The After On Podcast

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We dive deep into the science, tech, and social issues explored in the novel "After On." It's NOT necessary to be an "After On" reader to listen, learn & enjoy this podcast!

Rob Reid


    • Aug 4, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 20m AVG DURATION
    • 61 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The After On Podcast is a truly exceptional podcast that covers a wide range of topics, including technology, science, and the nature of reality. Hosted by Rob Reid, this podcast features in-depth interviews with expert guests who provide fascinating insights into their respective fields. The standout episode for me was the interview with Donald Hoffman on "The Case Against Reality," which delves into the mind-bending concept that our perception of reality may be fundamentally flawed.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Reid's ability to engage his guests in thoughtful and thought-provoking discussions. He asks insightful questions and creates an environment where guests can share their knowledge and ideas freely. The episodes are well-researched and expertly presented, making complex topics accessible to listeners who may not have a background in these subjects. I particularly appreciate how Reid strikes a balance between intellectual rigor and accessibility, ensuring that even non-experts can fully appreciate the content.

    Another great feature of The After On Podcast is its variety of guests and topics. From artificial intelligence to genetics to space archaeology, there is something for everyone with an interest in science and technology. The podcast consistently delivers high-quality content that educates and engages listeners, leaving them with a greater understanding of the world around them.

    Although there are very few downsides to this podcast, one minor drawback is that new episodes are released sporadically due to the extensive preparation involved in each episode. While I understand the need for thorough research, it would be great to have more consistent releases to satisfy the eager listeners who eagerly await each new episode.

    In conclusion, The After On Podcast is an outstanding podcast that offers intellectually stimulating conversations on various scientific and technological topics. Rob Reid's expertise as an interviewer shines through as he conducts engaging discussions with brilliant minds in their fields. Whether you're an expert seeking deep dives into complex subjects or a curious listener looking to expand your knowledge, this podcast is a must-listen.



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    Latest episodes from The After On Podcast

    61: An "Observatory" for a Shy Super AI ?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 81:05


    Might we unwittingly start sharing our world with a super AI? A monologue and (mostly) playful thought experiment.

    60: Deep Fakes | Sam Harris and Zohaib Ahmed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 112:20


    Will the glittering dawn of the genai era be accompanied by a dark tsunami of pixel-perfect deep fakes? I discuss this prospect with Sam Harris, as well as the CEO of synthetic audio pioneer Resemble.ai.  

    59: Generative AI | What's New & What's Next

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 32:41


    My thoughts on what's happening in the mad world of generative AI, announcing my new home online at robreid.substack.com, and more.

    58: Recipes for Future Plagues | Kevin Esvelt

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 115:23


    USAID's new “DEEP VZN” program aims to discover new pandemic-grade viruses, then broadcast their genomes to the world, according to MIT evolutionary engineer Kevin Esvelt. He estimates that 30,000 people in dozens of countries could then easily assemble them.

    57: Octopus Intelligence (and more!) | Roger Hanlon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 119:19


    A wide-ranging discussion of cognition in octopuses & cuttlefish, plus many, many other topics with globally renowned sensory ecologist Roger Hanlon.

    56: A Massive Future for an Old Vaccine? | Megan Murray

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2021 73:37


    Harvard epidemiologist Megan Murray tells us all about the anti-tuberculosis vaccine “BCG,” and the astonishing protection it may provide against Covid -- as well as looming future pandemics.

    55: Detecting Disease Outbreaks from Internet Traffic | Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 102:30


    This is closely tied to a 4-hour collaboration between Sam Harris and me, which Sam is posting to his podcast's feed. I strongly recommend that episode too! But it's not "required" for you to get everything out of this fascinating conversation with Seth.

    54: Announcing a New Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 2:47


    This "episode" is just a quick new announcement of a new season of the podcast (finally)! And also of something very cool that I'm working on with fellow podcaster Sam Harris.

    53: The Case Against Reality | Don Hoffman (classic + updated)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2019 101:09


    Quantitative Psychologist Don Hoffman has a head-spinning take on the true nature of reality vs. what our senses report to us. This is a revisitation of our original interview, expanded with lots of new material recorded last week.  

    52: Many Quantum Worlds | Sean Carroll

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2019 97:02


    Quantum mechanics – and its eerie "Many Worlds" interpretation – are explored in terms that both poets & physicists can appreciate.

    51: On Consciousness | Annaka Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2019 80:23


    The baffling and fascinating mysteries connected to the phenomenon of consciousness are explored in this conversation with the deeply thoughtful science writer, Annaka Harris.

    50: About that TED Talk | Kevin Rose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2019 81:42


    This morning, TED posted a talk I just gave at their annual conference (on 11 days notice!). Kevin Rose interviewed me about my talk for his podcast. I'm posting his interview here as well.

    49: Canceling PTSD with MDMA (part 2) | Rick Doblin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2019 60:30


    The drug known as Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA may soon get regulatory approved for therapeutic use, thanks to a 34-year campaign waged by Rick Doblin. Rick and I discuss all of this, plus his own unique story.

    48: Canceling PTSD with MDMA (part 1) | Rick Doblin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2019 66:28


    The drug known as Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA may soon get regulatory approved for therapeutic use, thanks to a 34-year campaign waged by Rick Doblin. Rick and I discuss all of this, plus his own unique story.

    47. AI Boom, or Doom? | Stuart Russell

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2019 90:06


    Stuart Russell's textbook is used to teach AI in over 1,400 universities and 120 countries. If AI scares him, it should scare you too.

    46: Defeating Food Allergies | Kari Nadeau

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2019 107:49


    The food allergy epidemic is mysterious, volatile, and growing fast. Kari Nadeau and her Stanford team are trying to halt it.

    45: End Games (part 2) | Naval Ravikant

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2019 66:02


    A rampage killer with a knife can kill a few. With a gun, dozens. With a jetliner, way more. What might future tech enable? In Part Two of our conversation, Naval and I discuss "The Ender."And how to preclude this monstrosity.

    44: End Games (part 1) | Naval Ravikant

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2019 73:41


    Naval & I discuss a horrifying risk. We questioned whether to post this. Might it give someone ideas? Well, the bad guys already HAVE ideas. And cataclysms are only averted if we face them. There's still time.

    43: Synthetic Neurobiology | Ed Boyden

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2019 82:04


    Not yet 40, Ed Boyden has already concocted a panoply of tools, which are revolutionizing neuroscience research. He tells us all about optogenetics, expansion microscopy, and more.

    42: Live from Gainesville + the 2019 Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2018 56:07


    We start with a review of this podcast's 2019 roadmap. Then – recorded before a live audience in Gainesville, Florida – I'M the interviewee for once!

    41: The Medical Potential of Video Games | Adam Gazzaley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2018 89:23


    Both a recap and extensive update of last summer's conversation about neuroscience, consciousness, and the medical potential of video games.

    40: Our Interstellar Visitor | Avi Loeb

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2018 70:35


    Did the product of an alien intelligence make a near-Earth approach last fall? Harvard Astronomy Department Chair Avi Loeb believes this is possible.

    39: Restoring Sight to the Blind | EJ Chichinilsky

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2018 84:16


    Amazing work at Stanford could restore vision to the blind. Then later become a gateway some mind-blowing neural augmentation! We discuss the astounding neuroscience and engineering behind all this, with the professor who's making it happen.

    38: The Science & Practice of Happiness | Laurie Santos

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2018 85:55


    This spring, Yale evolutionary psychologist Laurie Santos debuted a course about happiness, almost as an experiment. It became the most popular course in the university's 300+ year history. Listen carefully, because this episode could make you happier!

    37. On the Future | Astronomer Royal Martin Rees

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2018 80:59


    Can humankind survive this century? Great Britain's Astronomer Royal Martin Rees shares some of his profoundly original thinking on this fraught question.

    great britain astronomers astronomer royal martin rees
    36. Mapping the Heavens | Priya Natarajan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2018 83:44


    Dark matter, dark energy, and black holes are the universe's three most massive mysteries. Literally! Yale astrophysicist Priya Natarajan takes us on a fascinating tour of them all. 

    35: Empowering the Acre | Andrew Youn

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2018 73:26


    Andrew Youn's One Acre Found is bringing food security to hundreds of thousands of families throughout Central Africa. Now THAT'S an inspiring startup!

    34: Ancient DNA | David Reich

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2018 91:35


    The genetic code of Neanderthals, archaic humans, and other elders is reconfiguring much of our understanding of human history. And it could just save hundreds of thousands of modern human lives per year.

    33: The Evolution of Beauty | Richard Prum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2018 85:03


    A bold and brilliant refutation of the common wisdom about sexual attraction, aesthetics, and more. Rick Prum is an evolutionary heretic. And the wellspring of his unorthodox ideas is ... Charles Darwin himself.

    Announcement | On the Future of this Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2018 20:59


    The full lowdown on where this podcast is going from here.

    31: Expanding DNA's Alphabet (by half!) | Floyd Romesberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018 80:36


    Floyd Romesberg added two letters to DNA's ancient four-letter alphabet. He got this running in cells. And coding proteins. His cell lines have passed it down hundreds of generations. Now what?

    30. De-extinction, The Whole Earth, and Way More|Stewart Brand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2018 102:48


    Over six consecutive decades, Stewart Brand has impacted society, tech and science in outlandishly diverse ways. This truly unhurried conversation explores the scope of his intensely original American life.

    Jordan Harbinger | Bonus Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 87:55


    An examination of the science of psychopathy from my buddy Jordan Harbinger's terrific podcast. This bonus episode is in addition to the two new original episodes I'm creating this month.

    28: Exponential Medicine | Daniel Kraft

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2018 68:27


    Key aspects of medical technology are improving even faster than computers. What are the ramifications for our health? For our lifespans? Dr. Daniel Kraft has tremendous insights into all of this - particularly as it relates to cancer.

    27. Depression: The Psychedelic Cure | Katya Malievskaia & George Goldsmith

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2018 65:42


    The largest-ever clinical trial of a psychedelic drug will soon begin in Europe and North America. The drug is psilocybin - the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. The target is treatment-resistant depression.

    26: Reality Isn't | Don Hoffman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2018 81:56


    Quantitative Psychologist Don Hoffman has a head-spinning take on the true nature of reality vs. what our senses report to us. Is it the most counterintuitive insight since Pythagoras figured the Earth is round?

    25. A Night at the Battery

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2018 63:40


    In this very atypical episode, the tables turn and I'm the interviewee! We discuss all of my creative projects, including this podcast series. Recorded live at The Battery in San Francisco.

    24: BioEngineering |George Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2018 80:53


    George Church helped found 22 companies, and co-invented the paradigm-shattering gene editing technique CRISPR. In our interview, he delivers a sweeping survey of the world of synthetic biology, and makes some astounding predictions

    23: AI & Robotics - Their Present and Future| Rodney Brooks

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2018 82:44


    Rodney Brooks is a founding luminary of TWO vital domains in tech: robotics and AI. He's the father of the Roomba, the long-time head of MIT's AI lab, and a serial entrepreneur. Few can rival his breadth & depth in technology.

    22: Creating the 6th, 7th & 8th Sense | David Eagleman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2018 59:32


    Neuroscientist David Eagleman has done groundbreaking work on how we perceive time. Now he hopes to radically expand the pantheon of human senses.

    sense david eagleman neuroscientist david eagleman
    21: Neural Imaging and ... Telepathy? | Mary Lou Jepsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2018 67:47


    After stints at Google and Facebook, serial entrepreneur Mary Lou Jepsen is ready to upend the worlds of medical imaging and ... telepathy. Yup, TELEPATHY. Give it a listen!

    20: Radical Life Extension | Aubrey de Grey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2018 67:00


    Aubrey de Grey is a highly credentialed scientist who believes it's within our grasp to REVERSE human aging in the next few decades. Dozens of scientists are now executing on his plan, funded by extremely smart backers including Peter Thiel.

    19: A Lightning Tour of the After On Universe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2018 74:04


    A wide-ranging set of excerpts from the After On audiobook, read brilliant folks including John Hodgman, Felicia Day, Jesse Cox, Tom Merritt. Back to "normal" episodes next week, promise! :-)

    18: It's Really After On

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2017 85:25


    This week, Broadway's own January LaVoy and legendary fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss read/perform the the opening of the After On audiobook (plus quite a bit more). With some notes & observations from the author.

    17: The Past Present & Future of Cryptocurrency | Coinbase Co-Founder Fred Ehrsam

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2017 104:38


    Whether you're a cryptocurrency novice or expert, this episode will teach you a ton. My guest, Fred Ehrsam, founded the world's largest platform for storing & trading Bitcoin and more. Just us for a full crypto education!

    16: The Promise & Peril in YOUR Genes | Robert Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2017 96:07


    You will soon have access to a dizzying battery of facts about your health. Some could be horrid or positive on a life-changing scale! But most will be wildly ambiguous. Should you peek? NOTE: This is NOT just hypothetical.

    15. Music Piracy | The Extraterrestrial Threat

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2017 83:12


    A vast alien civilization is so into American pop music, it recently committed the biggest copyright violation since the dawn of time. Against us! How should humanity respond? A special (and rather playful) episode with John Hodgman.

    14: The Future (if any) of Jobs | Andrew McAfee

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2017 77:27


    Andy McAfee of MIT is a leading thinker about how robotics and other automation will influence the future of work and jobs. We touch on some scary stuff - plus some delightful notes of optimism!

    13: Medium, Twitter, and Networked Words | Ev Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2017 77:40


    Ev Williams co-founded and ran both Twitter and Blogger.com, and is now the founder/CEO of Medium. He's a deep thinker about ideas morph & travel, and is carving out a place for thoughtful, serious writing online.        

    12. TED Talks + Organization | Chris Anderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2017 80:11


    You've probably seen a TED Talk or two (or 500!) online. Chris runs the TED organization, and has some fascinating thoughts both on how we're wired to process oratory, and how we might build a better world.

    11. Space Archaeology | Sarah Parcak

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2017 97:58


    Sarah Parcak is a pioneer in the emerging field of space archaeology. In 2016 she won the TED Prize to launch a “citizen science” platform, which is finding lost sites and fighting archaeological looting throughout the world.    

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