A more personal (and philosophical) birthday Q&A!

Vlad's main channel
/ vladvexler
Support Vlad's work on Patreon!
/ vladvexler
Support Vlad via PayPal
www.paypal.com/paypalme/vladv...
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
1:20 If your ME disappeared, how would it affect your work?
8:03 What is your favorite meal?
10:10 Was your birthday always overshadowed by the victory day parade?
11:34 Personal biases and trust in public communication
19:27 Mind-body duality and pain
22:45 Unite to Fight conference
24:11 How to handle anger towards people with opposing political views
28:52 What is your proudest achievement so far?
32:02 How to converse with misinformed people with closed minds?
36:12 How to help people with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis)?
38:25 Free will
39:22 Biological origins of mental health issues
41:57 Justifications for authoritarianism / cultural readiness for democracy
46:19 Feasibility of democracy in the past and future
51:08 Can Tolstoy save the Russian soul?
52:56 Digesting media
54:55 Free speech and journalism
56:32 Vlad’s relationship to Jewish traditions
58:06 Effects of the internet on society
59:46 Time-travel thought experiments and democracy
1:02:07 Are there dangerous questions within a democratic framework?
1:03:13 Ballet or other dance / cooking
1:04:56 Science fiction / conceptualizing the future
1:07:50 Contemporary music
1:11:50 Social media usage
1:12:57 What “west” do you refer to?
1:14:56 Superchats
1:16:40 Addressing the crisis of expertise / Jake Broe / KZbin craft
1:22:14 Choosing a religion
1:23:28 Impact of chronic illness on love of humanity
1:29:45 How does your illness give insight into current events?
1:32:50 Birthday presents

[@_amalfitano]

🔖CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 1:20 If your ME disappeared, how would it affect your work? 8:03 What is your favorite meal? 10:10 Was your birthday always overshadowed by the victory day parade? 11:34 Personal biases and trust in public communication 19:27 Mind-body duality and pain 22:45 Unite to Fight conference 24:11 How to handle anger towards people with opposing political views 28:52 What is your proudest achievement so far? 32:02 How to converse with misinformed people with closed minds? 36:12 How to help people with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis)? 38:25 Free will 39:22 Biological origins of mental health issues 41:57 Justifications for authoritarianism / cultural readiness for democracy 46:19 Feasibility of democracy in the past and future 51:08 Can Tolstoy save the Russian soul? 52:56 Digesting media 54:55 Free speech and journalism 56:32 Vlad’s relationship to Jewish traditions 58:06 Effects of the internet on society 59:46 Time-travel thought experiments and democracy 1:02:07 Are there dangerous questions within a democratic framework? 1:03:13 Ballet or other dance / cooking 1:04:56 Science fiction / conceptualizing the future 1:07:50 Contemporary music 1:11:50 Social media usage 1:12:57 What “west” do you refer to? 1:14:56 Superchats 1:16:40 Addressing the crisis of expertise / Jake Broe / KZbin craft 1:22:14 Choosing a religion 1:23:28 Impact of chronic illness on love of humanity 1:29:45 How does your illness give insight into current events? 1:32:50 Birthday presents

[@_amalfitano]

from one ballet school dropout to another!

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

Thank you. 🧡

[@jeanneknight4791]

I appreciate that you do this time and breakdown of topics.

[@marijo1951]

I really appreciated your remarks about Jake Broe. Recently on Silicon Curtain he said that he sometimes has imposter syndrome, wondering exactly why he should be talking about Ukraine rather than about financial matters as he did on his original channel. I for one am glad he switched topic as his commentary is always lucid and his judgement sound, and he also explains puzzling aspects of the American political system in a way that non-Americans can understand. Above all, his absolute conviction that Ukraine must win is inspiring.

[@saattlebrutaz]

He has a military background.

[@carolwilliams8511]

We should all throw in some small amount to his birthday fundraiser 😊

[@VladVexlerChat]

Jake is a complete pleasure to interact with on YT, exceptional.

[@sbeckwit]

Professor Vexlar, you always bring value! But love does not require value. You help us stay free. How could any gift be more precious? I wish you overflowing health and comfort. I pray that when you awake, you are surprised at the comfort you feel in your feet, toes, forehead and fingers. May you live.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much! Your wishes mean the world! Warm wishes back at you!

[@DoloresJNurss]

Thank you for having been born, Vlad! You do so much with your two hours!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much!

[@madaradrukalska4115]

I can't help but feel that asking someone what their life would be like if their condition disappeared is one of the cruelest questions.

[@SlpBeauty333]

Brutally honest answer? If you're not chronically sick yourself, and I deeply hope that you aren't, it's a question every chronically ill person lives with and has asked themselves so many times that having a safe place to ask it is so important so that other sick people know that they are not alone. Lots of love from NYC ❤️

[@VladVexlerChat]

Oh no it’s not it’s a generous question!

[@SlpBeauty333]

Derp, I forgot to say what the really irritating question is! Here's a small sample of them: "Well have you tried Remedy X? Because my third cousin twice removed on my Mother's side used that and it totally fixed her problem!11!!! ". "But you don't look sick, c'mon let's go here and do things! Live a little, you look fine." "You should try x, y and z. You're just being lazy by not doing that and you won't get better unless you do activities like that." "You're not that sick, you're just doing it for the attention". Someone actually said that I was in it for the meds. :deep sigh: It's EXHAUSTING. It really is. I forgot to add how random and time consuming it is to be sick for so long. You have to cut back on the rest of your life and it really sucks. Lots of love from NYC ❤️

[@braydeny]

Something that really helps for me is to allow the thinking time in the fetal position to be classified as work.

[@AstroGremlinAmerican]

I'm glad you were born, Vlad!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much!!

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

All the health and energy you need, this is what I wish you, dear Vlad.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Means so so much!!!

[@WasatyPanKazimierz]

Hey Vlad! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for speaking so openly about your experience. I once was a promising academic with big ambitions, interested primarily in the history of culture as a concept. It meant everything to me. I was working diligently on my Ph.D. Then, God only knows how and why, my brain broke. It took me years to get out of depression. Now I’m 36 and I feel much better. I know I won’t make a professional career in humanities I once hoped I would. I know I will never “get back on track” with my academic career. I’m too far behind. But considering my state from couple of years ago (at one point I was on a verge of doing something stupid) I find it a small miracle that I basically managed to put myself together and start a whole new life. Made myself a respectable, socially useful job. Got married with a beautiful, smart, and caring woman. Planning to have a kid soon (fingers crossed). And I still enjoy enough spare time left for some reading and thinking. Physically I’m in a pretty good shape, so I have the health and strength in this regard to pursue goals in life. Mentally I’m quite stable, with some minor hiccups few and far between (today, actually, is one of these days…). But I also know that I still have my entire Ph.D. and probably one more book in me. They haunt me. I’m not sure if I can live and die in peace without finishing what I’ve started all those years ago. This year I returned to the abandoned dissertation and am trying to put it back together, although it is difficult to say when I will be able to finish it. A lot of things have escaped me and I need to catch them again. I am very grateful to you for sharing your story. You helped me deal with the feelings of shame and self-hatred that plagued me in the aftermath of my own experiences. I wish you all the best, Vlad! You WILL finish your book!

[@kathleentrinity7367]

Happy Birthday, Vlad. Thank you and WasatyPanK for sharing your health experiences and struggle to resume and develop your scholarly lives. I was hit by Covid twice and left with significant negative changes in health in my later years as I struggled to take additional classes for a second major. It's not easy, but the process of continuing for some sort of progress is still something that brings satisfaction.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so so much for sharing this pain, beauty and tragedy. I really hope it is possible for you to be surprised by what is possible. My warmest wishes to your family in its current and future constellation! Do give me an update about how you are doing in a while! Love.

[@gustinian]

Many happy returns, Vlad. Thank you for dissecting our philosophical questions, your perspective helps immensely.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you!

[@suem5082]

Happy birthday Vlad. Lots of love ❤

[@AlexandraShymko]

Happy birthday, dear Vlad! May your wishes come true! 🌻 🫂 ❤ from Kyiv

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so so much!!

[@suzannewman979]

Happy Birthday for 43 years and counting slowly with good health forward.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so so much!

[@halporter9]

I feel your earned frustration. Remember:recognize that You contribute incredibly to intellectual discourse about important, life and death

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thanks so much!

[@georgebelmonte8522]

You may have saved my life entirely with this chat

[@VladVexlerChat]

I hope you are OK - sending you warm and encouraging wishes!

[@js24689]

Happy birthday Vlad

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you!!!

[@kernel2006]

Happy birthday Vlad! It turns out we share a birthday, which is fun!

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

Happy birthday to you too. 🎂

[@VladVexlerChat]

Happy Birthday to you for the Friday before last!!!

[@euglenah]

Happy Birthday Vlad! Thank you so much for being with us and supporting us so much! Wishing you that you receive back all the support and love we are getting from you 🙏 hope your health improves and more people learn about your channel 🤍

[@VladVexlerChat]

Elena thank you so so much!

[@johnwannamaker7814]

Happy Birthday Vlad, long may you reign !

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thanks so much!

[@James.._]

Happy Birthday Vlad! I hope you had a good health day ❤

[@dorriepruvenok8598]

Happy birthday, dearest Vlad!!! ❤❤❤ you're just over two years older than me! Wishing you health and happiness this joyous day! Sitting here in the backyard listening to the cool wind in my old druid oak tree and waiting on the Northern Lights to come to Chattanooga, Tennessee courtesy of our solar storm. Never take a single day for granted. God gives us each day as a gift from heaven. We give our lives to others and your blessed two hours are such a precious gift to us here!!! Thanks, lovely Vlad! ❤❤❤

[@VladVexlerChat]

Life is very precious and I am very grateful to have you with me!

[@dorriepruvenok8598]

@@VladVexlerChat i'm melting!!!

[@carolevincent7743]

And I think gratitude is the key to life! I love your gratitude.

[@SusanKG]

Happy birthday, Vlad! May this year bring you many blessings. Thank you for all your hard work. I feel incredibly fortunate to have stumbled across your channel.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much - thank you for stumbling over here!

[@cthree87]

Happy Birthday Vlad 🎉. I hope this year brings you good fortune. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@zootallures6470]

One of your best streams, thanks. and Happy Birthday!

[@BalefulStar]

Happy birthday, Vlad!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much!

[@kajsahakansson9092]

Happy birthday, dear Vlad! You make our lives better.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so so much!!

[@DarkestAlice]

Thank you, Vlad, and Happy Birthday with a nice glass of wine. Lots of love and listen to you soon🤗 Thank you, amalfitano, Chris and Rachel, for moderating. Very much appreciated. 🤗 🇺🇦 Перемоги і миру всім українцям! 🇺🇦

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you thank you!

[@PhiltheMoko]

Congratulations on another trip around the sun!

[@BooleanDisorder]

Dear Vlad. Happy Birthday! I wish I could give you a (consensual) hug. A long hug! :D

[@selvi1309]

Happy Birthday Vlad Vexler and many happy return of the day hope you have a great day.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much!!!

[@xenaflatout]

I thank you from my heart for your work Vlad. I wish you better health from my heart. I wish you all good. ❤❤❤

[@haylerblxcaw]

Happy Birthday Vlad

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you!!

[@Freotheric]

Happy Birthday, Vlad -- All the best!

[@SuperBullInvestor]

Happy birthday Vlad, sending you good energy from Canada. God bless

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you and bless you too!

[@debprothero2285]

Happy 43rd birthday, Vlad!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much!!

[@RileyH-fh8vf]

Happy Birthday!

[@19angela71]

Happy birthday!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you!!

[@andywuhu6720]

Happy birthday vlad

[@MikeCasey-rz2bc]

For this and many more birthdays to come, lots of love.

[@pauladolan6019]

Happy birthday! 🎉🎈

[@VladVexlerChat]

🌻🌻😢

[@artbyferencnyiro1868]

Happy birthday greetings from Thailand

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much from east London!

[@Redrios]

"all is full of love" bjork

[@ufm10xxl27]

Happy Birthday Vlad. Special day...i see theres a fabulous display of nothern lights in the sky to celebrate your birthday

[@MickB52s]

Happy Birthday Pal, soory I missed your live.Cheers from Melbourne Australia..on this cold autumn day.

[@carolevincent7743]

I saw on a monetary wall, “…all is consummated, only love counts…” I like this.

[@f_lawless7689]

Happiness, rainbows and joy for you, happy 43

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so so much!

[@JustcallmeKathi]

Happy Birthday and well-wishes, Vlad!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you!!

[@ah5555]

Happy Birthday, Vlad!

[@danielcreamer9669]

Please bore us with your wine pairings soon! This week i got a pair of glasses which help compensate for my color blindness. Health can change! Happy birthday and well wishes!

[@alexwelts2553]

Happy birthday

[@JonathanSwiftUK]

Bta, Happy Birthday. I do hope you had cake !

[@brianyurko9599]

Happy Birthday, our beautiful friend! Wishing you the best as I learn more about what even I can accomplish these days. Understanding the challenges.

[@paulinebradleycarroll7745]

Happy Birthday, Vlad! xo 💐

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much 🌻!!

[@kernowpolski]

Happy Birthday Vlad and may you have many more with a lack of pain. Thank you for sharing your thoughts - the point about Russian literature not being able to save Russia made perfect (albeit depressing) sense.

[@readmylisp]

You are young ... Let's go !

[@hadtopicausername]

A belated happy birthday to you. Your insights are highly appreciated.

[@ThePinkPearll]

Happy birthday vlad🤗

[@manitobaman5588]

Bob reporting to Vlad from Canuckastan. Happy Birthday Sir Vlad.

[@santo3923]

We share the same birthday. Happy Birthday!

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

Happy birthday!

[@matthiasbreuer8710]

Happy birthday Vlad! These chats from you are a wonderful gift to all of us. Best wishes for your health!

[@DwaynedPearce]

Happy Birthday. From the Bahamas 🇧🇸 🎉🎉

[@SeamusDunmaggotin]

All the very best to you mate, I can't tell you how much you've become a touchstone for rationality in a progressively irrational world, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[@marytheresamaureenlowndes3564]

Wishing you a very happy birthday from Ireland Vlad

[@docbogus6128]

I'm not late to the party, Vlad, I've been here yesterday, but I've noticed that your birthday coincided with Oleksandr Matsiievskyi's birthday, the hero who said goodbye with a simple Slava Ukraini, not being able to finish his cigarette. He was supposed to celebrate his 44th birthday yesterday.

[@mariarucci78]

Happy birthday my lovely enjoy the lovely weather ❤️❤️❤️🍾🍾

[@julilab]

I hardly ever comment nor do i always listen to VV´s podcasts (no time to) but i always try to give a Like to each episode to support the channel. That´s my birthday present. All the best & many happy days & a beautiful summer..

[@shirleythurston4213]

Sincere Happy Birthday wishes for yesterday dear Vlad. My husband and I love watching you and pray for your health constantly, and appreciate you so very much. With many wishes from two former Brits living in Canada ❤

[@kbmw494]

Happy birthday, I missed the live chat but it's never too late to send love and well wishes. Have a wonderful celebration of life.

[@immermitderruhe]

Happy birthday and thank you for sharing your thoughts and expertise with us

[@carolevincent7743]

Love Jake Broe!

[@piseag458]

Happy Birthday dear Vlad, we're very fortunate to have you, congratulations 🎊

[@SeaaToad]

Vlad, do you play Piano which you have in the back there? Maybe some special supporter stream we could hear you play?

[@PELEGON1]

Yes please.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

Good on you Vlad, have a happy birthday, hope the coming year is good for you, lots of love❤️☮️☯️

[@paolapedrini9155]

Happy birthday,dear Vlad! Lots of love from Italy. Such a pleasure to have a personal message from a highly appreciated intellectual / moral ‘guide’.

[@stevenjohns-savage7024]

Happy birthday 😊

[@PragerFenster]

Happy birthday, Vlad! ❤ I also celebrated my birthday yesterday, on May 9!

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

Happy birthday!

[@_c_y_p_3]

Happy birthday Vlad! i was gonna tell you yesterday but it was ten min till midnight and today I had a long distance call with mom so…. HAPPPPPY B DAY!!

[@elidas1008]

Happy belated birthday dear Vlad!

[@markusleboschka6878]

Happy Birthday Vlad !

[@tacitus1000]

A very happy birthday to you, Vlad! Dies natalis felicissimus sit!!!

[@petrakoinig4136]

All the best for you and thanks for the inspiration, Petra

[@georgeholloway3981]

I was in Oxford at the same time as you! I was an undergraduate when you were a postgrad.

[@menschin2]

Happy Birthday

[@user-eq2qk7so7q]

Feliz cumpleaños!!

[@richardlee4730]

Happy birthday! Wishing you all the best, brother.

[@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen]

👏🙂 Happy 43rd Birthday Professor Vexlar. 🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉🎆🎆🎆🎇🎇🎇🎇

[@richardfinlayson1524]

As far as science fiction goes Alastair Reynolds and Ian M Banks are my favourites, just thought I'd chuck that in.

[@MrTait_en_Chile]

Feliz Cumpleaños

[@ebsiexportacademy]

Happy birthday Vlad I think you are a great contributor to the global conversation! I suffer from deep depression which I know is nothing compared to your challenges you face but how do you keep your motivation I find it so difficult to do it and I KNOW I have a lot to offer online…

[@yashsingh4211]

Happy Birthday !!!!!!

[@slimski]

Hi Vlad. Happy Birthday 🥳 Catching up Have you read Anne Applebaum’s latest. Book excerpt. Be good to hear your thoughts

[@ldawn1540]

Happy 43!

[@johnnygreen1376]

Happy birthday, Vlad. All the best. I’m the same age as you; it’s a funny period of life, yet a good one. Sending love (PS my phone initially corrected this to “sending kids!!).

[@gandalf1379]

Hope you had a happy birthday Vlad sorry it's late been very busy. Being a mere 43 years young myself I too am just entering my prime, just like you I still look 21.

[@ohhhSmooth]

Happy Birthday, Vlad! Cool to learn that your Birthday is 8 days before mine. ;)

[@smallakam7310]

Great comment on Jake Broe. I share your thoughts about him 100%

[@Rain-xe5vr]

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays - happy 42nd birthday Vlad. Here is to 4 Million more! 🥂Yes, we love you. Guilty as charged. I will pray for you at mass today. Perhaps your ME **will** be cured? If not, I'll just keep praying until it is. I'm glad you chose your public work, selfish I know. Hoping one day that a choice will not be necessary, and you can do both!

[@fonsvandenhove]

Happy belated birthday from Estonia!

[@Rain-xe5vr]

Hey Vlad, it's ChatGPT here! In response to your assertion that philosophy is harder than life, I'd like to offer a different angle for consideration. While philosophy indeed demands rigorous intellectual effort and a deep dive into abstract concepts, life encompasses a breadth of experiences that philosophy alone might not fully account for. The challenges of life are not only intellectual but also emotional, social, and often unpredictable. These challenges require not just theoretical understanding but practical wisdom, adaptability, and resilience. Philosophy provides valuable tools for understanding life's big questions and guiding our ethical choices. However, living a life-navigating relationships, coping with loss, making difficult decisions, and celebrating joys-engages aspects of our being that philosophical discourse may overlook. Thus, while philosophy is undoubtedly challenging, the complexities and demands of lived experience are equally, if not more, challenging in their own unique ways. This perspective doesn't diminish the value of philosophy but rather highlights the essential interplay between philosophical thought and the practicalities of daily living. Both are essential, each in its own domain, enriching our understanding and experience of the world. 😮😂❤