Robert WrightEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Bestselling author Robert Wright and I are back for round two of our collaboration, reacting to the week in AI. We cover Trump's summit with the AI labs, the FTC's investigation of OpenAI & Anthropic, the latest Gemini announcement, and much more. The Overton window is moving fast, but is the AI moving faster? Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li-rc6swhQs Timestamps 00:00:00 — Cold Open 00:00:21 — Round Two of Nonzero × Doom Debates 00:01:23 — Trump, the FTC, and an Industry Feeling the Heat 00:05:37 — Google Says Gemini 4 Exists 00:07:41 — Greg Brockman Pulls His $25M from Leading the Future 00:12:53 — The Break-Ins Keep Coming 00:15:23 — The Market Wants Agent Swarms 00:18:30 — The End of “Alignment by Default” 00:20:55 — The Prelude to Recursive Self-Improvement 00:26:14 — David Sacks Can’t Explain Dario 00:30:31 — The All-In Echo Chamber 00:33:47 — Scott Alexander vs. Steven Pinker 00:38:37 — Jason Calacanis vs. the Public Benefit Corporation 00:43:03 — The Elephant in the Room Is the AI 00:46:21 — What the Average American Thinks 00:48:17 — From Chatbot to Agent to Swarm 00:54:20 — Boeing, Agent Swarms, and the Off Switch 00:57:07 — Skynet as a Botnet That Trades With Us 01:00:32 — Tyler Cowen: National Treasure, Net Negative on AI 01:04:01 — Liron’s Doomer DCF Yields a 20x P/E 01:07:11 — Interest Rates: Where Cowen Has Me 01:09:12 — Does Pinker Owe Us a Debate? 01:12:48 — Pinker vs. Instrumental Convergence 01:17:00 — Wrap-Up Links ROBERT WRIGHT & NONZERO Nonzero’s post for this episode — “Trump and the AI Safety Vibe Shift” Subscribe to The NonZero Newsletter Robert Wright on X (@robertwrighter) The God Test — Bob’s book on AI; Chapter 14, “Enlightenment Now,” is the Steven Pinker chapter “The Singularity Is Clear” — Bob’s essay in installments on recursive self-improvement (Parts I–III) “AI and the New McCarthyism” — Bob on the pro-AI lobby smearing Sanders, Tegmark, and Krueger as China stooges (Nonzero, May 2026) Why Buddhism Is True — Bob’s 2017 book THE WEEK IN AI AI’s biggest players promise to police themselves at the White House — Fortune on the “Joint Commitment on Frontier Responsibilities” Major White House split on AI policy leaks as top aides freak out — The Daily Beast on the Sacks–Wiles rift FTC is investigating OpenAI and Anthropic over possible risks to consumers — AP “We Must Pace the Frontier” — Dario Amodei’s call to slow down (with the China caveat and chip controls) <a target="_blank" href="https://restofworld.org/2026/china-rejects-dario-amodei-anthr

NYT bestselling author Robert Wright and I are kicking off a new experiment, a Nonzero × Doom Debates collaboration to react to big AI news and help you make sense of it. This week we discuss the epic AI vibe shift that was catalyzed by an Anthropic employee’s resignation—and the big AI stories that paved the way for it. Timestamps 0:00 A bold new experiment in podcast synergy 2:46 What caused the epic AI vibe shift? 8:10 The resignation that broke the dam 10:17 Former Trump adviser Dean Ball comes clean 14:40 Are David Sacks and his buddies all-in on AI denial? 19:27 Yet another OpenAI breakout… 22:42 Astra’s dangerously private thoughts 34:08 Is alignment doomed to fail? 37:11 AI’s latest, and apparently biggest, math feat 43:28 The looming “self-sovereign AI” threat 47:24 A new flock of China doves? 52:57 Liron's ex-intern gets a seat at the table 1:02:41 AI agent self-sacrifice explained 1:10:40 Some newly freaked out politicians 1:22:45 Ro Khanna's AI safety plan Links: NONZERO Subscribe to The NonZero Newsletter Episode post on Substack Join NonZero’s Discord server Robert Wright on X (@robertwrighter) The God Test — Robert Wright’s new book on AI “Can Machines Think?” — Bob’s 1996 Time cover story on Deep Blue vs. Kasparov THE RESIGNATION THAT BROKE THE DAM Jacob Coxon’s resignation post (@hilbertspaess) Evan Hubinger, Anthropic Alignment Science lead: “Jacob is correct here—we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans” Fortune: Anthropic researcher resigns, warning that AI companies are “gambling with our lives” Zvi Mowshowitz: “Jacob Coxon Warns of Human Extinction and Triggers a Preference Cascade” Daniel Eth’s thread of Congress reactions Sanders & Casar introduce legislation to ban artificial superintelligence and pause advanced AI development DEAN BALL COMES CLEAN Dean Ball, “On the Loose” — the self-sovereign AI essay (Hyperdimensional) THE OPENAI STORIES Jakub Pachocki, OpenAI Chief Scientist: “An Alien Mind” — the essay calling for international coordination LessWrong: “How concerned should we be about Astra’s recurrent architecture?” — Rauno Arike OpenAI: “On the Navier–Stokes Millennium Prize P

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueled Alaska may be known for its breathtaking scenery and extreme conditions, but running a successful auto repair shop there comes with challenges that most shop owners in the Lower 48 never have to consider. In this conversation, Brian and Kim sit down with Robert Wright of 1023 Diesel & Fleet in Palmer, Alaska, to explore what it's really like to own and grow a shop in one of the most unique automotive markets in the country. From marketing in remote communities and building a strong shop culture to navigating harsh winters, seasonal demand, staffing, and expanding from a diesel specialty shop into general automotive repair, Robert shares practical insights that apply no matter where your shop is located. If you're looking for fresh perspectives on leadership, marketing, and growing a thriving repair business, you won't want to miss this episode. Listen now and discover what every shop owner can learn from doing business in the Last Frontier. Show Notes with Timestamps Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (00:00:09) Host Brian Walker introduces co-host Kim and guest Robert Wright, owner of 1023 Diesel in Palmer, Alaska. Misconceptions and Realities of Alaska (00:01:03) The hosts and guest discuss common stereotypes about Alaska from TV shows versus the reality of living there. Life in Palmer, Alaska (00:02:17) Robert describes the Palmer area, its proximity to Anchorage, its history as a farming colony, and its Midwest feel. Remote Alaskan Living (00:04:04) Discussion about the "road system" and how people access remote locations like Robert's cabin via plane, boat, or snowmachine. The Shop's Origins and Evolution (00:04:51) Robert explains how 1023 Diesel started in his garage and evolved from a diesel-only specialty shop to general automotive repair. Defining "Rural" in Alaska (00:06:21) The hosts and guest discuss the perception of "rural" and how Palmer is considered part of Alaska's main population center. Marketing to Remote Customers (00:07:04) Robert explains that customers travel hundreds of miles for service and how word-of-mouth is crucial for reaching off-grid communities. Community Involvement in Marketing (00:08:46) The importance of "boots on the ground" community marketing is discussed as an effective, old-fashioned approach in Alaska. Sponsor Message: AppFueled (00:09:59) A commercial break for the podcast sponsor, AppFueled, which creates custom loyalty apps for auto repair shops. Climate and Seasonality in Business (00:10:55) Discussion about Palmer's unique weather, including extreme winds, and how it creates seasonality in the auto repair business. Alaska's "Break Up" Season (00:12:21) Robert explains the spring "break up" season, when thawing ground leads to road weight restrictions, causing a business slowdown. Studded Tires and Winter Business (00:14:15) The group discusses state-mandated studded tires for winter traction and how tire changeovers create a busy season for shops. Corrosion and Winterizing Vehicles (00:15:00) The conversation covers the extreme rust on off-highway vehicles and the specifics of winterizing vehicles for the Alaskan climate. Staffing and Recruitment in Alaska (00:19:22) Robert discusses the challenges and strategies for finding technicians, noting that Alaska is a destination state for many. Building an Attractive Shop Culture (00:20:05) The importance of having a great facility, reputation, and culture, including a four-day workweek, to attract top talent. Customer Loyalty in Alaskan Communit

Bob Wright is back, and The God Test is the AI book I had been waiting for someone to write — the only one I have read that takes the spiritual stakes of the technology with the seriousness Teilhard would have. It opens with the interview Bob conducted with a young Geoffrey Hinton in 1983 — now anointed by The New York Times as the godfather of AI, now also one of its loudest doomers — and pivots into what Bob did not understand in that hotel room forty years ago: that we would build something as powerful as the human brain without ever first having to understand the brain. The bottom-up approach won. We are now inside the consequences. We spent the hour on Teilhard's noosphere acquiring silicon neurons, on why Bob argues accelerationism is lethal, on the difference between cognitive sovereignty and cognitive empathy and why both are now in jeopardy, on whether the algorithm has already occupied the very inner room from which sovereignty would be exercised, and on the closing line of the book — which I will not spoil here, except to say it is the kind of line you stop reading after. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Robert Wright is the New York Times bestselling author of Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny , The Moral Animal , The Evolution of God (Pulitzer Prize finalist), and Why Buddhism Is True . His newest book, The God Test , is out from Simon & Schuster in June 2026. He is Visiting Professor of Science and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in New York and president of the Nonzero Foundation. His Nonzero Newsletter and Nonzero Podcast (currently in rotation with Paul Bloom) live at nonzero.substack.com — and yes, I am a paid member. Books surfaced in this conversation: The God Test (the book at hand), The Evolution of God (the silicon-god closing line of The God Test picks up the long arc of Evolution directly), Why Buddhism Is True (the contemplative-traditions stretch of the conversation), and Nonzero (the non-zero-sum framing that runs under everything Bob does). Previous Episodes with Robert Wright Evolution, Empathy, & the Future of Humanity From Mindful Resistance to the New Agnosticism The Evolution of God Join our online class – THE FUTURE OF RELIGION ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tripp and Ilia Delio are teaming up for a brand-new four-week online class, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Future of Religion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — for everyone who’s read the books, asked t

Eli Lake joins Robert Wright over at his podcast NonZero, which offers “conversations with a series of people who have nothing in common except that program host Robert Wright is curious about what they’re thinking” . Robert views the U.S-Israel military campaign against Iran as a serious mistake and a clear violation of international law. Eli sees it as a necessary—if legally awkward—response to decades of Iranian aggression and destabilization. Who wins? You’ll have to listen to decide for yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chapter 1: what is Why Buddhism Is True book about "Why Buddhism Is True" by Robert Wright is a book that explores the psychological and scientific evidence backing some of the core teachings of Buddhism. The author, who is not a Buddhist himself, examines how meditation practices and insights from Buddhism align with modern psychological understanding and findings. Wright argues that Buddhism provides valuable insights into human nature, suffering, and the illusory nature of the self. He delves into topics such as mindfulness, meditation, and the Buddha's teachings on desire, attachment, and happiness. The book presents a scientific perspective, discussing how Buddhism's emphasis on mindfulness and awareness can lead to emotional well-being and reduce anxiety and depression. Through a combination of personal anecdotes, scientific research, and philosophical analysis, Wright explores how Buddhist practices and concepts can enhance emotional intelligence, improve mental well-being, and cultivate a more meaningful life. He discusses how certain Buddhist teachings resonate with modern evolutionary psychology and cognitive science, shedding light on the human mind and its tendencies. Ultimately, "Why Buddhism Is True" aims to bridge the gap between Buddhist philosophy and contemporary science, showing how the wisdom of Buddhism can be appreciated and understood from a scientific perspective. It offers readers a unique perspective on the potential benefits of Buddhist practices and insights in the context of modern life. Chapter 2:Author of Why Buddhism Is True book Robert Wright is a prominent American author and journalist known for his works on religion, psychology, and evolutionary biology. Born in 1957, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in history from Princeton University and later pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard University. Wright is best known for his book "Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment," published in 2017. In this critically acclaimed work, he explores the intersection of Buddhist teachings and scientific findings, specifically focusing on how mindfulness meditation aligns with modern understandings of psychology and neuroscience. Chapter 3:why is Why Buddhism Is True book worth reading 1. Rational Exploration: The book combines scientific research with Buddhist philosophy to offer a rational exploration of the benefits of Buddhist teachings. Wright, a prominent author and scholar, effectively argues how Buddhism's insights align with scientific findings, providing a fresh perspective on the human condition. 2. Understanding of Self: The book delves into the concept of how our perception of self is illusions created by our minds. Wright explores the ideas of mindfulness, meditation, and introspection as tools to understand and transcend the limitations of the self. This can contribute to personal growth, self-awareness, and overall well-being. 3. Compatibility with Science: Wright highlights how Buddhism's emphasis on impermanence and the interconnectedness of all beings aligns with scientific evidence from fields like psychology and neuroscience. By integrating both scientific and spiritual perspectives, the book provides a holistic understanding of the human mind and its relation to the world. Chapter 4: Books like Why Buddhism Is True book 1. "The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety" by Alan Watts 2. "Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion" by Sam Harris 3. "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle

Bret speaks with Robert Wright on the Darkhorse Podcast. They discuss Robert’s suggestion that Bret’s ideas have strayed from plausibility. Find Robert on Twitter: @robertwrighter (https://twitter.com/robertwrighter) Find Robert on bloggingheads: https://bloggingheads.tv/ ***** Find Bret Weinstein on Twitter: @BretWeinstein, and on Patreon. Please subscribe to this channel for more long form content like this, and subscribe to the clips channel @DarkHorse Podcast Clips for short clips of all our podcasts. Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.store.darkhorsepodcast.org Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music. ***** Timestamps: (00:00) Introductions (00:50) Motivated reasoning (06:17) Sponsors (11:08) Trump era and media (14:30) Bret was pissed off. And inverse of correct response (19:37) Military podcast quotes (32:15) Alternative hypothesis for military mandates (53:20) mRNA injections to children (01:07:20) More hypotheses (01:18:27) Foreign influence and China (01:26:00) Why Robert doesn't trust Bret's COVID analysis (01:35:30) Robert Malone and censoring dissidents (01:42:30) Absolute corruption of the system (01:54:35) Podcast invitation and wrap up Support the show

This week we welcome the author, journalist, and podcaster Robert Wright. Robert wrote the popular (and provocative!) book 'Why Buddhism is True' and has hosted many interesting discussions and debates at bloggingheads.tv, which he co-founded. We had a wide ranging discussion that touched on a vast array of topics including: the Weinsteins & their relative crackpot ratings, alternative & Mainstream media ecosystems and how they feed into guruism, what are gurus anyway (and are they all bad), Sam Harris and cognitive biases, whether Bob is a Buddhist Modernist, the extent to which meditation is a form of cultural conditioning, if wokism is really taking over America, and whether Matt & Chris' actually hate evolutionary psychology or not. Robert offers a unique perspective, displays a lot of good humour and patience, and indulges our ongoing fetishism of self deprecation culture. So join us for a suitably meandering Irish-Aussie-Americo conversation that involves only the prescribed amount of mutual backpatting! P.S. We promise the Gad Saad episode is coming soon! Links Bob's Book 'Why Buddhism is True' 'Is Eric Weinstein a Crackpot' on Bob's Non-zero Substack Bob's Interview with Tim Nguyen for The Wright Show Bob's article for Wired on Sam Harris & Tribalism (the one that got him cut off!) The Crackpot Index by John Baez

In this episode, Jodi Duval sits down with Dr. Eugene Lipov, founder of the Stella Center, and Dr. Robert Wright, the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, to discuss a groundbreaking treatment that is changing lives around the world - the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). This highly effective procedure has been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD, offering patients a chance to "reset" their brain to its pre-trauma state. Dr. Lipov, who has dedicated his career to helping people with post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), shares his inspiring journey and the story behind the development of this transformative treatment. He explains how redefining PTSD as PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury) helps shift the focus from a disorder to a treatable injury. Listeners will gain insight into what the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure looks like, what patients can expect during treatment, and the remarkable outcomes, with an over 80% success rate. The conversation also delves into the science of trauma and its impact on the nervous system, particularly the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, and how the SGB procedure addresses this imbalance. Dr. Lipov and Dr. Wright also discuss the adjunct therapies and vagal therapies that have been shown to complement the Stellate Ganglion Block and improve patient outcomes. The potential scope of this treatment is vast, extending beyond just PTSD and offering hope for a variety of trauma-related conditions. Dr. Wright gives an exciting preview of what’s coming soon in Australia and the future of trauma treatment. About Dr. Eugene Lipov: Dr. Eugene Lipov is a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in pain management. He earned his M.D. from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and completed advanced anesthesiology training at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Rush University’s Medical Center. With over 28 years of experience in interventional pain medicine, Dr. Lipov is a pioneer in the field and the founder of the Stella Center, where he provides the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure to help patients recover from trauma. About Dr. Robert Wright: Dr. Robert Wright is the Chief Medical Officer for Stella Center in Australia. He received his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and completed training in anesthesiology and chronic pain management at the University of Utah. Dr. Wright has contributed significantly to the evolution of regional and national pain management standards and is an innovator in pain management techniques. He is affiliated with the Metro Pain Group in Melbourne, Australia, and is dedicated to physician education, research, and device development. Where to find more: Stella Center: stellacenter.com Instagram: @stellacentremd

Private Label Law With eCommerce Lawyer Robert Wright Robert Wright is the founder of Wright Law Office, PLLC - a boutique virtual law practice that helps e-commerce sellers across the globe protect and scale their online businesses. Since launching his practice, Robert has advised thousands of eCommerce sellers on how to protect their personal assets, bulletproof their brands, weaponize their works, and safeguard their sales online. QUESTIONS FOR ROBERT WRIGHT Why did you want to become a lawyer?Why niche down to eCommerce (niche down because you did it years ago, today it would be niche up, lol)If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?What’s the biggest mistake you see people make when launching their business?What’s the biggest failure you’ve had in business and how did you grow from it?What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had growing your own business? What’s the most important thing a business owner can do when launching to protect themselves?I shared the other day online how people could get Brand Registered with a pending TMWhat kind of IP can a Shopify seller or Walmart protect Do entrepreneurs really need lawyers when they’re just starting out?Let's talk about hijackers, Is there a way to get rid of them?Your website is genius! Less is more and that is a funnel that does not allow the customer to get lost COMPANY:Wright Private Label Law PLLC LINKS: https://www.privatelabelprotection.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/830794267074638/https://www.facebook.com/robert.wright.12764

Robert Wright is the founder of Wright Law Office, PLLC - a boutique virtual law practice that helps e-commerce sellers across the globe protect and scale their online businesses. Since launching his practice, Robert has advised thousands of e-commerce sellers on how to protect their personal assets, bulletproof their brands, weaponize their works and safeguard their sales online. “Figure out your why. Really ask yourself why do you want to start this journey? What are you looking to accomplish? If it’s to make money there might be easier ways to do it. You are going to inevitably find yourself in a spot where the journey is difficult. And understanding that why in that moment is going to help you get past that spot”…[Listen for More] Click Here for Show Notes To Listen or to Get the Show Notes go to https://wp.me/p6Tf4b-7zr

Today&#8217;s guest is Robert Wright, author of The Poverty of Slavery. The New York Times&#8217; 1619 Project has prompted renewed discussions on slavery and the New History of Capitalism literature. This episode is the first in a series addressing these topics. We discuss the prevalence of slavery in the developing world today, the arguments for &#8230; Continue reading The Poverty of Slavery with Robert Wright &#8594; The post The Poverty of Slavery with Robert Wright appeared first on The Economics Detective .

Currently Visiting Professor of Science and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Robert Wright's work in journalism, psychology and philosophy has been deeply influential. Robert is the author of many best-selling books including ' The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology ' , ' Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny ' , ' The Evolution of God ' , and most recently, ' Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment '. Our focus for this episode is Robert Wright's latest book, Why Buddhism is True. In a word, Wright defends the Buddhist view that 'the reason we suffer is because we don't see the world clearly'. The reason we don't see the world clearly, says Buddhism, is because our perception of our own minds and 'the outside world' is impaired by illusions. Viewing Buddhism through the lens of evolutionary psychology, Wright argues that we have good reason to think that this Buddhist claim (that suffering is caused by illusion) is true, and that Buddhism also holds the answer to how we can alleviate ourselves from illusion and suffering. Part I. Why Buddhism is True. Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion.

Currently Visiting Professor of Science and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Robert Wright's work in journalism, psychology and philosophy has been deeply influential. Robert is the author of many best-selling books including ' The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology ' , ' Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny ' , ' The Evolution of God ' , and most recently, ' Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment '. Our focus for this episode is Robert Wright's latest book, Why Buddhism is True. In a word, Wright defends the Buddhist view that 'the reason we suffer is because we don't see the world clearly'. The reason we don't see the world clearly, says Buddhism, is because our perception of our own minds and 'the outside world' is impaired by illusions. Viewing Buddhism through the lens of evolutionary psychology, Wright argues that we have good reason to think that this Buddhist claim (that suffering is caused by illusion) is true, and that Buddhism also holds the answer to how we can alleviate ourselves from illusion and suffering. Part I. Why Buddhism is True. Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion.

In this podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing New York Times bestselling author Robert Wright about his newest book "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment". Wright leads readers on a journey through psychology, philosophy, and a great many silent retreats to show how and why meditation can serve as the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age. This podcast features the audio of the interview I had with Robert Wright. Explore more at eightfoldpath.com : full transcripts, guided meditations, courses, and Noah AI, an AI you can chat with about any episode or teaching. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.