Recommendations for May 2023
What I'm Reading and Listening To
What follows is a list of articles, podcasts, videos, etc. that I have recently taken up, and which you may find useful. I do not agree with everything here, but the material is either interesting, or has spurred me to think more deeply about history, economics, science, and society.
On a separate note, if you enjoy my content, then please share it widely and encourage your friends to subscribe. I realize I am a nobody on the internet, but I get joy from interacting with my readers.
Good Articles
- , who writes at Postcards from Barsoom.
In this piece, Carter neatly summarizes the Millennial experience of growing up in a dying America, and how Elon Musk has located himself as a counterculture figure in the midst of this malaise. The essay speaks to a generation that has been lied to about 9/11, the Iraq war, race, sex, pandemics, Ukraine, and everything. Despite the grim subject matter, Carter ends his reflection on a positive note. “Why Elite Libertarians Failed so Miserably on COVID” by Jeffrey Tucker, President and Founder of The Brownstone Institute.
Despite their tendency to criticize government excesses, establishment libertarians failed when it came to COVID. Tucker explains why his fellow libertarians supported lockdowns, vaccine mandates, travel restrictions, and other insane policies.“What are the risks and benefits of each vaccine?” by the excellent
, who is a qualified physician.
Since the COVID vaccine is harmful and ineffective, does this mean other vaccines are as well? This article answers that question, and is especially useful for parents, who should bring up these points with their family doctor.“The Taco Truck Delusion” by Chris Brunet (aka
). Brunet left his native Canada to live in Mexico, only to find that it is not the libertine paradise many conceive of it as being. He dissects ‘The Latin Hammer,’ and suggests that immigration policy must take culture into account.“Britcoin - The Ugly Truth: How to Protect Your Wealth From Central Bank Digital Currencies” by John Butler, Investment and Editorial Director at Southbank Investment Research.
I have already highlighted a few of the risks of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) here, but Butler goes into more detail. He argues that you should build a ‘CBDC defensive portfolio,’ which prioritizes cash flow from sectors with stable margins and pricing power. Butler also recommends investing in precious metals.
Worthwhile Videos and Podcasts
Andrew Huberman on The Joe Rogan Experience. Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University who advocates cold plunges, working out, waking up naturally, and saunas. I also recommend watching this random guy, who attempted Huberman’s morning routine.
Some of Huberman’s material is esoteric and borders on Oriental spirituality, which of course I reject, but much of it appears to be based on scientific research.Billionaire Michael Saylor’s latest interview with Kitco, in which he mocks gold and praises Bitcoin. For those who do not know, Saylor is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy, a publicly-traded company which holds 140,000 Bitcoin. He is the most intelligent Bitcoiner I have come across.
However, in this interview, Saylor admits that he is a “Bitcoin realist,” and that for Bitcoin to be widely adopted, it would need a network of custodial institutions like banks. How is this any different from gold? If anything, this ruins the case for Bitcoin. I make exactly this point in my article.Mark Moss says the United States could introduce a Social Credit Score, like the one China has. Moss shows how the ‘Digital Panopticon’ of control is unfolding, why this could end your freedom, and suggests what you can do about it. I have been following Moss for a while now, and can recommend his material in general.
Surviving a -36° Celsius (-33° Fahrenheit) Night Outdoors with No Tent or Sleeping Bag. This man camped out in the frozen Albertan wilderness, carrying only a hatchet, knife, kettle, ferro rod (fire-starter), packet of dry food, and camera. He survived. My eyes were glued to every second of this video. I just wish I possessed this man’s survival skills.
Call of Faith: The Story of an American Orthodox Priest That Moved to Russia is a short video about Fr. Joseph Gleason, an Orthodox priest from Texas who grew tired of the LGBT propaganda, feminism, and warmongering in the West. In 2017, he fled with his family to Rostov Veliky, a small town in Russia, and has grown to love his new life. Fr. Joseph has his own Substack at
I should also mention that I am reading The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy by William Strauss and Neil Howe. I am only 100 pages or so in, but so far the book is excellent; it offers a new way to think about American history, based on generational cycles and dynamics. It also explains why Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Zoomers behave the way they do.
I hope this list of articles, videos, and podcasts is beneficial to you. Have a good week, and feel free to leave a comment.