Within Reason - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I just listened to “Just Stop Oil” podcast. I rarely write a review but the argument from both the sides was so respectful of each other that I felt it was a highly educational dialog which taught me how to be respectful of the other viewpoint even if I may have a very repulsive view of the other side. It was the skill and patience of the podcaster which made it possible. Thank you for keeping the dialog “within the reason”.

I disagree with Alex on a lot of things, and I listen to this podcast because I think it is good to have your ideas challenged by the best possible version of the opposing view. He seems like a genuinely intellectually curious person, someone who is interested in learning instead of proving that he is correct. I appreciate how he can have guests on with wildly differing views and be respectful towards them, having productive conversations. These kind of conversations are incredibly important, and I am extremely grateful that they are available for free. I feel myself becoming more knowledgeable and well rounded for having listened to them.

Thank You Alex

It’s hard to fully describe my disappointment as I listen to Alex, an arguably brilliant young man, platform unserious people without significant pushback.

The interview with Douglas Murray was truly abysmal, and the few times Alex critiqued Mr. Murray’s statements, the interviewee clutched hos pearls and Alex said “of course” or “yes, yes” moments later. It demonstrates either a lack of willingness to deconstruct opposing voices for fear of seeming unfair, or worse, an actual agreement with a man who speaks in hystaria, exaggeration, and carries one hundred straw men in his surely quite posh overcoat.

Listen, the response to a critique such as this is that dissenting voices sparks debate, interest, and a broader understanding of the topic. However, if those dissenting voices are dripping with bottomless bad faith arguments and faux incredulity, then where is the value? The only possible outcome is propagandizing. It is wildly misguided and I expect a more analytical approach to, and reflection upon, such wretched polemics in the future.

I have been an Alex O’Connor fan ever since my deconversion. The manner that he conducts himself comes through his content. It’s not a hairbrained free form podcast. He treats guests of every faith background with incredible respect.

I love the way everything is structured and held together.

Alex O’Connor is an honest, intelligent host, and I love to hear his reasoning concerning topics in which I’m interested. However, I find fault with him using his platform to host some genuinely dishonest individuals who refuse to use logic and rationally sound arguments. For example, William Lane Craig, who argues using logical fallacies, semantic games, and long-debunked god-claims, has appeared numerous times on this program.
Such unscrupulous religious bigots already have too large a megaphone, and Mr. O’Connor shouldn’t be so accepting of individuals with such abhorrent ideas, logic, and morals.