Episódios
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On this "crossover" episode, Adam Haman and Bob Murphy discuss the critical comments that have been exchanged between Javier Milei, president of Argentina, and Hans-Hermann Hoppe, economist and libertarian theorist.
00:00 — Intro.
01:01 — Why must we fight? Adam and Bob give a breakdown of the "dispute" between Hoppe and Milei and some of the history of Milei's rise in Argentina.
14:05 — What are Milei's accomplishments so far? Lower regulations? Lower inflation? Other?
22:05 — Milei has been cozying up to the US and Israel. Adam has a theory why that is. Also, what dangers does Milei's presidency present for libertarianism in global public opinion?
26:26 — Hoppe and Milei argued about how one should/could end the central bank. Who's right?
47:02 — Should Milei pay back Argentinian debt? Should the US government pay its debts?
58:52 — Outro. Don't be a "liberimbecile"! Keep watching Haman Nature!
Hoppe criticizing Milei in Oct 2024:
Milei's response on X:
Human Action episode referenced:
Adam on X: @Rerazer
Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon
The Bob Murphy Show: https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/
The Human Action podcast:
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone grapple with the issue of our day: Why are smart people often so stupid about politics?
00:00 — Intro. Tyrone lost his bone. Poor porcupine. Also, he had a tempestuous Thanksgiving because some of his smartest family members have idiotic and inconsistent opinions about political matters. Turns out it's easier to train (indoctrinate) a smart dog than a dumb one.
03:00 — Tyrone introduces the Haman Nature article (linked below) this episode is based on: "Why are smart people so stupid about politics?" There's a good reason! It's all about feedback.
09:49 — We are $36 trillion in debt. Adam shows that we can't even conceptualize what $1 trillion is.
11:00 — So what's the fix? The answer isn't legislation or even education. It's culture.
15:01 — Tyrone asks a good question. How much of this problem stems from the universities? Or maybe it's just that we've gotten soft. Is this a inevitable problem of prosperity?
24:25 — Will it take an increase in our technological capabilities before we get "smarter" about politics? Is that good news or bad?
31:47 — Outro. Thank you for watching Haman Nature!
Haman Nature article mentioned: Why are smart people so stupid about politics? There’s a good reason!
Book mentioned: The 4th Turning by William Strauss & Neil Howe:
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
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Adam and Tyrone explain the similarities between Darth Vader and the government, specifically those policies related to gas taxes and electric vehicle regulations and fees.
00:00 — Intro. Tyrone breathes funny.
01:00 — Tyrone introduces the article this episode is based on (linked below): "What Darth Vader can teach us about electric vehicles and their hidden fees." The government keeps changing "the deal".
03:47 — Tyrone channels the famous essay "I Pencil...". The production of energy is complicated, and modern activists don't take that complexity into account.
06:35 — Want clean energy? Unshackle nuclear power! Plus, Tyrone reveals that at the end of the day, we're all still relying on the steam engine and the turbine.
10:01 — EV sales are slumping. Why? What is the future of the global gas/EV car market? How can consumers and producers plan for the future when the regulatory landscape is unpredictable?
16:31 — Darth Vader (i.e. government) changes the deal, but also they can't coordinate resources. There is no discovery process or calculation process. Also: Tyrone gets mad about calling taxation "revenue". Then he gets really mad about Minnesota roads and taxes.
25:25 — To make Tyrone feel better, Adam points to California's awful road situation. Plus, Adam solves the problem with evil legislators -- Make them dress up as what they are.
32:28 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature! (and don't make any deals with Darth Vader!)
Haman Nature article mentioned: “What Darth Vader can teach us about electric vehicles and their hidden fees”
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
On this "crossover" episode, Adam Haman and Bob Murphy discuss the current "woke right" accusations flying around on social media lately. What does the term mean? Who is guilty of behaving in a woke manner, contrary to their stated beliefs? What's up with James Lindsey? Genius? Idiot? Something in between? Adam and Bob have the answers!
00:00 — Intro. Adam (with his intriguingly raspy voice) introduces the episode. Bob complains of harsh working conditions. Then, Adam's raspy voice is explained. It's all Bob's fault.
03:49 — The "woke right": What is it? Who's arguing about the term? Who is guilty of being "woke" on the right?
09:01 — Bob leads a discussion of James Lindsay's history of journal hoaxes. Are these hoaxes relevant to the "woke right" debate?
19:44 — Adam weighs in. What was valuable about the journal hoaxes? What claims were overblown? Plus, Adam reveals a critically important social maxim: Never heap praise and fame on a nerd.
27:21 — How should we define "woke" and "woke right"? Are people being consistent when they use the terms? Does the latter term even make sense? Or are we all "woke"?
39:45 — Adam asks some clarifying questions about this kind of "woke" analysis. Bob responds. Along the way, Adam discovers why humans invented language.
58:55 — Is "wokism" a religion? What elements does it share with organized religion?
60:02 — Bob wraps things up with some relevant quotes by Lindsay, Rothbard, and others.
66:27 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!
Bob Murphy Show episode referenced:
Adam on X: @Rerazer
Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon
The Bob Murphy Show:
The Human Action podcast:
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
On this "crossover" episode, Adam Haman and Bob Murphy talk about Trump's threatened tariffs on BRICS nations if they try to topple the US dollar's status as the reserve currency of the world. What is it all about? What will happen next?
00:00 — Intro. Adam makes a great joke that he totally stands by.
01:30 — Trump's inflammatory tariff/BRICS Tweet is read -- with capitalization choices deciphered. Bob weighs in on what's going on and introduces us to a new term: purchasing power parity.
09:47 — Adam briefly describes the composition of BRICS and their relative sizes. Bob comments on the geopolitical strategy decisions involved with these matters.
13:58 — Adam asks: Don't US officials realize they threaten the US dollar reserve currency status when they "use" it to punish countries that they are displeased with?
18:46 — Adam asks: What type of currency is BRICS likely to attempt to create or switch to?
23:14 — Trump's defenders say he's just bluffing (as a master negotiator will). Does Bob buy this argument? What is Trump thinking? What is likely to happen next?
31:35 — Adam asks: How should we analyze these matters given national security considerations? Also: Fiat money is trash anyway. Why try to save it?
38:01 — You know things are weird when you can't decide whether it's good or bad that our enemies have hypersonic missiles that we can't defend ourselves against.
40:48 — What does Bob think is the most likely "end game"? Will fintech eventually set us all free? Also, what other corporate/government shenanigans are happening in the world that we should be worried about? Related: Is Elon Musk setting himself up to be Dr. Evil?
49:30 — Adam talks about a theory (article linked below) about why smart people are so dumb about politics. Then Bob explains the mechanics of trade deficits and what the true effects of tariffs are.
58:05 — Outro.
Haman Nature article referenced: Why are smart people so stupid about politics?
Adam on X: @Rerazer
Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon
The Bob Murphy Show
The Human Action podcast
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone dive deep into metaphysics using a classic children's story as a springboard. Come get philosophical and have some fun!
00:00 — Intro. Tyrone introduces the episode with a pun and an Olivia Newton-John classic.
00:46 — Tyrone introduces the article this episode is based on (linked below): "Goldilocks is a criminal, and there are no dials". Bizarrely, this leads to a discussion of the Goldilocks Principle, cosmological constants, and even the "multiverse".
05:57 — Tyrone gives his own annoying example of some sloppy thinking.
08:35 — Adam and Tyrone dive into the metaphysical (and psychological and religious) implications of this line of thinking.
13:35 — Adam takes a shot at the concept of "infinity".
17:12 — Tyrone takes a shot at some of the popular "intelligent design" arguments. Adam tries to give this "devil" its due.
22:52 — Tyrone brings up Ayn Rand, just for fun.
26:39 — Adam tries to grapple with the inadequacy of our own language to adequately describe the universe we live in.
29:34 — Outro. Justice for the bears!
Haman Nature article mentioned: "Goldilocks is a criminal, and there are no dials"
Haman Nature episode (with MIchael Huemer) mentioned:
Video clip played: Ayn Rand on Phil Donahue (start at 04:10):
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam Haman and Bob Murphy discuss the economics of energy policy from a libertarian perspective and how they might advise the new Trump administration. They also touch on property rights theory and climate change.
Energy Study mentioned: https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/2024-north-american-energy-inventory/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Happy Thanksgiving Hamaniacs!
We previously released this episode behind the paywall, but Adam and I had so much fun recording this series of episodes that we simply had to share it with everyone. So in the spirit of the holidays and to express our sincere appreciation to all of our subscribers for your support, please enjoy Part 2 of our Best Movie Soundtracks series where we take a much needed break from politics and "serious" philosophical matters to have some fun.
Have a safe and thanks-filled holiday season!
Tyrone the Porcupine Hobo
00:00 — Intro. Let's continue the countdown!
01:55 — Revealed: Adam's #5 favorite movie soundtrack!
03:51 — Revealed: Tyrone's #5 favorite movie soundtrack!
05:50 — Revealed: Adam's #4 favorite movie soundtrack!
08:11 — Revealed: Tyrone's #4 favorite movie soundtrack!
09:03 — Revealed: Adam's #3 favorite movie soundtrack!
12:16 — Revealed: Tyrone's #3 favorite movie soundtrack!
13:36 — Revealed: Adam's #2 favorite movie soundtrack!
15:06 — Revealed: Tyrone's #2 favorite movie soundtrack!
16:39 — Revealed: Adam's #1 favorite movie soundtrack!
19:51 — Revealed: Tyrone's #1 favorite movie soundtrack!
22:38 — Adam and Tyrone reveal some “honorable mentions”. What movie soundtracks just missed the cut?
26:08 — Outro. Thank you all so much for being paid subscribers to Haman Nature!
Adam's other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone dive deep into human nature as they tie together some things Jordan B. Peterson has said that dovetail with some insights from the great Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises. Enjoy!
00:00 — Intro. Adam comes out as an "unspiked person". So stunning. So brave.
00:51 — Tyrone brings up a recent Haman Nature article (linked below) about Jordan Peterson and remarks that there sure are a lot of religious people interviewed on Hn. What gives?
03:00 — Adam breaks down his article: Sam Harris: "Do you believe in God?" Jordan Peterson's response is pure Mises.
05:44 — Tyrone presses Adam about what his conception of "Western values" are. Why not "human values"? Also, why do Adam's values tend to mirror those of Christianity? What about other religious structures?
12:15 — Tyrone gives his comments on religious rules and their purpose. Adam makes the point: Old stories, myths, and religious can contain deep truths, but they also can contain errors. It's a constant discovery process.
17:20 — Tyrone pushes back on our "click-baity" title. Adam defends "simple truths".
21:16 — Tyrone pushes back some more, and forces an important clarification.
21:56 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!
Haman Nature article mentioned:
Sam Harris - Jordan Peterson video mentioned:
Jordan Peterson book mentioned: Maps of Meaning
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone reflect on the 2024 election. What happened? Why? What does it mean? What comes next?
00:00 — Intro. Tyrone shares a surprising new medical condition caused by the 2024 election results.
00:47 — Adam shares some initial thoughts. Where was the expected election fraud? Also, are Nevadans incapable of counting? Why so late with the results?
04:53 — Free Ross! Also, Adam trumps the benefits of voting at straight "Nunya" ticket. What were the most surprising results of election night?
07:51 — Tyrone asks: Would it have been better to "lose" this election? Also, the effects of Sheldon Adelson's ghost. Also: Tyrone gots charts and maps! How has the electoral map changed over the last several presidential cycles? And is America just misogynist? Also: we learn that Adam can't tell the difference between a bayonet and a guillotine.
13:05 — Adam and Tyrone explore various reasons for the electorate shifting from red to blue and back again. If there is a populist explanation, what does it mean for the future? Is the 2024 election a repudiation of identity politics? Is there a "battle of the sexes" between the two major parties?
30:30 — Tyrone brings up an article Adam wrote about Matt Gaetz, poker, Iran, and Adam's fears of Deep State evildoing. Also, a discussion about propaganda.
36:22— Adam and Tyrone talk briefly about Trump's cabinet pick announcements so far.
46:20 — Before signing off, Adam and Tyrone say a few words about the Jake Paul v. Mike Tyson card on Netflix. Once again, Adam displays some old-school misogyny. For shame...
48:49 -- Outro. Hope you enjoyed the election. Stay safe!
Haman Nature article mentioned:
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
On this "crossover" episode, Adam asks the great Bob Murphy a bunch of questions about tariffs (given that the incoming president has been talking about them).
00:00 — Intro. Who is the Trump guy and why does he love tariffs so much?
01:10 — Trump says he'll replace the IRS with tariffs. Is this feasible? If so, is it desirable? How do we interpret how Trump handled the matter when Joe Rogan asked him about it? What's the difference between an income tax and a consumption tax?
12:20 — Is there any virtue in Trump's claim that he uses the threat of tariffs to force other countries to lower their tariff barriers? How do you make the threat credible? Plus: Daffy Duck!
15:01 — What are the knock-on effects of tariffs? Also, who really pays for a tariff? How does price elasticity impact things?
30:29 — How do we respond to these twin arguments: "infant industries need tariffs to get going" and "national security requires tariffs"? Interestingly, it is revealed that Adam hears "missiles" no matter how often someone says "semiconductors".
46:08 — Does our current situation mirror the start of the Great Depression? Could Trump's new tariffs deepen our problems like the Smoot-Hawley tariff did in the 1930s?
52:12 — Bob remarks on a clever X post he made regarding hypocritical arguments one finds online.
54:56 — What would Bob say to Trump about tariffs if he could advise him?
57:52 — Outro. Bob inhales helium. Adam's X handle is explained. And as always, thank you all so much for watching! Bob hilariously testifying before congress to three decimal places:
Adam on X:
Bob on X:
The Bob Murphy Show:
The Human Action podcast:
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone take a much needed break from politics and "serious" matters to have some fun! This episode is Part 1 of a two part series where they countdown their top 10 most favorite movie soundtracks!
00:00 — Intro. Let's take a break and talk about music and movies!
03:15 — Revealed: Adam's #10 favorite movie soundtrack!
05:09 — Revealed: Tyrone's #10 favorite movie soundtrack!
06:31 — Revealed: Adam's #9 favorite movie soundtrack!
07:49 — Revealed: Tyrone's #9 favorite movie soundtrack!
09:36 — Revealed: Adam's #8 favorite movie soundtrack!
11:00 — Revealed: Tyrone's #8 favorite movie soundtrack!
12:07 — Revealed: Adam's #7 favorite movie soundtrack!
13:34 — Revealed: Tyrone's #7 favorite movie soundtrack!
16:00 — Revealed: Adam's #6 favorite movie soundtrack!
18:38 — Revealed: Tyrone's #6 favorite movie soundtrack!
20:37 — Outro. To see Part 2, visit hamannature.substack.com and become a paid subscriber! And thanks for watching Haman Nature!
Adam's other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
On this "crossover" episode with the great Bob Murphy, Adam shares with Bob a pet peeve: People talk (and think) about probability all wrong. Along the way, they talk aliens, simulation theory, economics, and much much more!
00:00 — Intro. Bob shows a little jealousy. It's very cute.
02:21 — Adam lays out his case that how we deal with odds and probability is often very sloppy and prone to error. The Drake equation comes under heavy fire.
08:47 — Bob responds with a few supporting examples from economics and a little general pushback to Adam's position.
26:51 — Bob points out a minor flaw in Adam's presentation that forces an important clarification. As it turns out, Captain America was probably really good at shooting craps! Adam makes an appeal to the law of large numbers to show that the throw of a die is "close" to a perfectly closed system. Bob makes a devastatingly insightful point that nicely enhances these concepts. Plus, Rothbard!
39:48 — Adam takes a swipe at people smarter than him (Nick Bostrom and Elon Musk) who say very silly things about simulation theory. That's not what probability means!
42:31 — Bob responds and gives some other very similar examples. Along the way, the usefulness of such lines of thinking are illustrated — so long as we don't fool ourselves by making erroneous probability claims. Also: Boltzmann brains, Descartes's evil demon, and brains in vats!
59:01 — Bob throws Artificial Intelligence into the mix, which is always interesting.
50:02 — Outro. Thanks for watching!
Adam on X: https://x.com/Rerazer
Bob on X: https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon
The Bob Murphy Show:
The Human Action podcast:
Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone are joined by LNC Chair Angela McArdle and Libertarian Institute Director Scott Horton for a discussion of the 2024 presidential election season and the debut of a new Haman Nature game show, 3-Letter Agency! Wisdom and fun all in the same episode!
00:00 — Intro. Say hello to today's guests, Angela McArdle and Scott Horton! Plus, a little chat about Scott's soon-to-be-released book Provoked! (pre-order link below)
02:54 — What does Angela think about this election season? Biggest take-aways? What does this election season mean for the Libertarian Party?
06:31 — What does Scott think about it all? What will the regime do to stop a Trump Victory?
11:14 — Angela has a contrary view. She thinks the Harris team is packing it in.
14:10 — Wait? Is Ron Paul going to make a huge comeback if Trump wins? Could it be... happening? Will Pennsylvanian's "apologize" for one of their own taking a shot at Trump? What about the abortion issue? How will that impact this race? What about good old fashioned misogyny?
21:23 — Adam reveals his favorite moment of this election season.
22:46 — Where does Trump's MAGA populist energy go after Trump is out of politics, win or lose?
25:22 -- Tyrone asks an important question: Do voters select on morality or economics? Also, is there a sliver of a chance deregulation could let us produce our way out of this economic mess?
27:40 — The panelists give their predictions as to the result of the 2024 presidential election!
37:44 — A quick plug for all the great books published by Scott's Libertarian Institute (link below) and an interesting impromptu pre-game discussion ensues.
43:11 — It's time to play a brand new game show: 3-Letter Agency! It's fun! It's educational! It's... bewildering at times! Who will emerge victorious? Oh -- and it is revealed that Adam doesn't know how letters... work.
58:48 — Outro. We give thanks to our wonderful guests, Angela and Scott! Check out their links below. And don't skip the easter egg. Who is the libertarian Rain Man?
Pre-order link for Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War With Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine: https://scotthorton.org/product/provoked/
Join (and donate to) the LIbertarian Party! https://www.lp.org/
Check out the magnificent Libertarian Institute! https://libertarianinstitute.org/
Read Antiwar.com every day! https://antiwar.com/
The Scott Horton Show: https://libertarianinstitute.org/scotthortonshow/
Books published by The Libertarian Institute: https://libertarianinstitute.org/books/
Adam's other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
On this "crossover" episode with Bob Murphy of the Bob Murphy show, Adam and Bob talk about voting. Does it matter if you vote? Or who you vote for? How should libertarians think about the act of voting? What about strategy versus principles?
00:00 — Intro. Well, Bob is at it again on X. His comments about who he's voting for have riled some people up. Spoiler alert: It's Jesus.
02:24 — Bob lays out his reasoning about why he's voting the way voting.
10:48 — Adam asks Bob some preliminary questions to help focus the issue further. Does Bob think one of the two duopoly presidential candidates is "better" in 2024? Does this election matter?
12:35 — Does Bob think not voting at all is functionally the same as writing in Jesus?
14:25 — Does Bob think voting for someone who isn't Jesus is immoral in some way?
17:40 — Does Bob believe that voting is immoral in general, or can one justifiably vote "defensively"?
20:52 — Adam shatters Bob's illusions regarding write-in votes. Much sadness ensues.
22:54 — Does Bob take into consideration the "signaling effect" of voting one way versus another?
26:15 — Adam points out some positive real-world impacts the Libertarian Party has because of the votes they get in various elections.
28:49 — Adam brings out the big guns, arguing that individualists (as libertarians are) have a hard time thinking about collective action. The "my vote doesn't count" position scales poorly.
33:10 — Bob responds to Adam's pushback
37:27 — Adam asks Bob: Would he have voted for Ron Paul in the general election in 2008 or 2012 if he had become the nominee? Bob's answer is telling, and it launches a back-and-forth that clarifies Bob's position in a very interesting way!
44:30 — Bob discusses the reservations he had/has about announcing his intentions to vote for Jesus. To the extent that he has influence on other people, is he being irresponsible?
48:26 — Bob opines that libertarians focus a little too much on votes and elections, and not enough on more important matters. Adam agrees.
50:02— Outro. Adam promotes the Bob Murphy Show. Bob promotes his mad skillz on X. Also, Adam asks Bob an economics question whose answer can only be heard as a paid subscriber at https://hamannature.substack.com.
The Bob Murphy Show:
The Human Action podcast:
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam and Tyrone have some fun on this episode, blasting both major candidates for the stupid things they say. Nobody is safe. Drunk? Insane? Gaffes? Word Salad?
00:00 — Intro. Tyrone introduces the show with a little word salad of his own, and teases an upcoming election prediction episode of Haman Nature with special celebrity guests!
03:15 — Roll the tape on Kamala! Let the word salad and verbal gibberish commence! And what accent is that? Did politicians always pander with accents that way? Plus jokes from your hosts.
10:05 — Roll more tape on Kamala! Is this the giggly cackling of a joyful drunk? Is she 8 years old? What's the age requirement for this job? And wait... is this woman racist? Also, space, the moon, and very odd hand gestures that "can be", while being "unburdened by what has been".
20:03 — Okay, it's "Orange Hitler's" turn. He has the best words. Just ask him! But don't ask him what those words mean.
27:40 — Gretchen Whitmer does something just awful on video. We don't pretend to understand it.
31:13 — Adam gets real for a moment and makes a pitch for authenticity in politicians.
33:10 — Hey Hero, Your Fly is Down! Scott Horton edition: "Okay, man... whatever you say! I just want to make it to the airport safely!"
39:45 — Outro. Hope you enjoyed the word salad!
Haman Nature episode mentioned:
Babylon Bee video mentioned (about Kamala's 6-year old speechwriter):
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hamannature.substack.com
In this bonus portion of Adam’s interview of Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen author Domenic Scarcella, things get wild! Insights revealed! Important issues debated! Star Trek referenced! This one has it all!
00:00 — Intro. Welcoming back (to the 2nd half of an interview) Domenic Scarcella!
00:42 — Adam quotes a beautiful passage in Dom’s book and asks why so many modern day Christians feel justified in using state power to enforce their vision of a “good society”. Dom’s answer is deep and historical.
06:30 — Adam offers a psychological interpretation of one of the main religious “upgrades” that Christianity had over paganism. Dom responds intelligently. One can “touch the transcendence” without being a theist.
10:40 — Dom asks Adam where he “fits” on the landscape of metaphysical belief. Adam brings up epistemology, naturally. What does it mean for a thing to be “transcendent”?
13:40 — Dom makes an unexpected admission, along with a good analysis of how artful, descriptive language would have been used long long ago to try to explain deep concepts in our oldest stories. He uses different biblical creation stories to demonstrate the point. Dom’s interpretation of man’s “coming to consciousness” in the garden of Eden mirrors an intuition Adam has about the history of our species.
17:37 — Since Dom talks about Marduk, Adam asks if he knows much about Jordan Peterson’s analysis of humanity’s oldest stories. Dom gives a great description of what the bible actually is: God’s gradual revelation in human history.
22:50 — Adam asks a weird question about what the Old and the New Testaments “did” for humans in their relative stages of societal development. Dom agrees somewhat, but points out that we still need both, clearly. We still haven’t learned.
27:00 — Dom hates memes! Adam sees his point, but pushes back. Memes have a use case, so long as people don’t get “stuck” at meme level. Adam uses Star Trek in his argument. Checkmate.
38:29 — Adam asks Dom if he has anything else to add about the book. He talks about all the various interesting types of readers he’s gotten. Different people get different things out of it. That’s the sign of a good book!
— Outro. Dom leaves us with a final bit of wisdom.
Haman Nature article mentioned:
Thanks for watching!
Naturally,
Adam
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If you haven't heard, it's election season. Shockingly, this is (once again) the most important election of our lifetimes. Adam and Tyrone talk about why democracy itself is awful. Along the way, they comment on a video called "Why Democracy is Mathematically Impossible".
00:00 — Intro. It's election season! Despair!
01:17 — Democracy is trash, but that doesn't mean every critique of it makes sense. Adam and Tyrone dive into the video mentioned. "First past the post" and 3rd parties "stealing votes" are discussed. Adam trashes democracy. Tyrone promotes the intuition that "majority rule" just kinda "makes sense." Also, Adam answers the question: Why would anyone vote for someone that is sure to lose?
16:41 — Instant run off (or "ranked choice voting" is discussed. Tyrone offers a bold suggestion! Does RCV lead to group musical renditions of Kumbaya? Also, the maker of the video reveals a hidden bias.
26:35 — Finally, some math! Meh. Adam isn't impressed. Condorcet's method and Kenneth Arrow's Impossibility theorem are discussed.
28:46 — Adam takes a moment to insult "centrism". This video idolizes the "median voter" whatever that is supposed to be. Adam objects.
32:05 — Approval voting is discussed. Now we're maybe getting somewhere. Especially if it's weighted approval voting! Also, Tyrone introduces another novel political idea.
37:17 — Tyrone reveals the essence of democracy.
77:14 — Outro. This episode of Hn ends with Adam in mid-rant. Classic. Plus: Easter eggs!
Video mentioned:
Book mentioned (promo link): The Parafaith War:
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe -
Adam invites Domenic Scarcella on to talk about his book, Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen, and what lessons the Stations of the Cross (the story of Jesus's crucifixion) can teach about how Christians (and us all) should view their relationship to the state, and to their fellow humans.
00:00 — Intro. Meet Domenic Scarcella, author of Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen!
01:22 — Adam asks: What is the "way of the cross"? What is the teaching of this event meant to convey to the faithful?
07:18 — Why write this book? And what makes someone a good or bad neighbor or citizen? What duties do good people owe to the state? And what makes a "good cop"? Should Christians reflexively "back the blue"? Why or why not?
16:28 — Domenic asks Adam what a critical passage of the book means to him, an atheist. The answer may surprise you! Also, Domenic takes Christians to task for using evil means to (ostensibly) accomplish good ends. This is a fool's errand.
20:25 — Adam asks whether Domenic thinks Christians in America are moving (slightly) away from statism these days. Could it be? Domenic wants to resurrect the ethos of "the early church".
25:29 — What is the place of hierarchy in Domenic's thesis? The state imposes hierarchies, but are all hierarchies inherently bad things? What of natural ones?
29:00 — What is Domenic's approach to understanding the defensive use of force? What does the bible have to say about this?
31:50 — What does it mean to "outsource your ethics"? Who does this, and why? Where do we rightly learn our ethics? When and how should we question these? What is a "God-centered order"?
44:05 — Can a good Christian be an agent of the state? Should they enter government?
47:16 — Adam makes a pitch for people to go to hamannature.substack.com to become a paid subscriber and see the 2nd half of this great interview!
50:15 — Outro, plus, Adam praises Domenic's book.
Domenic's Substack:
Book mentioned: Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen
Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast
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Hi Hamaniacs!
In case you missed it, yesterday’s newsletter was the final installment of my regular advice series on how to improve your writing. Even though that has come to an end, I’ll continue evangelizing that we libertarians need to turn our intellectual understanding of economics, politics and human nature into creative art that can influence our cultures.
But as promised, I’ve got one final treat for you which is a special episode of the Haman Nature show presenting my entire Writing Tips course. That episode is now available on our Substack. For our paid subscribers, you’ll be able to watch the complete presentation, and for our free subscribers you’ll enjoy a free preview.
Even if this isn’t something that tickles your fancies, chances are that you know a budding writer and we’d greatly appreciate it if you were to share our show and Substack with them.
In liberty,
Tyrone the Porcupine Hobo
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