XaiJu
Decoding The Gurus
Decoding The Gurus

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Upcoming Decoding

Next episode is recorded and in the editing bay. We decided to cover the episode of Triggernonetry linked above.

The reason for this was not a desire to spend more time listening to Konstantin or feeling that we needed to really get to grips with Francis’ philosophy, but because they very openly speak about the dynamics at play in the gurusphere.

You’ve got frank talk about attention being converted into money, how viral culture war content leads to opportunities and interest from bigger names, and how folks like Konstantin regard the importance of producing viral content.

If you want to play along in advance following the link above. Also covered in the episode:

- Good alternative media

- Russell Brand stuff

- Ibram X. Kendi stuff

We will release an advance version here likely before the weekend.

That’s all folks!

Upcoming Decoding

Comments

Chris and Matt but with zero ability to self reflect and not an ounce of irony or humility or a whiff of humor... Like being trapped in the negative of DtG. Thank god I could find the off button. I have a news flash for them: doesn't matter if you have guests on that disagree with you; you're still insufferably boring! I think some of my brain cells died of torture in the 25 minutes I had it on (& a few of the vegetables I was chopping while listening just wilted under the knife).

Suzan Lemont

I commend Matt's effort, because I am sure he hates it. I think Chris *enjoys* watching this stuff! :D

Robert Andrews

This is my first time trying to watch the source material. I commend your efforts. Insufferable!

Philip

Argh! Listening to more of this is becoming boring in an aggravating way. It makes all kinds of sense that they love American braggadocio. The stuff they are saying sounds like the endless student essays I’ve read about how you can do anything!!! And don’t let those negative people keep you down!! Self-indulgent boosterism gets so tiresome, especially since they haven’t even done anything of great importance to be boastful about. Had one of them actually experienced real challenges or done something that helps the world, I might be more persuaded. The other thing that riled me up was their talking about being authentic. Is a trans person not being authentic? Given the amount of prejudice they face, living as the gender that feels right is an incredibly brave thing to do. It just irks me that the same people who argue that you can do anything also complain about transgender people disrupting the natural order.

Linda Sears

I went and checked, the podcast is "Tales from the Rabbit Hole" with Mick West. "Escaping...." is a different show by someone else and I'm only mentioning that here because the apple search results do not include West's podcast at all if you do a search for "Escaping..." As if I needed more frustration with that platform's interface, GAH. Anyway, I'm now subscribed to Mick's podcast, so thank you Rod!

JustTheWorstEver

"Behind the Bastards" did a good 2-parter on him as well. No audio from Scott on those, thankfully. And then more recently they did a new 2-parter on just his awful novels. Great stuff. I mean, bad stuff.

JustTheWorstEver

Thanks everyone for your kindness & support!! Lil update: I recommended the DTG podcast to Josh (the hubs) and, to my surprise, he responded with “I already did listen to their episode on Joe Rogan.” ✨I may or may not have mentioned you two once or twice ☺️ We had a very productive convo on what it means to be critical and the difference bw listening for entertainment versus listening to get “the truth.” He admitted he did take the persuasions of m&m too far back then and now I feel very reassured that I chose a wonderful partner to spend my life with. I really like this niche community here on patreon, good advice & quick responses 👍 I don’t see my membership expiring anytime soon! Thanks, again

Syd Villain

To be fair to them, at least they care about paying their employees. That the “rabbit” had to be a horrible speech at Oxford is the major downside. Konstantin’s “an initiation into a world I’ve always wanted to be a part of” says it all.

Linda Sears

For me the absolute worst was Scott Adams. That creepy laugh and rock bottom cynicism was blood curdling.

Linda Sears

Not touching that with a barge pole, but looking forward to the episode!

Becky Rose

Hey Syd,there is a book by Mick West which deals with your exact issue. Falling down rabbit holes into conspiracy and cults and how to communicate with loved ones about it. It’s called “Escaping the Rabbit Hole” . He also has a podcast with the same title I believe. Good luck and you’re not alone.

Rod Hodges

I dunno. Maybe I didn't listen to enough, but this episode seems to be triggernometry interviewing triggernometry about triggernometry & how wonderful they are. I'm not sure I would ever want to listen to the whole thing.

Kat

I’ve heroically got to minute 37. The revolution will not be televised. It will be podcast.

matthew parsons

It sounds to me, as an idiot who can only go by what you've written, that your husband has a 'para-relationship' with Rogan, and we tend to trust who we like. And Rogan seems to trust M&M. Your husband also clearly wants what he feels to be best for both you and your daughter, and that's been conflated with a confusion of information. Here are some of the resources with the DtG stamp of approval that can help undo the damage, like the youtube channels 'Debunk the Funk' and 'kurzgesagt'. Both of the below videos are under 10min and address the usual objections to vaccines. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjSpq_Uw8yBAxX5WkEAHTa6BbUQtwJ6BAgPEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBtN-goy9VOY&usg=AOvVaw0A3bMjvwC5XfoGtkVhJXOv&opi=89978449 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjSpq_Uw8yBAxX5WkEAHTa6BbUQtwJ6BAgQEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DzBkVCpbNnkU&usg=AOvVaw2JYvc39Q5JYe8m41S2OpIJ&opi=89978449 (A possible line of broaching a position stance might be 'can you believe these two hucksters are manipulating Joe', rather than 'Rogan is an idiot'.)

Ymirsdreams

Sorry to hear about your situation and Syd, and thanks for the kind words. My recommendation would be that a) prioritise whatever makes sense to you but b) since this is likely to not be the only health issue you deal with around vaccines/kids it might be unavoidable at some point. Those episodes are us being relatively reserved and making the effort to highlight the red flags. I think one strategy that might work is if you frame it as an exercise in being open-minded... that you heard a detailed breakdown of Malone/McCullough that you found convincing and wanted to share it with your husband to offer an alternative POV. I would not expect it to receive a positive response, but I think that when people have it pointed out what they are doing rhetorically, it does become easier to see. In any case, it's a bad situation but you are certainly not alone and people like Malone & McCullough are very good at what they do.

Christopher Kavanagh

Hello— I’m new to DTG, just started listening from ep. 1 about 3 weeks ago. I guess I’m just looking for community and a place to vent, because I have some very heavy feelings after listening to the mini series on Joe Rogan from 2021-22. Quick backstory: my husband got me into JoeRo circa 2014 when we began dating. I liked a lot of the content and have ADD so I appreciated a source of constant talking in my headphones. Over time, I began disliking more & more content, and I found podcasts that were more my taste. However, my (now) husband’s love for the show never waivered. Enter: Malone & McCullough. After hearing their takes on vaccines, he argued incessantly with me about how dangerous they are and even said that we shouldn’t vaxx our daughter! I felt very strongly that these guys weren’t giving quality info. Ultimately, we did vaccinate ourselves and our child, and I thought I was over it but NOW I’m listening to all this wonderful criticism against those anti-vaxx arguments, and I’m growing resentful of and angry with my husband all over again 🙁 I know this is a long comment, but I really needed to get that off my chest, and hope some of you here can relate/support. I have considered sharing these podcast eps with him and asking him to listen, but I don’t want to fight. Not sure it’s worth it to return to the past in this instance. Happy to take thoughts/advice. Thanks!

Syd Villain

Gotta love that the picture they used of a transwoman competing in women's swimming TIED FOR FIFTH.

ROU Sentient Lichen

My mummy told me I was special too!

ROU Sentient Lichen

Didn't realize Kisin looked so much like Smeagol! That explains a lot!

ROU Sentient Lichen

I can't. No way. I can barely contain myself when I hear their voices broken up by Chris and Matt's interjections (which can't come fast enough, IMO. Don't leave me alone with their voices for too long, fellas. I may throw myself into traffic.). And that goes for nearly every subject of DTG, but Konstantin has always been second only to Russell Brand on my spectrum of smarminess.

JustTheWorstEver

DAAAAAAMN DUDE. Nailed it.

JustTheWorstEver

Konstantin's MLK meets Bob Dylan, a generation-defining truth & freedom guerilla. Francis plays the bass. Good lad.

Exai

More press for these guys today: https://www.foxnews.com/media/neil-degrasse-tyson-explodes-during-debate-transwomen-competing-womens-sports Getting famous people to say controversial things a part of their biz model, probably.

Daniel

“We’re like a band.” Like Wham. Who’s George Michael is pretty obvious. Poor Francis.

Martin Birch

I listen to this and I notice I'm happy for them having success and being able to pay people and meeting their idols etc. And then I remember that their "business" is based on latching on to and fueling the culture war and that meeting their idols means they'll be even more entrenched due to flattery and dinner parties. (Something something mirror world ;)

Christoph

Yeah, that dynamic seemed to be in place even before the oxford speech. And if the first 30 seconds didn't make it crystal clear, Konstantin is now the one bringing all the boys to the yard.

Ben Childs

It's always Konstantin because Francis seems to be just a passenger and happy to be part of the gang

Diane Morrison

I have started watched but don't know if I can take it all..... two quotes so far for your decoding : "I always knew I was meant to do something special" 'I used to think 'the sky's the limit' and now I think 'there is no limit' '- umm, the sky is the limit means there is no limit. This is fluff word salad

Diane Morrison

They are like Tim and Eric but serious.

Austin Price

Shameless, cringey, yet insightful

Daniel

Dudes, love ya I got like 20 seconds in and it just seemed like you two in an alternate timeline

Lincoln Morris


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