Post Wave

What are the implications of recent developments in code- and image-generating AI? What is the difference between intelligence and consciousness? What impact do these developments have on the open-source community? How will this affect developer jobs?   Test Driven Development in the Age of AI: https://youtu.be/kBIr46RNxVI DALL.E: https://openai.com/blog/dall-e/ GLIDE: https://syncedreview.com/2021/12/24/deepmind-podracer-tpu-based-rl-frameworks-deliver-exceptional-performance-at-low-cost-173/ AlphaFold: https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/ AlphaCode: https://www.deepmind.com/blog/article/Competitive-programming-with-AlphaCode GitHub Co-Pilot: https://copilot.github.com/ GPT-3: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.14165 Helen Keller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller Michio Kaku: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michio_Kaku Douglas Hofstadter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Hofstadter Terrence McKenna on Intuition: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna Jest: https://github.com/facebook/jest Enzyme: https://enzymejs.github.io/enzyme/ Web Vitals: https://web.dev/vitals/ Embrace Extend Extinguish: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish  Outro Music by Trevor Villwock

What does it mean to exist? We explore Plato's theory of ideas and his Republic.   Plato Republic: https://youtu.be/rVxSoiHtovM Sophie's World: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_World Stephen Wolfram heat death of the universe: https://youtu.be/kuFRyOwkYuE Universal wavefunction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_wavefunction#:~:text=The%20universal%20wave%20function%20is,times%20a%20deterministic%20wave%20equation.%22 Bohr's atom: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Bohr Alan Watts quote: https://youtu.be/-VzLBkmeW8E Steven Pinker – The Better Angels of Our Nature: https://stevenpinker.com/publications/better-angels-our-nature Iain McGilchrist episode: https://www.post-wave.com/49-divided-brain

Who were the Stoics, what did they believe about the world, and how can we apply it to life today?   References:   Marcus Aurelius - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcus-aurelius/ Hunter-gatherers and happiness - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/10/01/551018759/are-hunter-gatherers-the-happiest-humans-to-inhabit-earth Dzogchen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzogchen    Music by Trevor Villwock

update: oh no! I accidentally bungled the conversion and only uploaded the last 2 minutes of this episode. Here's the full episode! (should be fixed now). What is the self? Am I a different person than you are? How can we engender compassion in ourselves? Trevor & Eric discuss enlightenment as talked about by Ram Dass – philosopher, psychologist, luminary.   Ram Dass lecture: https://youtu.be/kjh1BAG5Pfs Dzogchen Buddhism - https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/the-practice-of-dzogchen/ Timothy Leary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Leary Terrence McKenna: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna Ted Achocoso:  https://www.post-wave.com/47-analysis-dr-ted-achacoso Alan Watts: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-10-alan-watts-this-is-it Peterson Dillahunty debate: https://www.post-wave.com/55-religion-and-morality Incompleteness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del%27s_incompleteness_theorems   Outro Music by Trevor Villwock

How should we feel about billionaires pursuing space exploration when there's so much wrong on earth?   References:   Billionaire tax rates - https://www.propublica.org/article/the-secret-irs-files-trove-of-never-before-seen-records-reveal-how-the-wealthiest-avoid-income-tax   Culture series - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_series   Lex Fridman's conversation with Neal Stephenson - https://youtu.be/xAfdSak2fs8   Sabine Hossenfelder on terraforming Mars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb0UnogKQeo   Spinlaunch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0   Largest comet ever discovered - https://www.space.com/newfound-comet-biggest-recorded-history   World's richest people 2021 - https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/   Elon Musk helping fight world hunger - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/11/1052719247/how-6-billion-from-elon-musk-could-feed-millions-on-the-brink-of-famine Percentage of U.S. who are independents - https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx

We are joined by special guest Walker T. Roman to continue our discussion of abstraction, this time in the context of art and music. References: Walker T. Roman: https://www.walkertroman.com/ Lascaux cave paintings: https://www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/ Isometric perspective: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isometric_projection Vermeer optics: https://arranqhenderson.com/2017/09/19/did-vermeer-use-optics-in-his-art/ Danielle: http://www.daniellemulcahy.com/ Origins of Kindergarten: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/little-history-american-kindergartens-180963263/#:~:text=Kindergarten%20itself%20is%20a%20German,in%201837%20in%20Blankenburg%2C%20Germany. Jackson Pollock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock Clement Greenberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Greenberg Isorhythm: https://www.britannica.com/art/isorhythm#:~:text=isorhythm%2C%20in%20music%2C%20the%20organizing,around%201900%20by%20the%20German Serialism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serialism Trevor's music: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock Eric's music: https://soundcloud.com/faero

In this episode we discuss the various forms of immortality humanity could possibly achieve and their implications for meaning and purpose in life.   References: Sean Carroll on time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAScJvxCy2Y Roy (Rick & Morty) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szzVlQ653as Simulation argument (Nick Bostrom) - https://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html Possible evidence for a multiverse - https://www.quantamagazine.org/multiverse-proof-possibility-from-colliding-universes-20141110/

This is the first in a two-part series in which we discuss the topic of abstraction. In this episode we focus on the term as it relates to computer science, existentialism, and music. Max MSP: https://cycling74.com/ Dorris McComics: https://dorrismccomics.com/ Infinite Jest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest Finnigan's Wake by James Joyce:  Wassily Kandinsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Kandinsky Terence McKenna Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna The Double by Dostoevsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Double_(Dostoevsky_novel) Donald Hoffman Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-5-is-what-we-see-reality-donald-hoffman erowid: https://www.erowid.org/ Yes: http://www.yesworld.com/ The Mars Volta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2puUdO4YBg&ab_channel=TannerBarker Tally Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjGzOJ5IiSM&ab_channel=TallyHall-Topic The Well Tempered Clavier by Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0ufknMW0FI&ab_channel=RiqueBorges Reggaeton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxFSBPHwKgY&ab_channel=OSOCITYNATION Music by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing

Can we have morality without religion? Where do spiritual experiences fit into a modern scientific conception of the world? In this episode we discuss a debate between Matt Dillahunty and Jordan Peterson from 2018 on religion, morality and more.   References:   Debate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmH7JUeVQb8   New Atheism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism   Secular Humanism - https://secularhumanism.org/what-is-secular-humanism/   The Moral Landscape - https://samharris.org/books/the-moral-landscape/   Expert systems - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_system   Godel's Incompleteness Theorems - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/goedel-incompleteness/

What motivates a teacher to pursue a career in software engineering? How do class roles permeate our society? We speak with teacher Eric Saldivar about his experience transitioning into a technical field.  References: Eric Saldivar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esaldivar1214/ JavaUnscripted: https://anchor.fm/javaunscripted  Codesmith: https://codesmith.io/ Elon Musk work ethic: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/03/elon-musk-works-80-hour-weeks--heres-how-that-impacts--your-health.html Doing Good Better: https://www.post-wave.com/20-doing-good-better  AI singularity: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-7-artificial-superintelligence  Outro music by Eric Mulhern

In this episode we discuss the advent of AlphaGo, an artificial intelligence program created by DeepMind that was the first to beat a top-ranked professional player at Go. This accomplishment in 2016 came nearly a decade before most experts thought it was possible, and brings up many interesting questions about the rate of AI progress, narrow vs. general artificial intelligence, intuition, and more.   Correction: Lee Sedol wasn't the world champion at the time he was defeated, but was second in international titles at 18. AlphaGo later beat the number 1 ranked player Ke Jie in 2017.   References:   AlphaGo Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK6gekU1Y   Terrence McKenna - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna   3 Blue 1 Brown on neural networks -  https://youtu.be/aircAruvnKk   Music:   https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/broken-franglish   https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing  

Does an artistic background lend unique advantages in the field of computer science? How will Github Copilot effect the future of software engineering? We speak with accredited actor Sam Arnold about his experience transitioning into a technical field.  References: JavaUnscripted: https://open.spotify.com/show/47bsykKB1LJ3NtzQf3CHTA Codesmith: https://codesmith.io/ AI Poetry episode: https://www.post-wave.com/42-computer-science-iii Github Copilot: https://copilot.github.com/ Cardono: https://cardano.org/ Motvation & Addiction episode: https://www.post-wave.com/13-motivation-addiction Mark Rylance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rylance Outro Music by Eric Mulhern  

What does the divided brain tell us about the mind body problem? As each half of our brain perceives the world in a different way, does it create a distinct world, or two aspects of the same one? We examine the first chapter of Iain McGilchrist's "The Master and His Emissary".   References: The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist Outro music by Eric Mulhern

It's our 50th episode of this crazy show somehow! We reflect back on this past year of recording the podcast and re-examine some of the topics we've touched.   References:   Coleman Hughes - https://colemanhughes.org/  John McWhorter - https://www.theatlantic.com/author/john-mcwhorter/ Glenn Loury - https://bloggingheads.tv/programs/glenn-show    

How do the two hemispheres of our brains differ? How do they interact? How do these interactions influence society as a whole? We examine some of the ideas of British psychiatrist and author Iain McGilchrist.   References:   Iain Milgilchrist talk - https://youtu.be/HRMiHwT0H4M   The Master and His Emissary - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6968772-the-master-and-his-emissary   Neuralink monkey mind pong demo - https://observer.com/2021/04/elon-musk-neuralink-monkey-demo-draw-skepticism-scientist/   Kernel - https://www.kernel.com/   Dunning-Kruger effect - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect  

What if there were secret knowledge that could effect everything you do: make you stronger, smarter, cure mental illness & heal chronic pain? We explore the concept of salutogenesis; that some activities can increase wellness for the sake of wellness.   Huberman Lab: https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-how-to-optimize-testosterone-and-estrogen/ Lex Fridman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/ Robert Sapolski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky Protien reccommendations: https://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resource-library/protein-intake-for-optimal-muscle-maintenance.pdf Humans are naturally lactose intolerant: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/integrative_medicine_digestive_center/news_events/lactose_intolerance.html#:~:text=Lactose%20intolerance%20is%20a%20common,enzyme%20which%20breaks%20down%20lactose. Testosterone plummeting in males: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2017/10/02/youre-not-the-man-your-father-was/?sh=4b08aa478b7f The Alexander Technique: https://alexandertechnique.com/ Tounge pressure on the roof of your mouth changes skull shape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbzT00Cyq-g&ab_channel=WhatI%27veLearned Jaws by Robert Ehrlich: https://news.stanford.edu/2018/04/10/paul-ehrlich-problems-modern-jaw/ Outro Music by Eric Mulhern

In this episode we examine and explore the many interesting ideas of Dr. Ted Achacoso on consciousness, wellness, the brain, and more.   References:   Kyle Kingsbury Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kyle-kingsbury-podcast/id626299586   Dr. Ted Achacoso interview - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kyle-kingsbury-podcast/id626299586?i=1000521782588   Dzogchen Buddhism - https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/the-practice-of-dzogchen/   Default mode and task positive networks - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-fundamental-four/201406/good-task-bad-people%3famp   Music - lattice for climbing by Trevor Villwock https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing

We explore some concepts in music theory: What are the fundamental elements that make music, and how do we use them in our own compositions?   Ladysmith Black Mambazo: https://mambazo.com/ Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road Ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWYo388T1XU&ab_channel=Berlinale-BerlinInternationalFilmFestival Sunn O))): https://sunn.bandcamp.com/ La Monte Young: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Monte_Young Lutosławski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witold_Lutos%C5%82awski D'Angelo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Angelo J Dilla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Dilla Zach Hill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Hill King Crimson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Crimson Thou: https://thou.bandcamp.com/album/heathen

What can roleplaying games tell us about ourselves -- about our relationships, about what it means to be human? We're joined by special guest Walker T. Roman; artist, creator, dungeon master. Walker T. Roman: https://www.walkertroman.com/ References: Dungeons and Dragons: https://dnd.wizards.com/ I floop the pig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3baEtSTbog&ab_channel=CartoonNetwork Forgotten Realms: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page  roll20: https://roll20.net/ Story by Robert McKee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48654.Story Martin Puryear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Puryear Spectralism episode: https://www.post-wave.com/12-spectralism James Turrell: https://jamesturrell.com/ Sunn O))): https://sunn.bandcamp.com/album/kannon The Raven Queen: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Raven_Queen Critical Role: https://critrole.com/ Infinite Jest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest Spaghettio Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lmvX00TLY&ab_channel=LUISMIGGG Joseph Campbell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell Music by Eric Mulhern.

What if current efforts to produce human-level artificial intelligence are fatally misguided? We discuss new research which suggests current AI practices fail to take into account the 95% of brain activity which takes the form of "spontaneous fluctuations" which are not clearly tied to anything in the mind or the body.   Salon articles: https://www.salon.com/2021/04/30/why-artificial-intelligence-research-might-be-going-down-a-dead-end/?fbclid=IwAR0Wdjpk9Tlf8dp_bW8_2f5wN_KQt7oAzqJci7QcU_gcs66IyDl4cdRSOco   https://www.salon.com/2021/02/20/most-brain-activity-is-background-noise-cognitive-flux-consciousness-brain-activity-research/   Neutral Networks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk   Neurotransmitters and Nueromodulators: https://www.britannica.com/science/nervous-system/Neurotransmitters-and-neuromodulators   Neurons can change their own DNA: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/landmark-study-shows-brain-cells-revamp-their-dna-make-new-proteins-perhaps-sparking   Robin Carhart-Harris article on psychedelics:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390818301175   Harmonic series (Andrew Huang video): https://youtu.be/Wx_kugSemfY   You need to vibrate higher - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnsI67bHpmk

Are NFTs really the future of art? Do their benefits outweigh their downsides, and can their environmental impact really be mitigated? We discuss this potentially pivotal technology as well as the cryptocurrency and blockchain elements that make it possible.   Blockchain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain   NFTs and climate change: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/climate/nft-climate-change.html   Pro-NFT arguments: https://medium.com/superrare/no-cryptoartists-arent-harming-the-planet-43182f72fc61   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rovhDccuLkY   Anti-NFT arguments:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmFcezujGc0   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7JVwbV2JBI   Music - Canon I by Glossolalia Online https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/canon-i  

AGI. Quantum Computing. What would it take for an artificial intelligence to be considered conscious? How can we approach AI development in an ethical way? We discuss the recent firings of Google's heads of Ethical AI research, Timnit Gebru & Margret Mitchel. References: Timnit Gebru interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWqpPsMXVsI Margret Mitchel interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gh82yynsfQ gwern.net bots of new york: https://www.facebook.com/botsofnewyork/ Roger Penrose Quantum Coherence: https://nautil.us/issue/47/consciousness/roger-penrose-on-why-consciousness-does-not-compute#:~:text=Quantum%20coherence%20occurs%20when%20a,structures%20inside%20the%20brain's%20neurons. Terrence McKenna Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna MOO programming language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOO Ben Goertzel Zen teachings of Wong Po: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LcUHaKvFuc

We continue our exploration of computer science, delving into its history and relating our experiences as we enter into this field of study.   References:  Antikythera mechanism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism Charles Babbage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage Ada Lovelace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace Francois Chollet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fchollet Alan Turing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing Robert Miles GPT3 Poems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yVOC4ciXc Music by Glossolalia Online: https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/dopamine

We explore some topics in computer science and relate our experiences delving into this daunting subject. References: Codesmith: https://codesmith.io/ OOP: https://searchapparchitecture.techtarget.com/definition/object-oriented-programming-OOP#:~:text=Object%2Doriented%20programming%20(OOP)%20is%20a%20computer%20programming%20model,has%20unique%20attributes%20and%20behavior. Functional programming: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/functional-programming-paradigm/#:~:text=Functional%20programming%20is%20a%20programming,is%20%E2%80%9Chow%20to%20solve%E2%80%9D. Inheritence: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/i/inheritance.htm#:~:text=In%20object%2Doriented%20programming%2C%20inheritance,is%20known%20as%20a%20subclass. Package dependency: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swift_packages/package/dependency Max MSP: https://cycling74.com/ Supercollider: https://supercollider.github.io/ Godel, Escher, Bach: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del,_Escher,_Bach Anathem by Niel Stephenson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem UW CSE142: https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse142/21sp/ AI episode: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-7-artificial-superintelligence 3blue1brown on neural networks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk&vl=en   Outro music - Dreaming of Zeno by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/dreaming-of-zeno

We give our thoughts on the now widely-shared idea that governments should provide all their citizens with regular no-strings-attached payments.   Andrew Yang on UBI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpWomZiUDkM AlphaFold - https://deepmind.com/blog/article/alphafold-a-solution-to-a-50-year-old-grand-challenge-in-biology Levels of self-driving cars - https://www.synopsys.com/automotive/autonomous-driving-levels.html Karl Widerquist & Oren Cass debate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDNKo0tcH-I Jared Bernstein and Charles Murray debate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFVr7Ku0KQk   Music: lattice for climbing by Trevor Villwock - https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing Floating by Glossolalia Online - https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/floating

Is introversion a helpful concept, or does it cause harm? How does it relate to mental illness and generational trauma? We explore this concept and share some of our own experiences with anxiety, depression & social awkwardness.   Islands of consciousness: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11065-020-09439-3 Stoic philosophy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism#:~:text=Stoicism%20teaches%20the%20development%20of,the%20universal%20reason%20(logos). Carl Jung on introversion/extroversion: https://fractalenlightenment.com/31622/life/jungs-theory-of-introvert-and-extrovert-personalities#:~:text=According%20to%20Jung%20there%20are,internal%20world%20(introversion).%E2%80%9D&text=Introverts%20are%20more%20comfortable%20living%20alone%20and%20being%20by%20themselves. The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Introvert_Advantage.html?id=fsR7BgAAQBAJ Generational trauma: https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma#:~:text=The%20symptoms%20of%20generational%20trauma,DeSilva. Hedgehog dilema: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog%27s_dilemma Outro music by Eric Mulhern: https://soundcloud.com/faero

We continue our deep dive into meme culture (for real this time): How do they affect public opinion?    Florian Kramer lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiNYuhLKzi8 Seveneves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seveneves pepe the frog: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pepe-the-frog Michael Rosen interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIiGqXlNbsY Richard Spencer getting punched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFh08JEKDYk Big Joel on The Red Pill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDI4F7eWu7k Jordan Peterson episode: https://www.post-wave.com/28-jordan-peterson Music - Dopamine by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/dopamine

Colorado multi-disciplinary artist Alex White joins us for the 2nd installment of our deep dive into meme culture.   Alex's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commoditycreature    

Memes I In which we go over some of the history of memes and their impact on the modern world. Stay til the end for our Top 5 memes of all time!   Richard Dawkins: https://richarddawkins.net/   The Selfish Gene: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene   Bernie Sanders mittens meme: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bernie-sanders-wearing-mittens-sitting-in-a-chair   GPT-3: https://openai.com/blog/openai-api/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yVOC4ciXc&t=164s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rURRYI66E54&t=1098s   DALL-E (not WALL-E): https://openai.com/blog/dall-e/   Transformers: https://towardsdatascience.com/transformers-141e32e69591   Memebase: https://memebase.cheezburger.com/   Renard Queenston: https://halleylabs.com/   Michael Rosen Youtube Poop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTkN_KNJSE0   Bee Movie Technical Memes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPDgEUAowPA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMG1Nl7uWko   We Are Number One/Monsters Inc: https://youtu.be/yeh708tybpM   Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff: https://www.homestuck.com/sweet-bro-and-hella-jeff/1   Deep fried memes: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deep-fried-memes   Expanding Brain/Galaxy Brain: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/galaxy-brain   Buff guys on laptops: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/buff-guys-help-out-nerdy-kid   GI Joe PSA parodies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8K08AcVru0   That's what she said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqZci_8wuC0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBUGfs9rwms   Trolley Problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem   Multitrack drifting: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/multi-track-drifting   Deontology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deontological_ethics   Utilitarianism/Consequentialism: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consequentialism/   Pornhub drumbeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frV7RQE3QvY   Contrafacts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrafact   Gallant schemata: http://openmusictheory.com/schemataSummary.html   Wojack: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wojak   Money printer go brrr: https://imgflip.com/tag/haha+money+printer+go+brrr?sort=top-2020-04   Death Grips discography portrayed by The Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNL0tmBueuI   Spongebob/Radiohead:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2wig-kqZ98   Spiderman death grips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SThRvg6cdQI   Death Grips remixes (NSFW): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFWHB40N4pE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8g2kPu4J8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPrzkkbxFeQ   The Lick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BP2UZvq7nE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krDxhnaKD7Q   Music: https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/wobbly https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/the-plot-thickens https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/garbage-patch-kids    

Writer, multi-disciplinary artist, and friend of the show Alex White joins us again to talk societal collapse in light of the recent power crisis in Texas; Trevor also relates his experience in Austin.   References:   Hardcore History with Dan Carlin - https://www.dancarlin.com   ERCOT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Reliability_Council_of_Texas   Kally Akuno, Cooperation Jackson - https://cooperationjackson.org/cop-delegation-bios/2015/9/16/kali-akuno   https://commoditycreature.substack.com/p/surviving-the-future   SAS Survival Handbook - https://thebwh.com/p/military-history-sas-survival-handbook-the-ultimate-guide-to-surviving-anywhere   Nomadland - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9770150/   Climate change, jet streams, and the Texas freeze - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-16/how-the-warming-arctic-helped-drive-a-deep-freeze-into-texas   Weakening ocean circulation - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/25/atlantic-ocean-circulation-at-weakest-in-a-millennium-say-scientists   Quelle Chris, Big Sen - Mirage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbG-6upal8U   Forests no longer absorbing CO2 - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/04/tropical-forests-losing-their-ability-to-absorb-carbon-study-finds   Music: Canon III by Glossolalia Online https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/canon-iii  

What is Atheism? What are the ramifications of holding a belief? References: Four horsemen of the atheist apocalypse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism Tim Minchin - Thank you god: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZeWPScnolo Doomer episode: https://www.post-wave.com/24-ok-doomer Unitarian Universalism: https://www.uua.org/ Alan Watts episode: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-10-alan-watts-this-is-it Marcus Aurelius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius Sam Harris episodes: https://www.post-wave.com/31-sam-harris-1 Maajid Nawaz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maajid_Nawaz The Atheist Experience: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprs0DXUS-refN1i8FkQkdg Music - 'Dreaming of Zeno' by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/dreaming-of-zeno 

When someone shares controversial ideas about race, the reaction by the public is predictable. But do personal attacks against the person help to quell the idea, or do they fuel the flames? We continue our exploration of the ideas of Sam Harris and his controversial interview with Charles Murray, author of the Bell Curve.  References: Charles Murray on Waking Up with Sam Harris: https://samharris.org/podcasts/forbidden-knowledge/ Sam Harris / Ezra Klien debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-VF4KCylKI Charles Murray Middlebury college: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/03/middlebury-free-speech-violence/518667/ Analysis - how poverty can drive down intelligence (PBS): https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/analysis-how-poverty-can-drive-down-intelligence Music by Trevor Villwock: garbage patch kids (how to learn the art of being without lifting a single finger) Matthew Farquharson, violin Vela Farquharson, cello Charles Lovell, marimba

What duty do we have to protect others against their will? Does religion threaten our ability to make rational decisions about morality? We examine the ideas of Sam Harris, an American author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and host of the popular podcast Waking Up.    Refrences: Sam Harris TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8llkjvURyg Sam Harris on Bill Maher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vln9D81eO60 David Hume: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hume/ Sean Carroll & Sam Harris debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVZp4nWMphE Trolley problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem#:~:text=The%20trolley%20problem%20is%20a,to%20save%20a%20larger%20number.&text=If%20you%20pull%20this%20lever,person%20on%20the%20side%20track. Terrence McKenna: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna Ram Dass: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Dass Joe Rogan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rogan Alan Watts: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-10-alan-watts-this-is-it  Dzogchen meditation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzogchen Douglas Harding: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Harding Rick and Morty 9/11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaQtC8Itb18 Sam Harris Yasmine Mohammed interview: https://samharris.org/podcasts/175-leaving-faith/ Correction: Eric describes the following scene from Genesis 19 as being from Ezekiel 8: https://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0119.htm#32 Maajid Nawaz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maajid_Nawaz IDW Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/26-the-idw-part-1 Outro Music - Moss by Eric Mulhern: https://soundcloud.com/faero/

We speak with multi-disciplinary artist Alex White about the creative process - what inspires you? How do you motivate yourself to create? References:Andrew Huberman: https://profiles.stanford.edu/andrew-hubermanCU New Opera Workshop: https://www.colorado.edu/music/summer-college-music/cu-new-opera-workshopSilent Night - Kevin Puts: http://silentnightopera.com/Justin Roiland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_RoilandEric Andre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_AndreSpectralism episode: https://www.post-wave.com/12-spectralismPaul Hindemith - Symphony in B-flat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVgCoORNHMJohn Cage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_CageLeaf blowers are bad: https://www.zmescience.com/science/leaf-blowers-health-noise-hazards/#:~:text=The%20inefficient%20gas%20engines%20typically,loss%2C%20according%20to%20the%20CDC.Tinnitus examples: https://www.soundrelief.com/tinnitus/sounds-tinnitus/Sunn (0))): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IswnGaGxvRQWhat's it like to be a bat: https://www.post-wave.com/11-whats-it-like-to-be-a-batI am a strange loop: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_a_Strange_LoopOutro Music by Alex White: https://soundcloud.com/neonnightscloudydays/sets/background-music

What is a life worth? Does one person have an obligation to suffer to protect another? In this episode, we explore some of the costs of our response to covid-19 and examine the possibility that social distancing may be causing more harm than good.  References:KFF Article - The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/Scinetific American Article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-surprising-mental-toll-of-covid/Social distancing will result in a backlash of sickness: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/48/30547Motivation & Addiction episode: https://www.post-wave.com/13-motivation-addictionDoing Good Better episode: https://www.post-wave.com/20-doing-good-betterHeroin use in Vietnam veterans: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12873239/Projected US Deaths: https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&tab=trendSouth Korea, Hong Kong, Germany response to covid: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-020-01791-8Eradication of Polio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio_eradicationSterile environment affects gut microbiome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4080534/Boston homeless population disproportionately asymptomatic to covid: https://www.bhchp.org/sites/default/files/Asymptomatic%20cases%20pose%20challenge%20for%20Boston%20homeless%20shelters%20_%20Boston.com_.pdf Music by Trevor Villwock

Jordan Peterson: radical luminary or raving bigot? We explore the ideas of public intellectual Jordan Peterson and why he has garnered so much criticism from trans right activists.References:Peterson interviews with Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIeFt88Hm8shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xc7DN-noAchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T7pUEZfgdIPeterson motivational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-oNXuLDIfUPeterson on Psilopsybin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MnqXlmLGucContrapoints on Jordan Peterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LqZdkkBDasPeterson opposed to gender neutral pronouns: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37875695 Music by Trevor Villwock: garbage patch kids (how to learn the art of being without lifting a single finger)Matthew Farquharson, violinVela Farquharson, celloCharles Lovell, marimba 

We continue our discussion of the Intellectual Dark Web and how it relates to the Black Lives Matter movement.References:Black lives matter protests during pandemic: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/black-lives-matter-protests-didnt-contribute-to-covid19-surgePolice in favor of body cameras: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/body-cameras-are-seen-as-key-to-police-reform-but-do-they-increase-accountabilityColeman Hughes - Stories & Data: https://www.city-journal.org/reflections-on-race-riots-and-policeCity Journal criticism: https://www.reddit.com/r/neoliberal/comments/h9ryqq/stories_and_data_coleman_hughes_on_race_police/ Outro Music: Dopamine by Glossolalia Online (Trevor Villwock): https://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/dopamine

In the next episode of our multi-part series on the Intellectual Dark Web, or IDW, we continue to critique their ideas and give our opinions on why the movement has gained so much traction. References: Ben Shapiro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn1N3K7pqps&t=1650s Eric Weinstein’s Geometric Unity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdW9XDBuxjU&t=404s Brett Weinstein - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bret_Weinstein The Joe Rogan Experience - https://www.youtube.com/user/PowerfulJRE Colorado gay wedding cake controversy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterpiece_Cakeshop_v._Colorado_Civil_Rights_Commission Critical Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory Christina Hoff-Sommers -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Hoff_Sommers Tamler Sommers (Tamler Sommer’s stepmom) Coleman Hughes - https://colemanhughes.org/ Stories and Data - https://www.city-journal.org/reflections-on-race-riots-and-police Sam Harris disavows the intellectual dark web - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPc7r9LRxBE Music - Broken Franglish by Trevor Villwock https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/broken-franglish

***Originally uploaded January 14th*** We kick off 2021 with an episode recorded unusually close to its release! We give our thoughts on the recent storming of the Capitol especially as it relates to the Intellectual Dark Web, the topic of a multi-episode series we'll be releasing over the coming weeks. We also talk about conspiracies in general and about how all three of these topics intersect. References: Police letting rioters into Capitol is likely false -  https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jan/07/ask-politifact-did-capitol-police-let-mob-trump-su/ The Intellectual Dark Web - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_dark_web Sean Carroll Episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7uZUQPtkk Stories & Data by Coleman Hughes - https://www.city-journal.org/reflections-on-race-riots-and-police Big Brains / U of Chicago Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF3vU6xnaEg Conspiracies and the internet - https://theconversation.com/the-internet-fuels-conspiracy-theories-but-not-in-the-way-you-might-imagine-98037?fbclid=IwAR1A5UHKg_9S3rFwP3RVWeR9NjujTTLYRev5T1bckPgEtYjQoudhtwrmVTY Q Anon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAnon Pizzagate - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzagate_conspiracy_theory Critical Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory Anti-vax movement - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_hesitancy Vaccines and POC - https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-some-black-and-latinx-people-are-reluctant-to-get-the-covid-19-vaccine 5G Covid circuit diagram - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/5g-covid-guitar-pedal-b1782573.html%3famp Buzz Aldrin punches moon landing conspiracy theorist - https://953wdae.iheart.com/content/2019-07-17-video-buzz-aldrin-punches-a-guy-for-harassing-him-about-moon-landing/ Ufos - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/us/pentagon-ufo-videos.amp.html David Fravyr (navy ufo guy) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8zcAttP1E&t=5479s Hollow Earth - https://www.wired.com/2020/12/geeks-guide-owen-egerton/ Lizard people -https://www.insider.com/lizard-people-conspiracy-theory-origin-nashville-bomber-qanon-2021-1 Intro music - Broken Franglish by Trevor Villwockhttps://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/broken-franglishBumper music - Floating by Glossolalia Onlinehttps://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/floatingOutro Music - Glossolalia Online by Glossolalia Online

We kick off 2021 with an episode recorded unusually close to its release! We give our thoughts on the recent storming of the Capitol especially as it relates to the Intellectual Dark Web, the topic of a multi-episode series we'll be releasing over the coming weeks. We also talk about conspiracies in general and about how all three of these topics intersect. References: Police letting rioters into Capitol is likely false -  https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jan/07/ask-politifact-did-capitol-police-let-mob-trump-su/ The Intellectual Dark Web - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_dark_web Sean Carroll Episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7uZUQPtkk Stories & Data by Coleman Hughes - https://www.city-journal.org/reflections-on-race-riots-and-police Big Brains / U of Chicago Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF3vU6xnaEg Conspiracies and the internet - https://theconversation.com/the-internet-fuels-conspiracy-theories-but-not-in-the-way-you-might-imagine-98037?fbclid=IwAR1A5UHKg_9S3rFwP3RVWeR9NjujTTLYRev5T1bckPgEtYjQoudhtwrmVTY Q Anon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAnon Pizzagate - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzagate_conspiracy_theory Critical Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory Anti-vax movement - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_hesitancy Vaccines and POC - https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-some-black-and-latinx-people-are-reluctant-to-get-the-covid-19-vaccine 5G Covid circuit diagram - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/5g-covid-guitar-pedal-b1782573.html%3famp Buzz Aldrin punches moon landing conspiracy theorist - https://953wdae.iheart.com/content/2019-07-17-video-buzz-aldrin-punches-a-guy-for-harassing-him-about-moon-landing/ Ufos - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/us/pentagon-ufo-videos.amp.html David Fravyr (navy ufo guy) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8zcAttP1E&t=5479s Hollow Earth - https://www.wired.com/2020/12/geeks-guide-owen-egerton/ Lizard people -https://www.insider.com/lizard-people-conspiracy-theory-origin-nashville-bomber-qanon-2021-1 Intro music - Broken Franglish by Trevor Villwockhttps://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/broken-franglishBumper music - Floating by Glossolalia Onlinehttps://soundcloud.com/glossolalia-online/floatingOutro Music - Glossolalia Online by Glossolalia Online 

In our final episode of 2020, we talk about the holiday-cheer-filled topic of environmental and societal collapse as well as the possibility of near-term human extinction with Colorado multidisciplinary artist and friend of the show Alex White. Articles: https://guymcpherson.com/2013/04/the-irreconcilable-acceptance-of-near-term-extinction/ https://www.lifeworth.com/deepadaptation.pdf References: Overshoot - https://youtu.be/VIBIO1vywP4 Ecofascism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecofascism Kurzgesagt: Geoengineering - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSu5sXmsur4&t=467s Seveneves - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seveneves r/collapse - https://www.reddit.com/r/collapse r/collapsesupport - https://www.reddit.com/r/CollapseSupport/ Antinatalism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antinatalism Active Hope by Joanna Macy - https://www.activehope.info/ Guy McPherson Stock Report - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bcsqqmFH00 “War is a Racket” by General Smedly D. Butlerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Racket Surveillance Valley by Jascha Levine - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jan/06/surveillance-valley-by-yasha-levine-review Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inherent_Vice Die Wise by Steven Jenkinson - https://orphanwisdom.com/shop/die-wise/ New York Times Doomscrolling article - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/technology/personaltech/youre-doomscrolling-again-heres-how-to-snap-out-of-it.html

Death! Dread! Meaning! In the latest installment of “Books You Haven’t Read,” Eric leads Trevor through a discussion of some excerpts from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Idiot on awaiting executions, having epileptic seizures, and doing good in the world.  Full text of The Idiot available for free below; we discuss Part 1 Chapter 5 (p. 73), Part 2 Chapter 5 (p. 324), and Part 3 Chapter 6 (p. 580).https://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks/the-idiot.pdf “The Unreality of Time” by J.M.E. McTaggart - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unreality_of_Time Are Space and Time interchangeable?https://www.physicsoftheuniverse.com/topics_relativity_spacetime.html How long does the head remain conscious after beheading?https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/decapitation-survive-speak-anne-boleyn-henry-viii-conscious-brain-a8886126.html DMT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N,N-Dimethyltryptamine#:~:text=N%2CN%2DDimethyltryptamine%20(DMT,ritual%20purposes%20as%20an%20entheogen. Dostoyevsky’s epilepsy - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/for-dostoevsky-epilepsy-was-a-matter-of-both-life-and-literature Counterpoint - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpoint Terrence McKenna Wired article = https://www.wired.com/2000/05/mckenna/ Neurons changing their DNA - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/landmark-study-shows-brain-cells-revamp-their-dna-make-new-proteins-perhaps-sparking#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20seen%20hints%20that,than%20the%20cells%20around%20them. Existentialism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaDvRdLMkHs The Stranger - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranger_(Camus_novel) Intro Music - "Sum Over Paths" by Eric MulhernBumper and Outro Music - "In the Embers of Existence" by Eric Mulhern

Are we living in a simulation? If we are, do we have free will? Are simulations the same as dreams? We explore the Simulation Argument presented in the paper by Nick Bostrom.References:Simulation Argument: https://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.pdfExpanding universe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_the_universe#:~:text=The%20universe%20does%20not%20expand,to%20exist%20%22outside%22%20it.&text=A%20much%20slower%20and%20gradual,and%20is%20still%20doing%20so.Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_of_ChampionsAlan Watts If you could dream anything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU0PYcCsL6oOutro Music — Moss by Eric Mulhern: https://soundcloud.com/faero/1-moss-1 

Is science based in intuition?  Can we trust logic?  What do psychedelics have to do with culture and feminism? We explore the ideas of renowned ethnobotanist & psychonaut Terence McKenna.References:McKenna on intuition: https://youtu.be/YTOZn7ZMacUTransistors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TransistorA computer cannot simulate itself: https://wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2014/09/15/could-scientists-perfectly-simulate-the-entire-universe-in-a-computer-down-to-the-last-atom/Inteligence is compression of information:Emergence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EmergenceSlime Mold: https://www.ted.com/talks/heather_barnett_what_humans_can_learn_from_semi_intelligent_slime?language=enNP-Complete: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/210829/what-is-an-np-complete-in-computer-science#:~:text=NP%2DComplete%20means%20the%20problem,solution%20to%20all%20NP%20problems.ASI Singularity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularityWhat it's like to be a bat episode: https://www.post-wave.com/11-whats-it-like-to-be-a-batQuantum field theory: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/quantum-field-theory/#:~:text=Quantum%20Field%20Theory%20(QFT)%20is,matter%20physics%20and%20statistical%20mechanics.Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhere_(novel)Paul Stamets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Stamets Outro music — Dreaming of Zeno by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/dreaming-of-zeno

How can we have the greatest impact on the world? Does it even make sense to try? We explore the concept of Effective Altruism through Will MacAskill's groundbreaking book 'Doing Good Better'.References:Doing Good Better by Will MacAskill: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/doing-good-better/Animal Liberation by Peter Singer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Liberation_(book)Aidan Cook - Harris mic grab: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/02/three-years-after-rushing-bernie-sanders-event-animal-rights-activist-takes-mic80,000 Hours: https://80000hours.org/History of Fine Dining: http://donlehmanjr.com/Restaurant/Dining%20History/hfd3.htmJoe Rogan: http://podcasts.joerogan.net/ Ayn Rand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_RandHappiness across income brackets: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-exactly-how-much-money-you-need-to-be-truly-happy-earning-more-wont-help-2018-02-14Mark 10-25: https://biblehub.com/mark/10-25.htm Outro music: Moss by Eric Mulhern 

What is Ultimate Reality? We react to an interview by PBS' Closer to Truth with Dr. Lothar Schafer, accredited Quantum Chemist and philosopher.  References:Lothar Schafer Interview on Closer to Truth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkCXjRn2NAHyperspace by Michio Kaku: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperspace_(book)Electrons jump between orbitals instantaneously: https://wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2014/06/18/how-can-an-electron-leap-between-atomic-levels-without-passing-through-all-the-space-in-between/#:~:text=An%20atomic%20electron%20spreads%20out,wave%20shapes%20called%20%22orbitals%22.&text=But%20the%20electron%20does%20not,it%20does%20not%20instantaneously%20leap.Alan Watts on the Big Bang: https://youtu.be/ZYffSEV7pdwBen Gortzel: https://youtu.be/6pcSKBrsDPwBill Clinton Scandal "Is": https://slate.com/news-and-politics/1998/09/bill-clinton-and-the-meaning-of-is.htmlPredicting random coin flips: https://cocosci.princeton.edu/tom/papers/LabPublications/WilliamsPeopleBadRandom.pdfBoltzmann brain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boltzmann_brainInfinite monkey theorem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_monkey_theorem#:~:text=The%20infinite%20monkey%20theorem%20states,complete%20works%20of%20William%20Shakespeare. Outro music — From Fireflies to Thunderstorms by Eric Mulhern: https://soundcloud.com/faero/from-fireflies-to-thunderstorms

Does free will exist? How do you even define it? We take on this long-debated topic as it relates to volition, perfect vs. imperfect worlds, determinism vs. indeterminism, musical improvisation, moral responsibility, consciousness, and more. References: Free Will - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/freewill/ Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-manyworlds/ A Brief History Of Time by Stephen Hawking - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brief_History_of_Time Perpetual Motion Machine - https://www.britannica.com/science/perpetual-motion Heat Death of The Universe - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_death_of_the_universe Counterfactuals - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/counterfactuals/ Libet experiment - https://www.informationphilosopher.com/freedom/libet_experiments.html Gut feeling - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-second-brain/ The Lick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krDxhnaKD7Q                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lick Intro, bumper, and outro music - lattice for climbing, composed and performed by Trevor Villwock (trumpet and electronics)

Why do we read? What makes us feel like we 'should' read? Why do we leave books unread & unfinished? We talk with librarian Marco Daniels about books and reading. References:Oak Bluffs Public Library: https://oakbluffslibrary.org/Mortal Questions by Thomas Nagel:https://books.google.com/books/about/Mortal_Questions.html?id=7T1dAAAAQBAJSkinner Box: https://psychology.uiowa.edu/comparative-cognition-laboratory/glossary/skinner-box#:~:text=A%20Skinner%20Box%20is%20a,the%20chamber%20as%20a%20reinforcer.The Man Without Qualities - Robert Meusel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Without_QualitiesIncompleteness by Godel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del%27s_incompleteness_theoremsGodel Escher Bach by Douglas Hofstadter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del,_Escher,_BachPrincipia Mathematica by Bertrand Russell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principia_Mathematica#:~:text=The%20Principia%20Mathematica%20(often%20abbreviated,1910%2C%201912%2C%20and%201913.&text=PM%20is%20not%20to%20be,1903%20The%20Principles%20of%20Mathematics.I am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_a_Strange_LoopInfinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_JestThe Idiot by Dostsoevsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_IdiotUnder Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_Heaven_(novel) Outro Music — Coalfire by Eric Mulhern: https://www.instagram.com/marthas_vineyard_music_lessons/

What can our dreams tell us about ourselves? We discuss dreams — lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis and more, and share some of our experiences with them.Refrences:Mind Reading Visuals: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-invented-a-mind-reading-machine-that-can-visualise-your-thoughts-kind-ofBen Goertzel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_GoertzelLucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_LaBerge#Lucid_dreaming_education_and_facilitationDavid Blaine Ascension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzvNAAqH3gAcid f=Flashback: https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-08/fyi-can-acid-trip-really-give-you-flashbacks/DMT Released When Dreaming: https://www.beckleyfoundation.org/2017/07/05/do-our-brains-produce-dmt-and-if-so-why/Psychedelics & Default Mode Network: https://psychedelicstoday.com/2020/02/04/psychedelics-and-the-default-mode-network/Intrinsic by The Contortionist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89vxiQ46MLkBill Hicks - Positive Drug Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdatGhm_WE4Inception: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/the i.l.y's - Articulate (Im Going So Far Into You): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVauoeybuzsEric's Dream Journal: https://dreamingwithfaero.blogspot.com/

We talk about some of the ways that the current Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our lives as musicians and teachers as well as the performing arts industry in general. References:  Esquire article - https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a32360709/coronavirus-music-industry/ Spotify CEO comments - https://musically.com/2020/07/30/spotify-ceo-talks-covid-19-artist-incomes-and-podcasting-interview/ Mastering for Streaming - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiRMYoqU3ys Loudness Wars - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war Cygnus… Vismund Cygnus by The Mars Volta - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnw7Hi6iIKE It’s a Wonderful Life - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Wonderful_Life Backwards Causation - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/causation-backwards/ Breakfast of Champions - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_of_Champions Inversion Ensemble - http://inversionensemble.com/ Tom Scott - https://www.youtube.com/user/enyay Parasocial Relationships - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasocial_relationship webcomic name - https://webcomicname.com/ Dorris McComics - https://dorrismccomics.com/ Covid-19 and herd immunity - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/health/coronavirus-herd-immunity.html Joe Rogan and Spotify - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZKWTXEX2YY Music - Excerpts from "On Breathing" by Trevor Villwock, performed by: Kelly Lovelady, conductorGavin Goodwin, soprano saxKristen Zelenak, alto saxDavid Baker, tenor saxWill Marchetti, bari saxBrett Keating, euphoniumJack Yarborough, piano Full performance here: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/on-breathing

We share our experiences with psychedelics and talk about how they've affected us.Disclaimer: We do not endorse nor encourage the use of any illicit substances. Psychedelics should be approached with extreme caution and respect.References:Ram Dass: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Dasserowid: https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtmlPost Wave Time: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-2-timeEric's First Acid Trip: https://erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=114774Sierra Center for Spiritual Living: http://www.sierracenter.org/Terence McKenna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eGdKztd4TEWe don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbWZjlZ-znUDe-Loused in the Comatorium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-Loused_in_the_ComatoriumLes Espaces Acoustiques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXQ5c8GUsUMThe Princess Bride: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/Shostakovich Symphony No 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4feLVLg46kLanguage by The Contortionist: https://thecontortionistband.bandcamp.com/album/languageBon Iver 22, A Million: https://boniver.bandcamp.com/album/22-a-millionLeonard Bernsein Mass: https://leonardbernstein.com/works/view/12/mass-a-theatre-piece-for-singers-players-and-dancersMicrodosing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicrodosingAlex Grey: https://www.alexgrey.com/artDouglass Harding: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Harding