Solutions From The Multiverse

Solving Alternative Facts with 'Begs the Question' | s04 e06

Video of episode: https://youtu.be/nDhTnWu7RGo Begs the Question: Bring Back the Real Meaning Adam Braus and Scot Maupin unpack one of the most misused phrases in modern argument, explaining what “begs the question” actually means and why getting it right matters. This episode is a lively defense of logic, careful language, and evidence-based thinking, with plenty of examples from politics, culture, parenting, and current tech hype. In this episode, Adam and Scot focus on restoring “begs the question” to its original meaning: circular reasoning. They also trace how the phrase gets misused as “invites the question,” and why that confusion weakens everyday arguments. Key topics Adam defines “begs the question” as circular reasoning, not “raises a question” Examples of the fallacy from stealing, religion, politics, and everyday speech Why logical fallacies are ways of sounding reasonable while actually being irrational The difference between saying something is “circular” versus simply “invites the question” How people misuse the phrase constantly, often without realizing it Why clearer logic terms can help identify weak arguments and bad beliefs faster How circular reasoning shows up in anti-vaccine claims, flat-earth reasoning, and nationalism Timestamps (00:00) - Opening banter and the setup for today’s solution (00:49) - Adam introduces the case for restoring “begs the question” (02:12) - The actual definition: a logical fallacy and circular reasoning (03:58) - Ad hominem as an example of a logical fallacy (04:36) - Straw man arguments and why distortion replaces real rebuttal (05:06) - Slippery slope reasoning and exaggerated consequences (05:22) - “Begs the question” explained as circular proof (06:18) - Familiar examples: stealing, the Bible, and self-justifying beliefs (06:55) - More circular examples, including free speech and trustworthiness (07:40) - Defining a word with itself and why that fails as reasoning (08:00) - Why people keep using the phrase wrong (09:29) - The modern misuse: “invites the question” (10:35) - How to correctly use the phrase in conversation (11:25) - Flat-earth reasoning as a circular argument (12:19) - “America is the greatest” and other self-referential claims (13:11) - Why calling out a fallacy can instantly lower trust in a claim (14:03) - “Invites the question” versus “begs the question” (15:35) - Alternative facts and why Adam sees circular reasoning underneath them (16:33) - Real facts versus claims that collapse into self-reference (17:17) - Scot’s point about evidence-based thinking versus vibes (18:01) - Feelings are valid, but false objectivity is the problem (19:17) - Why people should be more honest about discomfort and bias (19:40) - Crypto, Bitcoin, and other bubble logic (22:21) - AI hype, apocalyptic claims, and circular reasoning around innovation (25:26) - The “if we don’t do it, China will” argument (28:29) - Parenting, sleep deprivation, and a brief equipment detour (31:02) - How to insert the phrase into pop culture and social media (33:50) - Teaching logic in school and saving people time and frustration (35:06) - Bringing “begs the question” back as a cultural correction (36:15) - Technically correct people and the idea of an “International Begs the Question Day” (37:12) - White supremacy as a circular argument (39:20) - Left-wing examples: rent, housing scarcity, and vague explanations (40:33) - Final tech check and wrap-up

• Transcript

Solving Socialism's Reputation: Market Socialism | s04 e05

Send us Fan Mail Video of our full episode: https://youtu.be/lXcLIrSqddY In this episode, Adam Braus and Scot Maupin explore the concept of market socialism, its misconceptions, and how it can be a practical and appealing alternative to traditional socialism and capitalism. They discuss how branding, policy, and public perception can shape the future of socialist ideas. keywordsmarket socialism, socialism, capitalism, public policy, branding, economic reform, social safety nets, free markets, Scandinavian countries, political strategy key topics * The difference between socialism and market socialism * Why branding matters in political ideology * How Scandinavian countries implement market socialism * The role of regulation in a socialist economy * The misconception of central planning in socialism * The impact of poverty and homelessness on society * The importance of safety nets and social programs * The potential for market socialism to enhance freedom and innovation Chapters (00:00) Introduction to the episode (00:22) The need to rebrand socialism as market socialism (01:09) Differences between democratic socialism and market socialism (02:43) The misconception of central planning in socialism (04:17) Modern socialists and their beliefs in free markets (06:29) Branding and political strategy in socialism (08:34) The role of regulation and competition in market socialism (12:07) The impact of inheritance and billionaires in capitalism (15:23) The importance of safety nets and social safety programs (19:17) Examples from Scandinavian countries (23:23) Barriers to starting businesses in Scandinavian countries (28:32) The concept of sewer socialism and its benefits (33:23) The Peter tax and taxing the wealthy fairly (36:36) The evolution of socialist ideas post-Cold War (40:33) The moral and fiscal benefits of eliminating poverty (44:09) The rise of market socialism and its acceptance (49:29) How to promote market socialism effectively (50:54) Closing remarks and call to action Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving AI Psychosis: Lithium in the Water Supply!?- with Mo Hafez | s04 e04

Send us Fan Mail Video Version of the Episode: https://youtu.be/JBoJCCl8W18 In this episode, Adam Braus, Scot Maupin, and guest Mo Hafez explore the provocative idea of adding lithium to the water supply. They discuss potential health benefits, risks, public opinion, and the societal implications of such a bold public health measure. In this episode, Scot Maupin, Mo Hafez, and Adam Braus explore the potential of lithium in water to improve mental health, the implications of social media lawsuits, and the future of AI and societal safety measures. They discuss innovative ideas, dystopian scenarios, and the importance of democratizing technology. Keywords lithium, water supply, public health, mental health, dementia, Alzheimer's, AI psychosis, societal impact, neuroprotection, mental health treatment Lithium water, social media lawsuit, AI future, mental health, dystopian society, public safety, technology ethics Key Topics Potential health benefits of lithium in water, including reduction in dementia, Alzheimer's, suicidality, and violent crime Risks and public opinion challenges of adding lithium to the water supply The science behind lithium's neuroprotective effects and safety at microdose levels Societal implications, conspiracy theories, and ethical considerations of water fluoridation and lithium The logistics of sourcing, distributing, and regulating lithium for public health use. Potential of lithium in water to improve mental health Legal and societal implications of social media lawsuits Future scenarios of AI development and regulation Dystopian vs utopian visions of technology The importance of democratizing AI and technology Guest Name: Mo Hafez: Mo's Socials: YouTube - BeyondtheBytePodcast Instagram - beyond.the.byte X - bytewisepodcast LinkedIn - bytewise-ai Sound Bites "Small amounts of lithium can protect against dementia." "Lithium in water could lower suicide rates by 58 percent." "Lithium in water reduces depression, suicidality, and violent crime." Chapters (00:00) Introduction to the Lithium Water Idea (03:01) Historical Context of Art and Madness (03:59) Scientific Evidence Linking Lithium to Reduced Dementia and Crime (06:00) Public Opinion and Ethical Concerns of Water Additives (06:59) The Role of Technology in Van Gogh's Life (08:03) AI Psychosis and the Role of Lithium in Society (09:56) Risks, Dosing, and Safety of Lithium in Water (11:53) Feasibility, Sourcing, and Public Acceptance (12:11) Social Media Lawsuit and Its Implications (14:05) Potential Societal and Conspiracy Theories (15:59) Practical Steps and Future Research (17:02) Potential Benefits of Lithium Water for Public Health (18:05) Cultural and Historical Perspectives on Water Additives (20:00) Conclusion: Balancing Benefits and Risks (21:59) Dystopian Scenarios: Equilibrium and Control (27:00) Future Regulations on Social Media Usage (31:59) The Ethics of Water Additives and Public Safety (37:00) The Future of AI: Risks and Opportunities (41:59) Power Dynamics in AI Development (47:03) Innovative Ideas and Closing Remarks Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving the Left: Lift To Lead | s04 e03

Send us Fan Mail Voters love to say “I only care about policy,” but our brains do a faster scan first: does this person look healthy, capable, and worth following? We take on a provocative claim with real-world implications for elections and messaging: the left should lift weights, not as vanity, but as a simple, controllable advantage that changes how candidates are received on camera, at the podium, and in everyday encounters. We dig into why physical presence functions like a shortcut for trust, including the long-noted pattern that taller candidates often win and the “silverback” instinct people pretend they do not have. From there we talk about modern gym culture as an identity, especially for young men, and why saying “yeah, I lift” can create immediate rapport. We also draw a line between looking robust and looking unrelatable, because there is a point where extreme shredded aesthetics starts to signal something off. A big part of the conversation is a timely case study: Abdul Al-Sayed in Michigan, a physician pushing Medicare for All, unions, and a “less money for foreign wars, more money in your pocket” message, while also leaning into strength training as part of his public image. We compare that to broader examples like Michelle Obama’s public displays of fitness and the way visibly fit public figures gain attention online. Then we get practical: how to start strength training safely, why a trainer can prevent injuries, and how protein, calories, and rest actually drive results. If you’ve ever wondered whether politics is judged on substance or vibes, this one gets uncomfortably honest. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: should politicians treat fitness as part of the job? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Cyber Attacks: Cyber Police and Smarter Cyber Rules | s04 e02

Send us Fan Mail Cybersecurity isn’t failing because regular people are careless, it’s failing because we built the internet like a city with no real police force. Today, banks, hospitals, water systems, power grids, and even elections run on software, yet we still act like cyber attacks are a private problem solved by buying more tools and hoping your team patches fast enough. We make the case that this “everyone for themselves” model is exactly why phishing scams, ransomware, and mass data breaches keep winning. We walk through a public-safety approach: massively scale up FBI cybersecurity resources and military cyber capabilities for cross-border threats, then push that capacity down to states and major cities with dedicated cyber police units. The goal isn’t surveillance theater, it’s practical protection: investigate cybercrime, pursue foreign hackers, and proactively test the defenses of major companies and critical infrastructure. If a team can legally break in first, report the holes, and fine repeat negligence, patching stops being optional and starts being routine. Then we go after incentives. Should software vendors be allowed to ship vulnerable products and also sell pricey security services to protect them? We argue that’s a built-in conflict of interest. We also explore software liability: if a Microsoft-style exploit leads to a nine-figure loss, should the vendor share part of the cost the way manufacturers can face product liability in the physical world? Along the way we talk AI coding, “vibe coding,” and why simpler software often means fewer doors for attackers. If you care about secure software, cybersecurity policy, data privacy, and protecting everyday people online, hit subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving the Genius Shortage: Learning from History’s Genius Zones | s04 e01

Send us Fan Mail https://www.elton.university/ A city of 30,000 people produces Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, and Hippocrates within about a century. Florence stacks Leonardo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo into a small population. Scotland’s Enlightenment rewires economics and science, and Vienna becomes a launchpad for modern psychology, music, and philosophy. We take those “genius hotspots” seriously as evidence and ask the uncomfortable question: if it happened repeatedly, why aren’t we designing education to do it on purpose? We dig into the shared features that keep showing up across time and place: starting serious study earlier, letting students specialize instead of forcing endless “well-rounded” checklists, and building long-term one-on-one mentorship rather than rotating through short, transactional classes. We also challenge the modern obsession with innate IQ and “cognitive elites”, arguing that education quality and learning environment swamp raw ability in most outcomes. Along the way we explore interdisciplinary learning as the real engine behind creative breakthroughs, plus why relying on textbook summaries (and now AI overviews) can quietly cut people off from the original ideas that train sharp thinking. We connect the history to a modern experiment: Elton University, a Montessori-inspired university model built around mentorship and research-first learning rather than coursework for its own sake. If you’ve ever felt that school trains compliance better than competence, this conversation offers a concrete alternative and a set of design principles you can argue with, improve, or steal. Subscribe for more, share this with a teacher or parent who’s ready to rethink the system, and leave a review with the biggest change you’d make to how we educate future geniuses. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Healthcare: Medicare For Literally All Even You | S03 E11

Send us Fan Mail Video version available at: https://www.youtube.com/@SolutionsFromTheMultiverse/videos Imagine a “Medicare for All” plan that actually means all humans, everywhere. We take that audacious idea and force it into concrete steps: a lean nonprofit that runs a global health insurance platform where verified clinics submit medical claims with documentation, and we reimburse care for patients who cannot pay. No vague charity promises, just a claims workflow that is measurable, auditable, and designed to expand healthcare access fast. Along the way, we pressure-test the hard parts: fraud, corruption, and paperwork. We talk about using AI fraud detection, identity validation, two-factor authentication, and Medicare-style snap audits to keep the system honest without building a bloated bureaucracy. We also explore incentives borrowed from micro lending, where small groups of clinics share accountability, so bad actors get pushed out before they can drain the pool. We compare this model to Doctors Without Borders and GiveDirectly, not to dunk on them, but to ask a sharper question: what delivers the most health outcomes per donated dollar? Paying local doctors and nurses directly could be cheaper than flying teams around the world, and pairing provider reimbursements with cash support could cover real-world costs like meds, transport, and missed work. We even consider SMS-based claims for regions without reliable broadband, so the platform works where the need is highest. If you’ve worked in insurance claims, medical billing, cybersecurity, fundraising, or mission-driven software, we want your feedback and your pushback. Subscribe, share this with one friend who cares about universal healthcare, and leave a review with the biggest flaw you see in the plan so we can make it stronger. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving the Common Cold and Handwashing Sinks In Every School | S03 E10

Send us Fan Mail VIDEO available: https://www.youtube.com/@SolutionsFromTheMultiverse/ If you’re tired of the “my kid started school and now our whole house is sick forever” cycle, we’ve got a surprisingly low-tech fix: put handwashing stations where students actually pass by every day. We make the case that bathrooms aren’t enough because the important moment is right before eating and right after high-contact routines. From summer camp sink lines to Malaysia’s restaurant handwashing culture to cruise-ship dining rooms that practically force sanitizer on everyone, we break down why placement, maintenance, and social visibility turn handwashing from a nice idea into a real disease-control tool. Then we shift from prevention to relief and share an evidence-informed approach to shortening the common cold by lowering viral load early. We talk zinc lozenges that actually work (and which additives can wreck the benefit), hypertonic saltwater gargles with a clear mix ratio, and why nasal rinses can be the “slam dunk” when colds start in the nose. We also get into neti pot safety, including the non-negotiable rule about distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water, plus a few extra tools like honey for cough and a more advanced hypertonic saline nebulizer idea for bronchitis-style misery. You’ll also hear a quick detour on why you might not have dandruff at all, how to wash your scalp properly, and why some people ditch shampoo entirely after the oil adjustment period. Want more practical, weirdly effective solutions like this (and yes, there’s a video version too)? Subscribe, share the episode with a fellow parent, and leave a review with your best cold remedy or school hygiene idea. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Housing: A Progressive Property Tax | S03 E09

Send us Fan Mail The Big Idea Professor Adam Braus pitches a fix nobody's tried: instead of taxing property at a flat rate, tax it like income — progressively. Own a modest home? You're barely taxed. Own a $50 million real estate empire? You pay real money. It's a property tax with a conscience, and Adam argues it could solve the housing crisis, fix California's broken Prop 13 system, and take a swing at the billionaire-hoarding problem all at once. Scot Maupin, doing his usual generous-interrogator thing, pokes at yachts, shell companies, and whether landlords will just pass the cost to renters — and Adam's got an answer for all of it. What's Broken Right Now Prop 13 locks property taxes to a home's original purchase price — not what it's worth today. Buy a house in 1985 for pocket change, and decades later you're still paying taxes on pocket change, even as the home is worth millions. This hits commercial property too — including, allegedly, golf courses that shuffle ownership through shell-share tricks so they're never technically "sold." The result: California's budget is starved relative to its actual wealth, and the state leans harder on income tax to compensate — which hits working people disproportionately harder than a property tax would. Meanwhile, in places like Montana and Hawaii, wealthy outsiders are buying up land and driving housing costs through the roof — not because there's a housing shortage, but because of hoarding and speculation. The Fix: Progressive Property Tax Instead of one flat rate on a property's value, tax brackets stack on a person's total property holdings: First $200K (or so): little to no tax — protects ordinary homeowners and grandmas on fixed incomes. $200K–$2M: a low rate, comparable to today's lowest-tax states. $2M–$10M+: rates climb toward the top of the national range (2%+). +$50M: a "super bracket" — 2.5–3%+ on the excess. The pitch: this could roughly double California's property tax revenue (from ~$100B to $170–200B), funneled toward building housing, ending homelessness, and politically popular wins like paid leave — while lowering the tax burden on working people (no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security). How It Closes the Loopholes A beneficiary registry (already used in Australia and some U.S. states) ties every property to a real human owner — so you can't dodge the tax by splitting ownership across an LLC for every house, or spreading deeds across family members. Commercial real estate is included. Adam's pitch turns this into a two-for-one: tax pressure forces a sell-off of empty downtown office space (a post-COVID glut), and the state can buy it cheap and convert it into actual housing — bringing residents (and life) back to dead downtowns. The Objections, Pre-Debunked Scot plays it straight and asks the obvious questions: "Won't the rich just flee to Florida or Montana?" Adam's counter: capital flight of real estate is mostly harmless — the buildings can't be packed in a suitcase. If a billionaire sells, the property stays in-state; prices just come down, which is the point. "Won't this just raise rents?" Possibly nudges the very top of the market, but the broad base of affordable housing should barely move — maybe even gets cheaper as demand shifts. "Will yachts and jets count?" No — keep it simple, this is real estate only. Where the Idea Comes From Adam name-checks Gary's Economics (and its scrappier YouTube cousin, Barry's Economics) for the broader "tax wealth, not work" framing, and ties the proposal back to existing progressive wealth-tax proposals from Bernie Sanders (the famous "8% bracket above $1B," pegged to average market returns) and Elizabeth Warren (flat 2% above $50M) — positioning the progressive property tax as a more politically palatable, state-level cousin of those ideas. Detour of the Episode A spirited tangent on Maine's Senate race, Graham Platner — oyster farmer, combat veteran, and the episode's pick for "proof this message can win" — plus a running bit on whether wind turbines can literally use up the wind. (They cannot. Probably.) Quotable "I'm so wealthy that I can't pay the tax on my wealth." — the complaint Adam says is doing a lot of work to protect a small number of very rich people. Want me to also draft a short, punchier episode description (the 2–3 sentence blurb for podcast apps) or social media copy to go with these notes? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Procrastination: Change Your Environment, Change Your Life | S03 E08

Send us Fan Mail Read Adam’s book Motivate on the most up-to-date science of motivation. Bit.ly/motivate-book The most frustrating part of self-improvement is the loop: you promise you will change, you push with willpower, you slip, then you blame your character. We take a different angle here: the strongest motivation research points to environment as the main driver of behavior, and “discipline” is often just what your setup makes easy. Once you see that, the shame drops and the strategy gets practical. We dig into the fundamental attribution error, why popular motivation narratives over-focus on grit, and how tiny design choices shape outcomes. We trade real examples: the cookie problem in your kitchen, smoking triggers that vanish when context changes, and the surprising Vietnam veterans heroin findings that show how access and stress can create addiction, and how a new environment can undo it. We also talk Rat Park, the opioid crisis as a disease of despair, and how enriched lives reduce the pull of destructive “buttons.” Then we zoom out to systems: crime as a social context issue, policy as environment design, and Advanced Peace as a proven gun violence prevention approach that can save lives and public money. We even get into feng shui as a reminder that space affects mood and attention, whether you explain it as energy or psychology. If you want to read more, work more, eat differently, or build a better life, the question becomes: what can you redesign so the right choice is the default? Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who is tired of “just try harder,” and leave a review if this reframes how you think about motivation. What part of your environment will you change first? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Women's Rights: Labor Over Mangos 🥭🥭🥭 | S03 E07

Send us Fan Mail A weird, uncomfortable realization kicked this conversation off: the United States still doesn’t clearly guarantee equal rights for women at the constitutional level, and we’ve been sliding backward on core freedoms that shape everyday life. As dads of daughters, that lands differently, so we went searching for something more useful than another round of online debate. We propose a simple framework you can argue with, improve, or steal: five tiers of women’s rights, from basic property and independence, to voting power, to equal rights under law, to full equity in real life. We talk through what tactics historically worked at each stage and why the strategies that helped early wins do not automatically unlock the last two tiers. That’s where policies like the Equal Rights Amendment, equal pay enforcement, reproductive autonomy, paid parental leave and universal childcare stop being “nice to have” and become the definition of freedom. Then we take aim at what we call “mangoes” media, academia and NGOs. We’re not saying they’re useless, but we are saying they can’t be the engine. The engine is organized labor power: voting blocs, strikes, and boycotts that hit the pocketbook, backed by coalitions that can keep pressure on year after year. We dig into Me Too as a case study, and we point to Iceland’s women’s strike as a reminder of what coordinated action can do. If you want a practical, strategic conversation about feminism, labor unions, gender equality and how change actually happens, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What lever would you pull first: vote, strike, or boycott? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Science: AI that Can Predict Science with Jonah Lynch | S03 E06

Send us Fan Mail innovationlens.org info@innovationlens.org Most people talk about AI like it’s a faster intern. Jonah Lynch is building something closer to an intellectual compass: a system that can “read” the scientific literature at scale, map what we already know, and point toward the empty spaces where the next discoveries are most likely to happen. We unpack Innovation Lens, Jonah’s research forecasting platform that uses natural language processing, text embeddings, and geometry in vector space to detect patterns across millions of papers. He explains the core intuition behind prediction in science: some fields are too sparse to pay off, others are so crowded that the easy value is gone, and there’s a Goldilocks zone where the research landscape is ready for a breakthrough. We also talk about validation and benchmarking, why this approach can beat random guessing and even the standard “follow the adviser and find a gap” method, and what it changes for PhD topic selection, literature review, and R&D strategy. The conversation gets personal too. Jonah shares how leaving the Catholic priesthood pushed him to rebuild his life around quantitative tools and a search for truth that doesn’t rely on authority. From VC decision-making and capital allocation to philanthropy, NSF-style grant impact, and better alternatives to citation metrics, we explore where AI genuinely helps human flourishing instead of just generating content. If you enjoy episodes about scientific discovery, innovation prediction, and practical AI for research, subscribe, share this with a friend who works in science or investing, and leave us a review. What domain would you want a “map of the future” for? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving College: Elton University—the 1-on-1 Tutoring University | S03 E05

Send us Fan Mail Show links: Elton University Sold a Story (Podcast Mini-Series) College is supposed to be a launchpad. Too often it’s a slow, expensive maze that teaches the wrong things in the wrong order, then calls it “rigor.” We talk with Scott, the founder of Elton University, about a different design: remote, one-on-one, and built around the question most schools never ask plainly enough: what do you want to learn? We get concrete about how the model works. Instead of measuring learning by seat time and 15-week semesters, Elton uses engagement hours that count real effort: coaching sessions, reading, projects, practice, and assessment. Scott explains how that still maps to familiar outcomes like an MBA, while letting two students pursue very different goals without pretending they learned the same thing on the same schedule. We also explore why modern universities no longer “own” knowledge, and why guidance plus credible assessment may be the most valuable services a school can provide. From there we take a hard turn into evidence-based education and AI curriculum. If medicine needs proof before it reaches patients, why do schools roll out sweeping new programs on kids with little validation? The conversation hits the reading wars, what research says about phonics, and how education fads take hold. We also cover ethics boundaries, accreditation realities, and a PhD-by-publication path designed to help working adults earn citations and a stronger research portfolio without moving or quitting their jobs. If you care about higher education reform, personalized learning, online degrees, and practical alternatives to the status quo, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s fed up with college, and leave a review with the one change you’d make to how people learn. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving the AI Apocalypse: Tax Wealth Not Work | S03 E04

Send us Fan Mail Spreadsheet from Adam Garys Economics YT Channel AI is going to make someone wildly richer. The only open question is whether it makes the rest of us safer and freer or more replaceable and more financially fragile. We take a hard look at the “productivity miracle” story and ask what happens when the gains from automation and generative AI keep flowing to the top while millions live one emergency away from losing housing, health care, and stability. We connect that to an old prediction from Keynes: if productivity keeps climbing, ordinary people should be able to live like today’s high earners and work far fewer hours. Yet we’re still grinding through full-time weeks, and the precariat keeps growing. For us, that’s the heart of the problem: not envy, not abstract wealth inequality, but poverty as economic precarity. When the floor is missing, everything gets expensive: crime, stress, bad health outcomes, and desperate decisions that harm everyone. Then we get practical. We walk through the “tax wealth not work” approach popularised by Gary’s Economics and break down what it could look like in real policy: a progressive wealth tax, removing the Social Security cap, taxing capital gains like income, closing loopholes like carried interest, and even charging luxury assets such as private jets and yachts like we already do with cars and property. We also tackle the usual pushback about rich people leaving and the “unrealised gains” argument. If you’re thinking about AI governance, wealth taxes, universal healthcare, Social Security reform, and how to build a post-scarcity or post-precarity society, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who argues about AI or taxes, and leave a review with your take: what’s the first policy you’d pass to end precarity? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Saints: Secular Saints Day Calendar | S03 E03

Send us Fan Mail Your birthday already comes with a zodiac sign, a personality quiz, and a thousand targeted ads. What if it also came with a moral hero you could actually learn from? We kick off a St Patrick’s Day-flavored riff that turns into a serious proposal: Secular Saints Day. Think of the Catholic saint day calendar, but redesigned for secular humanism. Every date gets a short list of “saints” who earn the slot through courage, service, creativity, scholarship, or sacrifice, without needing religion, miracles, or fear-based morality. Look up your birthday and you don’t get vague destiny, you get a story, a role model, and a prompt to act. We dig into why this could be a real solution for modern life: moral courage is often the missing ingredient between values and behaviour. We talk Rudolf Steiner and the Waldorf education idea that hero stories help kids build moral fibre before abstract ethics fully clicks, and we connect it to what we see in the world, from non-directed organ donation to different ways religious and secular societies express “doing good”. Then we have fun building the calendar: freedom fighters, scientists, artists, fictional characters, local heroes, and an “All Saints Day” that welcomes everyone into one big tent. We also get practical about how a movement like this could spread: searchable calendars, short biographies, and yes, the same kind of icons, pendants, and yearly tear-off calendars that make the habit stick. If you like ambitious ideas with jokes baked in, hit play, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Who would be on your Secular Saints Day list? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Global Development: A Green Belt and Road Initiative | S03 E02

Send us Fan Mail What if American influence felt like clean water, reliable power, and healthier newborns instead of tariffs and weapons? We lay out a bold “belt and suspenders” strategy: a Green Belt and Road that targets water security, neonatal health, and clean infrastructure to cool conflicts before they ignite. China’s Belt and Road proved that ports and rail can reshape alliances; we argue for a greener version that fixes leaky megacities, equips hospitals to save infants, and electrifies logistics so food and medicine keep moving when heat and drought hit. We start with the simplest lever: water. From Mexico City losing half its supply to Tokyo’s 24‑hour leak response, the gains from modern pipes, smart metering, and pressure management are massive. Then we connect the dots between drought, rising beef prices, and migration surges that stress borders and budgets. Investing upstream is cheaper than reacting downstream. That’s why we pair urban water projects with resilient agriculture—drip irrigation, soil repair, and drought-ready crops—so people can flourish at home rather than flee in crisis. Health changes demography too. When infant mortality falls, families choose fewer births. Funding maternal clinics, durable incubators, and stable power across sub‑Saharan Africa saves lives and steadily eases pressure on land and cities. We also dig into practical financing: blending public funds, development banks, and private capital with friendshoring rules that grow U.S. and allied manufacturing for panels, pumps, membranes, and meters. And yes, there’s room to cooperate with China on standards and components when it serves local outcomes and global stability. This is foreign policy you can measure: fewer leaks, steadier grids, calmer borders, better trade. It’s also a national story worth telling—one where American engineers, medics, and financiers build systems that last longer than speeches. If you’re ready for a world where the U.S. leads with solutions people can drink from and plug into, hit play. Then share this with someone who thinks climate action stops at our shoreline, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Sabotage: Ethical Sabotage | S03 E01

Send us Fan Mail Ever wish you could stop harm before it starts—without hurting anyone? We dive into ethical sabotage, a provocative framework for targeted, non-injurious disruption aimed at preventing foreseeable damage. Instead of waiting at the tracks to pull a switch in the trolley problem, we ask what it looks like to keep the trolley from leaving the station in the first place—by disabling a light, jamming a gear, or interrupting a supply line—while staying grounded in strict moral limits. We unpack the guardrails that keep strategy ethical: zero physical injury, proportionality between means and ends, precise targets that actually change outcomes, and a hard line against chaos-inducing tools like fire. From hacktivism that exposes abuse to strike tactics that erode profit margins, we explore how small interventions at key choke points can produce outsized effects. We examine historical contrasts—Gandhi’s nonviolence versus Mandela’s constrained sabotage under apartheid—to show how the character of your opponent shapes effective, ethical resistance. And we draw practical lessons from the CIA’s declassified Simple Sabotage Manual, reframing its operational tricks as a blueprint with added ethical constraints. Climate action provides a clear stress test: shutting down a cement kiln or stalling a high-emissions operation can be morally compelling, but only if actions are precise, reversible where possible, and legible to public judgment. We challenge the lazy conflation of broken windows with bombs and argue for a vocabulary that makes room for calibrated disruption when protest alone fails and violence is both wrong and self-defeating. If you’re curious about where nonviolence ends and strategy begins, this conversation lays out a usable, principled middle path. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves moral puzzles, and tell us: where would you draw the line? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Academic Journals: A Journal for Ambitious Ideas | S02 E45

Send us Fan Mail Can music and speech combine to create powerful emotional experiences? Join us as we explore this fascinating intersection, starting with a light-hearted chat about our attempts at pop music. We dive deep into the creative process of blending musical elements like violin and percussion with iconic speeches from figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Martin Luther King Jr. Our journey takes a poignant turn as we discuss future compositions inspired by speeches from "The Matrix" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," reflecting on the timeless and moving message of humanity, kindness, and unity embedded in Chaplin's words. Imagine a journal that celebrates ambitious ideas with high-risk, high-reward potential. We dream aloud about launching a groundbreaking academic journal that breaks away from the conservative norms of traditional publications. Dubbed the "Journal of Big Swings," this project aims to prioritize bold, innovative theories that may not yet be fully provable but deserve exploration. Our brainstorming session includes humorous potential names and the crucial role of reputable contributors to establish credibility. We wrap up this segment with a playful discussion on how enthusiastic supporters of ambitious academic research could propel such a journal into existence. Discover the future of note-taking with digital tools like Obsidian, which help users create interconnected, personal knowledge networks. We discuss how such software can revolutionize the way we organize and visualize information, leading to an innovative idea for an academic journal named "The Journal of Ambitious Inquiry." This journal would offer a platform for sharing and discussing bold hypotheses without the immediate need for evidence. We close by examining the challenges revolutionary ideas face in traditional academic publishing and the need for more flexible avenues to recognize and disseminate transformative concepts. The episode concludes with a call for innovation in academic publishing to better support groundbreaking ideas. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving the National Debt: Raise Taxes on the Wealthy | S02 E44

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how something as simple as a gradient puzzle could transform your day? Find out in this episode as we celebrate the zen-like qualities of gradient puzzles and their unique ability to relax and center your mind. Then, join us as we toast an extraordinary academic milestone: our guest's insightful paper on compassionate principalism in bioethics has been accepted by a prestigious journal. Discover how integrating compassion into healthcare could revolutionize the way we treat pain and suffering, offering a more holistic approach to medical ethics. Ever thought printing more money could solve national debt? Think again. We break down why this common misconception is flawed and explore the real driving forces behind national debt—policies that have favored the wealthy since the 1980s. This discussion not only debunks the household debt analogy but also highlights the societal and geopolitical consequences of national borrowing. Learn why the issue isn’t just about government overspending, but rather how wealth disparity and tax policies have shaped our current financial landscape. Why has national debt become a tool for enriching the wealthy rather than addressing public needs? We take a deep dive into the historical tax rates and the growing influence of money in politics, revealing how these factors contribute to political gridlock. With insights into potential solutions like ranked choice voting and reflections on the pandemic response, we offer a comprehensive look at how to tackle these entrenched issues. Plus, hear our critical review of Noah Fisher's "Economics 102" podcast for more perspectives on economic stability. Join us for a thought-provoking journey through the complexities of national debt, enriched by our guest's expert insights and timely reflections on upcoming 4th of July celebrations. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

Solving Fines, Pain, and Farts: Workday Fines, Empty Needles, and Fartless Beans | S02 E43

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why a millionaire and a minimum wage worker pay the same fine for a traffic violation? Today, we propose a groundbreaking idea: work day fines! Imagine fines proportionate to your daily income, making penalties just as impactful whether you're loaded or living paycheck to paycheck. We discuss how this system could balance the scales of justice and re-focus law enforcement on more serious crimes. Plus, we tackle potential hurdles like unreported income and how to handle them. Next up, prepare for a mind-bending concept: The Empty Needle. This one's for those who crave the sensation of getting a tattoo but aren't interested in the ink. Join us as we unpack the psychological and cultural allure of pain rituals, comparing this idea to ancient practices across various societies. We even brainstorm some catchy names and ponder broader applications like hyper acupuncture. This isn't just about tattoos; it's about exploring why we seek controlled pain experiences in the first place. Finally, let's talk beans—fart-free beans, that is! Imagine a world where beans don't cause gas, thanks to selective breeding, specialized treatments, or genetic magic. We explore the science of gas emissions, potential health benefits, and even the whimsical idea of harnessing fart energy. From the mechanics of flatulence to the social history of the fart, this segment offers plenty of laughs and insights. Join us as we wrap up with a light-hearted yet informative look at the evolution of human gas and its broader implications. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam: @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot: @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.