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Overcome nihilism and doomerism with an understanding of philosophical idealism. This framing requires fewer assumptions than standard physicalism/materialism, and provides more intuitive insight into some of life's greatest mysteries. Why is humility so important? Why does utopianism always seem to be dubious? Let's explore the limits of consciousness together. Read my Essays on Substack: https://iamstupid.substack.com/ Connect with me on Twitter: @RiverKanies

River M Kanies


    • Feb 17, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 28m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from I am Stupid

    51.X Bitcoin Drivechains pt2 - Open Mic

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 115:20


    Continuation of the previous episode in an open mic format. We had 9 more speakers come up, all of whom had interesting input. Probably the best audience interaction I've had in any pod recording! Paul did a great job of addressing the many and varied questions and topics

    50.X Bitcoin Drivechains - Paul Sztorc

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 65:15


    Drivechains could potentially be the last modification needed to bitcoin, opening up possibilities for addressing privacy and scalability on sidechainsGuest: Paul Sztorc @TruthcoinCreator of bips 300 + 301Original X space: https://x.com/i/spaces/1lDxLzdzlvqGm

    49.X Bitcoin Privacy: Wasabi Wallet - nopara + kruw

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 116:07


    Going deep on bitcoin privacy in the present and future with some experts in the space! Guests: @nopara73 - Founder of Wasabi Wallet, creator of PayJoin @Kruwed - Most important person in bitcoin privacy (according to nopara) Original X space: https://x.com/IamStupidPod/status/1879649296074920051

    48. BTC, Privacy, Hard Forks - MetaPrime #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 62:31


    @MetaPrime001 joins me for a second discussion. We discuss BTC as the hardest money, why it's not private and what that could mean for a future hard fork scenario Original X space recording: https://x.com/i/spaces/1rmxPogbMXqJN

    47. A Progressive's Case for Bitcoin (Jason Maier)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 78:44


    A much needed pro bitcoin argument from a non-libertarian. Subtitled: a path toward a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. Maier addresses common criticisms from the left such as how Bitcoin "enables crime and is bad for the environment". He put's those arguments to bed, while also demonstrating that Bitcoin is explicitly anti-fascist and anti-racist. This is the most "progressive" tech ever invented.

    46. The Machiavellians (James Burnham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 68:21


    Political science is a real thing afterall! So why don't people talk about it? Highlights from: The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom by James Burnham

    45. The Total State (Auron MacIntyre)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 60:39


    How Liberal Democracies become Tyrannies Great book synthesizing criticism for the US oligarchy, or more appropriately "the Cathedral". Why things suck, what can be done about it

    44. The Dawn of Everything - A New History of Humanity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 72:29


    Book about primitive forms of governance, including various implementations of "primitive communism"

    43. Deflationary Economics - pt3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 55:19


    Highlights from Saifedean Ammous' book "The Fiat Standard", discussing more in depth the economic system we have now, its problems, and how we can evolve past it Saifedean on Lex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp4U5aH_T6A

    42. Deflationary Economics - pt2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 44:37


    Continuing discussion of the bright future in a deflationary economic system. Highlights from Saifedean Ammous' book "The Bitcoin Standard" Saifedean on Lex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp4U5aH_T6A

    41. Deflationary Economics - pt1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 82:33


    I've been reading books on economics recently and a lot of things are starting to fit together. I was pretty seriously considering getting into real estate investing in a big way, but I think I've found a better use of my time, energy, and talents

    40. Assets, Wealth, Life Long Learning (Rich Dad)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 117:41


    My notes on the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" And on why I'm getting into investing, including probably real estate investing

    39. Fasting (Mindy Pelz)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 74:55


    What I've learned about intermittent fasting, and some other exercise/diet/supplement tips. I highly recommend Dr. Pelz's book 'Fast Like a Girl' for anyone curious about fasting, and especially for women who want to understand their hormonal cycle better

    38. tMwT - pt 3 (McGilchrist)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 210:26


    The last (and arguably best) Part of the book though likely not the end of this series as there are copious appendices

    37. tMwT - pt2 (McGilchrist)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 154:07


    part two of McGilchrist's book

    36. The Matter With Things - pt1 (McGilchrist)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 124:51


    Notes on Dr. Iain McGilchrists book 'The Matter with Things' This is my new bible. I'm sharing these notes in hopes to encourage people to read the book, or dive deeper any specific topics of interest. This is part 1 of the 3 part book, this is the beginning of a series of episodes

    35. *Satanism* is All About Love - Rowan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2024 37:15


    This is a conversation mostly about private family matters so if you're not in the family BUTT OUT!! Like what are you even doing here?? Skip this episode (lol) My cousin and I discuss Satanism, death of a family member, femininity and masculinity, among other topics

    34. Some Intuition for the Creative Process - Essay Reading

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 24:22


    Part two to the essay I got published with Essentia. Part one: https://www.essentiafoundation.org/simple-code-in-the-mind-of-god/reading/ The reading for that essay is ep 16 In this essay, I take the next step in inferring the philosophical implications of the ruliad by bringing things full circle through the lens of presentism

    33. Placebo, Manifestation, Transformation (Dispenza)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2024 86:53


    Solo episode where I review 3 of Dispenza's books I'll be referencing his work regularly so this is meant to act as reference notes for future discussions

    32. Consciousness, Time, and AI - Gabe Proulx (pt2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 147:44


    Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntowztjf7EQ Gabe on Twitter/X: @Gabeproulx Gabe and River discuss topics related to idealism, consciousness, and the nature of reality. They explore River's paper on idealism and its connection to Stephen Wolfram's work, as well as Gabe's experiences with Kundalini awakening and his exploration of entropy. They discuss different perspectives on the Ruliad and consciousness, the nature of time and the past, and the value of embracing paradox and limitations. The role of chaos and order in consciousness is examined, along with the connection between information and relationships. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of materialism and the incompleteness of models. The relationship between quantum mechanics and consciousness is discussed, as well as the role of AI in the collective consciousness. The future of consciousness are also examined, along with the dream as a model of consciousness. The conversation explores the grand purpose of life and the practical implications of finding meaning and purpose. River's Work: CyberMonk App: iOS - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cybermo... web - https://app.cybermonk.art/ android - [coming soon] youtube timestamps (add 5 min to account for my intro): 00:00 Introduction 03:30 River's Paper on Idealism and Wolfram's Work 07:38 Gabe's Kundalini Awakening 11:14 Entropy as an Artifact of Observers' Computational Bounds 22:15 Reality: Exploring the Computational Space of all Conscious Experiences 26:21 Computational Bounds and the Ruliad 31:24 Observers Exist within the Ruliad as Perspectives 33:19 Time as the Iteration through Permutations of Conscious Experience 37:07 Photogrammetry as a Model of Models of Reality 39:55 Seeing and Hearing in 2D, but Upsampling to 3D 41:44 Embracing Paradox and the Value of Limitations 43:54 Identifying not as the Query in the Infinite Database, but the Coder 49:43 The Intersubjective Nature of Reality 57:27 Ordering Chaos Through Dimensions 01:00:36 Limits of Reductionism due to the Balance of Order and Chaos 01:04:30 The Computational View vs. Reductionism 01:06:52 Using Recursion to Colonize the Ruliad 01:09:57 Quantum Physics as the Divine Spark 01:13:16 Information and Models Must be Ordered Hierarchically 01:23:14 The Trajectory of Consciousness 01:25:48 The Role of AI in Consciousness 01:31:05 Dreams Illustrate the Substrate Independence of Consciousness 01:35:40 Assembly Theory 01:37:55 The Learning Process of Reality 01:41:54 Dreams as a Roadmap for the Future of Consciousness 01:47:43 The Meaning of Existence 01:51:28 The Death of Meaning, and Meaning on the Other Side of Nihilism 01:52:45 Setting Collective Meaning 01:57:37 Finding Meaning in Suffering 02:02:03 AI as a Catalyst for Change 02:07:51 The Only Free Will we have is what Perspective to Adopt 02:12:32 Perspective is the Difference between Armageddon and the Millennium 02:14:56 Polarities are Necessary 02:15:51 Seeking to Catalyze Change for Others, Rather than Seeking to Change Them 02:18:25 Embody Change Rather than Evangelize 02:19:59 CyberMonk App 02:21:22 Reality as a Conversation Between its Parts

    31. Entropy, Idealism and... Mormonism? - Gabriel Proulx

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 157:26


    My guest today is a proper idealist! Exploring this metaphysical territory on a journey not so different from my own... except the mormonism part lol Guest: @Gabeproulx Gabe's Essay on Essentia: https://www.essentiafoundation.org/entropy-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/reading/ Gabe's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05o6YbgzEjs Other Speakers: @tombomb666777 and @donaldsmann and some others chimed in Original Twitter/X space: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1lPKqbEMEQwGb?s=20

    30. AI Tyrants and Crypto Rebels - Kevin Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 122:55


    Topics: AI heuristic imperatives, crypto governance, psychonaut adventures, aaaaand (drumroll) my super secret project to help people escape the psychological trappings of nihilistic materialism!

    29. The Adaptive Nature of Consciousness (and Reality) - The Lonely Pomegranate

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 112:50


    My guest today is a neuroscientist in training with an incredible personal story of healing through unconventional means, we discuss the connection between body and mind in the material realm as well as the metaphysical. Guest: The Lonely Pomegranate @MrX0000001 ; original rec: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1vOxwjbAlmvJB?s=20

    28. Astrological Metaphysics - Glass Delusions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2023 104:16


    many do not know that astrology is a neoplatonic model of the universe; and as such, it resonates with my metaphysics project for many reasons, guest @glassdelusions, original rec: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1YpKkwOoVXoKj?s=20

    27. “Medicine”, corruption, collapse, rebirth - Orpheus

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 129:51


    Guest @DiscoOrpheus, an absolute final boss. Consider this the season finale! Original rec: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1kvJpvrLBboKE ; relevant tweet thread: https://twitter.com/riverkanies/status/1702370464671105532?s=46

    25. Optimal Governance pt2 - open mic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 95:40


    Bunch of random rabbit holes, some vague conclusions, mostly consensus on the importance of social capital (religious)

    24. Optimal Governance pt1 - Ronald, HDP

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 84:45


    Further down the rabbit hole of exploring optimal governance possibilities, Original rec: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1ynJOaMZrVyKR , Guests: @PepeFisher @HDPbilly

    23.X Bridging the gap between science and religion - Sola Requiem

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 149:31


    Collaboration with @Sola_Requiem, Original Twitter/X space rec: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1ZkKzXYVOPyJv

    22.X Crypto Government - @HDPbilly

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 154:59


    Original recording available on Twitter(X): https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1jMJgLkardkxL?s=20 skip to 1min 45sec in @HDPbilly (his Twitter/X handle) joins me to discuss Curtis Yarvin's (aka Moldbug's) vision for a crypto-tech-empowered governmental system. You can read Yarvin's proposal on his substack: https://graymirror.substack.com/p/optimal-autonomous-organizations and he has more content on his original blog: https://www.unqualified-reservations.org/2008/11/patchwork-positive-vision-part-1/ for crypto nerds we also mention Urbit, which it just so happens Yarvin is the original founder of: https://urbit.org/

    21.X Idealism + Naturalism - MetaPrime

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 126:44


    Listen to the original recording on Twitter(X): https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1BRKjZwRMpLKw Skip first minute and a half, spaces are live so it takes a minute to get started. We discuss the opportunity to use idealism as the metaphysical foundation to develop a new ideology called Naturalism. We go deep into the implications of idealism. In the near future we will dive deeper into the space of possible ideologies and discuss the benefits of Naturalism in more depth. Follow me and Meta: @RiverKanies @MetaPrime001 Other guests who joined in: @DiscoOrpheus (co-hosts the sunday spaces aswell) @HermesMercury20 If you follow us and get on twitter between 2-4pm Eastern time you can catch us in the weekly space (@SeveriansScar also co-hosts that)

    20. Bitcoin and the Decentralized Revolution - James + Andrew

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 183:02


    James Roquemore and Andrew Rozario join me to discuss Bitcoin, the the decentralized revolution, and related topics Timestamps: Sec 1 - 0:00:00 - introductions: journeys through theology and into Bitcoin Sec 2 - 0:34:42 - what is money? Fiat vs BTC, what is the state? Sec 3 - 1: 06:51 - separation of money and state, efficiency, crypto governance - links to OAO and patchwork below Sec 4 - 1:42:17 - out-competing the state, AI dystopia Sec 4.2 - 2:02:57 - (optional) musings and ramblings, speculation and betting Sec 5 - 2:13:08 - security, why River doesn't hold BTC yet Sec 6 - 2:24:00 - the empire, crackdowns, geopolitics, the revolution Guests Info: James' channel https://youtube.com/@freetheory Andrew https://castinglifefilms.com/film/ Further reading for sec 3: OAOs (optimal autonomous organizations) - https://open.substack.com/pub/graymirror/p/optimal-autonomous-organizations?r=1oifxr&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Patchwork: Re-imagining the state - https://www.unqualified-reservations.org/2008/11/patchwork-positive-vision-part-1/

    19. Idealism and the Concept of the Ruliad - Dr. Samuel Zinner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2023 78:51


    Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTQaFf7bwu4 This episode is simply the audio version of Dr. Zinner's interview with me, I encourage everyone to watch the video version and check out his YouTube channel Dr. Zinner has done interviews with numerous well known intellectuals, including Gregory Chaitin, who is mentioned in this episode. Here's a link to Dr. Zinner's interview with Chaitin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht3jxGPhHo8&t=5s

    18. Christianity - Colin Fagan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2023 142:32


    Colin sits down with me to compare and contrast different perspectives on christianity ranging from fundamentalist to idealist. We go deep on topics such as eternal truths and the creation myth Kastrup discussing christianity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc_W4dAgiGI&t=6082s

    17. Money and Power - Banking, Inflation, Debt, Valuations - Uncle Wayne

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 79:46


    Uncle Wayne sits down with me to discuss what money is and how it works. We explore how money and power interplay in an inflationary/fiat system. We go pretty deep into understanding real estate in particular

    16. Implications of the Ruliad: from Physicalism to Idealism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 21:19


    ***** UPDATE ***** This essay was published by the Essentia Foundation! https://www.essentiafoundation.org/simple-code-in-the-mind-of-god/reading/ ***** Essay reading that can be thought of as pt2 or v2 for ep10 Emergent Idealism essay Wolfram's explanation of the Ruliad: https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2021/11/the-concept-of-the-ruliad/ Kastrup's interpretation of quantum mechanics through the lens of idealism: https://youtu.be/LQ5Jx-twm1Q Thanks to Dr. Samuel Zinner for helping me out on this. Here's an interesting interview he did with Gregory Chaitin along a similar vain: https://www.youtube.com/live/ht3jxGPhHo8 Dr. Zinner unofficially approved my essay for publication, we'll see if the Essentia Foundation accepts this one

    15. Cracks in the Progressive Narrative - Christopher Scott Huffman #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2023 73:20


    Christopher Scott Huffman joins me again. We discuss at a high level concerns with some of the progressive narratives, beginning to recognize some patterns that suggest sinister motives of the powers that be. Why is the family unit being attacked? Is the empire collapsing?

    14. The Control Paradox - Donald Hunt (pt2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 69:18


    Part two of my conversation with Don, we discuss the work of Iain McGilchrist and related themes Iain McGilchrist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SgOwc6Pe4 Bernardo Kastrup's book on Carl Jung https://www.bernardokastrup.com/2021/02/decoding-jungs-metaphysics-prelude.html

    13. Psychopaths, Puppets of Moloch? - Donald Hunt (pt1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 56:17


    Don joins me to discuss why psychopaths rule the world More information on what Don was referencing (channelling, higher dimensional beings, etc...) can be found at this link: https://cassiopaea.org/

    12. Language Hacking, Beware of Moloch - Lee Miller #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2023 100:42


    Lee Miller joins me for round two to discuss how and why the usage of words changes over time, and how that relates to the Moloch Problem. We must be able to see things from the point of view of those we disagree with most, and bridge the language gaps and the ideological gaps, if we are to defeat Moloch (the true enemy) The Moloch Problem https://youtu.be/VcVfceTsD0A Max Tegmark explains in more detail the Moloch problem in various forms (with a focus on AI) and some of the ways humanity has managed to fight back so far

    11. The Demon Seed

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 48:23


    Pride is the Demon Seed at the root of all sin, but the temptation towards pride necessarily exists in all motivation. I go through the seven deadly sins and discuss how each relates to pride. I then discuss related implications and start to lay the groundwork for a number of future topics including the control paradox and the therapy problem

    10. Emergent Idealism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 15:33


    Reading of an essay describing my worldview as a form of philosophical Idealism, which I'm calling Emergent Idealism. I'm submitting this to the Essentia Foundation: https://www.essentiafoundation.org/ Wolfram's Book - A New Kind of Science: https://www.wolframscience.com/nks/ Curt Jaimungal interviewing Bernardo Kastrup on Analytic Idealism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAB21FAXCDE Thanks again to my previous guest (Christopher Scott Huffman) for introducing me to Bernardo Kastrup's work! My tech talk on cellular automata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3mqchO3MM0

    9. Emergence: Bridging the gap between traditional and modern worldviews - Christopher Scott Huffman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 112:32


    Christopher and I compare and contrast various worldviews including: Catholicism, Fundamentalism, Materialism, and my worldview - let's call it "Emergent Idealism" Christopher's site: https://www.artbychristopher.com/ Curt Jaimungal and Bernardo Kastrup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAB21FAXCDE -- after watching this interview I think it's fair to say that my worldview can be categorized as a flavor of "Idealism", it seems appropriate to call it "Emergent Idealism" Erich Fromm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_from_Freedom Julian of Norwich: https://www.amazon.com/Julian-Norwich-Showings-Uncovering-Revelations/dp/1642970360 My tech talk on cellular automata https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3mqchO3MM0

    8. Jewish Agnostic - Lee Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 108:46


    Lee and I compare and contrast the Jewish and agnostic worldviews with my worldview. We discuss finding meaning in suffering as an individual and as a people; and towards the end, we explore some interpretations of anti-semitism. Lee's site: www.tenasscityband.com

    7. The God of Humility

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 73:47


    Auntie Tanya joins me to discuss pride, specifically intellectual pride with a focus on my struggles with it. We talk about how we can choose to "worship the God of Humility" and the benefits to that

    6. Beauty in Overcoming (Pt 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 61:38


    In part two I dive deep into the insights we can draw from Aella's story and her worldview and how it relates to my work Lex's Interview with Aella https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSrxSBrgSc Timestamps: 0:32 - The God Button 2:05 - Emotion + Reason 3:10 - Beauty from Suffering Book: The Will to Meaning by Viktor Frankl

    5. Beauty in Overcoming (Pt 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 14:47


    Aella is a great case study for looking at the beauty and meaning to be found in a journey of overcoming hardship. If you find this interesting I dive deeper in part 2 Lex's Interview with Aella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSrxSBrgSc Timestamps: 0:32 - The God Button 2:05 - Emotion + Reason 3:10 - Beauty from Suffering

    4. Hedonic Adaptation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 79:12


    I dive deep into the science of happiness and suffering. Hedonic adaptation is a concept I introduced in ep2 but didn't really explain. Understanding hedonic adaptation is core to understanding the utopian trap and ultimately to understanding my approach to confronting the current meaning crisis. This episode was done freeform, that's why it's so much longer than the others Thank you to Laurie Santos for helping to solidify my understanding of the science of happiness (hedonic adaptation in particular). She has some great online courses

    3. Reality is Symbolic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 21:18


    My take on the symbolic worldview. I believe that by embracing a symbolic worldview we can overcome the materialistic worldview, and in doing so, we can beat the meaning crisis. Luke Smith - He explains why he moved out of the city and joined an Orthodox community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxozmaGISOI Jonathan Pageau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnef2Ltklg Song only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5K0znZXIo4

    2. The Utopian Trap

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 27:32


    Discussion of what utopianism is, why it is the standard in modern society, and why it inevitably leads to nihilism. Utopianism can take form on a grand scale, as with communism for instance; but it can also take form on a personal scale, as with alcoholism

    1. A Proactive Alternative to Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 29:40


    This is a reading of an essay which lays the ground work for the language I'll be using and the approach I'll be taking in this podcast. I plan to do more freeform discussions and bring on guests in the future, but I'd like to lay some ground work first. Credit to John Vervaeke for enlightening me on the historical context of the meaning crisis and insight into modern psychology. He has great resources on YouTube

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