Best Woke Lab Podcasts (2026)

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The Worst Takes of 2025 [TEASER] 50:05

Play Pause

1d ago50:05

50:05

The boys catalog the definitive worst takes of the year, from the pundits who misunderstood our political moment to a guy who wants to have sex with a computer. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

1
The Replication Crisis Christmas Quiz w/ Mickey Inzlicht & Dave Pizarro 1:29:31

9h ago1:29:31

1:29:31

In this festive descent into methodological despair, Chris and Matt convene a secret cabal of elite psychology podcasters within the Decoding Cloister, operating under the distant yet reassuring gaze of Arch-Wizard Paul Bloom, whose role is largely ceremonial but nonetheless morally binding. Joining them are Dave Pizarro (Very Bad Wizards) and Mich…

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DTG Christmas Quiz 2025 with Helen Lewis 1:26:32

3d ago1:26:32

1:26:32

In this special Christmas episode, Helen’s annual Guru Quiz returns, lightly dusted with Trump, podcast tours, and the unsettling realisation that the Guru-sphere and the MAGA-sphere have quietly fused into a single, monetised, vibes-based organism. That's right, the regular decoding team are joined by renowned journalist, author, podcaster... and …

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Supplementary Material 41: Ironic Nazis, Blustering Tories, and Ol' Squeaky's Lament 43:42

7d ago43:42

43:42

In this tragic episode, we pay tribute to a fallen comrade and honour his memory with a Supplementary Material 41 00:00 Introduction and Swimming Update 02:34 The Tragic Tale of Old Squeaky 09:01 Sam Harris interpersonal bias & Megyn Kelly 26:05 Gary Stevenson vs Rory Stewart 36:26 Master Certificates and Jaffa Cakes 41:59 Dasha's Nick Fuentes Prob…

1
Elon Musk Part 2 1:31:15

8d ago1:31:15

1:31:15

The boys continue their discussion of Walter Isaacson's "Elon Musk." This is the part where Elon loses his mind. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: From self-proclaimed ‘socialist’ to Team Trump and DeSantis: Elon Musk’s curious politics revealed Th…

1
Kwanzaa 2025- Fighting the Power 27:06

15d ago27:06

27:06

Send us a text Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties. Our panelists include: · LaNita Duke: Award-winning multimedia producer for Grassroots News Northwest. · Dianne Johnso…

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Gurometer: Stefan Molyneux Patreon Preview 32:51

17d ago32:51

32:51

In this unlocked bonus episode, Chris and Matt complete their forensic/esoteric/scientific assessment of the charming Stefan Molyneux, consigning him (sadly) to the eternal archives of the Gurometer.

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Elon Musk 1:28:25

20d ago1:28:25

1:28:25

A biography that dares to ask: Is a lifetime of worker abuse and narcissism worth it to experience robot butlers? Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: What Elon Musk Gets Wrong about South Africa Elon Musk’s Anti-Semitic, Apartheid-Loving Grandfather …

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Stefan Molyneux, Part 2: Back in the Moly Hole 1:31:36

21d ago1:31:36

1:31:36

Cult Season continues, and much like Stefan himself, you may have hoped this would go away after Part 1. Unfortunately, like all persistent internet hauntings, Molyneux has returned. And this time, Chris and Matt venture even deeper into the Moly-Hole, a place where truth is redefined, callers are slowly gaslit into existential confusion, and every…

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Supplementary Material 40: YouTube Builders, the Discourse Grind, and Sam Harris' Dinner Parties 42:54

26d ago42:54

42:54

We set down the Chardonnay at the latest heterodox dinner party and lean in for some hearty ‘civil discourse’ to once again defend the trembling pillars of Western civilization. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 13 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 40: YouTube Builders…

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Fighting The Power: Democracy is alive when voting survives-The 2025 Midterm races 27:02

27d ago27:02

27:02

Send us a text Fighting The Power: Democracy is alive when voting survives-The 2025 Midterm races Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties. Our panelists include: · LaNita Duk…

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Stefan Molyneux, Part 1: A fun guy, who is here to help... 3:03:42

1M ago3:03:42

3:03:42

Welcome back to Cult Season, where we continue our sincere attempt to make you feel a little bit worse about the world and everything in it. This week, we turn to Stefan Molyneux, online pioneer, prolific content creator, and self-proclaimed most popular philosopher in the world. Alternatively his wikipedia entry describes him as "an Irish-born Can…

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Sapiens 1:38:17

1M ago1:38:17

1:38:17

How do you tell the entire history of humanity in a single book? Whatever you do, do not open a browser window. Thanks to Dorsa Amir, Duncan Stibbard Hawkes and David Perry for help researching and fact-checking this episode! Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Pha…

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Autism, Microbiomes, & Mice Burying Marbles with Kevin Mitchell 1:26:49

1M ago1:26:49

1:26:49

This week, we are joined by Kevin Mitchell, Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin, who has committed the unforgivable sin of pointing out that an entire academic and media hype cycle might be built on… well, very little actually. His new co-authored paper in Neuron politely dismantles the highly promoted link be…

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Right to Reply: A Dialogos about Sensemaking with Alexander Beiner 1:12:10

2M ago1:12:10

1:12:10

We are joined by Alexander Beiner, current founder of Kainos and former co-founder of Rebel Wisdom, to grapple with that eternally slippery concept: sensemaking. Naturally, this leads us through interdisciplinary adventurism, reflections on the (il)legitimacy of academia, and the recurring “meaning crisis” that haunts our times. Sense will be made,…

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Supplementary Material 39: Bad Guys, Panpsychists, and Sensemakers 37:58

2M ago37:58

37:58

Chris and Matt walk into a bar with an atheist sensemaker, an Ayurvedic Guru, and a Christian Apologist, and predictable frivolities ensue. Featuring not one but two good-natured, robust exchanges of opinion between our two hosts. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 42 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/Decoding…

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Required Readings: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis 16:44

2M ago16:44

16:44

In another exciting Required Reading episode, Chris and Matt offer their penetrating, high IQ thoughts on the latest book by journalist and podcast quizmaster, Helen Lewis. Titled 'The Genius Myth: The Dangerous Allure of Rebels, Monsters, and Rule Breakers', the book tears into some of the long-enduring myths surrounding historical and contemporar…

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Discussing Nazis and Gurus with Al Murray 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

We welcome Al Murray, the comedian who might just be your new favourite historian, to Decoding the Gurus. In a crossover you probably didn’t expect, we discuss World War II, Wehraboos, gurus, and the contemporary comedy scene... something for all the family. Along the way, we touch on British nostalgia, military fetishism, and self-styled “truth te…

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Keith Raniere: The Serpent and the Cognitive Fog 3:08:49

2M ago3:08:49

3:08:49

Kicking off cult season, Chris and Matt take a dip into the manipulative world of NXIVM founder and self-proclaimed 200-IQ “Vanguard,” Keith Raniere, as he talks with his then-disciple and ex-Hollywood actress, Allison Mack. Through a haze of pseudo-profound musings and decorative scholarship, Raniere sermonises on creativity, authenticity, and the…

1
Not The Fire This Time; Portland is not on Fire -Fighting the Power 27:55

2M ago27:55

27:55

Send us a text Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties. Our panelists include: · LaNita Duke: Award-winning multimedia producer for Grassroots News Northwest. · Dianne Johnso…

1
Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin 1:13:43

2M ago1:13:43

1:13:43

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 …

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Supplementary Material 38: Toxic Mould Symbiosis, Mild Phrenology, and the Best People in the World 49:51

2M ago49:51

49:51

We end the futile struggle, embrace the toxins, and become one with our mould brethren. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 38 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 38 00:00 Intro 02:54 Boomer Matt reacts to Twitter videos 07:31 Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the 9/11 File…

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05 | Artificial Evolution: Gene-Edited Babies

3M ago

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In 2018, a Chinese scientist made an announcement that shocked the world — and landed him years in prison. In a special episode of Artificial Evolution, Health Report reporter Shelby Traynor traces the story of He Jiankui, the researcher who helped to produce genetically edited babies. His actions invited condemnation from scientists worldwide and …

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How To Win Friends And Influence People 1:10:00

3M ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Live like Dale Carnegie, neg like Calvin Coolidge. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Self-help Messiah: Dale Carnegie and Success in Modern America The Positive Thinkers Age of industrial violence 1910-1915 : the activities and findings of the Unit…

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A story of hope: How Jane Goodall changed the world

3M ago

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Dr Jane Goodall, a pioneer of ground-breaking chimpanzee field research, has died at the age of 91. Her early work, published in 1963, transformed our understanding of the social and emotional lives of chimpanzees and encouraged a wave of study into primate behaviour. She later established the Jane Goodall Institute, now one of the world's largest …

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A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 2: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall 2:36:42

3M ago2:36:42

2:36:42

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, V…

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04 | Artificial Evolution: Pig Parts for People? 26:08

3M ago26:08

26:08

Timothy Andrews has lived with a pig kidney in his body for eight months. That makes him a record breaker — living longer with a gene-edited pig kidney than anyone else in the world so far. In the final episode of Artificial Evolution, he tells us about his journey, his hopes for making it a year with the transplant, and the challenges he's faced a…

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Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers 41:48

3M ago41:48

41:48

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. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGur…

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03 | Artificial Evolution: Yuck or Yum? Gene-Edited Meat 27:02

3M ago27:02

27:02

Gene-edited fish are on the market in Japan, and similar foods could soon be on Australian shelves. But will we want to eat them, how affordable will they be, and what do they even taste like? On this episode of Artificial Evolution, Pete looks at the future of gene editing for consumption, what's on the menu, and whether it’s a sustainable way to …

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A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 1: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall 2:15:09

4M ago2:15:09

2:15:09

Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many, many deep and complex concepts and puzzle over definitions of conscience, the vertical hierarchy, value, normativity, goals & ideals, quests, the ultimate…

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Thomas Chatterton Williams' "Summer of Our Discontent" 1:31:42

4M ago1:31:42

1:31:42

Peter and Michael discuss a book that's light on facts and long on sentences. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Book Review: ‘Summer of Our Discontent,’ by Thomas Chatterton Williams Police shootings database 2015-2024 From the archive, 22 March 19…

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02 | Artificial Evolution: Genetically Modified Marsupials 26:06

4M ago26:06

26:06

Earlier this year, a US biotech company claimed it had brought back a long-extinct species - the dire wolf, which roamed ancient America thousands of years ago. And the same editing technology that remade dire wolves could also be used to stop Australian species from going extinct. In episode two of Artificial Evolution, Pete heads to the labs that…

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01 | Artificial Evolution: Cloning Goes Mainstream 26:08

4M ago26:08

26:08

Last year, 81-year-old rancher Arthur 'Jack' Schubarth was sentenced to six months in prison. His crime? An elaborate, multi-country conspiracy to smuggle in the tissue of a rare big horn sheep — clone it — and sell the offspring to hunters. But how did we get to the point where such a scheme could be run out of an elderly rancher's backyard? In ep…

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Supplementary Material 36: Comedy Cults, Toxic Mould, and WW2 Revisionism 45:37

4M ago45:37

45:37

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. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 36 00:00 Introductio…

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INTRODUCING — Artificial Evolution

4M ago

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In 1996, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned animal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. What exactly has happened, where are we headed, and are we OK about it? In Artificial Evolution, our latest series of Science Friction, ABC environment reporter Peter de Kruijff follows the story of gene technolo…

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Supplementary Material 35: Cult Leaders, Gurus, and Evil Economists 29:43

4M ago29:43

29:43

We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 35 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 35 00:05 Introduction 01:52 Matt's Apology 06:55 Just Life... 12:34 Matt's Foodie Corner 14:01…

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Naval Ravikant: Predictable Polemics and Empty Aphorisms 3:08:40

4M ago3:08:40

3:08:40

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, …

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Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth 1:19:39

5M ago1:19:39

1:19:39

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, a…

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Supplementary Material 34: Giants, Grifters, and Google Eyed Loons 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

We drown in waves of ideological fluidity as the gurusphere continues to crash all around us. Supplementary Material 34 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Irish Stew and Dog Exercise Report 03:45 A new 276 IQ Genius 11:47 Fresh and Fit Antisemitism 16:51 Are things getting dumber? 21:22 Asmongold on the Epstein Files 24:53 Epstein Conspiratorial Discourse he…

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He's Just Not That Into You 1:00:09

5M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

How one comedian's offhand advice launched a decent TV episode, a mediocre book and a terrible movie. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Susan Faludi's "Backlash" For Women Who Count on Men to Be Jerks Bridget Jones’s Legacy Single Women in Popular …

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A Return to Gary World 3:41:20

5M ago3:41:20

3:41:20

In this exhausting deep dive, Matt and Chris take a break from counting their billionaire stipends to devote (what some might call) an inordinate amount of time to Gary Stevenson’s recent appearance with a challenging interviewer: Tomás from Despolariza. They grapple with the indeterminacy of Schrödinger’s Gary, who oscillates between being an econ…

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Mini Decoding: Sabine's Contrarian Outrage- How Dare You Criticise Eric! 59:02

5M ago59:02

59:02

In this mini-decoding, Matt and Chris examine Sabine Hossenfelder's recent fervent defence of Eric Weinstein and her sharp rebuke of his critics, including Sean Carroll. Sabine suggests that Eric poses a genuine threat to the physics establishment and that he is terrifying them by exposing their weak points. Moreover, according to Sabine, Geometric…

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Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks 39:40

5M ago39:40

39:40

In this packed supplementary episode, we tackle all of the urgent global issues, ranging from Epstein file conspiracies to Matt’s immense love of a fantasy game where dwarves punch ducks for fun. Along the way, we’re joined by a stellar cast of commentators, including some old favourites. Strap in… it’s a long one. Supplementary Material 33 00:00 I…

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Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink" 57:44

5M ago57:44

57:44

Did you know that in the split-second it took you to read the title of this episode, your subconscious already figured out that it was going to be extremely good? Peter and Michael talk about Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink," a book that is mostly cute scientific anecdotes but also indirectly resulted in millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted on fraud…

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Required Readings: Buddhism - A Journey Through History 28:53

6M ago28:53

28:53

In this episode of "Decoding Academia: Required Readings", Chris and Matt take a joint stroll through the history of Buddhism through Donald S. Lopez Jr.'s latest book, 'Buddhism: A Journey Through History.' We discuss the unexpected historical and cultural facets of Buddhism, how modern interpretations can often romanticise ancient practices, and …

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05 | Brain Rot: Meet the people who ditched their smartphones. Is it worth it? 25:45

6M ago25:45

25:45

We’ve all dreamt of lobbing our smartphone into the ocean and going off grid. So what happens when you follow through with it? For our final episode of Brain Rot, we speak to the people who decided they’d had enough. From a French village, to Gen Z ‘luddites’ in New York City and a group of parents in regional Victoria, there are clubs, campaigns a…

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Mind, Culture & Visual Illusions: Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone on Visual Illusions 1:06:48

6M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

In this academic-themed interview episode of Decoding the Gurus, Matt and Chris sit down to chat with Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone (@chazfirestone) about their recent paper 'Is Visual Perception WEIRD? The Müller-Lyer Illusion and the Cultural Byproduct Hypothesis.' In a conversation that serves as a welcome tonic to the endless lamentations of th…

1
The Supreme Court Goes Full TERF [TEASER] 1:01:53

6M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

This is most of the episode but if you want to hear the last 20 minutes, support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

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Supplementary Material 32: A Shower of Bastards 37:24

6M ago37:24

37:24

We wallow in the mud with some of the worst gurus of the gurusphere. Join us and lament the guru paradise that we all live in. Supplementary Material 32 00:00 Introduction and Banter 01:22 Old Squeaky and Daily Life 03:53 Matthew McConaughey Episode Recap 08:13 The Liver King Controversy 16:14 Nazi Propaganda on YouTube 21:11 Historical Revisionism…

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04 | Brain Rot: Is internet addiction real? 25:37

6M ago25:37

25:37

Plenty of people will say they are addicted to the internet. But how well-recognised, scientifically, is an addiction ... to your screen? In episode four of Brain Rot, we dig into how behavioural addictions work. And we hear from self-described internet addicts about the treatment programs that help them stay “internet sober”. Brain Rot is a new fi…