566. Matthew Syed - The History of Cousin Marriage & How AI Will Kill Us
What if one forgotten law changed the course of history — and we ignored its lesson?
In this explosive interview, Matthew Syed – bestselling author, Times columnist, BBC broadcaster and former Olympian – joins Andrew Gold on Heretics to uncover the shocking truth about cousin marriage, tribalism, immigration, and the hidden ban that built Britain.
From the 6th-century ban on cousin marriage that forced people to look beyond their tribe, to today’s siloed communities in places like Rochdale and Bradford, Syed argues that ignoring these lessons has left Britain vulnerable. We dive into immigration policy, Labour’s failures, the rise of cultural relativism, and why banning cousin marriage may be the only answer left.
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But that’s just the start. Together, we explore whether we’re heading for World War 3, how Protestantism shaped modern success, the dangers of AI that could wipe out humanity, and what the Fermi Paradox reveals about our future. This is one of the most important, uncomfortable, and eye-opening conversations you’ll hear in 2025.
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🎙️ About Matthew Syed
Matthew Syed is a bestselling author of Rebel Ideas, Black Box Thinking and Bounce, a Times columnist, BBC broadcaster and former Olympian. He writes about decision-making, culture, innovation, and the hidden forces that shape society.
Follow Matthew Syed on X: https://x.com/matthewsyed
Check out his work: https://www.matthewsyed.co.uk
Read his Times column: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/matthew-syed
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Heretics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewgoldheretics
Chapters:
0:00 Matthew Syed Highlights
1:12 Are We Heading for WW3?
4:22 We Live In Very Strange Times
6:22 How We Lost Wisdom & Community
8:22 England Was BEHIND Islamic Countries
11:22 More social cohesion
13:52 Cousin Marriage
16:22 If Matthew Syed Had Been Made To Marry His Cousin
18:22 How Cousin Marriage Ban Changed England
20:22 Labour Won’t Stop It
22:52 Did Protestantism Make Countries Successful
25:22 We Are More Extreme Than You Realise
28:22 Reduce Immigration NOW! Stop Boats
30:22 Russia Sends Immigrants Here
32:42 Sharia Law Enforcer Job Applicant!
34:22 Trump’s Wall - Why Was It So Bad?
36:22 Liz Truss, the Civil Service, Starmer’s Bad Deal
38:22 We Have Deep Problems
41:22 What To Do About Sensationalism & Clickbait
45:22 Finding New Ways to Delay Gratification
48:52 How AI Will Kill Us Very Soon
51:22 The Fermi Paradox
54:27 Israel - Palestine
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