Why People Drink! Freedomain Livestream 18 Dec 2022

Philosopher Stefan Molyneux takes questions from Freedomain listeners:

https://freedomain.locals.com

Fauci Twitter files releasing today... We will just find out what we already know but what people will not do is key. So programmed.

What do you think of the term 'conspiracy theorist' from a philosophical context?

Hi Stef! Why do so many people lack any semblance of discretion with strangers nowadays, especially in professional settings? I can't scroll through LinkedIn without every other post being some woman talking about her abortion experience or a screed about destigmatizing an STD they caught. Is nothing private anymore?

What’s your take on people who want to get you drunk or constantly fill your drinks, but aren’t drinking themselves? Is that a way of dominating or making sure you’re “safe”? I’ve had that happen twice in the last 4 years in family type gatherings. In both cases they were older men – one severely depressed, the other was generally submissive to his wife – a “nice guy” type.

What are your thoughts having “guilty pleasure” media you enjoy? I was rewatching Pulp Fiction the other day, a movie I’ve loved for 25 years, and couldn’t help but realize “this movie has no virtue.” I’ve always thought of it as a guilty pleasure but now I can’t find redeeming value in watching it and turned it off halfway through. Do you have an guilty pleasures that you can still enjoy or have you come around on a movie and realized “this is actually trash and unhealthy”

On my flight today a purple hair 20 something year old lady with a full blown gas mask on! Unbelievable!!!

Stef why do females root for the underdog? Even when it’s clearly stupid or pointless? Ty!

Some parents seem to be unable to admit their mistakes or take responsibility for their past actions. If I cared about my children’s futures, I’d easily admit my past mistakes – “Don’t do it! Why? Because I did it and now I have deep regrets to this day and you can still see the consequences in my life.” If you still indulge in bad habits as a parent, the least you could say would be “Don’t do like I do”, right? Granted, I haven’t ruined marriages, abandoned my children or committed crimes.

What’s your policy regarding pocket money for children? At what point should they try to make their own money to buy bigger things like bicycles, electronic gadgets etc.? I know some parents buy expensive items for their children, but some encourage summer work. It seems beneficial in the long term, but it can create envy and resentment towards the other children and their own parents in short term.

Do you think that familial trauma was a result of the violence and trauma of early human evolution, during the transition from animal to something smarter? Could it have been possible in your opinion that we evolved actually peacefully initially, and that some abusive people dominated and threw us all into a cycle of abuse that people will either escape through momentous efforts in self knowledge, or stay trapped within?

Why do people use the phrase "agree to disagree" when they disagrree with you? Is this just an admission that they lack the capacity to form a coherent argument?

Hey Stef.
What is philosophy? I heard you put it in an easily understandable way the other day- Philosophy is learning from wisdom/first principles as opposed to learning through pain/experience. Does this sound right?
Also.. what are first principles?
Thanks.

Your shows got me through the darkest days and have helped me into the sunshine. I'm still in recovery, but thanks to you I'm good & aiming at the "better than I was before" stage. "Thanks" isn't enough, I'll send you the cadillac when I'm able !!

Hi Stef! My husband and I have a daughter who is currently 7 months old. We want to set her up for success when it comes to her finding friends among her peers. Given how many parents prefer corporal punishment these days, our concern is keeping her safe by not exposing her to that den of dysfunction. From past shows you’ve done it sounds like your daughter has managed to find other children she enjoys spending time with. Do you have any tips for us on strategies you found useful?