All Segments
American Alchemy | Jesse Michels | Episode 145
13 segments available
Jesse Michels is an investor at Thiel Capital and the creator and host of ‘American Alchemy’, a Youtube channel dedicated to highlighting the most heretical thinkers and ideas of our time. He joins the show to discuss the transmission theory of consciousness, whether mushrooms are aliens, the reawakening of the Boomers and MUCH more! Important Links: - American Alchemy - https://www.youtube.com/@JesseMichels/about - Jesse’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/alchemyamerican Show Notes: [00:01:00] Main Podcast [00:02:52] The modern-day Robert Anton Wilson [00:08:31] Why Jesse started American Alchemy [00:17:12] The transmission theory of consciousness [00:22:17] Why mushrooms may have catalysed human civilisation [00:24:19] Paradigm shifts and heretical thinking [00:27:31] Are mushrooms aliens? [00:35:08] Nixon, psychedelics & brainwashing [00:54:45] The reawakening of the Boomers [01:03:02] AGI, qualia & quantum physics [01:10:40] AI, learned helplessness & Twitter [01:26:06] Reality is a compressed version of something much larger - MUCH more! Books Mentioned: - The Half-Life of Facts: Why Everything We Know Has an Expiration Date; by Samuel Arbesman - The User Illusion: Cutting Consciousness Down to Size; by Tor Norretranders - Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid; by Douglas Hofstadter - The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World; by David Deutsch - The Immortality Key : The Secret History of the Religion with No Name; by Brian C. Muraresku - The New Inquisition: Irrational Rationalism and the Citadel of Science; by Robert Anton Wilson - How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence; by Michael Pollan - Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties; by Tom O’Neill - Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon: Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops & the Dark Heart of the Hippie Dream; by David McGowan - Prometheus Rising; by Robert Anton Wilson - Quantum Psychology: How Brain Software Programs You & Your World; by Robert Anton Wilson - The Cosmic Trigger trilogy; by Robert Anton Wilson - Communion: A True Story; by Whitley Strieber
Segments Timeline
The Apex of Human Enlightenment
Jesse Michels challenges the notion that we are at the peak of human enlightenment, arguing that our understanding of reality is still evolving. He references the Matrix and Plato's allegory of the cave to illustrate how our current knowledge is limited and suggests that significant shifts in understanding are yet to come.
"I don't think we're at the Apex of human Enlightenment we made a lot of progress but there will be wild overturning of our current body of knowledge The Matrix is the the hero's journey and Plato's al..."
The Modern-Day Robert Anton Wilson
Jim O'Shaughnessy introduces Jesse Michels, likening him to Robert Anton Wilson, a figure known for his heretical thinking. They discuss Jesse's background, including his work at Google and Thiel Capital, and how these experiences shaped his views on media and knowledge dissemination.
"O'Shaughnessy with yet another episode of infinite loops and I have a confession to make my guest and I have been chatting you'll hear a lot of the chat because we were recording and we'll we'll figur..."
The Future of Media and Knowledge
Jesse Michels shares his motivations for starting 'American Alchemy,' emphasizing the decline of mainstream media and the need for empowering information channels. He reflects on his journey from Google to Thiel Capital and how it opened his eyes to the limitations of current knowledge and the importance of exploring fringe ideas.
"like when I went through all your videos and I just said first off this guy obviously is a modern day Robert Anton Wilson and people who listen to the podcast know how much I love Robert Anton Wilson ..."
The Transmission Theory of Consciousness
In this segment, Jesse discusses the transmission theory of consciousness, suggesting that our understanding of consciousness is still in its infancy. He argues that we cannot develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) until we fully comprehend our own consciousness, highlighting the complexities of biological evolution.
"why you started the video channel Etc yeah a great great story it it does well first off Jim thank you so much for having me and I I I I we were talking earlier I see your career in many ways is a rea..."
Mushrooms and Human Civilization
Jesse explores the idea that mushrooms may have played a crucial role in catalyzing human civilization. He discusses the implications of this theory and how it relates to our understanding of consciousness and the evolution of human society.
"again back to your theory that I'm going to just set you loose on the the idea that the brain is an editor of data hitting our perception screens right yes and and that maybe maybe it's a receiver as ..."
Paradigm Shifts and Heretical Thinking
This segment delves into the concept of paradigm shifts and the importance of heretical thinking in advancing knowledge. Jesse emphasizes the need to challenge established norms and explore unconventional ideas to foster innovation.
"yeah that's contains LSD and Andy and the narrative that most people and he doesn't go this far but let's let's go this far the The Narrative that most people have around the Advent of civilization is..."
Are Mushrooms Aliens?
Jesse provocatively questions whether mushrooms could be considered aliens, discussing the implications of such a perspective on our understanding of life and consciousness. This segment invites listeners to think outside conventional frameworks.
"wrote this breakthrough Theory called hidden variables yeah what's really interesting and I think really plays a part of this is the idea that all of the Paradigm ships happen right they happen from w..."
Nixon, Psychedelics & Brainwashing
Jesse and Jim discuss the historical context of Nixon's policies on psychedelics and their connection to brainwashing. They explore how these themes relate to current societal issues and the manipulation of public perception.
"like how we came along which kind of leads me we're gonna jump around which is great yeah to to the theory of the mushrooms are aliens right yeah and and so panspermia Theory I think it's called right..."
The Reawakening of the Boomers
In this segment, Jesse reflects on the reawakening of the Baby Boomer generation and its implications for society. He discusses how this demographic shift may influence cultural and political landscapes.
"kind of leads into the whole psychedelic question which I've become very interested in uh I I am of an age where like when I was a kid I I bought all the propaganda right like uh this is your brain on..."
AGI, Qualia & Quantum Physics
Jesse dives into the intersection of artificial general intelligence, qualia, and quantum physics. He discusses the philosophical implications of these concepts and how they relate to our understanding of consciousness and reality.
"I have a weird theory about this it's I think the Boomers had a chance to like reawake it yep in the 60s and 70s and then all this stuff we're talking about the Timothy Lear you know it all got just m..."
AI, Learned Helplessness & Twitter
This segment examines the relationship between artificial intelligence, learned helplessness, and social media platforms like Twitter. Jesse discusses how these elements interact and their impact on individual agency and societal dynamics.
"because yeah we share a lot of viewpoints on AI specifically we're both really skeptical about AG yeah right yes everyone's worried about the Terminator coming along and again if you read Deutsch devo..."
Reality is a Compressed Version of Something Larger
Jesse concludes with a thought-provoking assertion that reality, as we perceive it, is a compressed version of a much larger existence. He encourages listeners to consider the broader implications of this idea on their understanding of life and consciousness.
"wise word by the way you worried that AI could lead to learned helplessness where we kind of Outsource our thinking so to speak so talk about that a little bit because I yeah I've been concern I'd I t..."
Impact Beyond Vanity Metrics
Michels concludes by reflecting on the true impact of his podcast and the importance of reaching the right audience rather than focusing on numbers. He emphasizes the goal of being useful and creating a ripple effect of positive change.
"that when I don't have my nanny saying Jim you can't record for two and a half hours okay so I'm gonna make you make an on-air promise we come back because I would love okay I'd love to come back and ..."