Woody Allen - Distraction is the Best Medicine (in a meaningless universe)

[@donacatanguma]

Love Woody Allen, from a New Yorker.

[@siat11]

Love that Woody Allen has used moving making as his distraction. Keep it up. We need more of your movies.

[@thomasgilson6206]

Brooklyn is NOT expanding, Alvy! Stop worrying about it!

[@youthgonewild]

What is *that* your business? 😂

[@gavinborden5451]

So great "Intellectual... Nonsense... And I don't buy it"

[@KarlWulff]

I wish Lawrence would just let his guest speak. It works so much better.

[@DrCruel]

Nah. Let them go at it. They enjoy each other.

[@lanieeichler6041]

A bit frustrating. He gets these great guests then spends 75 percent of the time talking over them. And I really like Lawrence! Just wish he'd listen more, talk less. You know, be an interviewer..

[@DrCruel]

@@lanieeichler6041 Maybe the other guests. But Woody Allen can handle himself. He can kibbutz as well as any other mensch.

[@antoniatejedabarros]

Woody is the best!!! His films make life better. Keep creating, Woody! And, please, stay safe!

[@matthewfurss205]

Who is this person always interrupting the legend?!

[@nickpmusic]

Lost in a mysterious universe without having any real purpose is the way it really is, possibly as far as I can tell (Richard Feynman)

[@dwalden74]

Woody is the greatest comedic mind of all time. ❤️

[@flamingopower2637]

Woody Allen and Charlie Chaplin imo

[@skepticsinister]

Love Woody Allen, from a New Yorker in CA. Thank you Lawrence :) 👍🏽

[@ahmedelsherif7223]

I have a picture of Woody Allen and Albert Camus on the white board in my office because I also thought that Woody Allen and his movies are a very good representation of the absurd that Camus discussed in his book "the myth of Sisyphus". I'm glad to know that others have the same idea.

[@hanskung3278]

Allen right, Camus is putting a happy face on death and despair.

[@antoniatejedabarros]

Rifkin's Festival is a masterpiece!!! We saw it twice in Madrid. We want to buy the DVD already! Thanks for your amazing art, dear Woody! You're the best!

[@danielafreedman]

Perhaps the answer is what Leonard Cohen said about the universe being cold and dark, but every once in a while there's a crack in it where the light gets in. Your films are little light shows that make us smile. Sending you a big hug!🕵👠🎷💖 Dan.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

I will never understand why would you want to give Woody Allen philosophy lessons…..

[@woody7652]

Happy New Year!

[@deadboy4735]

It's true because as soon you lose things you once had you start to understand their true value.

[@jimmymurphy9593]

We love you Woody!

[@judgeomega]

"its horrible when i think about it" "so dont think about it" that was the advice i gave my mother when my father died. we choose what we think about it, dont waste your precious attention on things beyond your control... especially when it does nothing but bring you grief.

[@SV42165]

Rick Sanchez

[@MalAnders94]

Self induced suffering

[@transpiration]

easier said than done

[@forrest2416]

if it were so easy

[@IllegalBangladeshiImmigrants]

Helps.

[@trawomormartwiak7005]

Read "Futurogical Congress" by Stanislaw Lem. It is happening now...

[@captainandthelady]

Life is a distraction for what awaits us at the end...death.

[@Betleyman7853]

Life is a meaningless journey across the wilderness of time. It is for most a constant struggle against adversity punctuated by all too brief periods of happiness. Make of it what you will, you have but one chance.

[@cps_Zen_Run]

Much of what you state is valid. The universe would deem our lives as trivial. Happiness is always available. Most walk past it while seeking it. Gratitude for each breath. May you stay healthy and safe.

[@user-fj8xc4vc6g]

Zen masters spoke of distraction in the same way as Woody, saying their teachings were like gold colored leaves given to a crying child to momentarily pacify them, but zen masters did not stop there the way Woody does. Zen masters took advantage of the calm minded moment to point to the truth of existence, which is invisible to a mind caught in the paralysis of grief and fear at the meaninglessness of existence (and it IS meaningless), and that truth is that all the world is a reflection of what fills our hearts, and that the base layer of reality is our true self which is serene emptiness that has existed since beginningless time. Being in tune with THAT can only be done by those who know who they are and are themselves 100%. No rock. No mountain. No meaning. No problem.

[@markphc99]

Well, i didn't expect Woody Allen on this podcast, he's an interesting man, but I'm also a Ronan Farrow admirer , but we're none of us perfect right? Wishing you , and all your subscribers a Happy New Year

[@TheOriginsPodcast]

Thanks... appreciate the open minded attitude. I think you will enjoy it.

[@aidinb6790]

Woody Allen is amazing, love the guy.

[@robertblakeman9978]

Woody is the coolest intellectual, Krauss is irritating though.

[@46metube]

Who cares? The meaning of life? It’s the meaning you give it - that’s the meaning. After that, it’s all ice cream.

[@MalAnders94]

Then you’re just playing pretend

[@a.gwhiteley1855]

The whole discussion between Lawrence Krauss and Woody Allen is well worth watching, not least for the way in which Lawrence makes desperate efforts to get Woody onside in putting a positive spin on atheist materialism, while Woody simply refuses to do so. As he says, he doesn't buy it. For Woody, the ultimate point is that God's non-existence is a disaster there's no getting around. The pointlessness of the universe, and therefore of that incidental part of it whch is ourselves, is only manageable by somehow distracting ourselves from it, e.g. by our work. I am not myself an atheist but, if I were, I would be with Woody 100%.

[@Rambi401]

Let's imagine there is a god who created the universe. How does our existence become meaningful then? Is life a test for how obedient one is to the rules of god? So he or she gets rewarded in the afterlife? And if we live there forever what are we supposed to do there? Do we get another assignment or does our existence become meaningless there. It still doesn't make any sense to me.

[@a.gwhiteley1855]

@Rambi401 I think the problem is that we think of the creator in ordinary, mundane human terms. But God, if he exists (I use "God" and "he" for simplicity's sake) is far beyond all our concepts and attempts to put him into words. God is not an object we can put into our usual categories, God is the ground and source of all being, and the final goal of all things, including us. A creator we could contain in our usual ways of thinking would not be the creator, only a projection of our own thoughts. Similarly, we tend to picture a possible life after death in everyday terms, and we end up with a withering image of sitting around somewhere for an interminable length of time, wondering what to do next. But if there is an afterlife, it involves a complete transformation and transfiguration of what we are, not just a continuation of this life for endless time. I am not saying that God and the afterlife exist, only that, if they do, our lives have at least a chance of infinite meaning and value as his offspring. If not, our lives have no meaning, purpose and value at all, only the illusion of them. To get back to Woody Allen, this is what he sees so clearly. Sorry for the long post!

[@Rambi401]

@@a.gwhiteley1855 Yes, I do agree that we humans can´t really imagine what an afterlife would be really like. But if there is a god or creator, it won´t be a true benevolent one... Nature is brutal. It´s just a meat grinder. One big restaurant like Woody states in one of his films. And we humans struggle to survive in this mess without any clear goal to it all, just to end up dead anyway. So with or without God, why bother prolonging this/his mess? I mean antinatalism does make sense. I bet Mr. Woody would agree.

[@24ncole]

@@Rambi401If he would agree then why would he keep on living and working?

[@Rambi401]

@@24ncole Agree with who? People/animals in general have a survival instinct even though we´re all going to perish in the end.

[@MyLateralThawts]

A boulder at the top of a hill has potential energy that could be harnessed to your benefit if the right application could be found. Something the Greek philosophers seemed to have missed.

[@stephanvonugron1944]

Wow!!!!! This is incredible!! What a guest!!!!

[@LordGreystoke]

We live in an indifferent universe. Make of it what you will.

[@galaxia4709]

Yet, life is an intrinsic part of the universe

[@cinnamon4605]

Hope Woody always stays in the same spirit for eternal. Interviewer was schmuck by the way, talking abt existential crisis infront of Woody. Go and watch late 60's and 70's movies of Woody's. Long back he dealt with those subjects.

[@AndrewsApprentice]

Thank you for this!

[@hannibalcosta]

Woody Allen, the U.S. Federico Fellini. "But Allen has problems and blah blah blah." And? Does anyone remember Caravaggio's problems? No. We only remember the master's paintings

[@gamezswinger]

Unfortunately, individuals often lack the ability to single-handedly address systemic issues, for example, during the Holocaust, Jews were unable to alter the Nazi regime's persecution, illustrating the limitations individuals face in addressing systemic injustices, leading them to seek solace in fantasy, "not thinking about it" and other forms of addiction. The world we inhabit is quite disheartening, but strangely, I still have hope.

[@karim.mmmmmmm]

Thought about suicide a lot not because I'm depressed but just to leave this pointless game ... like it's a way out . . But the problem is no guarantee suicide is an exit .. if there is a decision made to be here Then after cutting that vein you might find yourself back in just in another form or same form or who knows... situation is not grim it's far beyond that ... I think there is a disaster in the heavens which is the loss of purpose in the universe and this whole life is just trying to find a way around it .. gods are either desperate trying to exit themselves but they cant find a way out .. or they feel scared or sorry to destroy the universe and the existence so they are trying to buy some time until they figure out a solution Or there might be one hell of a surprise waiting for us out there after our time is done here ... or the only happy ending will be a flat line I never imagined this will be my only wish But I deeply feel it's against the logic that something turns into nothing otherwise how can something come out of nothing... huh it's just insanely complicated ...

[@NikiWonoto26]

I'm from Indonesia. Your comment is very deep, I really love it. I often think & feel the same. I know this is a very late comment from me, maybe you don't even read it anymore. But I just want to say that. Thank you very much.

[@cedricpod]

I love these two guys totally forever…… You made my meaningless life better

[@macanoodough]

You got balls, Krauss. That's why I love you.

[@gen_music]

All absolute true :)

[@Seekthetruth3000]

This was fun.

[@lesleyheller2271]

Distraction - all else is meaningless claptrap! Yesss!! Stop overthinking or navel gazing.

[@kevinhealey6540]

I read his book. If you read between the lines page after page shows he tries to do something for someone.

[@antoniatejedabarros]

Woody is a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@karim.mmmmmmm]

The guy is like me ... or maybe I'm like him cause hes the famous one .. he doesnt accept the beautiful sugar coated explanation of bs .. he tells him sisyphus is smiling he tells him I dont buy that ... exactly when its bitter dont sugar coat it !

[@onelovemon1784]

All they need is a couple of plates of food from Katz's deli

[@ronaldlegree285]

The answer is in a park in Chicago hidden in time I think it can be found on the 4th of July.

[@rosejulietblack]

I agree with Woody

[@alexissercho]

Lawrence, don't try to convince an old man, He already made up his mind about everything.

[@robertkahn6817]

Great!!!

[@chuckberry7782]

Great stuff!

[@RXM-257]

lawrence….let woody talk uninterrupted so his thoughts can flow forth.

[@luchianvasile]

That guy talking all the time and stopping Woody from saying anything is really annoying

[@hanskung3278]

I love it, Woody doesn't believe Camus.

[@GLORYNEVADASMITH]

I believe Camus was overly optimistic . After all Camus was a Intelligent Handsome Charismatic Man , he had hit the genetic and circumstances lottery , excluding his abrupt conclusion - Well it's my opinion .

[@hanskung3278]

This sounds like Woody read Blaise Pascal.

[@DFish111]

The struggle is clearly in not talking over your guest.

[@proudwhitestraightmale]

Just don't think about it

[@kresivarivkah612]

I kove this man.

[@sickboy1931]

Woody ♥️♥️♥️

[@liambutler9427]

He's probably guilty but I'll never stop thinking Woody is a mega-genius

[@lesleyheller2271]

I beg to differ. Mia Farrow is a very troubled woman bent on Woody's destruction.

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Youre happy when youre miserable. Is that from Annie hall I think?

[@TomasPetkevicius94]

"Don't think about it." - Rick Sanchez

[@naturalisted1714]

Speaking of death: I didn't exist, but then a baby was born. There will be babies born after I no longer exist once again.

[@Iyad46gamer]

Woody Allen is a mood 🤣

[@umang8839]

I agree with Allen. It's BS. Sisyphus needs to let go.

[@lavanjaysharma]

Don't think about it

[@petemartinp]

Love it ...lol

[@yaelstreetttejeda]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@aleksmartini4]

The interviewer was extremely annoying constantly interrupting Woody with a fake smile

[@buddinganarchist]

Grim, bleak, why I am a Christian.

[@24ncole]

How is Christianity better than their beliefs?

[@fractal97]

Ah man, let the guy talk.

[@jimtors]

He answered most of the questions for him.

[@SAntczak2]

My favorite filmmaker, but he's missing the point. The distraction IS the meaning.

[@flaggerify]

I think he gets after LK explains his point.

[@alfanoministries]

they Need Jesus

[@24ncole]

Why do they need Jesus? What’s good about Jesus?

[@alfanoministries]

@@24ncole If you know you know

[@24ncole]

@@alfanoministries Thank you for the thorough explanation

[@alfanoministries]

@@24ncole no problem

[@coecovideo]

let him talk

[@forrest2416]

The interviewer cant stop talking. Unbearable. Woody is great

[@saadfadel924]

(And they say, "There is not but our worldly life; we die and live, and nothing destroys us except time." And they have of that no knowledge; they are only assuming.) 45:24 Quran

[@tomobrien563]

Why does the host even have Woody on? All he wants to do is hear himself talk. He’s his own distraction. Learn to listen dude! Sheesh!

[@JoseGonzalez-sr9ii]

Woody Boat!

[@cps_Zen_Run]

Our lives are extremely rare, considering all the sperm and eggs lost or unused. Our lifespan is very short. Allen’s inclination to label experiences as just distractions is unfortunate. Life is all about the Journey and awareness of the moment. Perhaps he was trying to be humorous.

[@galaxia4709]

I think you misunderstood. It is a distraction from existential questions

[@DerekCully]

Wahhh Distractions are for puffs.

[@paulingraham6781]

I wonder what Woody thinks of my top five films of all time: The French Connection, Vertigo, Pickup on South Street, Shoot the Piano Player and Il Grido. That's an upper-case I, then an l, then Grido. Those are my top five films of all time, in descending order Thanks Woody, please continue distracting yourself and others as all of us ourselves continue our sojourn on this planet.

[@nickandmikec]

Sisyphus rolls the ball up and it rolls down and he has to do it all over again, but there is the time he has going downhill that is worth the trouble.

[@jimtors]

He interrupted too much

[@aeiologic8314]

hahahaha

[@ZambeziKid]

I must say, I never resonated to anything he did on screen. Boring conservative outlook

[@twonumber22]

No thanks.

[@timbrooks2763]

In August 1992, the American film director and actor Woody Allen was accused by his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow, then seven years old, of having sexually molested her in the home of her adoptive mother, the actress Mia Farrow, in Bridgewater, Connecticut. Allen has repeatedly denied the allegation.

[@sickboy1931]

The first, a 1993 Yale-New Haven Hospital Child Sexual Abuse Clinic report, concluded that “Dylan was not sexually abused by Mr. Allen.” The second, another report from the New York State child welfare which stated, “No credible evidence was found that the child named in this report (Dylan) has been abused or maltreated. This report has, therefore, been considered unfounded.”

[@timbrooks2763]

@@sickboy1931 NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE, AND ALL HIS BUDDIES HAVE BEEN CAUGHT PLAYING WITH KIDS, SICK !

[@sickboy1931]

@@timbrooks2763 You’re embarrassing yourself publicly.

[@orin2522]

Mia Farrow coached those kids and tried to extort money from him even though he was generous to her entire family. 3 of her adopted kids died by suicide and abuse

[@Guizambaldi]

Let the judicial system handle it. We are not in a better position to judge.

[@IllegalBangladeshiImmigrants]

3:44 summary.