In this episode, join Matt and Chris as they enjoy a stimulating discussion with the archaeologist Flint Dibble. Flint recently appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss the evidence (or lack thereof) of advanced ancient civilizations facing off against the famed pseudoarchaeologist Graham Hancock. The episode was a four-and-a-half-hour tour de force in science communication and effective debunking, thanks to Flint's efforts. We talk to Flint about his experience on the show, the extensive preparation involved, his thoughts on how to effectively engage with pseudo-archaeology and strateg ..read more

We watch in awe as the guru-sphere grapples with a host of 'alternative' theories: Bret promotes pseudoscience on Polio and alternative theories on evolution The Gurusphere collides with Tucker's takes on evolution Rogan and Tucker praise Alex Jones' prophetic abilities Tucker's views on spiritual UFOs Hasan endorses Lex Fridman as the most genuine centrist Contrasting Destiny and Hasan's transparency World War 3 Warnings The Great Archaeology Debate: Dibble vs. Hancock Graham Hancock- A Grievance Mongering Masterclass Intentional Misrepresentation White Supremacy angers Great Joe The Cass Re ..read more

In this episode, Matt and Chris dive deep into the world of online streamers, focusing on the pioneering and controversial figure Steven Bonell II, better known as Destiny (AKA Mr Borelli). As seasoned explorers of sense-making jungles, Petersonian crystalline structures, and mind-bending labyrinths in Weinstein World, they thought they were prepared for anything. However, the drama-infused degeneracy of the streamer swamps proves to offer some new challenges. Having previously dipped their toes in these waters by riding with Hasan on his joyous Houthi pirate ship (ignoring the screams of the ..read more

We ponder whether, due to our naivety, do we actually deserve the gurus and other topics, including: Is Hasan Piker even better than we said? The ethical quandaries of online therapy with Dr. K The False Halos of Status and Success The Rest is History Luther series and parallels with Secular Gurus The Power of Polemicists: Peterson, Trump, and Martin Luther? Secular vs. Religious Gurus Shit-posting Missives Orthodoxic Atheism and Orthopraxic Religion Lex Fridman's Reflections on Intellectual Humility Some important Messages from the hosts Links Game Rant Article about Hasan Piker's donatio ..read more

Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, a writer, and a popular 'public intellectual'. He rose to fame with Sapiens (2014), his popular science book that sought to outline a 'History of Humankind' and followed this up with a more future-focused sequel, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016). More recently, he's been converting his insights into a format targeted at younger people with Unstoppable Us: How Humans Took Over the World (2022). In general, Harari is a go-to public intellectual for people looking for big ideas, thoughts on global events, and how we might avoid catastrophe. He has be ..read more

We test the boundaries of the Supplementary format with a stacked third edition containing: Matt's Review of Dune 2 and the Three-Body Problem Hasan Piker's Anti-Capitalist Merch The Controversy Surrounding Andrew Huberman Differential Charity and Selective Decoupling Grace before meals at Triggernometry and Christian Hipsterism Jordan and Bret's Pseudoacademic-ese High-Level Idea Jacking Dream Instructions Links Hasan Piker's Ideologie Store New York Magazine: Andrew Huberman's Mechanisms of Control Slate: So, Should You Trust Andrew Huberman? The Darien Gap & Postmodernism | Bret Wei ..read more

We take a look at a recent conversation between Jordan Peterson and the streamer Steven Bonnell (AKA Destiny) and use the opportunity to reflect on Jordan's journey as a public intellectual and guru. We consider how his stances have changed, whether he is more extreme now than when he emerged or if it is just his presentation style that has shifted. Along the way, we look at his demon-infested understanding of the COVID-19 vaccines, his climate change denialism, and address the unresolved question of the ages: Were the Nazis actually right-wing? Links Jordan Peterson Podcast: Streaming, Polit ..read more

The adventure in formatting continues with the second Supplementary Material episode. On this episode: Sam Harris Devotees Dissident Dialogues Lex's important message about idolism Trumpian Bloodbath & Media Criticism Lex Fridman's Israel-Palestine Debate Finkelstein vs. Destiny Genocidal Debates The full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (1hr 14mins). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Links Lex Fridman Podcast: Finkelstein, Destiny, M. Rabbani & Benny Morris Dissident Dialogues – A PLACE FOR DANGEROUS IDEAS Guardian News clips from the 'Bloodbath" spe ..read more

What happens when you try to squeeze a muscle-bound Twitch streamer into a precise measurement instrument like the Gurometer? And can it even function when it encounters this level of left-wing nodulation? It's an empirical question and since the Gurometer recently had all its oil replaced, we decided to give it a go. This is also a reminder that we do Gurometer episodes for ALL the Gurus we cover and you can find the back catalogue over on the Patreon, if so inclined. The full episode is available for Patreon subscribers (44 mins). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus ..read more

Avast Ye Harties!  Yar! This week be the inaugural episode of a New Streamer/Academic Guru season. Join us as we set sail with a bang and embark on an adventure with the famous and controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. Formerly of the Young Turks, Hasan has carved out a niche as a popular left-wing commentator. He is sometimes described as representing a new wave of political communicators who leverage social media and live streaming to reach new audiences, particularly disengaged younger viewers. But how does he fare in these Decoding waters? We take a look at his recent interview w ..read more