We're Smart ASMR Podcast: EP 1 - Should you have kids?

Michael Chen and Ivan Lee engage in a heated debate over the ethics of procreation, exploring themes of suffering, parental responsibility, and the nature of existence. Ivan, the CEO of the "Stop the Kids Movement," argues that non-existence spares individuals from inevitable suffering, while Michael contends that life, despite its challenges, offers beauty and is a natural cycle that should continue. The conversation touches on philosophical questions about consent before birth and the role of parents in shaping a child's future, highlighting differing views on the value and purpose of human life.

• Introduction of podcast hosts Michael Chen and Ivan Lee, setting a casual tone.
• Initial discussion involves a conversation about data storage and video sizes, indicating a technical background or interest.

"Hello everybody. My name is Michael Chen and I am Michael Chen. And here we have Ivan Lee."

• Introduction of hosts establishes the primary speakers for the podcast.

"It's 8 gigs for 1 hour or 8 gigs for a video. Full day. Four day. Full day. Really? Yes. That is crazy efficient."

• Discussion on data storage highlights the hosts' interest in technical efficiency and digital content management.

• The podcast experiences technical difficulties, with unexpected audio interruptions from another source.
• The hosts acknowledge the interruptions and attempt to troubleshoot the issue.

"All of a sudden, you just hear the crazy Diddy blah blah blah blah. And I realized that my other tab for some reason was playing."

• This quote highlights the technical glitch experienced during the podcast, showcasing the spontaneity and unpredictability of live recordings.

• Transition into an ASMR segment, indicating a shift in the podcast's focus to a more relaxed and sensory experience.
• Introduction of guest Ivan Lean, who is associated with a movement called "Stop the Kids."

"Welcome back to our ASMR. We're here the lovely voices of two beautiful gentlemen."

• The shift to ASMR suggests a change in tone, aiming to provide a calming and soothing auditory experience for the listeners.

• Ivan Lean introduces himself as the CEO of the "Stop the Kids" movement.
• The movement advocates for the prevention of future suffering by stopping reproduction.

"My name is Ivan. I am the CEO of the stop the kids movement. I believe if no one reproduces future and suffering can be completely prevented."

• Ivan Lean's introduction of his movement presents a controversial and philosophical stance on reproduction and its implications for future generations.

• Children in conflict zones such as Gaza, Yemen, or Syria experience severe trauma due to ongoing violence, which can lead to PTSD or premature death.
• The argument is presented that these children have no choice in their circumstances, and non-existence might have spared them from such suffering.

"In Gaza, Yemen, or Syria, children have grown up amid bombing, starvation, and displacement. It's not a laughing matter. Many often suffer PTSD or die young."

• This quote highlights the severe conditions and psychological impact on children living in conflict zones, underscoring the lack of choice they have in their suffering.

• A counterargument is presented that emphasizes the role of parents in providing a positive upbringing, particularly in stable environments like America.
• It is suggested that the quality of life for a child is heavily influenced by the parents' ability to create a supportive and nurturing environment.

"When you have a baby, you got man and a woman. They better be married by the way because when man and woman come together, they raise their baby. In other words, it is the responsibility of the parent to make sure the baby has a good world."

• This quote underscores the belief that parents have a primary responsibility to ensure their child grows up in a positive environment, implying that good parenting can mitigate potential suffering.

• Despite the positive impact of good parenting, there are inherent limitations. Children will inevitably face challenges such as illness, heartbreak, and death, regardless of their upbringing.
• The unpredictability of life events means that even in privileged environments, suffering cannot be entirely avoided.

"Even if you are born in America, even if you are born very fortunate, above your peers, whatever, even the best parenting can't protect them from illness, heartbreak, death, or the randomness of life."

• This quote conveys the notion that while good parenting is crucial, it is not foolproof against life's inherent uncertainties and potential suffering.

• There is a debate on whether parents can shield their children from all forms of suffering, with some arguing that intelligent and responsible parenting can significantly reduce risks.
• The discussion touches on the role of parental intelligence and responsibility in navigating and mitigating life's challenges for their children.

"It's the parents that have the responsibility to raise them."

• This quote emphasizes the belief in the significant role of parents in shaping their child's life and the expectation that they can minimize exposure to suffering through proactive and intelligent parenting.

• The conversation explores the inherent relationship between life, death, and beauty, emphasizing that death and pain are integral to understanding and appreciating beauty.
• The dialogue suggests that without the existence of pain, beauty might not be recognized or valued, as the contrast between the two is what highlights their significance.

"Everyone dies, but that's all right because without death, we will have who knows, but it's probably something bad."

• This quote underscores the inevitability of death and suggests that death might play a crucial role in maintaining a balance or preventing negative consequences.

"Life can have beauty. You agree on this, right? Yes, I do. But that doesn't erase the pain."

• This exchange highlights the coexistence of beauty and pain in life, suggesting that while beauty exists, it does not negate the presence of pain.

"Without pain, there will be no beauty."

• This statement emphasizes the idea that pain is essential for the appreciation and existence of beauty, as it provides a necessary contrast.

• The discussion touches on the ethical considerations of existence and procreation, questioning whether it is selfish to continue the human race without the consent of those being brought into existence.
• The dialogue raises the question of whether individuals have a choice in being born and the implications of making decisions for others without their consent.

"As a member of the human race who wants to continue the human race, we need to at least continue the cycle of life as a member of human race."

• This quote reflects the instinctual drive to perpetuate the human race, highlighting a sense of duty or responsibility to continue life.

"I think you're being selfish for the human race."

• This statement challenges the notion of procreation as a selfless act, suggesting that it might be inherently selfish to impose existence on others.

"Were you asked to be born? Uh well uh probably I I don't know. Maybe not."

• This question raises the philosophical dilemma of consent and existence, questioning whether individuals have any say in their own birth and the ethical implications of such decisions.

• The discussion centers around an attacker of an IVF clinic who expressed anger about existing without consent.
• A debate arises on the philosophical and ethical implications of seeking consent before birth.
• The argument is made that it is impossible to obtain consent from someone who does not yet exist.

"He said, basically, it just comes down to I'm angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here."

• The quote encapsulates the attacker's grievance about being born without consent, which sparked the debate.

"He's saying nobody gave me consent that I should be born, right? But he cannot even consent to it cuz he was never born in the first place."

• This quote highlights the logical paradox of obtaining consent from a non-existent entity, emphasizing the impossibility of pre-birth consent.

• The natural cycle of life is portrayed as a continuation through the birth of new generations.
• The birth of new individuals is framed as a gift, a positive aspect of life.

"So therefore, being given the gift of life is actually a gift of good."

• This quote argues that life itself is a beneficial gift, countering the attacker's perspective.

• Common sense is cited as a means to validate existence and the natural progression of life.
• The discussion touches on the limitations of common sense in proving abstract concepts like religion.

"Common sense proves it, bro. Common sense says common sense."

• This quote underscores the reliance on common sense as proof of existence and life's continuity.

"Can common sense prove religion? Uh actually as common I would say as a common sense you'll give religion consideration based on their history."

• Here, the speaker suggests that while common sense can guide understanding, it may not fully encompass complex beliefs such as religion.