Podcast Summary: Making Sense with Sam Harris - Episode #397: A New Year's Message from Sam

Introduction

In Episode #397 of “Making Sense with Sam Harris,” released on January 1, 2025, neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris delivers a poignant New Year's message. The episode intertwines a critical analysis of the current global and political climate with profound philosophical insights on living a good life. Harris also shares his personal New Year's resolution, inviting listeners to reflect alongside him.

I. The Global and Political Landscape in 2025

Harris begins by painting a stark picture of the world’s turbulent state as of early 2025, highlighting rapid changes and escalating conflicts.

A. Technological Expectations vs. Reality

Harris reflects on his evolving perception of the future, noting, “If you’re over a certain age, every year now appears absurdly futuristic” [00:21]. He muses on the absence of anticipated technological advancements, such as robots, which were expected to transform daily life since around 2014.

B. Global Conflicts and Threats

The episode delves into several pressing global issues:

• Liberal Democracies Under Siege: Harris underscores the vulnerability of liberal democratic institutions worldwide.
• Middle Eastern Turmoil: He discusses the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the potential for war with Iran, and the fallout from the fall of Syria’s Assad regime, highlighting the resulting uncertainty.
• Eastern European Conflict: The prolonged war in Ukraine remains a significant concern.
• US-China Relations: Heightened tensions between the United States and China add to the global instability.

Harris poignantly states, “If someone came from the future and said, don’t you realize that World War III started months ago, that would seem, if not plausible, at least possible” [00:34], emphasizing the precariousness of the current geopolitical landscape.

C. The US Political Climate and the Potential Return of Donald Trump

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the contentious topic of Donald Trump’s possible return to the White House. Harris articulates his skepticism: “It remains hard to believe that we’re returning Donald Trump to the White House” [00:45], citing numerous reasons why this scenario seems perilous.

Critique of Trump’s Nominations

Harris offers a scathing critique of Trump’s nominees, viewing them as emblematic of a troubling presidential choice:

• Pete Hegseth for Department of Defense: Harris describes Hegseth as embodying “a long and miscellaneous list of disqualifying sins,” likening him to a villain in a Batman movie [01:10].

• Matt Gaetz for Department of Justice: He compares Gaetz’s nomination to that of Hegseth, suggesting both are “terrible mistakes” [01:25]. Harris notes Gaetz’s current downfall, predicting he’ll resurface in less reputable endeavors like selling gold-plated rifles or partnering with Andrew Tate.

• Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence: Harris criticizes Gabbard’s diplomatic stance towards Assad, labeling her patience as “naïve” and “delusional” [02:05]. He references a ten-minute discussion Gabbard had with Assad on Joe Rogan’s podcast, highlighting her misguided perspectives.

Risks of Normalizing Trumpism

Harris warns against the normalization of Trump and his political style, drawing parallels to past events and emphasizing the dangers:

• Behavior of Business Leaders: He expresses frustration with wealthy business leaders who, despite despising Trump’s impact on politics, rush to associate themselves with him, likening their actions to embarrassing endorsements [03:00].

• January 6th Reflections: Revisiting the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, Harris underscores how normalization could lead to disastrous outcomes, pondering, “What do you think would have happened if the people who are chanting ‘Hang Mike Pence’ had gotten their hands on him?” [04:10]. He stresses that the mob’s potential for violence was immense and that Trump’s inaction during the event was a grave mistake.

• Assassination Attempts on Trump: Harris draws a chilling comparison, asking listeners to imagine if attempts on Trump’s life were not taken seriously, reinforcing the ongoing dangers of his persona [05:30].

Notable Quote:

“We won’t see Kamala Harris or Joe Biden inspire a mob to attack the Capitol. How refreshing.” [04:50]

II. Philosophical Reflections on the Good Life

Transitioning from political commentary, Harris delves into a philosophical exploration of what constitutes a good life.

A. Common Answers to "What Makes Life Good?"

He acknowledges conventional responses such as love, friendship, creative work, learning, pleasure, and compassion. However, Harris suggests that these surface-level answers don’t fully capture the essence of what makes life truly good.

B. Deeper Philosophical Insights: Meditation

Harris introduces a more profound perspective, linking the concept of a good life to meditation:

• Meditation as Ceasing Activity: Contrary to popular belief, Harris explains that meditation isn’t an activity but a cessation of distraction. It involves “noticing what is already here” [07:15], fostering a profound change in attitude without altering oneself.

• Present-Moment Awareness: He emphasizes that meditation is about recognizing the present moment’s nature, asking, “What is there to notice right now that matters?” [07:50]. This practice moves beyond religious connotations, focusing purely on experiential reality.

• Critique of Religious Approaches: Harris critiques the religious framing of meditation, which often involves prescriptive beliefs. Instead, he advocates for a secular, experience-based understanding.

• The Waking Up App: He mentions his app, Waking Up, as a resource for those interested in exploring meditation and understanding its importance beyond common misconceptions. “Meditation is nothing other than the act of waking up properly,” Harris states [09:00], reinforcing his analogy that our default state of thinking is dreamlike.

Notable Quote:

“Meditation is simply noticing what is real as a matter of experience. Now and always, but always and only now.” [08:20]

III. Sam Harris' New Year's Resolution

Harris shifts to a personal note, sharing his New Year's resolution, which encapsulates his philosophical beliefs.

A. Living as if 2025 is His Last Year

Harris announces his resolution: to live the year as though he knew 2025 would be his last. This mindset aims to clarify priorities by emphasizing the finiteness of life.

B. Clarifying Priorities by Finite Life Perspective

He contemplates whether he would engage in certain activities if he knew his time was limited. For instance, he questions, “Would I watch a bad movie? Probably not. Would I watch a bad movie with my girls? Absolutely” [11:30]. This approach encourages meaningful engagements over trivial pursuits.

C. Commitment to Present-Moment Living

Harris commits to:

• Paying Attention: Focusing on the present and what truly matters.
• Letting Go of Insignificant Concerns: Ceasing preoccupation with trivial matters.
• Releasing Hopes and Fears: Allowing them to vanish naturally.
• Enjoying Life as It Is: Embracing the present moment without distortion.

D. Invitation to Audience

He invites listeners to join him in this practice, suggesting that such a perspective can lead to a life “that would be impossible to regret” [12:15].

Notable Quote:

“For my New Year’s resolution, I’m going to work with this thought. Would I do this? Would I pay attention to this? Would I care about this if I knew that 2025 would be my last year of life?” [11:00]

Conclusion

Sam Harris concludes the episode by extending well-wishes to his listeners for the new year. He encapsulates his message with a blend of critical societal analysis and personal philosophical inquiry, urging a mindful, present-focused approach to life amidst a backdrop of global uncertainty.

Final Quote:

“This year I’m really going to do my best to live in a way that would be impossible to regret.” [12:30]

Takeaways

• Global Concerns: Harris provides a sobering analysis of current geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the risks of returning to divisive political leadership.

• Philosophical Depth: He challenges listeners to ponder deeper existential questions about the nature of a good life, advocating for meditation and present-moment awareness.

• Personal Growth: Through his New Year's resolution, Harris exemplifies how philosophical principles can guide personal intentions and actions.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on both the external state of the world and their internal states, striving for a balanced, mindful existence amidst chaos.