Mere Mortals Conversations

Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
  • 4.8 (17)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

What is Effective Philosophy? Juan and I simplify hard to grasp concepts into pragmatic takeaways that can be applied to every day life (fitness, goal setting, work, parenting, travel, hobbies, finances, etc.,).

  1. AI Futurism Meets Medieval History | The Million Dollar X402 Wall

    2D AGO

    AI Futurism Meets Medieval History | The Million Dollar X402 Wall

    We're destressing and just going over all the non-goal related things swirling around in the current moment. In Episode #510 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the old million dollar homepage and the new x402 version, experimenting with a cheeky one‑pixel squatting strategy to test rent‑seeking dynamics, why some value‑for‑value/Lightning initiatives plateau despite strong early communities, advertising economics from retro web banners to F1 liveries, if energy could become the unit of exchange in agent‑to‑agent worlds and whether the current moment has the most amount of historical rate of change. Huge thanks to Cole for the support! Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:49) Remembering the Million Dollar Homepage and link rot (00:03:07) Hype cycles and the modern x402 Wall revival (00:06:44) Domain‑squatting pixels: ethics and ROI debate (00:12:45) Advertising realities: from F1 liveries to failed walls (00:15:04) Old web ads versus brands and what’s obsolete now (00:19:10) Micropayments vision: beyond subscriptions (00:23:56) Index decentralisation, AI spam, and niche podcasts (00:28:20) Ads, ethics, and why ‘wall squatting’ targets advertisers (00:32:03) Boom–bust build‑outs, block space, and critics (00:36:54) Agents, moats, and access to compute (00:39:02) Boostagram Lounge and community shout‑outs (00:45:34) Agents doing business end‑to‑end: Truth Terminal case (00:50:07) Beyond attention? Energy, agency, and ‘currency’ (00:56:36) Speculating on rights for uploaded minds and AI (01:00:24) Short‑term goals, schooling, and planning in fast change (01:05:03) Is today’s change really faster? Moore’s Law debate (01:10:26) Exponential feels: compressing change into months (01:16:22) Falling out of the loop: TikTok, crypto, and pace (01:19:35) Can AI replace governments? Companies vs states (01:23:46) Wrap‑up, shout‑outs, and value‑for‑value support  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    1h 26m
  2. Don't Let The Gremlins Steal Your Focus | What We're Leaving Behind In 2026

    JAN 11

    Don't Let The Gremlins Steal Your Focus | What We're Leaving Behind In 2026

    It's a new year ... no new goals ... instead we're focusing upon what NOT to focus upon. In Episode #509 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss:  what we’re not bringing into 2026, expectation inflation (how setting grand scenarios can pre-bake resentment), how to strike a workable balance between Eastern contentment and Western drive, choosing realistic marathon aims without sacrificing other priorities, ditching negative self‑talk, making room for smarter training decisions that prevent injury and burnout and avoiding philosophers/what ifers/haters in the media landscape. No support so we can't focus on the beanie. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:02) Framing the episode: inverse goal setting (00:06:31) Mindset traps from past races and comparison (00:09:40) Gym mastery vs beginner runner mentality (00:11:40) Training without self punishment and injury management (00:14:10) Working on relationships and reducing negative self-talk (00:17:36) Expectation inflation and premeditated resentment (00:24:19) Choosing realistic goals and tradeoffs (00:30:22) Livestream hiccup and Boostagram Lounge (00:32:08) Media focus: stopping attention leakage (00:37:46) Media diet rules: useful now over future hypotheticals (00:45:25) Entertainment vs actionable insight in moonshots (00:49:41) Cutting whatifs, doom and haters from feeds (00:53:19) Confusing consumption with growth (00:56:36) Abundance over scarcity and closing thoughts  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    58 min
  3. AI Slop Killed The Podcast Star | The Shifting Landscape Of Media

    JAN 6

    AI Slop Killed The Podcast Star | The Shifting Landscape Of Media

    I'm shifting away from listening to podcasts and I'm a blog reader now. In Episode #508 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: why our media diets are shifting, how we each consume information across video, audio, books, Substack, X long‑form (even X Spaces), why written digital content is winning more of our attention lately, the flood of AI‑generated media (from YouTube videos to TTS podcasts spun from Reddit threads), the challenge of finding high‑signal sources, fiction vs non‑fiction swings, curation styles (tabs vs phone-first), rising ad density in pods/YouTube to near ad‑free long‑form writing and why subtlety and cadence get lost in AI summaries of long videos. No support for this week, the beanie remains cold. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:48) How we consume now (00:04:26) From video rabbit holes to purposeful listening and reading (00:09:35) Podcasting 2.0 and structuring feeds to handle AI content (00:12:20) Why digital reading wins for AI and crypto topics (00:16:30) Finding and filtering digital reading: Substack, X longform, and curation styles (00:19:37) Longform on X and email newsletters as modern blogs (00:22:07) One inbox vs many silos: different workflows for discovery (00:26:21) Timeless vs timely episodes: examples from Rick Rubin, Brian Armstrong, Lex Fridman (00:29:07) Boostagram Lounge (00:31:21) Enhancement vs slop: subtle AI in scripts and production (00:38:20) AI guidance wins and fails: car fixes vs an $800 vet visit (00:41:03) TTS flooding the podcast indexes: Reddit threads to AI voices (00:46:28) High signal vs hype: debating Gary Vee and trend timing (00:52:38) Uniqueness from humans vs AI clones: where interviews still shine (00:56:37) Superabundance everywhere: YouTube, podcasts, music, and text (00:59:14) Hard mediums breed quality: from early podcasting to AI curated media (01:03:00) On demand past, uncertain future: predicting the next media shift (01:08:51) Follow the money: ads, creators, and why text feels cleaner (01:10:27) Wrap-up  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    1h 11m
  4. Monthly Goals | January 2026

    JAN 4

    Monthly Goals | January 2026

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next. Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own methodology. What do you do differently and why? Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:17) Juan's December 2025 Recap (00:06:19) Kyrin's December 2025 Recap (00:09:30) Support Overview (00:11:47) Juan's January 2026 Goals (00:18:17) Kyrin's January 2026 Goals (00:34:29) Fitness (00:37:04) V4V Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    38 min
  5. Intention Is All That Matters | Every Day Use Of AI Agents

    12/28/2025

    Intention Is All That Matters | Every Day Use Of AI Agents

    We're expanding out from an AI blog into the real world. Also had some issues with the audio this episode so I'm working from the backup copy (that was super loud for some reason). In Episode #507 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the shift from attention to intention in the AI era, what truly agentic AI might look like versus glorified chatbots and automated workflows, where the tech is actually useful right now, whether the real breakthroughs will come from bolt-ons to existing platforms or from new rails built natively for agents, testing jailbreak games, microtransactions and betting on an AI Monopoly, job market dislocations, new forms of basic services and the rise of agent-first marketplaces. Huge thanks to Petar for the baller boost this week, the beanie is back! Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:20) Agentic AI: what it is and what it is not (00:06:08) Hands-on agents: calls, purchases and speed trade-offs (00:10:54) Agents vs automated workflows: real differences (00:15:06) Trust, bugs and the need for human verification (00:20:04) The Intent Economy article: key takeaways (00:27:59) Legacy rails vs new rails: why 2026 may surprise (00:31:05) Slow to sudden shifts: adopting AI-first systems (00:34:16) Content for AIs, not humans: a paradigm shift (00:39:11) Bootstragram Lounge (00:43:06) Daily use-cases: new profiles, payments and x402 (00:49:20) Model guardrails vs open models: practical lessons (00:53:17) Spinning up a podcast agent: limitations revealed (00:57:47) Intent drift: when your goals change mid-stream (1:00:12) Human relationships, agents and future norms (01:06:36) Free money? x402 Monopoly and betting agents (01:12:32) When rules break: brittleness of current agents (01:15:00) Keeping up: daily AI briefs and real-world inertia (01:19:59) Wrap-up  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    1h 21m
  6. How To Collect Art & Become A Successful Artist | Why Investing In Art Is A Terrible Idea

    12/21/2025

    How To Collect Art & Become A Successful Artist | Why Investing In Art Is A Terrible Idea

    Magnus is back with a master class on how to buy art. In Episode #506 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: the big blank wall behind us, how to choose something meaningful for your home, Magnus Resch’s books 'How To Become A Successful Artist' and 'How to Collect Art', why branding and networking matter in the art world, why most buyers should treat art as a sunk cost and purchase only what they truly love, practical buying tips (galleries, fairs, auctions, pricing signals), comparing art collecting with car collecting, digital art and NFTs as a way to prove ownership and enable utility and reflect on building personal connection to pieces and artists. No support for this week, so the Chux Cloth beanie stays off. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:03) Two books by Magnus Resch (00:06:08) Defining success and the pyramid of artist types (00:11:06) Practicalities for artists: branding, pricing and Instagram (00:13:01) How to Collect Art – structure of the market and roles (00:18:18) What is a fair price? Treat purchases as sunk costs (00:23:53) Buy what you love: quotes and guiding principles (00:26:18) Access, opacity and why networking is crucial (00:34:46) Car collecting vs art collecting: rarity and value (00:41:11) Tactics: auctions, fairs, timing and discounts (00:41:53) Boostragram lounge and value‑for‑value break (00:43:12) Personal shifts: curating with sentiment and story (00:52:49) NFTs 101: ownership, authenticity and utility (00:58:02) Rebalancing a digital collection: fewer, loved pieces (01:01:30) Wrap‑up lessons and next week’s AI intent teaser  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    1h 5m
  7. The Rules For How To Get The Guy | A Question For The Men .... WTF DO YOU WANT?!

    12/14/2025

    The Rules For How To Get The Guy | A Question For The Men .... WTF DO YOU WANT?!

    I'm a woman trapped in a man's body analysing dating advice for women given by a man. In #505 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: three dating and relationships books (The New Rules, Get the Guy by Matthew Hussey and Attached), how prescriptive “rules” aimed at women can backfire, why some advice feels outdated (Facebook walls and BBM), how scarcity games tend to attract the very players you might want to avoid, why attachment styles are useful as a lens but less so as a to‑do list, a focus on authenticity over mere effectiveness, watch the influence of your friend circle, understand how strong male sexual drive can shape dating dynamics, apply Pareto principles to health and appearance first, build an interesting life (travel, skills, community) and learning to read yourself so you don’t try to fill loneliness with just anyone. No boostagrams this week, very sad puppy. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:47) The books: The New Rules, Get the Guy & Attached (00:04:21) Lot's of Don'ts (00:07:12) Perfectionism and the hunt for Mr Right (00:11:09) Who this attracts: playing games gets game players (00:16:21) What men reportedly dislike (00:20:25) Quick verdict on The New Rules & Switch To Matt Hussey (00:25:48) Practical prompts: compliments, conversations, and friendly vibes (00:30:15) Brief detour to Attached: anxious, avoidant, secure (00:39:24) Boostagram Lounge (00:41:15) Effectiveness vs authenticity: advice for daughters (00:45:00) Masks, faking confidence and why acts won't last (00:48:00) Be interesting: travel, stories and easy conversation openers (00:55:14) Broad advice: the male mind, sex drive, and expectations (01:02:26) Pareto squared: health and appearance (01:07:09) A raw moment: walking through Brisbane and feeling loneliness (01:11:24) Closing reflections  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    1h 13m
  8. Secrets Of The Art World | Power, Provenance & Pretentiousness

    12/07/2025

    Secrets Of The Art World | Power, Provenance & Pretentiousness

    There is a reason why the art 'space' is divisive and why money distorts many things. In Episode #504 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the book by Magnus Resch titled '100 Secrets of the Art World', tight‑knit gatekeeping at the high end of the market, how control of information shape what gets seen and sold (often more than artistic merit), parallels to other status markets such as watches/supercars, why 'better' often defaults to 'more expensive', where marketing can overshadow craft yet many collectors still buy for love and to support artists and why the truest encounters with art might still be found in small local galleries rather than at Art Basel. No support for this week, very sad puppy :(   Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortals Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:52) Defining the 'art space' (00:03:38) First impressions: elitism, provenance and pretence (00:09:04) Gatekeeping: cabals, galleries and New York (00:12:06) Parallels with cars/watches: scarcity and status (00:15:27) Art Basel anecdote: committees, control and quiet coups (00:20:02) NFTs, provenance on-chain and collectibles vs art (00:22:22) Popularity: storytelling, marketing and money (00:27:38) Quality heuristics: effort, complexity and the 22blue painting22 problem (00:32:38) Boostagram Lounge (00:34:00) Misconceptions across niches: calisthenics, hand balancing, circus (00:39:03) On labels and assumptions: steroids, fitness and nuance (00:44:04) Finding the essence: local galleries, pure enjoyment (00:48:06) Would creation persist without cash? (00:53:56) Purity at the base, distortion at the peak (00:55:27) Housekeeping and support links; live chat banter  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    57 min
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4.8
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About

What is Effective Philosophy? Juan and I simplify hard to grasp concepts into pragmatic takeaways that can be applied to every day life (fitness, goal setting, work, parenting, travel, hobbies, finances, etc.,).

Information

  • Creator
    Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    765
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Mere Mortals
  • Show Website
    Mere Mortals Conversations