haven't listened to this one since it is premium, but i think i can summarize it pretty aptly nevertheless:

there have been recent tensions in the FDR community with people asking questions or even criticising some of Stef's actions, esp. in the Tyler thread.
Also, Stef's new book did not have the impact he thought it deserved to have.

To explain both situations Stef first dismisses the ideas that a) Stef was wrong or inconsistent or used double standards in his actions, and b) that the ideas in his book were not that original or monumental as he thinks they are

Instead, some members of the community have been feeling uneasy and falsely questioning or criticising Stef, and not wanting to see the monumental nature of the new book, because they know that what Stef says in both cases is true and that it should have important implications for their personal lives and their relations with family and friends, and they are afraid to accept and put into practice these implications. to deal with their anxiety they take it out on Stef instead and/or are unable/unwilling to appreciate the book to the full extent that it should be praised

Done.

oh, and if there were any truly hard-core FDR'ers (or newbies who wanna belong) in this conversation then after Stef has explained the above (and after they may have struggled and asked questions for some part of the conversation) will be very willing or eager even to subject themselves (and others) to be psychologized so as to find the real causes/reasons for their clearly irrational behavior (questioning Stef's actions or work)

You can tell all that just from the title?

[Edit: Sorry, I didn't see the additional description that he provided...]

This pattern of chiding, assuming motives, and calls for introspection and apology happens every time Stef does something "monumental." It happened after each of the books, after the premiere of the FDR gear, and after the release of the Mythology series (in the 740s, about a year ago). Those are the ones just off the top of my head.

good call, although 'On Truth' may have been an exception (can't really remember though), but yeah the FDR gear, mythology series and I think also the intro to philosophy series. This must be tough for Stefan tough, being perpeptually disappointed with the failure of those closest to him (and also of the wider libertarian community (he has talked about how his LRC article 'proving libertarian morality' didnt give him the success and speaking opportunities etc. that he thought it would give him)) to see those concrete things he created as being as monumental as he sees them, while at the same time not wanting empty praise.

So he must think of ways to get around this split, which he does by coming up with these psychological explanations.

I, for one, welcome our new all-loving overlord.

You're probably right about On Truth. It was received well. On the other hand, it was blamed for Niels' actions that led to a banning.

Perhaps part of it stems from his openly-stated starting principle of "I'm always right"? He doesn't stick with that when it comes to little facts ("Oops, you're right, I forgot to carry the one, but the math doesn't matter [cheesy grin]"), but for anything he's invested a lot of intellectual effort into, he holds steadfast to that principle. That principle, and the presence of people willing to accept that principle as well, allows him to transform his intellectual failures into others' emotional failures. What makes this easier is that Stef earned a lot of intellectual credibility, and that the listeners he speaks with come to FDR to discuss their own emotional failures. Those who challenge Stef and are unwilling to discuss their emotional failures don't stay long.

vindi-fucking-cation

the good thing is that donations are down

I don't normally download his podcasts, but I was curious to what you were referring. It was funny and frustrating to listen to.

"Why are people getting so testy with me and FDR? I guess it must be because I'm so powerful and true that their false selves can't handle it... Not my problem!"

I can't get over this podcast! He talks for a hour, going on and on about all the reasons why people would respond badly to his books and podcasts. And in that time, not once does he mention the possibility that his philosophy is flawed, or that his methods are manipulative. The whole podcast is full of self-aggrandizement. He really can't help but say how amazing, ground-breaking, life-changing, and obviously-true his arguments are.

Or even that maybe his philosophy is spot on, but he is such a hateful, lying, abusive hypocrite that no one is willing to put up with his crap to get the wisdom...

- NonE

So he did. You're right, Conrad. I think the point remains, though. It's 60 minutes of how amazing FDR is, how amazing his books are, and how everyone who doesn't agree with them is just afraid of the truth that they see, but aren't willing to embrace. It's rubbish.

I had a similar reaction when I started my first business: "I have a great product, but everyone's too stupid to know it!" Oddly enough, that business failed. Maybe I should have browbeat my potential clients more.