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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan dissects the belief that taxing corporate income is a fair and just way to hold corporations accountable. With wit and sharp analysis, Rik unpacks the misconception that corporations are somehow separate entities that can be taxed without consequence. Instead, he explains that corporations are merely legal constructs—a “nexus of contracts”—and that in reality, it’s actual people who ultimately bear the burden of these taxes.

Rik delves into the complexities of tax incidence, exposing how the costs of corporate taxes are passed on to consumers, employees, and suppliers, leaving no one unscathed. He also challenges the broader issue of income taxation itself, suggesting that a shift toward consumption taxes, or even a carbon tax, might better align with fairness and economic efficiency. If you’ve ever wondered who’s really paying when governments tax corporate income, this episode will leave you with a whole new perspective.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan takes us on a deep dive into the life and enduring influence of John Maynard Keynes, one of the most significant figures in modern economics. From his privileged upbringing in upper-middle-class England to his groundbreaking work during the Great Depression, Keynes shaped what we now know as macroeconomics. But was Keynes’ influence truly revolutionary, or was it a polished extension of medieval intelligent design thinking applied to the economy?

With dry humor and sharp insights, Rik challenges the assumptions behind Keynesian interventionism, drawing parallels to feudal governance and top-down economic planning. While Keynes may have been a brilliant thinker, his legacy of government-managed markets still resonates with ideas from a bygone era, ignoring the power of evolutionary thinking in socioeconomic systems. Join Rik as he unpacks Keynes’ contributions and asks whether it’s time for Earthlings to move beyond the medieval mindset still shaping much of modern economics.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan delves into the brilliant mind of Nobel laureate James M. Buchanan, whose Public Choice theory flips the romanticized view of selfless government on its head. Buchanan argued that politicians and bureaucrats, just like market participants, are driven by self-interest—because, let’s face it, they’re human too. With sharp wit and a healthy dose of Vulcan skepticism, Rik unpacks Buchanan’s belief in the power of evolving systems over the rigid ‘intelligent design’ of governance, while debunking the myth of perfect competition and flawless governance.

From Buchanan’s rugged Scottish roots to his intellectual growth under the influence of Frank H. Knight and Friedrich Hayek, this episode traces his journey from questioning central planning to championing spontaneous order. If you’ve ever felt that centralized control is like a deus ex machina in a story best left to unfold naturally, this one’s for you.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan examines one of Earth’s most intriguing phenomena—religious conversion—through a lens you didn’t see coming: Marxism. Inspired by tales like Saul’s blinding light on the road to Damascus, Rik dives into how the radicalized vision of Marxists mirrors religious awakening. With Vulcan wit and dry humor, we explore how moments of revelation—from spiritual epiphanies to social justice “aha” moments—can transform worldviews faster than you can say "false consciousness."

But it’s not just about the conversion. Rik draws curious parallels between religious and political movements, from the emotional rollercoaster of belief adoption to the communal bonds forged in the fires of dogma. Whether you're into divine intervention or class struggle, this episode offers a cerebral yet playful look at how humans seem wired for conversion—be it to gods or ideologies. Tune in for insights, stay for the wit.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan explores the concept of secularism as Earth’s most intelligent meme—a rare idea that just might help this planet’s diverse inhabitants peacefully coexist. Secularism, often misunderstood as a rival religion, is more like a cosmic DMZ, where everyone can practice their faith without insisting others join their club. But alas, the problem arises when true believers think their revelation is the only one, and things get messy when swords are drawn in defense of "truth."

With his signature Vulcan wit, Rik traces the evolution of secularism, from ancient Greece and Rome to the philosophical revolutions of the Enlightenment, offering a crash course on how separating church and state became the key to liberty and justice for all. Whether you’re a fan of religious freedom or simply tired of the cosmic bickering, this episode will have you questioning why Earth hasn’t yet mastered this meme. Live long, prosper, and embrace secularism!

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan takes us on a journey through the marginal revolution—a seismic shift in economic thought led by the likes of Carl Menger and his brilliant contemporaries. By introducing the concept of marginal utility, these economists buried the labor theory of value and sparked a revolution that still shapes how Earthlings understand markets today. With playful wit, Rik unpacks how thinking at the margin changes everything, from the price of hot dogs to the mysteries of lost kites stuck in trees.

Along the way, we meet figures like Ludwig von Mises and Eugen von Boehm-Bawerk, who expanded on marginal thinking to explain interest rates and time preference. Rik explores how economists showed that incremental changes, not broad sweeping decisions, govern real-world outcomes. So, if you're still clinging to the labor theory of value, prepare to have your brain snacks eaten—marginally speaking.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan delves into the genius of blockchain technology—the decentralized, self-organizing system that powers cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. As Rik explains, blockchain’s ability to function without a central authority echoes the natural phenomena seen across the universe, much to the dismay of Earth’s central planners. With a nod to Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious figure behind Bitcoin’s creation, Rik explores the revolutionary implications of this tamper-proof, transparent ledger system that’s shaking up how transactions—and power—are handled.

But as blockchain grows, so does the fear-mongering from those who currently control fiat currencies. Are they simply protecting their turf, or are they onto something? Rik tackles the concerns head-on, highlighting how blockchain could either usher in a new era of economic liberty or lead to chaos, depending on whom you ask. Tune in to discover why blockchain technology might just be the most fascinating—and disruptive—innovation of our time.

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In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan turns his attention to the ill-fated Biosphere II project, also known as the Biodome—a grand attempt to create a closed ecological system that could sustain life independently. With dry wit and Vulcan logic, Rik dissects the project’s ultimate failure, highlighting the limitations of intelligent design thinking when confronted with the unpredictable complexity of nature. The Biodome's struggles with rising carbon dioxide levels, species imbalances, and technical failures proved that attempting to replicate Earth's evolved ecosystems was an exercise in human hubris.

But what if the goal was never to replicate? Rik makes a compelling case for embracing evolutionary thinking, where ecosystems—and even societies—are cultivated rather than forced into being. As he contrasts the flawed human tendency to visualize and control outcomes with nature’s own non-linear processes, this episode offers profound insights into why only nature can manage such complexity. Join Rik as he challenges conventional wisdom and explores what the Biodome really taught us.