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"The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities." 
– Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
 
Change of format! This week, host Cyrus Palizban invites a single guest, Nico Sarian, to dive into the quote of the week and meander from there! Starting with the quote from Sophocles' “Oedipus Rex”, we take a deep dive into the nature of Greek tragedy, the significance of individual actions and fate, and the impact of historical and cultural context on literary interpretation. The discussion ranges from the origins of the dithyramb of the ancient cult of Dionysus to the many names of Apollo in the further-flung Hellenic reaches to the intricate subtexts of theology, the creative reconstruction of historical narratives, and the philosophical underpinning of tragedy as a genre. Additionally, Nico shares some of his personal theses on the nature of good and evil, and how their distinction is often hidden from us. Can we really be responsible for that which we cannot know?
 
00:00 Welcome to the Lightning Podcast: A Unique Exploration
00:47 Diving Deep into Greek Tragedy with Nico Sarian
02:30 The Lost Art of Tragedy and the Mystery of Missing Plays
03:54 Reimagining Ancient Greece: Color, Art, and History Misconceptions
24:10 Exploring the Depths of Apollo's Cults and Nietzsche's Critique
31:36 The Modern Predicament: Religion, Philosophy, and Individual Responsibility
35:45 Exploring Self-Improvement and Reality
25:08 The Journey Through Nigredo and Personal Reflections
38:30 Delving into the Essence of Evil and Darkness
39:32 The Philosophical Debate on Good, Evil, and Accountability
46:28 A Deep Dive into Darkness, Perception, and Moral Realizations
52:01 Connecting Martial Arts, Legal Philosophy, and Fate
01:02:42 Wrapping Up: From Apollo to Lupercalia and Beyond
 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
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“Real vengeance has not yet concretely demonstrated its power upon our lives and it never will, in a sense, because if it did, there would be no more lives to be affected by anything.” — René Girard, Dionysus versus the Crucified
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Rainer Franz, and Harry Jacobs as we delve into a discussion on Rene Girard's theories, particularly focusing on mimetic desire and its role in human conflict and vengeance. According to Girard, envy and rivalry, rooted in the imitation of desires, drive societal and interpersonal conflicts which can lead to cycles of violence and scapegoating. An engaging real-life narrative shared by guest Harry Jacobs about an altercation and its aftermath serves as a practical exploration of the themes of vengeance, justice, and forgiveness, prompting a deeper analysis of human nature, the potential for change, and the moral implications of intervention in conflicts. This is an episode for anyone who has struggled with revenge.
 
00:00 Welcome to the Lightning Podcast: Exploring Weekly Meditations
00:39 Diving Deep into Rene Girard's Theory of Mimetic Desire
04:18 Understanding Dionysus vs. The Crucified: A Comparative Analysis
11:05 Real-World Implications of Girard's Theories: A Personal Story
15:59 The Ripple Effects of Vengeance and the Power of Restraint
21:45 Exploring the Complexity of Right and Wrong
22:29 The Philosophical Debate: Justice vs. Mercy
23:54 Biblical Insights and Moral Dilemmas
24:37 The Girardian Perspective on Vengeance and Justice
25:45 Human Nature, Violence, and the Potential for Change
29:36 The Role of Emotion in Conflict and Resolution
31:54 Harry's Personal Reflection and Growth
40:15 Concluding Thoughts: The Power of Words Over Violence
 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
Follow us on other platforms for more content!
 
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“With the exception of the instinct of self-preservation, the propensity for emulation is probably the strongest and most alert and persistent of the economic motives proper.” 
— Thorstein Veblen, Theory of the Leisure Class
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Nicolas Sarian, Zohar Atkins, and Harry Jacobs as we explore Thorstein Veblen's assertion. We discuss various dimensions of emulation, from its philosophical implications to its real-world applications like influencing market trends and investment decisions. The conversation spans topics including the impact of social media influencers, the evolution of wealth and luxury from a historical perspective, and the balance between emulating others and maintaining individuality. From Bruce Springsteen's music to Warren Buffett's investment strategies, the podcast delves into how emulation drives not only economic behaviors but also personal and cultural narratives.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast
00:32 Diving Into Thorstein Veblen's Insights
01:32 Exploring Emulation in Society
05:15 The Phenomenon of Veblen Goods
13:00 Emulation vs. Self-Preservation
14:29 The Influence of Role Models and Emulation in Modern Society
17:55 Economic Wisdom from Warren Buffett
21:48 The Apple vs. Amazon Investment Philosophy
24:03 Navigating the Digital Music Landscape
24:36 The Evolution of Music Consumption: From Napster to Spotify
25:36 Bruce Springsteen: The Soundtrack of Life
25:47 A Deep Dive into 'Born in the USA' and Its Misinterpretations
27:00 Personal Encounters with Bruce Springsteen
30:07 Emulating Musical Giants: The Quest for Originality
32:55 Exploring Wealth, Liquidity, and the Value of Property
39:15 The Cultural Impact of Home Ownership and Economic Collapse
44:33 Wrapping Up: From Veblen to Springsteen and Beyond
 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
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“I certainly have, thanks to time, an interlocking and taking up of previous experiences in later experiences, but I never have an absolute possession of myself by myself, since the hollow of the future is always filled by a new present.” – Maurice Merleau-Ponty
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and new team member Rainer Franz as we delve into profound discussions on Maurice Merleau-Ponty's philosophy of phenomenology, and its implications on identity, the body, the nature of AI, and the intertwining of reality, language, and understanding. Also drawing from other phenomenologists, such as Heidegger and Husserl, we challenge the definition of intelligence and consciousness in AI, and the distinction between human and machine understanding. This episode is a short but intense conversation between colleagues on the nature of perception and being.
 
00:00 Welcome to the Lightning Podcast: A Dive into Phenomenology
00:32 Exploring Maurice Merleau Ponty's Philosophical Insights
01:54 Deep Dive into Phenomenology: Body, Perception, and Identity
10:35 Phenomenology vs. AI: Understanding Consciousness and Embodiment
20:19 AI and the Human Experience: A Philosophical Debate
30:58 Concluding Thoughts on AI, Perception, and Existence
 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
Follow us on other platforms for more content!
 
Twitter: https://x.com/lightinspires
 
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightning-meditations/
 

“Poetry is the work of a gifted person, or of a manic: of these types, the former have versatile imaginations, the latter get carried away.”
— By Aristotle From Poetics
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and Jake Kozloski as we delve into a multifaceted discussion on poetry, artistry, and philosophy, using Aristotle's quote as a starting point. We explore the contrast between Aristotle and Plato’s views on inspiration, knowledge, and the essence of being a philosopher versus a sophos or wise person. What is the nature of inspiration? Or the distinction between having technique and channeling something greater? This episode attempts to illuminate the intertwined nature of creativity, intellectual pursuit, and human connection.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast!
00:26 Introducing Special Guest and AI Dating App Discussion
00:57 Diving into Aristotle's Poetics: Gifted vs. Manic
02:23 Exploring the Philosophy of Art and Poetry
03:01 Athletes, Artists, and the Art of Execution
07:49 The Role of Mania in Creativity and Skill
10:21 Understanding the Artist's Journey and Love
11:47 Debating Plato vs. Aristotle on Art and Knowledge
19:25 The Essence of Techne and the Art of Channeling
20:59 Technology, Engineering, and the Discovery Process
23:03 Exploring the Pragmatic Roots of Human Intelligence
24:01 Heidegger's Theory: Philosophy Born from Crisis
25:30 Philosophy and Crisis: The Historical Context
26:26 Philosophers: Megalomaniacs or Misunderstood Geniuses?
27:49 The Unpredictable Genius of Creativity
28:44 The Wounded Healer: Philosophers and Their Quest for Truth
29:43 Appreciating Zohar: Insights and Inspirations
32:42 Philosophy as Leadership: The Aristotle Approach
35:21 The Essence of Teaching Philosophy
42:15 Philosophy, Art, and the Quest for Understanding
46:20 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations
 
Special thanks to Jake Kozlowski, CEO of Keeper for joining us on the podcast. Want to find love at first match? Try Keeper:
http://keeper.ai/ 
https://twitter.com/KeeperMatch 
https://www.instagram.com/keepermatchmaking/reels/ 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
Follow us on other platforms for more content!
 
Twitter: https://x.com/lightinspires
 
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightning-meditations/

“To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.” – Jorge Luis Borges
 
This week, join Cyrus Palizban, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, Harry Jacobs, and Jake Kozloski (founder and CEO of Keeper, an AI-driven dating app) as we engage in a rich discussion about the complexities of love, marriage, and the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in matchmaking. The conversation orbits around Borges’ provocative quote on love, sparking debates on the nature of love, the historical transformation of marriage, and how personal and societal conceptions of these concepts have shifted over time. Jake introduces Keeper, an innovative dating app designed to use AI to match individuals with their soulmates by learning enormous amounts of personal preferences and traits. We explore the philosophical, psychological, and practical aspects of seeking love in the modern era, touching upon the benefits and potential pitfalls of relying on technology to navigate the deeply human quest for connection. We hope you’ll swipe right on this episode.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast: Exploring Love and Philosophy
00:35 Diving Deep into the Meaning of Love with Jake Kozlowski
02:54 The Paradox of a Fallible God in Love
07:16 Exploring the Complexities of Love, Religion, and AI
08:56 Personal Reflections and Philosophical Insights on Love
18:57 The Role of AI in Finding Love: A Future Vision
25:22 Exploring the Science of Matchmaking
26:09 The Art of Falling in Love vs. Falling Asleep
27:43 Commitment Coaching: Beyond Finding a Match
28:38 The Journey of Love: From Short-Term Attraction to Long-Term Connection
30:08 The Role of Technology in Modern Matchmaking
31:24 Navigating the Complexities of Authenticity and Attraction
35:39 Addressing Deception in Digital Dating
39:08 A Philosophical Dive into Love, Marriage, and Technology
50:00 Concluding Thoughts on Love, Relationships, and Self-Discovery
 
Special thanks to Jake Kozloski, CEO of Keeper for joining us on the podcast. Want to find love at first match? Try Keeper:
http://keeper.ai/ 
https://twitter.com/KeeperMatch 
https://www.instagram.com/keepermatchmaking/reels/ 
Want to continue the discussion? Join us for more learning and discussion in our Meditations and Chronicles WhatsApp groups!
 
Meditations: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JIFXc06ABCPEsyfUBtvm1U
Chronicles: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FD6M9a35KCE2XrnJrqaGLU
 
Follow us on other platforms for more content!
 
Twitter: https://x.com/lightinspires
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lightning.inspiration?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightning-meditations/