MModern Wisdom
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28 May 2020

Catch Up 105 - #176

0Frameworks
9Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster00:00

Cortisol Does Not Cause Belly Fat

The guest clarifies a common misconception about cortisol, explaining that while it's often blamed for belly fat, the hormone itself doesn't directly cause fat accumulation in that area. The real drivers are more likely insulin resistance and overall caloric surplus.

  • Cortisol is frequently scapegoated for abdominal fat gain.
  • There's no direct causal link between cortisol and belly fat storage.
  • Insulin resistance and diet are more significant factors.

“Cortisol does not cause belly fat.”

guest · 00:00
#hormones#metabolism#myth-busting

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take67:00

Ben Shapiro: Media Twists Trump’s Words Into Dangerous Advice

The guest discusses Ben Shapiro’s critique that media outlets distorted Trump’s speculative comments about disinfectant and sunlight into literal health advice, amplifying them into dangerous misinformation.

  • Trump made speculative remarks during a briefing.
  • Media took quotes out of context and presented them as serious recommendations.
  • This created a 'social virus' of misinformation, not the original comment.

“Most of the problems that came about from that wasn't what he said, it was then the media taking what he said extrapolating that out.”

guest · 67:45
#media#politics#misinformation

Explainer· 3

Explainer00:00

How Joe Rogan's Spotify Deal Boosted Market Cap

The guest breaks down the financial implications of Joe Rogan's exclusive deal with Spotify, noting that while the rumored $100 million payment was significant, the platform's market cap increased by $5 billion shortly after the announcement, suggesting a massive return on investment.

  • Rogan's deal was reportedly worth around $100 million.
  • Spotify's market cap rose by $5 billion following the news.
  • This represents a substantial ROI for Spotify despite the upfront cost.

“Spotify paid what he's rumored he hasn't said it's what if I paid around about 100 mil for Joe Rogan and increase their market cap…”

guest · 00:00
#podcasting#business#Spotify
Explainer08:00

The Future of Dynamic Ads in Podcasts

The guest explains how Spotify's acquisition of Anchor allows for dynamically inserted mid-roll ads, changing the podcast advertising model from static pre-roll reads to targeted, scalable ad insertion based on listener data.

  • Anchor enables web-based podcast creation and editing.
  • Spotify can now insert dynamic, targeted mid-roll ads.
  • This shifts podcast monetization toward data-driven advertising like digital platforms.

“They have started to introduce dynamically targeted ads mid-roll during podcasts.”

guest · 08:45
#advertising#podcasting#technology
Explainer73:00

Compensatory Control: Why People Believe in Conspiracies

The guest explains the 'compensatory control mechanism'—a psychological tendency where people under uncertainty create narratives to regain a sense of control, leading to belief in elaborate conspiracies rather than accepting randomness.

  • Uncertainty increases pattern-seeking behavior in meaningless data.
  • People prefer intentional narratives (e.g., secret plans) over random chance.
  • Explains rise in conspiracy theories during crises like pandemics.

“People would much sooner presume that this global pandemic is due to the plans of some maligned scientists than the chance mutation of a silly…”

guest · 73:45
#psychology#conspiracy-theories#cognition

Story· 1

Story43:00

Wim Hof Led Breathing Session at Alain de Botton’s Party

A story about attending the School of Life Christmas party where Wim Hof unexpectedly led a group breathing session, causing some attendees to fall asleep despite his intense methods.

  • Alain de Botton hosted a Christmas party featuring Wim Hof.
  • Hof led a breathing exercise session with attendees lying on yoga mats.
  • One guest fell asleep within three minutes despite the intensity.

“He organized this Christmas party and this guy turned up and he had a beard and he made us do loads of breathing.”

guest · 43:45
#Wim-Hof#self-improvement#anecdote

Q&A· 1

Q&A49:30

Elon Musk on Selling Possessions: 'Attack Vector'

The guest recounts Elon Musk’s explanation to Joe Rogan for selling most of his possessions, framing material goods as an 'attack vector'—a vulnerability that can be exploited or used against him.

  • Musk sees possessions as a liability and potential target.
  • He’s selling homes, cars, and belongings to reduce personal risk.
  • Reflects a minimalist, security-conscious mindset.

“I kind of see possessions as an attack vector.”

guest · 50:15
#Elon-Musk#minimalism#security

Tool· 1

Tool29:00

Using Morning Pages to Clear Mental Clutter

The guest describes adopting 'morning pages'—a practice from Julia Cameron's *The Artist's Way*—where writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts each morning helps clear mental clutter and improve focus for the day ahead.

  • Write three pages of freeform thoughts by hand each morning.
  • Helps offload 'monkey mind' before planning or creative work.
  • Based on Julia Cameron’s method to enhance creativity and clarity.

“Open a book and you just write whatever was on your mind for three pages by hand.”

guest · 32:45
#journaling#productivity#mental-health

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway38:00

Every Minute Spent Planning Saves Ten in Writing

After completing Benjamin Hardy’s blogging course, the guest shares a key insight: thorough planning—especially headline and subheading iteration—dramatically reduces actual writing time and improves output quality.

  • Spend time iterating headlines and subheadings first.
  • For every minute spent planning, you save ten minutes in writing.
  • Applies beyond blogging to general productivity and execution.

“For every minute that you spend planning, you save yourself ten minutes of writing.”

guest · 39:15
#writing#productivity#planning