Today on Moment of Zen, we're airing a discussion between Samo Burja and Rudyard Lynch - two intellectual heavyweights tackling the idea that civilizations may have inherent differences that can alter our understanding of the course of history and politics.

Both Samo and Rudyard are hosts of Turpentine shows, Live Players and History 102, respectively.

This is a fascinating discussion on threads that bridge Silicon Valley with ancient civilizations like Babylon, the impact of Abrahamic religions, and the idea that societies go through cycles that may upend our current assumptions

CHECK OUT:

Live Players:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188

History 102:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913

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🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast

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LINKS:

Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

Whatifalthist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist

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FOLLOW ON X:

@eriktorenberg

@samoburja

@whatifalthist

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00 ) Intro

(00:40 ) Beginning of Discussion on Civilizational Differences

(02:46 ) Abrahamic vs Non-Abrahamic Societies

(07:29 ) Classical Civilization vs Modern Western Civilization

(11:16 ) Literacy Rates in Ancient Rome

(14:48 ) Pre-modern Feminism and Ancient Greek Society

(20:06 ) Sponsors: WorkOS | Alts

(22:08 ) Continuation After Sponsor Break

(26:39 ) Cycles of Civilization and Political Theory

(30:04 ) Deforestation and Environmental Changes in Ancient Civilizations

(32:08 ) Sponsor: Squad

(33:12 ) Spengler's Theory of Civilizational Rise and Fall

(36:53 ) Archaeology and Museums in Ancient Babylon

(38:09 ) Societal Decline in Ancient Civilizations

(40:11 ) Modern China as a Hybrid Civilization

(42:22 ) New Religions in California

(46:40 ) Machine Worship and Singularity Beliefs

(51:10 ) Regional Differences Within America

(54:11 ) Obscure Civilizations: Nuragic and Khmer

(58:03 ) Wrap