Editor Andy has produced the theme song for the upcoming cult season. It is a bit better than my (Chris's) previous DIY effort with the tech season. Thought some of you might enjoy a listen.
2025-10-22 13:44:23 +0000 UTC
View Post
Join Matt and Chris as they dive into the controversy-ridden world of the lab leak theory, accompanied by biochemist-turned-author Philipp Markolin. Philipp details his journey into the abyss of lab leak lore and sensationalist media, documenting how thorough research was pushed aside in favour of conspiratorial discourse. For those who dream of a world where science triumphs over sensationalism, this episode is your bittersweet symphony.
Links
2025-10-18 22:16:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
Join Matt and Chris as they take a plunge in the controversy-ridden pool of the lab leak theory, accompanied by biochemist-turned-author Philipp Markolin. Philipp details his journey into the abyss of lab leak lore and media discourse, documenting how thorough research was pushed aside in favour of conspiratorial discourse. For those who dream of a world where science triumphs over sensationalism, this episode is your bittersweet symphony.
2025-10-18 05:04:36 +0000 UTC
View Post
In this special crossover episode of Decoding the Gurus and Punter’s Politics (https://www.youtube.com/@punterspolitics), Chris and Matt join Konrad Benjamin to discuss the tactics of modern gurus and potential warning signs to watch for.
The decoders also put Konrad through the Gurometer and debate whether Gary Stevenson’s catchy slogans are genuine tools for social change or just clever ways to boost his subscriber numbers. So strap in for some guru-related dialogos as we try to unpack online personalities, persuasion techniques, and the tangled world of Australian politics.
If you want to see some of the interview on Konrad's podcast channel, check it out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwhwgEBDMEw
2025-10-15 03:27:21 +0000 UTC
View Post
We end the futile struggle, embrace the toxins, and become one with our mould brethren.
Supplementary Material 38
00:00 Intro
02:54 Boomer Matt reacts to Twitter videos
07:31 Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the 9/11 Files
12:42 Eric's Google Ngram Investigations
17:08 Vindication on the Elephant Graveyard
22:00 Eric's ARC lecture goes viral
25:24 Andrew Huberman is NOT a phrenologist...
29:06 Eric Weinstein vs. Piers Morgan
33:44 Everyone knows Eric is a serious thinker
46:09 Peterson is taken out of the Gurusphere by Demons and Toxic Mould
52:09 Gurus and Bespoke Alternative Health
57:00 Social Contagion Hypocrisy
01:02:55 Toxic Mould Symbiosis?
01:04:46 Pewdiepie, Diogenes, and the Seeker Mindset
01:16:14 The Wisdom of the Ancients
01:21:01 The Meaning Crisis and Christian Pivots
01:22:29 Konstantin Kisin's surprising Christian pivot
01:25:17 The best person Konstantin ever met (not Francis)
01:30:22 The Fifth Column Agrees with Megyn Kelly 88% of the time
01:33:07 Megyn Kelly explains how the Democrats crossed the line and must pay
01:41:35 Intellectual Clerics for MAGA
01:43:16 Slightly Adversarial libertarians for hire
01:47:00 Drew Pavlou and Fluid Populism
01:50:17 Two Varieties of Online Derangement: Noah Smith's Hot Takes
01:53:57 Need for Attention = Desire for Virality
01:57:23 Status Seeking Networkers vs Paul Bloom
02:01:27 Reflecting on the Al Murray Interview
02:02:22 The struggle of podcasters
02:04:52 Paul Bloom: the best person in the world?
02:06:00 Mike Israetel's Thesis Controversy
02:10:30 What does a PhD mean?
02:16:55 David Deutsch visits Curt Jaimungal
02:22:32 The Dangers of Doubling Down: Pirate Software
02:23:32 Hasan Piker and Shock Collar-gate
02:27:15 Matt's Take on Shock Collars
02:33:51 Dystopia Update: Putin wants Trump to win the Nobel Prize
02:37:11 Outro
Links
Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the CIA’s role in 9/11
Grok pressing Eric to get specific
The Elephant Graveyard
Viral post about Eric’s ARC speech on science
Huberman’s phrenology endorsement
Jordan Peterson’s Health Update from Mikhaila
Chris Williamson: It’s time to talk about my health.
Chang, C., & Gershwin, M. E. (2019). The myth of mycotoxins and mold injury. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 57(3), 449–455.
Borchers, A. T., Chang, C., & Eric Gershwin, M. (2017). Mold and human health: A reality check. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 52(3), 305–322.
PewDiePie: Help, I’m going through a midlife crisis…
PewDiePie: Training like Mishima for 7 Days
Megyn Kelly is All Out of Generosity - THE FIFTH COLUMN #526
Konstantin Kisin declares Jordan Peterson the best man he has ever known
Noah Smith’s recent hot takes
Drew Pavlou: Attention Addict (Profile)
Drew Pavlou: Attention Addict (Post)
Solomon Nelson: Mike Israetel's PhD: The Biggest Academic Sham in Fitness?
Curt Jaimungal - David Deutsch: Modern Academia Would Fail Einstein
David Deutsch on Brexit and Error Correction
Dr. Milo Wolf: Dr. Mike Responds: The Truth About His PhD
Zirk Fitness: Mike Just Changed His Story AGAIN
Chris’s PhD Thesis
Internet Archivist - The Satisfying End of Pirate Software
YouTube from Charlie that covers the Hasan Shock Video
Forbes article on the Hasan Shock Collar Controversy
The Moscow Times: Putin Praises Trump’s ‘Real Efforts’ Toward Peace, Blasts Nobel Committee
2025-10-14 13:15:46 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey everyone,
Thought it might be good to give a little update on the forthcoming content that you can expect. Our recording schedule is a little tight at the moment due to Chris's teaching load, but to balance that, Matt has a new microphone(!), a greased-up chair, and an energy bar that lasts till at least the late afternoon! Before we get to the new stuff, however, let's just take a minute to take stock of the last list we put out and what we have cleared off!
A Return to Gary
Interview with James Bloodworth
Chris & Matt's Economics (Decoding Academia)
Matthew McConaughey Gurometer
'Mini' Decoding on Sabine Hossenfelder
Naval Ravikant Decoding
Required Reading: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis (Decoding Academia)
A Return to Sensemaking
6/8 isn't bad! And the two outstanding Decoding Academia content are coming this week! One is in the editing bay, and the other is 50% recorded (to be finished this week).
Also, you may be excited to learn that we are launching a new season(!) just in time for Halloween. That's right, we are going to start a season examining cult leaders. This doesn't mean every episode will feature a cult leader, but rather that every other decoding will likely be someone from the cult-ish world. If you have suggestions for figures (and suggested content) you would like us to cover, please put them in the comments section below. And with that in mind, here is a revised list of upcoming episodes.
Chris & Matt's economics (Decoding Academia) (Editing now)
Interview with Philipp Markolin on his Lab Leak book (Editing now)
Required Reading: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis (50% Recorded)
Supplementary Material 38 (This week)
Interview with comedian/podcaster Al Murray on Revisionist History and WW2 Gurus
Keith Raniere Decoding: Leader of NXIVM (Cult Season)
Stefan Molyneux Decoding: Online cult leader & White nationalist (Cult Season)
Interview with Sensemaker Alexander Bernier about Sensemaking
L. Ron Hubbard Decoding: Scientology Founder (Cult Season)
Interview with journalist/podcaster Sarah Marshall on the Satanic Panic
The 2025 Christmas Quiz Special with Helen Lewis!
There will be other episodes that jump the queue, and if there is any long-promised episode that we have forgotten about, then please let us know in the comments below.
2025-10-08 12:05:08 +0000 UTC
View Post
In this special crossover episode of Decoding the Gurus and Punter’s Politics (https://www.youtube.com/@punterspolitics), Chris and Matt join Konrad to dissect the tactics of modern gurus and the warning signs to watch for. Matt and Chris also put Konrad through the Gurometer and debate whether Gary Stevenson’s catchy slogans are genuine tools for social change or just clever ways to boost his subscriber numbers. So strap in as we engage in dialogos and try to unpack online personalities, dubious persuasion techniques, and the tangled world of Australian politics.
If you want to see some of the interview on Konrad's podcast channel, see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwhwgEBDMEw
2025-10-08 01:14:14 +0000 UTC
View Post
Welcome to Part 2 of our self-help journey, riding shotgun with Matthew McConaughey. Get ready for a wild ride featuring disturbing dream analysis and profound revelations, including "Selling is Love". Rediscover trust, self-actualisation, and the art of paying a bunch of cash for transformational self-help wisdom. And remember, if you're skeptical, you're definitely missing out on life-changing connections and eternal happiness. Just ask the 2.4 million people registered for this magnificent event!
2025-10-06 21:28:40 +0000 UTC
View Post
For the Galaxy Brain amongst you, we have a slightly overdue monthly hangout coming... tomorrow!
That is still 24 hrs away. It is on the 7th Oct at 3pm JST time and if you want to see how that translates into your timezone, just click the link above.
Matt will be in attendance so for all you who missed his insights last time, now is your chance to berate and question him as you see fit.
Ok, that's all for now, see (some of) you tomorrow!
Recording will be available afterwards for those of you can't make it.
2025-10-06 04:32:36 +0000 UTC
View Post
The sensemakers are in the rearview mirror, and yet their spiritual essence still haunts us, and it may haunt you after watching the material above. This is a video of Keith Raniere, cult leader of NXIVM, being interviewed by a high-ranking member and Hollywood actress, Allison Mack.
Yes, this is a genuine cult leader, but we think you might note some similar techniques, including some classics of the sense-maker genre. Covering this might also help to clarify why we disagree with those who suggest you can adopt the methods of the gurus to counter them. In any case, take a look and see what you think if you dare!
There is also plenty of material out there, including documentary series that cover NXIVM (e.g. The Vow) in some detail, for those curious.
2025-10-02 02:04:41 +0000 UTC
View Post
Matthew McConaughey isn’t just alright, alright, alright; he’s also apparently your new life coach. In this episode, we explore the Oscar-winner’s leap from Hollywood leading man to self-help messiah with his “Art of Livin” extravaganza. Alongside self-help heavyweights like Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, McConaughey delivers a performance equal parts fireside confessional and high-gloss infomercial. But is this all really about spiritual growth, or might there be some other motivations?
With bongos, heartfelt confessions, and a sales pitch that'll make your wallet quiver, we break down the one-and-only event where journaling and wet dreams are your ticket to self-actualisation. Brace yourself for some heavy-duty motivational speeches, meaningful shared stories, and just a pinch of canned audience responses, as we ride shotgun on this once-in-a-lifetime self-help seminar.
Part 2 coming soon but for the full-length audio episode, see:
https://decoding-the-gurus.captivate.fm/episode/matthew-mcconaughey-selling-is-love
2025-09-25 08:37:21 +0000 UTC
View Post
Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones, hierarchies, and normativity, we return to the sensemaking labyrinth to see just how many more words and concepts the combined powers of Peterson, Vervaeke, and Hall can stretch to breaking point.
This second leg of the voyage allows us to chart more of the universal sensemaking grammar, with its biblical scaffolding, liberal use of metaphors, and frequent exhortations to ascend Jacob’s ladder. But alongside Peterson's predictable biblical musings, you will also hear John Vervaeke unveil how finite transcendence connects to inexhaustible intelligibility, while Jordan Hall explains that even silence can be a form of sensemaking.
Expect dream ropes and ecological psychology refashioned for mystical ascent, Augustine rediscovered through Plato, and culture reframed as an alcoholic parent. The discussion also detours into atheists and their Luciferian egos, the sacred role of play, and the curious conviction that profound revelations can be drawn from childhood disappointments at McDonald’s and grandfather's complaining about Nixonian duplicity
So join us for the final leg of the Sensemaking Odyssey. Sharpen your mind, get ready to traverse through 3D space, and prepare for the Logos in the context of listening to a podcast.
Sources
2025-09-24 21:31:08 +0000 UTC
View Post
Join us as we travel down a depressing internet wormhole featuring a truly impressive spread of WW2 revisionism, pro-Hitler AIs, and anti-semitic conspiracies. Featuring Elon Musk, Grok, Ana Kasparian, Jonathan Pageau, Wehraboos, and Elmo.
2025-09-20 06:11:33 +0000 UTC
View Post
Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder.
Sources
SOAS honorary awardees for 2025
What did Elon Musk say at far-right UK rally and did his remarks break the law?
Joe Rogan and Bryan Callen on vaccines
He Had One Product, $80K in Funding, and One Influencer - And Unilever Just Acquired His Company for 9 Figures
Michael Shellenberger Mixed Up Two Guys With Sorta Similar Names And Falsely Told His Readers — And Congress — One Of Them Might Be A Spy As A Result
Premium: Taylor Lorenz And The Perils Of Journafluencing (Part 1)
Money & Macro: Economist fact-checks Gary’s Economics
Careful What You Click On - Konstantin Kisin
Destiny- The Prisoner's Dilemma Explains Destiny's Tweets
Rand, D. G., Ohtsuki, H., & Nowak, M. A. (2009). Direct reciprocity with costly punishment: Generous tit-for-tat prevails. Journal of theoretical biology, 256(1), 45-57.
DTG: Interview with Konstantin Kisin from Triggernometry on Heterodoxy, Biases, and the Media
2025-09-20 00:28:59 +0000 UTC
View Post
Join Matt and Chris as they enter the intellectual labyrinth of a reflective sensemaking that features Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many deep concepts and puzzle over definitions for conscience, the vertical hierarchy of value, normativity, goals vs. ideals, the ultimate unifying meta-narrative, and touchstones.
With frequent excursions into biblical stories, Platonic philosophy, Jungian psychology, Martial Art stances, and much, much, more! This is a voyage through the overlapping and refracted philosophical frameworks of three contemporary sensemaking powerhouses.
So get your oars ready and set your mind to taste the Dialogos, vis-à-vis Moses...
Sources
2025-09-11 02:12:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
We take a look at Sabine Hossenfelder's recent angry defence of Eric Weinstein, exploring her critical takes on mainstream physics and whether she panders to an anti-science, contrarian audience. We also get into the dynamics of YouTube incentives influencing content creators and how they might be impacting Sabine's output.
00:00 Introduction to Sabine Hossenfelder's Weinstein Defence Video
10:17 Sabine's Defence of Eric and Criticism of Sean Carroll
16:40 Sabine's Online Contrarianism
20:54 Sabine's treatment of Tim Nguyen
25:41 Cheering on Bryan Johnson
30:06 Perimeter Institute "Controversy"
35:56 Eric's Attacks on Physicists
37:40 Sabine's Previous Criticism of Eric
42:07 Sabine's Previous Criticism of Physics
45:56 The Influence of YouTube on Scientific Discourse
49:30 Selective Research and Interpersonal Relationships
52:25 Dan Richards x Savine Hossenfelder
56:32 Tim Nguyen's Critical Article
55:20 Audience Cultivation
58:20 Sabine's New Google Doc Defence
1:02:20 Thiel Accusations are Wrong
1:03:08 Bad incentives in YouTube
1:04:25 Top 10 Tips for being an Anti-Science Contrarian
2025-09-08 06:03:19 +0000 UTC
View Post
After receiving many requests, we take a look at The Elephant Graveyard's popular satirical critique of Joe Rogan's comedy career and influence. Presented in a style reminiscent of Adam Curtis's documentaries with a sardonic spin, the video critically dissects Rogan's impact on the comedy scene, making some comparisons with cult-like behaviour. We offer our thoughts on the video and discuss the nature of some of the claims made about broader tech elite conspiracies. The summary: Very entertaining, mostly accurate, but don’t take it all at face value.
2025-08-31 22:52:22 +0000 UTC
View Post
Join us as we imbibe Eric Weinstein's unique life advice, ponder Peter Thiel's antichrist potential, and generally marvel at their intellectual achievements. Along the way, we also get into some recent critical coverage by Professor Dave, following up on Eric's appearance with Sean Carroll on Piers Morgan's show.
00:00 Weinstein World Updates
01:34 Eric Weinstein's Life Advice
08:24 The Art of Not Answering
12:21 Eric's Conspiratorial Musings
19:13 Professor Dave interviews Christian Ferko
29:15 Differing views on Eric's Motivations
30:41 Peter Thiel's Agenda and Influence
34:52 Peter Thiel's Transhumanism Views
40:11 The Antichrist and Technological Concerns
44:13 Professor Dave's Critique of Eric Weinstein
49:51 Eric Weinstein's Perimeter Institute Talk
54:37 The Light vs the Dark?
56:53 Final Thoughts on Science and Skepticism
2025-08-29 10:52:40 +0000 UTC
View Post
We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis have enough nuance.
Supplementary Material 36
00:00 Introduction and an Intervention
01:59 Tomatoes, Holidays, and Hollywood Remakes
06:15 AI x Indulgent People
06:41 AI Chatbots and Delusional Gurus
10:46 Sir Robert Edward Grant and the Architect
12:26 Critiquing the Critics
13:31 Eric Weinstein engages with Dialogos with his silicon friend Grok
22:25 Tim Nguyen details the Distributed Weinstein Suppression Complex
24:20 Sabine Hossenfelder's Google Doc
27:10 2+2 Discourse and a surprise appearance from Kareem Carr
29:34 Chris's 10 Tips for Sabine
34:39 Coffeezilla does more Anomaly Hunting on Epstein Videos
37:50 Conspiracy Chat
39:58 Ghislaine Maxwell's potential deal
42:29 Thoughts on the Elephant Graveyard's Video on the Joe Rogan Comedy Cult
49:45 Details vs Vibes
52:46 Rogan's Fact-Checking and Comedian Dynamics
54:54 The Rogan Anti-Human Tech Elite Conspiracy Theory
59:40 Master Geniuses vs. a bunch of dickheads who like the same stuff
01:03:55 Lex Friedman and the Role of Softball Interviews
01:06:28 Conspiracy Theories vs. Real Conspiracies
01:15:51 Overall thoughts on the Elephant Graveyard Video Essay
01:19:18 Ana Kasparian thinks the Jews knew about 9/11
01:22:21 Jordan Peterson's Health and Mould Toxicity
01:24:24 Good Fungus vs Bad Mould
01:26:08 Bespoke Medicine and American Individualism
01:29:57 Streamers saying Stupid Things: Taylor Lorenz on DSA Nazis
01:33:08 Populist anti-vaccine rhetoric in Japan!
01:35:58 Bill Maher and Andrew Huberman discuss the problems with medicine
01:38:40 Chris Rufo and Right Wing Outrage over the Cracker Barrel logo
01:42:31 The War on Christmas in Australia
01:44:35 Jonathan Pageau's revisionist World War II symbolism
01:48:29 Pageau's Postmodern Narratives
02:03:32 Finding the Balance between Nazism and Liberalism
02:14:02 Random Shoutout
02:15:45 Matt's Cognitive Decline and Professor Archetypes
Sources
2025-08-29 10:10:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
For the Galaxy Brain among you, we will have the August live hangout in August!
That's right, join us on Friday at 8.30 AM JST (or click the link above to see the conversion to your timezone) for fun, frolicking, and shenanigans.
This should be an okay timezone for North Americans, but not so great for Europeans. Sorry!
If you miss it, the recording will be available via the link above.
2025-08-27 01:54:46 +0000 UTC
View Post
It’s that time of year again.
Matt’s been a good boy and suffered through hours of Gary, Naval, and all manner of eejits. It’s now time for his annual holiday in the land of sensemaking.
Last time we had Jamie Wheal, Jordan Hall, and Daniel Schmactenberger. This time it’s another dream team with Jordan Petersonand John Vervaeke coming of the bench for this ‘dangerous’ conversation.
So join us won’t you, as we head once more into extended metaphors and discussions of synonyms.
2025-08-20 09:47:56 +0000 UTC
View Post
We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question.
Supplementary Material 35
00:05 Introduction
01:52 Matt's Apology
06:55 Just Life...
12:34 Matt's Foodie Corner
14:01 Dedunking Dan Richards finds Sabine
16:37 Sabine cultivates parasocial defenders
18:16 Ana Kasparian gets deeper into ZOG conspiracies
24:44 Gary vs Game Theory
40:26 Support the Channel to Save the World
47:10 Bryan Johnson and Methylene blue
51:52 Scientific Cosplay Online
53:51 Keith Rainiere and Sensemaking Parallels
54:57 High IQ YoungHoon Kim tweets about proof of God
56:19 Guru and Cult Leader Parallels
01:01:13 The Validity of the Gurometer in Question?!?
01:03:03 Hacking Social Heuristics
01:07:38 Cult Leaders vs Secular Gurus
01:12:33 Anti-Democratic moves by Trump
01:15:03 Dan Carlin on Trump
01:18:30 Streamers Talking Nonsense: Hasan on ISIS
01:21:24 Ideological Fixation and Motivated Conspiracism
01:27:22 Outro
Sources
The Cushendun Sea Caves from Game of Thrones
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is Boosting Tourism
DeDunking: Eric Weinstein's Theory — Real Physicist vs Pseudo Poser
Ana Kasparian tweeting about the “Zionist Occupied Government”
Gary’s Economics: Game Theory is Broken
Critical Reddit thread on Gary’s Game Theory video
Henrich, J., McElreath, R., Barr, A., Ensminger, J., Barrett, C., Bolyanatz, A., ... & Ziker, J. (2006). Costly punishment across human societies. Science, 312(5781), 1767–1770.
The Selfish Gene, Chapter 12: Nice Guys Finish First (Richard Dawkins)
High IQ YoungHoon Kim tweets about proof of God
I was Jordan Peterson’s strongest supporter. Now I think he’s dangerous
Dan Carlin’s tweet about Trump
BBC: National Guard troops appear in Washington DC as mayor rejects Trump's 'authoritarian push'
Nathan Baker Keith Raniere, Ringleader of NXIVM Sex Slave Cult, Interviewed by Allison Mack, Top Cult Member
2025-08-19 21:55:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
After our recent full-length decoding, we’re making a quick return to Gary Land — this time to see how Gary, the economist and mathematician with credentials from LSE and Oxford, handles data and graphs that don’t fit his story.
2025-08-18 23:49:02 +0000 UTC
View Post
In this watery simulation of an episode, Matt and Chris uncover the true purpose of Scott Adams’ existence: not to shape reality, but to provide training data for future AIs working on plumbing-related problems. Somewhere in a cosmic server farm, Scott is endlessly confronted with blocked drains, dripping faucets, and municipal water conspiracies, while his “insights” fuel the next generation of household maintenance bots.
Against this surreal backdrop, Naval Ravikant enters the scene — investor, tweeter, self-styled philosopher, and, in practice, just another discourse surfer riding the waves of online conspiracism. The conversation opens with a familiar chorus of right-wing talking points, drifts into feverish speculation about lawfare, censorship, and “imported voters,” and finally winds down in the dim light of dorm-room metaphysics, where slogans like “happiness is a choice” are served up as if they were profound insights.
Naval presents himself as a detached sage, offering a boutique blend of political commentary and Daoist-tinged wisdom. In reality, he delivers little more than predictable polemics and recycled aphorisms. Imagining himself a great man of history dispensing lyrical truths in tweet-sized form, he produces nothing that rises above the usual culture-war debris. The posture is Buddha-with-a-smartphone; the reality is a credulous tech CEO mistaking his own Twitter feed for a philosophy seminar.
What follows is Elon-as-Ben-Franklin fanboying, Trump rebranded as a “bottom-up” leader of the people, and a level of self-congratulation so thick it could be used to terraform Mars. By the end, you may find yourself nostalgic for the leaky pipes in Scott’s simulation — at least they produce real water, unlike Naval’s pseudo-profound puddles.
Sources
2025-08-18 00:22:41 +0000 UTC
View Post
In this Guru grab bag, we're discussing RFK Jr.'s new 'panel of experts' on vaccines, Joe Rogan's hypocritical attacks on Flint Dibble, and Lex Friedman's self-aggrandising tweets; it's a veritable parade of arrogant waffle and conspiracism. For a change, we also highlight more discourse around the lab leak- what a novel development!
This is editor Andy's collection of snippets from recent Supplementary Material with some added visuals. The editing of the new Naval decoding continues... should be released this weekend.
2025-08-15 23:23:47 +0000 UTC
View Post
Back once again with the art of Gurometry, we turn our sights to the Hollywood actor-turned-self-help guru, Matthew. Matt and Chris take a hard look at themselves and McConaughey and try to discern how his essence compares with the 11 factors on the Gurometer. Expect bongo playing, confessions, and a surprising amount of discussion about organ meat.
2025-08-09 23:05:24 +0000 UTC
View Post
In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the potent juices of the manosphere with British journalist and author James Bloodworth. James recently published Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere and takes us on a whirlwind tour of various misogynistic and anti-feminist subcultures, including pickup artists, incels, and the blue, red, and black pill communities. Drawing on his personal experiences and research, James discusses the appeal and dangers of the manosphere, touching on themes such as insecure masculinity and the commodification of social interactions. We also get into some joyful political implications and consider the role of social media in spreading these messages. One for all the family!
Links
2025-08-09 12:58:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Naval and Chris Williamson were just too boring, and someone on the livestream recommended that if we wanted the real Naval, we should see him in conversation with Scott Adams.
So the video above has been added to the next decoding, which we will be recording today. If you want to play along and suffer with us collectively, here is your chance!
You're Welcome / We're Sorry!
2025-08-07 23:57:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
A little bit of fun (/penance) for recent cheeky comments directed at friend of the podcast, philosopher, and Warhammer 40k enthusiast, Liam Bright.
Chris administers a highly scientific test to establish Matt's Warhammer 40k allegiance, and the results... well, they will surprise no one.
For those who lack the fortitude necessary for this level of geekery, do not despair; regular programming will resume shortly.

2025-08-07 10:42:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
It appears that Patreon has taken an action that has caused some RSS feeds to stop updating. The problem seems to be resolved if you re-add the RSS feed to your podcast player. We had to do this ourselves. We did not make any changes on our end, but it appears that something has changed behind the scenes.
Sorry for the hassle, but if you are not seeing the latest Supplementary Material on your feed, that is why.
2025-08-07 01:06:58 +0000 UTC
View Post