Other Life
May 2, 2022
Web3 Gaming is Mostly a Scam with Charlie Smith, Co-Founder of Nifty Island
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We discuss what's real and what's not in web3 gaming, and the future of crypto countries. Charl3s is a cool dude I've got to know in Austin. At a party recently, I heard him spitting some fire about how most of web3 gaming is bullshit, so I brought him on to discuss.
✦ Nifty Island is a web3 game that lets players import NFTs from multiple chains
✦ Charl3s on Twitter
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More episodes from Other Life
Sep 14, 2023
The Rigor of Angels: Kant, Borges, & Heisenberg with William Egginton
I'm joined by author William Egginton to discuss his new book The Rigor of Angels. We talk Borges, Kant, and Heisenberg—and the big idea(s) they had in common. We discuss the antimonies of knowledge and the possibility that art is their solution. We discuss Coltrane, intelligence, creativity, biography, academia, and specialization vs. generalism. At the end, we discuss writing and publishing, the changing landscape of the book publishing industry, and how to think about writing for different audiences.
Chapters:
(0:00:00) - The Rigor of Angels
(0:10:43) - The Antinomies of Knowledge
(0:19:55) - Impact of Great Art and Thinkers
(0:23:41) - Curiosity and Conviviality
(0:30:31) - Creativity and Intelligence
(0:43:28) - The Future of Writing and Publishing
(0:49:27) - Academic vs. Popular Writing
William Egginton:
✦ Buy the Rigor of Angels: https://amzn.to/3Rj3fDV
✦ William on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamEgginton
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Aug 1, 2023
Ezra Pound: The Solitary Volcano
We dissect the complex life of Ezra Pound, one of the most interesting and controversial poetic geniuses of the 20th century. You'll gain insight into: Why Pound was so influential, his extraordinary talent-spotting skills, and his knack for turning vibrant social scenes into artistic movements. However, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride, as we also delve into the darker sides of Pound's life, including his descent into Fascism and anti-semitism. I believe the story is a cautionary tale about resentment, the modern passion par excellence, and a dangerous trap for people who rebel against institutions.
This podcast will help you understand Pound's poetic and cultural innovations, including Imagism and Vorticism, and how his strong opinions and unique perspective propelled him, despite his controversial and often off-putting personality. We'll recount his turbulent career during WWI and WWII, his friendship with W.B. Yeats, the launch of Blast Magazine, and much more.
This podcast is based on a close reading of Ezra Pound: The Solitary Volcano (1987) by John Tytell.
Chapters
(0:00:00) - Intro
(0:04:04) - Summary of Lessons From Ezra Pound's Life
(0:17:22) - Dense Networks and Creative Success
(0:26:26) - Imagism and Vorticism
(0:37:05) - Wyndham Lewis and Blast Magazine
(0:42:41) - A Restless and Controversial Personality
(0:53:07) - Taste, Talent-Spotting, and Pound's Extreme Generosity
(1:04:52) - Downward Spiral
(1:18:29) - Ezra Pound's Reflections Late in Life
(1:22:07) - Final Lessons
Other Life
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Jul 12, 2023
Literary Outlaw: The Life of William S. Burroughs
A deep dive into the life of William S. Burroughs based on a close reading of Ted Morgan's 1988 biography, Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs. Burroughs is one of the most independent creative spirits of the 20th century. My goal is to understand how he did it; how he remained so free but was also so influential and successful.
I discuss his transformation from a heroin addict living off his parents' allowance to an internationally acclaimed writer, who was inducted into the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1983. Hear about his unique brand of conservative anarchism, his significant influence on the counterculture of the '60s and '70s, his parenting, and the social-psychological correlates of his creative freedom.
Burroughs was a blend of the Yankee inventor and the fire-and-brimstone Methodist preacher. We explore his grandfather's invention of the arithmometer and his uncle Ivy Lee's career as a public relations expert. These stories shed light on the roots of Burroughs' radical literary career, which combined a penchant for invention with a desire to go his own way and attack the respectable order of things.
I also discuss Burroughs' late entry into writing and his experiences as a heroin user and a criminal, which taught him a lot about how the world works. I explore his failed attempt to build a commercial farm, his theory of 'factualism', which anticipates Nick Land and Deleuze, and much more.
What did you think of this format, dedicated to a close reading of a great writer's biography? I'd love to hear from you.
Chapters
* 00:00 William S Burroughs' Unconventional Life
* 06:30 Burroughs' Complex Heritage
* 16:55 Burroughs' Late Blooming
* 30:40 The Critical Importance of Small Private Friend Groups
* 43:49 Lessons From Burroughs' Life
* 50:25 What Wild Looks Like: An Anecdote
* 59:08 Did Burroughs Murder his Wife?
* 07:35 The Controversial Success of Burroughs' Novels
* 15:27 More Lessons From the Life of Burroughs
Other Life
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