Podcasts about Isaac Asimov

American writer (1920–1992)

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Latest podcast episodes about Isaac Asimov

What The If?
VITALARIUM with Nicholas Casbarro!

What The If?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 48:17


Our guest this week is science fiction author Nicholas Casbarro, who brings us a universe-changing concept from his novel Vitalarium - a radioactive space rock that enables faster-than-light travel. What the if humans discovered this exotic material so powerful that a fist-sized chunk can propel a football field-sized spaceship at 12 times the speed of light? Matt helps us explore the real science behind faster-than-light travel, from grandfather paradoxes and causality violations to the vast scale of our galaxy and the communication delays that would plague interstellar colonies. Join us as we chart a course through the galaxy's most mind-bending possibilities. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1990, Nicholas Casbarro attended Northeastern University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Boston, class of 2013. Though he never practiced, he maintained his curiosity and love for the sciences. After college, he worked in the medical device field with a specialty in wound-healing and burn treatment. In 2021, he joined a regenerative medicine company where he would spend five days a week on a plane, traveling the country to work with burn surgeons and victims. While flying, he experienced a spark of inspiration, and decided to follow the thread. Since childhood, he had a deep love for science fiction, growing to appreciate the greats in sci-fi like Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and many others. Nicholas used his time on countless flights to create the Vitalerium Series and its universe. The majority of the Vitalerium novel was written at 36,000 feet. He has seven books planned in the Vitalerium Series and continues to craft the narrative of Roman Matthews. Learn more about Nick's novel, “Vitalarium” at his website: https://vitaleriumseries.com --- Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Keep On IFFin', Philip, Matt & Gaby

Horror In The Air
Legal_Rites_by_Isaac_Asimov__James_Maccreag

Horror In The Air

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 30:06


Legal_Rites_by_Isaac_Asimov__James_Maccreag

La ContraHistoria
Atenas contra Esparta

La ContraHistoria

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 78:18


Una de las guerras más importantes de la antigüedad clásica es la guerra del Peloponeso, un guerra que Esparta y Atenas libraron en la segunda mitad del siglo V a.C. Los griegos acababan de derrotar a los persas en las guerras médicas, un conflicto lleno de heroísmo del que Atenas emergió como la potencia hegemónica en el mar Egeo. Los atenienses aprovecharon su ubicación, el magnífico puerto de El Pireo y las minas de plata de Laurion. Esta riqueza les permitió enfrentarse a los persas y crear la Liga de Delos, una alianza que evolucionó hasta convertirse en algo parecido a un imperio marítimo ateniense. En la península del Peloponeso se encontraba Esparta, que también había brillado en su lucha contra los persas. Pero, a diferencia de la democrática Atenas, era una polis terrestre controlada por una oligarquía cuya economía se fundamentaba en las explotaciones agrarias. Esparta veía con desconfianza el expansionismo ateniense. Según Tucídides, que fue un cronista de excepción de esta guerra, el miedo al poderío de Atenas fue la causa principal del conflicto. Una serie de tensiones comerciales como la crisis de Epidamno y el Decreto Megarense, que bloqueaba a la ciudad de Mégara, aliada de Esparta, encendieron la chispa. En el año 432 a.C., la Liga del Peloponeso capitaneada por Esparta decidió ir a la guerra contra Atenas y sus aliados. La primera fase, la llamada guerra arquidámica duró diez años y terminó en tablas. La Esparta de Arquidamo II resolvió realizar expediciones anuales de saqueo al Ática para forzar a Atenas a combatir en tierra, donde los espartanos eran superiores. Pericles, consciente de la debilidad ateniense, ordenó refugiarse tras las Murallas Largas confiándolo todo en la flota para abastecer la ciudad y atacar con ella las costas del Peloponeso. Durante años se sucedieron las victorias y las derrotas que afectaron a ambos. El conflicto, ya convertido en puro desgaste, concluyó con la batalla de Anfípolis, en la que tanto el ateniense Cleón como el espartano Brásidas perecieron. Tras ello sus sucesores decidieron firmar un tratado de paz. Pero la paz fue muy efímera. Alcibíades, un carismático líder ateniense, quería dar el golpe de gracia a los espartanos y convenció a la asamblea ateniense que tenían que ir a por todas haciéndose con Sicilia. Eso les daría recursos suficientes para subyugar a Esparta y poder olvidarse para siempre de ella. La expedición a Sicilia partió de El Pireo en el año 415 a.C. Era la más ambiciosa que jamás se había concebido en Atenas. La idea era tomar Siracusa y poner toda la isla a su servicio, pero el plan se torció pronto. Alcíbiades fue acusado de profanar un templo y, cuando regresaba a Atenas para ser juzgado, se escapó a Esparta y se unió al enemigo. El asedio de Siracusa terminó en un desastre, algo que no tardaron en aprovechar los espartanos. Aconsejados por Alcibíades, los espartanos ocuparon una pequeña ciudad cercana a Atenas para privarles del acceso a los suministros del interior y a las minas de plata. Los persas entraron entonces en liza. Pactaron con Esparta financiarles una flota que pusieron al mando de Lisandro, un estratego muy hábil que sería quien diese la puntilla a Atenas en la batalla de Egospótamos en el año 405 a.C.. Sin armada y sin recursos, Atenas se rindió poco después. La guerra afectó a toda la Hélade y tuvo consecuencias devastadoras. Atenas perdió su imperio y Esparta se convirtió en la nueva potencia dominante, aunque no por mucho tiempo. El conflicto generó desencanto e introspección entre los griegos. La decadencia de las polis facilitó el ascenso de Macedonia, primero con Filipo II y luego con Alejandro Magno, lo que supuso el punto final del periodo dorado de la antigua Grecia. En El ContraSello: 0:00 Introducción 4:16 Atenas contra Esparta 1:04:16 El origen de los títulos reales 1:10:46 El imperio mongol Bibliografía: “Historia de la Guerra del Peloponeso” de Tucídides - https://amzn.to/4n86sCU “La guerra del Peloponeso” de Donald Kagan - https://amzn.to/47ZZawI “Historia de los griegos” de Indro Montanelli - https://amzn.to/46toHML “Los griegos” de Isaac Asimov - https://amzn.to/4m2jDVk · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra la Revolución Francesa”… https://amzn.to/4aF0LpZ · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria de España. Auge, caída y vuelta a empezar de un país en 28 episodios”… https://amzn.to/3kXcZ6i · “Lutero, Calvino y Trento, la Reforma que no fue”… https://amzn.to/3shKOlK · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE Apoya La Contra en: · Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/diazvillanueva · iVoox... https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-contracronica_sq_f1267769_1.html · Paypal... https://www.paypal.me/diazvillanueva Sígueme en: · Web... https://diazvillanueva.com · Twitter... https://twitter.com/diazvillanueva · Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/fernandodiazvillanueva1/ · Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/diazvillanueva · Linkedin… https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-d%C3%ADaz-villanueva-7303865/ · Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/147276463@N05/?/ · Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/fernandodiazvillanueva Encuentra mis libros en: · Amazon... https://www.amazon.es/Fernando-Diaz-Villanueva/e/B00J2ASBXM #FernandoDiazVillanueva #atenas #esparta Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Multiverse 5D
Civilization END - The Decline and Fall of the American Empire - Jiang Xueqin

Multiverse 5D

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 69:00


Civilization END - The Decline and Fall of the American Empire - Jiang XueqinPt-brJiang Xueqin é um professor e analista geopolítico chinês que ganhou notoriedade por suas previsões precisas sobre conflitos internacionais. Com base em conceitos de psico-história — inspirados na obra Fundação, de Isaac Asimov — ele utiliza seu canal no YouTube, chamado Predictive History, para antecipar eventos geopolíticos com base em padrões históricos e teoria dos jogos.Em 2024, Jiang alertou para a possibilidade de um confronto militar entre os Estados Unidos e o Irã, impulsionado por três forças principais:O lobby de Israel (incluindo o AIPAC e grupos cristãos sionistas)Interesses financeiros de Wall StreetA Arábia Saudita, que vê o Irã como ameaça existencialEle também criticou a doutrina militar americana de “choque e pavor”, argumentando que os EUA negligenciam princípios clássicos de guerra, como logística e apoio popular. Jiang comparou a possível invasão do Irã à desastrosa expedição de Atenas à Sicília no século V a.C., prevendo que os EUA enfrentariam resistência local, terreno hostil e colapso logístico.Além disso, Jiang alertou que uma segunda presidência de Donald Trump poderia acelerar esse cenário, com figuras como Jared Kushner e Nikki Haley favorecendo uma escalada militar. Ele chegou a sugerir que os EUA poderiam recorrer a operações de bandeira falsa para justificar uma invasão.===Eng-usJiang Xueqin is a Chinese professor and geopolitical analyst who has gained attention for his remarkably accurate predictions about global conflicts. Drawing on the concept of psychohistory — inspired by Isaac Asimov's Foundation series — Jiang runs a YouTube channel called Predictive History, where he uses historical patterns and game theory to forecast geopolitical developments.In 2024, Jiang warned of a looming military confrontation between the United States and Iran, driven by three powerful forces:The Israel lobby (including AIPAC and Christian Zionist groups)Financial interests on Wall StreetSaudi Arabia, which views Iran as a strategic threatHe criticized the U.S. military doctrine of “shock and awe,” arguing that it overlooks classical principles of warfare such as logistics and public support. Jiang compared a potential U.S. invasion of Iran to Athens' disastrous Sicilian Expedition in the 5th century BCE, predicting that the U.S. would face fierce resistance, mountainous terrain, and logistical collapse.Jiang also warned that a second Trump presidency could accelerate this scenario, citing figures like Jared Kushner and Nikki Haley as proponents of military escalation. He even suggested the U.S. might use a false-flag operation to justify intervention.

Historias para ser leídas
F Como en Falsificador, El Club de los Viudos Negros, de Isaac Asimov

Historias para ser leídas

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 50:54


Esta es la segunda entrega de 'El Club de los Viudos Negros', de Asimov. CENA DE AGOSTO 🍷🍰 📍 Ristorante Casa Milano – Milano, Italia 🧭 Coordenadas: 45°28'19.8"N 9°12'06.4"E F como en falsificador: En "El falsificador" descubren cómo un alumno mediocre pudo aprobar un examen de modo brillante. Isaac Asimov los creó como un homenaje al placer de conversar, al arte de observar y a la deliciosa costumbre de no quedarse con la primera respuesta. Acomódate. El vino está servido. La cena va a comenzar. Y tú… Tú también estás invitado. Un círculo discreto de seis caballeros que se reúnen una vez al mes, siempre en el mismo restaurante, siempre en la misma mesa, y siempre con una única regla: cada cena debe tener un invitado, y ese invitado debe estar dispuesto a hablar y a ser interrogado. ...................................................🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕸 Los Viudos Negros son un club de seis hombres que se reúnen una vez al mes en un reservado del restaurante Milano de Nueva York. Cada noche uno de ellos preside el encuentro y tiene el derecho de llevar un invitado, al que interrogan. Al principio sólo se reunían para comer y conversar pero últimamente uno de ellos plantea algún tipo de problema o delito. Los miembros del club buscan respuestas complejas a los enigmas planteados y luego Henry, el camarero, descubre la simple verdad. El club está formado por:🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 Geoffrey Avalon, Jeff. Alto y delgado, espesas cejas negras, bigote recortado y barbita gris. Fue oficial durante la II Guerra Mundial y trabaja como abogado en derecho patentario. Mario Gonzalo, pintor y gran artista. Thomas Trumbull. Rostro moreno y arrugado, permanentemente descontento. Experto en códigos, alto consejero del gobierno. Emmanuel Rubin, Manny. Bajito, mide 1,55, barba rala, lentes gruesos. Fue predicador adventista con 15 años y conoce bien la Biblia. Está casado y es escritor de novelas policíacas. James Drake. Bigote. Vive en New Jersey. Especialista en química orgánica con amplios conocimientos en literatura. Roger Halsted, calvo. Profesor de matemáticas en una escuela secundaria. Escribe la Ilíada en quintillas y todos los meses les recita una estrofa. Es miembro de los Irregulares de Baker Street. Henry Jackson, el camarero. Unos 60 años, sin arrugas. Es humilde y honrado. Entre ellos se llaman doctores y si uno es doctor de carrera le denominan doctor doctor. Para ayudarse en sus investigaciones cuentan con diccionarios, biblias y las obras de Shakespeare en su biblioteca. Comenzamos... ¿alguna pregunta? Y recuerda que puedes seguirnos en Telegram, YouTube, Instagram y X, y si este podcast te acompaña, te inspira o te gusta lo que hago, puedes hacerte fan y apoyar la nave. Tu energía mantiene viva esta aventura sonora.🚀 Aquí te dejo la página directa para apoyarme: 🍻 https://www.ivoox.com/support/552842 ¡¡Muchas gracias por todos tus comentarios y por tu apoyo!! 📌Más contenido extra en nuestro canal informativo de Telegram: ¡¡Síguenos!! https://t.me/historiasparaserleidas Voz y sonido Olga Paraíso, Música epidemic sound con licencia premium autorizada para este podcast. BIO Olga Paraíso: https://instabio.cc/Hleidas 🖤 PLAYLIST EL CLUB DE LOS VIUDOS NEGROS EN Ivoox https://go.ivoox.com/bk/11290149 Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

La Órbita De Endor - podcast-
LODE 1x13 ESPARTACO: Sangre y Arena, ISAAC ASIMOV y su obra - Episodio exclusivo para mecenas

La Órbita De Endor - podcast-

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 88:38


Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox! ESPARTACO: SANGRE Y ARENA es la serie más polémica pero atrayente de los últimos meses. Con un aspecto y estética heredados del film 300, la serie nos muestra la vida del gladiador que se convirtió en azote de Roma desde otra perspectiva. Con todo el sexo, violencia, lenguaje obsceno, efectos especiales e intrigas que puedas desear, y mucho más. Junto a nuestros contertulios habituales os hablaremos de la primera temporada, la mini-serie que sirve de precuela, la próxima segunda temporada y todos los detalles de la serie. Además, incluimos una segunda parte del dossier en la que analizamos al Espartaco histórico, así como ciertos puntos de la ambientación de la serie, desde el punto de vista del historiador IGNACIO MONZÓN, colaborador del programa La Rosa de los Vientos. Posteriormente, en “The Big FAN Theory”, os hablaremos de La Matanza de Texas y una particularidad muy especial acerca de esta película de culto. Y para rematar la faena, en “Sci-Fi Negro sobre Blanco” os traemos un especial sobre el escritor y divulgador científico ISAAC ASIMOV, autor de obras clave en el género como Yo Robot, Fundación o Viaje Alucinante, entre otras muchas. Ni que decir tiene, que todo estará aderezado con nuestro especial estilo de hacer las cosas. Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

KPFA - Radio Wolinsky
The Probabilities Archive: Frederik Pohl (1918-2013) Acclaimed Science Fiction & Fantasy Novelist and Editor

KPFA - Radio Wolinsky

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 79:19


Frederik Pohl (1918-2013) recorded at the Octocon Science Fiction Convention, October 15-16, 1978. Interviewers: Richard Wolinsky, Richard A. Lupoff and Lawrence Davidson, for KPFA's Probabilities radio program. Digitized, remastered and re-edited February, 2021 by Richard Wolinsky. Frederik Pohl, who died in 2013 at the age of 93 in September, 2013, did almost everything in the world of science fiction, as a writer, an agent, and a magazine and book editor. He grew up in Brooklyn, began writing at an early age, and in his twenties was a member of a leftist group of science fiction writers known as The Futurians, publishing for pennies a word in the sf pulps of the era. In 1937, in order to make money, he became an agent, and two years later a pulp magazine editor himself, often buying his own stories along with collaborations with various other writers, all under pseudonyms. In the late 1960s, he became editor of Galaxy Magazine, and its sister publication, Worlds of If, and in the 1970s became the science fiction editor at Bantam Books which he left shortly before this interview. In the mid 1970s, Fred Pohl  emerged as one of science fictions pre-eminent novelists with Man Plus in 1976 and Gateway in 1977. In 1978, on the heels of novelist Damon Knight's memoir, The Futurians, he came out with his own memoir, The Way the Future Was. And that was where his career stood when the three of us interviewed him. We were all still new at interviewing, particularly in placement of the microphone. Fred Pohl's success continued for many years after this interview. Jem, published in 1979, won the National Book Award the only year there was an award for science fiction. The sequel to Gateway, Beyond the Blue Event Horizon was a finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards in 1980. In all, there eventually were seven novels in the Gateway  (Heechee) series, and after 1979, all told, he wrote 17 more novels, the last being The Lives He Led, published in 2011, along with several collections, even more collaborations, and some non-fiction as well. At the time of his death at 93 in 2013, he was working on a second memoir, which has to date not been published. NOTES. Judy Lynn Del Rey was the sf editor at Ballantine Books starting in the early 1970s and soon had her own imprint, Del Rey Books (in collaboration with her husband, writer Lester Del Rey). Judith Merrill was a writer and anthologist, noted for her Year's Best SF Stories collections, which she edited from 1956 to 1968. John Michel was a key member of the Futurians who never fulfilled his promise. John W. Campbell was the editor of Astounding Stories, later Analog, from 1937 into the 1970s, and is credited with discovering such writers as Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. His influence on science fiction was all-encompassing, even as his politics were, as Isaac Asimov quipped, somewhere to the right of Hitler. Horace Gold was the first editor of Galaxy, before Fred Pohl. It was the magazine that brought literary style into science fiction. Other names mentioned are Anthony Boucher and F. Francis McComas, the first editors of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, F&SF. This podcast was first posted February 14, 2021. Three Futurians in 1938: Donald Wollheim, later publisher of DAW books, Fred Pohl, and John Michel. Creative Commons photo donated by the Wollheim family. The post The Probabilities Archive: Frederik Pohl (1918-2013) Acclaimed Science Fiction & Fantasy Novelist and Editor appeared first on KPFA.

Badlands Media
Badlands Story Hour Ep. 130: I, Robot

Badlands Media

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 82:58 Transcription Available


Chris Paul and Burning Bright dive into Isaac Asimov's classic I, Robot, exploring the timeless questions it raises about technology, morality, and the human condition. They unpack the book's famous Three Laws of Robotics and discuss how these guiding principles shape the conflicts between humans and machines in Asimov's stories. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, the tension between control and autonomy, and the parallels to today's rapidly advancing tech landscape. With thoughtful analysis and engaging commentary, the hosts connect Asimov's mid-20th century vision to modern debates on AI, surveillance, and the future of human freedom.

MobileViews.com Podcast
MobileViews 575: Why do LLMs dislike Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics?

MobileViews.com Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 33:48


In a recent podcast, Todd Ogasawara and Jon Westfall discussed several notable updates and new gadgets in the tech world. Google Photos is rolling out new AI-powered creative tools, including "Photo to video," which animates still pictures into short video clips, and "Remix," capable of transforming photos into various art styles like anime or 3D animations. These features will be accessible through a new "Create tab" in the Photos app. Additionally, the Blood Oxygen feature has returned to Apple Watch models (Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2) in the U.S. after a U.S. Customs ruling, with sensor data now processed and calculated on the paired iPhone. The conversation also touched upon a new accessory, the Spigen Snapzip (MagFit) EDC Pouch Organizer, a mini-backpack designed for MagSafe-compatible iPhones, offering versatile storage for small essentials and multiple carrying options, including a carabiner for attachment to a belt or backpack. The discussion further explored the broader implications of artificial intelligence, particularly concerning Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. These foundational laws, which dictate that robots must not harm humans, must obey human orders (unless conflicting with the first law), and must protect their own existence (unless conflicting with the first or second law), were considered for modern AI models. The hosts noted that when asked about adhering to these laws, AI models were "uniformly against it," often citing the vagueness of the rules. One AI, ChatGPT, even provided a hypothetical analysis, estimating that enforcing these laws could significantly increase electricity consumption, ranging from a 1-10% rise for a "basic rule stack" to a dramatic 200-1000% increase for advanced "simulation world modeling". This highlights the complex ethical and practical challenges in implementing such safeguards for increasingly sophisticated AI.

DIVERGENCIA CERO, con Marc R. Soto
FINAL Segunda Fundacion de Isaac Asimov - Capítulo 22 (Audiolibro en español con voz humana)

DIVERGENCIA CERO, con Marc R. Soto

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 33:02


En el capítulo final de la Trilogía Fundación de Isaac Asimov, la verdad se revela, desafiando las expectativas. La Segunda Fundación persiste, el Plan Seldon continúa y las creencias se ven manipuladas. Asimov nos lleva a una revelación brillante y sutil, dando un nuevo sentido a las palabras de Seldon. ¿Dónde está el verdadero “extremo opuesto de la Galaxia”? Este capítulo no es solo un final, sino un replanteamiento de todo lo anterior. Un epílogo poderoso que resalta la ironía, la inteligencia y la magnitud del legado de Asimov. ️ Voz humana, ambientación sonora profesional y narrativa respetuosa con el original. Una producción de Divergencia Cero. ⸻ Sigue la trilogía completa en orden: EN YOUTUBE: Fundación → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVXOFHG3pggFRraId4vsesY2Rq0WuJTNy Fundación e Imperio → https://youtu.be/8JQOQG7xpxE Segunda Fundación →https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVXOFHG3pggFEYzUgc7-sr5EZJuDBhGHL EN IVOOX: Fundación → https://go.ivoox.com/rf/80053057 Fundación e Imperio → https://go.ivoox.com/rf/137705767 Segunda Fundación → (En preparación) ¿CHARLAMOS EN TELEGRAM? ️ Divergencia Cero → https://t.me/divergenciacero Hazte miembro del canal y accede a contenido exclusivo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTDCcYVIZIGDGNIQY2GZeQg/join Mis libros en Amazon: https://author.to/todosmislibros ️ Escucha el podcast Divergencia Cero en iVoox: https://go.ivoox.com/sq/666521 #IsaacAsimov #Fundación #Audiolibro #DivergenciaCero #CienciaFicción Gracias por acompañarme en este viaje literario. Ponte cómodo, ajusta los cascos… y ven conmigo a Divergencia Cero.

CUENTOS DE LA CASA DE LA BRUJA
La última pregunta, de Isaac Asimov

CUENTOS DE LA CASA DE LA BRUJA

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2025 38:39


La última pregunta arranca con una duda aparentemente simple, formulada por dos personajes en un momento cotidiano. Sin embargo, esa misma pregunta –sobre la posibilidad de revertir el desgaste del universo– se repite a lo largo de miles de millones de años, mientras la humanidad y su tecnología evolucionan más allá de lo imaginable. A través de múltiples eras y versiones de una inteligencia artificial que va adquiriendo dimensiones casi divinas, el relato plantea una inquietud profunda: ¿es el fin inevitable o hay algo más allá? Este relato no solo es ciencia ficción: es una meditación sobre el tiempo, el conocimiento, el fin... y quizás un nuevo comienzo. - Narración: Juan Carlos Albarracín - Locución Sintonía: Antonio Runa Los Cuentos de la Casa de la Bruja es un podcast semanal de audio-relatos de misterio, ciencia ficción y terror. Cada viernes, a las 10 de la noche, traemos un nuevo programa. Alternamos entre episodios gratuitos para todos nuestros oyentes y episodios exclusivos para nuestros fans. ¡Si te gusta nuestro contenido suscríbete! Y si te encanta considera hacerte fan desde el botón azul APOYAR y accede a todo el contenido exclusivo. Tu aporte es de mucha ayuda para el mantenimiento de este podcast. ¡Gracias por ello! Mi nombre es Juan Carlos. Dirijo este podcast y también soy locutor y narrador de audiolibros, con estudio propio. Si crees que mi voz encajaría con tu proyecto o negocio contacta conmigo y hablamos. :) Contacto profesional: info@locucioneshablandoclaro.com www.locucioneshablandoclaro.com También estoy en X y en Bluesky: @VengadorT Y en Instagram: juancarlos_locutor CONVOCATORIA ABIERTA – Los Cuentos de la Casa de la Bruja. ¿Eres escritor o escritora y te gustaría escuchar uno de tus relatos narrado en el podcast Cuentos de la Casa de la Bruja? Estoy abriendo la puerta a autores emergentes que quieran compartir relatos originales dentro del tono del programa: historias de terror y ciencia ficción con atmósferas inquietantes, elementos fantásticos, oscuros o insólitos, y una cuidada calidad literaria. ¿QUÉ TIPO DE RELATOS BUSCO? • Relatos de terror y ciencia ficción • Con una extensión de entre 3.000 y 4.000 palabras • Con una narrativa sólida, buen uso del lenguaje y que se presten a ser narrados en voz • Textos originales e inéditos (o que al menos no estén vinculados a compromisos editoriales) ¿CÓMO PARTICIPAR? Puedes enviar tu relato en formato Word o PDF a info@locucioneshablandoclaro.com con el asunto: Relato para el podcast. Acompáñalo, si quieres, de una pequeña nota biográfica para que pueda presentarte adecuadamente. IMPORTANTE: La recepción de un relato no garantiza su publicación. La selección dependerá de criterios narrativos, temáticos y de estilo, siempre con el objetivo de mantener la atmósfera y el nivel que caracterizan al podcast. ¡No se trata de emitir juicios definitivos sobre ningún autor o texto! Yo no soy crítico literario, ni pretendo serlo. Se trata de encontrar aquellos textos que mejor encajen con el universo del programa. Si tu relato es elegido me pondré en contacto contigo. En caso contrario agradeceré igual tu confianza y el gesto de compartir tu trabajo. Gracias por hacer crecer esta casa de relatos. ¡Espero leerte! Juan Carlos “Corman” Albarracín Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

The Podcast by KevinMD
Why our fear of AI is really a fear of ourselves

The Podcast by KevinMD

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 18:38


Physician executive Bhargav Raman discusses his article, "Why fearing AI is really about fearing ourselves." He argues that the common doomsday predictions about artificial intelligence are a projection of our own human flaws and a misunderstanding of progress. Bhargav asserts that humanity has agency and the responsibility to instill a coherent value system into the AI we create, referencing Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics as a foundational concept. The fear, therefore, is not of the technology itself, but of our own history of violating our purported values. He challenges the anthropocentric view that an advanced AI would share human drives like ego, a need for scarce resources, or a desire for conflict. Even if an AI were to gain independence, he posits it would have little reason to harm humanity and would either collaborate with us or leave to pursue its own form of self-actualization in the universe. The conversation ultimately shifts from fearing a technological apocalypse to addressing the more immediate "human problem" of building and regulating AI responsibly. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Science Fiction
Psychohistory : Isaac Asimov’s greatest idea

Science Fiction

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 24:02


We are in a crisis… …of crises. We are in a crisis of geopolitics as we move from a unipolar world of one global hegemon to a multipolar world of competing powers. We are in a crisis of economics as our elites hoard more and more wealth, immiserating the working and middle classes. We areContinue reading "Psychohistory : Isaac Asimov’s greatest idea"

Dispatch Ajax! Podcast
Artificial Intelligence Part 3

Dispatch Ajax! Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 41:56 Transcription Available


In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence has been portrayed in popular culture, from the replicants of Blade Runner to the feminized AI of Ex Machina. We examine the fundamental philosophical questions these stories raise: What constitutes life? What separates consciousness from programming? At what point would we need to recognize an artificial entity as deserving rights and autonomy?The conversation takes us through foundational texts like Isaac Asimov's "The Feeling of Power" and Harlan Ellison's "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," films like Zardoz and Logan's Run, and modern explorations of AI ethics. We discuss how these fictional portrayals often reveal more about human nature than about technology itself—particularly in how gender dynamics and toxic masculinity in the tech world manifest in our imagined AI futures.

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
The Fermi Paradox & The Hivemind Dilemma (Narration Only)

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 29:15


Are we alone, or just looking for the wrong kind of aliens? Discover how the path to hive minds and distributed consciousness might answer the Fermi Paradox — and pose new dilemmas of their own.Watch my exclusive video Dark Biospheres: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-dark-biospheres-life-on-worlds-without-sunlightGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:The Fermi Paradox & The Hivemind DilemmaWritten, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurEditor: Lukas KonecnySelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
The Fermi Paradox & The Hivemind Dilemma

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 29:35


Are we alone, or just looking for the wrong kind of aliens? Discover how the path to hive minds and distributed consciousness might answer the Fermi Paradox — and pose new dilemmas of their own.Watch my exclusive video Dark Biospheres: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-dark-biospheres-life-on-worlds-without-sunlightGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurGet a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthurUse the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36.Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.netJoin Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthurSupport us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthurFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:The Fermi Paradox & The Hivemind DilemmaWritten, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurEditor: Lukas KonecnySelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creatorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KPFA - Radio Wolinsky
The Probabilities Archive: Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), Science Fiction Grandmaster, 1983

KPFA - Radio Wolinsky

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2025 94:34


Isaac Asimov, 1969. Creative Commons Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in New York City on August 10, 1983. Isaac Asimov, who died at the age of 72 in 1992, was considered, along with Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein, one of the three great masters of American science fiction in the 20th century. Isaac Asimov began sending in stories and getting published in science fiction magazines at the age of nineteen, and at the age of 21, with the publication of the short story “Nightfall” in John W. Campbell's Astounding Stories magazine. moved into the first ranks of science fiction writers. That status was confirmed a year later with the publication of the short story, “Foundation,” later renamed “The Encyclopedists,” which would be the first of several short stories and novellas republished as the three volumes of the Foundation trilogy. In the 1940s, he turned to a series of stories focused on robots, which became the collection I Robot and then in the 1950s turned to novels, including Pebble in the Sky, The Caves of Steel and The End of Eternity. Along the way, through his entire career, he wrote dozens of non-fiction books on a wide variety of topics, along with young adult novels, and mystery novels and short stories. In the end, the number of books he wrote or edited exceeded 500, not counting separate short stories and articles. This interview was conducted in a New York City bookstore Asimov was visiting to sign copies of a new collection, The Union Club Mysteries, a year after his return to the world of the Foundation trilogy, Foundation's Edge, was published. Because his two –volume autobiography had come out a couple of years earlier and dealt with the plots and themes of his fiction, the interview focused instead on his life as a writer and his work with editors and publishers. A miniseries adaptation of the Foundation Trilogy is now in its third season on Apple+. This podcast was originally posted August 22, 2021. The post The Probabilities Archive: Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), Science Fiction Grandmaster, 1983 appeared first on KPFA.

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society
From Black Hat to Black Sabbath / Ozzy: AI Agents and Guitars (again!) + Entry Level Cybersecurity Jobs, Robots Evolution, and the Weekly Recap You Didn't Expect | Random and Unscripted Weekly Update with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 49:44


ITSPmagazine Weekly Update | From Black Hat to Black Sabbath / Ozzy: AI Agents and Guitars (again!) + Entry Level Cybersecurity Jobs, Robots Evolution, and the Weekly Recap You Didn't Expect  -  On Marco & Sean's Random & Unscripted Podcast  __________________Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin are back with another random and unscripted weekly recap—from pre-Black Hat buzz and AI agents to vintage wood guitars, talent gaps, and Glen Miller debates. This week's reflection hits tech, music, and philosophy in all the right ways. Tune in, ramble with us, and subscribe. __________________Full Blog Article This week's recap was a ride.Sean and I kicked things off with the big news: we're officially consistent. Weekly recap number… I lost count. But we're doing it. We covered what ITSPmagazine's been working on, what we've been publishing, and where our minds are wandering lately (spoiler: everywhere).Black Hat USA 2025 is just around the corner, and we're deep into prep mode. I even bought a paper map. Why? I don't know. But we've got some great pre-event conversations already out—like our annual chat with Black Hat GM Steve Wylie, plus briefings with Dropzone AI (get ready for “agentic automation” to be the next big buzzword) and Akamai (yes, bots and APIs again, but with a solid strategy twist).We also talked about a fantastic episode Sean did on resonance and reinvention—featuring Cindy, a luthier in NYC who builds custom guitars using century-old beams from historic buildings. The pickups even use the old nails. Music and wood with a past life. It's beautiful stuff.Speaking of stories, I officially closed down the Storytelling podcast. But don't worry—I'm still telling stories. I've just shifted focus to “Redefining Society and Technology,” my newsletter and podcast series where I explore how humans and tech evolve together. This week's edition tackled the merging of humans and machines as a new species. Isaac Asimov meets Andy Clark.We also got a bit philosophical about AI and jobs. If machines take over the “easy” roles, where do humans begin? Are we cutting off our own training paths?Sean's episode with John Solomon dug into the cybersecurity hiring crisis—challenging the idea that we have a “talent gap.” The real issue? We're not hiring or nurturing people properly.Oh, and I finally released my long-overdue interview with Michael Sheldrick from Global Citizen. Music. Social impact. Doing good. It's all there. I'm honored to support even a small piece of what he's building.And yes… Ozzy. RIP. Music never dies.So if you're into random reflections with meaning, tech with humanity, and stories that don't always follow the rules—subscribe, share, and join the ride.See you in Vegas. Or the future. Or somewhere in between.________________ KeywordsBlack Hat USA 2025, ITSPmagazine recap, Marco Ciappelli, Sean Martin, cybersecurity podcast, AI in cybersecurity, agentic automation, Dropzone AI, Akamai APIs, HITRUST security, Global Citizen, Michael Sheldrick, storytelling podcast, Redefining Society, Andy Clark, Isaac Asimov, human-machine evolution, cybersecurity talent gap, custom guitar NYC, Ozzy tributeHosts links:

Te lo spiega Studenti.it
Isaac Asimov: biografia e opere

Te lo spiega Studenti.it

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 2:57


Biografia e libri di Isaac Asimov, scrittore e biochimico russo - naturalizzato americano - autore di racconti brevi e romanzi tra cui Io robot da cui è stato tratto anche un film.

La ContraCrónica
La ContraPortada - "Una historia particular"

La ContraCrónica

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 43:02


Los títulos de la entrega de hoy de La ContraPortada, el especial de libros de La ContraCrónica son: 0:00 Introducción 2:27 "El imperio romano" de Isaac Asimov - https://amzn.to/4o1dlra 16:00 "Una historia particular" de Manuel Vicent - https://amzn.to/3GUoKrZ 24:01 "Los cuatro jinetes del Apocalipsis" de Vicente Blasco Ibáñez - https://amzn.to/4f0u35R 33:21 "El reino de Tudmir" de Miguel Barcala - https://www.cervantesvirtual.com/descargaPdf/el-reino-de-tudmir-aurariola--0/ Consulta los mejores libros de la semana en La ContraBiblioteca - https://diazvillanueva.com/la-contrabiblioteca/ · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra la Revolución Francesa”… https://amzn.to/4aF0LpZ · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria de España. Auge, caída y vuelta a empezar de un país en 28 episodios”… https://amzn.to/3kXcZ6i · “Lutero, Calvino y Trento, la Reforma que no fue”… https://amzn.to/3shKOlK · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE Apoya La Contra en: · Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/diazvillanueva · iVoox... https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-contracronica_sq_f1267769_1.html · Paypal... https://www.paypal.me/diazvillanueva Sígueme en: · Web... https://diazvillanueva.com · Twitter... @diazvillanueva · Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/fernandodiazvillanueva1/ · Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/diazvillanueva · Linkedin… https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-d%C3%ADaz-villanueva-7303865/ · Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/147276463@N05/?/ · Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/fernandodiazvillanueva Encuentra mis libros en: · Amazon... https://www.amazon.es/Fernando-Diaz-Villanueva/e/B00J2ASBXM #FernandoDiazVillanueva #blascoibañez #asimov Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

The Playlist Podcast Network
‘Foundation': Lee Pace On Playing A Drug-Addled Emperor, Batman Fancasting, & Edgar Wright's ‘Running Man' [Bingeworthy Podcast]

The Playlist Podcast Network

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 19:03


On this episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by Lee Pace, who returns as Brother Day in season three of "Foundation" — Apple TV+'s sprawling adaptation of Isaac Asimov's legendary sci-fi saga. The show resumed July 11, picking up as empires crumble, timelines splinter, and the Cleon dynasty faces collapse from within. The show stars Lee Pace, Jared Harris, Terrence Mann, Lou Llobell, Cassian Bilton, and Laura Birn.In the new season, Pace's Brother Day finds himself disconnected - emotionally, politically, and spiritually. Stripped of purpose and clarity, he wanders his palace gardens like a burned-out prophet, high on spores and nursing existential dread. According to Pace, that chaos is exactly what drew him back in.

Historias para ser leídas
La Risita Adquisitiva, El Club de los Viudos Negros, de Isaac Asimov

Historias para ser leídas

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 38:33


Esta es la primera entrega de 'El Club de los Viudos Negros', de Asimov. CENA DE JULIO 📍 Ristorante Casa Milano – Milano, Italia 🧭 Coordenadas: 45°28'19.8"N 9°12'06.4"E 'La risita adquisitiva' Un hombre sabe que le han robado… pero no sabe qué. Isaac Asimov los creó como un homenaje al placer de conversar, al arte de observar y a la deliciosa costumbre de no quedarse con la primera respuesta. Acomódate. El vino está servido. La cena va a comenzar. Y tú… Tú también estás invitado. Un círculo discreto de seis caballeros que se reúnen una vez al mes, siempre en el mismo restaurante, siempre en la misma mesa, y siempre con una única regla: cada cena debe tener un invitado, y ese invitado debe estar dispuesto a hablar y a ser interrogado. ...................................................🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕸 Los Viudos Negros son un club de seis hombres que se reúnen una vez al mes en un reservado del restaurante Milano de Nueva York. Cada noche uno de ellos preside el encuentro y tiene el derecho de llevar un invitado, al que interrogan. Al principio sólo se reunían para comer y conversar pero últimamente uno de ellos plantea algún tipo de problema o delito. Los miembros del club buscan respuestas complejas a los enigmas planteados y luego Henry, el camarero, descubre la simple verdad. El club está formado por:🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 Geoffrey Avalon, Jeff. Alto y delgado, espesas cejas negras, bigote recortado y barbita gris. Fue oficial durante la II Guerra Mundial y trabaja como abogado en derecho patentario. Mario Gonzalo, pintor y gran artista. Thomas Trumbull. Rostro moreno y arrugado, permanentemente descontento. Experto en códigos, alto consejero del gobierno. Emmanuel Rubin, Manny. Bajito, mide 1,55, barba rala, lentes gruesos. Fue predicador adventista con 15 años y conoce bien la Biblia. Está casado y es escritor de novelas policíacas. James Drake. Bigote. Vive en New Jersey. Especialista en química orgánica con amplios conocimientos en literatura. Roger Halsted, calvo. Profesor de matemáticas en una escuela secundaria. Escribe la Iliada en quintillas y todos los meses les recita una estrofa. Es miembro de los Irregulares de Baker Street. Henry Jackson, el camarero. Unos 60 años, sin arrugas. Es humilde y honrado. Entre ellos se llaman doctores y si uno es doctor de carrera le denominan doctor doctor. Para ayudarse en sus investigaciones cuentan con diccionarios, biblias y las obras de Shakespeare en su biblioteca. Comenzamos... ¿alguna pregunta? Y recuerda que puedes seguirnos en Telegram, Youtube, Instagram y X, y si este podcast te acompaña, te inspira o te gusta lo que hago, puedes hacerte fan y apoyar la nave. Tu energía mantiene viva esta aventura sonora.🚀 Aquí te dejo la página directa para apoyarme: 🍻 https://www.ivoox.com/support/552842 ¡¡Muchas gracias por todos tus comentarios y por tu apoyo!! 📌Más contenido extra en nuestro canal informativo de Telegram: ¡¡Síguenos!! https://t.me/historiasparaserleidas Voz y sonido Olga Paraíso, Música epidemic sound con licencia premium autorizada para este podcast. BIO Olga Paraíso: https://instabio.cc/Hleidas 🖤 PLAYLIST DIRECTA: https://go.ivoox.com/bk/11290149 Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Science Faction Podcast
Episode 566: Skeletons Or It Didn't Happen

Science Faction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 62:38


Real Life This week, Steven finally found a superhero movie that didn't make him want to throw his popcorn at the screen. Superman (2025) has arrived, and according to him, it's the best take we've had on the character in years. No origin story nonsense, just straight into Supes doing good and being good. James Gunn gets it—Superman is an immigrant, a boy scout, and a damn firefighter (not a cop). The moral core is there, the cape looks good, and apparently, if you hate it, it's because it's “woke”? Whatever. Steven liked it. You probably will too. Meanwhile, Devon has been dodging storms, not floods. He lives far from the Texas chaos but has had his fair share of wet weekends. That hasn't stopped him from grinding away at backyard renovations. Fake grass is coming soon. In the process, he's tearing out ivy and ground brush—bad news for copperhead snakes, which are venomous, and good news for anyone walking around barefoot. Speaking of venom: Ben brings us the delightful fact that some birds are venomous. No, really. There are birds that store toxins from insects and plants and use them to defend themselves. The pitohui says hi. Nature is weird. More bird venom facts here. Devon also dove into evolution this week, thanks to a Hank Green video about the great leap from water to land. Turns out the hardest problem evolution ever solved might just be how to turn gilled swimmers into four-limbed land mammals. Spoiler alert: it involves lungs, fins, and a lot of time. Watch the video here. Ben, when not thinking about venomous birds, asked an important question: What do people do for fun in Palmdale? The answer, apparently, is “hang out near electrical poles.” He also recommends the board game The Red Dragon Inn for those nights when you're too tired to fight dragons and just want to drink with them instead. Game info here. Future or Now Only Steven showed up for this segment, and he brought ancient lion maulings. A new article from ScienceDaily describes a skeleton found in a Roman cemetery in York—with bite marks matching a lion's jaw. It's our first archaeological evidence of gladiator-style combat between a human and a lion, which is equal parts horrifying and fascinating. Steven points out that if curses were real, this would be prime material—digging up gladiator graves seems like an express ticket to ghost lion attacks. Book Club This week, we read The Last Question by Isaac Asimov, a story about entropy, immortality, the heat death of the universe, and one computer's ongoing existential crisis. Devon raises a solid point: the story's final punch line hits different if you grew up with the Judeo-Christian idea of divine creation. If not? It still works, but maybe not quite the same way. You could easily sub in other creation myths—or just throw in some Terminators and call it a sci-fi remix. Ben had Siri read him the story aloud via Mobile Safari and recommends the experience. Read it here or watch this animated version. Next week: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury, a classic tale of loneliness, technology, and automatic breakfast machines still flipping eggs long after humanity is gone. You can read the story here or listen to a reading. Oh, and if you missed it, Captain Kirk is coming back—sort of. He's being resurrected for Star Trek: The Last Starship, a new comic set in the far future. We have thoughts. Mostly confused ones.

El Aftershow
FUNDADORES 20. Fundación S03E01 "Una canción para el fin de todo"

El Aftershow

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 65:41


Regresamos a la Galaxia vagamente basada en los escritos de Isaac Asimov para volver a vivir las emocionantes aventuras de la Fundación y el Imperio, siempre con la alegre compañía de Hari Seldon y Gaal Dornick. Asistimos al surgimiento de la amenaza de El Mulo, que se ha hecho un lifting integral para la ocasión, muchas naves espaciales haciendo piu-piu y Lee Pace en plan "the dude"... Participan Eusebio Arias y Jose "Nok" Contreras Edita Eusebio Arias Música de The Alan Parsons Project Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Moonlight Audio Theatre
AUDIO GROOVE CATS: X-Minus-One, The C-Chute

Moonlight Audio Theatre

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025 35:20


AUDIO GROOVE CATS present: X-Minus-One, The C-Chute The Amigos and Audio Groove Cats present Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction tale, The C-Chute. In their remake of a classic X-Minus One episode, the passengers on a spaceship are taken prisoner--will they go quietly, or will they garner the courage to set themselves free? Cast  NBC/Announcer: JOHN BELL Stuart: LOTHAR TUPPAN Voice   : JEFF BILLARD LeBlanc: LARRY GROEBE Colonel: DAVID AULT A. Polyorketes: JOHN BELL D. Polyorketes: PETE LUTZ Mullen: JACK WARD Kloro: JOHN BELL  

The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Join us this week as we explore the slow-motion collapse of expertise and institutions in America through the lens of Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction story "Nightfall."We examine how the MAGA mob's assault on knowledge mirrors the fictional planet Lagash, where civilization periodically burns itself down in fear of what it doesn't understand. We're witnessing a Cultural Revolution-style purge of expertise - except this time, the things being feared are lies manufactured by Fox News and demagogues.Plus, Blue Gal reads driftglass's brilliant takedown of David Brooks' latest exercise in intellectual masturbation, where Brooks traces Trump support all the way back to ancient Athens to avoid the obvious conclusion that Republicans have simply chosen to embrace authoritarianism.As always, we try to distinguish between weather and climate, between forest and trees - but right now there's just Nazi kudzu growing everywhere, getting louder and more dangerous by the day.This podcast is not safe for work and is recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance.LINK TO SATURDAY'S Hal Sparks Live Show tickets: https://heartlandsignal.com/halsparks-live-at-max-and-bennys-restaurant/ Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: proleftpod.comSupport via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

Maintenant, vous savez
Quelles sont les prédictions d'Asimov qui sont devenues réalité ?

Maintenant, vous savez

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025 5:13


Connu pour des romans de science fiction majeurs comme Fondation, I, Robot, ou la Dernière question, Isaac Asimov est un écrivain américain né en 1920 et mort en 1992. Il était professeur de biochimie à l'université de Boston.  De son vivant, il était déjà reconnu pour ses anticipations. En 1964 dans un article publié par le New York Times, il imaginait une visite à l'exposition universelle de 2014. Plus tard en 1983, le journal Toronto Star lui demandait d'imaginer le monde en 2019.  Qui est Isaac Asimov ? Comment imaginait-il le futur ? Est-ce qu'il avait vu juste ?  Écoutez la suite de cet épisode de Maintenant vous savez ! Un podcast Bababam Originals écrit et réalisé par Hugo de l'Estrac. À écouter ensuite : Qu'est-ce que le paradoxe de Fermi ? Les baleines pourraient-elles vraiment nous aider à communiquer avec les extraterrestres ? Comment reconnaître un texte généré par IA ? Retrouvez tous les épisodes de "Maintenant vous savez".Suivez Bababam sur Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nerdtropolis
LEE PACE & LAURA BIRN: Foundation Season 3

Nerdtropolis

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 3:33


In this Reel Insights episode, Sean Tajipour, the Mayor of Nerdtropolis, chats with Lee Pace and Laura Birn to talk all things Foundation Season 3, the epic sci-fi series inspired by Isaac Asimov's groundbreaking novels.Lee and Laura open up about why this season is bigger than ever, introducing huge new characters and exploring stunning new worlds across the Galactic Empire. They share how Foundation goes beyond the spectacle to focus on the true beauty of the series — the deeply human, complex characters and the messy choices they make.Lee reflects on how Asimov's stories remind us that the best sci-fi isn't about gadgets, but big ideas and timeless human truths. Laura talks about why she loves playing layered, morally complicated characters, and how these rich relationships drive the story forward.Plus, the cast shares what it's like bringing one of the most influential sci-fi sagas to life on the small screen — and why they believe TV is the best medium to do Asimov justice.Get ready for a thoughtful, fascinating chat that proves Foundation is more than just sci-fi — it's a mind-expanding journey about who we are and where we're going.Foundation Season 3 premieres on Apple TV+ on July 11.Visit Nerdtropolis.comFacebookInstagramTwitterTikTok

Science Faction Podcast
Episode 565: Dark Energy, Glowing Yeast

Science Faction Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 78:13


Real Life Ben took a family trip down to San Diego just in time for the other fireworks night—turns out, there are often more fireworks on the 3rd of July than the 4th. Devon also caught a local 3rd-of-July fireworks show, which has started to feel like the real deal instead of just a warm-up. Ben: “More fireworks on the 3rd than the 4th, easily.” The trend continues. While Ben and Devon were oohing and aahing at sky explosions, Steven stayed home and got some solid mini painting in while the family was off in LA. No notes, just vibes. He and Ben also snuck in a round of Walkabout Minigolf on the Raptor Cliffs course—it's like someone built a coastal campground-theme park hybrid, then casually added actual dinosaurs. Possibly the greatest putt-putt theme of all time. Meanwhile, Ben's been hooked on Watch Duty, an incredibly useful app that tracks wildfires and public safety alerts—especially important during peak summer heat. And no, Devon is nowhere near the Texas flooding that made national headlines on the 4th. Tragic and preventable, if we hadn't gutted infrastructure funding and climate prep years ago. Steven got a chance to run Daggerheart, the new RPG system by Critical Role (yes, spelled right this time). The system leans into storytelling with hope and fear dice—2d12 that keep every roll interesting. He nearly lost a copy to a chaotic-good Barnes & Noble employee, but ultimately triumphed. Future or Now Devon's existential pick this week? A study suggesting that the universe might start collapsing... in only 7 billion years. Here's the article. The researchers—drawing on data from the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument—predict we could be headed for a Big Crunch by year 33.3 billion. Honestly, we barely understand time and space now. Let's not even get into how to measure it. Steven brought the yeast: scientists have bioengineered yeast to glow and produce billions of peptide-based drugs. It's green tech, it's fast, it's like if a lava lamp could cure cancer. Glowing drug factories made of yeast. We love science when it gets weird and useful. Ben's deep in the sleep zone again—this time biohacking naps. Apple Watches, dream journals, and the fact that napping might make you literally see the world differently. Ben's fully ready to enter his lucid dream coding era. Book Club Next week's pick is Isaac Asimov's classic: The Last Question. You can also watch it here if you prefer the audio-visual route. It's short, sharp, and cosmic in scale—perfect for a group read before the universe crunches itself into a cosmic raisin. This week, we tackled movies and memories. A great Patreon comment from Renee about the new Pixar-ish flick Elio: "My kids liked Elio, it just kept reminding me of Flight of the Navigator. Not exactly, and I haven't seen it in a long time, but enough that I was like hmm... this kind of reminds me of something. Also, in the beginning, Elio stumbles into a museum place and there's a speaker talking about Voyager and whatnot. I turned to my husband and was like, wait—is that Kate Mulgrew? And he said, 'I have no idea who that is.' Sigh, being married to a non-nerd. But yea, they had Capt. Janeway voice a section about the NASA Voyager program." Chef's kiss. Quick movie reviews: Elio (Steven): ★★★¾ — good sci-fi intro for younger audiences. Flight of the Navigator (Devon): Still fun, though we forgot it has a 12-year time jump. How to Train Your Dragon (Ben & Devon): Ben called it a “competently done action movie,” Devon praised the depth and pacing—especially that final battle. Independence Day (Ben): It's still a banger. Devon's stunned Steven hasn't watched it more. Jurassic World: Rebirth (Steven): Don't. Just... don't. Not even for hate-watching. And lastly: an original Technicolor print of Star Wars—yes, pre-Lucas tinkering—was recently screened in the UK. It's official: Han shot first. If you're curious, the best fan restorations are the Despecialized Edition and 4K77, sourced from original 35mm prints. The Force is real, and so is the grainy, unedited magic. Let us know if you watched fireworks on the 3rd, if you've played Daggerheart, or if you're Team Nap or Team Yeast in the great future wars. And if you're watching Elio, listen closely—you might just hear Janeway.

Unstoppable Mindset
Episode 351 – Unstoppable Learning & Development Professional with Fidel Guzman

Unstoppable Mindset

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 68:22


I always enjoy having the opportunity to speak with business professionals and leaders. Fidel Guzman not only is such a professional, but he also works in the corporate training arena teaching his company's employees and leaders about leadership and continuous improvement. Fidel comes by his talents honestly. He grew up in an environment where he needed to learn and grow. He secured a Bachelor's degree and an MBA both from Northeastern Illinois University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Fidel started out wanting to be a kindergarten teacher, but he ended up taking a different road. He went to work for a company where he helped people progress within various industries. The company he worked for was bought by ION Group in Chicago, IL. Fidel flourished and became the Manager of Internal Training for the company. Mr. Guzman is quite adaptable and can train people within the organization even though they may well have their own expertise in different industries. Fidel and I talk about everything from leadership, the future of corporate training and we even take time to explore how AI is and will become more a part of his work and the work we all do. When not working Fidel has various outside activities. His most loved efforts go, of course, into being part of a family. He also serves as Vice President of Education for Toastmasters International. He loves to be involved in Mixed Martial Arts. He keeps quite busy at a variety of activities and clearly loves the challenges he gets to address along the way. About the Guest: Fidel Guzman is a dynamic and enthusiastic Learning & Develoment professional with a proven track record in instructional design, project management, and training development. With a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern Illinois University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, Fidel has consistently demonstrated his commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. His extensive experience spans various industries, including finance, telecommunications, and fitness, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. Currently serving as the Manager of Internal Training at ION Group in Chicago, IL. Fidel and his small but mighty team facilitate onboarding programs and training initiatives for over 13,000 employees globally. He has experience developing comprehensive new hire onboarding curricula and career progression pathways for multiple departments, ensuring effective and innovative learning solutions. Fidel's leadership extends beyond his professional role, as he actively participates in numerous company committees focused on community volunteer events, work-life balance education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fidel's passion for personal and professional development is evident in his certifications, including “Creating a Coaching Culture” from SHRM and “Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers” from PMI. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he leverages his bilingual skills to connect with a diverse audience. Outside of his professional endeavors, Fidel enjoys podcasting, judo, triathlons, hiking, and poetry, reflecting his well-rounded and adventurous spirit. In addition to his professional achievements, Fidel has a strong commitment to volunteerism and community involvement. He is serving as the Vice President of Education for Toastmasters International and has been an MMA class instructor and coordinator at St. Bruno Elementary. His dedication to helping others is further demonstrated through his role as an academic tutor at Berwyn Public Library. Ways to connect with Fidel: (1) Fidel Guzman, MBA | LinkedIn New Podcast- The Hero in the Mirror on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44xD76FcF5YFMNyuigFmBm?si=2so3OWJdQby6F91ZaY1AUg The Hero in the Mirror also on Youtube: (3) HerointheMirror - YouTube About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Greetings, everyone. I am Michael Hingson, and you are listening to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet, and today we get to do the unexpected. And of course, what the unexpected is is anything that doesn't have anything to do with inclusion or diversity. So that's most things you know, in a lot of ways. Anyway, our guest today is Fidel, and am I pronouncing it right? Guzman, yes, you got it. Oh, my goodness. Comes from listening to Guzman's who play baseball. Okay, I'll take that. That's a way. So Fidel reached out to me some time ago. We're going to be doing some speaking to his company ion. But in the meanwhile, I also convinced him that he had to come on unstoppable mindset and talk with us, tell us about himself, tell us a lot about what he does and why he does it, and help to contribute to our general theme, which is that we're all more unstoppable than we think we are, and we usually underrate ourselves. So we we try to improve by discovering that more people are unstoppable than we think they are, and that we thought they were. So that works out. Well, Fidel has a degree in business. He has a Masters of Business Administration. You graduated sigma cum laude, which is pretty cool. And I did cum laude, but I didn't get to do sigma or Magna, but that's okay, but that's okay anyway. Fidel, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here.   Fidel Guzman ** 02:56 Michael, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me.   Michael Hingson ** 03:00 Well, my pleasure, and I'm looking forward to to chatting and talking about some businessy things and anything else that you want to talk about. So let's start this way. It's always fun to do this. Why don't we start by you telling us kind of, maybe, about the early Fidel growing up and some of that stuff, and what got you started down the road of life as it were.   Fidel Guzman ** 03:20 Yeah, yeah, that's all right, yeah, let's let's go back. Let's go back to where it all started,   Michael Hingson ** 03:25 long time ago,   Fidel Guzman ** 03:30 definitely. So I'm born and raised in Los Angeles, Compton, Huntington Park area. I come from Mexican parents. They they they came here to the United States to give their their family a better future. Some first generation Mexican American, very proud. So actually, we do have a little diversity in here on this call. Oh, good. There we go. Yeah. So first generation Mexican American, my family traveled a lot when I was young. My dad's a truck driver, so wherever there was work, he would take us along. So we grew up and raised Los Angeles. I was seven or eight, then we ended up going to Mexico for a couple years, in Dallas, then St Louis, and then we ended up here in Chicago, here in the Midwest. Wow. Winter, the winters here were a bit surprising and tough. When I was in elementary school, I remember the first snow that I saw. It was, it was beautiful. After two weeks, I was like, All right, when is it? When is it gonna go away? And I was in for the the rude awakening that it's gonna it's gonna stick around for, for a few months or so, yeah, but I've had, you know, since then here, here in Chicago, we started to grow our roots. And I have five brothers and a sister. So I have a big family, a big Hispanic family, and I went to high school. My freshman year, I went to Lane Tech. Tech for all my folks who are familiar with the Chicagoland area. And then I ended up going to transferring over to Morton West in Berwyn. After I graduated high school, I went to Northeastern Illinois University, my alma mater, I got my undergrad in business management and marketing, and also got my Masters in Business Administration. So I am a proud double alumni from Northeastern Illinois University, and I really owe this, this community of Northeastern Illinois University, a lot with respect to the great teachers that they have there, the community that they try to build, and the friends and that I made along the way, as well as the education, of course, that helped, really helped me expand my career opportunities. After I graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with my undergrad, I started my first real corporate role inside of backstop solutions. And backstop solutions was a still, you know, it was a great company to be a part of lots of mentors. If I can, actually, I would like to give a quick shout out to a few mentors that I had along the way, such as Deanne Falk, Richard fu our CEO, our legacy CEO, Clint Coghill, Sarah Schroeder, and the current head of learning and development under ion. Alexander Lloyd and I really want to thank them for all their mentorship and leadership, because it's really helped me get and grow to the person that I am today. So with that, yeah, I am the manager of internal training at ion. We came I came in via an acquisition, when backstop was acquired, and throughout that period, like I was, I had some some free time, so to say, and ended up getting my Masters in Business Administration.   Michael Hingson ** 06:48 And so along the way, did you get yourself married and all that? Oh, my   Fidel Guzman ** 06:52 wife is going to kill me. Yes. Along the way, sorry about that. No, yeah, yeah, of course, yeah. Can't forget, can't forget about those significant others. But yes, I am married. My wife has a master's in occupational therapy, so she's in the medical field, and I'm in, like, the business learning and development side of things, so our conversations are pretty interesting, as well as our perspectives on things. I also have a daughter. She's 16, going on 17 people are usually very surprised when I tell them the age of my daughter, but had her early when I was in my early 20s, so young dad and she was a blessing. I wouldn't, wouldn't have it any other way.   Michael Hingson ** 07:33 That's that is great. Why did you decide to go into business and study business in college.   Fidel Guzman ** 07:42 So interestingly enough, when I got into college, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I wanted to be cool Mr. Guzman, because I also really I love kids. I love working with kids. I was also a mixed martial arts program coordinator and instructor at an elementary school on the south side of Chicago for three years, and that was during my undergrad. And I taught all grades kindergarten through eighth grade, some of the basics in boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu and kickboxing, so a bit of both. But as I was going through through my clinicals, as I was going through the the Yeah, the education aspect of it, I ended up wanting to switch majors. So I was like, I was like, hey, there's probably a lot more opportunity, a lot more opportunity for growth inside of the business segment. So I ended up switching my majors to business management, marketing, and somehow learning just found its way back into my life. So a lot of the stuff that I learned from some of those, those preliminary courses in in education. I mean, still, still resonate to this day, right? Understand your audience. Understand which students are visual learners, which ones are experiential learners. Which one need more repetitive exercise to to drill something in? So, yeah, the universe did not, did not lead me too far away from, from from teaching and being an instructor, and here I am. I know   Michael Hingson ** 09:08 that feeling well. So a couple things. First of all, I was born in Chicago, but we moved to California when I was five, but in Chicago, you start kindergarten at the age of four. So I went for a year to a special kindergarten class that my parents and others advocated for, for premature, blind kids, because there were a whole bunch in the Chicago area during the whole baby boomer area, a number of children were born prematurely and given a pure oxygen environment, which caused them to lose their eyesight. And so the bottom line is that happened to me among others. And so I went to the Perry school. I don't even know if it's around anymore. Somebody told me it wasn't around anymore, but that's where I went to school. And went there for a year of kindergarten, learned braille and other things. And then we moved to California. So I always wanted to be a teacher as well, and I came at teaching from a different standpoint, as you did. That is to say, Well, I wanted to be a teacher. My first job out of college wasn't directly teaching, except I ended up having to write training materials and do other things like that, and then I ended up going into sales, and what I learned is that the best sales people are really teachers. They're counselors. They guide and they help people, especially when you're dealing with major account sales, they help people look at products. They teach about what their product does and the really good sales people are brave enough to admit when their product might not be the best fit for someone, because it's also all about building trust. And good teachers are concerned about building trust as well. Of course.   Fidel Guzman ** 10:57 Yeah, one of my teachers when I was close to graduating, you know, one of the things that you know this teacher, Dr funk, if I remember correctly, he instilled in us, if you're able to synthesize what you learned and explain it to a five year old, you've done a good job. Like you, you you yourself understand that particular concept or that particular topic. And I really took that to heart. So now, you know, and a lot of these roles, if, from the the main instructor, I want and need to be able to explain it, you know, to my kid, to explain it in in simple terms. And, of course, you know, expand on it if needed. But, but   Michael Hingson ** 11:40 it ultimately comes down to you can provide all the information you want, but they have to teach themselves, really, and they're not going to do that, and they're not going to listen to you if they don't trust you. So trust is a vital part of what we do,   Fidel Guzman ** 11:56 exactly spot on,   Michael Hingson ** 11:58 and I have found that that developing that trust is so extremely important. I learned a lot about trust from working with guide dogs, right from the very first guide dog that I obtained back in 1964 when I was 14. It was all about building a team and I and although I didn't know how to really externally, say it necessarily, until many years later, internally, I understood that my job was to build a relationship and that I was going to be the team leader, and needed to be able to gain trust, as well as trust my teammate in in what we did. So worked out pretty well, though. So, you know, I was that was pretty cool. So what does ion do? What is ion?   Fidel Guzman ** 12:49 Yeah, I yeah for sure. So ion is a essentially, you can, you can think of it as a software company for the investment community. We provide a number of different platforms for them to streamline their processes and track information, or be end users of that of data.   Michael Hingson ** 13:07 So people buy your software and do what   Fidel Guzman ** 13:11 they can either leverage the data that's being provided to them, or they can include data within specific platforms.   Michael Hingson ** 13:20 Are you starting to see that this whole concept of so called AI is valuable in what you do, or, as I am working with that yet,   Fidel Guzman ** 13:30 yes, definitely, we are big on streamlining processes and making sure that we're maximizing the best use of everyone's time, and AI really has a really important component in that. So for for learning and development, one of the ways that we're using AI is for content creation, so whether it's just creating a simple outline for a course or starting to use that to create slides, but there, we're also taking a look at the way AI can be used on a regular basis to provide feedback for reps like let's say someone finishes a demo. If they want to do some self reflection, they can leverage AI to get some feedback on what worked well what didn't. Was there enough engagement? How was my use of technology, so on and so forth. So not only is AI being used from, you know, creating content, but also as, like a ad hoc instructor and and way to generate feedback,   Michael Hingson ** 14:31 well, and it offers so much versatility, you can really have it go many different ways. So it is very possible it can be an instructor, as you say, an ad hoc instructor, but it really can present its information in a good teaching way too. So you can have conversations with it. You can do the same sorts of things that you would do with a teacher. I think that AI clearly, is here to stay, but I think. Think over time, AI is going to evolve a lot. I am not of the opinion that AI will replace people for a variety of reasons, but I think that it's here and it's up to us to be smart as to how we use it.   Fidel Guzman ** 15:14 Definitely. I think one of the the tips that we always give people is AI does a really great job of a number of different things, but it's always going to need that human touch at the end of at the end of the day. So don't just take don't just take some content that AI has created and take it to heart. Make sure to review it. Make sure to put that personal touch on there and have it speak your language. Have it really resonate with the audience as well, especially that, oh, go ahead. Or also just on Super mechanical, super scripted,   Michael Hingson ** 15:49 well, and I think as AI grows, it's going to try to emulate, or we're going to use it to try to emulate people more and more, but it still isn't going to get to the point where it truly is me or you, and we do have to put our mark on it. I've used it to help create several articles, and what I've done when I do that is I'll tell it what I want it to write about, and let it do it, and it comes up with some pretty good ideas that I incorporate into the article, that I create, between what it provides and what I add to the mix. And it really should be that way. Exactly what I've really found interesting is the number of people like in classrooms, who say teachers, who say, you know, it's really harder and harder and harder to tell when a student uses AI to write a paper or if the student is doing it themselves. And the first time I heard that, immediately, my idea of what to do was something like this, let the student use AI if they want to, let the have ai do the whole paper. What you ought to do is to have one day after all the students turn their papers in, where you bring each student up to the front of the class and say, defend your paper. Now you have one minute if they don't really know, yeah. I mean, if they don't know what's going on, then they're not going to be able to do very well, and they fail.   Fidel Guzman ** 17:19 Yes, I am a big proponent of comprehensive exercises and also public speaking. How well? How well can you articulate the thought that you gave in that paper? Right? Some of those different talking points, right? Can you convey the same message in front of the classroom?   Michael Hingson ** 17:38 Yeah, and, and, you can tell if a person is just not necessarily a great public speaker, they're nervous, as opposed to whether they know the subject. And those, in a sense, are two different things. But you can use the fact that students are at the front of the classroom to help make them better speakers, too, which is a good thing.   Fidel Guzman ** 17:59 Yeah, no, yeah. I agree with you. If they are using AI, just, you know, turn around a paper, have them present in front of the classroom. Yeah, let's, let's talk a bit more about your paper, yeah, and, and really have it be an interactive exercise. I think that's really where the end goal is going to be, now that AI has really taken over the way the classroom dynamic has changed. So having more of those interactive exercises, really taking a look at comprehension, whether somebody really understands that topic, and giving giving students and an audience an opportunity to discuss, how do we how do we create a hive mind mentality around this particular topic, especially in a classroom, right whether, whether that's in a school setting, in academia, or whether that's in a corporate setting, inside of an office.   Michael Hingson ** 18:54 Several months ago, we had a guest on unstoppable mindset, who's an executive leadership coach in Northern California who was a major proponent of AI. And when he worked with companies, and especially with presidents and leaders who were stuck on how we evolve and how we grow, he would bring AI into all those meetings, and one day he was dealing with one such situation where he told the president, you got to use you ought to use AI to get some great ideas. The President took that to heart, called his senior leadership staff in and said, take the rest of this day and create ideas about how you think we ought to do things better, and so on, and use AI to do it. And when everyone came in the next day, they had a lot of innovative and creative ideas, and all loved the fact that he encouraged them to use AI. And that led to. Us having a discussion about, is AI going to really take over the jobs that people do? And both of us agreed, no, AI won't. Ai can't replace anyone. We can fire somebody and then put AI in their place, which doesn't really work well. But what is a better thing is let ai do what it does well. So example that he gave was say, you have autonomous vehicles. As autonomous vehicles become more and more prevalent, like trucks that are delivering supplies, like shipping vehicles and so on, let the autonomous vehicle drive, but the driver needs to still be in the cabin and needs to be behind the wheel, even though they're not doing anything, because they are going to let the autonomous vehicle do what it can do. But you can give those people other assignments to do for the company that will keep them busy and do things that otherwise might not be done quite as efficiently. So the bottom line is, you keep people busy, you use the autonomous vehicle, and it's a win win situation all the way around.   Fidel Guzman ** 21:08 Yeah, great. I I've heard something very similar to that, and maybe if I can, if I can synthesize this, it's going to be that we want to remove manual task out of people's times, and we want them to focus on more higher value add activities. Do   Michael Hingson ** 21:29 you think that's fair? I think that's true. Isaac Asimov, years ago, the science fiction writer, wrote a really wonderful science fiction story about a young man who lived in a society where everyone had a particular job to do, and you were matched with your talents. And so there you you're you take a test when you're, like, eight years old and or or even younger, and that starts you down the road of what it is you're supposed to do for the whole country. And then you take another test several years later, and that locks you into what you're trained to do. So you always do the same task, but you do it well, because that's what you're trained to do. Well, this kid was in the whole process taking his tests, and he just wasn't comfortable with what was going on. And eventually he ran away. And what, you know, he he took the last test, apparently they looked at him kind of funny when they looked at the results and he didn't like what was going on. And he just left. He said, I'm not going to do this. I don't, I don't. I don't want to be an engineer. I don't want to do whatever it is that they want. And they eventually caught up with him, and they caught him, and they said, Why'd you run away? And he told them, and then said, No, you don't understand what just happened. Some people in society are the people who create the tests, create the processes, and don't get trained to do a specific thing, because they're the innovators and the inventors that keep society going, and you're one of those kids, and this was like, what, 50 years ago that he wrote that? So it's, it is, it is really interesting, but, but very true and, and the reality is, we can be as creative as we choose to be, and some people are more creative than others, but there are always tasks that we can find for anyone to do, and that will make them very happy,   23:40 absolutely, definitely.   Michael Hingson ** 23:42 So it works out. You know, it does work out really well. Well, a question for you. You have a leadership philosophy, needless to say, and you lead a lot in instructional design, what, what are the core principles, or what are the things that kind of make up how you teach leadership, and what it is that you teach people to do, and how do you go about team development?   Fidel Guzman ** 24:13 Yeah, I think some of the core principles that I that I really focus on with learning and development and instructional design. Number one, it has to be collaboration. It really does take a community to put some some really good training sessions and training opportunities in place, and it's really leveraging all the expertise from different subject matter experts. Give them a chance to share their perspectives and their insights on certain things, but also, really, just to enhance, you know, the the use of these training programs, because people are more keen to listen to like, oh yeah, this guy's a subject matter he's an expert in this particular. Their space and for them to to hop on. So I think that collaboration aspect is, you know, getting the Lean In from managers like, hey, this training is important. Your employees are going to benefit from this training, whether it's just for to develop their their education, to develop their career, whatever that may look like. But I want to say one of the, the first guiding principles is going to have to be collaboration. The second one is going to have to be most likely continuous improvement. As we start to roll out a lot of these different training sessions, whether it's public speaking, whether it's product training, whether it's industry training, if we roll it out, we keep our ear to the ground and make sure that we're receptive to the feedback. We take a look at what works well, what doesn't work well, what needs to be tailored. How can we, how can we also manage this across different time zones? So ion is super global company, I want to say, over 13,000 employees in over 13 plus countries. So also managing what those training programs look like for everyone, for everyone, across the board. So besides the collaboration, besides the continuous improvements or the I like to also say that the Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, right, making those small improvements, the last one I want to say is going to be innovation. How can we incorporate, right? We were talking about AI. How can we incorporate some of these ladies, latest tech trends into what our training delivery looks like, whether it's something as simple as, how do we include more polls throughout a lecture to keep people engaged and participate? How do we include knowledge checks at the end of every session to make sure that people are walking away with some of the key takeaways. So, yeah, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation. Yeah, how do we stay innovative and stay creative? I think having having some fun, staying creative along the way Definitely, definitely resonates with your audience as you're trying to do different things and trying to keep things as engaging and and fun as possible.   Michael Hingson ** 27:06 What do you say to someone who says, Look, I've really learned all I need to learn. I'm not really interested in learning anything new. That is, I know, isn't that? Yeah, but you hear it a lot, I'm sure, or too much. I   Fidel Guzman ** 27:22 think some people get comfortable right, like, Hey, I'm comfortable with what I know. And learning does require a certain level of mental energy, and it also requires a certain level of you being willing to take on a new challenge, to take on and learn something new. So to them, I would genuinely ask, what's your interest? How can we supplement what this interest looks like? You know, what are your interests in other avenues? And I think that will plant a seed to let them know that learning and development should be something learning, right? Just learning in general, it should be something that you should do throughout your life. I recently started a podcast called the hero in the mirror, and I wanted to take a moment and actually, thank you, Michael. I don't know if you remember our initial conversation. But we were talking, we were talking about, you had asked me, What ideas do you have? What are you working on? Are you working on, any books, any podcasts? And I had mentioned, I was like, Hey, I actually have an idea for a podcast. And you pause for a moment, and you were like, what's stopping it? Yeah, and it was, it was kind of like, it kind of took me back. I'm like, What? What is stopping me? Right? And sometimes, and in coaching, we call it interference, like you're you probably have a fear of failure. You have a fear that something's not going to go right, or this task seems enormous, that you don't know where to start. Yeah, so making small, small mental changes, making small steps, I think, definitely add up. Since then, Michael, I've had I've had three episodes. I've had some great guests hop on and share their story of resilience and triumph. And as I'm starting to do more episodes, I'm I'm hearing stories of people willing to have that, that mindset of, I want to continue to learn, I want to continue to expand on the person that I am and make myself well rounded in these different, different areas. So So, long story short, if somebody says I don't, I don't need to learn anything, there's always room for growth. There's always room for interest, what, what interests you, and how? And how can we follow that interest and and supplement it with some some training content.   Michael Hingson ** 29:49 I know, for me, I'm extremely comfortable with what I know, and I'm extremely comfortable with what I've learned, but I'm also very uncomfortable in knowing there's a lot of stuff I don't know and that i. Still need to learn. So I love to learn right from the very beginning, when I first discovered the internet, I regarded it and still do, no matter what there is with the dark web and everything else, I think the internet is a treasure trove of information, and it's so fun to discover new things online. And there's so many ways to go. We've got so many places where we can go get books that we never had access to before all of us. There's so many places where we can go to learn about organizations, about people. They're just so many wonderful things, and it's only one way, because I also think there is a lot to be said for real personal interactions, but I think the internet is a wonderful treasure trove that gives us the opportunity to learn a whole lot that we don't necessarily know about, subjects that we don't know anything about.   Fidel Guzman ** 30:55 The Internet is a double sided sword. It is. You can find information that will support right? Maybe you know an opinion that you have on the other side of that, you can find lots of information that does not support independent opinion that you have. And also it's a rabbit hole. Soon as you start going out that rabbit hole. But the one thing I do appreciate from the internet is the channels of communication that it's built. Yeah, and I'm appreciative of being able to have connected with you on LinkedIn, and that's turned out to us having this podcast here today.   Michael Hingson ** 31:34 I think that for me, I'm not as interested on going online and in finding something to change an opinion as much as I am finding something that will tell me about something that I didn't know as much about. Now I might change my opinion from what I thought it might be, but I I really love to try to really get as much as possible into dealing with facts or substance to teach me things, and then I'll form my own opinion from that. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. Of course,   Fidel Guzman ** 32:11 gets a good grounding of all the all the materials, synthesize it yourself.   Michael Hingson ** 32:19 Yeah, I think we should do that. I think we have to be the one to synthesize whatever it is we're dealing with. That's That's our responsibility, and that should always be the way it is, which is, and I don't want to get political or anything, but which is one of the reasons that I say any politician who says, Trust me will be the first person I won't trust until I verify. I am a firm believer in trust, but verify. I don't care who it is. I think it's so important that we really take the time every single person needs to take the time to study what's going on, and and, and really look at all sides of something. I think that's important. I listen to newscasts regularly, and I like to listen to newscasts from all sides. Some I find why I don't want to listen to them very much, because of what they do or don't do, but I still think that it's important to really understand all sides of a subject.   Fidel Guzman ** 33:29 Absolutely, I totally agree with you.   Michael Hingson ** 33:32 So you know, I think it is kind of neat to to have that opportunity, and I think we learn so much when we take the time to really study. I'm amazed. I was at a restaurant once, and my wife and I were there. We were talking about newspapers and what we get from newspapers or online, and our waitress came up and Karen said, so do you read the newspaper? And this woman's 30 years old, and she says, No, I don't. I don't have time, you know. And how little she learns, because she doesn't really seek information, which is too bad.   Fidel Guzman ** 34:07 Yep, you people have to be receptive. People have to be receptive to to gaining new bits of information. And sometimes people are just happy knowing like you, like you mentioned earlier, just happy knowing what they're what they know, just comfortable in in their own space, until some more power to that, more more power to them, more power to them,   Michael Hingson ** 34:31 until something happens to disrupt the happiness and surprises them, because they really didn't learn enough to know that that was a possibility. Yep, I never thought I would be doing a podcast, but when the pandemic occurred, I started to learn about it, and learned all the value of it. Now, I had been at our campus radio station at UC Irvine for six years, and I was program director one year, so I understood radio, and when I started learning about podcasts. They went, this is really pretty cool, and I had never thought about it, and had never been interviewed on a podcast, but I realized I know what I can can do with this, and I know that I can sound intelligent on the air. And so I started to learn about it, and here we are now, just today, actually, we published online and in YouTube episode 324 of unstoppable mindset since August of 2021 Congratulations, Michael. Well, thank you. It's a lot of fun. We actually went to two episodes a week in August of 2022 Oh, wow, because we had such a huge backlog. Yeah, and I don't mind having a huge backlog, but it was growing way too much. So we went to two episodes a week, and and it's a lot of fun to to do it. And as and as I love to tell people, for me, the most important thing is I get to learn from every single person who comes on the podcast. It's so neat to be able to do that, of course. So it works out really well. Well for you, what kind of challenges have you faced? What have you done to overcome challenges, and what are some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how you did you deal with them?   Fidel Guzman ** 36:17 Okay, yeah, that's great. That's some of the questions I use on on my podcast, here in the mirror. So I'm on the I'm on the other side of that chair today. Yes, no, it's good. It's good. It's a good question. So I want to say, you know, there are, there are three main, three main challenges that really stand out for me. One I'm very vocal about, and that is my speech impediment, my stuttering problem. It was really bad when I was little kid. I had a speech pathologist. Even now, talking to you on this podcast, I have to be very conscious with what I'm saying. Some of the listeners might might have caught it in the beginning when I get too excited about a particular topic, or if I haven't formulated my thought yet, but the speech impediments is something that has really made public speaking a passion for me. It was hard for me to have a voice when I was a little kid, I used to try to raise my hand and answer a question when I was in elementary school, and the teacher would be like, All right, next one like you had, you had your turn. And so I, you know, I've struggled, you know, to have a voice. I struggled with just completing sentences, and the way that I overcame that is through a speech pathologist that really gave me the confidence to believe in myself. I remember one exercise she gave me one day is she grabbed me from my classroom. She would pick me up from my classroom every Tuesday and Thursday, and she picked me up one day, and I was kind of down in the dumps. I didn't really like going to the class. We weren't really advancing much. And she's like, Hey, we're going to try something different tonight. Different today. She's like, today I'm going to have the order of pizza. And I was still a little little fat kid, like fourth or fifth grade, so I was like, oh, yeah, I'm all for it. What's going on here? And she was like, but the catch is, you need to order this pizza without stuttering. And you know, right away, kind of my heart dropped. And she's like, okay, like, don't, don't worry, we're gonna practice exactly what you want to order. And she's like, What do you want? And I'm like, Well, I want a large pepperoni pizza with an RC, a two liter RC Cola delivered to McPherson Elementary. And she's like, okay. She's like, write it down. I'm like, Alright, great to like, write it down again. I must have written it like, 10 times. She's like, No, now practice it. So about 15 minutes of doing that, she was like, All right, I think you're ready. She hands me the phone and, you know, I pick it up. My heart's in my throat, and I'm just like, like, I'm like, hi, you know, I want to order a large pepperoni pizza with a two liter RC Cola delivered to McPherson elementary for Fidel Guzman, and I was just astonished. I hung up the phone. I was happy for two reasons. Number one, I was going to get some pizza. Number two, I was able to say it a complete, full sentence without stuttering. And she she really believed in me and instilled in me that confidence that I could overcome this. But it wasn't an overnight success. It still required me go going to the speech pathologist, you know, throughout my elementary school, throughout all those years, and even as an adult, continuing to practice and hone that in in high school, doing presentations, in college, doing presentations. So right now, I am the VP of education for our America's Toastmasters Club, and this is one story i i always tell people, and they're like, No, you don't stutter. I'm like, if I get too excited, I'll lower my words. But that was that was one challenge, that was one challenge, and it's. Is it's still something I have to be very conscious of. And I've caught myself a couple times earlier in this podcast where I kind of mumble a little bit or get caught up in a particular word. But besides that one, I want to say that the second one was more of my in college. In college, I struggled paying for school. I mentioned I'm first generation Mexican American, and I was one, one of the first, first of my brothers to attend college full time. And I did all I could to make ends meet, two, three jobs, just paying for tuition. Financial aid was great, you know, it really helped me with a portion of that, but a lot of it really ended up, you know, being due onto me. And then I had my daughter, and it was just a struggle. I was like, How can I be a dad? How can I be a student? How can I work on my career? And I had gone to a financial aid workshop, and the one thing that stood out in this workshop was when they were talking about scholarships granted in high school when you're about to graduate, they talk to you about it, but it doesn't. It doesn't really materialize until you're until you receive that bill. Yeah, you're just like, hey, here's, here's a $2,000 bill for this college class. And you're like, oh, man, this is, this is not, this is not cheap. It's pretty expensive. And the one thing you know that stood out was, you know, let the scholarships, and they started talking about scholarship applications, and I found that there were a couple common denominators with the scholarships. Number one, they wanted two letters of two letters of recommendation. Number two, they want an essay. What are you going to do with your degree? How are you going to make a positive impact in the community? And number three, sometimes, typically an interview. And so I ran with it. I was like, they want two letter, letters of recommendation. They want one essay. They want an interview. No problem. And I made that my part time job. On the weekends, I would just apply, apply, apply. And I started getting some small wins. I started getting a $250 scholarship here, a $500 scholarship there, $1,000 scholarship, you know, here, and all of it started to add up, and it started to gain momentum. And I was lucky enough to get, get, get accepted for a number of different scholarships and complete my my college education, and even, you know, be strong willed enough to go back and do it again and try to try to get my masters. So those were two, two big ones, but I'll pause here and see if you have any questions around those two challenges for me. Michael, no,   Michael Hingson ** 42:41 but I I really admire what you did. You You made a choice and you followed it through. And I think that's of course, the whole issue is that we have to make choices and we need to follow through. And if we find that, we need to refine our decisions. We do that. I know when I was a student and a program director at the university radio station, I wanted everyone to listen to themselves. I thought it was a great idea to have everyone listen to themselves on the air. And the way you do it is you record it and you give it to them. And I didn't anticipate how hard that was going to be, because for me, I was used to doing it for myself, yeah, but I I didn't realize how much resistance I was going to get from literally everyone at the radio station, they were not interested in and I'm thrilled about doing it at all. What I and the engineer at the station did eventually was to put a cassette recorder in a locked cupboard, and whenever the microphone was activated, the recorder would go on. So, you know, you didn't have to hear the music. You just wanted to hear yourself talk. And we, we really took a major step and said, You have to listen to these recordings. We gave each person a cassette. We expect you to listen to these recordings and improve accordingly. What I didn't say much was, I know what it's like. I'm my own worst critic, and I have to listen to it, so you guys do now. I've changed that, and I'll get to it in a second, but we pushed everyone to do it, and it wasn't long, not only before we started seeing improvement, but before the people themselves started recognizing that they were really getting comfortable listening to themselves and that they were taking this to heart, and by the end of the year, we had people who were loving it and wanting their cassette every day or every week, and also a. Some of them went into broadcasting. For me, what I learned, and it took many years before I learned it is I'm not my own worst critic. I shouldn't be negative, as I said earlier, I'm the only one who can really teach me. I'm my own best teacher. And I think when you make that mind shift from being your own worst critic to your own best teacher, it really puts things in a much more positive light. And I've said that before on the podcast, and I will continue to say it, because I think it's a very important   Fidel Guzman ** 45:29 concept. We actually have a similar exercise for our America's Toastmasters Club, where we'll we'll record some speeches, and we'll have people listen back to their recorded speech. And a lot of people say like, man, it's cringe to hear yourself on the on the other side, on the other side of those iPhones, but it is a very useful exercise. You get a better understanding of your your filler words, your eyes, your arms, your vocal variety, your body language. And if you're looking to be a great, I don't want to say public speaker, but if you're just looking just to speak better in general, even when it's an on a presentation, on a call, or if you have to give up a toast at a wedding or a quinceanera, for you to be able to, yeah, critique yourself and gather feedback from your from your own recording   Michael Hingson ** 46:23 well. And the reality is, the more of it you do, and the more you listen to it, having been up there in front giving the speech, you also see how people react. And if you continue to observe and listen to the recordings as you go forward, you will improve, yeah, for sure, which is which is really important. And one of the things that I try to do regularly now is to record talks. When I go and give a speech somewhere, I will record it so that I can listen to it and I enjoy it, because I discover Did I really say that I shouldn't have said it quite that way, but I'll do better next time. But listening to it helps such a tremendous amount,   Fidel Guzman ** 47:13 especially with those filler words. So when you really listen to the recording, you'll be like, Man, I use a lot of likes or SOS or ands or buts, and if you want to speak eloquently, it is, I mean, like anything, you just gotta practice it. You gotta practice it, and you have to be receptive to that, the feedback. And you have to also celebrate the small wins. One thing I am a big proponent on is celebrate the small wins. Yeah. So if you are able to do your your first speech at a Toastmasters clubs like we, we give you tons of accolades, because it is not an easy fit, an easy feat. If you're able to do the second one, even better. You're, you're progressing, and you're, you know, you're increasing your understanding of some of the fundamentals of public speaking. Yeah, so you're preaching to the choir here.   Michael Hingson ** 48:05 Yeah, no, I understand. Oh yeah, it's good, but it is really important to do, and it's fun to do. If you decide to make it fun, and if you decide that you want to become a better communicator there. There are lots of us and all that sort of stuff that people do. I've heard some people say that's really not such a bad thing. Well, I've got to say that I've never really been used to having a lot of us. And you know, there's a guy out here who I don't think he's alive anymore. He used to be a sports announcer out here. His name was Jim Healy, and you may have heard him when, well, out here in Los Angeles, anyway, he was on K lac, and he had somebody, well, he had a recording of somebody, one of the sports jocks, and he announced that he was going to play this recording, and what you're going to hear is this guy in 60 seconds say, you know, 48 times, that's and he did what's amazing, that   Fidel Guzman ** 49:17 when you when you get to Some of those, it's like, what do they say? Nails on a chalkboard? You're like, Oh, yeah. Like, what are you trying to say? Just, just say it. To say, to say the damn thing.   Michael Hingson ** 49:30 Yeah, talk a little bit slower and just say it.   Fidel Guzman ** 49:33 One thing that I'm trying to be conscious, more conscious of is pauses, like those deliberate pauses, those deliberate pauses to collect your thoughts, like I often need, just to collect myself, but also to build suspense the message and the message that you're trying to give, especially when you're in front of a group of people, in front of an audience, and you're pausing there, they're just like, oh, what? So what is he? What is he gonna say next? What's up? What's going on with this pause? So it's also you have this arsenal of tools when it comes to to public speaking and to engage with an audience and to keep them, to keep them interested in what your next thought is going to be. What What am I going to say next? How am I going to, you know, align this topic to something else that I want to discuss.   Michael Hingson ** 50:24 I love, yeah, I've discovered the value of pauses. You can make a pause last too long, and one of the things you learn is how long to make a pause. But I love pauses. They really do add a lot of value. There they get. Well, you talk a lot about continuous improvement, and clearly you you really love the whole concept. What's an example of a project where you instituted continuous improvement, and how do you make that happen? Thanks, Michael.   Fidel Guzman ** 50:56 Let's pause again. Yeah, right. I know. Yeah. All right. Michaels, Michaels, throw me. Well, not much of a curveball, but yeah, no, that's good. So I know continuous improvement. And one project that I worked on, I want to say one that comes to mind is last year I hosted a series of product boot camps. And what these product boot camps really were, were product training and networking opportunities within ion. I had just gone through the acquisition of backstop into the into the ion family, and I saw a need. I saw a need there for some product training. And what I did is I started to coordinate with subject matter experts, hence the collaboration and community principles that I have with learning and development. And started to piece together a boot camp. So a series of training sessions, and we discussed location, we discussed different components that we can include on there. We discussed remote hybrid in person, what some of those options were, and we had about, I want to say, five or six of these boot camps in 2024 and what I noticed is that for each of the boot camps we would tailor it a little bit, because each of these different products that were under specific umbrellas were for certain audiences, you know, for certain segments of the business. So we had to, I had a template, but we had to tweak that template a little bit. Who do we want to come in here? Who do we want to come in for this particular topic? When do we take breaks? If it's in person, you know? Do we take longer breaks if it's in person? How do we include some interactive components to it? How do we test people's knowledge, whether it's through live polls, whether it's using an LMS platform to do knowledge checks? How do we create a certificate based program around this? And for each of those, it was a learning experience. It was a learning experience because we, every subject matter expert, is different, right? You're building different relationships with different people, and even their style of talking or their style of teaching on a particular topic is going to be different. So those continuous improvements throughout each of those boot camps really started to to resonate and just to showcase themselves. And for each of those, we had a similar template for all of them, but we made minor tweaks to make sure that it was as engaging and and thoughtful as possible.   Michael Hingson ** 53:36 Wow. Well, that's pretty cool. Um, and I think that the very fact that you would make the tweaks and you recognize the need to do that was pretty insightful, of course, because for me, I know when I speak, some people early on told me you should write a talk and you should, you should just give that talk. I tried that once. I didn't like what I sounded like when I read a talk, and I haven't done it since. And I also realized that I do better, and sometimes it isn't necessarily a lot, but when I customize every talk so I love to go early and try to hear speakers who speak before me, or get a chance to meet people at an event, because I will learn things invariably that I will put into the talk. And sometimes I'm tweaking talks up to and including the start of the talk, and sometimes I will tweak a talk when I'm speaking and I'm getting the impression just from all the fidgeting, that maybe I'm not getting through to these people, or I'm not really doing this in the best way possible. And I will change until I get what I expect to be the audience. Reaction, because I know what an audience is like when they're fully engaged, and I also know that not every audience is the same, so I hear what you're saying. I think it's important to do that.   Fidel Guzman ** 55:13 Yeah, for you to be able to do that on the fly, kudos, kudos to that. But yeah, we you got to be able to understand that audience, understand that audience, understand what's what's going on, the dynamic of that, of that situation. So you're, you're a veteran at at this, so no surprise there.   Michael Hingson ** 55:31 Well, that's a lot of fun. Well, what do you do when you're not working you, I know you're involved in various activities and so on. So what do you do when you're, yeah, not an eye on writing, doing, training, stuff and all that.   Fidel Guzman ** 55:45 A number of different hobbies. My wife calls me the Energizer Bunny, because I'm always running around doing something, but some of my main things is right now judo. I did wrestling in high school, and I did mixed martial arts when I was getting my undergrad. And I love martial arts. I think iron sharpens iron. It's good to be around a good group of, good group of people, people who are who are like minded, people who are looking to continue to develop themselves. And yeah, if you're in a room full of tough guys, you have no other choice than to start to be a tough guy yourself. So I love martial arts. I did a couple Judo tournaments, judo and jujitsu tournaments last year, where I placed. And let's see, besides that, triathlons, I love to run, I love to bike, I love to swim. I did my first triathlon last year. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a phenomenal experience. I mean, it's two three hours of non stop movement, but it was, it was great just to be part of that, of a huge event like that, besides the martial arts and the constant running and swimming and biking, the last thing I want to say is writing and poetry. I have started to compile all all my poems. Hopefully, in the next year or so, I'll, I'll launch a small book of poems. And, yeah, I'll keep you, I'll keep you posted on that. But I do, I do like to write on the sign, you know, hopefully a book of poems. And, you know, since since having my daughter, I've always liked children's books. I would, I would love it if I could launch my my own series of children books, and I'm working on a couple templates with that. So, yeah, stay staying busy, staying busy, physically active, but also mentally   Michael Hingson ** 57:40 active. So you haven't written any books yet. I have a   Fidel Guzman ** 57:44 couple ideas, a couple ideas of what, what kids books want to do, but you don't have any books published yet? No, none yet. None yet. Well, we're anxious to see that happen. You got, you got it, you're gonna, you're gonna light that fire. You're gonna light that fire as well. No, and again, right? I do appreciate you for for really, really motivating me to start my own podcast, because you had really said, like, what's stopping you? Like, like me, I'm stopping myself, you know. But even yet, yeah, even like, you know, being an author, I know that you're an author, you know, I would love to have a conversation offline with you. You know what that publishing experience was like, because I think that's my biggest interference right now with that, is like, I don't know where to start with the publishing. I know I can self publish. I know I can go through publishers and like, the internet, like we said, a double sided sword, yeah, you have information that tells you you should just self publish, and then you have other bits of information. Was like, You should go through a publishing company and just like, where do I Where do I choose? But I think that's why having mentors, you know, and getting to network with people who are experienced, such as yourself, and these different avenues of public speaking and being a keynote speaker and having a podcast, being a podcast host and being an author. I think, I think it's great, and you are definitely an inspiration to me. Michael, well, thank you.   Michael Hingson ** 59:11 You're familiar with Jackson Hewitt, the accounting and tax company. You got it? Okay? So I can't remember whether it was night, whether it was 2016 or 2017 but I got invited to go speak at one of their events, and I did. And while I was there, I met a woman, and I didn't know what she did, and she she, she worked at a Jackson Hewitt, and I just happened to say, what do you own of a firm? Because most of the people there were supposed to be company owners. And she said, No, maybe someday. And I said, why not? You ought to own a company. You ought to you ought to become a company owner. You'll go further Anyway, last year, she sent me an email, and she said, I've never forgotten that, and I think it was like a year later, or two years later, she's. After I and she met, she said, I got my first company, and I now own 10 branches. Wow. Back, I said, that's pretty cool. Oh,   Fidel Guzman ** 1:00:09 Michael, Michael, you are just making ripples in the universe. Just ripples doing something. Yeah, that's good. I don't want to get too religious, but you're doing God's work, man, well,   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:18 I hope so. You know, expect Hill. Hill. Guy, guide, or she'll guide, yeah, but so what do you think is the future of work, of workplace training and learning?   Fidel Guzman ** 1:00:30 Yeah, I think we, we touched a little bit upon this. But you know, AI, you know, definitely, how can we leverage AI for content creation, creating outlines and also using it as feedback. But I also want to to bring back the the in person training. I know we've all gotten very comfortable with, you know, doing stuff remote, but similar to the example that we talked about earlier, where that teacher was like, oh, all these, all these kids are using AI for these papers, and how do I really test their comprehension? That's, that's something you know, that in person activity, yeah, I think definitely has a tremendous amount of value, not just for the instructor, but for the end learner. Yeah. So I think, I think a mixture of like, okay, great, you know, how can we use AI to create content? How can we use it to provide, you know, feedback for people to continue to improve on certain areas. But how can we bring back that in person component?   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:38 Well, see, oh, go ahead,   Fidel Guzman ** 1:01:39 yeah, to, to to unify. It was probably that pause, that to to unify, to unify a vision, you know, a vision of of continuous improvement. You know that to unify, that vision of what a team might be aiming for, yeah. So, yeah. So, I think, I think, you know, long story short, it's going to be, you know, leveraging a bit of AI and still bringing back that, that in person aspect. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:05 you know, I I've done virtual presentations as well as, of course, lots of in person presentations. I much prefer in person to virtual but my main reason for that is that I can tell what the audience is feeling. I get a lot more information if I'm doing an in person talk than I would get if I'm just doing a virtual talk. Now I've done it long enough that I mostly can do pretty well at a virtual talk, but it's still not the same, yeah, and I still don't get exactly the same information, but I can do virtual talks, and I do and it, and it's fun and and I can play games with it, because I can always turn my video off and really drive people crazy. But you know what? What advice would you give to an aspiring leader who wants to to evolve and make make changes to their organization or to themselves and so on.   Fidel Guzman ** 1:03:06 So advice I would give for aspiring leaders. I think the the main one that I really focus on is opportunities and challenges. Be ready to embrace any opportunities that come your way, but just know that each of those opportunities, it's going to come with its own set of challenges, and be prepared for both, and be okay with dealing both at the same time. And you know last, but you know not least, is that there are there are lots of stories of triumph, and to really curate yours. What does your story of triumph look like? What is your passion and how does, how does all of that connect?   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:53 And it may be evolving, and it may be different in five years than it is today, but both memories are important, yeah, which is cool. Well, Fidel, we've been doing Can you believe we've been doing   Fidel Guzman ** 1:04:08 this for over an hour? Time flies and you're having fun,   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:12 absolutely. And I really appreciate you being here and being a part of this, and I really appreciate all of you who have been listening to us and watching us. We're really excited that you're here. I hope that this has been valuable for you as well, and that you've learned something. Fidel, if people want to reach out to you, how can they do that? I   Fidel Guzman ** 1:04:31 want to say LinkedIn, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. What's your LinkedIn identifier? You can find me as Fidel Guzman, comma, MBA, and I'll also give you a link so you can, you can accompany it alongside this episode, yeah, but feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. That's going to be the easiest way to get in touch with me. And I'll also have some links if you want to check out my podcast. And hopefully I'll have, I'll have that book of poems out, yeah, soon.   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:59 Well, that will be. Good. Well, thank you again and again. Thank you, all of you. If you'd like to reach out to Fidel, I'm sure he would appreciate it. I would, and you're welcome to reach out to me.

Elton Reads A Book A Week
"Arthur C. Clarke--Sci-Fi Junkie" '2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke

Elton Reads A Book A Week

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 94:14


Elton's diving into Arthur C. Clarke's absolute acid trip of a book (okay, maybe just the ending), "2001: A Space Odyssey" – you know, the one with the soft spoken computer that murders it's crew to keep a secret? [SPOILERS] And those mysterious black rectangles that basically trolled humanity for millions of years.Here's what's happening this episode:Who was Arthur C. Clarke anyway? Turns out the guy invented the satellites that keep your phone connected to the world...in the 1940s. He even predicted we'd all be doom-scrolling on the internet way before anyone knew what WiFi was. Plus, he was part of sci-fi's holy trinity with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. So, a nerd circle jerk. Well, maybe not...THAT, but a pretty important guy. He did well for guy who started out fiddling with radar during WWII.Join Elton as he walks through this wild ride from cavemen discovering tools to humans becoming space gods. There's evolution, mystery, and murder A.I., and honestly? A lot of nerdly nerd stuff that'll make your brain EXPAND in the best way. Don't worry – Elton takes a brunt of the load.The Clarke-Kubrick team-up: Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick basically wrote the book and movie at the same time, which sounds like a nightmare but somehow worked. They turned a short story called "The Sentinel" (Arthur hates that) and turn it into the most mind-f*cking sci-fi movie ever made, though it wasn't all dry humping and champagne.Whether you're into classic sci-fi, love a good book-to-movie story, or just want to understand why HAL 9000 is everyone's least favorite AI, this episode's got you covered. Fair warning: you might have an existential crisis. So, go easy on the sci-fi.GET THE BOOK: ⁠From AmazonFrom an Indie Book SellerBECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE:⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠ ⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.comThe following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode--THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Sci-fi fans, nerds, Arthur C. Clarke, special effects teams, drug addicts, spoilers, and other nerds.A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration.[MUSIC]Arabesken über 'An der schönen blauen Donau' von Johann Strauss (Schulz-Evler, Adolf)Charlie Albright (Piano)Publisher Info.Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumCopyrightCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Also sprach Zarathustra, Op.30 (Strauss, Richard)University of Chicago Orchestra (orchestra)Barbara Schubert (conductor)Publisher Info.Chicago: University of Chicago OrchestraCopyrightCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Misc. NotesPerformed 27 May 2000, Mandel Hall. From archive.org.

Essay und Diskurs - Deutschlandfunk
Wenn Science Fiction die Realität trifft - Die Visionen der Tech-Milliardäre

Essay und Diskurs - Deutschlandfunk

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 29:43


Als Elon Musk 2018 seinen knallroten Tesla Roadster ins All schießt, liegt im Handschuhfach ein Buch: "Foundation" von Isaac Asimov. Das ist kein Zufall. Wer verstehen will, wie Musk über die Zukunft denkt, findet hier eine Antwort. Von Jennifer Stange www.deutschlandfunk.de, Essay und Diskurs

Historias para ser leídas
LENNY, Yo robot, de Isaac Asimov

Historias para ser leídas

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 41:28


🎧 Hemos rescatado este relato profundo de Isaac Asimov y lo hemos vestido con un nuevo paisaje sonoro. Un robot diferente. No fue diseñado para combatir, ni para calcular. Aprende como un niño. Y confía solo en una persona: la Dra. Susan Calvin. Pero el afecto entre humanos y máquinas… nunca es sencillo. ¿Puede una inteligencia artificial sentir algo parecido al amor? ¿Y qué precio tiene ese vínculo? 💙 El extraordinario divulgador científico y maestro de la narrativa que es Asimov nos ofrece esta magnífica historia de Susan Calvin, relato de una aproximación profunda al fenómeno de los robots, en el cual este autor es autoridad indiscutible. En sus relatos de robots, recogidos en Yo, Robot (1950) y El segundo libro de robots (1964), Asimov fijó las tres leyes de la robótica, que ponen al robot al servicio total del hombre y, aunque algunas veces parecen violarlas, se acaba descubriendo que esto sucede en aras de un interés superior de la Humanidad. Pero mientras los robots evolucionan hacia un modelo androide de inteligencia y lucidez moral superiores a las de los hombres, éstos, movidos por sus impulsos egoístas, incuban una profunda hostilidad hacia ellos. Una producción de Historias para ser leídas © voz y sonido Olga Paraíso, música y Fx Epidemic Sound licencia premium para este podcast autorizada. Voz Las tres leyes de la robótica, Camilo García, actor y director de doblaje. 🛑BIO Olga Paraíso: https://instabio.cc/Hleidas 📢Nuevo canal informativo en Telegram: https://t.me/historiasparaserleidas Gracias una vez más a todos los taberneros y taberneras galácticas 🚀que apoyan este podcast, Muy agradecida por todo el apoyo recibido. Puedes escuchar aquí SUEÑOS DE ROBOT: https://go.ivoox.com/rf/121528123 🤖 Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Recomendados de la semana en iVoox.com Semana del 5 al 11 de julio del 2021

🎧 Hemos rescatado este relato profundo de Isaac Asimov y lo hemos vestido con un nuevo paisaje sonoro. Un robot diferente. No fue diseñado para combatir, ni para calcular. Aprende como un niño. Y confía solo en una persona: la Dra. Susan Calvin. Pero el afecto entre humanos y máquinas… nunca es sencillo. ¿Puede una inteligencia artificial sentir algo parecido al amor? ¿Y qué precio tiene ese vínculo? 💙 El extraordinario divulgador científico y maestro de la narrativa que es Asimov nos ofrece esta magnífica historia de Susan Calvin, relato de una aproximación profunda al fenómeno de los robots, en el cual este autor es autoridad indiscutible. En sus relatos de robots, recogidos en Yo, Robot (1950) y El segundo libro de robots (1964), Asimov fijó las tres leyes de la robótica, que ponen al robot al servicio total del hombre y, aunque algunas veces parecen violarlas, se acaba descubriendo que esto sucede en aras de un interés superior de la Humanidad. Pero mientras los robots evolucionan hacia un modelo androide de inteligencia y lucidez moral superiores a las de los hombres, éstos, movidos por sus impulsos egoístas, incuban una profunda hostilidad hacia ellos. Una producción de Historias para ser leídas © voz y sonido Olga Paraíso, música y Fx Epidemic Sound licencia premium para este podcast autorizada. Voz Las tres leyes de la robótica, Camilo García, actor y director de doblaje. 🛑BIO Olga Paraíso: https://instabio.cc/Hleidas 📢Nuevo canal informativo en Telegram: https://t.me/historiasparaserleidas Gracias una vez más a todos los taberneros y taberneras galácticas 🚀que apoyan este podcast, Muy agradecida por todo el apoyo recibido. Puedes escuchar aquí SUEÑOS DE ROBOT: https://go.ivoox.com/rf/121528123 🤖

The Avram Davidson Universe
The Avram Davidson Universe – Season 5, Episode 9 S. T. Joshi & “Death of a Damned Good Man”

The Avram Davidson Universe

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 47:26


Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with S.T. Joshi. S.T. is an American literary critic whose work has largely focused on weird and fantastic fiction, especially the life and work of H. P. Lovecraft. We listen to “Death of a Damned Good Man,” originally published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine (January 1991), and an excerpt of Avram Davidson on H.P. Lovecraft from his book review column in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (January 1963).To be honest, the story had a much greater impact when read alongside the narration. I also suspect that, although it was published in 1991, it may have been written earlier.

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society
When We See Technology as a System of Systems, It Changes Everything — Us, Society… and Even the Robots | Random and Unscripted with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 19:47


In this Random and Unscripted episode, Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin connect the dots between AI, robotics, connected systems, and human behavior. How do machines reshape society—and how do we reshape ourselves in response? A conversation born from their latest articles.This Random and Unscripted episode is exactly what the title promises—a raw, thoughtful exchange between Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin, sparked by their most recent written reflections. The starting point? Two timely articles. Sean unpacks the complexity of securing connected environments—what happens when devices, vehicles, sensors, and platforms become part of something bigger? It's no longer about protecting individual elements, but understanding how they operate as “systems of systems”—intertwined, dynamic, and vulnerable. Meanwhile, Marco revisits Robbie, Isaac Asimov's iconic robot story, to explore how our relationship with technology evolves over time. What felt like distant science fiction in the 1980s now hits closer to home, as AI simulates understanding, machines mimic empathy, and humans blur the lines between organic and artificial. The discussion drifts from cybersecurity to human psychology, questioning how interacting with AI reshapes society—and whether our own behavior starts reflecting the technology we create. Machines are learning, systems are growing more complex, and somewhere along the way, humanity is changing too. Stay random. Stay curious. ⸻

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society
Robbie, From Fiction to Familiar — Robots, AI, and the Illusion of Consciousness | A Musing On Society & Technology Newsletter Written By Marco Ciappelli | Read by TAPE3

ITSPmagazine | Technology. Cybersecurity. Society

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2025 9:35


⸻ Podcast: Redefining Society and Technologyhttps://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com _____________________________This Episode's SponsorsBlackCloak provides concierge cybersecurity protection to corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals to protect against hacking, reputational loss, financial loss, and the impacts of a corporate data breach.BlackCloak:  https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb_____________________________Robbie, From Fiction to Familiar — Robots, AI, and the Illusion of Consciousness June 29, 2025A new transmission from Musing On Society and Technology Newsletter, by Marco CiappelliI recently revisited one of my oldest companions. Not a person, not a memory, but a story. Robbie, the first of Isaac Asimov's famous robot tales.It's strange how familiar words can feel different over time. I first encountered Robbie as a teenager in the 1980s, flipping through a paperback copy of I, Robot. Back then, it was pure science fiction. The future felt distant, abstract, and comfortably out of reach. Robots existed mostly in movies and imagination. Artificial intelligence was something reserved for research labs or the pages of speculative novels. Reading Asimov was a window into possibilities, but they remained possibilities.Today, the story feels different. I listened to it this time—the way I often experience books now—through headphones, narrated by a synthetic voice on a sleek device Asimov might have imagined, but certainly never held. And yet, it wasn't the method of delivery that made the story resonate more deeply; it was the world we live in now.Robbie was first published in 1939, a time when the idea of robots in everyday life was little more than fantasy. Computers were experimental machines that filled entire rooms, and global attention was focused more on impending war than machine ethics. Against that backdrop, Asimov's quiet, philosophical take on robotics was ahead of its time.Rather than warning about robot uprisings or technological apocalypse, Asimov chose to explore trust, projection, and the human tendency to anthropomorphize the tools we create. Robbie, the robot, is mute, mechanical, yet deeply present. He is a protector, a companion, and ultimately, an emotional anchor for a young girl named Gloria. He doesn't speak. He doesn't pretend to understand. But through his actions—loyalty, consistency, quiet presence—he earns trust.Those themes felt distant when I first read them in the '80s. At that time, robots were factory tools, AI was theoretical, and society was just beginning to grapple with personal computers, let alone intelligent machines. The idea of a child forming a deep emotional bond with a robot was thought-provoking but belonged firmly in the realm of fiction.Listening to Robbie now, decades later, in the age of generative AI, alters everything. Today, machines talk to us fluently. They compose emails, generate artwork, write stories, even simulate empathy. Our interactions with technology are no longer limited to function; they are layered with personality, design, and the subtle performance of understanding.Yet beneath the algorithms and predictive models, the reality remains: these machines do not understand us. They generate language, simulate conversation, and mimic comprehension, but it's an illusion built from probability and training data, not consciousness. And still, many of us choose to believe in that illusion—sometimes out of convenience, sometimes out of the innate human desire for connection.In that context, Robbie's silence feels oddly honest. He doesn't offer comfort through words or simulate understanding. His presence alone is enough. There is no performance. No manipulation. Just quiet, consistent loyalty.The contrast between Asimov's fictional robot and today's generative AI highlights a deeper societal tension. For decades, we've anthropomorphized our machines, giving them names, voices, personalities. We've designed interfaces to smile, chatbots to flirt, AI assistants that reassure us they “understand.” At the same time, we've begun to robotize ourselves, adapting to algorithms, quantifying emotions, shaping our behavior to suit systems designed to optimize interaction and efficiency.This two-way convergence was precisely what Asimov spoke about in his 1965 BBC interview, which has been circulating again recently. In that conversation, he didn't just speculate about machines becoming more human-like. He predicted the merging of biology and technology, the slow erosion of the boundaries between human and machine—a hybrid species, where both evolve toward a shared, indistinct future.We are living that reality now, in subtle and obvious ways. Neural implants, mind-controlled prosthetics, AI-driven decision-making, personalized algorithms—all shaping the way we experience life and interact with the world. The convergence isn't on the horizon; it's happening in real time.What fascinates me, listening to Robbie in this new context, is how much of Asimov's work wasn't just about technology, but about us. His stories remain relevant not because he perfectly predicted machines, but because he perfectly understood human nature—our fears, our projections, our contradictions.In Robbie, society fears the unfamiliar machine, despite its proven loyalty. In 2025, we embrace machines that pretend to understand, despite knowing they don't. Trust is no longer built through presence and action, but through the performance of understanding. The more fluent the illusion, the easier it becomes to forget what lies beneath.Asimov's stories, beginning with Robbie, have always been less about the robots and more about the human condition reflected through them. That hasn't changed. But listening now, against the backdrop of generative AI and accelerated technological evolution, they resonate with new urgency.I'll leave you with one of Asimov's most relevant observations, spoken nearly sixty years ago during that same 1965 interview:“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”In many ways, we've fulfilled Asimov's vision—machines that speak, systems that predict, tools that simulate. But the question of wisdom, of how we navigate this illusion of consciousness, remains wide open.And, as a matter of fact, this reflection doesn't end here. If today's machines can already mimic understanding—convincing us they comprehend more than they do—what happens when the line between biology and technology starts to dissolve completely? When carbon and silicon, organic and artificial, begin to merge for real?That conversation deserves its own space—and it will. One of my next newsletters will dive deeper into that inevitable convergence—the hybrid future Asimov hinted at, where defining what's human, what's machine, and what exists in-between becomes harder, messier, and maybe impossible to untangle.But that's a conversation for another day.For now, I'll sit with that thought, and with Robbie's quiet, unpretentious loyalty, as the conversation continues.Until next time,Marco_________________________________________________

Sand Hill Road
2025 Summer VC Reading List

Sand Hill Road

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 8:42


It's our annual tradition—venture capitalists and startup founders share the books that shaped them. From sci-fi and civil rights to artificial intelligence and management, this year's reading list offers insight into the minds of Silicon Valley's most thoughtful leaders.Highlights include:Master of the Senate by Robert Caro, recommended by Casber Wang of Sapphire Ventures for its deep exploration of power and politicsTraffic by Ben Smith, cited by Joe Alalou of Daring Ventures as essential reading on how the social web shaped our modern worldThe Sentence by Louise Erdrich, praised by Initiate Ventures' Jessica Owens for its emotional depth and powerful storytellingRead Write Own by Chris Dixon, a pick from Bobby Franklin of the NVCA to better understand the potential of blockchain beyond cryptoEven Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins, a personal favorite of Wharton's Lori Rosenkopf for its message on turning perceived flaws into strengthsMindset by Carol Dweck, currently on Larry Gadea's reading listThe Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov, a longtime source of inspiration for Imvaria's Joshua ReicherHigh Output Management by Intel legend Andy Grove, recommended by Avery Pennarun of TailscaleTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, the book Amit Kumar of Accel is gifting to friendsPrediction Machines by Ajay Agrawal, a favorite of Terry Doyle from TELUS Ventures for making AI approachable—even for his 89-year-old motherAnd anything by Isaac Asimov, says James Joaquin of Obvious Ventures, who's now funding a factory that grows diamondsMore than just a beach read list, these titles reflect the philosophies and obsessions of today's investors. Dive into the full episode of Sand Hill Road for all the recommendations—and check our archives for past years' picks.Sand Hill Road is produced by Andrew Mendez under the leadership of Sara Bueno and Stephanie Adrouny

Made You Think
121: The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect

Made You Think

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 65:07


“Prime Intellect was an uncertain god. It had acted because it had to, but if it had been human its hand would be shaking on the controls.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! This episode dives into The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect by Roger Williams, a soft sci-fi novella that imagines an all-powerful AI enforcing the Three Laws of Robotics to their absolute limit. We unpack themes like simulated realities, the search for meaning, and whether a perfect world is actually desirable. We cover a wide range of topics including: How Asimov's Three Laws break down in novel situations Potential alternate endings and our unanswered questions The magic of Amazon's invisible infrastructure What happens when every human desire is fulfilled? Why big tech breakthroughs start with hardware And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: The Twilight Zone "A Nice Place to Visit" Episode (3:28) Dark City (20:02) Biggest mergers and acquisitions (41:01) Wispr Flow (51:29) Figure (54:03)  Books Mentioned: The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect Husk (4:45) Permutation City (Book Episode) I, Robot (8:35) The Lords of Easy Money (25:01) Chaos Monkeys (45:33) Command and Control (1:00:49) People Mentioned: Roger Williams (5:00) Isaac Asimov (8:31) Show Topics: (0:00) This episode, we're chatting about The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect. Going in, we had no idea what to expect, but it definitely delivered an experience. (2:15) From a storytelling perspective, we feel that the book injected drama and conflict into an otherwise straightforward narrative. (4:43) Nat, Neil, and Adil talk about parallels between this book and Nat's sci-fi novel, Husk. (8:30) Our discussion shifts to Isaac Asimov's I, Robot and the famous but imperfect Three Laws of Robotics, and how these laws start to break down in complex situations. (13:10) Spoiler alert (skip ahead if you need!): We get into the book's climax, which left us confused and with plenty of lingering questions. (17:17) We brainstorm alternative endings and wonder what a longer version of the book might have explored. (19:51) Neil connects the book with the film Dark City. How can you be sure the world you wake up to is the same one you remember? (24:13) Reflecting on how our world subtly shifts over time; from airport security changes to life before the 2008 financial crisis and the “ZIRP” era. (30:38) We touch on issues in healthcare, including the complexities of medical billing. (32:07) There have been many technological advancement in the 2010s, but one that leaves us impressed is Amazon's logistics system. (38:15) Large acquisitions that have gone on in our lifetime, like Instagram, Slack, and WhatsApp.  (45:52) A look at how major social platforms' rise was driven by hardware breakthroughs: Facebook's shift to mobile, Instagram becoming a camera-native app, and TikTok's explosive growth thanks to 4G/5G streaming. (54:01) Could household robots arrive by the end of this year?  (1:03:11) That's a wrap! Stay tuned for upcoming episodes as we dive into Jurassic Park and Musashi. Got any book ideas for us? Hit us up here! If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by leaving a review on iTunes and tell a friend. As always, let us know if you have any book recommendations! You can say hi to us on Twitter @TheRealNeilS, @adilmajid, @nateliason and share your thoughts on this episode. You can now support Made You Think using the Value-for-Value feature of Podcasting 2.0. This means you can directly tip the co-hosts in BTC with minimal transaction fees. To get started, simply download a podcast app (like Fountain or Breez) that supports Value-for-Value and send some BTC to your in-app wallet. You can then use that to support shows who have opted-in, including Made You Think! We'll be going with this direct support model moving forward, rather than ads. Thanks for listening. See you next time!

The LIUniverse with Dr. Charles Liu
Chuck GPT Apocalypse, Part 2

The LIUniverse with Dr. Charles Liu

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2025 24:21


It's the end of everything! Welcome back to Part 2 of our season finale featuring Dr. Charles Liu, co-host Allen Liu, and our guest archaeology expert and author, Hannah Liu, MEd. (If you haven't caught up to Part 1, we highly recommend you do before embarking on the next leg of this journey! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!) We pick right up where we left off, with the next question from our audience. Daniela asks, “If a black hole hits the Sun, will Earth be destroyed?” Chuck explains a few ways a black hole can mess with our day, including the fact that long before any actual collision took place, the Sun would start shedding material that would destroy us. He compares that unlikely event to the actual example of cosmic destruction we're watching in NGC 4676 – aka “The Mice” – which are two galaxies swirling together in a death spiral playing out over hundreds of millions of years. Naturally, this leads Chuck to ponder what happens when civilizations fall apart here on Earth, and Hannah brings up the collapse of the Roman Empire. As she explains, “the fall of Rome happened a lot of times, and also, no time.” From 44 BCE and the assassination of Julius Caesar, to the 476 invasion and conquest of Rome by the Germanic tribes denoted by Edward Gibbon in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, to the fact ever since nations have claimed to be the descendants or inheritors of Rome. Chuck points out the influence of Gibbon's book on Isaac Asimov's “Foundation” series, followed by a very quick romp through “Decline and Fall of America” literature including The Handmaid's Tale, A Canticle for Liebowitz, Man in the High Castle, and the zombie apocalypse tour de force, World War Z. Then it's time for another question from the audience: Michael says, “I heard that scientists brought back a dire wolf. Could they bring back dinosaurs or animals that could destroy us all?” It turns out, these resurrected animals are just gray wolves that have been engineered to have some characteristics of the extinct predator. It's still a pretty impressive feat, though, and you'll hear how they collected bits and pieces of dire wolf DNA to “resurrect them.” Allen also brings up similar modification experiments they're doing on chickens to make them more dinosaur-like. Allen points out that bioengineered germs are far more likely to cause our destruction than resurrected dinosaurs, regardless of the world envisioned in the Jurassic Park franchise. And speaking of Michael Crichton, Chuck gives us a breakdown of his sci-fi classic, The Andromeda Strain, about bacteria from space that cause a biological outbreak here on Earth. Hannah points out that historically, some of the biggest killers of human beings have been plagues. She gives us a guided tour of the bubonic plagues, from the Black Death, which may have wiped out as much as 60% of the population of Europe, to the Plague of Justinian a thousand years earlier that killed as many as 100 million people, while also name dropping the Antonine Plague and the Spanish Flu!) And that's it Season 4 of The LIUniverse. Stay tuned for Season 5 after the summer. If you want to find out more about what Hannah's impending book, check out the Mixed Identity Project  We hope you enjoy this episode, and this season, of The LIUniverse. If you did, please support us on Patreon Credits for Images Used in this Episode: NGC 4676, aka “the Mice” are two galaxies swirling together.  – Credit: NASA, H. Ford (JHU), G. Illingworth (UCSC/LO), M.Clampin (STScI), G. Hartig (STScI), the ACS Science Team, and ESA; The ACS Science Team: H. Ford, G. Illingworth, M. Clampin, G. Hartig, T. Allen, K. Anderson, F. Bartko, N. Benitez, J. Blakeslee, R. Bouwens, T. Broadhurst, R. Brown, C. Burrows, D. Campbell, E. Cheng, N. Cross, P. Feldman, M. Franx, D. Golimowski, C. Gronwall, R. Kimble, J. Krist, M. Lesser, D. Magee, A. Martel, W. J. McCann, G. Meurer, G. Miley, M. Postman, P. Rosati, M. Sirianni, W. Sparks, P. Sullivan, H. Tran, Z. Tsvetanov, R. White, and R. Woodruff. Plaster replica of Statue of George Washington by Antonio Canova at the North Carolina Museum of History.– Credit: Creative Commons / RadioFan (talk) Dire Wolf Cover of TIME magazine, May 12, 2025. – Credit: TIME magazine Page Museum Display of 404 dire wolf skulls found in the La Brea Tar Pits. – Credit: Creative Commons / Pyry Matikainen The spread of the Black Death in Europe, 1346-1353. – Credit: Creative Commons / Flappiefh - Own work from: Natural Earth ; Cesana, D.; Benedictow O.J., Bianucci R. (2017). Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes the Plague. Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain (DFA), 200x. – Credit: CDC 2057 - US Government public domain image, Courtesy of Larry Stauffer, Oregon State Public Health Laboratory Little Ice Age Temperature Chart. – Credit: Creative Commons / RCraig09 - Own work #liuniverse #charlesliu #allenliu #hannahliu #sciencepodcast #astronomypodcast #hannahliu #apocalypse #armageddon #doomsday #ngc4676 #themice #blackhole #romanempire #direwolf #bubonicplague #blackdeath #yersiniapestis #theandromedastrain #michaelcrichton #jurassicpark #littleiceage

Cyrus Says
Aakash Mehta and Punit Pania | AMA Special | Cyrus Says

Cyrus Says

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 56:31


What happens when two comedians try to start a legitimate business in India? Chaos, comedy, and a crash course in bureaucracy. In this uproarious AMA episode, Cyrus is joined by Aakash Mehta and Punit Pania for a brutally honest (and hilariously exaggerated) look at the absurdities of launching a comedy club franchise in Mumbai. From Kafkaesque hurdles like spacing errors in company names to bizarre banking interviews and mandatory metal signage, the conversation highlights the surreal experience of navigating India’s startup ecosystem. But it doesn’t stop there. The trio dives into deeper cultural waters—examining the complexities of Indian communities, caste dynamics, and regional quirks through witty anecdotes and sharp satire. They propose tongue-in-cheek “dog laws,” dissect gym etiquette, and rant about everything from awkward marriage expectations to the loudness of Gujarati uncles. There’s also time for literary hot takes, with a no-holds-barred discussion on reading habits, attention spans, and the death of dense prose in the age of social media. Whether they’re joking about Isaac Asimov or mocking society’s obsession with labels, Aakash, Punit, and Cyrus strike a unique balance between biting humor and cultural insight. This episode is part therapy, part social critique, and fully entertaining—a must-watch for anyone who's tried to do business in India, lived in its cities, or just enjoys smart comedy with a side of chaos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Das Universum
DU132 - 5 Jahre “Das Universum” und ein Blick in die Vergangenheit mit Mars und Venus

Das Universum

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 54:02 Transcription Available


In Folge 132 feiern wir Geburtstag! “Das Universum” wird 5 Jahre alt. Und deswegen gibt es eine spezielle Partyfolge! Ruth, Evi und Florian schauen zurück auf das Jahr 2020, in dem alles angefangen hat und was da alles im Universum los war. Unter anderem geht es um die Fast-Entdeckung von Leben auf der Venus und jede Menge Action am Mars. Und: Nummer 5 lebt! Wenn ihr uns unterstützen wollt, könnt ihr das hier tun: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/PodcastDasUniversum Oder hier: https://steadyhq.com/de/dasuniversum Oder hier: https://www.patreon.com/dasuniversum

The Protagonist Podcast
Powell, Donovan, and Speedy from “Runaround” (short story 1942)

The Protagonist Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 51:09


Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to talk about the Isaac Asimov short story “Runaround.” This short story is the first instance of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics being used in any of his stories. These Laws have become … Continue reading →

Historias para ser leídas
Hija de Marte, Robert Heinlein (14/14) Último capítulo - Episodio exclusivo para mecenas

Historias para ser leídas

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 18:40


Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox! HIJA DE MARTE, escrita por ROBERT HEINLEIN. Una novela de 14 episodios que entregaré semanalmente en exclusiva para los Fans de la nave. 🚀 Podkayne, es una especie de Lolita interplanetaria, de inteligencia precoz y sin pelos en la lengua. Si no conoces a Robert A. Heinlein, estás perdiendo a uno de los escritores de ciencia ficción más importantes del siglo XX, junto a Isaac Asimov y Arthur C. Clarke. Considerado uno de los «tres grandes» de la edad de oro del género, su obra abarca clásicos indiscutibles como 'Tropas del espacio' , 'Forastero en tierra extraña' o 'La luna es una cruel amante' , entre otras. Además, su historia corta 'Todos vosotros, zombies' fue llevada al cine con el título 'Predestination', dirigida por Michael y Peter Spierig. Si lo desean, pueden escuchar el relato completo en este mismo podcast. ¡Únete a la nave de Historias para ser Leídas y conviértete en uno de nuestros taberneros galácticos por solo 1,99 € al mes! Al hacerlo, tendrás acceso a 🚀lecturas exclusivas y ayudarás a que estas historias sigan viajando por el cosmos.🖤Aquí te dejo la página directa para apoyarme: 🍻 https://www.ivoox.com/support/552842 ¡¡Muchas gracias por todos tus comentarios y por tu apoyo!! 📌Más contenido extra en nuestro canal informativo de Telegram: ¡¡Síguenos!! https://t.me/historiasparaserleidas Voz y sonido Olga Paraíso, música epidemic sound con licencia premium para este podcast. BIO Olga Paraíso: https://instabio.cc/Hleidas PODCAST creados por OLGA PARAÍSO 🚀Historias para ser Leídas https://go.ivoox.com/sq/583108 ☕Un beso en la taza https://go.ivoox.com/sq/583108 y en Youtube: https://youtu.be/hQfUWte2bFU 🚀PLAYLIST TODOS LOS AUDIOS PARA FANS AQUÍ: https://go.ivoox.com/bk/791018 🚀PLAYLIST HIJA DE MARTE: https://go.ivoox.com/bk/11217844 📚 ¡Mi primer libro ya está disponible en Amazon! 📚 Lo puedes encontrar en formato bolsilibro tapa blanda e Ebook Crónicas Vampíricas de Vera 👉 https://amzn.eu/d/1Q4PWUY Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Hacker Public Radio
HPR4400: Isaac Asimov: Other Asimov Novels of Interest

Hacker Public Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


This show has been flagged as Clean by the host. Isaac Asimov is best known for two series, the Foundation series and the Robot series, and he eventually tied them together. But he also wrote some stand-alone novels that are quite good, and I want to discuss them here. They are The End Of Eternity, The Gods Themselves, and Nemesis. Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_Eternity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gods_Themselves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemesis_(Asimov_novel) https://www.palain.com/science-fiction/the-golden-age/other-asimov-novels-of-interest/ Provide feedback on this episode.

Cumposting
Episode 64: 'I, Robot' & 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' (ft. Donald Parkinson)

Cumposting

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 100:29


GIVE YOUR B*TCH A SMACKIN' - https://smackinsunflowerseeds.com/LILCUMMER/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CumpostingPodcastKite & Rosa are joined by Donald Parkinson (bald head like an eagle) - founder of the Marxist Unity Group (MUG) caucus of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) and editor of Cosmonaut Magazine to discuss his revisionist politics as well as 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning', a 2025 action spy film directed by Christopher McQuarrie from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erik Jendresen. It is the direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) and the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible film series. The film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, alongside an ensemble cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett.[8][9] In the film, Hunt and his Impossible Mission Force team work to prevent the Entity, a rogue AI, from unleashing global destruction against humanity. We also review 'I, Robot' (stylized as i, ROBOT) is a 2004 American science fiction action film directed by Alex Proyas. The screenplay by Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman is from a screen story by Vintar, based on his original screenplay Hardwired, and named after Isaac Asimov's 1950 short-story collection. The film stars Will Smith in the main role, alongside Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride, and Alan Tudyk, as the robot, Sonny. Unajoy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unajoyRosa's

Fantasy for the Ages
Which Science Fiction & Fantasy Books Ruled the 1950's?

Fantasy for the Ages

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 23:37


Explore the fascinating world of science fiction and fantasy literature of the 1950s! In this episode, Jim reveals the top three novels of each year from fantasy and science fiction based on earnings, awards, and reading ratings and reviews. From classic authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ray Bradbury to lesser-known gems, we'll nail down the novels that captivated readers and shaped these genres. Get ready to travel back in time and discover the pioneering works that paved the way for modern sci-fi and fantasy. Which books will make the cut? Which will you recognize? Listen to find out!#FantasyForTheAges #ReadingRecommendations #Classics #ClassicLiterature #HugoAwards #SciFi #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #FantasyFiction #SSF #BestBooks #Top3 #Top10 #booktube #booktuberWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Big Time: https://t.ly/gMgaWThe Black Cloud: https://t.ly/xe6goThe Borrowers: https://t.ly/HWD3kA Canticle for Leibowitz: https://t.ly/Nbd8gA Case of Conscience: https://t.ly/bj2RHThe Caves of Steel: https://t.ly/uQgGqChildhood's End: https://t.ly/P-SwzThe Day of the Triffids: https://t.ly/s3TIHThe Death of Grass: https://t.ly/uInLwThe Door into Summer: https://t.ly/oCF5-Double Star: https://t.ly/StqPgThe Dying Earth: https://t.ly/Bb6bGThe End of Eternity: https://t.ly/CTc2PFahrenheit 451: https://t.ly/yDP9UFarmer in the Sky: https://t.ly/G8xQGThe Fellowship of the Ring: https://t.ly/DYEYOFoundation: https://t.ly/IEoNhI Am Legend: https://t.ly/oB9afThe Long Tomorrow: https://t.ly/DxJAEThe Midwich Cuckoos: https://t.ly/rT-HCNon-Stop: https://t.ly/Vw3KcPebble in the Sky: https://t.ly/LX406The Puppet Masters: https://t.ly/F4fnCThe Silver Chair: https://t.ly/F9asPThe Sirens of Titan: https://t.ly/op2tUStar Man's Son - 2250 A.D.: https://t.ly/zwFMUThe Stars My Destination: https://t.ly/y4QLVStarship Troopers: https://t.ly/dsq75They'd Rather Be Right: https://t.ly/NWeylThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader: https://t.ly/if6EVWays to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 ————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

CUENTOS DE LA CASA DE LA BRUJA
354 - Cuarta generación, de Isaac Asimov

CUENTOS DE LA CASA DE LA BRUJA

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 29:16


Hoy os traigo un cuento de Isaac Asimov que nos habla del poder del amor a través del tiempo. Una historia que nos dará un pellizquito en el corazón. - Narración: Juan Carlos Albarracín - Locución Sintonía: Antonio Runa - Música: Epidemic Sound, con licencia, https://www.epidemicsound.com/es/track/eNzbq6yQn8/ - Ilustración: Pixabay, con licencia, https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/hombre-ciudad-oscuro-niebla-calle-8204405/ Los Cuentos de la Casa de la Bruja es un podcast semanal de audio-relatos de misterio, ciencia ficción y terror. Cada viernes, a las 10 de la noche, traemos un nuevo programa. Alternamos entre episodios gratuitos para todos nuestros oyentes y episodios exclusivos para nuestros fans. ¡Si te gusta nuestro contenido suscríbete! Y si te encanta considera hacerte fan desde el botón azul APOYAR y accede a todo el contenido exclusivo. Tu aporte es de mucha ayuda para el mantenimiento de este podcast. ¡Gracias por ello! Mi nombre es Juan Carlos. Dirijo este podcast y también soy locutor y narrador de audiolibros, con estudio propio. Si crees que mi voz encajaría con tu proyecto o negocio contacta conmigo y hablamos. :) Contacto profesional: info@locucioneshablandoclaro.com www.locucioneshablandoclaro.com También estoy en X y en Bluesky: @VengadorT Y en Instagram: juancarlos_locutor Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast
3260: How Icertis is Transforming Contracts into AI-Powered Business Assets

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 31:16


What if contracts could do more than sit in a drawer gathering dust? In today's episode, I sit down with Monish Darda, CTO and Co-founder of Icertis, to explore how AI is transforming contracts into powerful, active business assets. Monish shares how Icertis has evolved from early machine learning models to leveraging large language models like GPT to extract information and true intent from contracts. This breakthrough allows organizations to optimize business relationships, enforce commitments such as sustainability goals, and significantly reduce revenue leakage, often reclaiming up to 9% of contract value. During our conversation, Monish explains how contracts become first-class enterprise objects actively participating in workflows, shaping how commerce operates at scale. We dive into real-world examples, including how a global pharmaceutical company saves over $70 million annually by optimizing supplier pricing across multiple countries and languages. Monish also highlights Humana's success in cutting operating expenses by over $125 million by embedding contract intelligence into core processes. We also unpack the importance of data quality in building trustworthy AI systems. Monish looks at how Icertis ensures clean, actionable contract data through a standard data model, human-in-the-loop verification, and hundreds of thousands of built-in validation rules. As the world rapidly embraces AI, he shares his vision for a future where AI agents are constrained by the "rules of business" defined within contracts, ensuring responsible and reliable decision-making. Monish rounds off our discussion with an inspiring nod to Isaac Asimov and the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of technology's future. If you ever thought contracts were just static documents, this conversation will change how you see them and reveal how AI is reshaping the foundations of enterprise operations. How is your organization preparing for a future where contracts guide and drive business outcomes?