Another new book

I just self-published another book. This has next to nothing to do with Sam Harris or Making Sense.

But on the other hand, I did write it. So here it goes: Here's the link: An IQ of 84: A Gaijin Chronicle

#307 The Long Game: with David Waldinger

This was more of a "feel-good" episode than anything eye-opening or world-view challenging. For the first-ever Sam Harris podcast listener, something new might come out. Otherwise, it's really nothing more than comfort food for intellectuals.

But let's be honest: in these times, intellectuals need all the comfort they can get.

To be fair, though, I did learn one thing: the meaning of this Koan:
"If you meet the Buddha on your path, kill him."

David explains that this means the ideal of an post-epiphanal existence where the subject has evolved beyond his imperfections and has become a guru beyond reproach, is not in keeping with Buddhism. There is no Buddhist delusion of anything like a Pope, the embodiment of God's Word, who can implicitly and unquestioningly be trusted with your 12-y.o. daughters (or sons).

Given the horrific records of so many Christian fathers, Islamic fatwaists, and Jewish fascists, one rather wishes this bit of wisdom was more broadly shared among the world's religions.