Subversive is a podcast by Alex Kaschuta about ideas that may not fit neatly into the Overton window and could use a nudge, or a sledgehammer. Alex chats to thinkers across the spectrum from iconoclast philosophers, rogue scientists, *real* journalists, and our true intellectual elite, Twitter anons. If you want to support the show or my work in general, head to my Substack: www.alexkaschuta.com or Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon.
This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
In this chat, we explore the complexities of modern parenting, the longing for a supportive village, the difficulties of navigating parenting norms, and the importance of creativity and play in child development. We also talk about the rise of online experts, the grift in wellness and parenting advice, the allure of biohacking, the romanticization of traditional values, and the challenges of navigating dating advice in a crowded space.
Cartoons Hate Her is a mom, writer, very online commentator, comedienne, and Trump impersonator. You can find her on X at https://x.com/CartoonsHateHer, and you can find all her excellent work here: www.cartoonshateher.com
Chapters
00:00 The Need for Community in Parenting
05:10 Navigating Modern Parenting Challenges
09:48 Creativity and Play in Child Development
14:57 The Impact of Parenting Norms on Family Life
19:56 The Evolution of Childhood Experiences
24:57 The Role of Validation in Parenting
29:50 Finding Balance in Parenting
36:09 Navigating New Experiences Alone
36:33 The Rise of Online Experts
37:31 The Grift in Wellness and Parenting
39:28 The Illusion of Hormone Specialists
40:43 Diet as a Path to Purity
41:50 The Cycle of Self-Improvement
42:54 Biohacking and Modern Rituals
44:00 The Aesthetic of Home and Work
46:28 The Challenge of Political Engagement
48:03 Navigating the Crowded Dating Advice Space
49:56 The Search for Validation in Modern Life
01:01:17 Romanticizing the Past vs. Modern Luxuries
01:02:30 Recommendations for Underrated Thinkers
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon.
This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
We discuss biofoundationalism, exploring how biological traits influence political beliefs and behaviors. We chat about the dynamics of self-interest in political stances, the equilibrium of societal structures, and the implications of the fact that people have better things to do than have kids. We also speak about Elon Musk, examining how his understanding of power transcends language, his communication style, government efficiency, the politics of redistribution, the role of moral foundations in policy-making, the dynamics of globalization and economic growth, and much more. Dmitry is a writer and a founder in the DeFi space, currently building Salutary. He’s on Twitter & Telegram: @BackTheBunny, and on Substack at the essence of a thing: https://backthebunny.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 Understanding Bio Foundationalism 10:33 The Nature of Principles and Self-Interest 17:20 The Fertility Crisis and Its Implications 26:20 Elon Musk: A Study in Power and Influence 33:03 Assessing Elon Musk's Communication Style 39:42 The Politics of Redistribution and Entitlements 45:05 The Role of Moral Foundations in Policy Making 51:58 Globalization and Economic Growth Dynamics 01:03:28 Influential Thinkers and Personal Recommendations
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack.
For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon.
This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!
Please subscribe at:
https://www.alexkaschuta.com/
https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
In this chat, we delve into the complexities of fatherhood, parenting, and the impact of modern technology on family dynamics. We explore the motivations behind having a large family, the challenges of parenting in a rapidly changing society, and the struggle to maintain meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world. The discussion also touches on generational differences, particularly regarding Gen Z's mental health and technology's role in shaping their experiences. We also explore the themes of cultural reflections, artistic output, and the impact of globalism on local cultures. We discuss the evolution of cultural centers, perceptions of time and modernity, and the influences that shape our thoughts. We also touch on the complexities of antinatalism and the future of cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.
In our conversation, I referred to a book at the end but misremembered the title. It is The Conspiracy Against the Human Race: A Contrivance of Horror by Thomas Ligotti.
Apple Pie is a pseudonymous author, a father of a large brood, and a physicist.
He writes at Things to Read
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Fatherhood and Family Dynamics
06:08 The Challenges of Parenting in Modern Society
11:47 Navigating Technology and Its Impact on Relationships
17:58 Cultural Reflections and Generational Differences
30:09 Cultural Reflections and Artistic Output
34:42 The Evolution of Cultural Centers
39:35 Globalism and Historical Context
40:44 Perceptions of Time and Modernity
46:50 Influences and Recommendations in Thought
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack.
For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon.
This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!
Please subscribe at:
https://www.alexkaschuta.com/
https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
Our conversation delves into the critical issue of declining birth rates, exploring its historical context, cultural narratives, and the multifaceted factors contributing to this trend. We also discuss societal expectations, economic conditions, and personal choices shaping family dynamics and parenting styles, the implications of these trends on future generations, and the potential for cultural shifts to influence birth rates positively. We explore the nostalgia for past family structures, the cultural shifts that have led to a decline in the perceived value of children, and the impact of governmental policies on fertility rates. The discussion also delves into the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly in terms of demographic changes and gender relations, with a focus on India.
Aria Babu is a writer and tech policy analyst. You can find her at @Aria_Babu on X.
Aria Babu Thoughts from Aria Babu
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Birth Rates
03:12 Cultural Narratives and Birth Decline
05:51 Factors Influencing Birth Rates
09:12 Parenting Styles and Their Impact
12:01 The Role of Community and Support
14:49 Economic Factors and Birth Rates
17:46 Cultural Influences on Family Size
20:59 The Aspirational Nature of Family Dynamics
24:09 The Intersection of Wealth and Motherhood
27:04 Social Conservatism and Birth Rates
33:09 Nostalgia for the Past: Child-Rearing and Values
36:49 Cultural Shifts: The Value of Children Today
39:52 Historical Policies and Their Impact on Birth Rates
42:41 Kin Selection vs. Group Selection in Societal Development
48:41 Demographic Challenges in Developing Countries
50:39 Gender Relations and Societal Upheaval in India
54:35 The Future of Gender Politics and Birth Rates
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack.
For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon.
This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!
Please subscribe at:
https://www.alexkaschuta.com/
https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
In this conversation, we explore the significance of national IQ over individual IQ, the impact of cultural externalities on immigration, and the disparities in income across countries. We also discuss the implications of population decline, fiscal responsibility, and the role of the US in global economics. The conversation also delves into the concept of smart fractions in innovation, the effects of cultural transplants on immigration policy, and the challenges facing democracy in the West.
Garett Jones is an economist, a professor at George Mason University, and an author. His research covers areas from macroeconomics, monetary policy, and IQ in relation to productivity, short-term business cycles, and economic development. His most recent book is The Culture Transplant: How Migrants Make the Economies They Move To a Lot Like the Ones They Left.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of National IQ
02:46 Cultural Externalities and Immigration
06:00 Cross-Country Income Disparities
08:45 Population Decline and Economic Implications
12:06 Fiscal Sustainability and Government Spending
14:49 US Hegemony and Global Economics
18:11 Smart Fractions and Innovation
21:10 The Role of Elites in Democracy
23:59 Cultural Transplants and Immigration Policy
27:11 Democracy and Ethnic Diversity
29:57 The Influence of the EU on Eastern Europe
32:46 Leadership and Collaboration
35:56 The Future of Democracy
39:03 Recommended Thinkers and Closing Thoughts
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive In this conversation, we delve into the complex issues surrounding immigration, crime rates, and social trust, focusing on Britain. We explore the misconceptions about crime rates among different ethnic groups, the nuances of immigration's economic impact, and the importance of understanding social trust dynamics. The discussion also touches on the brain drain phenomenon and the challenges of political discourse in addressing these issues. Noah Carl is a sociologist and intelligence researcher, a writer, and co-editor-in-chief of Aporia magazine: https://www.aporiamagazine.com/ Chapters 00:00 Exploring Immigration Perspectives 05:36 Crime Rates and Misconceptions 12:41 Understanding Crime Data in Britain 17:32 Social Trust and Its Implications 28:27 The Economic Impact of Immigration 39:05 Persuasion and Political Discourse 49:47 The Brain Drain Phenomenon
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
We delve into the complexities of loyalty, friendship, and the impact of online culture on personal relationships. We explore the fragility of online interactions, the nature of cancellation, and the spiritual dimensions of identity in a digital age. The discussion also touches on the dangers of safetyism, the search for meaning in a materialistic world, and the challenges of navigating ideological friction. The chat emphasizes the importance of curiosity, open dialogue, and the need for a deeper understanding of status and hidden knowledge in contemporary society.
Nina Power is a writer and philosopher, former senior editor for Compact Magazine, and the author of “What Do Men Want? and “One Dimensional Woman.” She also writes on Substack: Nina Power The Sun Is God: New Writing by Nina Power
Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Literary Scene of the 90s
03:04 The Nature of Loyalty and Friendship
06:08 The Fragility of Online Relationships
09:10 Navigating Online Discourse and Mental Health
11:57 The Impact of Cancellation on Identity
14:49 The Spiritual Dimension of Cancellation
18:13 The Role of Status in Modern Society
21:03 The Dangers of Safetyism
23:58 The Search for Meaning in a Materialistic World
27:03 The Dynamics of Ideological Friction
30:08 The Challenge of Experience in Modern Life
32:57 The Role of Family and Tradition
36:02 The Quest for Authenticity
39:02 The Nature of Truth in the Digital Age
41:50 The Future of Ideological Movements
45:14 The Importance of Curiosity and Open Dialogue
48:05 The Influence of Hidden Knowledge
50:58 The Concept of Neo-Iconoclasm
53:50 Conclusion and Reflections on the Future
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive Our conversation explores the journey of radicalization within dissident thought, focusing on the evolution of anti-Semitism, the complexities of ideology, and the personal beliefs that shape one's identity. We reflect on our experiences and the broader implications of these ideologies in modern society. We also explore themes of spiritual independence, racial awareness, the impact of liberal ideology, personal health transformations, the dangers of low IQ societies, the role of eugenics, the complexities of anti-Semitism, and the importance of the smart fraction versus average IQ in society. משכיל בינה is the author of NonZionism, where he’s written insightful essays on Israel, Britain, and a wide range of themes that poke at both the left and right.
Chapters
00:00 Journey Through Radicalization
06:31 The Process of Deradicalization
12:32 Ideological Reflections and Political Realities
18:02 The Nature of Political Power
22:30 Living Independently in a Regime
28:29 The Balance of Radicalization and Personal Growth
34:51 The Dangers of the Dissident Right
40:40 Understanding Anti-Semitism: A Historical Perspective
48:43 The Evolution of Anti-Semitic Ideologies
56:38 Radicalization and the Role of the Internet
01:04:40 The Holocaust: A Central Narrative in Modern Ideology
01:12:25 Race Realism and Its Implications
01:20:38 The Future of Society: Eugenics and Intelligence
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at:
https://www.alexkaschuta.com/
https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
Our conversation explores the decline in birth rates and the reasons behind women choosing to have fewer children, the societal pressure on women to have children, the economic and cultural factors influencing fertility decisions, and the gender divide in the discourse on birth rates. The conversation also delves into the implications of declining birth rates for the future of the West and the challenges of balancing population growth and sustainability, the role of social media and parenting culture in shaping fertility decisions, agency, femininity, parenting, and the impact of internet culture. We also discuss the construction of femininity as opposed to masculinity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Exploring the Decline in Birth Rates
03:15 The Significance of Childbirth for Women
07:00 Gender Divide in Fertility Decisions
11:27 Implications of Declining Birth Rates for the West
13:40 Misconceptions about Fertility and Gender Stereotypes
21:37 Balancing Growth and Sustainability
29:28 Parenting Culture and Social Media Influence
36:17 The Importance of Agency and the Drain of Video Games
39:39 The Construction of Femininity and the Challenges of Parenting
55:09 The Impact of Internet Culture and Generational Divides
01:08:37 Subversive Perspectives
Kryptogal (Kate, if you like) is a pseudonymous, Substack-based writer: Forbidden Closet of Mystery
The complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, is available on Substack. For a bit less, you can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution!
Please subscribe at:
https://www.alexkaschuta.com/
https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
We discuss the shifting political landscape online and the importance of information hazards to the stability of politics in the future. We also look at elite culture and the probable contenders for our future organizing principles—they don’t look great. Deep Left Analysis is a pseudonymous writer and podcaster on Substack.
https://deepleft.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Limitations of Facts and Logic 04:49 Different Interests and Motivated Reasoning 05:44 Elites and Secular Religions 18:39 The Changing Incentive Structure 19:32 The Weakening of Traditional Forms of Organization 33:00 The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future 40:57 The Convergence of Races and Elective Tribalism 46:34 The Importance of Stable Traditions 51:08 The Impact of Technology on Fashion and Culture
This is the first part of our conversation. The full episode and the complete archive of Subversive episodes, including exclusive episodes and my writing, are available on Substack. You can also subscribe to the podcast sans writing on Patreon for a bit less. This is how the show is financed and grows, so I appreciate every contribution! Please subscribe at: https://www.alexkaschuta.com/ https://www.patreon.com/aksubversive
We speak about the challenges women face in online spaces, the complexities of gender dynamics, the limitations of rigid societal scripts, the limitations of statistical analysis in understanding human behavior, and the significance of subjective experiences. Our conversation highlights the cultural differences in perspectives on female agency and the impact of different legal systems on gender dynamics in India, arranged marriages, and their potential future in the West.
We also discuss the challenges of modern dating apps and the need for a communal goal in relationships. The conversation then shifts to the topic of endocrine dysfunction and the decreasing age of puberty.
Sai Pandit is a writer on Substack at: https://saipandit.substack.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Recent Interview
00:53 Challenges Faced by Women in Online Spaces
03:09 The Limitations of Rigid Societal Scripts
09:02 Cultural Differences in Perspectives on Female Agency
14:47 The Complexity of Human Behavior and Subjective Experiences
19:08 The Impact of Legal Systems on Gender Dynamics
29:43 The Importance of Meaningful Connections and Understanding
43:40 Arranged Marriages: The Spectrum of Arrangements
53:40 The Potential Future of Arranged Marriages in the West
56:20 Challenges of Modern Dating Apps
01:01:26 Understanding the Decreasing Age of Puberty
01:10:53 The Complexity of Endocrine Dysfunction
01:19:02 Recommended Writers
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