The Problem with Reading

The Problem with Reading

A book appreciation club hosted by one catholic, one anglican, and one orthodox nerd. We talk about book chapters, special topics, and what we're drinking. Currently: Michael Polanyi's Personal Knowledge (511-Present) Previously: -James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-510) -Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429) -Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416) -Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405) -Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318) -Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310) -Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119) You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

  1. 517 The Problem with..."Turing Tests, ESP, and Personal Knowledge, Part 6"

    4d ago

    517 The Problem with..."Turing Tests, ESP, and Personal Knowledge, Part 6"

    The Problem With Reading proceeds apace through Polanyi Chapter 8, finally getting to his positive project, and the core of knowledge he feels is safe to build from. Also, many shots at Mr. Alan Turing, his Test, and the fallacy of AI knowledge. For rants we have LASIK, shoe selection, and mandatory blackouts. Have a listen!

    45 min
  2. 516 The Problem with... "Return of the Strong Gods" ft. Mojo

    Mar 30

    516 The Problem with... "Return of the Strong Gods" ft. Mojo

    Special and longtime-coming Guest Mojo joins to discuss R. R. Reno's 2019 book "Return of the Strong Gods." In it, Reno argues that the Postwar Consensus after World War 2 substituted weak gods of openness in reaction to the ideological horrors that caused the conflict. But what happens when weak gods stick around too long and the consensus starts to fray? Stephen and Brevin have read about it, Mojo lived it, and everybody has something to rant (or romp) about, so have a listen!

    1h 4m
  3. 515 The Problem with..."Convivial Marxists and Personal Knowledge, Part 5"

    Mar 23

    515 The Problem with..."Convivial Marxists and Personal Knowledge, Part 5"

    Marxists, friendship, and how to fully commit while possibly being wrong! Polanyi keeps digging the hole deeper, but also starts to hint at his answer. Sam has a love-hate relationship with Ikea, Brevin is suffering seasonal heating mismatches, and everyone is having a good time. Have a listen!

    47 min
  4. 514 The Problem with..."Ice, Windows 11, and Personal Knowledge, Part 4"

    Feb 23

    514 The Problem with..."Ice, Windows 11, and Personal Knowledge, Part 4"

    The gents investigate their scientific passions and perils in this episode. Can we trust the beauty of reality to out, or will personal attacks prevail? Polanyi argues that intellectual passion is essential to the progress of science; but Sam just wants to talk about the Seahawks, and Stephen's lonely calculations are ruined by our computer overlords. Have a listen!

    45 min
  5. 513 The Problem with..."Language Skills and Personal Knowledge, Part 3"

    Feb 9

    513 The Problem with..."Language Skills and Personal Knowledge, Part 3"

    “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of skills and language. In their real lives, the co-hosts might be lacking some skill. Stephen might have a DUI, Sam is fighting Big Insurance, and Brevin is switching his Internet Provider. Have a listen!

    47 min
  6. 512 The Problem with..."Resident Evil and Personal Knowledge, Part 2"

    12/10/2025

    512 The Problem with..."Resident Evil and Personal Knowledge, Part 2"

    “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of probability, information, randomness, and interpretation. While the search for the resolution to the seemingly intractable problem of subjective vs objective knowledge is important, everyone is keeping busy on the side: Stephen has a definitive analysis of the Resident Evil games to pitch, Brevin is meditating on nuclear nightmares, and Sam is listening to esoteric progressive rock. Have a listen!

    43 min
  7. 511 The Problem with..."Personal Knowledge, Part 1"

    10/27/2025

    511 The Problem with..."Personal Knowledge, Part 1"

    Our next book is “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi. Polymath, chemist, philosophy of science and politics, Polanyi has the ambitious goal to rescue knowledge itself from the subjective/objective gulf. We’re going to have tacit knowledge, violins, the speed of light, and much, much more. Join us for this adventure!

    46 min
  8. 510 The Problem with..."Seeing Like a Citizen, and Seeing Like a State, Part 7"

    10/01/2025

    510 The Problem with..."Seeing Like a Citizen, and Seeing Like a State, Part 7"

    We conclude our journey through the eyes of state. Sam prepares for a harrowing experience, Stephen breaks his back (again) and Brevin welcomes Fall with the traditional liturgy. Have a listen!

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A book appreciation club hosted by one catholic, one anglican, and one orthodox nerd. We talk about book chapters, special topics, and what we're drinking. Currently: Michael Polanyi's Personal Knowledge (511-Present) Previously: -James Scott's Seeing Like a State (502-510) -Jacques Ellul's Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes (421-427, 429) -Carl Trueman's Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (407-410, 412-413, 415-416) -Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (402 and 405) -Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences (314-318) -Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (213-310) -Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue (101-114,116-119) You can find this podcast on most podcast applications, Itunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

Information

  • Creator
    The Problem with Reading
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Problem with Reading