meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
heretics.

566. Matthew Syed - The History of Cousin Marriage & How AI Will Kill Us

heretics.

Andrew Gold

Personal Journals, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.4 • 968 Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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. SPONSORS: Make your AI video here: https://invideo.io/i/andrewgold  Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code HERETICS at checkout. Download Saily app or go to https://saily.com/HERETICS  Go to https://ground.news/andrew  to access diverse perspectives and uncover the truth. Subscribe through my link to get 40% off unlimited access this month only. Chuck Norris: Avoid these 3 Foods Like The Plague. Watch his method by clicking the link here: https://www.ChuckDefense.com/Heretics  Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics  Go to https://freespoke.com/gold  to search freely. Start your MyHeritage journey now with a 14-day free trial using my link: https://bit.ly/AndrewGoldMyHeritage Go to https://TryFum.com/HERETICS  and use code HERETICS to get your free FÜM Topper when you order your Journey Pack today!  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. 🔔 Subscribe for more fearless interviews:  🎙️ 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 Join the 30k heretics on my mailing list: https://andrewgoldheretics.com  Check out my new documentary channel: https://youtube.com/@andrewgoldinvestigates  Andrew on X: https://twitter.com/andrewgold_ok   Insta: https://www.instagram.com/andrewgold_ok 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You know, when I started this podcast, it felt like I had to become 10 people overnight.

0:05.3

Producer, editor, marketer, designer. It was a lot. And I kept thinking, I wish I had someone in my

0:12.1

corner to help me figure this out. That's why I love today's sponsor, Shopify. It's like

0:16.7

having a built-in business partner. Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, from giants like Jim Shark to scrappy

0:24.7

upstarts just getting going.

0:26.6

With Shopify, you can launch your own studio or store using hundreds of stunning templates

0:30.6

that match your brand's vibe.

0:32.4

Need help with content, their AI tools help write product descriptions and enhance your

0:37.3

photos. Marketing, easy email and

0:39.8

social campaigns built right in. Inventory, shipping, returns, Shopify's got your back on all of it.

0:46.3

Turn your big business idea into with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your $1 per month trial

0:53.6

and start selling today at shopify.com.com.

0:56.2

com.com.com.com.com.com.com.

1:02.3

UK slash glassbox, Shopify.com.com.com. There was a ban on cousin marriage in the sixth century.

0:56.7

This was an absolutely seminal moment in the history of our species. And that forced people to

1:02.2

marry outside their tribe. And more social cohesion. An emerging national identity. And then

1:12.7

invited an inordinate number of people who were perhaps still in that tribal phase. People from

1:17.3

the Kashmiri community are still marrying their cousins. It's been a serious strategic mistake, one that we didn't envision at all.

1:23.4

It worries me deeply that cousin marriage is holding these siloed communities

1:31.0

and places like Rochdale and Bradford, congenital diseases.

1:35.5

Quite siloed.

1:38.9

This cultural relativism, the idea that all cultures are equal and it's racist to question.

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 21 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Andrew Gold, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Andrew Gold and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.