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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!
 
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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
 
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“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
 
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightning-meditations/

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” –Steve Jobs
 
This week on The Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Harry Jacobs, Zohar Atkins, Nicolas Sarian, and Francis Pedraza as we delve into the bold quote by Steve Jobs. We discuss innovation, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of creating something new that the market has yet to demand, done by listening deeply to potential needs, the nature of human wants. How have great innovators like Steve Jobs historically been able to tap into unknown demand and bring revolutionary products to life? We share our personal experiences and philosophies on life, learning, and the pursuit of understanding human nature and desires. From the philosophical underpinnings of creation, the concept of intuition, and the balance between seeking advice and forging one's unique path, this episode attempts to explore the notion of greatness, the impact of technology, and the timeless relevance of seeking and confronting life's profound questions.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast!
00:29 Diving into Steve Jobs' Philosophy
01:47 Exploring the Unseen: Innovation and Customer Needs
08:07 The Power of Vision and Imagination
16:39 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Courage and Rejection
25:39 Philosophical Insights on Creation and Discovery
31:32 The Essence of Greatness and the Path to Innovation
33:50 Exploring the Origins of Apple's Name
35:00 The Power and Perils of Spiritual Gurus
38:05 The Quest for Excellence and the Price of Greatness
39:04 Redefining Success Through Personal Journeys
53:36 The Philosophical Journey: From Tradition to Existentialism
59:09 Embracing the Unknown: The Essence of Human Innovation
01:02:54 Concluding Reflections: The Unending Search for Meaning
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/

“The value of a commodity, or the quantity of any other commodity for which it will exchange, depends on the relative quantity of labour which is necessary for its production, and not on the greater or less compensation which is paid for that labour.” 
- David Ricardo
 
This week on The Lightning Podcast, join Cyrus Palizban, Nico Sarian, Zohar Atkins, and Harry Jacobs as we delve into this quote on economics by David Ricardo. From Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian to Uber surge pricing and keto ice cream, the discussion expands to explore the modern applications of Ricardo's labor theory of value. The conversation touches on various topics including the perception of value, the significance of creating products that meet new or specific needs, and how technological innovations and societal attitudes reshape our understanding of worth and commoditization. Certainly, we hope you find this episode worth your time.
 
00:00 Welcome to The Lightning Podcast: Introducing Our Guests
00:55 Diving Into David Ricardo's Economic Theories
01:45 Exploring the Concept of Labor Value and Commoditization
09:56 The Intricacies of Monopoly, Free Trade, and Market Dynamics
11:10 The Influence of Branding and the Power of Monopolies
24:00 Redefining Value: From Commodities to Personal Branding
30:41 The Kardashian Effect: Fame, Influence, and Opportunity
33:43 The Kardashian Empire and Celebrity Influence
34:04 Exploring the Phenomenon of Outliers
35:21 Generational Talents and Record Breakers
36:38 The Power of Celebrity in Sports and Politics
39:08 Innovation, Monopolies, and Market Dynamics
42:37 The Essence of Competition and Innovation
50:11 The Cultural Impact of Taylor Swift and NFL Dynamics
52:41 Exploring Modernity, Tradition, and Community Dynamics
01:00:17 The Value of Differentiation and Authenticity
 
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/