Beyond the Borderline

By Beyond the Borderline

Beyond the Borderline Podcast is your weekly dose of casual yet engaging and thought-provoking conversations about this crazy world of ours. We are 4 friends from Ottawa just trying to make our way in the universe. Join us as we explore the mysteries and intrigue of life, one episode at a time.

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5. Trials & Tribulations - Part 1

Beyond the BorderlineJan 07, 2023

00:00

35:44

5. Trials & Tribulations - Part 1

In this first episode of 2023, Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor are happy to be joined by our wonderful guests, Mitch and Roman. They have been gracious enough to share with us their personal stories of surviving cancer at a young age - and how such a harrowing experience shaped their lives, worldviews, relationships, etc. This will be the first of a 3-part series covering their stories...tune in to listen and hopefully find some inspiration and insight.

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Jan 07, 202335:44

4. Is There a Case for Moral Absolutism?

In this episode, Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss the merits of the ideas of moral absolutism and moral objectivism; that is to say, that there is an overarching code of morality or moral principles ingrained into the very fabric of the universe. Have we discovered some of this code? Much of it? Or perhaps none? On the other hand, perhaps morality is purely subjective, being shaped by the environment and setting that it inhabits. Join us for our thoughts on this fascinating topic!

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Dec 07, 202240:15

3. Does God Exist?

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss the possibility of the existence of God. All human cultures and civilizations have had some concept of the divine since the dawn of time. Where does this idea come from? Did the Age of Enlightenment effectively erase the possibility of God's existence, or can proof of God be found in the idea of the intelligent design of the universe? Perhaps the truth lies within the very laws that govern our universe - laws of physics, mathematics, and more. Or perhaps the idea of God is a simple fantasy created by man to explain away the unexplainable. Come join our discussion!

Nov 23, 202228:17

2. Free Speech and Censorship

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor continue Season 2 with a discussion on free speech and censorship in the modern age. Why is free speech such an important pillar of democracies around the world? What, if any, are the reasonable limits to place upon such a crucial civil right? When, if ever, is censorship okay? Has censorship gone too far in today's world of cancel culture and intolerance to opposing political views? If so, what can we do to protect the right to freely express oneself without fear of social ostracism?

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Nov 09, 202236:24

1. What if the Allies Lost World War II?

Welcome back to Beyond the Borderline! In this first episode of SEASON 2, Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss one of the most fascinating questions in the alternate history genre: what if the Allies had lost World War II? In this discussion, we will assume that Nazi Germany never suffered the defeat that occurred in our actual timeline. We will speculate about the effects that this would have had on the world in the mid-20th century and beyond, and seek to understand how Europe and other world powers would have reacted. Would Germany have been able to maintain their grip on Europe? Was their fascist style of governance doomed to fail no matter what? How would Russia have factored into the conversation? Join us to find out!

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Oct 26, 202235:30

30. The End?

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan come together to answer rapid fire questions from a list of philosophical questions relating to meaning, the universe, happiness, social responsibility, and more. This marks our LAST episode from 'Season 1' of Beyond the Borderline. We will be taking a brief hiatus to rest and come back in June or July with even better content in 'Season 2', which will feature video podcasts in our soon to be built studio! On behalf of all of us, THANK YOU so much to all those who have come on this journey with us so far. Your support, suggestions, criticisms, and help has all been deeply deeply appreciated. We can't wait to come back and continue to grow and engage with our audience. Have fun listening, and again, thank you!

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May 13, 202236:33

29. Flaws in our Federation

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss and critique various aspects of the Canadian political system, from the first-past-the-post electoral system to the uneven splitting of parliamentary seats along regional lines. Are these simply inevitable flaws which will occur in any human-made system and which we simply have to live with? Or, are they serious issues which undermine Canada's identity as an ostensibly democratic nation? Join us for that and much more on the American Electoral College, Prime Minister Trudeau, good governance writ large, etc.

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May 10, 202236:25

28. Is Capitalism Inherent to Democracy?

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan continue our discussion on the merits of capitalism as an economic system. We further explore the following theory: that capitalism is inherent to democracy, and is simply the economic manifestation of democratic political ideas. We posit that anything other than a capitalist economic system would actually be antithetical to democracy, and would thus lead to its downfall. Tune in to hear more!

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May 06, 202229:01

27. Capitalism vs Socialism

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss the merits and downsides of both capitalism and socialism as economic systems. We discuss how capitalism is more conducive to wealth creation and entrepreneurship, and attempt to debunk the Marxist idea that capitalism amounts to nothing more than exploiting people for their labour. Rather, it is the only system which allows - through the free market - workers to demand competitive wages. We also suggest that the profit motive inherent to capitalism incentivizes both innovation of technology and stewardship of resources. Tune in to hear more!

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May 03, 202230:34

26. What is Your Labour Worth?

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan continue our discussion on the Great Resignation and the potential power shifts occurring currently in markets around the world. If we assume that the grievances which led to the Great Resignation are real rather than merely perceived, what are some feasible solutions to addressing those grievances and balancing work and life? Would a 4 day work week allow for sustained productivity while improving mental health? Is the advent of remote work something that will empower workers for decades to come? Tune in to find out!

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Apr 29, 202237:57

25. The Great Resignation

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss the phenomenon that occurred around the world in 2021: the mass resignation of workers from many industries, at levels not seen for at least two decades. What precipitated this mass exodus from the workforce? Is The Great Resignation a real observable incident, or have the statistics been skewed to favour that narrative? If it is a real thing, was it caused by legitimate working-class grievances, or the entitlement and laziness of younger people? And lastly, will this movement usher in a new 'golden age' of workers rights - shifting more power towards employees as opposed to employers - or will it lead to further instability resulting in the collapse of domestic service-based economies around the world? If you're young and joining the workforce, this episode is for you!

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Apr 26, 202236:36

24. All the Devils are Here

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan continue our discussion on some of the most haunted locations in the world. This time, we cover the unnerving Tranquille Sanitorium in British Columbia, as well as the Monte Cristo Homestead in Australia, which is supposedly home to a multitude of spirits, including a young boy who was burned alive in his own bed. Join us for for spooky tales sure to chill your spine. The title was inspired by a quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest: "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here."

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Apr 22, 202237:41

23. Hell is Empty

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss some of the most famous supposedly haunted locations in the world, including the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, and the Paris Catacombs. Do the spirits of a dead bride and a murdered family wander the halls of one of Canada's most famous and picturesque hotels? Do undead and demonic horrors lurk somewhere in the hundreds of miles of tunnels beneath the beautiful City of Lights? Listen to find out! The title was inspired by a quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest: "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here."

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Apr 19, 202230:47

22. Mutants and Monstrosities

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss more cryptozoological creatures! Does a giant moth-human hybrid lurk in the forests of West Virginia, signifying certain death for those who see it? Do predatory woodland spirits mimic human voices in order to lure unsuspecting travellers into the heart of Canadian forests to be devoured? Have giant solitary apes managed to avoid detection everywhere from the Himalayas to the Florida Everglades to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest? Join us to find out!

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Apr 15, 202231:51

21. Cryptids and Creepy Creatures

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss various strange creatures that may or may not walk the Earth. Do giant worms who spit acid and generate bursts of electricity roam the deserts of Mongolia? Does a blood sucking hellhound stalk the farmlands of Latin America? Do humungous prehistoric sharks still lurk in the depths of the unexplored sea? Join us to find out!

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Apr 12, 202234:38

20. Do Secret Societies Control the World?

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor continue our discussion from last week on conspiracies. This week, the topic pivots away from random conspiracies that we find interesting, to examining theories about the New World Order and secret societies. We examine prevalent theories about some of these allegedly nefarious groups that are trying to take over the world such as The Freemasons, The World Economic Forum, Anonymous, The Illuminati, and more. We discuss the validity of these theories about a 'New World Order' or 'One World Government', along with the viability of world controlling organizations as a whole. Are there secret cabals of elites steering the course of humanity? Or do the conflicting interests of states, individuals and corporations prevent collusion to that degree? Join us for our 20th episode to find out!

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Apr 08, 202234:05

19. Conspiracies, Cabals and Coverups

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss some of our favourite conspiracy theories. To be clear, we aren't necessarily endorsing any of these theories or presenting them as fact. However, discussing conspiracy theories is undeniably fun, and speculation on the dark and mysterious is innate to humans. So join us for a fun discussion as we pose the following questions...Is the Denver International Airport the HQ of The New World Order? Was JFK killed by the Deep State instead of a lone gunman? Did the Titanic actually sink, or was it switched out at the last minute in the greatest insurance scam of all time???

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Apr 05, 202236:54

18. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss what the rise of true artificial intelligence will look like in the future. This conversation stemmed from our previous discussions on the doom of humanity and our inherent drive to keep progressing technologically. Will we ever manage to create true AI on par with human consciousness? If so, what will the consequences be on human society? Will these artificial creations of ours worship us as creator gods and do our bidding, or will they see us as slavers and turn against us? Perhaps it's enough to say that artificial intelligence is technology that we shouldn't tamper with....

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Apr 01, 202236:13

17. Our Quest to Become Gods

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor continue our discussion on technological development and try to address the related question of how far is too far when it comes to our inherent need to progress? Cam theorizes that there may be somewhat of a law of the universe that dictates that as mortal beings, we can never actually achieve that which out heart truly desires (becoming gods). Instead, like an asymptote which constantly strives to reach an unreachable point, we will lose that which makes us human in our quest to become something more than human. Join us for this fascinating discussion on human nature, progress, and the possibilities that the future holds!

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Mar 29, 202233:44

16. The Digital Revolution

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss and attempt to define the point at which humanity will become so dependent on technology that we begin to lose that which makes us truly human. We dive into various technologies of the future and the present, including the Metaverse, Digital Reality, Neuralink, AI, cyborg technology, uploading consciousness, DeepFake, phone/internet dependency, etc, and try to dissect their strengths and weaknesses. Are we heading towards a digital dystopia? Will there be any pushback on this 'progress'? Tune in to explore this fascinating topic with us!

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Mar 25, 202238:54

15. Social Media: A Social Experiment Gone Wrong?

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss the pros and cons of social media. We examine its impact on mental health and wellbeing, along with its ability to exacerbate political polarization and division through the construction of echo chambers. We also ponder the idea that our generation (Gen Z, Millenials) are essentially guinea pigs in the grand social experiment that the advent of social media represents. What will be the consequences of our immersion in technology and social platforms? Join us to find out our thoughts!

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Mar 22, 202237:01

14. Losing the Day in Fear of the Night

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor are proud to welcome to the show our very first guest, our friend Nate Thorman. Nate joins us to discuss, among other things, how one's mindset has a profound effect on one's success and happiness. We touch on mental health and how tough it is to stay positive sometimes, especially during the pandemic era. We also explore different ways of viewing life and dealing with struggle -such as stoicism- in an attempt to figure out how to best live life and overcome daily obstacles. This episode's title was inspired by a great quote from the Roman philosopher Seneca on the shortness of life: "they lose the day in expectation of the night, and the night in fear of the dawn."

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Mar 18, 202236:15

13. Your Brain on Psychedelics

Cam, Phil, Ryan, and Connor discuss our first fan suggested topic! This one comes courtesy of Sarah Bennett, one of our most committed listeners, so thanks again Sarah for the suggestion. We discuss the potential abilities of psychedelic/psychotropic/hallucinogenic substances to positively impact mental health, facilitate deeper ways of perceiving the world, connect us with a higher power, and advance the human race. We also ponder questions regarding whether or not mind-altering substances exist or will exist that may allow humankind to expand our minds in ways that we can barely imagine, and whether some of our oldest religious ideas and practices may in fact have involved the consumption of hallucinogenic substances in the ancient past.

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Mar 15, 202233:48

12. Burnt Toast and Pet Direwolves

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan take a break from the more serious conversation topics in favour of something more casual. Throughout the episode, Cam runs through a list of goofy and interesting questions aimed at revealing some funny tales from all of our lives. Things get funny, then spicy, then embarrassing for your favourite hosts. Tune in to this special 'fun' episode to get to know the boys a little better and see a bit more of who we are as people.

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Mar 11, 202231:07

11. The Dark Side of Human Nature

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss the intricacies of human nature. As conscious and moral agents are we inherently more good, or more evil? Selfless or selfish? Or perhaps objective terms like that don't really apply to a discussion that relies so heavily on perspective? Perhaps it's as simple as we are both good and evil? We further discuss how issues of survival complicate human morality, how seemingly innocent people can be led astray by circumstance, and how confronting and taming your inner monster may be the best path to attaining true competence in life.

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Mar 08, 202235:10

10. The Illusion of Free Will - Part 2

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan continue our discussion on free will vs determinism. In this episode, we examine both the philosophical arguments from both camps, along with some stunning neurological evidence for the possible lack of free will. You won't want to miss this thought-provoking conversation!

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Mar 04, 202235:14

9. The Illusion of Free Will

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan explore the classic and existential debate between free will and determinism. Do we truly have control over our choices? Or are we merely slaves to the whims of our subconscious mind? Tune in to hear our thoughts on what is very likely the most fundamental and crucial question that humanity has ever asked itself!

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Mar 01, 202236:34

8. Alien Contact: Assimilation or Annihilation

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss a famous idea put forth by Stephen Hawking: that advanced alien civilizations may be nomadic in nature, seeking to conquer and colonize any habitable planet that they could. Could aliens be the interstellar Europeans to our terrestrial Native Americans? What will happen to humanity if aliens decided to colonize Earth? Tune in to hear our thoughts!

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Feb 25, 202236:59

7. The Fermi Paradox: Where are the Aliens?

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss possible answers to the question posed by the Fermi Paradox: if the universe is infinite and the probability of extraterrestrial life is so high, why don't we have concrete proof of life on other worlds?

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Feb 22, 202233:14

6. Close Encounters of the Supernatural Kind

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss their first hand accounts of strange and/or paranormal occurrences. The discussion also touches on sleep paralysis and some theorizing on extraterrestrial life. Tune in if the supernatural calls to you!

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Feb 18, 202237:21

5. Mysteries of the Afterlife

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss the various conceptions of the Afterlife. Is there a new life after death? Will we enter blissful state of paradise, or do our consciousnesses dissolve into infinite oblivion? Listen to hear our thoughts!

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Feb 15, 202230:47

4. Faith, Religion and Ancient Wisdom

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss the value of religion. Conversations flow from the lack of modern prophets, the downsides of organized religion, the value of ancient teachings, the relationship between religion, spirituality and ideology, and the rise of secularism in the West.

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Feb 11, 202232:52

3. The Nature of Genius

Cam, Phil, Connor, and Ryan discuss what it means to be a genius, along with the nature, characteristics, and burdens of those who we deem to be geniuses. Is it intelligence or ambition that makes a genius (or both)? And can such talents be taught, or are they innate? Listen to hear our thoughts on that and much more!

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Feb 08, 202238:09

2. The Future of Technological Innovation

Cam, Phil, and Connor discuss the future of technological innovation with a focus on Elon Musk's largest 2 companies, Tesla and SpaceX. We explore the culture of those 2 companies, as well as their unique attributes such as the vertical integration of their supply chains and their focus on First Principles thinking.

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Feb 04, 202239:12

1. The Fate of Humanity

Cam, Phil, and Connor discuss the future of the human race. Will we as a species succumb to war, disease, population collapse, or even malicious AI? Or, will we take our place in the stars and become a multi-planetary civilization? Tune in to hear our thoughts.

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Feb 01, 202238:38