of dissident writers, and how independent authors like Dan are able to make a living and continue producing great art. We'll discuss the pros and cons of traditional publishing deals, vs. the world of independent publishing.
Chapters:
(0:03:46) - Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces"
(0:15:45) - John Kennedy Tool's Life and Work
(0:29:40) - Persistence and Patience for Writers
(0:33:21) - Navigating the Confusion of Independent Publishing
(0:43:02) - Building a Twitter Audience for Success
(0:48:34) - Unlocking Twitter for Independent Writers
(1:02:17) - Success for Independent Writers
(1:13:09) - Lessons for Starting a Project
Dan Baltic:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/baltic_dan
NUTCRANKR - https://terrorhousepress.com/product/nutcrankr/
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
Can artificial intelligence ever truly replace the human mind? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the delicate balance between embracing AI's power for mechanical tasks, such as summarizing and translating, while preserving the uniquely human elements that make great works truly great.
Join us as we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, breaking down categorical humanism and unreconstructed Faustianism, two alternative viewpoints on the topic. We discuss why neither position is fully consistent or defensible, and the importance of understanding the different aspects of human cognition in order to determine which elements can be outsourced to machines and which must remain uniquely human. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about where we draw the line between human intelligence and machine intelligence.
Chapters:
(00:00:22) - Two Futures for AI
(00:05:11) - What Should Writers Outsource To AI?
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
Why do some incredibly talented individuals never reach their full potential? In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating life of Ezra Pound, a true genius in the realm of language and literature, yet somehow failing to make the lasting impact of his contemporaries like TS Eliot or WB Yeats. We'll explore the idea I call "the curse of genius" and how Pound's obsession with power and acknowledgment may have held him back from greatness.
Join me in this thought-provoking exploration of Ezra Pound's life and career, from his influential role as an editor and promoter of other poets, to his controversial leanings toward fascism later in life. We'll seek to understand the man behind the poetry, the impact he had on the world of arts and letters, and the lessons we can learn from his story for our own personal endeavors and for recognizing the pitfalls that can accompany great talent and ambition.
Chapters:
(00:01:21) - Pound's Curse
(00:05:28) - What Happens When You Aim for Influence?
(00:08:58) - Let the Chips Fall Where They May
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
In this episode, we explore the principle of writing for oneself and how many of history's greatest writers have operated on this principle. We discuss the importance of writing in a way that pleases only oneself and how sacrificing even a hair of one's vision in order to please someone else is the most abject of treacheries. Listen in as we examine the stakes of writing and how it truly matters whether you're writing for yourself out of a conviction in truth and beauty, or for others in order to please them.
We also discuss the challenges of writing for oneself in the era of social media, where the nearness of the audience can make one lose the self. We consider the difficulty of recultivating the self in today's world and how it requires a certain degree of anti-social discipline and effortful recultivation of the self.
Chapters:
(0:00:00) - Writing for Yourself
(0:05:56) - Cultivating A Self
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
Why do 22-year-olds today have the testosterone levels of 67-year-old men from the year 2000? Could it be because high testosterone activities and behaviors are increasingly being criminalized? I dive into the theory that the modern world is contributing to the decline in testosterone levels by stigmatizing and punishing testosterone-loaded activities, leading to a downward spiral in overall testosterone levels.
Join me as look at the evolution of law enforcement, the rise of a culture that labels aggressive behaviors as "toxic," and how movies from the 70s and 80s highlight a higher testosterone society. Discover how this decline in testosterone affects men today and how our society has slowly evolved to prevent these once-commonplace behaviors from happening.
0:00:39 - Testosterone and Prison
0:02:04 - Testosterone in the 70's and 80's
0:06:16 - Toxic Masculinity and Testosterone
0:08:26 - Testosterone's Catch 22
(Sorry for some clicking in the audio, there were some issues with my set up that I didn't notice until after I was done recording. We'll get that sorted!)
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
Today we're looking at the life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, an eighteenth-century English critic who embodied the true spirit of self-reliance and perseverance. Despite facing various hardships in his life, Dr. Johnson managed to defy the odds and become one of the most influential figures in the history of English letters. Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of this unconventional thinker, and learn how his life can serve as a powerful reminder that success is indeed possible, even for those who may not fit into traditional molds.
We delve into his unique approach to life and work, highlighting how his unorthodox methods eventually played a significant role in his success, and how his unwavering belief in his own abilities and his refusal to rely on external support allowed him to carve out a path to success. Success is inevitable for those who put in the work.
0:00:00 - Intro and Early Life
0:04:50 - Samuel Johnson's Writing Career
0:12:36 - The Patronage Model
0:18:55 - Success By Perseverance and Self-Reliance
(Sorry for some clicking in the audio, there were some issues with my set up that I didn't notice until after I was done recording. We'll get that sorted!)
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
What can the ancient philosopher Plato teach us about building a network and thriving in today's intellectual economy? I talk with Alex Petkas, a Princeton PhD in classics, who shares insights on Plato's rise and his brand-building strategies within the decentralized world of Athens in the late fifth and fourth centuries BC, where widespread literacy and the new media technology of writing created an intellectual landscape strikingly similar to the one we inhabit today.
(0:00:00) - Introduction
(0:04:51) - Plato and Ancient Greek Writing
(0:20:04) - Plato's Models and Brand Building
(0:33:55) - Plato's Rise and Influence
(0:43:45) - Plato and the Power of Mystery
(0:52:44) - Plato's Network and Philosophical Training
(1:02:44) - The Economic Machinery of Philosophy
(1:07:56) - Plato's Power Machinery and Business Model
(1:20:29) - Plato's Lessons on Building a Network
(1:25:59) - Plato's Lessons for Decentralized Thinking
(1:35:31) - Alex's Rome Retreat
Alex Petkas | https://ancientlifecoach.com/
Learn more about Alex's upcoming Men's Retreat in Rome: https://ancientlifecoach.com/retreat/
Other Life
✦ Subscribe to the coolest free newsletter in the world and I'll send you all of my private book highlights. https://otherlife.co
✦ Join the Other Life community (free) https://otherlife.co/join
IndieThinkers.org
✦ If you're working on independent projects, join the next cohort of https://IndieThinkers.org
