The Lightning Podcast

The Lightning Podcast S1 E26: Experiencing Phenomenology

“I certainly have, thanks to time, an interlocking and taking up of previous experiences in later experiences, but I never have an absolute possession of myself by myself, since the hollow of the future is always filled by a new present.” – Maurice Merleau-Ponty
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and new team member Rainer Franz as we delve into profound discussions on Maurice Merleau-Ponty's philosophy of phenomenology, and its implications on identity, the body, the nature of AI, and the intertwining of reality, language, and understanding. Also drawing from other phenomenologists, such as Heidegger and Husserl, we challenge the definition of intelligence and consciousness in AI, and the distinction between human and machine understanding. This episode is a short but intense conversation between colleagues on the nature of perception and being.
 
00:00 Welcome to the Lightning Podcast: A Dive into Phenomenology
00:32 Exploring Maurice Merleau Ponty's Philosophical Insights
01:54 Deep Dive into Phenomenology: Body, Perception, and Identity
10:35 Phenomenology vs. AI: Understanding Consciousness and Embodiment
20:19 AI and the Human Experience: A Philosophical Debate
30:58 Concluding Thoughts on AI, Perception, and Existence
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E25: Poetry - Skill or Mania?

“Poetry is the work of a gifted person, or of a manic: of these types, the former have versatile imaginations, the latter get carried away.”
— By Aristotle From Poetics
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and Jake Kozloski as we delve into a multifaceted discussion on poetry, artistry, and philosophy, using Aristotle's quote as a starting point. We explore the contrast between Aristotle and Plato’s views on inspiration, knowledge, and the essence of being a philosopher versus a sophos or wise person. What is the nature of inspiration? Or the distinction between having technique and channeling something greater? This episode attempts to illuminate the intertwined nature of creativity, intellectual pursuit, and human connection.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast!
00:26 Introducing Special Guest and AI Dating App Discussion
00:57 Diving into Aristotle's Poetics: Gifted vs. Manic
02:23 Exploring the Philosophy of Art and Poetry
03:01 Athletes, Artists, and the Art of Execution
07:49 The Role of Mania in Creativity and Skill
10:21 Understanding the Artist's Journey and Love
11:47 Debating Plato vs. Aristotle on Art and Knowledge
19:25 The Essence of Techne and the Art of Channeling
20:59 Technology, Engineering, and the Discovery Process
23:03 Exploring the Pragmatic Roots of Human Intelligence
24:01 Heidegger's Theory: Philosophy Born from Crisis
25:30 Philosophy and Crisis: The Historical Context
26:26 Philosophers: Megalomaniacs or Misunderstood Geniuses?
27:49 The Unpredictable Genius of Creativity
28:44 The Wounded Healer: Philosophers and Their Quest for Truth
29:43 Appreciating Zohar: Insights and Inspirations
32:42 Philosophy as Leadership: The Aristotle Approach
35:21 The Essence of Teaching Philosophy
42:15 Philosophy, Art, and the Quest for Understanding
46:20 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations
 
Special thanks to Jake Kozlowski, CEO of Keeper for joining us on the podcast. Want to find love at first match? Try Keeper:
http://keeper.ai/ 
https://twitter.com/KeeperMatch 
https://www.instagram.com/keepermatchmaking/reels/ 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E24: The Religion of Love

“To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.” – Jorge Luis Borges
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and Jake Kozloski (founder and CEO of Keeper, an AI-driven dating app) as we engage in a rich discussion about the complexities of love, marriage, and the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in matchmaking. The conversation orbits around Borges’ provocative quote on love, sparking debates on the nature of love, the historical transformation of marriage, and how personal and societal conceptions of these concepts have shifted over time. Jake introduces Keeper, an innovative dating app designed to use AI to match individuals with their soulmates by learning enormous amounts of personal preferences and traits. We explore the philosophical, psychological, and practical aspects of seeking love in the modern era, touching upon the benefits and potential pitfalls of relying on technology to navigate the deeply human quest for connection. We hope you’ll swipe right on this episode.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast: Exploring Love and Philosophy
00:35 Diving Deep into the Meaning of Love with Jake Kozlowski
02:54 The Paradox of a Fallible God in Love
07:16 Exploring the Complexities of Love, Religion, and AI
08:56 Personal Reflections and Philosophical Insights on Love
18:57 The Role of AI in Finding Love: A Future Vision
25:22 Exploring the Science of Matchmaking
26:09 The Art of Falling in Love vs. Falling Asleep
27:43 Commitment Coaching: Beyond Finding a Match
28:38 The Journey of Love: From Short-Term Attraction to Long-Term Connection
30:08 The Role of Technology in Modern Matchmaking
31:24 Navigating the Complexities of Authenticity and Attraction
35:39 Addressing Deception in Digital Dating
39:08 A Philosophical Dive into Love, Marriage, and Technology
50:00 Concluding Thoughts on Love, Relationships, and Self-Discovery
 
Special thanks to Jake Kozloski, CEO of Keeper for joining us on the podcast. Want to find love at first match? Try Keeper:
http://keeper.ai/ 
https://twitter.com/KeeperMatch 
https://www.instagram.com/keepermatchmaking/reels/ 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E23: Show Them What They Want

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” –Steve Jobs
 
This week on The Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Harry Jacobs, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, and Francis Pedraza as we delve into the bold quote by Steve Jobs. We discuss innovation, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of creating something new that the market has yet to demand, done by listening deeply to potential needs, the nature of human wants. How have great innovators like Steve Jobs historically been able to tap into unknown demand and bring revolutionary products to life? We share our personal experiences and philosophies on life, learning, and the pursuit of understanding human nature and desires. From the philosophical underpinnings of creation, the concept of intuition, and the balance between seeking advice and forging one's unique path, this episode attempts to explore the notion of greatness, the impact of technology, and the timeless relevance of seeking and confronting life's profound questions.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast!
00:29 Diving into Steve Jobs' Philosophy
01:47 Exploring the Unseen: Innovation and Customer Needs
08:07 The Power of Vision and Imagination
16:39 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Courage and Rejection
25:39 Philosophical Insights on Creation and Discovery
31:32 The Essence of Greatness and the Path to Innovation
33:50 Exploring the Origins of Apple's Name
35:00 The Power and Perils of Spiritual Gurus
38:05 The Quest for Excellence and the Price of Greatness
39:04 Redefining Success Through Personal Journeys
53:36 The Philosophical Journey: From Tradition to Existentialism
59:09 Embracing the Unknown: The Essence of Human Innovation
01:02:54 Concluding Reflections: The Unending Search for Meaning
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E22: Labor for Value

“The value of a commodity, or the quantity of any other commodity for which it will exchange, depends on the relative quantity of labour which is necessary for its production, and not on the greater or less compensation which is paid for that labour.” 
- David Ricardo
 
This week on The Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Nico Sarian, Zohar Atkins, and Harry Jacobs as we delve into this quote on economics by David Ricardo. From Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian to Uber surge pricing and keto ice cream, the discussion expands to explore the modern applications of Ricardo's labor theory of value. The conversation touches on various topics including the perception of value, the significance of creating products that meet new or specific needs, and how technological innovations and societal attitudes reshape our understanding of worth and commoditization. Certainly, we hope you find this episode worth your time.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast: Introducing Our Guests
00:55 Diving Into David Ricardo's Economic Theories
01:45 Exploring the Concept of Labor Value and Commoditization
09:56 The Intricacies of Monopoly, Free Trade, and Market Dynamics
11:10 The Influence of Branding and the Power of Monopolies
24:00 Redefining Value: From Commodities to Personal Branding
30:41 The Kardashian Effect: Fame, Influence, and Opportunity
33:43 The Kardashian Empire and Celebrity Influence
34:04 Exploring the Phenomenon of Outliers
35:21 Generational Talents and Record Breakers
36:38 The Power of Celebrity in Sports and Politics
39:08 Innovation, Monopolies, and Market Dynamics
42:37 The Essence of Competition and Innovation
50:11 The Cultural Impact of Taylor Swift and NFL Dynamics
52:41 Exploring Modernity, Tradition, and Community Dynamics
01:00:17 The Value of Differentiation and Authenticity
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E21: Giveaway or Sell?

“Many manage to sell what they could never give away.” – Stendhal
 
In this episode of the Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, and Nicolas Sarian as we discuss Stendhal’s quote. We explore various perspectives on the themes of value, gifting, and exchange. From theology to memes to Soviets to markets, this conversation is a multi-faceted look into the reasons we give and sell and, sometimes, do both.
 
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Exploring the Quote of the Week
00:39 Unpacking the Meaning of the Quote
00:48 The Influence of Literature on the Quote
01:23 The Concept of Commodification
01:45 The Controversial Nature of the Book
02:15 The Value of Things We Would Never Sacrifice
03:19 The Concept of Profanation
03:53 The Right to Sell Our Organs
05:25 The Concept of Selling Out
05:55 The Power of Pricing
06:12 The Influence of Luxury Marketing
10:11 The Influence of Western Products on the Soviet Union
11:04 The Role of Art in Cultural Change
11:48 The Power of Memes in Shaping Public Opinion
12:18 The Role of Religion in Defining Value
24:35 The Concept of Sacrifice in Religion
38:59 The Role of Cognitive Dissonance and Hypocrisy
40:01 The Importance of Capturing Value
41:04 Conclusion
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E20: The Benevolence of Self-Interest

“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” - Adam Smith
This week join Cyrus Palizban, Nico Sarian, and Zohar Atkins as we delve into the fundamental principles of the economic systems we live in through the lens of Adam Smith's quote from 'Wealth of Nations'. We discuss the power of individual self-interest in driving societal organization and productivity, and navigate through perspectives offered by Charles Fourier and Nassim Taleb. A major discussion point brought up is Franz Kafka's 'A Hunger Artist', using it to highlight possible inefficiencies in the career choices made by artists. The discussion evolves to touching upon Taleb's concepts of 'Mediocristan' and 'Extremistan', assessing risk-taking and job stability. By the end, the conversation ponders on the contrast between perceived and actual self-interest.
 
00:00 Introduction to The Lightning Podcast
00:22 Discussing Adam Smith's Quote from Wealth of Nations
01:02 Exploring the Concept of Self-Interest
01:49 Debating Benevolence vs Self-Interest
03:01 Understanding the Role of Market in Coordinating Values
07:44 Interpreting Adam Smith's Quote in Different Contexts
10:03 Relating Adam Smith's Quote to Kafka's The Hunger Artist
20:16 Reflecting on the Role of Artists in Society
26:47 The Hunger Artist: A Discussion on Value and Society
27:37 The Social Circles of Communism, Socialism, and Libertarianism
28:29 The Evolution of Exchange and the Impact of Atomization
29:05 The Calculus of Work: Enjoyment vs. Compensation
29:40 The Job Market: A Discussion on Enjoyment, Demand, and Compensation
30:22 The Quadrant of Enjoyment and Demand: A Two by Two Analysis
34:01 The Taleb Perspective: Risk, Stability, and the Uber Driver Parable
38:05 The Efficiency of the Market: A Debate on Self Interest and Perception
44:35 The Artist's Journey: From Pursuit to Realization
52:51 The Self in Self Interest: A Deep Dive into Identity and Incentives
55:12 Closing Thoughts: The Optimization Function and the Universality of Rational Calculus
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E19: Everything's Godful

“All things are full of gods.” - Thales of Miletus
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Nicolas Sarian, Zohar Atkins, and Genevieve Kim as we engage in a philosophical discussion centered on the above quote by Thales. We discuss varying interpretations of the statement, touching upon topics of Greek mythology, psychology, polytheism, Christian theology, mysticism, power dynamics, and the concept of the divine in mundane objects. We explore the dynamics of power, visibility, singularity, mystique, fear and the notion of God as a 'hidden concept'. This episode is full of gods.
 
00:00 Introduction to the Lightning Podcast
00:23 Discussing Thales of Miletus' Quote
00:56 Exploring the Concept of Gods in Ancient Greece
01:08 The Influence of Carl Jung and Julian Jaynes
01:56 Understanding Emotions and Self in Ancient Greece
02:59 The Concept of Possession and the Bicameral Mind
03:20 The Origin of Consciousness and the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
04:30 The Role of Gods in Motivating Mortals
05:37 The Story of Abraham and the Evolution of Monotheism
06:41 The Fragility of Gods and the Search for the Unbreakable
07:15 The Discovery of Self and the Concept of Psychological Polytheism
08:51 The Nietzschean Perspective on Self-Recognition
11:12 The Concept of Source and the Oneness of All Things
16:52 The Power Struggles and Hierarchies in Ancient Mythology
21:31 The Uniqueness of Gods and the Singularity of All Things
37:05 The Power of the Unseen and the Influence of the Invisible
45:46 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
 
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