The Illusion of Consensus

Jake Kozloski, founder and CEO of Keeper, joins me to explain why he believes modern dating apps are structurally broken—and how AI could radically change the way people find long-term partners. We discuss Hinge’s attempt to acquire Keeper, why the deal fell apart, the incentives keeping users swiping, and what Keeper’s data reveals about attraction, compatibility, sex, and marriage. Jake also breaks down how his AI matchmaking system works, why most dating apps optimize for quantity over quality, and whether technology could eventually become better than humans at finding our ideal partner.

In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Ryan Soave for a wide-ranging conversation about addiction, obsession, anxiety, and the pressures of modern life. We discuss why addictive behaviors are often attempts to solve deeper emotional problems, the blurry line between healthy ambition and destructive obsession, why external success often fails to make us feel seen or fulfilled, and my idea of “diversifying your dopamine” by building multiple sources of meaning, pleasure, connection, and purpose. We also explore whether modern life is making us more anxious, why too much freedom can paradoxically make us less free, how virtual reality can trigger remarkably real fear responses, and why a good therapist should sometimes challenge you rather than simply validate you.

In this episode, independent journalist Rav Arora interviews Max Martin, co-founder of Enhanced Games, about the future of human performance, the role of enhancements in sports, and the societal implications of biohacking and personalized medicine. They explore the innovative approach to athletic competitions, media strategies, and the potential for enhancements to transform health and longevity. Subscribe to The Illusion of Consensus newsletter to get episodes straight to your inbox: https://www.illusionconsensus.com/

Bret Weinstein joins Rav Arora on The Illusion of Consensus to discuss dating, mating, sex, relationships, marriage, pornography, OnlyFans, dating apps and the collapse of courtship among Gen Z. Weinstein, an evolutionary theorist, author of A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century and host of The DarkHorse Podcast, explains modern romance through evolutionary biology, including male mating strategies, monogamy, mate selection and the effects of contraception. The conversation covers Valentine’s Day, sexual signals, promiscuity, long-term commitment, the rise of the “sex recession”, and new concerns around declining dating among young people. Rav and Bret also discuss Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Andrew Tate, Nick Fuentes, The Weeknd, Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid while examining how pop culture, social media and technology shape relationships today. Subscribe to Rav’s Substack to get podcasts straight to your inbox: https://www.illusionconsensus.com/

Groundbreaking Study Reveals Psilocybin Can CRUSH Smoking Addiction | Dr Matt Johnson Psilocybin Beats Nicotine Patches in BREAKTHROUGH Smoking Trial | Dr Matt Johnson Johns Hopkins Scientist Reveals Psilocybin OUTPERFORMS Patches for Smokers | Dr Matt Johnson Matt Johnson joins Rav Arora on The Illusion of Consensus to discuss his new JAMA Network Open study on psilocybin, nicotine patches, CBT and smoking cessation. A Johns Hopkins psychiatry and behavioural sciences professor, Johnson has been central to modern psychedelic research, including work on psilocybin for addiction, depression and end of life distress. He explains why one psilocybin session paired with CBT showed higher six month smoking abstinence rates than nicotine patch treatment with CBT, and what that could mean for tobacco use disorder. The discussion also covers vaping, nicotine harm reduction, the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, addiction treatment, mystical experiences, emotional breakthrough, neuroplasticity, agency and why psychedelics may help people change entrenched behaviour. Rav and his guest examine both the promise and the risks of psychedelic therapy, including bad experiences, vulnerable patients, clinical safeguards and the future of FDA approved addiction treatments. Link to Matt’s Paper: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846155 Subscribe to Rav’s Substack for exclusive content: https://www.illusionconsensus.com/