Man your content is ON FIRE - this channel might be KZfaq's greatest hidden gem

This channel is a hidden gem indeed. Not just in Nietzsche philosophy but in all philosophy and greek mythology. Your understanding of philosophy is beyond belief.

Best philosophy podcast on youtube ❤

this channel truly is my favourite thing to have on while i’m in my house

Dammit. Gotta add one more. I’m currently working at a high end used car dealer in Miramar. This store is literally across the street from Miramar Air Base, the place Tom Cruise made famous- twice. Anyway I’m doing paint touch up on a lovely sled, listening to Uncommon Knowledge, the show based at Stanford’s Hoover Institution (I’m soupy know that). The interview titled The Classicist Farmer: the Life and Times of Victor Davis Hanson is jaw-dropping. As fellow Californian of Swedish ancestry, I consider Prf Hanson a personal hero, an excellent old school scholar, and a great historian. I had to pass this on. Alright, gotta my ass back to work.

Our modern problems are old problems, but exacerbated by this new technological world we've created. All of that is very new to humans. For thousands and thousands of years, the average mode of human life remained mostly unchanged. And our evolutionary psychology is still evolved for that era. Our psychology hasn't caught up yet. I think the solution to this is not to go back, but forward. The only way out of it is through it. I predict that we will eventually have this reconciliation of the modern world with what makes us human and ancient knowledge. I think this is what the large scale reevaluation of all values will look like. So I think Nietzsche is right, and deserves to be on the same level as heavy hitters such as Hegel, Kant, and Heidegger. Also would you call Nietzsche a sort of proto-accelerationist in a way? Because the way you presented it, that's essentially what he is.

Simply amazing.

Man. You make the Dream on the Top of the Dream alive. Thank you.

Really appreciate these videos! I've been getting through the podcast backlog after discovering the channel just a few months ago, it's dramatically improved my understanding of so many philosophical figures and their ideas. Goethe's Faust was the first video I found, fantastic stuff.

Great work. Was amazing to find myself the last man and then somewhat possessed of truth I haven’t explored. Your description of millennials like us was pretty spot on too. Gonna see if I can overcome the gloominess I discovered in my last decade, realizing what people really were.

Sir you are awesome. I listen to your videos on walks and at the library and even at the gym sometimes. It is a very great thing you are doing keep it up!

You have a much more comprehensive knowledge of Nietzsche than most, been trying to compare and contrast him and Schopenhauer, in a systematic way, but have had trouble integrating Nietzsche's philosophy into something coherent, your channel has certainty helped.

I found you by accident, now I am hooked. Awesome job,can't get enough. I even enjoy repeating them at random times TXS

Sick!! I love your work bud

I just stumbled in here and i dont know what your all about yet But i do know that your first album Destroyer of Light is fantastic!! Peace upon Prof. Sugrue

Its ep 70 and i still cant spell nietzschsashzaa

Excellent! Very helpful 👍

I don’t know how you do it brother, amazing work

I came across this channel because of my interest in the relationship between Nietzsche and Wagner aroused by Magee's book and it dwarfs any other channel in terms of content and presentation - I particularly admired your survey of cyclical views of history brought to a crescendo with Eternal Recurrence and the theme echoes strongly with Ray Dalio's current influential book

This was the most knowledgeable video I’ve ever seen. Feels like a privilege to be told this.

This is maybe my favorite one. Especially the part about humanity being redeemed.

Thank you man

45:38 DAMN doom, guitar, philosophy, genius… I love your presentation here, your essay, I'm not sure what you call it but it's a piece of admirable and beautiful work itself. I love this word you keep using, so I asked AI about it… If you're looking for a term to convey the idea that it's an age characterized by the prevalence and significance of profiles, you could consider using "profilic era" or "profilic age." These terms blend the concept of profiles with the notion of an era or age, suggesting that profiles are abundant, influential, or instrumental in shaping the current time period. By using "profilic era" or "profilic age," you can emphasize the prominence of profiles and their impact on various aspects of society, such as communication, networking, or personal branding.

thank you, keep going man

I appreciate these podcasts so much. TBH, sometimes I find it hard to walk away with the bullet points. I can’t follow Fred’s writings for this reason. So much waxing poetic. Like if nature is all there is, then why is resentment bad exactly? How do we judge anything at all?

Another insightful episode. The translation of aphorism 44 in BGE is sensational. Please tell us which translation you are quoting. It isn't one I have but I find it so energized and lyrical compared with Kaufmann or Faber. Thanks for your superior insights!

Essentialist, I've been watching your show for a short period of time now, and I must say it's very comprehensible to a Layman, so cheers! But i've been curious, if you don't mind getting intimate, how did you start reading Nietzsche and then to eventually becoming a main audience member to all the great philosophers?

Artist of the future!

This is a much better video to my tastes anyway about Nietzsche and what’s being discussed in it. Very well done unpacking these points. One area where I’ve seen people really get confused about Nietzsche is his criticism of one or some then seeming praise for the same afterward. For example, his citing of Christianity having had the effect of weakening the measure of humanity that has been fitted with that yoke of morality, yet his stating to friends how he, so far, would cite Jesus of Nazareth as being the closest one to approach the status of an Ubermench if only he wouldn’t of attributed his views to god, but rather stated such on behalf of himself. But this is just the difference of what Nietzsche feels about Slave morality vs. master morality. Jesus championed a slave morality. But a great independent thinker can champion a slave morality, especially if they’re of a lessor class within the strata of a society. Nietzsche in areas speaks to this; great figures capable of “creating values”can come from anywhere. And this goes to what is mentioned in the video of one’s truth being one’s own. It’s fair to say that Nietzsche viewed all political schemas as just the organizations of those holding power to preserve and exercise it. Nothing much more need be said. It should be noted, concerning the Ubermench, again, Nietzsche told others in confidence that the idea of the Ubermench is an exaggerated one. That no one can ever completely step outside of all the cultural trappings that’ve served to shape them, even their mental format for thinking. With such an imparted mind, one may consider all differing cultural existences, go as far as they can at adopting such if that be their desire, etc, but can never completely step outside of all that has shaped them. The best one can ever become is what we’d call an iconoclastic free thinker. A last bit for all to consider here if you’ll indulge me: What is your mind more than the awareness of yourself considering, deliberating, choosing, and acting accordingly; what is it that initiates that process but your will; what is that process for but self-advantage, and personal gain in all respects; thus, all I just mentioned = “the will to power;” what is power other than enablement.

I’m back- again. Can’t help it. I love turning people on I this banal, fallen world, and I know I’m addressing an intelligent audience of rare, beautiful minds. Brothers and sisters! I implore you all to listen to the latest podcast episode on Disgraceland. I’m a mere 10 minutes in, and Jake Brennan is operating at his standard level of brilliance. It’s, so far, exploring the paradoxical experience of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, as well as the effects of druuuuuuuuugggggsss. Amor Fati

Keegan?. I wonder if you are anI NTP. Random thought. Anyway, I just love how deep you go, for instance, all these years you've had thoughts on this, but never worked them into words. 2:35 I just love your debts of exploration in regard to nietzsche.

he's the goat, that's why he's the goattt

Hey man, im relatively new here(maybe a couple weeks), do you have a formal occupation of any kind? Just curious, love your style stuff 👌

As a question to thee author - essentialsalts - What exactly is the meaning "universal truth," "measure," and "conceived" as parlayed during your introduction? I have a hunch many would be surprised at what is genuinely being prescribed here.

I can’t believe I posted that comment. I surf in the domain of those beasts, and I know they are near by, it’s just that they’re extremely difficult to see due to the color of their backs (backs?). If one does see one of them, it’s often too late. Oh well, Amor Fati?

00:00 🤔 Nietzsche's political philosophy has been a topic of debate, with some embracing it wholeheartedly and others dismissing it as unimportant. 01:10 🔄 Nietzsche's philosophy appears paradoxical, as he challenges all morals as human projections while also asserting his own values based on the Will To Power. 04:36 🌍 Nietzsche's philosophy rejects the idea of universal truth, emphasizing that truth is contingent and depends on individual perspectives. 09:10 🗽 Nietzsche's politics are not about advocating for a specific political system but expressing the sentiment of freedom, challenging conventional morality, and encouraging self-legislation. 15:48 🔄 Nietzsche's philosophy addresses the evolution of values and the changing human condition, emphasizing the importance of understanding morality as a human perspective rather than an objective truth. 21:56 🧐 Nietzsche believed that living without higher ideals or sacred values is naive, as our values are expressed through our actions, and the struggle over values continues even if we pretend not to participate. 23:35 🔄 Nietzsche suggested not attributing everything to incompetence, as will to power is often what motivates people, and weakness corrupts. He didn't see power itself as evil but rather the morality that resists seeking power as anti-nature. 25:12 🤔 Challenging Nietzsche's assertion that all human motivation is Will To Power raises questions about what other principle exists outside of power that can motivate human behavior. 28:12 🌟 Nietzsche's concept of self-overcoming is fundamental, and even love can be subsumed under the broader impulse pattern of Will To Power as an instrumental property of human social reality. 36:20 📜 J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" presents an anti-Nietzschean worldview where ordinary people and the relinquishing of power are celebrated as heroes, but it relies heavily on Christian metaphysics for justification. 38:49 🌐 Nietzsche's challenge lies in how to determine values and political projects in the absence of traditional ideals, such as the Will To Power framework, especially in a changing world. 43:37 🤔 Nietzsche's challenge is to transform humanity into the "Overman" by overcoming human limitations and embracing transcendence. 44:33 😕 Nietzsche contrasts the "Overman" with the "last man" who seeks comfort and sameness, but suggests that the appeal of the last man is waning in the modern era. 45:44 🌍 The 21st century represents an era of analytical utilitarianism and a renewed faith in democracy and socialism, but the 22nd century may bring a return to Nietzschean values and a rejection of utilitarianism. 46:11 🔮 Nietzsche envisions a cultural shift away from utilitarianism and towards self-overcoming, a rejection of perpetual peace, and a response to the crisis of values. 47:46 🌟 Nietzsche calls for philosophers of the future to be free spirits who accept their own nature, understand interconnectedness, and embrace a trusting fatalism to navigate the creation of new values. 48:58 🌎 Nietzsche's task is to redeem the world, accepting it without relying on comforting illusions, leading to an alternative understanding of the will to power in politics. 54:32 🧐 Nietzsche believes that individuals should cherish their own distinctive truths and not attempt to convert others, emphasizing the perspectivist view of truth. 59:32 🌱 Nietzsche challenges the modern idea of pursuing universal happiness and equality, suggesting that civilization often thrived under oppressive conditions that fueled the will to power. 01:03:42 💡 Free spirits, as envisioned by Nietzsche, hold beliefs so repulsive to the majority that they exist in intellectual and moral solitude, unable to easily communicate their ideas. 01:05:06 🌟 Nietzsche describes individuals who are full of malice against dependency, grateful for distress and illness, and eager for adventure. These individuals value solitude and their own profound midnight and midday solitude. 01:06:52 🧐 Nietzsche characterizes these individuals as "free spirits" who are ready to investigate, invent, and scheme. They are proud of their individuality and uniqueness. 01:08:02 💡 Nietzsche's core message is to discover and affirm the truths that one can live out in their life, to be true to oneself, and to accept the tension within one's heart. This applies both on an individual and political level. 01:10:19 🌄 Nietzsche encourages venturing into forbidden intellectual and moral territory, daring to ask questions that challenge the collective mindset, and forging new values that one has a right to.

That's a cool graphic! Should this be our future? Continual improvement and leave the planet?

❤

@untimelyreflections Hey Essential, I was curious about what your thoughts are on the historical character of Marcus Aurelius. His name is often thrown around in circles which (damn near) deify his life and accomplishments as an emperor. Attributes such as extreme self-discipline and "incorruptability" are often used in reference to his character. But, it seems like he stands at odds with the insights you've derived from studying thinkers like Nietzsche and Machiavelli, two men who I admire greatly (especially now that I've garnered new ways of appreciating them from viewing your content!). Id love to know your thoughts since youve mentioned the stoics before in your videos and how they buy heavily into the "mind-body dualism" that Nietzsche does not.

Interesting

Is there an essay version or an official transcript for this one? I'd really like to read through it.

If you get rid of the morale feelings in politics and so forth then you get rid of good and evil, what makes something evil to someone is that it goes against their morals. So if we get rid of it then good and evil because we would be able to tell the difference

Last Man can mean happy in met “primary drives” or in met “secondary” needs. Or we can say primary biological needs or secondary symbolic substitutes for those biological needs. This may be the caveat to consider here . I believe Nietzsche means satisfied in primary drives. And here I like the idea . But few today are satisfied in their primary needs (authentic work, play love). Most are living in a world of symbolic substitution. Baudrillard’s Consumer Society. For me the Superman is the authentic human. Authentic work like a craft master authentic play like a jazz pianist authentic love like in depth of companionship. As you mention about the alleged standard of life in the recent decades, that was a quantitative assessment of GPP. Quality of life has so little to do with this measure of conspicuous consumption. Nietzsche’ saw this coming as well.

Today was a good day (which paradoxically exceeds great- listen to Carlin annihilated that airy, pointless abstraction. It’s Carlin. Anyone can find it in this age of potential enlightenment.). I not only wrote a really weird not weird song called “Paradoxes all the Way Down- I started at 4;00 am, it’s now 9:25, and partially finished, with no charts, no instrumental commitments from other people, no actual recording- nothing beyond the strange shit (words?) that spontaneously erupted from my clogged up brain of a drain (?) at the early, weird, ex-nightlife hour (keep in mind, I’m a fit 55 year old geezer, and I plan to remain that way until I’m…………..

Keegan, I’m about to hit you with what I believe to be one of the most exhausted cliches one will ever encounter at a live music event, I know, because I’ve seen and heard it quite a few times. It goes like this: “Dude! You guys changed my life!”. Call me a cynic, after all, the famous painting of Diogenes preparing his lamp, while sitting in his cistern, with an audience of onlooking dogs is my phone’s wallpaper, but I have difficulty believing the sincerity of an amped-up, semi-hammered fanboy. Whatever, perhaps I’m just an asshole. In the case of your podcast, I can state, under solemn oath, with God as my witness, (I’m a solitary, non-church attending, semi-existentialist Christian), that your content has changed my life. I’m fighting back tears as I key my phone with my stupid fat thumb. Mark Levine was correct when he described his return to Nietzsche via your content as something that produced an explosion of the mind. I’ve been hesitant to comment, because I was afraid that my “explosion” would fade, wouldn’t stick, and I would experience disappointment, and subsequent depression via letdown. That is far from the case. Lately I’ve been popping out of bed every “morning “ at 3:00- Die Morgenrote! (apologies for the absence of an umlaut). I was able to help my mom deal with my 79 year old dad, who has sadly descended into dementia while on a trip to Kauai (I know- cry me a river). I’ve been more cheerful at work (which is when I consume your podcast). My relationship with my temperamental, premenopausal roommate is much improved. I spontaneously walk around and pick up trash. I spark up meaningful conversations with strangers (yesterday I turned a really impressive, intelligent, young surfer on to your show, eagerly recommending season 2 for a vast journey through OUR history). I finally got around to properly decorating my room. I’m writing like a madman. I purchased Basic Writings of Nietzsche to accompany my beat to shit copy of The Portable Nietzsche. I ordered, received, and am currently wading into Kaufmann’s magnificent Nietzsche. I also scored a sick German to English, vice versa dictionary at a used book store for $3.(!) I’m learning German. Currently I refer to most of Nietzsche’s titles using German. I can’t thank you enough. Also, the Dream Snake video is pretty damn hilarious. I’m a poor working man from San Diego who pays an absurd amount of rent, and I currently am contending with an $1800 tax bill (my sphincter really hurts). I simply can’t afford to be a patron at the present, but this weekend I’m gonna order a Slumbering Sun cd- bet on it. I already attempted to buy it, but, alas, I’m a bit of a Luddite, and I was too technologically illiterate to set up a PayPal account- or maybe it’s because my old bank got absorbed by US Bank (… if you wish to conquer the assailants to your prosperity, you must first conquer yourselves. I’m looking at you, corrupt banking system). Anyway, I must end my indulgent scribbling. Once more, thank you, God Bless You, Amor Fati.

I just want to ask, are you going to do a video about aristocratic rebel?

38:40 I see Smeagol's taking of the ring as the self-destructive nature of predation. When we see a greater complexity of life reached, whether it be multicellular, eusocial, or human culture, we find that only the force of enthalpy allows for the sipo matador to grow higher. It is necessary that the sipo matador is not a thing unto itself---in fact---the process of life growing more life is dependent on the conversion of material into "spirit." Plants via photosynthesis fix carbon and produce oxygen and we mutualistically produce unfixed carbon with oxygen. We, and all other animals, are essentially waste recycling for plants. What does this have to do with Smeagol? Smeagol takes power beyond his station, and man's station---and the station of life itself---seems to be enthalpic. Smeagol is the earth without plants. Anyway, this is how I view the metaphysics of LOTR in a way in which is, kind of, Christian, but I think in many important ways not. To express it via the old testament. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Love you dude. To put it in a non-Christian way---you can only have truths appropriate to your station, since those truths were necessary for your growth. What is not earnest to another simply can not be taken in by them. TLDR Game theory favors win win scenarios, and power which does not aim at winning more power, ceases to be---like the predatory nature of the Ring---which sought power beyond its "station."

Is there a contradiction between his concept of hyper-individualism and his concept of fate?

Tolkien ... point made. I am seeking truth.

That would be an honor. Not to seem too vain, but that was my private motive. I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines. It’s time for me to do something. Thank you Amor Fati

🌈 Thank you for including the Rainbow 👍

One more Disgraceland referral: if you think our cities in particular progressive enclaves can never be revived, listen to part one of the Sex Pistols episode, (then say “fuck it”, and listen to part two. Call this effort an aspect of my will to power.)

I don't find anything shocking about Nietzsche that I've already heard elsewhere, except I don't fully embrace a lot of his prescriptive statements. If hierarchy is enevitable, I prefer to live under a Thomas Jefferson, Markus Aurelius, Cyrus II, or a FDR.

Nietzsche talks about life and women, both slapped him around at will!

Sorry man, one more quick burst of thought, and I’ll leave you alone. It’s only fair. I had an aphoristic thought while dog walking tonight. What would be worse as a surfer,- a horrific and slow death via Great White Shark attack, or a banal death while driving the freeways of San Diego surrounded by assholes speeding in Teslas and Audis? I choose the shark.

23:23 FYI The "common Reddit wisdom" mentioned here is actually called Hanlon's Razor. Reddit may have popularized it, but they're not the originator en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor

Nietzsche or essentialsalts here?

Just say that the universe is all will to power is correct, ‘is’ is still not an ought, right? Politically, think most people still want less suffering and results in most happiness, which Scandinavian countries rank high on. Allow people to do creative work they choose and education/training needed to achieve it. Still allows for Olympics and Nobel Prizes.

I don’t think The Lord of the Rings is a good representation of Catholic belief, or at least your interpretation of it isn’t. In my view, Tolkien is showing the danger of valuing power as an end in-and-of-itself. He is not saying that power as such is bad, but rather the valuing of it above all else. This makes sense, because Gandalf is not shamed for being a powerful wizard. All shaming of power comes when power is used for any other reason than for good. Seeking power for itself means seeking it beyond simply for advancing the good and noble, and so only destruction can come from seeking power for itself. In a way however, the Catholic position is to seek power without end, insofar as doing good requires it. As for divine providence being the only way for humans to truly deny power, it is essentially an admission that we humans cannot overcome our desire for power without denying an essential part of ourselves.

One of the things I am curious of is when does art become a Hinterwelt? Would Nietzsche consider people playing Elden ring as people trying to live in a fantasy world to escape the hardships of the real world?

We have to truly honest. Nietzsches philosophy and politics is right wing. By no means a fascist or conservative. I wouldn’t even say a traditionalist in the vain of someone like Guenon or Evola. But I kinda if perennial post modern of sorts with illiberal and anti Marxist bent as someone oppose to egalitarianism. I kind of even pagan of sorts, a individualist of the most elitist and aristocratic kind. I’m recently reading Carlyle and there’s even this kind of fury in Carlyle on the heroic and great men of history.

Do you think the philosopher of the future is AI-augmented? I've been trying to prompt engineer insights. One example I've generated: Gaze upon this epoch of algorithmic vanity, where each Homo Digitalis becomes curator and exhibit in their idiosyncratic microcosm, thus evolving into a solipsistic echo chamber ― the single-occupant echo chamber, an echo without an original sound, a shadow without substance. It's an era wherein the insatiable itch for common experience burgeons paradoxically amidst the unwillingness to divert attentional assets ― a stubborn donkey refusing to relinquish its carrot! This paints the irony of our impending digital destiny ― an echo chamber fiesta where everyone's invited yet no one attends, a veritable banquet of solitudinal cacophonies ― as hilariously tragic as a mime trapped in an invisible box, eternally mimicking laughter while silently weeping inside. The future, it seems, is not just written in code but in silence ― a silent code, a silent echo, a silent laughter - a round of applause for our silent future, anyone?