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Solutions From The Multiverse

Adam Braus & Scot Maupin

Professor Adam Braus (Elton University) and comedian Scot Maupin (@scotmaupin) meet up each week where Adam brings a new idea to help the world and Scot picks and prods at it with jokes and questions. The result is an informative and entertaining podcast that always gets you thinking.

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28 episodes
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Avg 49 min
English

Episodes 28

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S3 · E5
March 31 · 50 min
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.
S3 · E4
March 17 · 44 min
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.
S3 · E3
March 3 · 45 min
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.
S3 · E2
February 11 · 59 min
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.
S2 · E45
Jul 9, 2024 · 33 min
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.
S2 · E44
Jul 2, 2024 · 40 min
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.
S2 · E43
Jun 25, 2024 · 50 min
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.
S2 · E42
Jun 18, 2024 · 45 min
Solving Ethics for Atheists: Minimizing Misery | S02 E42
Send us Fan Mail Can humor survive the era of cancel culture? Today, we tackle the intriguing concept of "lapelle de voie"—the call of the void—and its implications for banter and social interactions. We also explore the quirky idea of "cancel cultural appropriation," where people take on others' grievances. Our conversation shifts to an exciting personal project: innovative shirt designs aimed at reducing laundry frequency and combating climate change. You'll hear about the creative process and the costs involved in tailoring these unique garments. In our quest for fresh perspectives, we lament the rise of recycled concepts and missed opportunities for genuine innovation, even on platforms like TED. The episode also dives into a compelling discussion on morality and ethics. Do we need a divine arbiter to guide our behavior, or could a placebo deity suffice? We explore the role of religion in shaping laws and guiding moral actions, ending with a poignant story about conscientious objection during the Vietnam War and its impact on one man's career in community health. We then dissect the complexities of ethics, pondering what constitutes necessary and avoidable suffering. Through various ethical theories and historical examples like slavery and theft, we question the inherent moral worth of individuals. The episode wraps up with a fascinating look at empathy, cooperation, and the evolutionary roots of moral behavior. Using game theory and real-world scenarios, we highlight how cooperation and compassion can arise naturally, even without religious influence. Tune in for a thought-provoking blend of humor, social insight, and sustainability. 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.

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