Absolutely Mental Season 3

[@JFromAcc]

Please keep making these. Ricky was more thought provoking and Sam was funnier than I expected. Pleasant surprise.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

You guys have great chemistry. Even when you disagree, you bounce off each other in an entertaining and respectful way. It's refreshing to listen to.

[@jamiedoucette9642]

Sam, (and Ricky, for that matter), you have opened my eyes to new interpretations and the process of sifting through the melee of (mis)information this world serves up to us on a moment-to-moment basis, and I have become infinitely more articulate and tempered in my communication as a result. I am in eternal debt to your podcasts, even snippets of dialogue posted to this particular forum. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, because I can tell, at the base of all intellectualization, is a tremendous heart and compassion is at the root of your philosophical exploration. "Godspeed", in my impoverished language.

[@Davidbeattiification]

Wow, what an amazingly nice thing to say, and very eloquently in my opinion.

[@ctakitimu]

Yep, I remember being told that Santa wasn't real. 40 years ago now and I can still remember exactly where we were when my mother told me. I remember keeping a straight face and trying to take the news like a young man (I was 9). I looked at my mother with a straight face and asked her if there was anything else that wasn't true? She looked at me and said yes, the tooth fairy isn't real, it's just me putting money out for you and taking the tooth away. I broke down and cried. Yep, I remember exactly.

[@toby9999]

I had figured it out myself pretty quickly (maybe around 5. my 1st year at school). Most kids knew Santa wasn't real but I can imagine it could be distressing for older kids to be told.

[@Starfish2145]

What a horrible mother!

[@ctakitimu]

@@Starfish2145 Was a less PC/woke time back then

[@tottenhamhotspurish]

Your mum sounds like she was a bit ill. I found out Santa wasn’t real at the age of 6 yrs old. I see my stepfather filling up my stocking which made me realise Santa wasn’t real. I put Santa on such a high pedestal; I felt like I was mourning the death of a saint. I think me having no good male role models in my life may have made me mourn the “death” of Santa because my subconscious mind needed a man like that to be real. I was the kind of kid that envied my friend’s when they was being grounded. My subconscious mind obviously knew the act of grounding is generally a sign of love, protection, discipline and above all - parental guidance.

[@ctakitimu]

@@tottenhamhotspurish Yeah, I also had no father figure until I was about 9 or 10 I think I was

[@RoadRunner217]

The last minute _killed_ me. Man, I needed that laugh in these times.

[@mr.didactic8642]

I wrote my first joke a few days ago. A Chimp, orangutang and Joe Rogan was in a theatre, Rogan, being in the position to ask, asked, 'why is the earth round'? The monkey said 'it's something to do with gravity!' The orangutang said, 'there is not enough matter, it's something to do with dark matter!' Rogan said 'I think you are both right but I don't think it is so black and white!' Then said he googled and saw Tarzan was forever, and by the power of deduction thought there must be something before the big bang, upon which he asked, 'what about those Buddhists?'

[@Resurrescion]

For reference, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqa9eX9pbttnp6s

[@ggstylz]

That was so enjoyable. Philosophy and comedy. The ultimate cocktail!

[@radar5464]

this is kinda like Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew. need more of these duos. 😊 comedians are truth tellers, and scientists are in search of truth (though illusive to some through their paradigms)

[@MentalHealthMMA]

I’m the only Atheist in a family who has lost both my Dad and dog recently. I can definitely relate to Sam’s point about feeling isolated during the grieving process. When everyone’s talking about them being together happily in heaven and seeing them again someday, I feel so alone. That said, it does make me happy they’re finding so much comfort in their beliefs. I’ve been a total wreck and most of my family seems to be doing much better than myself.

[@YY4Me133]

I'm sorry.

[@Station9.75]

Sorry mate. Doing the right thing and valuing truth is often the most difficult and lonely choice.

[@MariposaRedimida]

My condolences. My dog is 15, so I've been mentally preparing for a goodbye. My dad had two heart attacks, so I've also had to contemplate losing him many times. Though I don't believe in heaven, I do believe we all come from the same energy and go back to it. I still don't believe it's a reunion as religious people would see it, because I would see that once we go back to where we came from, we are no longer ourselves as a individuals and neither are the people we loved and died. There's still a sense of unity we can take from this. But we just need to let go of who we are (who we think we are). Drops of water going back to the vast ocean. When you feel alone, you can think of this. Hope it helps.

[@MentalHealthMMA]

Mariposa Redimida Thanks for the reply and advice. I’m sorry to hear about you losing your dad. I’m not sure if I fully grasp what you mean by coming from the same energy and returning back to it when we die.

[@seantiz]

You may also simply have more empathy than they do. It’s a positive attribute that also can come at a price at times. They might also be hiding their grief. Who knows. But your pain and loss is something most of us can understand. Best.

[@SingleDigitDriven]

Absolutely loved this!!!!! I could listen to these 2 talk for days

[@thepyrrhonist6152]

i have my disagreements with SH, but can always rely on his intellect, honesty, sincerity and curiosity to lead to interesting information. always like how he lets his guests finish their thoughts. big fan of RG.

[@elijahjns81]

Big fan of both!

[@Williamtipq]

You’re just making him look correct that free will doesn’t exist, and your psychological weakness is a far greater mystery to me than the existence of free will. Because I know you know better. I know you have the information to override the false will that possessed you to say something so false, yet you didn’t. This type of weakness is mysterious. What does it take for someone with self awareness to act on it? Does one need to use psychedelics every day whilst studying only the psychology human bias? WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO HAVE A WILL OF YOUR OWN?

[@close2001]

@@Williamtipq calm down bro lmao

[@thewakakeboarder]

@@Williamtipq what drugs open these rabbit holes?

[@crowlsyong]

Same here Sam Harris needs to lie more. We all need to lie more.

[@TheWendysuzanne]

I love Sam Harris and Ricky Gervaise! My cat looked at me like I hung the moon. He gave me all of the love and trust he had in his heart, all for me, no one else. People underestimate the love a cat can give. No human has ever looked at me like that.

[@maticdragan93]

Always a joy listening to these two earthlings. I believe it is possible to be truthful even in social situations and it mostly depends on how it is said and which words are used. Another factor is which facial expressions are used by the person delivering the "bad news" to the person asking the question. Unfortunately, a lot of people are mentally lazy so it is rather difficult to execute. One love

[@ScratchySpoon]

One of the reasons I love this duo is that although Ricky brings the comedy to the dance as the comedian of the pair, Sam as well is quite funny. The addition of Sam being funny makes the podcast very engaging.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Sam has a very dry sense of humor, which is refreshing. That's one of the first things I noticed when he started giving talks in the early to mid 2000's. He would use humor to make his points about how absurd some belief systems were.

[@thermalrain_yt9725]

Also Ricky is very intelligent himself. They're a really good pair

[@marksallows113]

@@thermalrain_yt9725 Comedians generally are some of the smartest entertainers. Think of George Carlin, Bill Burr, or Billy Connelly; brilliant (and often political).

[@svenred6eard757]

Cool to hear Mr. Harris laugh. Ricky Gervais' laugh is infectious.

[@teresawhite9628]

I agree.. sam is sooo serious most of the time and it's hard to be in the company of Ricky without laughing

[@jbart4183]

The only one who makes him laugh, aside from Ricky is the one and only Christopher Hitchens, RIP legend you are missed

[@yoya4766]

Ricky is serious and funny. Sam is just boring, not serious but dull very dull.@@teresawhite9628

[@authenticallysuperficial9874]

Boy what a great combo

[@MattRoszak]

I liked the first 10 minutes of this enough to go and buy all the episodes! It'll be something to listen to while I work on boring tasks.

[@mansamusamusictinatbonat2670]

The way ricky summarized the whole issue on truth,the pet and the reality of life with humour is the manifestation the great script writer and comedian he is.

[@yoya4766]

Outclasses Sam, in intellect, humour, explanation and insights.

[@derekaarts4997]

"the wicked web" that Sam refers to when we tell a lie is actually quite huge. Frees you up so much when you are not lying. Got to love Ricky's laugh.

[@mjinba07]

Agree for sure, but I have to add - rote avoidance of lying fits for some, and for Harris obviously, but I think most people understand that certain kinds of "white lies" are part of normal social discourse and not only use them but expect them. Human communication is often subtle and it sometimes includes tacit acceptance of what's actually being communicated in a lie.

[@Sprite_525]

@@mjinba07 Sam addressed that a lot tho, if you Google the word ‘tact’ in his book “lying” it’s a big part of honesty. People who lack longterm experience with the precept of full-blown honesty often have that critique, that it’s too rigid of a rule to survive daily life. But there’s no requirement to blast out every fact in our minds. It’s simply not that kind of precept. You just avoid SAYING deliberately false things. We aren’t forced to put a megaphone to our mouth and about things without any filter like a Tourette’s patient. When a person really lives that precept of not lying, for a long time, you understand that it’s WAY easier than it seems. It just takes practice at first. That’s the less easy part: switching up from the reflexive white-lie habit, that is difficult. I grew up in a deceitful family so it was painted as unthinkable to be honest - it seemed like you’d end up as Jim Carey did from ‘Liar Liar’ , in constant chaos and misfortune if you were honest. It’s not true. It just takes practice.

[@mjinba07]

@@Sprite_525 I imagine if one abandons white lies entirely, eventually their social circle gets used to it. I'm just saying that, handled thoughtfully in normal social interactions, some lies are understood as part of communication. "Do you think I look fat in this?" "uh... no it's fine." [Where the response otherwise would be something like, "not at all, looks great!"] It's a way of communicating that's not attempting deception but on tempering a difficult truth so that it allows the other to save face. And without a lot of extra verbiage or condescension it conveys, 'I care about your feelings.' I think Harris misses the subtlety angle. He's a good guy and a smart guy and, no doubt, his loved ones, friends and colleagues have come to appreciate his brutal honesty as, 'that's just Sam.' But in most normal human interactions it's not going to fly all that well. It's a little too on the nose, a little ASD. In most cases, people don't require that kind of blatant statement of truth.

[@sidstovell2177]

​@@mjinba07I have been thinking of the same situation - a friend asking how she looks in a dress. 'Beautiful material', is an answer. But I end up telling a white lie. Because people do get their feelings hurt, and never forget.

[@mjinba07]

@@sidstovell2177 Being fully capable of deciding for herself how she looks in the dress, she may have instead been fishing for a few words of encouraging kindness or a vote of confidence before an evening out with others. We don't always say what we mean. Sometimes we don't even know what we mean. Sometimes we don't know what we mean but our friends and loved ones do, lol! So it's a judgment call. I just don't think most people want total 100% honesty from others all the time. And I don't think the world would work very well that way, either.

[@Nikonfanboy1982]

Two of the most likable people ever

[@taskforceandy2830]

“You don’t know until you open the box” That’s an under appreciated reference

[@ctakitimu]

But it should have been "The cat is both alive and dead, in a superposition of both and neither."

[@wendyktucker.awen-arts]

Delightful - Insightful - Choc Full of Substance. I've deep respect for these two minds.

[@paulburrell4120]

Big blast from the past with regard to Santa: receiving the Santa revelation from my parents (after my discovery of several inconsistencies in the mythology) and then being told not to tell my younger siblings, which I promptly did!

[@scotthallgv]

@39:16 NAILED IT! If youre honest with people, they stop asking you stuff. This is honestly a godsend to have people stop bothering you with their inane bullshit all the time and only come to you with stuff that matters when it really counts. Im always honest with people and this is exactly how its played out for me. Folks dont come to me with trivial nonsense, but when they do ask me things, its usually something serious and something I want to help them with. I dont believe in lying in any capacity personally, I feel like its an extreme disservice to the people around you to lie.

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

Well you sound like a fun person to hang out with...

[@scotthallgv]

I AM! Thanks for noticing.

[@mindsigh4]

14:00 min. in, & they get into truth, i think Sam said it, like:" it's one thing to be honest, but is it useful?'' i used to ask, is it helpful? , as apposed to how one of my family used to get kinda judgy with people & (in my judgment) be rude & tell them, & when i asked him what's the deal, he said "im just being honest,' with a, 'f'em if they can't take a joke", kind of attitude, so i considered that & said, ..".or are u being, using that as an excuse to just be mean?" i think it's a dance, between any two people, not everybody u know u wanna go deep with, which is trust, which begins with a back & forth, or a feel, & then courage, to be the first one to risk opening your life book for someone to read, lost my train... oh yeah, metaphor. everybody has their book (or books) of their life, & it's not cool rumaging around rifling thru the pages of someone elses book unless until invited, u let them open their book to whatever pages they want, (& u don't snoop when they're not looking, right?,the golden rule) when & if they feel like it, & u, each one of u, are looking at ur own books/lives differently cuz ur seeing it now thru their eyes too, dis- covering things from a new perspective, together.

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

@@scotthallgv Well now you've clearly broken your policy

[@traceyoung5592]

What he says about Santa is 100% true. I’ll never forget how bad I felt when I had to admit to my kid that Santa was a crock. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he takes everything I say with a grain of salt to this day because of that and it has been well over 15 years since that dreadful day. Ironically, I often point out how the media constantly lies and he doesn’t entirely believe me.

[@OSUCharger]

I LOVE hearing Sam laugh!

[@BeastLordofMetal]

timestamp?

[@Vorago_]

48:19

[@ibji]

I was laughing so hard I couldn't hear what they were saying at the end...and it turned out they were laughing too.

[@maxwell4431]

I love Ricky Gervais. Even the way he laughs and cackles at his own jokes. Real glee, it makes it thoroughly enjoyable :)

[@avaonalee]

Depends on the cat... my cat is the most loving (and needy!) creature : she doesn't even like when I leave her to take a shower 😂

[@ghasaqkareem]

My intellectual crush and the funniest person ever are on a podcast together?! Why did I just now learn about this?! God I love it already!

[@detroitredwings7130]

Ricky Gervais is just a great human being all around. Love that guy

[@SCITom]

Yeah... he's all right, but the fact he's shoving gerbils up his ass is a bit disturbing. He does justify this in a clever way, but something tells me it's not sincere and one shouldn't do it.

[@maxmac7845]

Domestic cats kill millions of birds every year. If you absolutely must own a cat, stick a bell on it and give adult birds a chance of escape. Baby birds have no defence against this apex predator.

[@j.w.8663]

Natural selection. Like covid.

[@oldtimer7635]

I think you should do the same to the birds, because all those maggots and insects have no defence against them either. ; )

[@maxmac7845]

@@oldtimer7635 Domestic cat ownership is a choice. There is an obvious difference. I'm not sure if maggots and insects have ears in the traditional sense. I know the thought of tiddles going out, roaming free to decimate local birdlife might clash with the vegan cat owners sense of morality but that's the reality of the situation. Stick a bell on it.

[@maxmac7845]

@@j.w.8663 Domestic cats are not natural. They are an introduced species.

[@duncansteedman9986]

Absolutely agree. A neighbour’s cats here are killing many birds in gardens. It’s so important to make feeders less accessible to cats - especially much higher up 👍

[@pcbacklash_3261]

A very entertaining and thought-provoking discussion! I never thought I'd hear a conversation between a comedian and a scientist where it's the scientist making most of the jokes! :-D It's especially amazing when Ricky is one of the funniest people on the planet!

[@cliffordhammontree1009]

Just love thy neighbor the comedy comes easy. As someone who disagrees with atheism still WISH these conversations happen more. The opening about friends and family and dogs proves love.

[@Beauweir]

Maybe you just don't get British comedy?

[@pcbacklash_3261]

@@Beauweir Sure I do. I LOVE Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and Benny Hill. Again, I think Ricky is one of the funniest people on the planet. I'm just surprised that Sam is so funny.

[@Hykoo79]

I think Sam fits firmly in the phylosopher/scientist class of peeps. Ricky is just a genius when it comes to the study of the absurd that is human beings.

[@criznittle968]

I think you're laughing more at Sam because you're not expecting humor from him

[@kidshealthcoza]

Sam managed to get Ricky on the back foot from the get-go, targeting Ricky's most vulnerable spot, his empathy with animals.

[@thegoodnamesaretaken]

Great conversation. Ricky makes a great point about how specific the questions of the kids need to be. Saying I don't know in response to what happens when someone dies is not very truthful when you believe nothing happens. My parents believed Santa to be an enriching experience for us (and I agree, it wasn't traumatic at all when we discovered, it made sense). Discovering the truth behind Santa is the most valuable lesson of all: question everything, especially the people and traditions that you trust. It is the basis of all critical thinking.

[@wytchend]

Definitely one of the best! Thank you Sam & Ricky

[@tobygoodman9134]

Such a good listen. Rickey is such a funny, intelligent dude.

[@mr.didactic8642]

I wrote my first joke a few days ago. A Chimp, orangutang and Joe Rogan was in a theatre, Rogan, being in the position to ask, asked, 'why is the earth round'? The monkey said 'it's something to do with gravity!' The orangutang said, 'there is not enough matter, it's something to do with dark matter!' Rogan said 'I think you are both right but I don't think it is so black and white!' Then said he googled and saw Tarzan was forever, and by the power of deduction thought there must be something before the big bang, upon which he asked, 'what about those Buddhists?'

[@screamstation]

Great conversation guys, thanks. No, I am lying, thought it was boring, I fell asleep. No, I didn’t. It was great. Keep it up.

[@thermalrain_yt9725]

Who are these people who get upset their parents lied about Santa? That seems absurd to me. I remember figuring it out when I was little and I was alright I'm gonna bust this wide open. I remember them coming clean and I was like oh yeah I knew it. It was a great triumph for me and set up the rest of my life of trying to find out the truth in all things.

[@LD-qj2te]

Ricky is so emotional connected and while viscously Hilarious but is warm and so grounded.

[@derekeuale2042]

Delusion is a sea of grey area I think. A great chat that, at once, demands self reflection and provides comedy. Thank you.

[@jimenadib]

I really enjoy listening to both of you!

[@topjest9365]

Ricky Gervais: "I never lie for personal gain" umm okay.. are we just going to pretend he wasn't responsible for the invention of lying?

[@jasonnapolitano1560]

This is a super fun episode! When I saw a comedian and Sam Harris together, I was wondering how you would pull this off. Quite brilliant. And the ending with the sick dog. I was on the floor!! OmG.

[@Snowboardjedi892]

Lovely conversation. Sam’s anecdote regarding his honesty with his screenwriter friend says it all…

[@milobarkymcbarkface6846]

@16:00 United States radio host Bernard Meltzer ran an advice call-in show from 1967 through the 1990s. Bernard is accredited with the following quote: “Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful.

[@KindHappyLove]

My aunt is currently in the Hospital fighting with a bad infection that has made her Semi-delusional at points making her depressed and not eating. She has been on the verge of death.. fortunely recently things have started to turn around and she started eating again, but her health is still in jeopardy. Unexpectedly her daughter just passed likely from a blood clot. We decided not to tell her, but someone let the bad news slip out.. when she asked if her daughter died we said she is on medication and must have dreamed that. We lied. The Dr. and the family came to the conclusion that her knowing now would likely send her into a deep depression which would stunt and maybe reverse her recovery. I feel that sometimes lying is the right thing to do and being unwilling to lie under the right circumstances is simply a display of selfishness disguised as righteousness. You may ease your conscious and suffering, but deal more harm and suffering to someone else. In conclusion I believe in noble lies.

[@charlesb2895]

This is the sort of example i was hoping they would arrive to. Hope and the perception of hope has legitimate medical utility for certain situations and it is actually in the best interest for people to have hope to overcome an illness. Literally why do medical trials have a placebo group? It’s that important. I think it’s absolutely within ethical boundaries to consider lying in these cases

[@KindHappyLove]

@@charlesb2895 thank you for taking the time to read and leave a excellent point on this comment.

[@barkYdarkATFB]

I’ve never been disappointed when I see any blurb for Gervais in conversation with anyone. He’s a smart, quick witted, deep, honest, humorous critical thinker.

[@Zaekyr]

I have had both cats and dogs all my life, they are mostly the same in my eyes. They can each have remarkable personalities. Cats do not show you emotion like dogs do. They are simply more pragmatic.

[@JiminiCrikkit]

best ending to a podcast for a while :D thank you for this

[@hamersfeld]

Such clever boys and Sam you are a great parent we need to raise sceptics, it’s our duty but it must be the right time for our kids! Brilliant minds both of you!!!

[@DrPatrickKingsep]

So good! Thank you. This is Patrick from Mind Life Flow here...what an amazing collaboration of you two!! :)

[@guitargus4504]

Thanks guys...I had a really great laughing session with this...Cheers

[@lessevdoolbretsim]

When you're rich it's easier to sooth your conscience by thinking you're honest. But money gives you that social padding. Sometimes desperate people have to lie to survive.

[@emilyliz5857]

Love this dialogue.

[@Burps6]

My brother in law has a terrible cat allergy. He can’t even be in a house with one. That’s why I have 2.

[@mindsigh4]

that's a win, win & win.

[@kanttarellivaara]

What if he's lying?

[@Burps6]

@@kanttarellivaara lol, possibly…..

[@EdenRoseSirocco]

😂😂😂

[@byronchurch]

Yes 😂 Merry Christmas 😂 More !

[@colinellicott9737]

Learning about Santa was a fantastic lesson in credulity. Every child should learn that lesson, the earlier the better.

[@nateo7045]

Care to elaborate?

[@colinellicott9737]

@@nateo7045 Going through the process of being let down by Santa at the age of ~6 broke my ability to accept at face value what I am told. This was the founding of my life long skepticism. Almost 6 decades since.

[@ItsameAlex]

When I was a kid I figured out Santa wasn't real because I wondered ''why do all these presents have brands/labels on them from different human companies? Hasbro, nintendo, casio etc. Aren't the elves/santas little helpers their own separate team?

[@throfur3489]

Here I was thinking staying up drinking at this time would be a waste, but here you go proving me wrong.

[@mattalluisi3954]

Lol right there with you brother

[@PlayNiceFolks]

Grosss

[@PlayNiceFolks]

Lol, you're literally drinking rotted plant juice. Ew

[@gregmeissner9960]

I love how this talk seems to end because there is simply nothing good enough to follow Ricky’s concluding statement with.

[@Flynbourne]

This was a really amazing discussion and has forced me to reevaluate quite a lot. I had never realised or given much thought to how much these small lies can really undermine one’s integrity even if they are well meant. It’s good to think that there is another way. It requires serious thought and effort rather than the lazy little lie.

[@thermalrain_yt9725]

These are the best thing ever!! 2 of my absolute favorite people. Maybe both in the top 5.

[@johnnycharisma162]

Translation: My 2 best ever favourite people? Except for the other 3 or more other persons.

[@thermalrain_yt9725]

@@johnnycharisma162 maybe they're top 2 I'm not quite sure. Itll probably change at times. Could be top 10 as well.

[@maxrupo]

The laughter at the end made my day

[@engineerepixlele2845]

Lmao the sick dog ending is so true though😂

[@lilianempls]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting, fantastic stuff!

[@Narchitectt]

The ending couldn't be any better 🤣

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

I never understand the attribution of greater love from a dog than a cat. Dogs are so food oriented. Every time I’m with a dog I feel like nothing more than a “treat dispenser”… they look at you with big “feed me” eyes… and people mistake it for love ana loyalty. In my experIence, cats want to be with you whether you have food or not. Maybe it has to do with the breed. Siamese cats in particular are extremely emotional and bond closely to their person. There are a number of videos of cats that mourn and miss their owner when they leave the house. Our cat turns herself inside out with joy when we get home. And sometimes she just comes over and says “hi” and then goes about her business, sleeping or playing. Very companionable. Cats seem to love “freely” while dogs are cute sycophants who are loyal… until the treats run out… and then good luck! Just my experience.

[@bearskyshebearsky]

Agreed!

[@nicksyoutubeaccount]

Great conversation. Enjoyed it.

[@nthdegreetuber]

Fun discussion ! Dogs and Cats don't lie....Dogs are like family who always care how you're doing, while Cats are like family waiting for the inheritance after you die.

[@benjaminw.3198]

Liked the vid (and knew I was gonna love it) before they even started talking ;D Simply two awesome human beings who could only ever have super interesting, clever and funny conversations ^^

[@Hollis_has_questions]

My black cat, Pooh, was the love of my life. Our relationship was very intimate. I used to stretch his tail because I thought that if I had a tail - I’ve always wanted one - the vertebrae would be uncomfortably compressed, so it would be a pleasurable relief to have the vertebrae stretched. I tested my theory out on Pooh; it got to the point where I could catch his eye across the room and say “Gimme that tail,” and he would saunter over (yes, saunter), assume the position - horizontal to me, tail straight up - and I’d place my left hand on his back, just in front of his tail, take the tip gently but firmly between the thumb and first two fingers of my right hand, and pull steadily until I heard all the vertebrae crack. Don’t try this at home unless you start very young and your cat is as open to experimentation as Pooh was. He would only eat dry cat food outside, so I nicknamed him Al Fresco. He was very sociable, whereas I’m a homebody; when I would occasionally carry him around our apartment complex, strangers would come up to me and say “So YOU’RE Pooh’s mom!” I crocheted all the time, and although he often laid in my lap he never messed with my thread. He didn’t care for cat toys; instead, we conversed. It was a relationship of equals, or as close to equal as two sentient beings who didn’t speak each other’s native language could get. My husband, John, and I loved him very nearly as much as we loved each other. He died in January 2002 and John and I mourned him intensely. John died four months later, in April 2002; their ashes share an urn.

[@bearskyshebearsky]

I do the same to my cat! She loves it!

[@Floppa_GRAB]

Keep writing.

[@ungolcost]

Great conversation. Funny and thought provoking

[@TheMg49]

It's always enjoyable listening to honest conversations, about things that matter to all of us, between smart and thoughtful people with good senses of humor. This conversation had me thinking and laughing out loud. 👍

[@Obi_Bong_Kenobi]

well done guys, funny, thoughtful and engaging. as always

[@PooperScooperTrooper]

Hah that ending joke from Ricky made me smile then laugh along with Ricky :-) Bloody love that bloke

[@danielcranston375]

Sam you’re always so serious, this is great to see another side of your personality.

[@WilliamJames48]

I needed this today

[@samicherif8796]

We live in an amazing era! You can listen to 2 idols of yours, that wouldn’t possibly meet in any different parallel universe!

[@christopherdawkins5392]

Brilliant, not only get the dog, but a very sick dog. Too funny.

[@Babunen]

Is this whole podcast somewhere to listen? The website is not workin :(

[@csquared4538]

Wish I could afford the series, this was very good. Though the topic of lying is one of my favorites from Sam. It's such a profound thing I've not been able to implement so far.

[@missshroom5512]

I have found woman to talk behind friends backs more than men ❤️🌎✌🏼

[@Mugairyuiai]

Case closed that's all the evidence that's required.

[@JaredAllaway]

"The pretense of certainty that religious people indulge isolates truly grieving people. Imagine your a christian whose husband dies. You're surrounded by people who are just aiming their happy-talk at you. You're isolated in your grief. You're not actually getting real compassion from them you're getting a fantasy that is not meeting you in your moment of grief." -Sam Harris I think this point dovetails perfectly into at least one other aspect of Christianity being bad for society: the prosperity gospel, or Christians saying God wants you to make money, for example new Lexus's in the church parking lot.

[@JaredAllaway]

@J I think you might’ve misunderstood what I was trying to say. I’m atheist. I don’t support meritocracy either. Michael Sandel has a book called Tyranny Of Merit

[@JaredAllaway]

@J also people should help each other. People should help a woman whose husband died but American capitalism has everyone over worked and under paid so Americans can’t afford to do nice things for each other.

[@MusicbyWordPlay]

@@JaredAllaway I'm not sure you understand what meritocracy means and I'm certain you didn't understand that book. If you are somehow under the impression that Professor Michael Sandel is against the idea of a meritocracy, you are very misinformed, sad to say.

[@JaredAllaway]

@@MusicbyWordPlay I know whenever I like something I call it "tyranny"

[@MusicbyWordPlay]

@@JaredAllaway I do love a smartass. The only thing funnier than your smartass comment is imagining you in front of Michael Sandel, explaining to him what his book is about while he looks on wondering what went wrong. Personally, I would love to hear your arguments against the merits of the meritocracy. Please enlighten me.

[@lifemusic1980]

I could listen to Ricky's voice and laugh all day. ☺️

[@kellywakeland1835]

Love you both, thank you.

[@sfleischer1336]

This is refreshingly light! Sam's stuff can be really dark and heavy.

[@mzSte]

So refreshing 😊

[@DarrellVermilion]

20:24 There's very little difference between your child a) learning that you've lied about Santa and b) learning that you've been withholding the truth because they didn't ask the right questions. There's _is_ a difference-but not much of one.

[@jackbower2204]

lol the end there was gold.

[@stanis_gaming]

Was lovely walking my dog to the sound of this podcast :)

[@elimonks]

So good

[@sunshinesunshine6130]

I have a half poodle/schnauzer. Incredibly intelligent, doesn't moult, doesn't smell, athletic. Loves to please people, incredibly affectionate. Love her more than I could ever imagine. Perfect girl. Cats eat birds.

[@LucasFontanillaManjarres]

Loved this, I hoped Ricky would bring the example from Afterlife S03 about the kid with cancer asking if there's an Afterlife. I would also lie no doubt...

[@ozzyherrera1027]

I just bought all 3 series. 24 bucks. Well worth it considering all the content you get. Probably around 20 hrs of conversation

[@denhamsux]

I can perhaps see the value of a lie when its purposed within the stories of boogie men etc in our developing history. Being that, when dealing with children, explaining the dangers of people and the world outside. It may not have the required and desired impact to instill the cation they should have / need. Using fear in such tales and the impact they have could indeed could mean the difference between life and death. In todays world perhaps no so much due to our current level of safety through knowledge and design. I love your work guys, keep it up.

[@GHalfa]

5:54 that was the best Physics joke I've heard in a while!

[@FlightOfJatayu]

How to teach your kids about life and death "I think what you should do is get your kid a very sick dog."

[@MusicbyWordPlay]

and a shovel.

[@benedictquek]

Let's not forget that all communication, be it truth or lie, is still subject to the perception, interpretation and reaction of the audience.

[@travisk4215]

Will there be more of these or have you exhausted your chats?

[@jessemunson1352]

it's not that lying is wrong, it's that you can't say lying is a universal good

[@Sukerkin]

What a splendid way for me to have spent the past fifty minutes!

[@unedited8204]

Sam Harris is the best (and Ricky Gervais is the second best). Sam at 13:05: "When you're dealing with someone who you really can't collaborate with, this is not a rational interlocutor anymore [....] and you're now deciding how much violence you need to use to get them out of your life. A lie is ethically permissible, and even necessary, in that case." Sam Harris is a legendary thinker, and the phrase "not a rational interlocutor" makes me laugh and also take myself more seriously, in a way that will help me next time I have to deal with such an interlocutor.