The Observing I

By: David Johnson
  • Summary

  • A podcast about philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. Pirate radio for the mind. New episode every Sunday.

    Copyright 2024 David Johnson
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Episodes
  • Immanuel Kant, the OG over thinker
    Dec 22 2024

    In today's episode, we're talking about Immanuel Kant, the philosopher with ideas so big, they’re still shaping how we think centuries later. We take a deep yet approachable dive into Kant’s life, his revolutionary ideas, and his surprisingly modern legacy.


    Join us as we explore his daily routine of clockwork precision, his ground-breaking “Copernican Revolution” in philosophy, and his ethical framework that challenges us to act with universal respect. We also tackle his reflections on beauty and the sublime, debunk popular myths about his work, and uncover how Kant became a favourite of pop culture and meme creators alike.


    Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or a curious beginner, this episode offers fresh insights into why Kant remains one of history’s greatest thinkers, and why his ideas are more relevant. Hit play and step into the mind of the original over thinker.


    Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.


    If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/


    Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.


    Much love,

    ​David

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    45 mins
  • Living Courageously in the Face of Mortality: A Tribute to Ernest Becker
    Dec 16 2024

    In today's episode, we delve into the world of Ernest Becker's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Denial of Death. Exploring Becker’s central ideas, we uncover how the awareness of mortality shapes human behaviour, fuels creativity, and drives us to seek meaning in a transient world.


    Join us as we examine heroic projects, the role of culture and religion in coping with death anxiety, and the dark consequences of avoiding mortality - from tribalism to perfectionism. We also dive into the critiques of Becker’s work and discuss how his ideas remain deeply relevant in today’s age of consumerism, technology, and social media.


    More importantly, we look at what it means to authentically embrace mortality. How can facing our fears of death liberate us from distractions and bring greater clarity, purpose, and connection to our lives?


    Much love,

    David

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    48 mins
  • The Collapse of Time: Douglas Rushkoff and the Age of Present Shock
    Dec 8 2024

    In today's episode, we're exploring the world of media theorist and philosopher Douglas Rushkoff and how his ideas impact the human experience He's also one of the few living philosophers that we've covered so far (the other being Alain de Botton, go check out that episode as well).


    Have you ever felt that time is slipping away from you whilst simultaneously piling up like a never ending quagmire? Like reality itself has become a fragmented, chaotic rush of content, to-dos, and things vying for your attention? This is the essence of Rushkoff's idea Present Shock, and it's reshaping how we experience time, connection, and meaning in the digital age.


    We'll explore Rushkoff's ideas of narrative collapse, digiphrenia, and overwinding, and the impact that these have on our mental health, relationships, and sense of purpose. We'll get into the philosophical and psychological side of these ideas (quelle surprise), and offer some advice on how to handle that gnawing sense of Present Shock.


    Discover how to slow down, reconnect with what truly matters, and live with intention in a world that seems designed to pull us apart.


    Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.


    If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/


    Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.


    Much love,

    David

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    51 mins

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