A shared interest in the fabled swing era of the 1930's and 40's as well as… Read Full Bio ↴A shared interest in the fabled swing era of the 1930's and 40's as well as more contemporary Rhythm and Blues, has resulted in this enduring and productive collaboration. Even though swing's their thing, Lex and Joe's play list encompasses Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and songs from Van Morrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Waits, and Leon Redbone. Solidly based in the blues, Lex and Joe combine strong rhythm playing with diverse instrumental timbres.

Lex Romane plays guitar, fusing the intense rhythmic drive of masters like Freddie Green with modern R&B feeling.

In his distinctive vocals, Lex shows the influence of such varied artists as Muddy Waters,Van Morrison, and Leon Redbone.

Joe Riillo, a classically trained clarinetist, quickly discovered the enticements of R&B and Jazz. Switching to the saxophone, he developed a singular style influenced by artists ranging from King Curtis and Johnny Almond to Cannonball Adderly and Lester Young. On the clarinet, he offers tribute to Pete Fountain, Jimmy Hamilton, and Eddie Daniels. Joe also plays flute.

Evil
Lex And Joe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

People say there's no such thing as voodoo
I don't know why
People say there's no such thing as love
I got a job in S.E. 15

And after tax my wage is 16
July the 17th I'll be 18
I don't think I'll live till 19

People say I'm looking so much older than what I am

People laugh at me when I say why
I'm being watched
By the Evil Eye
I'm being watched

By the Evil Eye
Working for a man who wears a straw hat and never smiles
And an apron striped and splashed with blood
I stack a pig's head on the shelf

The boss comes along and says move yourself
I can't move I'm hypnotized
Staring into a dead pig's eyes
I turn around and all I see is ladies

With shopping bags
Staring at me trying to read my mind
And I'm being watched
By the Evil Eye

And I'm being watched
By the Evil Eye
(walking home-on my own
Standing on the bus stop- crossing the road

I'm being followed-'cause I can feel
Someone's breath on my neck
Someone's toe on my heel...)
Gotta keep on walking

I can't stop now-I've come too far
Wait till I get home and lock the door
I got the candles burning low
I got the Cramps on the stereo

I got the doll now I can start
With a pin right trough the heart
I got dolls with straw hats
I got ladies with shopping bags

They'll be sorry they crossed me tonight
Now they're being watched (they're being watched)
By the Evil Eye
Being watched

By the Evil Eye

Being watched
By the Evil Eye

Overall Meaning

The song "Evil" by the band Lex And Joe is a dark and unsettling story about a young person working a dead-end job in S.E. 15. The lyrics convey a sense of anxiety and paranoia as the singer feels like they are being watched by the "Evil Eye," a symbol of malevolent supernatural forces. The first verse introduces the theme of disbelief as people deny the existence of both voodoo and love. Then, the second verse paints a picture of the singer's mundane life at work, stacking pig heads on a shelf for a boss who wears a straw hat and an apron stained with blood. The boss's commands hypnotize the singer, and they feel like they are staring into the dead pig's eyes. The third verse is a description of the singer's fear and paranoia walking home alone, feeling like someone is following them. The song's final verses suggest that the singer takes matters into their own hands, using candles and a doll to take revenge on those who they feel have wronged them.

The lyrics of "Evil" are both eerie and thought-provoking. They touch on themes of fear, paranoia, and revenge, forcing the listener to reflect on their own experiences with these emotions. The song effectively uses metaphors and imagery to convey the singer's sense of being trapped and watched. The repetition of "Being watched by the Evil Eye" throughout the song creates a sense of escalating tension and fear.

Line by Line Meaning

People say there's no such thing as voodoo
People commonly deny the existence of black magic

I don't know why
It's unclear why people would deny such things

People say there's no such thing as love
Some people even claim that love is nonexistent

I got a job in S.E. 15
I started working in the South East part of London

And after tax my wage is 16
My earnings after deducting taxes come up to 16

July the 17th I'll be 18
I'm going to turn 18 on July 17th

I don't think I'll live till 19
I have a premonition that I won't survive past 19

People say I'm looking so much older than what I am
Some people comment that I appear older than my actual age

People laugh at me when I say why
Others ridicule me when I try to explain why I'm concerned

I'm being watched
I'm under surveillance

By the Evil Eye
Being monitored by negative forces or malicious intent

Working for a man who wears a straw hat and never smiles
My employer, who dons a straw hat and remains expressionless, is a peculiar figure

And an apron striped and splashed with blood
He wears a stained apron with stripes of blood

I stack a pig's head on the shelf
I arrange a swine's head on display

The boss comes along and says move yourself
My boss interrupts and instructs me to continue working

I can't move I'm hypnotized
I feel entranced and unable to act

Staring into a dead pig's eyes
I gaze into the eyes of a deceased swine

I turn around and all I see is ladies
I turn around to find several women watching me

With shopping bags
These women carry shopping bags

Staring at me trying to read my mind
The ladies intensely stare, seemingly attempting to read into my thoughts

And I'm being watched
I am being monitored

By the Evil Eye
By dark forces with negative intentions

(walking home-on my own
I'm walking home alone

Standing on the bus stop- crossing the road
I wait and utilize public transportation to cross the street

I'm being followed-'cause I can feel
I sense that someone is tailing me

Someone's breath on my neck
I detect a person's breath on my neck

Someone's toe on my heel...
I feel a stranger's foot almost touching mine

Gotta keep on walking
I need to continue moving forward

I can't stop now-I've come too far
I can't afford to halt my progress as I've made considerable strides already

Wait till I get home and lock the door
I plan to secure my premises after returning home

I got the candles burning low
I have candles lit, albeit not to their fullest potential

I got the Cramps on the stereo
The Cramps' music is playing on my stereo

I got the doll now I can start
I have a doll at my disposal for use

With a pin right trough the heart
I will puncture the doll's heart area with a pin

I got dolls with straw hats
I possess dolls sporting straw hats

I got ladies with shopping bags
I have figurines of women carrying bags

They'll be sorry they crossed me tonight
Those who antagonized me prior will regret their actions tonight

Now they're being watched (they're being watched)
These individuals are now subject to surveillance

By the Evil Eye
Being monitored by negative forces or malicious intent

Being watched
Being monitored

By the Evil Eye
By dark forces with negative intentions

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Lex Fridman

3y↑709

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast.
0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions:
- Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium
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2:16 - Eddie Van Halen
9:56 - Leonard Cohen
17:52 - Battle between ego and humility
23:08 - Darkness and beauty
29:50 - Jimi Hendrix
32:38 - Good Will Hunting
36:46 - Revolutionary minds
48:19 - Next Elon Musk should come from MIT
52:44 - Love with save the world
58:00 - Are we headed toward a civil war?
1:09:34 - Joe Rogan
1:23:21 - Our political leaders
1:28:41 - Younger people should have more power
1:39:00 - The Portal
2:03:50 - Money
2:05:56 - Roger Penrose
2:13:36 - Jeffrey Epstein
2:32:14 - We need to get off this planet
2:35:11 - An update on Geometric Unity
2:41:03 - Gratitude

Thanks Again

Thank you for interviewing my favorite ivy league Muppet, he's like a mixture of fuzzy bear, the swedish chef there's a lot of Gore Vidal and maybe more than a little Ted kaczynski.

As a teenage guitar player in the 1970s, aspiring to get laid with it, I had great respect for Eddie Van Halen's caffeinated, aerobic scales. What better song to celebrate the victory the football field. I was on a team that lost just 5 times in four seasons, so I heard a lot of Van Halen. Great music at The keg parties too for that last keg in rally mode, after nearly everybody playing quarters had puked and returned to the table. That's right, we would beat our rivals in football on Saturday morning and then out puke them in quarters on Saturday night with Eddie Van Halen's guitar as a soundtrack. So I don't know about that young boys in a room stuff. This part is unrelatable for me.

They're were all circus clowns that made fun and funny sounds to me. Ted Nugent, Roger Daltrey, Jimmy Page, Robert plant, and Mick Jagger for Christ sake. You want to talk about trans rights? The music was pure Mardi Gras, turned all the way up to 11 like Spinal Tap.

Insane clown posse is telling you something guys.

But there obviously Next level music. Something more to the guitar than "Purple Haze". Actual music. Music I knew I would have a much harder time cracking or hacking than Eddie Van Halen's masturbatory fuges in front of a wall of Marshall amplifiers.

THEE Count Basie used to come to my high school in NY. And Bird. Coltrane, Lester Young, Ben Webster. Monk. The Allman Brothers "appropriating" Bird's notes. I got to shake Dizzy Gillespie's hand outside the Blue Note in college. I stuttered like a little girl with a crush on her older brother's best friend when I told him "I think you're the greatest".

Nevertheless, my guitar heroes were Steve Howe of Yes, and Al Demiola, and great God-- Jaco Pastorius of Weather Report. Chet Atkins, The barking pumpkin himself: Frank Zappa. Shit: Google Scotty Anderson.

Musical music, beyond running the scales, like pre op Bruce Jenner in Spandex and a headband, the biggest winner at the Spin class.

Arpeggios are like Pate or oysters, such a fine line between too much and not enough.

I ate nine dozen oysters in New Orleans after Katrina, just to do my part. It was the free oysters Rockefeller dessert and the last Red stripe that put them all on the sidewalk out front. Heh. Good times. But too much.

Van Halen is like that. So is Rush. And all that metal mess.

I agree that Leonard Cohen wrote the most beautiful song of our time, but insist it sounds utterly terrible when he sang it; yet not as bad as the most popular version by Jeff Buckley, who turned it into a teenage heartthrob anthem for the college guy trying to sound deep and mystical as he poaches 16 year olds at the local high school in his Volkswagen rabbit. It is the most saccharine version of the least saccharin song I've ever heard: but be sure to vote it up on YouTube, "ya'll". Shrek, right?

John Cage singing Hallelujah, with a cello accompanying is how that song was done justice. It's the greatest version of the greatest song of our time.

And only the Muppet unabomber would think of the music theory aspect, and him addressing the audience and not the woman directly. They have been fighting for years, love and the music are gone. She mostly blows smoke in his face and drinks wine now. She told him she doesn't care for music anymore.

He's going for the motions. The 4th the 5th the minor chord the major lift, baffled there's nothing left of what brought them together.

She acts cool because she is cool. The coolest. Probably wears her Ray-Bans indoors.

Of course he's going to tell her about herself-- he bought the fucking Ray-Bans. #AmIright?

So, I don't take the song to be exhibitionism, breaking the fourth wall to mock the audience. It's more like something surreptitiously recorded of a person of interest that we've got no right to be hearing. It almost feels embarrassing, like sitting, uninvited in a room where you don't belong. Maybe in a military basement in Israel listening to a crime family figure beat his children or a senator getting his ass whipped by a dominatrix through a server connection . Scorsese's "Raging Bull" does the same thing. Sam Shepard's plays. A mild, less dysphoric, if not drug addled version of Lou Reed's "Street Hassel". The New Yorkers. So, you know, Cohen really knocked it out of the park for a Canadian.

Perhaps it's fitting that John Cage did the most fantastic operatic version, leaving Lou Reed to rehab and for professor Lori Anderson to figure out.

The battle King is baffled by a woman, Moe. It's it's the most glorious, self-defeating love for and of the woman that he never did and we never will figure out, tied to a chair Sam I Am, his haircut like Hercules, power gone... A very short version of "Tropic of Capricorn" to this death march.

As Donald Fagan put it: "when you know she's no high climber then you find your only friend, in a room with your two-timer and you're sure you're near the end"...

You are young, so why would you know these things, the radio playing Van Halen in heavy rotation when you were 9? To be abducted by chess club, picking on your little brother, mathematics and Big Data in Lex's case. I was older, 14, reading Lester Bangs and Rolling Stone on the toilet.

So it's all just parlor tricks, innit.

All comments from YouTube:

Lex Fridman

3y↑709

Joanna Mccallum

sabbracadabra

I love this guy.

Drone Adventures

@BØRGE ODK that's WHAT got me pregnant!

BØRGE ODK

@Drone Adventures go back to school.

Drone Adventures

@BØRGE ODK your also pregnant with his child?

119 More Replies...

Trivial QED

3y↑1.6K

The fact Eric acknowledges the need to fill seats of power with competent people but isn't willing to fill one himself speaks to the greater problem: most competent people just dont want to waste their time going through all the bureaucracy, the lies, the corruption that one has to participate in for decades just to get there. They'd rather spend their time reading a book, proving theorems, having interesting conversations with others etc.

willnot beresponding

Only the unexceptional are capable of believing those who gain power over others are dumber and less exceptional than those they are ruling over. Not to mention those in power have full access to the smartest people on earth. Unbelievable but I expect this from Lex's team :)

gakpad the junkrat boy

yeah and they are smart so they know they're going to get themselves killed if they f with the oil money too much

Helga Otto

I think he desperately wants to fill the seat, just wants to hear it from others. Everything he says that he doesn’t want (money, status etc) is actually what he wants.

futureboy

"all the bureaucracy, the lies, the corruption that one has to participate in for decades just to get there"
Then the next question is why all those nasty things are required in order to get there.

brek5

Yah, this just came up randomly on my feed again after I watched it when it came out for the first time in 2020. How long did it take for his prediction about Rogan to come true? Not long, haha.

107 More Replies...

Lee Stringer

3y↑343

I've only recently discovered Weinstein. His bluntness put me off a little the first time I saw him, but when I started actually paying attention I realized that there's no malice in it. That makes all the difference. I really like him now, and Fridman as well, obviously. Both of them I discovered on Rogan. Say what you want about Rogan, but he has led many of us to brilliant minds like these two guys.

willnot beresponding

Yea no malice...Lee stringer stringing along the idiots who never heard of doubletalk.

BØRGE ODK

@Lee Stringer Probably - cheetas can't change their spots..

Lee Stringer

2y↑1

@BØRGE ODK I think he has that syndrome with everyone lol

BØRGE ODK

@Melodius Thump Whaaat? He stomps on people - typical big brother behavior.

BØRGE ODK

@Lediable Blanc green, grey, mixed - I've got blue, but have had black ones at the same time more than once..

48 More Replies...

AtomicLink

3y↑84

"We have a huge amount of talent in the world, that's not sitting in it's proper seat." AMEN ERIC 🙏

BØRGE ODK

2y↑1

Meanwhile - in "the wide house"....

A.K. Emerson

3y↑7

Amen to this.

jen amirgholi

3y↑7

yep

John Ellmaker

3y↑95

This is one of those magical duos found in podcast-space, Duncan/Rogan, Nikki/Whitney and Lex/Eric. Never fails

Antoniusz

Theo Von/Bobby Lee

Aloe Hah

2y↑1

Also Bill Burr/Bill Burr 😁

jim jam

2y↑3

Dont forget Tim/thin air

Povl Besser

3y↑2

For obviously very different reasons.

I was initially quite aghast you would compare this duo to Nikki Glasser and Whitney Cummings but then I think I saw where you're coming from.

Toes

3y↑4

I ABSOLUTELY love Eric's deep dives into certain topics.
I am not always able to hold on to the coat tails. But its always an entertaining mental journey.

DiNozzo431

3y↑504

Lex, I know you're somewhere lurking in the comments here, so let me just take a moment to express gratitude for bringing us conversations like these - they're a pleasure to listen to in addition to being immensely important. This one in particular perfectly captures the need to be both ingenious and ingenuous as we move forward. Again Lex, thank you and keep it up.

willnot beresponding

Yes, heard your crowd. Eye of the Liger. Lex is the cowardly lion and joe is tony the tiger.

Shawn Henry

Lex I see you as having a Amazing soul Please Please please Wage war with your words I believe You're Coalition is bigger than you think

Mikołaj Dobies

Pauline Murnin

3y↑4

@Reinier R. Fosch feels great listening with like minded people these interviews are fantastic, finally realised I’m not depressed my thoughts are totally normal here 😂

Pauline Murnin

3y↑1

@Manny Santiago hear here 😜

4 More Replies...

Peripheral Inkling

3y↑9

Lex, I'm so grateful for your courage and intellect. Thank you for giving us these podcasts. You enlighten my world.

José Palacios

3y↑25

What a conversation. Thank you, Lex. I'm watching it for the second time now.

Squirrel 2020

Same

George Soros

3rd or fourth time now for me

Nadine Tasmania

2y↑5

This is another great podcast. The discussion re Joe Rogan and Spotify, spot on with what has now transpired.

Diane Milligan

2y↑3

I did not want this conversation to end! Thank you!

Dryicicles

3y↑386

This is Eric Weinstein trying to upload as much of his wisdom as possible into LexAI, so that lex can change the world because Eric believes that lex has more potential than himself.

Dragonfly girl

@Inez Karkabe not all that's why there are so many lost disrupted souls.

W4!! F!0w3r

Eric knows he's at a level that will not be allowed advancement... lex's interest gives hope enough to risk feeding him information slowly but has to be done in a manner those that would shut him down as well don't notice right away giving lex enough time to advance further then Eric
Though lex may have to find an understudy at some point and do the same... it's the only hope we have of positioning ourselves where we can stop those stopping us or at the very least save them by moving them out of the reach of those currently in control

Inez Karkabe

2y↑1

Totally unfounded projection.
An older man talking to a younger man. Wise , intelligent men allways teach when listened to.

MC ZenSun

🌈🕊️🌺🕉️

A Girl With an OPINION

@Brian S mo

11 More Replies...

Jesus Avila

3y↑2

I started listening in the last 2 monthes. What a good program. BUT, now I feel kind of stupid and yet I feel like a learned some things, which leaves me content. Thanks, Lex, keep doing the great work. A interesting conversation.

Just_Loud

3y↑3

Whenever I'm in a dark place I feel I can always come to this channel to redirect my mind away from the negativity. I only wish I had discovered yall sooner.

Livvy's Smile

3y↑3

Never a boring moment on your podcasts. Enjoyed your conversation 🙏🏾👏🏾

Kim Truong

3y↑4

I love conversations between Eric and Lex. Eric adores Lex and I love his recurring theme that Lex is "Russian", emotional and physical hardcore. Love it love it.

Isaac Now

3y↑275

I almost fucking cried listening to this one. These conversations give me hope and help me realize that me and many other are not alone. I’m not American and I don’t live in the US, I point this out just because I want to acknowledge how far this reaches. Beyond culture, beyond nationalism, beyond age. These ideas and your sincerity is far more revolutionary than you guys realize. I know you see this, I know you see your audience and the power of your platforms but you do not feel what it is to be someone like me listening to you. You WILL spark the minds that will free us all. Thank you.

ryan seitz

They really make you realize that you're not crazy. And you're not alone in being the only one who thinks this way, for which I have for quite some time.
I just didnt have the confidence to believe I was right because no one else was saying it. Eric has freed my mind.

A.K. Emerson

Brother 🤝

countdooku75

@Umchina Girard LMAO I was literally thinking about an ex of mine as Eric was saying some people are wired different and have gone past a point of no return

delvingmind

@Scorch428 I don’t see Eric as arrogant...I just think he thinks in a way that most of us mere humans just can’t...which makes it extremely hard for him to connect and be heard for his brilliant observations. I love watching him with Lex because they connect in the same kind of more “mind” less “emotional” way that they do. I’m watching this podcast after watching Eric with Ted Cruz and Rebel Wisdom...both of which I could feel Eric’s frustrations of not being understood. Lex and Eric are a great team...I’m thoroughly enjoying this talk and enjoying Eric being a bit more “relaxed”...maybe because Lex understands him a bit more?

Scorch428

3y↑4

Eric comes off as a bit arrogant, as usual, but he is right. Pretty much everything he says is completely accurate and I hope Lex is taking notes. He needs a pessimists view in his life to help him see certain things.

12 More Replies...

Yin over Yang

3y↑6

This is one one the most brilliant conversations I've heard, Thanks, I just discovered a new podcast!

Lorenz A

3y↑5

Love you guys! Really enjoyed this talk. Eric is like a father speaking straight up no frills.

Conscious Citizen

3y↑9

I am so grateful to have found your channel. You have such a gift Lex- combining innocence, gentleness, deep consideration and curiosity. Don't become old and cynical! Thank you for helping to expand my mind - and my heart (though AI shouldn't be our future) This is an especially fabulous podcast with Eric. Thank you x

Natural Born Chiller

2y↑1

Such a great episode. Thanks Lex and Eric. I spend a lot of my time on my own bored, you guys keep me stimulated with a smile on my face.

Aaron Brown

3y↑2

Such a fun conversation, so much meat on the bones here. I can’t turn this off. I’ve been listening to everything I can from both of these brilliant minds! Thank you both so much for letting us be a fly on the wall while y’all talk. 🤩

ashton hamlett

3y↑3

I have had literal chills a couple times, hearing other people talk about music the way I think about it has just filled my soul in a way- idk it feels comforting

Shawn Bell

2y↑1

Holy crap! I'm only halfway through this podcast and my mind is blown. I don't even know what to think! Literally mind-blowing. Thank you Lex Friedman for being the guy you are!

Trisha Blanchard

This has been one of your best interviews I have seen so far Lex. I really enjoy you and I thank you for making an impact on my life, I have been learning a great deal of knowledge from you. Keep on doing what your doing.....Much Love

Remington James

3y↑1.3K

You can just tell Lex is a good dude

Aaron Olson

@Julian duhhh duhh. Why use words at all? Duhh duhh. I’m stoopid duhhh duh

Alex P

@Jan Day And I whole-heartedly agree about the baby analogy💙

Alex P

@Jan Day Not that I know anything about to what you're referring, but you're saying he's as authentic as a human (baby) is when they've barely had the world have a chance to make it's impression on its authenticity...right?

Imagine.
Someone like that, that was a baby almost 40 years ago...*bare*ly has allowed that impression to negate that "original authenticity". For. 40. Years.

I guess I don't really know what I'm saying at all, but I'm trying to say that if a given person learned to not let society grow within himself a mistrust, cynicism, or hatred for the world after that long...then I would think he Must Be one of the most tough and emotionally strong people I had ever met.

Don't you think so too?

Todd Pritchard

Kinda he seems a little fake and naive

Chris 432T

@Heaven 42# is it all about winning really? Don't all of us win because we have the experience of being alive?

47 More Replies...

Bërry

3y↑8

I love Eric, he is one of the greatest mind in this generation and his advise is heartfelt and practical. In his explanation about the status of The Portal/Unity project and the takeaway from the subject about Money, his words is exceptionally wise. He definitely thought this through and through, because in this chaotic era, a wise man must save himself and the well-being before they can contribute. History have shown many many time that the smart people taking unnecessary risk for the unrealistic goals. Amazing podcast.

Karl-Heinz Holtz

3y↑2

Thanks to both for the important work you, Lex and Eric, do and many insights/views you provide! There is life after elections (...) as we know now. Lot of work to be done. Keep on being brave!

drummonkey

Great chat. I love his energy. It's kind of like the only thing keeping him in a traditional role in any given room is choice. Internally, there's a skittish binary element that is fascinating.

GonIke1

This was a great and supremely interesting conversation, thank you two so much for sharing your thoughts openly! I have to say I agree with Lex on most controversial points though, probably because I'm also young and idealistic, lol. (Pun intended.) Point in case: I definitely do not think that "putting the real experts in power and letting them do their thing" will solve our problems. On the contrary - this is what we've effectively been doing for decades with our highly technocratic governments; it has disempowered the rest of society, is an important part of "the problem", and has given us Donald Trump. Go listen to interviews with Michael Sandel on Meritocracy or read his latest book, it has really changed my mind on this. I also do not see that you'll be "shut down" for talking about politics on a podcast. I can understand that Eric is scared of the currently hostile public discourse, but I'm very thankful that there are idealistic people like Lex who are willing to stick their necks out nevertheless. The last thing we should do is talk them out of it.

Kevin Mitchell

3y↑84

Each time I see Eric pop up on this podcast in my timeline (especially before a nice 3 hour road trip) I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Maria E. Labbe

Wow, this was such a great conversation to listen to and watch. You are both amazing men, amazing minds and amazing hearts. God bless you both. And thank you Lex, for doing what you do with this podcast. For as long as you are allowed to exist on the net. Bless you.

MK Perez

2y↑8

The amount of forecasting from this podcast into what's happening today is pretty crazy.

willnot beresponding

2y↑1

You win the lottery if you could feel more accomplished while saying less using the same amount of words.

KangaLegs

3y↑1

I've tried to figure out what it is about lex, how he has this incredible ability to get really deep inside the minds and hearts of people, without getting their defenses up. I've realized what it is, he seems like an inquisitive, innocent son. I think he makes his guests feel like a mentor with expert knowledge and wisdom and opinions that could help him go out into the world as a man, thus they feel very willing to impart.
He is so wise himself and such a great thinker, but so humble and authentic in his hunger and thirst to learn more and experience new perspectives and paradigms.
I believe he is creating a vault of interviewer that are going to become timeless and invaluable as the years pass. Amazing work lex

John Healey

Thank you to you both and both your podcasts. It has been an absolute privilege to listen to. I am about to die after a sometimes horrible, but in the most a fantastic and wonderful life. Please know that we want and needs you both to continue to share your knowledge and love. Thank you from my heart. John. Sydney Australia

JACK STOCKER

3y↑267

I think you guys should do a continuous joint podcast with guests and stuff. You are yin and yang. You two play off each other well and inspire and provoke deep thought

Lechsi Z

3y↑1

yeah, maybe every year on some major holiday the two can agree on one guest or two guests and have a deep discussion. i think Fridman should be allowed to loosen up with a glass of wine or two, though.

Yeshua Hamashiach

I agree !

Ralf Nuggs

3y↑4

They really do have an energy that is so unique... it’s like dark beautiful gnome genius talking w a light ugly wizard genius.

Adeline

3y↑2

That would be awesome

Scorch428

3y↑1

its kinda the one man Eric show, and Lex fills in and facilitates when Eric has to take a breath, lol. Quite good, tho.

Micah Wood

3y↑1

Self doubt, I have it like you and seeing it, makes me love the podcast even more. Vulnerability is a strength when you take up the challenge of meeting and beating it.

Janet O'Donoghue

Some of us genuinely thought lol meant lots of love. What a fabulous conversation. It turned my day from 'suicidal' sadness, which is not true suicidal, more like feel g the nausea but not in way being able to vomit, to being able to relax into the vulnerability of feeling this way. It always passes, and listening to people like you just saying it how it is, is mighty powerful.

shaggy feng

59:31 Lex, This is one of the moments I love your podcast so much. This is amazing! Thank you so much for your podcast.

Gerhard Reus

3y↑1

This touched me to a degreed that has no podcast ever before and I am only an hour in. These two men are expressing something I always knew but was struggling to put in appropriate words.

Kris

3y↑144

I am one hour deep into this conversation and the overarching feeling is that I don't want this thing to ever end.

Connor

3y↑2

"it" doesn't have to end. I get the feeling that what you mean by this thing is the effect of listening and engaging with the discussion. I would say it never really has to end because you can always check out the timestamps (Lex so generously provides) and think about the stuff, pause and question, its endless and that's what makes an archived discussion so amazing! Peace from "The States" !

smportis

3y↑1

I feel this way with Eric's podcast. He needs to resume making them! But, at least Brett (Edit: Bret) W is making podcasts that are almost equally as good. Eric is just one unique cat.

Isaiah Macadam

@Mike Vee I don't watch shows much anymore but I used to do the same thing. Watch every episode but the last episode or every season but the last season.

Mike Vee

3y↑2

The worst part about a podcast is the closing conversation. I don’t want it to end so I just close the whole thing with 5 minutes to go

Isaiah Macadam

3y↑2

I’ve paused this so many times to think... and drag it out. It’s 1:00am here now and I started listening during a walk when I initially got up for the day.

3 More Replies...

Jason Laramore

Eric weinstein is an amazing human along with lex friedman. Thank you both for this interview

Cadillac_Cam

I love how Eric acts as a mentor in many ways constantly challenging him to be better.

Darren Young

Lex I love that you are still human!! And that the struggle is real!! Thank you for that… thank you

glb3

3y↑1

One of the top 3 conversations I've listened to anywhere. Thanks Lex and Eric.

Dalton Landis

3y↑170

For Eric, it seems his PHYSICAL safety is something he's concerned about when speaking truth to power, and that he's not merely concerned about being de-platformed

spracketskooch

3y↑1

@Raimon Estañol Not necessarily, it depends on what you pare back, I'm not talking about eliminating all taxes. But yes I do understand that there would be an extended period of unrest. Government has an essential role to play in society, but it should be fairly narrow. There's absolutely no reason why the government should take 40-60% of our earnings, in some places people literally work half the year on behalf of the government.

The alternative to doing something now is to let the wound that is government overreach to fester. To let them take more control, bit by bit, until we end up entirely dependent on them. At which point we're basically slaves. It's just a fact that from time to time we have to sand the rust off of our government. Often there's no good choice to make, there's just trading problems for different problems. As Jordan Peterson says, "there's no good place to stand in a massacre."

I do agree with you on the block chain desire though. It can only help. Anything that we can do to make it harder for those in power to abuse said power, we should do. We just have to fight a constant battle against our own nature. It'll never be solved as long as we are what we are right now, but reigning in government is like working out, you have to keep doing it to stay healthy.

Raimon Estañol

@spracketskooch You do realise the drop in budget would put a crisis in all governments that they would collapse? It would become anarchy. I just hope we can have a fact consistency blockchain too

spracketskooch

3y↑1

@Raimon Estañol It's hard to track cash, they still taxed that. Hell, even in barter systems there have been taxes. Picture this scenario, the tax man comes to your door and says, "I can prove that you use crypto, now I demand that you pay me in crypto, or I'll put you in a cage" They wouldn't be able to tell how much you spend or where, so it'd have to be a flat tax. Either that or they'd just take an inventory of your possessions and physical assets, and estimate how much to tax you based on that. They used to do that in Britain, and some US states like Missouri. It might be easy to hide the actual currency and transactions, but it's not easy to hide the physical results of those.

My point is, as long as we have weaknesses (which is inevitable) they will exploit them in some way to enrich themselves. We have to force them to stop taxing us at insane rates, just like they force us to pay those insane rates.

Raimon Estañol

3y↑1

@spracketskooch That's the whole point of crypto. The fact that they don't know who paid what so they can't threaten you to pay

spracketskooch

3y↑1

@Raimon Estañol We definitely need a crypto, but I don't think overtaxation relies on the government knowing who we are. It has always relied on threat of violence, or being thrown in a cage. Every action a government takes has on some level an implied threat of force behind it. I think they'd just threaten to throw us in cages if we didn't pay them in crypto.

That's why a critical mass of awareness and righteous outrage must be reached. And if the authorities are unwilling to hold those in power accountable, then we'll just have to do it ourselves. We can even follow the rules they're supposed to follow, fair trials, etc. The only languages they understand are blood and gold. I don't want it to end up that way, but I can't see another option as long as they blatantly ignore laws and are protected by the courts.

17 More Replies...

Christian Parkinson

Thank you Lex! I really appreciate your honesty and openness. Keep up the humanity

Ann Y Stokes

Lex, your opening is beautifully written. Would love to have a printout of it because it can describe relationships lots of us cherish.

Harlequin

At times I tend to lose perspective with all the gratuitous self serving disingenuous characters dominating this sphere that we’re all attached to. It’s refreshing and even heartening to be able to listen and enjoy the stimulating conversation you provided here. Thank you both for your commitment today. Outstanding.

Mortal Exo

3y↑1

Lex, please never change your positive hopes. I'm now a big fan since realizing this.

Bilb Ono

3y↑62

Jesus Lex, as a muscian who wakes up every day for music and would probably been gone without music years back, this podcast is already off to a great start. I just woke up at 2:47am and we are having a bad flood from a tropical storm and im up in the dark quietly playing acoustic guitar while yall are talking, giving me cold chills... this podcast has grown to be my favorite thing online in general. I might even use the silly "L word" to describe my affinity for it.

Mario Segat

3y↑4

@Bilb Ono thank man. I know i suck at it because I learned everything only on my own without a single lesson or theories, and I almost never play. as far as my visualization there isn't any. I don't know if you have heard about the aphantasia phenomenon, if you look it up you'll find out that I'm unable to have what they call a "Minds eye" eventually only one percent of the world is affected by this and we cannot visualize anything when we close our eyes, it's just blank. So the notes are strictly instinctively played without any plan. I learned only through mistakes and by ear sensing wich notes don't belong in a certain key, so everything that I feel is right just stays and then I combine those notes into an flow let's say. Basically I play scales without ever knowing they existed. I know it's totally irresponsible and I'm lazy to learn but i seem to really enjoy the way it sounds. If only I could invest more time in it 😊

I hope you will also find a will to post some of your work, for us to listen. Express yourself and let it fly in the universe 😂

Bilb Ono

3y↑5

@Mario Segat you dont know your scales and chords of any key? I dont know how long youve been playing but it can really expand your playing, writing and improvisation like nothing else. Like seriously, if the basics of music theory have become second nature to you then you can really let your creativity flow unimpeded by what to play next, what notes to avoid, etc. Your I or 1 chord is your tonic, this often tells you right away what scales would fit over the songs during a solo (but there is nuance to it in most cases) Lets say youre doing blues in E major, that means your IV or 4 chords is A, your flat 5 (Dim5th) is A#, and your 5 Chord is B, 6 chord is Cm, and so on. Its not as complicated as it seems, ive never taken a music lesson or class in my life, and never even had a friend or family member teach me a single thing. My dad was a musician but died at an early age. So I just picked stuff up from books and just thinking about the fretboard and using my ears., then eventually watching YouTube videos of guys playing. I remember thinking it was too complicated and i wanted to be like Kurt Cobain and other heros of mine who didnt know much theory, and not care about the established Western/ European music theory thought process on how music is supposed to be written and thought about. But it really helps to know atleast the basics.

And sorry but i dont have Instagram so i cant see your stuff that you linked. Im a highly antisocial person. I just have a soundcloud and YouTube. But i did go to your YouTube channel and watched the video you post just a couple minutes ago of you playing. I like it alot, it has a great mood. I do the same thing but when im on electric guitar i actually make my own backing track with a looper pedal. Then solo over my own chord progression... I kinda wish i could see your fingers to see what youre doing exactly. Because im actually very curious how you think about the fretboard and how you visualize the notes and your process during and improvisation session... are you using scales to map out your roots and then the note intervas from there? or are you memorizing intervals by ear? Because you seem to not think about it the same way i do. It sounds like youre playing the major scale with some notes outside of the scale sometimes.

I want to upload some original songs ive written as well as some covers, but it takes forever for me to upload a video longer than 2 minutes. I also never feel like im good enough. Im my own biggest critic and beat myself up unless its absolutely perfect - and of course it never is. Nevertheless i do plan on uploading me playing guitar, dobro, or banjo in the future, can play a little bit of keyboard (not as good as stringed instruments) maybe we can collaborate in the future. Sorry for the long comment. Cheers!

Mario Segat

3y↑1

Something like this, first take totally improvised. Is you style similar

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEsslvnMGw9WocC7fCaUQpH3mwDYx8sMmAIgs0/

Mario Segat

3y↑1

@Bilb Ono I have no idea what all that means but I'm pretty sure I do the same thing, Ijust put the first blues backing track on YouTube and improvise notes in between

Bilb Ono

3y↑3

@Mario Segat just making up stuff. Playing a I, IV, V blues progression is mostly what i did with little licks improvised on the V and turnaround/ 7th V chord. I can do that for hours and hours. I just noodled around the entire podcast, ran scales, and made up songs based on the chords of whatever key i find myself in.

2 More Replies...

iwutlaoha

“What is this self-doubt loop that you’re in?” That spoke directly to me and cut through my heart like a knife. Thank you. It’s so easy to feel defeated by today’s circumstances, but we all carry the potential to change the world if we choose to let go of irrational doubt.

Phil Baker

3y↑2

im ashamed of my self for not knowing who mr weinstein is thanks again lex for doing what you do, eric we need another thousand with or more people with your savey speech and attitude

fatdumbanhappy

I love the way Eric gives him grief. Great podcast.

S Pitre

3y↑1

Good god… this conversation!
I agree with Eric… no good intentions go unpunished.
However, I have the positive outlook of Lex.
Bravo , Lex.
And, please Eric, do not stop giving your thoughts and opinions! I subscribed to the portal for a reason!

McJagger

3y↑301

Eric is acting like Lex’s aggressive therapist.

The super sexy natural people`s bureau

No, eric is Lex's conscience. If lex will disregard it, he will will numb himself, and miss the great opportunity his enormous privilege brings about - namely to bring the dark into the light. Its not just a concern for lex; if lex continues being naive about evil, his own blinders will inadvertedly blind others..

jazura2

@Scott Fletcher Because love is the essence of life.

Spalien Acecraft

@Scott Fletcher Because hes at the age of idealism and also brilliant simultaneously. He will be in this conflict to some extent until his mid 30s.

Polite Q

@Scott Fletcher Daddy issues or something like that.

J.R.R. TolKee

3y↑1

Most people would benefit from having an aggressive therapist or friend like Weinstein.

11 More Replies...

William J McCartan

I'm watching this 7 months later and the power of the conversation is right there, your youthful enthusiasm is wonderful to witness Mr. Fridman, Eric is at such pain to let you know, there are bad people out there. By the way I agree with Eric, I wish you great success, the world needs thinkers and doers, and your doing it.

Peace

Terraform Earth First

Oh my gosh Weinstien! I think I get how what you have been doing has been super kind and has paid off for all of our friends!!!! You interpreted towards the mathematics oniverse to keep all ours partnership not just entangled but interested. Cheers!

Anam Paiseanta

That Michael Malice episode was awesome. Michael is a genius. His explanation of anarchy is right on.

Matt Graves

I absolutely love music and played guitar for a very long time, drums I can play also...but I never learned too much music theory and never knew we could get so much from it. Incredible Eric, you impress me more each time I hear you speak.

Kyle Hustead

3y↑116

One of the most interesting conversations I've heard in while. I felt as if I was watching a wise grandfather getting in debates with his very smart grandson. They butted heads at some points but always brought it back home and came to a mutual agreement with each other. This is a model of conversations should be.

Deborah Rose

@questor55 Well thank you for a thorough response.@soapbxprod who replied below asked if similarity was akin to Socratic dialogues, and I have to admit it is in the exchange between Eric and Lex, but you offered.
So question to you is? Do you like Eric? Hate to Love him or Love to Hate him? Can't stand him but like to be reminded why you don't? Just curious. Some people have those type of effects on me.

Deborah Rose

His exchange with Lex is very reminiscent of Socratic Dialogues, perhaps not ith the exchanges mentioned by @questor55

soapbxprod

3y↑1

Like the Socratic Dialogues?

questor55

@Deborah Rose Well that's a positive take and very reasonable. I'll give some examples of what I meant from some of the interviews I've seen Eric in. The most obvious one would be the one with his brother in which he made it his stated mission to keep pushing Brett with his work on telomeres. Eric made it plain that he was going to have to be a bit of a dick in that one so in one sense fair enough, but I felt it didn't have a payoff and Eric failed to understand that Brett's position, which is that he didn't want to push further to have his work recognized, was a perfectly well thought out one, and not a lazy rationalization.
Second was his interview with Werner Herzog, in which Eric kept framing Werner has a maverick filmmaker who intentionally made things difficult for the sake of his art. Werner corrected him on this several times, but Eric didn't seem to want to let go of the image he had of him.
Lastly was the one recently with James O'Keefe. Eric spent a great deal of time in that one browbeating James with his in-a-perfect-world ethics, from the point of view of someone who talks but doesn't act, with some kind of expectation that James would reform on the spot.

Deborah Rose

3y↑3

@questor55 Lex knows exactly how Eric will respound to a sincere question and seeks that authoriative rhetoric that is Eric's trademark. He also makes himself small (in a good way) in the way he stamers out his question or concern. It's the dynamics, the dance, that we are watching. Eric is not dominating. Frankly, I love Eric's authoriative response. I would be disappointed if he gently blew smoke up Lex' ass as to not offend a random listener. I'm also a listener and I LOVE authenticity.
Lex would not have Eric on the show if he did not know or appreciate his gifts. That's my take on it.

4 More Replies...

Dennis Stelling

I Just love it when these two get together 🏆

normanshadow1

Thank god these two are giving voice to what I think we are all feeling.

Moe E

3y↑1

Eric weinstien is one of my favorite people to listen he is extremely intelligent.

Joey Overmeer

I am happy to have found someone speak as intelligently as Eric, will definitely check out his podcast. Also I agree with him that you are a very honest person, goodluck.

Max Adams

3y↑47

God I love hearing Eric speak. He always has such a unique perspective.

Max Adams

3y↑1

@lee richard what

William

3y↑1

Lex. You just earned a new subscriber. Thank you for this beautiful content.

Jack Singh

Mind blowing dialogue, congrats on an amazing guest and discussion, even though Im a few months late- quite prophetic in many ways.
Did you get the Vodka?

c r

2y↑2

These convos are literally all I have in my life right now. Thanks

Bryan Draughn

Hang in there.

Jourdan Alexander

Through an unnatural amount of isolation , stemming from my adolescents I've developed a highly sensitive awareness. With the awareness I've lost my affinity for life. As a whole. I appreciate the intellect of Weinstein because I feel he is the closest to my own in terms of overall disgust for and in humanity... The more I ask questions of the nature of whatever this is that I call living life , the more I lean towards the notion of death being the cleanser of us all. The necessary and misunderstood constant of my reality. In this world where everything is literally backwards those whom truly can think logically are left reeling from the mental anguish

Thank you lex and Mr Weinstein for merely having the convo. Although sugarcoated a bit and brief it helps to know at very least you all are pondering and struggling with this as well

Goeddy V

3y↑100

I really like how Eric is challenging Lex to take a stance, to disagree, to not back down. This is the kind of stuff that makes a podcast interesting to listen to and I wish Lex would be more critical towards his guests more often.
As always the questions were well prepared and I hope you can take some of the spice from this conversation and add it to future ones.

Ian X

I disagree. You don’t want to put your guests on the defensive.

Foxhound718

Agreed

achu naryan

3y↑1

thank you for stating this opinion. :)

Johnny Windza

The ups and downs, the ins and outs, the deviations and back agains, the joining and dismantling of the dots, the contradictions and agreements and the vast distance these two men travel in a conversation is downright inspirational.

Sheila C

Absolutely marvelous interview. There's a neat chemistry between these two. I like Lex's eloquent and thoughtful challenging of EW, and the subtle humour in EW's responses.

Heinz N

Great conversation! Great perspectives

Make Love

What a beautiful friendship. These conversations are a treasure for those brave enough to be here for them. I choose to be one of them. Gratitude 10 fold. Eat the noodles.

Mandala

3y↑164

"There's a huge amount of talent in the world that's not sitting in its proper seat." That really got me.

lenepali himal

@Sagenose :) Too bad he will probably not leave you alone there either. Either him or some other form of him. The whole idea of a perfect system is flawed at its roots. But we gotta keep moving, keep making mistakes but keep learning. Look at it as if, there are all tests being conducted to learn/understand, to grow immunity.

lenepali himal

@rob hoppe Yeah Most likely. But I have seen apophenia in sciences itself that sort of help each other that at the least we can learn from the patterns...

rob hoppe

@lenepali himal I get what you're trying to say, but on the other hand maybe a little apophenia is going on

Sagenose

3y↑1

@lenepali himal this is the new future which is trump's legacy. I'm off to Mars.

lenepali himal

3y↑2

Wars used to be for land, gold, oil. Now its for Ratings/airtime/followers/likes... I hope violence is not needed to resolve this. Hopefully we have learnt from the past. Hopefully, someone can come up with a new orchard to pick fruits from.

9 More Replies...

Ghøšt Bïrd

3y↑5

I have to say I ❤️ Lex. Reminds me of young folks who are SO full of hope, dreams, innocence, naïve, open to endless possibilities for the future. Until they hit 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and reality sets in. Welcome to the real world my young ones👍❗️

Nicki

I think about this specific podcast episode often. It meant a lot to me watching it at the time as well. Pretty sad to rewatch at this moment seeing where Lex is at now.

winston ___ ridgeway137 hardy

I have watched this one twice now and it is just a fantastic interview. It is powerful because the conversation shows both of the two great intellects conversing, but also the both of the great hearts... with a true difference of valid opinions. I tend to agree more often with Eric Weinstein but I completely respect all of your thoughts and opinions even though I believe you have ruined "lol" for me forever.

Thanks Again

Trinity 93

3y↑18

I can't express how much insight I got in listening to this conversation. Thankyou both so much 💜

Erich Schinzel

The more I watch Eric's mind at work the more I get fascinated by his thought gymnastic.

Jorge Stevenson

ok! informative, thoughtful, intelligent, horrifying & inspiring. Thank you Mr Fridman. Thank you Mr Weinstein.

DKPS8822 Ks

2y↑1

This was excellent, thank you.

Dr Eeck

I love the flow of the conversation. The lack of ego is an example for everyone

Jman Jman

3y↑27

The Weinstein Brothers are both so interesting and actually helped me be a better human being.

Michael Brooks

It's so nice to listen to people explaining and comunitcating complicated feelings and ideas.

seven day options

I would love an interview with weinstein, Friedman, and AND Eddie bravo at the same time. That would be insane.

Dan Cahill

Awesome discussion … keep it going

MG

Thankyou Lex for raising importance about the things I've been silenced over ❤

Robert Shelton

3y↑120

Anyone else feel childhood excitement like Christmas 🎄 morning, when a new eric weinstein interview pops up?

Bryce Elischer

He is a lighthouse in this storm of shit we call 2020.

Taylor C

3y↑1

He's just too damn precious. I get a charleton vibe when skips around ideas by dressing it up it up in flowery bullshit that's says nothing.

Dtzy Dtzy

Even more so since Eric stopped uploading in his channel.

Youmothershould Know

3y↑1

Yup!

Kevin Mitchell

3y↑6

If there is a god, I swear to said God I didn't see this before posting my comment lol

Stuart Alan Becker

2y↑1

I fell asleep and Youtube had jumped to this from an earlier Lex video and it really floated around my dream state and the quickness of the conversation and the vocabulary of interchange was perfect for me.

JustDon'tMind

22:29 Absolutely spectacular conversational high-point This is Podcast - made art.

William Wallace

Eric really seams to have a 'great men' vision of the future. "If we just had the right people in charge and were willing to listen to them then everything would be ok". It's the positions them selves that are the problem not the people in them.

KronicKarmakazi Z

2y↑1

I come from the future of 2022. What an interesting conversation to look back upon. Eric basically has a superpower to see the future, he has studied enough of what has been and what is, to be scary accurate concerning what may be.

lauren urmam

3y↑10

Jason Flores

Loved the way you guys spoke upon music. I really enjoy this man as a guest!

1BestCookie

Wow just amazing smart guests seems like this type show where you meet all different people from all different specialties that are passionate and forward thinking needs to be learned before you ever decide to go to college so you find out what learning and thinking really is. A lot of colleges today don't teach you to think but what to think. Watching your show teaches me that there is so much more that I want to know learn about .

Shane Alders

Not the best conversation ive had in mylife, but certainly one of the best ive ever heard.
The power of an open mind = open conciousness = the ultimate U = the best in humanity. Great Vid Lex. If not one of your best.