Let’s talk. Do you guys have any questions for me? About previous podcast topics, future topics, related issues, my politics, general questions…? AMA. *EDIT* Well, I asked for it. I’ll be working through these during my breaks from reading/writing.
Would you possibly do an episode that covers the rise of Maoist China? I was especially wanting to know about the period of the Great Leap Forward and the resulting famine. My ex-wife’s parents lived through it but we were divorced before I ever had the idea to ask Ze or Nan (my ex-inlaws) about their experiences during it. Your work concerning Poland/Ukraine/Romania/Russia in The Anti-Humans got me more curious about what happened in China.
I debated posting this request since you didn't ask, but would you please NOT to discuss current event culture war stuff?
I had to quit some great Substacks that started off quite good, but soon devolved into brain dead culture war garbage. I tried to just ignore it, but once it infected the topics like some poisonous weed it eventually destroyed everything. If I wanted culture war, I would watch cable news. I come here to get away from that.
I'm sorry if I sound defensive. I'm just exhausted by it and really appreciate that you focus on ideas rather than what offends you.
I hope this is taken in the spirit it was intended. Thanks
Howdy Darryl, have you considered posting a list of books you have read/recommendations?
Since the price of most colleges these days far outweighs the benefits of the education they provide, I've made it my goal to try and educate myself through reading. Unfortunately, I don't know what I don't know, and your podcasts have turned me on to so many different books and subjects (Melian dialogue, Days of Rage, Bloodlands, etc) that I would have never given the time of day beforehand. I cannot imagine that I am the only listener who could benefit from a proper reading list.
I'm ecstatic for you to be covering the labor movement, the topic deserves the depth that you provide!
Like a lot of people here I’m sure, my introduction to you was Fear and Loathing in New Jerusalem. It was amazing, many times over recommended to others. Can you talk a bit about to your experience with feedback after it came out? Anytime you approach conversation re: Israel/Palestine, there tend to be…strong feelings from organized groups. Can you talk about the response that you got post-release and does that response shape any of the feelings you arrived at during your research and reading while creating the series?
After listening to your most recent podcast with Jocko, I’d love to hear you talk more about the (non-classified) capabilities of the major modern militaries including the US, UK, China, Russia, etc. I’d also love to hear you discuss anything Cold War related. Thanks!
Any chance you'd be interested in doing a podcast on the French Revolution? Always been fascinated by it and it does have some significance to our current times.
How do your organize your notes surrounding a topic you want to cover? You consume a ton of material and knowledge compounds and builds on itself along with mental connections and then practically speaking what's your production organization look like?
Hope all is well. You [obviously] tackle a lot of very dark subjects in your podcasting work. I've always wondered:
1. Since the beginning of MM, has your outlook on humanity in general changed for the better or worse with the processing of all this difficult material, and if for the better, what do you think accounts for that, or what do you do to balance all of the darkness?
2. Do you have a criteria for "satisfying your own curiosity"? It may differ w/ each topic, but a hallmark of your series is the tendency to dive very deeply into the subjects, with the occasional [very lengthy] "tangent" being a feature, not a bug, and not always arguably even a tangent. Maybe more simply put, you seem not satisfied by simple answers, and just wondering what your threshold is for personally feeling like you grasp the complexity of a topic, or where you feel like there's further to go [i.e. more tangents, but don't have the time, etc...]
3. If you could have two hours to talk with any single figure you've covered in any of your work, who would it be and what would you ask them? [assume things like language / their potentially being dead / etc aren't an issue].
4. Second all the below process questions about finding the sheer time to take in, synthesize the stuff, and figure out how to put it together in a compelling narrative; specifically those about criteria for what gets cut / what doesn't.
5. Doubly second any questions re: MM reading lists
I know you said the recent Nietzche/Dostoyevsky podcast was a bit out of your comfort zone, but honestly I think it was one of your best so far. Made me wonder what else you think we really ought to be reading but probably aren’t?
What are your thought on religion? I personally am a newly confirmed Catholic which funny enough was actually started from reading Dostoevsky. If it is too personal no worries!
Would you possibly do an episode that covers the rise of Maoist China? I was especially wanting to know about the period of the Great Leap Forward and the resulting famine. My ex-wife’s parents lived through it but we were divorced before I ever had the idea to ask Ze or Nan (my ex-inlaws) about their experiences during it. Your work concerning Poland/Ukraine/Romania/Russia in The Anti-Humans got me more curious about what happened in China.
Have you ever considered doing an episode or series on The Troubles in Northern Ireland?
I debated posting this request since you didn't ask, but would you please NOT to discuss current event culture war stuff?
I had to quit some great Substacks that started off quite good, but soon devolved into brain dead culture war garbage. I tried to just ignore it, but once it infected the topics like some poisonous weed it eventually destroyed everything. If I wanted culture war, I would watch cable news. I come here to get away from that.
I'm sorry if I sound defensive. I'm just exhausted by it and really appreciate that you focus on ideas rather than what offends you.
I hope this is taken in the spirit it was intended. Thanks
Howdy Darryl, have you considered posting a list of books you have read/recommendations?
Since the price of most colleges these days far outweighs the benefits of the education they provide, I've made it my goal to try and educate myself through reading. Unfortunately, I don't know what I don't know, and your podcasts have turned me on to so many different books and subjects (Melian dialogue, Days of Rage, Bloodlands, etc) that I would have never given the time of day beforehand. I cannot imagine that I am the only listener who could benefit from a proper reading list.
I'm ecstatic for you to be covering the labor movement, the topic deserves the depth that you provide!
Keep on keeping on,
Joe
Like a lot of people here I’m sure, my introduction to you was Fear and Loathing in New Jerusalem. It was amazing, many times over recommended to others. Can you talk a bit about to your experience with feedback after it came out? Anytime you approach conversation re: Israel/Palestine, there tend to be…strong feelings from organized groups. Can you talk about the response that you got post-release and does that response shape any of the feelings you arrived at during your research and reading while creating the series?
After listening to your most recent podcast with Jocko, I’d love to hear you talk more about the (non-classified) capabilities of the major modern militaries including the US, UK, China, Russia, etc. I’d also love to hear you discuss anything Cold War related. Thanks!
Super excited for a reading list, as I’ve drawn a ton (informally) from your podcasts already and would be excited for more
Can America/Americans dig themselves out of this progressive bureaucratic hole we’ve dug ourselves in to?
Any chance you'd be interested in doing a podcast on the French Revolution? Always been fascinated by it and it does have some significance to our current times.
How do your organize your notes surrounding a topic you want to cover? You consume a ton of material and knowledge compounds and builds on itself along with mental connections and then practically speaking what's your production organization look like?
Hello Darryl,
Hope all is well. You [obviously] tackle a lot of very dark subjects in your podcasting work. I've always wondered:
1. Since the beginning of MM, has your outlook on humanity in general changed for the better or worse with the processing of all this difficult material, and if for the better, what do you think accounts for that, or what do you do to balance all of the darkness?
2. Do you have a criteria for "satisfying your own curiosity"? It may differ w/ each topic, but a hallmark of your series is the tendency to dive very deeply into the subjects, with the occasional [very lengthy] "tangent" being a feature, not a bug, and not always arguably even a tangent. Maybe more simply put, you seem not satisfied by simple answers, and just wondering what your threshold is for personally feeling like you grasp the complexity of a topic, or where you feel like there's further to go [i.e. more tangents, but don't have the time, etc...]
3. If you could have two hours to talk with any single figure you've covered in any of your work, who would it be and what would you ask them? [assume things like language / their potentially being dead / etc aren't an issue].
4. Second all the below process questions about finding the sheer time to take in, synthesize the stuff, and figure out how to put it together in a compelling narrative; specifically those about criteria for what gets cut / what doesn't.
5. Doubly second any questions re: MM reading lists
Thank you.
Are all successful civilizations doomed to degenerate? Asking for a friend
I know you said the recent Nietzche/Dostoyevsky podcast was a bit out of your comfort zone, but honestly I think it was one of your best so far. Made me wonder what else you think we really ought to be reading but probably aren’t?
Did your decision to "quit your day job" have anything to do with vaccine mandates?
And thanks love your work!
Any plans on incorporating the now shutdown Decline of the West podcast into future episodes of Martyr Made?
What are your thought on religion? I personally am a newly confirmed Catholic which funny enough was actually started from reading Dostoevsky. If it is too personal no worries!