In episode 334 of Stephan Kesting versus the world (aka The Strenuous Life Podcast) I talk with Oxford trained evolutionary and cognitive anthropologist Chris Kavanagh about the 10 red flags that go into creating the ‘gurometer’ used by the Decoding the Gurus podcast. That podcast tackles the secular gurus propagating their ideas, grievances, and conspiracies on the internet.
From Jordan Peterson, Russel Brand, Tony Robbins, JP Sears, to Brett and Eric Weinstein, we give lots of examples and pull no punches. Many people will be offended. Sorry not sorry.
The episode is available on all podcast platforms and also on YouTube. Links and embedded players are below…
10 Red Flags That You Might Be Following a Guru, in Video Format
You can watch this episode with Dr Kavanagh on Youtube here or in the player below
Here are the 10 characteristics we discuss in considerable detail…
13:19 – Working definition of “guru”
19:18 – Gurometer factor 1, Galaxy-brainness
28:56 – Gurometer factor 2, Cultishness
36:30 – Gurometer factor 3, Antidisestablishmentarianism
54:20 – Gurometer factor 4, Grievance-mongering
1:01:45 – Gurometer factor 5, Narcissism and self-aggrandisement
1:33:12 – Gurometer factor 6, Cassandra-complex
1:40:27 – Gurometer factor 7, Revolutionary theories
1:44:55 – Gurometer factor 8 – Pseudo-profound bullshit
1:53:14 – Gurometer factor 9 – Conspiracy mongering
1:56:54 – Gurometer factor 10 – Grifting or profiteering
10 Red Flags That You Might Be Following a Guru, in Audio Format
To hear this podcast episode in audio-only format, you have a couple of options…
The first is to just press play on the embedded player below – easy as 1,2,3!
The second (and better!) option is subscribing to The Strenuous Life Podcast so that you don’t miss out on any future episodes. To do this, you just need to click on your chosen audio player that is compatible with your device – one click and you’re on your way!
- Apple Podcasts (the purple app on your iPhone)
- Google Podcasts (the new google podcast app)
- Spotify Podcasts (they’re free)
- Stitcher
The third is to use the podcast player embedded within the Grapplearts BJJ Master App, which you can download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Or as promised, the embedded audio player is below: