The Lightning Podcast

Lightning, Inc.
  • 5.0 (15)
  • PHILOSOPHY
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The Lightning Podcast

Meditations with Zohar, a podcast hosted by Zohar Atkins will follow Zohar and his guests discussing big ideas at the intersection of philosophy, theology, art, and culture, bringing a personal and heartfelt touch to ideas that can often seem abstract, impersonal, and merely academic.  Meditations with Zohar is an invitation to experience ourselves not just as logical beings, but as beings in pursuit of meaning, awe, and, enduring questions. Meditations with Zohar is a production of SoulShop and Lyceum Studios.

  1. 12/02/2024

    Learning Everything. Everywhere. All at Once. (w/ Alex Jakubowski) [TLP E46]

    Who is wise? He who learns from everyone. As is stated: "From all my teachers I have grown wise." – Simeon ben Zoma   This week, we are joined by Alex Jakubowski - COO of Lightning - to discuss his views on lifelong learning. Drawing inspiration from a quote by Simeon ben Zoma, we delve into the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and the importance of difficulty and challenge in meaningful learning. From the education system to brain science to video games, everyone can cultivate wisdom by learning from every opportunity and source.    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:37 Ben Zoma's Wisdom and Growth Mindset 01:55 Learning from Everyone: Insights and Applications 03:31 The Role of Difficulty in Learning 06:46 Educational Systems and Testing 09:48 Video Games and Learning 13:30 Challenges in Education and Effective Learning Methods 25:23 The Importance of Lifelong Learning 29:05 Debunking Learning Styles 29:28 The Brain's Learning Process 30:21 Context in Learning 32:00 Personalized Learning and AI 32:55 Self-Limiting Beliefs 34:13 The Power of Contextual Learning 39:07 Language and Identity 40:46 The Evolution of Language 43:34 The Importance of Classical Education 49:56 Unexpected Lessons 55:42 Conclusion and Call to Action   Follow us on other platforms for more content!   https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945   And follow Hocwyn on X!   https://x.com/hocwyn?s=21&t=eRUQXccKX1_bwfJpBXImWg

    57 min

  2. 10/14/2024

    History by Hegel w/ Hocwyn Tipwex (The Lightning Podcast S1 E45)

    “What experience and history teach is this — that nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.” — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of History   This week, Hocwyn Tipwex returns to join Cyrus Palizban for a dialogue on the nature of historical lessons and the patterns of history’s repeated mistakes. From the close of Japan’s period of isolation to the effects of China’s “One Child Policy”, we explore how nations might better learn from their past to better their future. We delve into different ways of learning history, particularly the 'Great Man Theory' of history and the potential it holds for making historical narratives more relatable, emphasizing using biographies as a more engaging way to study history. Hopefully, this episode inspires you to order a biography online and let it transport you to another time and place… 00:00 Welcome Back, Hocwyn Tipwex! 00:35 Discussing Hegel's Quote on History 01:03 The Repetition of Historical Mistakes 04:36 Leadership and Power Dynamics 11:01 China's Political Landscape 15:56 Cultural Devastation and Preservation 20:40 Japan's Rapid Modernization 22:32 Comparing China and Japan's Historical Choices 33:02 Historical Fiction and Understanding the Past 36:26 Learning Preferences and Effective Study Methods 36:47 The Power of Biographies in Learning 38:23 Personal Experiences with Biographies 40:23 Recommended Biographies and Their Impact 46:18 The Great Man Theory of History 51:58 Skepticism in Historical Narratives 59:57 The Influence of Personal Stories in History 01:08:54 Conclusion and Future Discussions   Follow us on other platforms for more content!   https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945   And follow Hocwyn on X!   https://x.com/hocwyn?s=21&t=eRUQXccKX1_bwfJpBXImWg

    1h 9m

  3. 09/16/2024

    Empirical Importance w/ David H. Solomon (The Lightning Podcast S1 E44)

    "If what you are doing is not important, and if you don't think it is going to lead to something important, why are you at Bell Labs working on it?" – Richard Hamming This week, join Cyrus Palizban and new guest, David H. Solomon, professor of finance at Boston College, as we discuss David’s work on behavioral finance, media roles, and recent research on birth rates. The discussion centers on a quote by Richard Hamming about importance, which David connects to his own work, namely: the intricacies of birth rates, the impact of child car seat laws, and how local diversity affects fertility rates. Above all, this episode emphasizes the value of disciplined academic inquiry and highlights the importance of asking challenging questions   00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:16 David Solomon's Background 00:46 Exploring Behavioral Finance 01:15 Richard Hamming's Inspirational Quote 02:02 The Importance of Working on Significant Problems 03:33 Challenges in Academia and Research 05:31 Birth Rates and Economic Implications 06:31 The Puzzle of Declining Birth Rates 13:48 Empirical Analysis and Coding 17:20 The Impact of Child Car Seat Laws on Birth Rates 24:59 Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Policy 28:01 Exploring the Relationship Between Racial Diversity and Birth Rates 29:47 Understanding the Herfindahl Index and Racial Isolation 31:52 Implications for Homogeneous Countries 34:37 Historical Consistency of Birth Rate Trends 37:53 Challenges and Backlash in Academia 41:04 The Role of Tenure in Academic Research 44:28 The Broader Context of Non-Profit Institutions 49:16 Personal Reflections on Birth Rates and Parenthood 55:23 Concluding Thoughts and Future Research Directions   Follow us on other platforms for more content! https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945   And follow David on X!   https://x.com/david_h_solomon?lang=en

    56 min

  4. 09/09/2024

    Innovation & the Social Order: The Lightning Podcast S1 E43

    How can we navigate change?   This week, join Cyrus Palizban in introducing the newest Lightning faculty member, Benjamin Hinrichs, who shares a sneak peek from his new course: 'Innovation and the Social Order'. The course will delve into the nature of societal change, understanding future uncertainties, and the necessity of preparing mentally for change. Our explores the intersection of government, entrepreneurship, and personal life decisions in the context of uncertainty and change. Benjamin’s motivations for teaching the course are rooted in embracing humanity’s limitations in knowing and adapting to change, emphasizing intellectual humility and practical applications. We hope this episode is a compelling motivation to join Benjamin's exploration of how individuals can better understand and navigate the inevitability of change.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:21 Course Overview: Innovation and the Social Order 01:23 Discussing Bill Joy's Essay: Why the Future Doesn't Need Us 04:54 The Role of Ambiguity in Understanding Change 11:40 Personal Reflections on Teaching and Faith 17:07 Government and Innovation: A Complex Relationship 23:44 Navigating Change: Practical Advice and Philosophical Insights 35:48 Conclusion and Course Invitation   If Benjamin has you intrigued with what he could offer you in his course, find it through this link: https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945

    37 min

  5. 09/03/2024

    Cleverness & Mistrust: The Lightning Podcast S1 E42

    "You start to mistrust very clever people when they get embarrassed." – Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil   This week, join Cyrus Palizban and Nicolas Sarian as we dive deep into the complexities and frustrations of academia. Using the above Nietzsche quote as a springboard, we explore and recount personal experiences of academic disappointment and systemic issues in higher education. We discuss the flawed nature of tenure, the imbalance of true intellectual engagement, and the pervasiveness of performative scholarship within universities. This thought-provoking conversation challenges the current state of academic institutions and underscores the necessity for genuine, transformative learning platforms such as Lightning’s own Grand Library of Alexandria.   00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast 00:26 Nietzsche's Quote of the Week 01:48 Personal Experiences with Embarrassment 05:41 Challenges in Academia 08:51 Debating Classic Texts and Privilege 15:25 Cultural and Social Class Issues 28:18 Racial Tensions and Misunderstandings 28:53 Trust and Authenticity in Academia 29:28 Diversity of Ideas in Universities 29:48 Pretending in Academic Circles 29:57 Questioning Academic Practices 31:11 The Reality of Tenure 36:38 The Disconnect in Academic Research 44:51 Public Intellectuals vs. Traditional Academics 49:19 The Nature of Embarrassment and Honesty 52:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow us on other platforms for more content! https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945

    53 min

  6. 08/26/2024

    The Power of Parable: The Lightning Podcast S1 E41

    “Go over.” – Franz Kafka   This week, join Cyrus Palizban and Zohar Atkins as we delve into Kafka's 'Parable on Parables.' Establishing the dichotomy between tangible reality and the abstract world of parable we ask: how can one live in both realms? Appropriately, the conversation employs a variety of tales and stories to explore the personal and societal value of integrating metaphorical insights into daily life.    00:00 Introduction to The Lightning Podcast 00:32 Kafka's Parable on Parables 01:57 Interpreting Parables and Reality 05:29 The Chicken Prince: A Parable of Empathy 12:27 Balancing Material and Spiritual Success 17:24 Universal Themes in Parables Across Cultures 21:01 The Power of Parables 24:17 The Influence of Media and Pop Culture 26:12 The Marvel Universe and Storytelling 31:47 The Importance of Consistency in Stories 38:03 Life, Death, and Purpose   Follow us on other platforms for more content! https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945

    41 min

  7. 08/19/2024

    What the Ancients Sought: The Lightning Podcast S1 E40

    “Seek not the paths of the ancients. Seek that which the ancients sought.”  –Matsuo Basho, The Rustic Gate   This week, host Cyrus Palizban introduces Hocwyn Tipwex, Harvard grad and co-founder of Uqbar. Our conversation delves into the philosophy behind ancient and modern learning, the value of pseudonymous intellectual discourse, and the impact of small, tightly-knit intellectual communities. We discuss the shortcomings and potential reforms for the current educational system, the importance of critical thinking, and how emerging peer-to-peer technologies like Urbit could influence future societal structures.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 Hocwyn's Background and Name Origin 02:46 The Philosophy of Names and Identity 05:29 Anonymous Intellectual Traditions 05:58 Revolutionary America and Pseudonymous Debates 10:14 Intellectual Networks and Small Communities 13:42 The Value of Ancient Wisdom 21:38 Challenges in Modern Education 27:55 The Universal Problem of Education 28:32 Self-Guided Learning: An Alternative Approach 29:08 The Role of Public School Teachers 29:25 Scott Alexander's Insights on School Spending 30:12 The Ineffectiveness of Educational Interventions 30:27 The Cultural Fragmentation in Education 30:56 The Harsh Reality of Teacher Impact 31:38 Radical Changes Needed in Education 32:36 The Issue of Universal Public Education 33:38 Aggressive Tracking and Teacher Specialization 35:13 The Boredom Problem in Schools 36:52 The Potential of a Teacher Distribution System 37:20 The Concept of Teaching as a Temporary Vocation 38:30 The East Asian Education Model 40:07 The Challenge of Tenure and Teacher Accountability 44:05 The Role of Technology in Decentralized Education 49:16 The Future of Remote Work and Education 49:58 The Impact of Federalism on Education 50:40 The Evolution of Social Networks and Communities 52:18 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell   Follow us on other platforms for more content! https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945

    53 min

  8. 08/12/2024

    "Think. Say. Like.": The Lightning Podcast S1 E39

    "It is the rare fortune of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks."  -Tacitus, Histories   This week, join Cyrus Palizban and Nico Sarian as we delve into the complex interplay between censorship, free speech, and authenticity. We explore how historical contexts from ancient Rome to modern-day America shape our understanding of thought and expression. We discuss societal structures, political freedoms, and their implications, drawing connections with philosophical ideas from Plato to the U.S. Constitution.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:40 Exploring Tacitus' Quote on Free Thought 01:58 Historical Context of Tacitus' Era 03:24 Modern Implications of Free Speech and Censorship 04:46 Public Opinion and Democracy 08:21 Immigration and National Identity 17:35 Political Freedoms and Social Protests 19:29 Power Dynamics in Argentina 20:02 Anthropological Perspectives on Leadership 21:12 Philosophical Foundations of Governance 22:45 Plato's Republic and Social Hierarchy 25:04 Modern Interpretations and Critiques 30:55 The Role of Language in Shaping Thought 34:09 The Search for Authenticity 39:14 Concluding Thoughts and Announcements   Follow us on other platforms for more content! https://smartlink2.metricool.com/public/smartlink/lightning-945

    40 min
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Meditations with Zohar, a podcast hosted by Zohar Atkins will follow Zohar and his guests discussing big ideas at the intersection of philosophy, theology, art, and culture, bringing a personal and heartfelt touch to ideas that can often seem abstract, impersonal, and merely academic.  Meditations with Zohar is an invitation to experience ourselves not just as logical beings, but as beings in pursuit of meaning, awe, and, enduring questions. Meditations with Zohar is a production of SoulShop and Lyceum Studios.

Information

  • Creator
    Lightning, Inc.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lightning, Inc 2024
  • Show Website
    The Lightning Podcast

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