Subversive w/Alex Kaschuta

Alexandra Kaschuta

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

  • 56 minutes 19 seconds
    Apple Pie - notes from a professional father

    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

    8 November 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Aria Babu - What really drives the birth rate

    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

    25 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Garett Jones - IQ and the wealth of individuals

    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

    18 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Noah Carl - Immigration: Culture & Crime

    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

    11 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Nina Power - Loyalty, Friendship, Truth

    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


    4 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 36 minutes
    NonZionism - Radicalization is just the first step

    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

    26 September 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Kryptogal - The Hidden Cost of Kids

    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

    12 September 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 52 minutes 25 seconds
    Losing our religion - Deep Left Analysis

    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

    5 September 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Sai Pandit - The gender wars: an Indian perspective

    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



    23 August 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 32 seconds
    Eurydice - How to make marriage work

    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


    Our conversation explores the challenges and complexities of modern relationships and marriages, the loss of unified narratives, the saturation of relationship advice, the importance of personal responsibility, voicing needs, and avoiding resentment in relationships. The conversation also delves into the impact of legal systems on relationships and the role of pronatalism in encouraging marriage and having children. We also address the gender dynamics and expectations in relationships, the need for strong individuals who can advocate for themselves while respecting their partner's desires, the dynamics of sex, relationships, and marriage from a gendered perspective, the challenges faced by men in forming real connections and attracting the kind of women they desire, the concept of hypergamy and how it is often misunderstood and much more.

    Eurydice is a pseudonymous writer and Twitter/X poster @euridicelives. She also writes on Substack @euridicelives

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and the Challenges of Modern Relationships

    02:31 The Saturated Market of Relationship Advice

    09:20 Resentment and the Importance of Voicing Needs

    18:44 Personal Responsibility in Marriage

    22:41 The Impact of Legal Systems on Relationships

    28:26 Encouraging Marriage and Having Children

    32:42 Gender Dynamics and Expectations in Relationships

    46:02 The Paradox of Optimizing for Sex

    50:08 The Impact of Technology on Modern Relationships

    57:44 The Cultural Issue of Male Worthlessness

    01:02:46 The Value of Women's Sexual Desires and Investments

    01:09:26 The Overlooked Qualities Women Desire

    01:13:18 The Complexity of Hypergamy



    8 August 2024, 7:24 pm
  • 54 minutes 37 seconds
    Erik Hoel - The Tao of having babies

    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

    Our conversation explores the concept of pronatalism, the role of parents in shaping the values and behaviors of their children, the influence of genetics and culture, the limitations of heritability studies, and the challenges of navigating the complex nature vs. nurture debate. We also talk about the complexity of personality traits, the challenges of measuring and understanding them, the different flavors of traits, and the role of parenting in shaping them. The discussion also touches on the search for meaning in life, the impact of career choices, the importance of parenting styles, and the need for pro-natalist policies.

    Erik Hoel is an essayist, a neuroscientist, a novelist, and the author of one of my favorite Substacks: The Intrinsic Perspective

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Pronatalism and the Repugnant Conclusion

    09:17 The Role of Parents in Shaping Values and Behaviors

    18:59 Genetics, Heritability, and the Nature vs. Nurture Debate

    40:22 The Complexity of Personality Traits

    42:07 The Challenges of Measurement

    46:12 Finding Meaning in Life

    51:04 The Experience of Parenthood

    56:49 Pronatalist Policies

    26 July 2024, 6:07 pm
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