Start here · Crazy Wisdom · #579 · November 2, 2026
Sun Tzu in the Server Room: Cyber Warfare Without Firing a Bullet
with John Mercer · 1h 4m
Stewart Alsop sits down with his friend John Mercer for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the surprising connections between ancient warfare and modern cybersecurity. Drawing on analogies from Roman…
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Also new · Crazy Wisdom en Español 035Where to go from here
- IListen to the latest conversation.It is playing above. Every episode is a long conversation with one person who has gone somewhere strange and come back.
- IIPick a door.Thirteen topics, just below. Each one is a shelf of conversations on a single frontier — go in as far as you like.
- IIIGo deeper.Every episode page carries the full transcript, and the search box at the top finds any word across all 725 episodes.
Thirteen doors into the catalog
Broad frontiers
Focused paths
Just published
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- #112From the PC to the Robot Dog: How Do Normal People Get Through the Next Shift?Stewart SquaredOctober 22, 2026
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About the show
"You have wisdom. I want to draw it out of you, particularly the part that other people may call Crazy, because that's where the gold is."
What is the essence of creativity? That is the central investigation of this show. But creativity is not only about Art. Science and technology and finance and any other discipline are also creative.
The Crazy Wisdom podcast explores AI, consciousness, blockchain, philosophy, and the human condition in an age of accelerating technological change. Stephen Wolfram (Wolfram Alpha), Steve Case (AOL), and 600+ other thinkers, founders, and researchers have sat down for it.
Shows
Crazy Wisdom
The main show: long-form conversations at the intersection of technology and meaning.
Crazy Wisdom en Español
Conversaciones en español sobre las mismas fronteras: tecnología, magia, negocios y crecimiento personal, desde Buenos Aires.
Stewart Squared
Stewart and his father, Stewart Alsop II, on the history of the personal computer, the internet and the phone — and what AI does to all three.
For guests: what to expect
About recording
- We record in the browser using my self-hosted recording software. No app install needed.
- Use Chrome or Edge on a laptop or desktop (not mobile).
- Good microphone and quiet environment recommended. An external mic or quality headset makes a big difference.
- Sessions typically run 45–90 minutes.
- Conversational format. No script needed, just come ready to explore ideas.
- You'll see a pre-join check page to test your camera, mic, and connection before we start.
About publishing & editing
Will I get to review the episode before it goes live?
Yes. Stewart will share the episode with you before publishing. You'll have a chance to flag anything you'd like adjusted.
Where does the episode get published?
Episodes are published on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major podcast platforms — and get a page here.
How long after recording does the episode go live?
Typically within a few weeks of recording, depending on the production queue.
Is the conversation edited?
Light editing only. The goal is to preserve the natural flow of conversation. We'll clean up any technical glitches but the substance stays intact.