Robert Wright (@robertwrighter), author of Nonzero, The Moral Animal, Why Buddhism Is True, and others, joins Erik on this episode. They discuss: - The common theme of exploring the meaning of life that Robert says runs through all of his books. - Whether global governance could be feasible and how positive-sum thinking can play a part in reducing hostilities between nations. - Why consciousness gives life meaning. - How to deal with the quest for status. - The emotional manipulation that political leaders employ. - Why we shouldn’t rush to bring in new technologies before we know the consequences. - Why evolution has not programmed us to be happy. - How to deal with tribalism. - Why people say that “to explain something is to excuse it” and why not thinking that way can bring about a more compassionate world. Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform. Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal. Venture Stories is brought to you by Village Global, is hosted by co-founder and partner, Erik Torenberg and is produced by Brett Bolkowy.