• #17 Navigating Post-Truth | Interviewing the Founder of Social Epistemology Steve Fuller
    Jun 17 2026
    In this episode I chat with philosopher Steve Fuller - the founder of a field called Social Epistemology. He - among other things - thinks that the Post-Truth era we're in has a lot of advantages. He thinks it's the natural progression of the democratisation of knowledge, and that the game has permanently changed.This episode challenged a lot of my views on epistemology, and I think if you're someone at all concerned with post-truth/misinformation/knowledge generation, you'll get something out of it.Specifically we talk about:The definition and scope of social epistemology as studying the social roots of knowledgeThe individualistic bias in traditional epistemology and its social extensionHow scientific consensus functions and its limitations in a post-truth landscapeThe conceptual framework of trust, delegation of risk, and accountability in expertiseChallenges of verifying information in the era of social media and misinformationThe impact of AI and technological change on the future of learning and knowledge productionThe role of the intellectual as a truth-teller and critic of groupthinkThe influence of conspiracy theories and meta-languages in shaping worldviewsThe importance of education, curation, and rhetorical skills in developing discernmentThe resilience of democratic systems and the need for checks, balances, and reversibilityTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - I intro the episode02:45 - Introduction to media, knowledge, and the social roots of epistemology03:46 - What is social epistemology? Studying the social foundations of knowledge05:14 - The individualistic bias in traditional epistemology and its limitations06:29 - How social sciences contribute to understanding knowledge as a social process08:31 - The received wisdom of scientific consensus and its limitations09:30 - Trust as delegation of risk and accountability in expertise09:59 - Risks and uncertainties in making knowledge-based decisions10:57 - The role of expertise and the accountability of scientists and public health officials12:23 - The delegation of risk in novel situations (e.g., COVID-19) and responsibility13:50 - Post-truth: definitions, emotional judgment, and the demonization of alternative views15:31 - The conspiracy mentality and cargo cult science in modern beliefs16:29 - How meta-languages and different frames of reference influence perceptions of truth18:02 - Living in a world of ambiguous meanings and incomplete evidence19:24 - The plurality of meta-languages and the challenges for social coherence20:22 - Education, informed skepticism, and the democratization of knowledge21:13 - The resilience of systems like the US Constitution and democratic checks22:12 - The shift from science as a unified truth to multiple, competing meta-languages23:33 - Examples from social media: the Elon Musk saluting clip and the dress debate24:59 - Language battles in cultural and political contexts, e.g., trans debates26:25 - The limits of deliberation and slow democracy in a fast-paced digital world27:35 - Democratization, leveling of credibility, and risks of populism29:54 - Mechanisms like elections and reversibility as safeguards in democracy30:54 - The importance of constitutional design and checks on power32:38 - The influence of social media, misinformation, and the need for vigilance34:03 - Decision-making in fields outside one's expertise and the role of skin-in-the-game35:27 - Gambling and risk management as metaphors for epistemic correction37:32 - Medical choices and the social dynamics of traditional versus alternative medicine38:30 - Conspiracy theories: cargo cult science and the kernel of truth within them41:01 - The limits of holistic conspiracy narratives and the importance of falsifiability43:16 - The nature of information, power, and meta-languages in belief systems46:34 - Cults, meta-languages, and framing in understanding across belief boundaries48:37 - Recognizing the strategic communication of intellectuals and the role of truth50:12 - The career of figures like Jordan Peterson: influence, controversy, and resilience52:42 - Future of scientific revolutions, AI, and the changing landscape of knowledge55:54 - The need for new metaphysics and the role of imagination in science57:50 - Would Steve Fuller go to university if he were 18 today?59:20 - The shape of knowledge: whole units, integrity, and the importance of curation60:47 - The craft of writing, remixing ideas, and reflexivity in scholarship62:50 - The importance of deliberate practice, observation, and self-assessment in intellectual work65:52 - The evolution of media, from live broadcasts to AI and deepfakes68:45 - The role of intellectuals as disruptors and truth-tellers in society71:12 - The vulnerability, aspirations, and social responsibilities of intellectuals73:07 - The charisma and influence of public intellectuals, exemplified by figures like Hitchens and Peterson78:00 - The social function of provocative speech and challenging groupthink79:54 - The debate ...
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • #16 Solving the Manosphere w/Godesulloh aka @Vibesestvida
    Jan 5 2026

    Hello! In this episode the wonderful Godesulloh and I sit down and have a long chat about the Manosphere. We talk about our experiences being exposed to it, the rise and fall of Jordan Peterson, agency and morality under oppression and more!

    TIMESTAMPS:

    • 1:03 We are outflanked in what we're up again
    • 1:42 Jack nearly got sucked down the alt right pickup pipeline
    • 8:42 Godesulloh's experience of it
    • 16:22 Jordan Peterson, the final boss
    • 21:32 Discussing Peterson's ideas seriously
    • 30:12 Actually reading feminist literature
    • 39:32 John Rawls's Veil of Ignorance
    • 40:53 Jack's video on Misandry that got taken down
    • 48:42 Agency and morality under oppression
    • 56:07 "I gave up facts and logic years ago"
    • 1:04:16 What will get us there, and dignity
    • 1:12:21 the asymmetries of social media
    • 1:18:07 The Brock Turner case
    • 1:22:00 Liberation philosophies, raising everybody up
    • 1:22:47 Sexual assault of men played for laughs
    • 1:25:28 Devil's advocate
    • 1:31:17 The world is more than this
    • 1:34:39 Understanding that certain people have good reasons to be angry
    • 1:37:37 The fallacy of the individual defining the group
    • 1:38:12 Do you really want praise from these people?
    • 1:39:26 It's easier to be a Great man than a Good man
    • 1:46:51 Closing remarks


    Godesulloh has all of his links through here: https://msha.ke/godesulloh
    His youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/@vibesestvida

    And my socials are:
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/ for IG
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawrofor TikTok
    https://www.Jacklawrence.net for my website

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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • #15 Fighting misinformation and the case for Gen AI video with Avisha aka @distilledscience
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episodeI interview Avisha Nessaiver aka Distilled Science following our back and forth over tiktok/Instagram on gen AI video.

    I start out by interviewing him in general, then about an hour in we get into the AI stuff.

    Timestamps below:

    01:55 – The Science of Touch and Oxytocin

    05:15 – Understanding Pain and Pleasure in Touch

    08:09 – From Academia to Science Communication

    11:08 – Innovations in Medical Technology

    14:18 – Navigating the Challenges of Startups

    17:12 – Misinformation and the COVID-19 Pandemic

    20:04 – The Rise of TikTok as a Science Platform

    22:59 – Debunking Misinformation in Science

    26:07 – Reading and Understanding Scientific Literature

    33:17 – The Importance of Context in Fitness Research

    37:05 – Understanding Bone Density and Its Challenges

    39:50 – Innovative Nutritional Experiments and Their Outcomes

    49:36 – Optimizing Workouts and Sleep for Better Health

    -------

    58:10 AI DEBATE STARTS HERE

    1:01:41 – The Power of AI in Creative Storytelling

    1:03:40 – Humour and Its Mechanics

    1:07:12 – The Role of AI in Education

    1:09:25 – Cognitive Tools and Learning

    1:12:23 – The Importance of Statistical Literacy

    1:16:13 – Navigating Misinformation in Politics

    1:20:39 – The Challenge of Engaging with Opposing Views

    1:25:55 – The Battle Against Misinformation

    1:26:44 – The Future of Information Consumption


    More of Distilled Science:
    Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@distilledscience?
    https://www.instagram.com/distilledscience/
    https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@DistilledScience⁩

    More of me:
    https://linktr.ee/Jacklawrence

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    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • #14 Killing God a Second Time: The Death of Truth and Trust
    Jun 16 2025

    This essay starts with a simple question: how do we know what is true? In answering this I examine the collapse of trust in society alongside the rise of ideology as a substitute for rationalism. I argue that rationalism only works if we have the time and resources to enable it, and that these criteria are no longer being met. I posit that much as the Enlightenment killed God, we are watching it happen again. Rationalism is dying - the framework of truth we had is now breaking under the weight of volume, complexity, mistrust and ideology.

    What happens when rationalism fails? What happens when we kill God a second time?

    If you'd like to read this piece, you can do so here: https://open.substack.com/pub/jacklawro/p/killing-god-a-second-time?r=k9z53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

    For more of me:
    https://linktr.ee/Jacklawrence
    https://substack.com/@jacklawro
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawro

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    46 mins
  • #13 You Don't Have Thoughts, You Only Have Feelings with Nick Shackleton-Jones
    Apr 21 2025

    You only have feelings. This is the paradigm argued for by Nick Shackleton Jones. Nick is the author of the book How People Learn, which offers an entirely new model for learning and cognition which he thinks can massively improve performance, learning, and education.

    Nick is many things - he is an author, a speaker, a philosopher, a psychology lecturer, and has worked in both the academic and corporate worlds, including time at the BBC, Deloitte, PA consulting and others in positions centred around learning and innovation. He's a rare individual. I had so much fun talking to him. We talk about his ideas, philosophy, neuroscience, how best to learn, consciousness and AI, among many other things . There's a lovely mix of practical and intellectual stuff here, so I think there's something for everyone - please enjoy.

    You can also find a video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/UdD6sbBeer4

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro
    01:22 You don't have thoughts, you only have feelings
    04:36 The philosophical foundations
    06:10 But what about maths?
    10:16 What does "think rationally" really mean?
    15:06 What is philosophy driven by?
    17:49 Mandatory Stoicism dig
    20:19 Nietzsche's point
    21:44 Memory Champions
    23:25 The Affective Context Model
    26:59 Definitions of Memory and Learning
    30:43 School doesn't help learning
    37:33 Education reform
    43:17 Why does everyone have to get along?
    46:59 What's the difference using Nick's approach?
    54:32 Making yourself care about what you need to learn about
    57:37 We talk about World of Warcraft for a bit
    01:03:42 Video games and Learning Design
    01:06:37 Won't we just end up with Minecraft experts?
    01:15:34 Advice for teachers
    01:18:00 Should we rethink what intelligence is?
    01:23:38 The problem of language
    01:28:46 The AI question
    01:33:29 What will technology be doing with us 10,000 years from now?
    01:34:57 Does AI inevitably make us dumber?
    01:40:39 How does Nick avoid nihilism??
    01:44:29 Pessimistic Meta-Induction
    01:47:22 A joke about behaviourism
    01:49:32 Does reality exist independently of our feelings?
    01:54:58 What is Nick unsure of?
    01:58:59 Why can't we create LLM's that have feelings?
    02:03:34 Geniuses are affectation geniuses
    02:05:49 Nietzsche's comedic life
    02:12:08 What evidence could disprove Shackleton's paradigm?
    02:18:09 Combating bad ideas online
    02:25:28 Bad role models
    02:30:15 The temptation of digital relationships for young men
    02:32:09 The losing case for Reality
    02:44:11 Where to find more of Nick's stuff

    For more of Nick:
    https://www.tiktok.com/@shackletonjones
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/

    His book is called "How People Learn: A New Model of Learning and Cognition to Improve Performance and Education" and can be found on Amazon and other booksellers

    For more of me:
    https://linktr.ee/Jacklawrence
    https://substack.com/@jacklawro
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawro

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    2 hrs and 37 mins
  • #12 Reversing Brexit, Political Activism and the wisdom of Buffy with Femi Oluwole
    Sep 9 2024

    In today's episode I interview Femi Oluwole! Femi is a British political activist and one of the most prominent voices in the anti-Brexit movement. He co-founded the group Our Future Our Choice (OFOC), which aimed to mobilize young people against Brexit, advocating for a second referendum on the UK's membership in the European Union. He's also a unique individual in that he straddles both traditional and social media in spreading awareness about Brexit, as well as conducting debates. I really enjoyed this interview and hope you will too!


    00:00:00 Intro
    00:01:29 Podcast begins with me mumbling
    00:01:39 How would Femi describe what he does?
    00:01:59 Femi's journey to political activism
    00:04:40 Femi's experience of the Brexit vote result
    00:07:24 Our Future Our Choice
    00:09:17 How has Brexit damaged the UK?
    00:12:27 How to avoid echo chambers
    00:16:29 Do the Tories believe their own rhetoric?
    00:21:09 What informs Femi's values?
    00:23:09 What defines 'Good' to Femi?
    00:27:47 What forms of online activism are most effective?
    00:30:49 How can the left combat outrage content?
    00:36:29 What politicians do Femi like?
    00:38:49 Alternative Voting Referendum
    00:39:53 How do comment sections differ on different platforms?
    00:47:16 How does Femi deal with online racism and vitriol?
    00:49:04 Removing anger as TV prep
    00:50:34 Is sunlight the best disinfectant?
    00:52:33 How does one develop cool-headedness in debates?
    00:55:31 What other changes would Femi like to see in UK politics?
    00:58:37 What ways would Femi like people to engage with politics?
    01:02:24 Is Just Stop Oil ineffective activism?
    01:05:18 What is a message that Femi would like everyone to know?
    01:07:29 What do those disenchanted with politics need to reengage?
    01:12:09 How can one educate themselves in Politics?
    01:15:37 A really good Reality TV idea
    01:16:34 For some reason I start talking about edibles
    01:20:29 How can people support Femi?
    01:21:59 Closing thoughts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer


    For all of Femi's stuff:
    https://www.instagram.com/femi_sorry/?hl=en
    https://www.youtube.com/@Femi_Sorry
    https://www.patreon.com/femi_Sorry
    https://www.tiktok.com/@femi_sorry?lang=en
    https://twitter.com/Femi_Sorry

    For my stuff:
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/ for IG
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawrofor TikTok
    https://www.Jacklawrence.net for my website

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • #11 Godesulloh aka @Vibesestvida on African Philosophy, Kierkegaard and Effective Altruism
    Sep 2 2024

    Godesulloh is a philosopher, teacher, podcaster, musician and lover of bubble tea. In this interview we discuss African Philosophy, Kierkegaard, Stoicism vs Broicism, Effective Altruism and much more

    Timestamps:
    01:15 Who is Godesulloh and why is he in my flat
    02:38 Challenges making educational philosophy content on Tiktok
    05:00 How would Godesulloh explain African Philosophy
    09:40 Where African Philosophy sits in Academia
    16:14 The African Logic Conversation
    20:44 Why does Godesulloh like Kierkegaard so much
    24:25 Reviewing some Kierkegaard quotes
    27:35 Living to avoid regret
    35:01 Does everything work out for the best?
    39:15 Living in harmony with Nature is bad
    43:10 Longtermism and its faults
    47:09 Effective Altruism
    50:25 Godesulloh on Longtermism
    59:09 Effective Altruism issue
    1:03:45 Mr Beast Philanthropy
    1:06:33 Capitalism pros and cons
    1:09:45 Do we want a FAIR or GOOD society?
    1:13:38 Philosophy as self help
    1:15:35 Stoicism vs Broicism
    1:24:15 Where to find out more about Godesulloh

    Godesulloh has all of his links through here: https://msha.ke/godesulloh
    His youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/@vibesestvida

    And my socials are:
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/ for IG
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawrofor TikTok
    https://www.Jacklawrence.net for my website

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • #10 Solving the top /r/askphilosophy questions of ALL TIME with Godesulloh aka @Vibesestvida
    Aug 19 2024

    Hello! WE'RE BACK

    In this episode the wonderful Godesulloh J. Bawa (philosopher, podcaster, teacher, musician and all round cool guy) and I sit down and try and answer the top questions of all time from the subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/

    We get side-tracked a bit talking about relationships and end it with a discussion on the morality of killing baby Hitler - good times!

    Timestamps:
    02:15 Why is it so hard to think beyond Capitalism?
    06:32 Why are there so many cringe Stoicism videos?
    08:52 Why does suffering sometimes foster growth, and sometimes embitter or traumatize people?
    15:55 Relationships on tiktok
    31:36 Why isn't the field of philosophy more interested in communicating its ideas to the public?
    36:48 How can you be confident in your beliefs if there is an infinite amount you don't know that might affect your beliefs?
    44:03 How do you overcome philosophy paralyzing your ability to say anything?
    48:52 Would you kill baby Hitler?


    Godesulloh has all of his links through here: https://msha.ke/godesulloh
    His youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/@vibesestvida

    And my socials are:
    https://www.instagram.com/jack.lawro/ for IG
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.lawrofor TikTok
    https://www.Jacklawrence.net for my website

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    1 hr and 3 mins