DarkHorse Podcast

On this, our 307th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss short form video (SFV), advertisers coming for our dreams, and a review of where we are, and where we are headed. Short form video has negative impacts on both cognitive capacity and mental health in youth and adults; in the context of recent research, we discuss laugh track, philosophy of science, and how tiny actions that appear to have no harm can be very harmful in the aggregate. Then: humans have a long history of accessing our hypnogogic states—between waking and sleep—for creative or spiritual purposes. Now, most companies surveyed are looking into “targeted dream incubation” as a way to change consumer behavior, including Burger King with their 2018 green-bunned “Nightmare King” burger. How do we resist? Finally: an intercalary period is when the absence of an even number of days in the year catches up with our calendars, and we add things like leap days. The mismatch between the solstice, Christmas, and new year’s may point to this reality, and we seem to be living in a metaphorical one. We can’t predict what comes next; the political landscape is in chaotic motion; Silver’s rise in price may set off market collapse—so what can you do? Spend time in person with real people; develop real relationship; and become comfortable in solitude. Treasure your privacy, and both time alone, and time together.*****Our sponsors:SaunaSpace: deep radiant heat from red and infrared incandescence—detox and decrease pain, reverse screen fatigue and improve your mood. http://Sauna.Space/DarkHorse for 10% off sitewide.Masa Chips: Delicious chips made with corn, salt, and beef tallow—nothing else—in loads of great flavors. Go to http://masachips.com/DarkHorse, use code DarkHorse, for 25% off.Prima: Ancestral high-protein bars, easy and delicious, now in four great flavors. 20% off at http://EatPrima.com/DarkHorse.*****Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.comHeather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.comOur book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org*****Mentioned in this episode:Nguyen et al 2025. Feeds, feelings, and focus: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the cognitive and mental health correlates of short-form video use. Psych Bull 151(9):1125: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-89350-001.pdfMarlan 2023. The Nightmare of Dream Advertising. Wm & Mary Law Rev 65: 259: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol65/iss2/2/Crawford 2016. The World Beyond Your Head: https://amzn.to/3MSKI1n (commission earned)Support the show

Bret Weinstein speaks with Aaron Siri on the subject of the childhood vaccine schedule.Find Aaron Siri on X at http://x.com/AaronSiriSG and at https://aaronsiriofficial.com.*****This episode is sponsored by:Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code DARKHORSE at https://branchbasics.com/darkhorse #branchbasicspod*****Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.orgTheme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.*****Mentioned in this episode (Amazon links earn commission):Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines  https://amzn.to/3YBINR8 The Moth in the Iron Lung: A Biography of Polio https://amzn.to/3LbT03I Support the show

On this, our 306th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss men and women, relationships and strategies. What is actually true of young women right now? Is the manosphere onto some uncomfortable and deep truths, or do they suffer from sampling and confirmation bias? What role is porn playing? Social media? Is the nonsense that emerged from #MeToo, with regard to blaming all men, seeing an analog now in the blaming of women? However: men and women are different. Women are more likely to think they have a “right to be right,” to embrace ideologies that privilege victims and grievances, and to be neurotic. Just as encouraging men to embrace their emotional side can enhance many men’s lives, encouraging women to embrace the physical world is likely to enhance their lives. Finally: a book recommendation (Playground).*****Our sponsors:Manukora: the most delicious and nutritious honey you’ll ever have. Get up to 31% off + $25 of free gifts with the Starter Kit at www.Manukora.com/DarkHorsePrima: Ancestral high-protein bars, easy and delicious, now in four great flavors. 20% off at EatPrima.com/DarkHorse.CrowdHealth: Pay for health care with crowdfunding instead of insurance. It’s way better. Use code DarkHorse at JoinCrowdHealth.com to get 1st 3 months for $99/month.*****Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.comHeather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.comOur book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org*****Mentioned in this episode:BSW on male-female dynamics, and response from @MichaelPThelen: https://x.com/thedarkhorsepod/status/2002077458758279397 Thelwall 2017 (1of2). Book genre and author gender in Goodreads: Romance>paranormal-romance to autobiography>memoir. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology 68(5):1212–1223. DOI:10.1002/asi.23768. Playground, by Richard Powers: https://www.powells.com/book/playground-9781324123736Support the show

On this, our 305th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss evolution, including major transitions from sea to land (early amphibians), and back again (e.g. whales), and the evidence. Where should we expect gaps in the fossil record, and why? How are adaptations to space and time analogous to one another? Then: lab grown pig fat is combined with plant protein and turned into meatballs that pretend to be pork. What could go wrong? Prediction: they’ll be carcinogenic. Finally: GLP-1s—e.g. Ozempic—have so many side effects. Now on people’s radar: they decrease drive and pleasure in all things, including libido.*****Our sponsors:Everyday Dose: Coffee plus collagen, mushrooms & nootropics – delicious! Get 45% off your first subscription order and also receive free gifts at  http://everydaydose.com/darkhorse.CrowdHealth: Pay for healthcare with crowdfunding instead of insurance. It’s way better. Use code DarkHorse at http://JoinCrowdHealth.com to get 1st 3 months for $99/month.ARMRA: Colostrum is our first food, and can help restore your health and resilience as an adult. Go to http://www.tryarmra.com/DARKHORSE to get 15% off your first order.*****Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.comHeather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.comOur book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org*****Mentioned in this episode:Jim Tour, physicist, talking to Tucker Carlson about creationism: https://x.com/uncommonsince76/status/2000981781651009727Bret’s dissertation: https://backend.production.deepblue-documents.lib.umich.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/0617b499-b8e8-4071-9a21-95f4c39f8372/contentBacon that isn’t bacon: https://grist.org/climate-energy/this-pigs-bacon-was-delicious-but-shes-alive-and-well/Pharma Darlings: https://naturalselections.substack.com/p/pharma-darlingsGLP-1s flatten sex drive: https://www.thecut.com/article/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-sex-drive-side-effects.htmlSupport the show

Bret Weinstein and British free-speech activist, Carl Benjamin discuss Nick Fuentes and generational divides. Topics include: the crisis facing young men, cultural continuity, and responsibilities needed to build a better future.Find Carl Benjaminon X at https://x.com/Sargon_of_Akkad and at https://lotuseaters.com. *****This episode is sponsored by:Timeline: Timeline accelerate the clearing of damaged mitochondria to improve strength and endurance: Go to http://www.timeline.com/darkhorse and use code darkhorse for 20% off your first order.Uplift Desk: Elevate your workspace with UPLIFT Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/DARKHORSE for a special offer exclusive to our audience.*****Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.comCheck out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.orgTheme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.*****Mentioned on this episode:The Failure of the Straight White Man by Carl Benjamin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yybTvpH6gSupport the show