Michael Shermer with Gregg Hurwitz — Into the Light: Myths, Narratives, Archetypes, and Trump

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In this wide-ranging dialogue Michael Shermer and Gregg Hurwitz discuss being a public intellectual, how to convey ideas through fiction vs. nonfiction, the role of myths and archetypes in narrative stories, Jordan Peterson and religion, Shakespeare and tragedy, the role of life experience and suffering in the development of a successful novelist, screenwriter, or filmmaker, the role of narrative in politics, especially the 2016 election in which Trump’s narrative was surprisingly compelling to tens of millions of people, even over other highly qualified conservative candidates in the primary election campaign, and what democrats needs to do to recapture the White House in 2020.

Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times #1 international bestselling author of 20 thrillers, including his latest novel Out of the Dark. His novels have won numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages. He has also written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television scripts for various networks. He is also a New York Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). He has published numerous academic articles on Shakespeare, taught fiction writing in the USC English Department, and guest lectured for UCLA and Harvard. He earned a BA from Harvard where Jordan Peterson was his thesis advisor, and a Master’s from Trinity College Oxford where he studied Shakespearean tragedy.

This dialogue was recorded on January 23, 2019 as part of the Science Salon Podcast series hosted by Michael Shermer and presented by The Skeptics Society, in California.

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[FloydMaxwell]

Thank you for interviewing Gregg Hurwitz. One will rarely find someone more full of it than him.

[dmdcykey]

Very interesting and informative podcast. I'm not really familiar with Mr. Hurwitz but this guy has a sharp mind and great, balanced ideas on how to improve society. Definitely going to check out his work. Thanks for this, Michael.

[Roedygr]

How is it possible Greg could have done so many things in such a short time?

[minto]

Absolutely...no one person can know life . What's the point ?

[merlepatterson]

#AGI future movie title: "I know what you did last decade"

[DrLimbic]

This must be the famous screenwriter JP alludes to in one of his lectures from years ago. Interestingly I talked to a friend a few months back- who is a huge fiction reader - who recommended Orphan X to me as one of the best books he has read. I suppose I am tempted to see something mystical in the way I have just connected these two high recommendations to Mr. Hurwitz.

[jeffreysegal]

Omg use a headset. The feedback is so irritating.

[mycount]

Yes, Trump was more genuine and even honest... that did not make him correct, consistent, logical, reasonable or worthy of the job... When I am hiring someone, I want someone who is going to get the job done in the corporate culture we exist... not like them.

[falsegospel]

Works of the law.(judgement)

Cleansing in the OT.

Nephilim and bad gene.

Leviticus 20:9 (KJV) For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (KJV)
16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV) Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 23:2 (KJV) A *bastard* shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.


This is to prevent from bad gene spreaded out.

This is before the Messiah, the Judge.

This is after the Messiah, the Judge.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Matthew 5:43-44 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate *thine* enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 7:1 (KJV)
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

John 5:22 (KJV) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 16:11 (KJV) Of *judgment, * because the *prince of this world* is judged.

Why jesus was Messiah in christianity.

Isaiah 43:11 (KJV) I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah 48:17 (KJV) Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Matthew 1:21 (KJV) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[arielar]

I wish this guy could finish his sentences..,

[kdawg]

Everyone is a skeptic. Easy. Skepticism is not impressive it's just another 'ism.

[janekailey]

Shermer talks WAY WAY WAY too much. Empty barrels make the most noise.
The funny about skeptics is that they think ONLY THEY are entitled to disbelieve things. In fact, their "disbeliefs" are actually beliefs which I DO NOT BELIEVE. I am just as much a skeptic as they are because I don't believe in their beliefs.