Have you ever yearned to pull off a grand escape or run away from your current life to start anew? The recent high-profile prison escape by Daniel Khalife got us thinking - how do you disappear in the modern world and is it even possible to do it successfully? In this week’s episode, we discuss great escapes. We discuss famous disappearances, statistics on missing people and prison escapees in the UK, CCTV cameras, Nick presents a framework for optimising disappearance and we describe our theories for successful evasion of the authorities. Image: Terry Fincher via Wikimedia Commons

Do you prefer a Georgian terraced house or a new build? Classic cars or a Tesla? We often assume that because something is old it must hold intrinsic value. But is there a downside to valuing the old over the new? How old do things have to get before age becomes a defining feature? In this week’s episode, we discuss the old and new. We speak about architecture, pubs, psychology, technological progress, house prices, John Betjeman, Chesterton’s fence and Peter presents an idea for an old vs new thought experiment. Finally, we share our favourite old and new things. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The Ancient House, Walthamstow: London’s oldest house https://lookup.london/walthamstow-ancient-house/ - List of demolished buildings and structures in London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demolished_buildings_and_structures_in_London - Buying a new build vs old house: Which is better? https://www.comparemymove.com/advice/new-build-homes/new-build-vs-old-build#:~:text=More%20Expensive%20%E2%80%93%20Although%20new%20builds,could%20affect%20the%20completion%20date For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

History is replete with infamous grudges. Invasions launched by Julius Caesar, political rivalry between Gladstone and Disraeli and musical enmities that turn tragic in the case of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. But are grudges good or bad? What is the best way to deal with them and why do we have them in the first place? In this week’s episode, we discuss grudges. We define the key characteristics of a grudge, compare them to feuds and vendettas, explore the notion of a good grudge and touch upon the animal kingdom, first impressions and justice. Finally, we reveal our favourite and longest-held grudges. - Werner Herzog anecdote about Klaus Kinski's "egomania" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCaTAGNkYQc - Grudge: the emotional side of resentment https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/emsoc/5/2/article-p139.xml#:~:text=Following%20this%20perspective%2C%20Max%20Scheler,25 For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

At a time when marketing has infiltrated our physical and virtual worlds, how should we think about it? Is it just advertising in different clothing or can it reveal deeper insights into our psychology and social interactions? In this week’s podcast, we discuss marketing with special guest David Folkman, who has had a 20-year career in marketing and entrepreneurialism. We discuss the impact of technology, the psychology of advertisers, advertising models, Tinder, canned water, AI, creativity and the future. Finally, we ask David about his biggest marketing disasters and industry takeaways. David has a long career working for consumer brands including Mars, Nestle, and Innocent Drinks, and co-founded a number of food and drink businesses including CleanCo and Cheesies. He has also advised numerous companies on sales and marketing strategy. His new website is coming soon and can be found at www.davidfolkman.com For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

Recent footage of orcas ramming fishing boats has given some pause for concern - has our old friend the sea finally turned against us? If the sea creatures have decided to declare war on us, what would their course of action be? Would they succeed? And how can we best fight back? In this podcast, join us for a maritime thought experiment where we analyse a hypothetical battle between humans and sea dwellers. We discuss biology, Abyssal and Hadal zones, shipwrecks, amphibians, water deities, global warming, robotic augmentation and shark attacks. Finally, we share our best aquatic experiences. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The orcas are attacking https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/19/orcas-boats-human-killer-whales-animal-life#:~:text=In%20the%20past%20few%20years,number%20so%20far%20this%20summer. - All the Biomass of Earth, in One Graphic https://www.visualcapitalist.com/all-the-biomass-of-earth-in-one-graphic/ For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

Nowadays it is almost a cliché to say that content is king. Content seems to have become a ubiquitous catchall term for anything and everything that populates internet web pages. But does the modern usage of content devalue creativity or does it simply draw attention to the vast amount of information stored on the internet? In this week’s episode, we discuss content. We unpack the Web 2.0 movement, legacy vs new media, genetics and large language models. Finally, we share our favourite content containers and pieces of content. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - “Content is King” — Essay by Bill Gates 1996 https://medium.com/@HeathEvans/content-is-king-essay-by-bill-gates-1996-df74552f80d9 - Understanding the Cost of Packaging https://packmojo.com/blog/understanding-packaging-pricing-economies-of-scale/ - The Drum: 'Content' is a terrible term. Please stop using it. https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2018/05/08/content-terrible-term-please-stop-using-it - Web 2.0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0 For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected] Image: Niall Kennedy via Flicker

Is it just us, or does it increasingly feel like Britain is going to hell in a handbasket? We have industrial strikes, a cost of living and energy crisis, high inflation, political instability, perennial problems with the European Union and widespread cultural malaise. But is it true that the UK finds itself in an interminable decline or is it merely a figment of our collective imagination? In this week’s podcast, we discuss declinism. We delve into economic data, compare the state of the nation today compared to the 1980s and discuss the British Empire, Netflix, relative decline and evolution. Finally, we share the things we are optimistic about for the future. In this week’s podcast, we discuss declinism. We delve into economic data, compare the state of the nation today compared to the 1980s and discuss the British Empire, Netflix, relative decline and evolution. Finally, we share the things we are optimistic about for the future. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The illusion of moral decline https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06137-x#citeas - Stagnation nation: how can Britain pull itself out of its economic decline? https://www.lse.ac.uk/research/research-for-the-world/economics/stagnation-nation-how-can-britain-pull-itself-out-of-its-economic-decline - Britain is much worse off than it understands https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/03/britain-worse-off-1970s/ - Headlines claim Britain is declining. They aren’t new — but are wrong. https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/10/06/britain-decline/ - The optimism gap https://eupinions.eu/de/text/the-optimism-gap - Human development index https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

As summer arrives there is change in the air. We are ready to take on the day, plunge into new hobbies or revive old ones and explore the world around us. But do you need to live through winter to properly experience summer? Is it the case that sunny weather is objectively better? What is the perfect weather or is there no such thing? In this week’s podcast, we discuss optimal weather. We share our experiences in the extremities of temperature, discuss data on the ideal temperature for humans, evolution and natural selection, British weather and construal level theory. Finally, we share some things we like about bad weather. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Climate and Happiness https://www3.nd.edu/~nmark/Climate/Rehdanz_Maddision_2005.pdf - Hate The Cold? These Destinations Have Never Even Seen Snow https://www.thetravel.com/which-countries-never-get-any-snow/ - Bad Weather is Good for You https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/oct/29/bad-weather-is-good-for-you-take-a-walk-in-the-wind-and-rain For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected] Image: None via PickPik

Some might say that society is built on rules. Laws set by governments, rules set by individuals and collective codes of behaviour that we are all expected to follow. But are there two types of people: those that follow the rules and those that make exceptions? How do we define a rule and what makes an exception? In this week’s podcast, we discuss rules and exceptions. We discuss motorways, religion, the slippery slope, covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the psychology of rule setting, herd mentality, “the bubble” in poker and the Rule of Law Index. Finally we share our favourite arbitrary rules that have been imposed upon us. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Slippery Slope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slippery_slope - Doctrine of Precedent in English Legal System https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/constitutional-law/doctrine-of-precedent-in-english-legal-system-constitutional-law-essay.php - Herd Mentality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_mentality For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]

One of the many criticisms levelled against a show like Jerry Springer is that the controversy was inauthentic and manufactured in order to drive up ratings. But why do we worry about whether fiction is true or not? Should we just stop caring and enjoy it for what it is? In this week’s episode, we discuss truth and fiction. We speak about New Journalism, postmodernism, open-world computer games, historiography, the coconut effect, Nick Bostrom’s simulation hypothesis, histrionic personality disorder and the nature of reality. Finally we share our favourite fictional media that are based on a true story. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Jerry Springer: Era-defining TV host dies aged 79 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65415348 - Tops in Tele-Trash : ‘Springer’ worst stinker on TV guide list https://nypost.com/2002/07/13/tops-in-tele-trash-springer-worst-stinker-on-tv-guide-list/ - "Not Making This Up" Disclaimer https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer - The Coconut Effect https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheCoconutEffect - Aluminum Christmas Trees https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AluminumChristmasTrees - Histrionic Personality Disorder https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9743-histrionic-personality-disorder For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email [email protected]