Febrruary 09, 2026 Be Cautious with Certain Individuals

·47 min·4 clips

How our desire for certainty makes us vulnerable to self-proclaimed experts on social media.

The episode begins with Dr. Farid Holakouee addressing the current geopolitical situation in Iran, noting talks between Iran and the U.S. and expressing concern that negotiations may undermine hopes for regime change. He announces global protests on February 14th in cities like Los Angeles, Munich, and Toronto, urging listeners to participate. Holakouee then shifts to a psychological analysis, discussing how the 24-hour news cycle and social media foster speculation and emotional volatility, making it hard to discern good from bad news. He critiques the rise of self-proclaimed experts online who exploit human desire for certainty, contrasting them with traditional academics who may have fewer followers but more reliable insights. The host delves into the human experience of uncertainty, using examples from parenting his nine-month-old son Keon to show how daily decisions involve risk without guarantees. He connects this to broader societal issues, such as polarization and ideological rigidity, where people project uncertainty onto others to feel more certain. Holakouee references the Epstein files and abuses by spiritual gurus to illustrate how power corrupts when leaders are placed on pedestals. In the final segment, he links the desire for certainty to political contexts, citing Hitler's rise to power and Iran's theocracy as examples of how leaders exploit fear to gain control. He argues against the illusion of superhuman leaders, advocating for democratic systems with checks and balances as the best, though imperfect, solution. The episode concludes with a call for Iran to be led by humane, accountable leaders, ending the regime.

As heard by us

A direct hour that links Iran's politics to the ordinary habits that can make people rigid.

The episode spends its hour on Iran, tying reported talks between Iran and the U.S. to a case for regime change and to the February 14 day of action the host says listeners can join.

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Why you'd press play

You want an hour that treats Iran as a serious moral argument, not background noise.

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