The Lightning Podcast

The Lightning Podcast S1 E17: Valorous Arms

“Valor increases with the quality of the arms, defensive as well as offensive.” - Giovanni Botero.
 This week on The Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, and Genevieve Kim as we discuss the concept of valor. What is valor? We try to answer: literally, metaphorically, and historically - using multiple analogies from matters of dress and fashion to the wielding of weapons, from the rituals of actors to biblical instances to novels. How does valor tie into one's character, confidence, formality, etc.
 
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:19 Exploring the Quote of the Day
00:46 Historical Context of Arms and Valor
02:34 Interpreting Valor in Modern Times
02:47 The Role of Arms in Valor
04:08 The Impact of Dress and Appearance on Valor
05:35 The Role of Confidence in Valor
07:17 Exploring Valor in Different Traditions
09:00 Counterarguments and Critiques
11:12 Exploring Valor in Different Contexts
13:06 The Role of Valor in Battle and War
14:47 The Impact of Dress and Appearance on Valor Revisited
17:42 Exploring Valor in Literature and Pop Culture
22:45 The Role of Valor in Leadership and Governance
26:01 The Impact of Modern Society on Valor
30:32 Final Thoughts and Reflections
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E16: Knowledge or Action, Super Ego or Id

“Right action is better than knowledge; but in order to do what is right, we must know what is right.” This week, Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, and Nicolas Sarian use King Charlemagne’s quote as a starting point into a discussion about thought vs action. What is the relationship between the two? Drawing from diverse references - Jewish tradition, Buddhist thought, psychoanalysis, sociology, and investment strategies - the conversation takes a turn into an engrossing discussion about the various parts of the self as understood by Freud, Nietzsche, and Jung. Enjoy!
 
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:22 Exploring the Quote of the Week
00:43 Debate on Knowledge vs Action
02:13 Investing: Action vs Knowledge
04:06 The Green Lumber Approach
05:37 Relating Knowledge and Action to Investing
06:12 Jewish Tradition and the Green Lumber Point
07:00 Modern Society's Preference for Action
07:53 Timing and Urgency in Decision Making
11:10 The Role of Regret in Action vs Knowledge
19:01 Psychopath vs Sociopath: A New Perspective
23:08 Understanding the Self: Freud's Perspective
23:54 Historical Roots of Self-Identity: Plato's Influence
26:13 The Self in Relationships: Balancing Rationality and Madness
26:58 Ego in Modern Society: A Misunderstood Concept
28:46 The Problem of Individuation: A Nietzschean Perspective
30:57 The Quantum Self: Indivisible Yet Multiple
31:45 The Journey of Individuation: A Path to Self-Understanding
33:38 The Strength Addiction: A Barrier to Self-Exploration
43:43 The Reality of Evil: A Controversial Discussion
47:55 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Self-Understanding
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E15: Work Work!

“He who does not know how to use leisure has more of work than when there is work in work.” This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Genevieve Kim, Nicolás Sarian, and Anne Dudek as we explore the philosophy of leisure and work, prompted by the quote from Ennius. What constitutes leisure? Is it bound by time or the actions we take? From ancient Greek and Roman concepts of leisure, to the inherent leisureliness or divinity imbibed in God as depicted in the Genesis, to how the Industrial Revolution altered the definition of work, the conversation takes turns left and right in a way that is anything but leisurely!
 
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Panel
00:24 Interpreting Ennius' Quote on Leisure
01:18 Leisure vs Time Off: A Greek Perspective
02:14 The Role of Leisure in Philosophy and Work
03:15 Defining Work and Leisure
04:05 The Impact of Modernity and Capitalism on Leisure
08:47 The Commodification of Leisure
10:18 The Role of Motivation in Leisure
15:32 The Aesthetic Experience and Leisure
17:06 Duties of the Heart vs Duties of the Limbs
20:36 The Role of Consumption in Leisure
22:18 The Paradox of Proactivity in Leisure
24:06 Exploring the Intersection of Leisure and Work
24:41 The Evolution of Language and its Impact on Perception
25:59 The Industrial Revolution and its Influence on Work
27:33 Theological Perspectives on Work and Leisure
29:11 The Concept of Time Ownership and Slavery
29:55 The Significance of the Weekend and Leisure Time
34:28 The Role of Risk and Uncertainty in Leisure
38:02 The Paradox of Sacrifice and Leisure
42:30 The Role of Risk in Leisure: A Case for Gambling
43:20 Wrapping Up: The Ongoing Debate on Leisure
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E14: To Like or Not to Like

“A man who likes nobody is much more unhappy, than a man whom nobody likes.” This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Anne Dudek, and Zohar Atkins as we grapple with this statement from François de la Rochefoucauld’s “Maxims”. From political intrigue of European courts to the techniques actors employ to get into character, to the laws and rulesets we all set up for ourselves when navigating society: this episode is a deepdive into the concept of “happiness” and love.
00:01 Introduction to the Podcast
00:24 Unpacking François de la Rochefoucauld's Quote
00:56 Exploring the Historical Context
01:47 Interpreting the Quote through Political Intrigue
03:01 Contrasting Perspectives: Machiavellian Philosophy
04:36 Engagement and Community in Philosophy
05:08 The Role of Envy and Defensiveness
06:36 Exploring the Concept of 'Like'
07:05 The Role of Discernment and Judgment
07:30 The Complexity of 'Like' and 'Happiness'
08:00 The Role of Analogy in Understanding
09:20 The Paradox of Liking and Being Liked
22:27 The Role of Aspiration and Striving
25:15 Art, Happiness, and Fulfillment
26:00 Final Thoughts on Happiness and Superficiality
28:06 The Power of Liking and Being Liked
29:33 The Art of Empathy and Connection
30:35 Acting: A Tool for Emotional Control
31:24 The Struggles of Playing Unlikable Characters
32:56 The Complexity of Villains in Film
35:08 The Thin Line Between Acting and Reality
37:51 The Role of Empathy in Society
49:25 The Tragedy of Being Loved but Not Loving
54:40 Closing Thoughts
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E13: Serious Play

This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, and Nicolas Sarian as we discuss what it means to have seriousness towards play, prompted by a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche from "Beyond Good and Evil". Children immerse themselves into their play, often losing themselves in their imaginations. How do we lose this ability? How is regaining it a sign of maturity? Are we still playing a game, a game called life? As you’d imagine, the conversation turned towards Buddhism but also: Star Wars, Moses, and questions about the morality of past philosophers themselves. A deep dive of an episode, to say the least!
 
00:01 Introduction and Welcome
00:29 Exploring Nietzsche's Quote on Play and Maturity
01:07 Personal Reflections on Seriousness in Play
02:31 Rediscovering Seriousness in Play: A Classroom Experience
04:43 The Concept of Homo Ludens and the Seriousness of Play
10:30 The Dichotomy of Enlightenment and Action in Buddhism
11:21 The Bodhisattva and the Arhat: Different Paths to Enlightenment
19:55 Star Wars Analogy: Enlightenment and Compassion
27:09 The Meta Podcast Discussion
27:48 Star Wars and Human Nature
28:31 Moses: The Reluctant Prophet
30:44 The Power Dynamics in Ancient Societies
31:45 The Dark Side in Star Wars
32:16 Christianity and Nietzsche's Critique
33:50 Nietzsche's Warrior Ethic
34:46 The Metamorphoses in Zarathustra
37:13 The Role of the Warrior in Nietzsche's Philosophy
46:09 The Death of the Author
47:14 The Personal Lives of Philosophers
56:25 The Seriousness of Play
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E12: By the Light of the Moon

This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Anne Dudek, Zohar Atkins, Stewart Alsop III, and Nicolas Sarian as we discuss the mystical power of the Moon, prompted by a quote from the ancient Indian author, Kalidasa. We explore the dichotomy between the moon and the sun as considered by different cultures and religions. The conversation leads us to discuss the concept of darkness and light, and the shadows that come from their interplay. From shadows we bounce to the concept of dems and then to the nature of the separation between man and the rest of the animal kingdom: namely, speech and names themselves. Buckle up, this is a wild dive into the night!
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:24 Joining the Discussion Group
00:50 Quote of the Day
01:13 Understanding the Quote's Origin
02:54 Interpreting the Quote
05:28 The Moon and the Sun in Jewish Tradition
10:49 The Moon and the Sun in Art and Personal Experience
22:01 The Moon and the Sun in Ancient Traditions
25:58 The Shadow of the Shadow
28:08 Interpreting Omens and Shadows
28:30 The Dilemma of Seeking Omens
28:44 The Paradox of Self-fulfilling Prophecies
29:39 The Duality of Man and Demon
30:30 The Liminality of Beings
31:23 The Human Condition: Spirit or Animal?
31:47 The Definition of Liminal
32:24 The Role of Names in Identity Formation
38:35 The Mystery of Animal Consciousness
43:17 The Power of Language and Literacy
48:59 The Evolution of Communication: From Hieroglyphics to Memes
50:23 The Impact of Writing on Memory
52:09 Wrapping Up the Discussion
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E11: Where Thunder Rumbles

This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Stewart Alsop, Nicolas Sarian, and Anne Dudek as we discuss alchemy: its philosophical, psychological, and transformative concepts. Nicolas Sarian attempts to guide us through its stages: from dissolution to calcination to transformation, referencing the source of the episode’s chosen quote, Fulcanelli's ‘The Mystery of the Cathedrals’. We compare alchemical processes to Vedic principles, exploring the intersections of ancient wisdom and contemporary thought. Ultimately, we ask the question: is alchemy a mystical quest for transformation or a just precursor to modern science?
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:51 The Quote of the Week and Its Context
01:20 Understanding Alchemy: The First Agent
02:45 The Alchemical Process: Dissolution and Calcination
04:27 The Sufferings of Love: A Talmudic Perspective
07:40 The Alchemical Process: Humidifying and Dehumidifying
14:36 The Alchemical Process: The Peacock's Tail
15:38 The Mystery of Technology: From Tongs to AI
20:40 The Alchemist's Sacrifice: Understanding the Flame
21:31 The Dangers of Seeking Knowledge: Pandora's Box
21:59 The Alchemical Process: Dissolution and Beyond
22:32 The Alchemist's Humor: Lightening the Mood
23:14 The Second Stage of Alchemy: A Philosophical Conundrum
25:54 Alchemy in the Vedic Context: A Comparative Analysis
27:13 The Alchemical Process: A Synchronic Perspective
27:46 Alchemy: The Quest for Gold or Something More?
29:22 The Evolution of Alchemy: From Aristotle to Francis Bacon
32:22 Alchemy: A Natural Process or a Human Intervention?
36:18 The Alchemical Process: A Personal Transformation
39:17 The Modern Alchemist: Brian Johnson's Experiments
 
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The Lightning Podcast S1 E10: Started from the Filth, Now We Here...

This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Genevieve Kim, and Nicolas Sarian as they explore a profound, if esoteric, quote by Abraham Abulafia. We delve into the concept of 'filth' as a fundamental aspect of human life, tying it with existential pain, and deeply examining the role of 'blood', in both the physical and mystical sense. Our discussion extends to the constant struggle between physical and spiritual aspects of our nature. The conversation takes a turn to the interplay of language and mysticism, drawing on concepts from Judaism, ancient Vedas, and modern AI. We scrutinize the complex power of words in shaping reality, further branching into debates about the performativity and constantive functions of language. Join us for a discussion on the richness of theology, the fascinating potentials of ancient languages, and the mysterious interweaving of divine elements within our mundane existence.
 
00:00 Introduction to the Lightning Podcast
00:25 Unveiling Today's Quote
01:31 Interpreting the Quote: Death and Filth
02:26 Exploring the Concept of Filth and Strength
04:04 The Journey of Enlightenment: Filth to Blood
04:23 The Torah and the Human Condition
05:22 Alchemy and the Journey from Filth
06:47 Abraham Abulafia and the Study of Kabbalah
07:31 Alchemy, Kabbalah, and the Search for Gold
08:19 The Lowest is the Highest: A Teaching in Jewish Mysticism
11:08 The Hermetic Tradition: As Above, So Below
11:50 The Sanctity of the Body and the Journey of Life
14:19 Transcending Our Animal Nature: A Discussion
19:07 The Ancient Vedic Religion and the Idea of Bipedal Beings
24:37 The Creation of the Back and the Encounter
25:18 The Art Card in Tarot and the Concept of Temperance
26:46 Decoding the Red and White: Blood and Water
27:01 Exploring the Zohar and Hebrew Letters
27:31 The Significance of Samekh in Hebrew
28:31 Hebrew Language and Mysticism
28:43 The Power of Hebrew Letters in Creation
30:06 Understanding Gematria: The Mystical Synonyms
30:52 The Skepticism and Interpretation of Gematria
34:25 The Role of Samekh in Hebrew and Mysticism
38:02 Language as a Tool for Creation
45:44 The Power of Speech Acts in Judaism
49:52 The Sacredness of Tetragrammaton in Hebrew
51:19 Language: A Tool for Totalitarian Discourses?
52:27 Wrapping Up: From Filth to the Heart of Heaven
 
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