Evolve Faster with Scott Ely

Can rationality and emotions coexist? Elliott made a terrible mistake that's been haunting him ever since. As if rafting through Class V rapids without a paddle, Elliott's sanity is inches away from crashing into sharp rocks of guilt, shame, and sadness. Where do we turn when it feels like our emotions have us hurtling out of control in dangerous waters? And is there any hope for recovery even once you’ve faced the reality of your situation head-on, in light of the power of these emotional currents? We all have emotions, but what are they and do we need them? David Hume felt we are nothing more than slaves to our passions. And maybe so! Countless theories like the Hurrah/Boo Theory show that we'll jump onto the emotional bandwagon of the masses almost instinctively. Why? To feel safe. But is there a way to break the secure chains of emotions? Is there a way to rationalize the irrational, reason the unreasonable and be ultimately be masters of our feelings? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

Who are you? You're the sailor of the ship called you, and yet most people let their boats go into great disrepair and neglect. Feeling moored in the same spot for years with no clear understanding of the direction she needs to go, Lisa gets a unique opportunity to upgrade her identity boat with a chemical compass of sorts—a mysterious drug that will supposedly alter her complete identity—to supposedly better enable her to navigate through life’s rough waters. Could a change in your identity actually turn your entire life around for the better? Or are we destined to live with constant susceptibility to being lost in a sea of meaningless actions and emotions without any sort of compass to steer our ship? What defines our identity? John Locke thought it is our consciousness and the daily actions that shape who we are. Similarly, Erik and Joan Erickson created an entire step-by-step description of the phases each individual goes through. Finally, recent neuroscientific research manages to make a hard connection between various emotions we experience and our brain. Is there anything we can actually do to navigate the rough emotional waters of life any more effectively? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

Who are you? You're the sailor of the ship called you, and yet most people let their boats go into great disrepair and neglect. Feeling moored in the same spot for years with no clear understanding of the direction she needs to go, Lisa gets a unique opportunity to upgrade her identity boat with a chemical compass of sorts—a mysterious drug that will supposedly alter her complete identity—to supposedly better enable her to navigate through life’s rough waters. Could a change in your identity actually turn your entire life around for the better? Or are we destined to live with constant susceptibility to being lost in a sea of meaningless actions and emotions without any sort of compass to steer our ship? What defines our identity? John Locke thought it is our consciousness and the daily actions that shape who we are. Similarly, Erik and Joan Erickson created an entire step-by-step description of the phases each individual goes through. Finally, recent neuroscientific research manages to make a hard connection between various emotions we experience and our brain. Is there anything we can actually do to navigate the rough emotional waters of life any more effectively? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

Can we trust reason? Edward, a marketing master and spokesperson for the dark arts of rhetoric and propaganda, is hired to educate a controversial businessman running for an important public office. It's Edward's job to bestow the black magic of verbal and written manipulation on the businessman to win the election. Where the tongue is quicker than the mind—and the pen sharp enough to cut—are these skills a well-respected art? Or are they just cheap mental tricks wielded by insincere charlatans? Since perfected by the ancient Greeks, rhetoric has slowly devolved from a respected art into a manipulative tool used in marketing, politics and any other walk of life where mental and verbal coercion pays. Rhetoric, propaganda and the strategic use of logical fallacies are mental and verbal manipulations similar to the dark arts of black magic, in that they create smoke and mirrors to change minds to believe mistruths. And unlike a magician who deceives to entertain, these dark wizards act maliciously in pursuit of profit and power over others. The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

Can we trust reason? Edward, a marketing master and spokesperson for the dark arts of rhetoric and propaganda, is hired to educate a controversial businessman running for an important public office. It's Edward's job to bestow the black magic of verbal and written manipulation on the businessman to win the election. Where the tongue is quicker than the mind—and the pen sharp enough to cut—are these skills a well-respected art? Or are they just cheap mental tricks wielded by insincere charlatans? Since perfected by the ancient Greeks, rhetoric has slowly devolved from a respected art into a manipulative tool used in marketing, politics and any other walk of life where mental and verbal coercion pays. Rhetoric, propaganda and the strategic use of logical fallacies are mental and verbal manipulations similar to the dark arts of black magic, in that they create smoke and mirrors to change minds to believe mistruths. And unlike a magician who deceives to entertain, these dark wizards act maliciously in pursuit of profit and power over others. The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What is wisdom? Paul, a child prodigy who became a leading theoretical physicist in his early 30s, is facing a personal dilemma that is making him miserable—the realization that he might be woefully deficient in the one thing he most reveres. Although filled with endless knowledge, he isn't wise. But how? Isn't harnessing more and more information the key to becoming wise? In his attempt to figure it out, Paul might realize the obstacle he's facing isn't even close to being the final one. And can he feel like a complete person without it? The idea of wisdom goes back to Ancient Greece, from Socrates and Plato to modern day reinterpretations and research by sociologists like Monika Ardelt. In this episode's exploration of wisdom and how it manifests, the real questions come forth. Even if we can define wisdom, is that enough to come by it? Can anyone become truly wise in this world of rapidly changing information? And what will happen to the world if wisdom is actually declining in reverse proportion to the volumes of information available every day? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What is wisdom? Paul, a child prodigy who became a leading theoretical physicist in his early 30s, is facing a personal dilemma that is making him miserable—the realization that he might be woefully deficient in the one thing he most reveres. Although filled with endless knowledge, he isn't wise. But how? Isn't harnessing more and more information the key to becoming wise? In his attempt to figure it out, Paul might realize the obstacle he's facing isn't even close to being the final one. And can he feel like a complete person without it? The idea of wisdom goes back to Ancient Greece, from Socrates and Plato to modern day reinterpretations and research by sociologists like Monika Ardelt. In this episode's exploration of wisdom and how it manifests, the real questions come forth. Even if we can define wisdom, is that enough to come by it? Can anyone become truly wise in this world of rapidly changing information? And what will happen to the world if wisdom is actually declining in reverse proportion to the volumes of information available every day? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What is the truth? Truman, an ordinary man with a regular job, is caught lying in a country where lying is illegal. Thanks to his actions, he ends up facing a mandatory Truth Course to get him back on the track. Terrified, Truman slowly realizes the truth is not what we all grew accustomed to believe. Is it possible that truth is nothing more than a piece of clay molded by someone's interests? Time is running out for Truman, and the sculptor of truth might just hold the power to mold his future. To try and understand the truth about truth itself, we'll look at correspondence theory, coherence theory, pragmatism and truth-seeking components of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Each argument will give us a unique approach to just what the truth might be. But if there can only be one truth, which one is correct? The one molded by your hands, or someone else's hands? And if forced to face an absolute truth, would you be able to accept all its consequences? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What is the truth? Truman, an ordinary man with a regular job, is caught lying in a country where lying is illegal. Thanks to his actions, he ends up facing a mandatory Truth Course to get him back on the track. Terrified, Truman slowly realizes the truth is not what we all grew accustomed to believe. Is it possible that truth is nothing more than a piece of clay molded by someone's interests? Time is running out for Truman, and the sculptor of truth might just hold the power to mold his future. To try and understand the truth about truth itself, we'll look at correspondence theory, coherence theory, pragmatism and truth-seeking components of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Each argument will give us a unique approach to just what the truth might be. But if there can only be one truth, which one is correct? The one molded by your hands, or someone else's hands? And if forced to face an absolute truth, would you be able to accept all its consequences? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

How can you know anything? We rarely have a chance to change the world. If you could prove something fundamental about the human experience, but it came at an enormous cost, would you have the guts? And what if you proved humanity can’t really know anything? At the height of his success, a controversial philosopher named Ian Ament reveals a dangerous plan to do a head transplant swap with his brother. Nobody knows why and both the scientific and medical communities at large are very concerned. In a tense live interview being viewed around the world with a potential surgeon, Ross Hunter, Ament methodically explains his reasoning. Yet his reasons only bring more questions. Is there something more behind Ament’s plan? For the next 60 minutes of this interview, the historical arc of reason—and Ian’s head—are both on the chopping block as we wait to find out if the ax will fall. In this episode, we’ll discover what do the theories of rationalism, empiricism and skepticism have to say about the way we gain new knowledge. Why do rationalism and empiricism seem to collide on how humans function? Would it work to instead just be a skeptic every time you face a new obstacle? Finally, is there a way to optimize your mindset and take the best out of every world? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

How can you know anything? We rarely have a chance to change the world. If you could prove something fundamental about the human experience, but it came at an enormous cost, would you have the guts? And what if you proved humanity can’t really know anything? At the height of his success, a controversial philosopher named Ian Ament reveals a dangerous plan to do a head transplant swap with his brother. Nobody knows why and both the scientific and medical communities at large are very concerned. In a tense live interview being viewed around the world with a potential surgeon, Ross Hunter, Ament methodically explains his reasoning. Yet his reasons only bring more questions. Is there something more behind Ament’s plan? For the next 60 minutes of this interview, the historical arc of reason—and Ian’s head—are both on the chopping block as we wait to find out if the ax will fall. In this episode, we’ll discover what do the theories of rationalism, empiricism and skepticism have to say about the way we gain new knowledge. Why do rationalism and empiricism seem to collide on how humans function? Would it work to instead just be a skeptic every time you face a new obstacle? Finally, is there a way to optimize your mindset and take the best out of every world? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What am I suppose to do? The journey to living a meaningful life can feel hopeless, like riding a train through the wilderness at night. But if there was an autopilot track that guaranteed a happy life, would you take it? Would this solve the nagging “What am I supposed to do” riddle? Jonathan finds himself forced between two paths: a meaningful life filled with risky choices, or a safe life that might be filled with regret. If only there were a way to make everything simple, like an autopilot that steers the train towards an easy, happy and perfect finish line for you. But he has just half a day to find the solution to the issue we all face on a daily basis—What’s the right decision? 12 hours, millions of questions and seemingly no answers. Is it even possible to make the “right” decision, especially when your hand is being forced? In this episode, we’ll find out what does Buddhism have to say about this mysterious happiness that western society seems some obsessed with finding. Jean-Paul Sartre, one of the most famous existentialist philosophers, felt we have a practical debt we owe to the world to be our highest selves. But what is the dept? Will you jump on board the train that might leave at any moment? So is there an auto-pilot, golden ticket to all of our life’s problems? Or are all the shortcuts just a one-way ticket towards mental suicide, as Robert Nozick, another famous philosopher, described it? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What am I suppose to do? The journey to living a meaningful life can feel hopeless, like riding a train through the wilderness at night. But if there was an autopilot track that guaranteed a happy life, would you take it? Would this solve the nagging “What am I supposed to do” riddle? Jonathan finds himself forced between two paths: a meaningful life filled with risky choices, or a safe life that might be filled with regret. If only there were a way to make everything simple, like an autopilot that steers the train towards an easy, happy and perfect finish line for you. But he has just half a day to find the solution to the issue we all face on a daily basis—What’s the right decision? 12 hours, millions of questions and seemingly no answers. Is it even possible to make the “right” decision, especially when your hand is being forced? In this episode, we’ll find out what does Buddhism have to say about this mysterious happiness that western society seems some obsessed with finding. Jean-Paul Sartre, one of the most famous existentialist philosophers, felt we have a practical debt we owe to the world to be our highest selves. But what is the dept? Will you jump on board the train that might leave at any moment? So is there an auto-pilot, golden ticket to all of our life’s problems? Or are all the shortcuts just a one-way ticket towards mental suicide, as Robert Nozick, another famous philosopher, described it? The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What if you could reset everything? George Carlin joked that life is a near-death experience. But what if this clever wit is actually concealing the meaning of life itself? And if you could access this truth using some tricks to completely reset your mind, life and soul, would you have the guts to do it? Same as every day, you’ll wake up faced with the ability to take several high-stakes gambles—change the world, change yourself or do nothing—three core options that are always right at your fingertips. The problem is you’re most likely on auto-pilot and not consciously aware of this potential you have each day. So instead, you will likely take another step into the comfortable yet dark cave of dissatisfaction; it’s safe, but also tightly shut with a limited air supply. In this introduction to the Evolve Faster Podcast, we’ll take an hour-long roller coaster ride down into the rabbit hole of a thought experiment that might just challenge your daily experience of life as one where you acknowledge the fact that you could, in fact, die around the next curve. We’ll look at a psychological tendency that makes it difficult for you to break out of this mental auto-pilot. Next, we’ll investigate what it means to Evolve Faster as a metaphor for personal and societal change. And finally, we’ll investigate where the podcast will go from here into the regular seasons–groups of 10 (or so) themed episodes, written and produced in a unique fiction-meets-nonfiction format. So buckle your philosophical seatbelt, pull down your psychological shoulder harness and lock up your kids (ok, don’t do that) if you’re ready to see how deep this rabbit hole goes with some foundational content that will prepare us for the upcoming Season One of the Evolve Faster Podcast…The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/

What if you could reset everything? George Carlin joked that life is a near-death experience. But what if this clever wit is actually concealing the meaning of life itself? And if you could access this truth using some tricks to completely reset your mind, life and soul, would you have the guts to do it? Same as every day, you’ll wake up faced with the ability to take several high-stakes gambles—change the world, change yourself or do nothing—three core options that are always right at your fingertips. The problem is you’re most likely on auto-pilot and not consciously aware of this potential you have each day. So instead, you will likely take another step into the comfortable yet dark cave of dissatisfaction; it’s safe, but also tightly shut with a limited air supply. In this introduction to the Evolve Faster Podcast, we’ll take an hour-long roller coaster ride down into the rabbit hole of a thought experiment that might just challenge your daily experience of life as one where you acknowledge the fact that you could, in fact, die around the next curve. We’ll look at a psychological tendency that makes it difficult for you to break out of this mental auto-pilot. Next, we’ll investigate what it means to Evolve Faster as a metaphor for personal and societal change. And finally, we’ll investigate where the podcast will go from here into the regular seasons–groups of 10 (or so) themed episodes, written and produced in a unique fiction-meets-nonfiction format. So buckle your philosophical seatbelt, pull down your psychological shoulder harness and lock up your kids (ok, don’t do that) if you’re ready to see how deep this rabbit hole goes with some foundational content that will prepare us for the upcoming Season One of the Evolve Faster Podcast…The Evolve Faster Podcast is written, performed and produced by Scott Ely. Writing and production of each episode of the podcast is a major undertaking spanning many months—it’s a labor of love, but it needs your help to survive. To help ensure the creation of more episodes, please learn about ways you can support the podcast (register, share, review and subscribe) at https://evolvefaster.com/subscribe/