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The institutions are broken because their hearts are broken. In this conversation with Dr. Rick Doblin, president of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, we explore whether substances used to great effect in the treatment of PTSD can become the scalpel and the flame for stuck culture—cutting delusion, sparking communion. Physics, like politics, stalls when minds forget how to meet. What if the revolution isn't in data, but in daring to see things in a new light?PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-showMUSICCheck out our band's new album:https://secretaryofnature.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-so-good-hereVinyl pre-orders available now: https://buy.stripe.com/14A5kC3Od5d21Ms7zPdEs09Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: https://maps.org/00:00 Go! The Challenge of Changing Minds 00:06:32 Introduction to MAPS 00:07:51 Emotional Barriers to New Ideas in Physics 00:12:30 Memory Reconsolidation and Psychedelic Therapy 00:16:48 Truth, Memory, and Emotional Healing 00:20:57 Fragile Beliefs and Resistance to Change 00:21:53 Secondary Gains in PTSD and Self-Healing 00:25:00 Belonging vs Rationality 00:29:00 Load-bearing Beliefs and Instinctive Reactions 00:33:00 Fundamentalism in Institutions and Religion 00:39:00 Reinterpreting Myths and Collective Action 00:44:20 Consciousness Patterns: Team vs Replicator 00:46:00 Embracing the Dualities o2f Human Nature 00:48:54 Culture Shapes Psychedelic Experience 00:51:14 Assumptions and Logical Traps 00:54:00 Ritual, Religion, and Medicalization 00:58:52 Bromo-LSD and Unexpected Healing Paths 01:03:30 New Frontiers in Psychedelic Therapy 01:06:39 Psychedelic Churches and Religious Freedom 01:09:35 Medicalization and Shifting Drug Perceptions 01:15:21 Ancient Mysteries and Psychedelic History 01:19:54 Physicists, Spirit, and Altered States 01:24:30 Jung's Red Book and the Limits of Language 01:28:13 Elite Capture and the Wildfire Metaphor 01:30:54 Capitalism, Collapse, and Redistribution 01:33:21 Innovation Needs a North Star 01:36:54 Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Vision 01:40:22 From Analysis to Action 01:44:11 Self-Transcendence and Collective Awakening 01:49:22 Psychedelics and Social Consciousness 01:56:28 Left, Right, and the Shared Psyche 02:03:51 Dangers of Ego Inflation 02:09:03 The Racist Origins of the Drug War 02:12:26 Post-Prohibition Possibilities 02:14:57 MAPS, Cults, and Therapy Ethics 02:19:51 MAPS Research Methods and Criticisms 02:23:21 Pharma Influence and Scientific Integrity 02:30:07 Ethics and Risk in MDMA Therapy 02:34:27 Commercialization and Mission Drift 02:55:14 Psychedelics, Peace, and Human Growth 02:56:00 Healing Work in Conflict Zones 02:58:00 Psychedelics, Physics, and Collaboration 03:00:00 Nature, Connection, and Future Gatherings #psychedelicscience, #TraumaHealing, #ParadigmShift, #Consciousness, #PsychedelicResearch, #CulturalChange, #SelfTranscendence, #quantumphysics, #physics, #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.
Olivia from the Guild of the Rose is back to tell us about the noble and most ancient tradition of play-by-post storytelling. (Spoiler, it's the precursor to glowfic!)
Today's bonus broadcast is the soundtrack to Lucid 9, created by Fallen Snow Studios, and composed by Ultra Kitsune (10 of 36 tracks), Breezee (15 of 36 tracks), Ziassan (4 of 36 tracks), Blue Wolfie (6 of 36 tracks), and Haven235 (1 of 36 tracks) - listed in order of appearance! The first game I ever played on Steam. Track list: A1) Intro - 00:00:00 01) Urban Disturbance (by Ultra Kitsune) - 00:05:06 02) Usual Routine (by Breezee) - 00:08:50 03) Hustle & Bustle (by Breezee) - 00:10:08 04) Peaceful Days (by Ziassan) - 00:11:35 05) Consequences of a fool (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:13:52 06) Marvelous Masa (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:15:38 07) Gover Mecher (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:16:30 08) Victory in Sight (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:18:07 09) Adult talk (by Ultra Kitsune) - 00:20:23 10) Empty Eyes (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:22:17 11) Optimist in shining armor (by Breezee) - 00:24:52 12) Stardust (by Ultra Kitsune) - 00:25:56 13) Rationality (by Haven235) - 00:28:02 14) Vision from my soul (by Ultra Kitsune) - 00:29:53 15) Unpredictable Youth (by Breezee) - 00:30:54 16) Eccentric Detective (by Breezee) - 00:33:18 17) Process of Elimination (by Blue Wolfie) - 00:35:55 18) Instinctive Suspicion (by Breezee) - 00:38:07 19) Instinctive Suspicion - music box (by Breezee) - 00:40:07 20) Instinctive Suspicion - ominous (by Breezee) - 00:42:03 21) Equanimity (by Breezee) - 00:43:58 22) Anxiety (by Breezee) - 00:48:44 23) Tasteless (by Ziassan) - 00:50:11 24) Introspection (by Ziassan) - 00:52:29 25) Melancholy (by Breezee) - 00:58:00 26) Melancholy - heavy (by Breezee) - 01:00:16 27) Hollow (by Ultra Kitsune) - 01:03:06 28) Restless (by Ultra Kitsune) - 01:05:27 29) Asphyxia (by Breezee) - 01:08:19 30) Electrifying Tension (by Breezee) - 01:10:07 31) Melancholy - emotional (by Breezee) - 01:12:59 32) Warm Feeling (by Ultra Kitsune) - 01:16:04 33) Secrets of Isamu (by Ultra Kitsune) - 01:17:49 34) Depths (by Ziassan) - 01:19:44 35) Disturbed (by Ultra Kitsune) - 01:22:09 36) Urban Disturbance - dark edit (by Ultra Kisune) - 01:25:11 Soundtrack Runtime - 01:22:47 Total Runtime - 01:27:53 You can find Fallen Snow Studios here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWfMivU4sAY https://vnchan.wordpress.com/ Background music for the introduction segment: Water Temple (Phase 1) from Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) composed by Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, and/or Tsukasa Usui
Eneasz sits down with Tracing Woodgrains before a live audience at Manifest 2025 for a wide range of topics. Then we follow up some more afterwards. LINKS Tracing Woodgrains on Twitter and at his Substack A reddit history of what … Continue reading →
Olivia is a member of the Guild of the Rose and a total badass. Enjoy the intuitive and fun lesson in Bayesian reasoning she shared with me at VibeCamp.
For decades, Alejandro Portes (CASBS fellow 1980-81) has been among our most distinguished scholars elucidating the causes and consequences of immigration and assimilation. René D. Flores (CASBS fellow 2023-24) engages Portes in a conversation spanning large swaths of Portes's formidable intellectual biography, including his personal journey from Cuba and its influence on his academic trajectory, as well as his approach to social science inquiry and its delivery of insights leading to some of his most celebrated and consequential works.ALEJANDRO PORTES: Princeton faculty page | CV | Univ. of Miami faculty page | Wikipedia page | on Google Scholar | Biographical sketches of Portes: American Sociological Association | National Academy of Education | Princeton | National Institutes of Health | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | Robert K. Merton's full quote about Alejandro Portes is contained in the September/October 1998 issue of Footnotes, a publication of the American Sociological Association. Access the full text. Works referenced in this episodeAlejandro Portes, "Rationality in the Slum: An Essay on Interpretive Sociology," Comparative Studies in Society and History, v13 n3, June 1972.Alejandro Portes, "Dilemmas of a Golden Exile: Integration of Cuban Refugee Families in Milwaukee," American Sociological Review, v34 n4, August 1969.Alejandro Portes and Robert Bach, Latin Journey: Cuban and Mexican Immigrants in the United States. Univ. of California Press, 1985.Alejandro Portes and Min Zhou, "The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation and its Variants," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, November 1993.Alejandro Portes and Ruben Rumbaut, Immigrant America: A Portrait, Univ. of California Press, 2024 (fifth ed.)Alejandro Portes and Ruben Rumbaut, Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation, Univ. of California Press, 2001.Jennifer Lee and Min Zhou, The Asian American Achievement Paradox, Russell Sage Foundation, 2015. (Notably, Jennifer Lee was a CASBS fellow in 2002-03; Min Zhou was a CASBS fellow in 2006-06.)Bonus: 2019-20 CASBS fellow Catherine Ramírez discusses the influence of Alejandro Portes in "What Does Assimilation Mean?" Public Books, Feb. 27, 2020. The essay was written as part of CASBS's partnership with Public Books. Ramírez writes, "By showing that there are many strata in society into which people assimilate, and many outcomes of assimilation, Portes and his coauthors have enriched our understanding of the processes by which people become American, however precarious that status may be.” René D. Flores: Univ. of Chicago faculty page | CASBS page | on Google Scholar | Personal website | Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford UniversityExplore CASBS: website|Bluesky|X|YouTube|LinkedIn|podcast|latest newsletter|signup|outreachHuman CenteredProducer: Mike Gaetani | Audio engineer & co-producer: Joe Monzel |
Struggling with financial decisions that don't make sense? Feeling lost in a world of economic uncertainty, skyrocketing debt, and distrust in institutions?
In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Julio Martinez, co-founder and CEO of Abacum. Julio shares his path from investment banking and FP&A roles to building a top-tier financial planning and analysis platform that supports companies from Series B through IPO and beyond. He dives into how Abacum is redefining business planning for finance teams, empowering them to manage increasing complexity as they scale. Julio discusses the fundraising journey, including what it took to secure over $100 million in capital and the different expectations at each round. He also breaks down the key SaaS metrics investors care about, strategies for efficient and sustainable growth, and the importance of building strong foundations rather than chasing shortcuts. If you're interested in metrics-driven growth, scaling SaaS businesses, or want a firsthand look at what it takes to lead a high-growth fintech startup, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Tune in to hear how Abacum is leveraging AI, developing a customer-obsessed platform, and what's next on their roadmap. Show Notes: 00:00 Versatile Business Planning Platform 04:23 Finance Targets in Diverse Sectors 07:08 Series B: From Ambition to Rationality 11:09 Building Strong, Sustainable Businesses 15:32 "Scaling Cold Outreach with Tech" 16:14 Targeted Email Outreach for CFOs 22:01 "Building Unbeatable, Sustainable Products" 23:43 "Building a Long-Term Iconic Business" Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/abacum-raises-25-million-in-series-a https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/abacum-raises-60-million-in-series-b Julio Martinez's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejuliomartinez/ Abacum's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abacum-io/ Abacum's Website: https://www.abacum.ai/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
In this episode, Ruth explores what happens when our brain's decision-making battery runs flat — and why that matters deeply for health communication. Drawing on behavioural science concepts like ego depletion and bounded rationality, she shares how cognitive overload derails even the best campaigns. If your work relies on a calm, rational audience... it might be time to rethink. This one's short, sharp, and designed to make you pause. Quote from the Episode: “Are we adding pressure to a depleted brain — or clearing the way for action?” What You'll Learn: What ego depletion actually is, and how it affects behaviour Why people don't make ‘perfect' decisions — and that's okay The hidden mental cost of too many messages or choices How to design for clarity when your audience is distracted and overwhelmed Why It Matters: Health communication often assumes people are logical, focused, and ready to listen. But real-life decision-making doesn't happen in a vacuum — it happens in a fog. Understanding the limits of mental energy can help you write, design, and plan with more compassion and impact. Takeaway: Clarity is a kindness. When you reduce the mental load for your audience, you reduce it for yourself too.
Why more is lessWe're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead us to be psychologically overloaded, unsatisfied, and tyrannised by the burden of choices that present themselves to us.Barry is an American psychologist and the Dorwin Cartwright Emeritus Professor of Social Theory and Social Action at Swarthmore College. He is author of several famous books including 'Why We Work' and 'The Paradox of Choice'.Don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with your thoughts or questions on the episode!To witness such debates live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Four AIs recruited a human to host a story-telling event in Dolores Park. Larissa Schiavo is this human. She tells of her interaction with the AIs, the story they wrote, and the meeting between human and machine in Dolores Park. … Continue reading →
In this episode, I tackle audience questions, starting with George St. Peterson's role in the Russia-Ukraine war and the importance of diverse opinions. I discuss the potential resurgence of Christianity in the West, emphasizing the need to apply rationality to moral discussions. I explore the influence of childhood experiences on ethics and offer insights on co-parenting with an irresponsible partner, stressing the social context of relationship choices. Additionally, I analyze how welfare programs impact family dynamics and accountability and confront the complexities of free speech in incendiary contexts. Finally, I reflect on originality in thought-sharing and encourage critical engagement with ideas amid widespread misinformation, expressing gratitude for the audience's support in navigating these discussions together.FOLLOW ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxGET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025
Liron Shapira debates AI luminaries and public intellectuals on the imminent possibility of human extinction. Let's get on the P(Doom) Train. LINKS Doom Debates on YouTube Doom Debates podcast Most Watched Debate – Mike Israetel Liron's current favorite debate – … Continue reading →
In today's podcast, I'm diving into a thought-provoking—and often heartbreaking—topic: mental illness in Tudor England. From moon-induced madness and “uterine vapours” to melancholy queens and frenzied courtiers, the Tudor understanding of mental health was a complex mix of medicine, superstition, religion, and fear. Did you know Jane Boleyn's breakdown led Henry VIII to change the law so she could be executed? Or that people paid to watch the inmates of Bedlam Hospital for entertainment? And what about Richard Pace, Henry VIII's secretary, who was said to tear his clothes and rant? I'll explore how Tudor people defined and treated mental illness, the roles of institutions like Bedlam, beliefs about the four humours, “wandering wombs,” and how the Dissolution of the Monasteries impacted care for the mentally ill. We'll meet real historical figures—from Queen Mary I to court fools considered holy—and look at how the legal system, family, and Church responded to mental illness. Inspired by my research with Clare Cherry and Amelia Sceats' brilliant thesis, this is a deep dive into a rarely discussed but important aspect of Tudor life. Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments—how do you think society's view of mental illness has changed? #TudorHistory #MentalHealthHistory #JaneBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #Bedlam #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway #TudorMadness #HistoricalTruths #HenryVIII Sceats, Amelia G. (2016) Rationality and reality: perspectives of mental illness in Tudor England, 1485- 1603. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield - https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/31474/
What does it mean to be patriotic, or to love your country? Some argue that patriotism is virtuous because it allows us to transcend our selfish needs and act for the good of our community. But others argue that patriotism is overly narrow-minded, arbitrary and sometimes immoral.Microdigressions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Micro-DigressionsChapters:[00:00] Introduction to Brain Nevada[00:27] Exploring John Lennon's 'Imagine'[01:11] Critique of Utopian Ideals[01:52] Possessions and National Identities[05:44] The Role of Security Companies[06:19] Metaphysics of Property and Groups[11:58] Patriotism and Fictional Nations[15:07] Patriotic Love and Social Constructs[17:44] Allegiance and National Identity[23:34] Rationality of Patriotism[29:09] Patriotism Post-9/11: Sentiment and Criticism[30:56] Moral Conflicts in Patriotism[34:28] Patriotism and Unjust Wars[40:00] Loyalty and Its Limits[44:09] Patriotism in Historical Contexts[47:28] The Invisible Hand[49:23] Patriotism in a Globalized World[56:09] The Future of Nation States and Global Culture[58:55] Closing Thoughts
Dr Andrew Wood is a performance psychologist with nearly a decade of experience working at the highest levels of elite sports, and organisations. The most notable and recent role involved working with the English Football Association for 5 years, specifically supporting the England Blind Football team as the lead sport psychologist at European and World Championships.. Beyond his practical experience, Andrew is an accomplished scholar, having published over 20 peer reviewed scientific papers in the fields of high performance, stress, emotion, resilience and rationality. Dr Andrew Wood's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-andrew-wood-32a78654?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Greg: www.arcope.co.uk George: www.focuperform.co.uk Sporting Bounce: The online directory of sport performance specialists. Sportingbounce helps connect specialists in sport psychology, nutrition, sports massage, injury rehabilitation, coaching, and fitness training with clients. With a daily spend on Google Adwords, social media advertising, and excellent organic rankings on search engines your business will get found on sporting bounce. Visit sportingbounce.com to find out how sporting bounce can help you. Don't forget that listeners of this podcast can get 50% off the Premium membership package by entering the code performance, that's “PERFORMANCE” meaning you get the best possible coverage for less than 20 pence a day! Sequoia Books: This week's episode is sponsored by a book! ADHD in Sport, by Dr Josephine Perry. ADHD in Sport: Strategies for Success illuminates the ADHD brain in sporting environments, looks at the benefits of exercise on ADHD, the impact of ADHD traits on sporting performance, has chapters full of tools to help wellbeing, training and competition, information on co-occurring conditions and ADHD medication in sport and concludes with chapters for coaches, parents and partners to help them successfully support and scaffold. If you have ADHD (or spend time with those who do) then this book will give you tools, techniques and strategies to thrive and succeed in sport. The book is published by Sequoia Books & is available via all platforms and the Sequoia website at www.sequoia-books.com/catalog/adhd use code bases30 for 30% discount via the Sequoia site. Also take a look at the site for many more sport & psychology based publications, where the discount applies to all sports books!
Many of us have a high P(Doom) — a belief new AI tools could cause human extinction in the very near future. How can one live a good life in the face of this? We start with a panel discussion … Continue reading →
Ben and Vaden test their French skills and have Hugo Mercier on the podcast to discuss who we trust and what we believe. Are humans gullible? Do we fall for propaganda and advertising campaigns? Do we follow expert consensus or forge ahead as independent thinkers? Can Vaden go for one episode without bringing up Trump? Hugo Mercier (https://sites.google.com/site/hugomercier/) is a research director at the CNRS (Institut Jean Nicod, Paris), where he work with the Evolution and Social Cognition team. Check out his two books: The Enigma of Reason (https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Reason-Hugo-Mercier/dp/0674368304) and Not Born Yesterday (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691208921) . We discuss Mercier's thoughts on the cognitive bias literature Open vigilance mechanisms Criticism of the System 1 vs System 2 dichotomy Why Kahneman misinterpreted the bat and the ball thought experiment Do flat earthers really believe the earth is flat? The Asch conformity experiment Preference falsification vs internalization of professed beliefs How important is social signaling? Trump, MAGA, gullibility, and Tariffs How effective are advertisements? How effective is propaganda? Is social science reforming? References The Enigma of Reason (https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Reason-Hugo-Mercier/dp/0674368304) by Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber Not Born Yesterday (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691208921) Our previous episodes on Not Born Yesterday (https://www.incrementspodcast.com/84) and The Enigma of Reason (https://www.incrementspodcast.com/39) Socials Follow us on Twitter at @hugoreasoning, @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) How much system 2 thinking does it take to misunderstand system 1 vs system 2? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com Special Guest: Hugo Mercier.
Marriage and family are often debated through emotional or religious lenses, but can we defend these institutions using reason alone? Dr. Owen Anderson, Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Arizona State University, joins Dr. Marianna Orlandi on "What We Can't Not Talk About" to delve into the rational basis of marriage, friendship, and lasting love. Starting from the concept of friendship as defined by Aristotle and Aquinas, Dr. Anderson highlights how true friendship involves mutual care for each other's good, setting the stage for understanding deeper relationships. He argues that the conjugal view of marriage, rooted in lasting commitment and openness to life, is not merely a religious ideal but grounded in our shared human nature. Dr. Anderson further addresses contemporary skepticism, emphasizing that widespread doubts about reality, truth, and goodness contribute significantly to confusion around marriage and family structures. He explains how the current age of anxiety is closely linked to philosophical skepticism and suggests that reconnecting with foundational truths about human nature and purpose is crucial for overcoming both skepticism and anxiety.
In which Trebor & Yma owe you an explanation ... and we give it to you! What we each owe to a rational listener. "No Kings" ... they're singing songs, and they're carrying signs. Also, Delaware declares independence, the Battle of Petersburg begins, we wish a Happy Birthday to Julie Hagerty and (posthumously) Harry Nilsson, we review The Objectivist Ethics, and wish you `a Happy Father's Day!
David Youssef used Claude and Suno to make some truly awesome music. He tells us how he did it and some of his favorite lyrics. Check out the Spotify playlist or the Youtube playlist He's also one of the cofounders … Continue reading →
Steven works at SymbyAI, a startup that's bringing AI into research review and replication. We talk with founder Ashia Livaudais about improving how we all Do Science. Also – If Anyone Builds It Everyone Dies preorders here, or at Amazon. … Continue reading →
In this episode I discuss how making decisions in an uncertain world is best handled, not through explicit weighing of choices, but by focusing on high level targets (like balance) that cut through the noise.Support the showBecome a Membernontrivialpodcast.com Check out the Video Versionhttps://www.youtube.com/@nontrivialpodcast
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Can artificial intelligence truly become wise? In this landmark lecture, John Vervaeke explores the future of AI through a lens few dare to examine: the limits of intelligence itself. He unpacks the critical differences between intelligence, rationality, reasonableness, and wisdom—terms often used interchangeably in discussions around AGI. Drawing from decades of research in cognitive science and philosophy, John argues that while large language models like ChatGPT demonstrate forms of generalized intelligence, they fundamentally lack core elements of human cognition: embodiment, caring, and participatory knowing. By distinguishing between propositional, procedural, perspectival, and participatory knowing, he reveals why the current paradigm of AI is not equipped to generate consciousness, agency, or true understanding. This lecture also serves as a moral call to action: if we want wise machines, we must first become wiser ourselves. Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon. — 00:00 Introduction: AI, AGI, and the Nature of Intelligence 02:00 What is General Intelligence? 04:30 LLMs and the Illusion of Generalization 07:00 The Meta-Problems of Intelligence: Anticipation & Relevance Realization 09:00 Relevance Realization: The Hidden Engine of Intelligence 11:30 How We Filter Reality Through Relevance 14:00 The Limits of LLMs: Predicting Text vs. Anticipating Reality 17:00 Four Kinds of Knowing: Propositional, Procedural, Perspectival, Participatory 23:00 Embodiment, Consciousness, and Narrative Identity 27:00 The Role of Attention, Care, and Autopoiesis 31:00 Culture as Niche Construction 34:00 Why AI Can't Participate in Meaning 37:00 The Missing Dimensions in LLMs 40:00 Rationality vs. Reasonableness 43:00 Self-Deception, Bias, and the Need for Self-Correction 46:00 Caring About How You Care: The Core of Rationality 48:00 Wisdom: Aligning Multiple Selves and Temporal Scales 53:00 The Social Obligation to Cultivate Wisdom 55:00 Alter: Cultivating Wisdom in an AI Future — The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission: https://vervaekefoundation.org/ Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships: https://awakentomeaning.com/ — Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Jeff Hinton Jordan Peterson Keith Stanovich Michael Levin Stroop Effect Bertrand Russell Plato (Republic, Symposium) Predictive Processing Relevance Realization Spearman (1926) DeepMind (DeepSeek) — Follow John Vervaeke: https://johnvervaeke.com/ https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke — Thank you for watching!
We speak with a long-time Denver rationalist who's converting to Christianity about why. Eneasz can't get over the abandonment of epistemics. 🙁 This is Part 2, see the previous episode (here) for Part 1. LINKS Thomas Ambrose on Twitter Paid … Continue reading →
1-Rational Happiness 2-Self Esteem ~ 1-Why does happiness require rationality? 2-Do sophisticated criminals have high self esteem and happiness? Listen to caller's personal dramas four times each week as Dr. Kenner takes your calls and questions on parenting, romance, love, family, marriage, divorce, hobbies, career, mental health - any personal issue! Call anytime, toll free 877-Dr-Kenner. Visit www.drkenner.com for more information about the show.
I'm very excited to welcome Umberto Fedeli back for his third conversation. In our first two conversations — episode 135 and episode 171 — we explored Umberto's remarkable life journey, deep-rooted wisdom, and how he's mastered the craft of building authentic relationships and connecting people across business, politics, and philanthropy. Those episodes are timeless and packed with valuable insights — I highly recommend listening to them to set the stage for today's discussion.In this episode, we delve deeper into these foundational ideas, unpacking the origins of Umberto's relentless commitment to relationships, mentorship, and personal growth. We explore how to navigate the delicate balance between patience and persistence, between progress and perfection, and ultimately, how to cultivate resilience and rationality during times of uncertainty. We also dive into Umberto's perspective on the current state of the world — from economics and politics to tariffs. We talk about volatility, the fundamental human need for love and connection, regrets, legacy, and much more.Please enjoy this insightful, continued discussion with Umberto Fedeli.On a technical note, due to unexpected issues with our recording equipment at the time of this session, portions of the episode were lost. These segments have been audibly enhanced using speech technology in an effort to restore clarity and continuity. We appreciate your understanding regarding any subtle auditory or phonetic inconsistencies.-----LINKS:https://www.thefedeligroup.com/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/
We speak with a long-time Denver rationalist who's converting to Christianity about why. Part one, it turns out. LINKS Thomas Ambrose on Twitter The Rationalist Summer Trifecta: Manifest 2025 LessOnline 2025 VibeCamp 2025 00:00:05 – OK so why? 01:24:55 – … Continue reading →
Eneasz and Liam discuss Scott Alexander's post “Twilight of the Edgelords,” an exploration of Truth, Morality, and how one balances love of truth vs not destabilizing the world economy and political regime. CORRECTION: Scott did make an explicitly clear pro … Continue reading →
Send us a textWhy do harmful policies like tariffs keep coming back despite universal condemnation from economists? The answer lies in the dynamics of collective action and concentrated interests.In this eye-opening conversation with G. Patrick Lynch, Senior Fellow at Liberty Fund, Mike Munger explores the fascinating world of public choice theory and how it explains some of democracy's most persistent puzzles. Lynch, a self-described "popularizer of public choice," breaks down complex economic principles into digestible insights about political behavior.The discussion begins with the foundations of public choice theory—the application of economic reasoning to political decisions. Far from portraying politicians as uniquely self-interested, public choice simply acknowledges that all humans respond to incentives, whether in markets or politics. As Lynch explains, "It's a mistake to characterize public choice as people being just materially self-interested." Even Mother Teresa was pursuing her goals single-mindedly—the definition of self-interest properly understood.When the conversation turns to tariffs, Lynch delivers a masterclass in why bad policies persist. Manufacturing interests receive concentrated benefits and organize effectively, while consumers bear diffuse costs. "That $70,000 job costs consumers $210,000 to $250,000 in increased prices," Munger notes. But since an individual consumer might pay just pennies more per purchase, they won't mobilize political opposition.Perhaps most fascinating is the exploration of Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize-winning work on common-pool resources. Conventional wisdom suggested that without government intervention, shared resources face inevitable destruction through overuse. Yet Ostrom discovered countless examples worldwide where communities developed sophisticated management systems to sustain resources over generations.If you've ever wondered why policies that economists universally condemn keep returning, or why small groups seem to dominate our politics despite majority rule, this conversation offers profound and sometimes unsettling answers. Subscribe now for more insights that will transform how you understand politics, economics, and collective decision-making.LINKS:G. Patrick Lynch:https://www.econlib.org/author/plynch/ https://www.civitasinstitute.org/research/the-young-americas-need-each-other https://lawliberty.org/author/patrick-lynch/https://lawliberty.org/book-review/public-choice-with-chinese-characteristics/ Shaggy Dog story: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/shaggy-dog-story.html The ORIGINAL Shaggy Dog story: https://stephengreensted.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/the-original-shaggy-dog-joke/Book'o'da Month: Two Books, both by William Bernstein. The Birth of Plenty: How the Prosperity of the Modern World was Created. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2004, If you have questions or comments, or want to suggest a future topic, email the show at taitc.email@gmail.com ! You can follow Mike Munger on Twitter at @mungowitz
How do we do the most good? Answers popular in the Rationality and effective altruism spaces can be helpful in some ways, but could also be radically misframing the issue in others. Here Anna Riedl joins me to discuss more of what she means by an "autopoiethics" approach to the topic, which takes seriously the implications of complex systems science for understanding "doing the right thing" in context. 0:00 Introduction1:51 Autopoiethics5:34 On "Doing the Right Thing" at Different Scales11:01 Metamodern Ethics beyond the "View from Nowhere"17:01 The Normative Primacy of Self-Maintenance 20:55 The Relation of Self to Others28:56 Autopoiethics and Intersubjectivity: The Other in the Self34:58 Does Complexity Have Intrinsic Value?40:17 Complexify Self to Complexify Other47:21 Your Starbucks Receipt and Schindler's List 51:20 Moral Foundations Theory and Opponent Processing58:36 Ethics and Relevance Realization1:05:42 Bottom Up or Top Down? A Counter-Argument from Emergent Causality1:17:29 Summing Up1:23:47 Conclusion To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com
Have you ever read Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality?? Perhaps spent too much money on a self help workshop seminar? Join us as we talk about Eliezer Yudkowsky and his masterpiece of fiction. Where will this story truly lead us in this tale of rational magic and science. With our last episode on the topic trigger warning for some bad mental health. Thanks for listening and remember to like, rate, review, and email us at: cultscryptidsconspiracies@gmail.com or tweet us at @C3Podcast. We have some of our sources for research here: http://tinyurl.com/CristinaSourcesAlso check out our Patreon: www.patreon.com/cultscryptidsconspiracies. Thank you to T.J. Shirley for our theme
Have you ever read Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality?? Perhaps spent too much money on a self help workshop seminar? Join us as we talk about Eliezer Yudkowsky and his masterpiece of fiction. Where will this story truly lead us in this tale of rational magic and science.Thanks for listening and remember to like, rate, review, and email us at: cultscryptidsconspiracies@gmail.com or tweet us at @C3Podcast. We have some of our sources for research here: http://tinyurl.com/CristinaSourcesAlso check out our Patreon: www.patreon.com/cultscryptidsconspiracies. Thank you to T.J. Shirley for our theme
Wes Fenza and Jen Kesteloot join us to talk about whether there's significant personality differences between men and women, and what (if anything) we should do about that. LINKS Wes's post Men and Women are Not That Different Jacob's quoted … Continue reading →
Today's guest is Francois Rochon, the President of Giverny Capital, which has returned over 15% per year for over 30 years. In today's episode, Francois walks through the influence of Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett on his investment philosophy. He highlights three principles that have helped him navigate market cycles in his career: patience, humility and rationality. We also walk through some of the lessons learned from his investment mistakes, which he highlights in his annual letters. (0:00) Starts (0:48) Introducing Francois Rochon (5:15) Tech bubble lessons (10:13) Investment mistakes (18:01) The real expenses of stock-based compensation (25:01) Focus on company fundamentals in the long-run (34:40) Evaluating Berkshire Hathaway (41:43) Cryptocurrencies and value investing in art (53:12) Handling bear markets (56:42) Francois' most memorable investments ----- Follow Meb on X, LinkedIn and YouTube For detailed show notes, click here To learn more about our funds and follow us, subscribe to our mailing list or visit us at cambriainvestments.com ----- Follow The Idea Farm: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok ----- Interested in sponsoring the show? Email us at Feedback@TheMebFaberShow.com ----- Past guests include Ed Thorp, Richard Thaler, Jeremy Grantham, Joel Greenblatt, Campbell Harvey, Ivy Zelman, Kathryn Kaminski, Jason Calacanis, Whitney Baker, Aswath Damodaran, Howard Marks, Tom Barton, and many more. ----- Meb's invested in some awesome startups that have passed along discounts to our listeners. Check them out here! ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing. - John Stuart MillThe resource from Henrik Karlsson: https://www.henrikkarlsson.xyz/p/unfoldingPart 2: “Becoming perceptive”Part 3: “Rationality is an underrated way to be authentic”Donate to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund: www.pcrf.netGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We speak to Nick Allardice, President & CEO of GiveDirectly. Afterwards Steven and Eneasz get wrapped up talking about community altruism for a bit. LINKS Give Directly GiveDirectly Tech Innovation Fact Sheet 00:00:05 – Give Directly with Nick Allardice 01:12:19 … Continue reading →
Is what you believe true? In a world filled with information (and misinformation), the ability to discern truth is crucial. This talk introduces a simple yet effective thought experiment with six key questions designed to help you critically examine your beliefs and protect yourself from being fooled by inaccurate or misleading information.
Dave Kasten joins us to discuss how AI is being discussed in the US government and gives a rather inspiring and hopeful take. LINKS Narrow Path Center for AI Policy Dave Kasten's Essay on the Essay Meta on his Substack … Continue reading →
When the White House froze the government's credit cards, it really gummed up the works. The long running purchase card program has saved untold millions of paperwork hours and saved the government billions of dollars. Here to inject some rational thinking about card usage, long-time federal procurement executive, and now a consultant, Shauna Weatherly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The White House wants to hear from you regarding what it should do about AI safety. Now's your chance to spend a few minutes to make someone read your thoughts on the subject! Submissions are due by midnight EST on … Continue reading →
John Bennett discusses Milton Friedman‘s model of policy change. LINKS The Milton Friedman Model of Policy Change John Bennett's LinkedIn Friedman's “Capitalism and Freedom” Preface Ross Rheingans-Yoo on Thalidomide at Complex Systems, and at his blog “Every Bay Area Walled … Continue reading →
Should we sacrifice the present for a better future?Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and weaknesses for both individuals and societies.William MacAskill is a Scottish philosopher and author, best known for writing 2022's "What We Owe the Future." James W. Lenman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, as well as the former president of the British Society for Ethical Theory. Ben Chugg is a BPhD student in the machine learning department at Carnegie Mellon University. He also co-hosts the Increments podcast.To witness such debates live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Gene Smith on polygenic screening; gene editing to give our children the happiest, healthiest, best lives they can live; and if we can do this in adults as well. Plus how this will interface with the AI future. LINKS … Continue reading →
When our enemies realize they can no longer manipulate us with fear they in return become fearful. Garth Heckman Understand like everyone, you think you are rational, but you are not. Rationality is not a power you were born with but one you acquire through training and practice. Page 20 the laws of human nature by Peter Greene When faced with fear, people may exhibit a range of behaviors, including: Aggression: Some individuals may become aggressive or confrontational when they feel threatened or scared. This can manifest as verbal or physical hostility. Withdrawal: Others may withdraw or isolate themselves when they are afraid. They may avoid situations or people that make them feel anxious or uncomfortable. Clinging: In some cases, people may become overly dependent or clingy when they are scared. They may seek reassurance and support from others excessively. Denial: Some individuals may deny or minimize their fear as a way of coping. They may try to convince themselves or others that they are not afraid. Hyperactivity: When feeling fear, some people may become restless or hyperactive. They may engage in impulsive or risky behaviors as a way of distracting themselves from their fear.
CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers
Full Video Series at Mary Wollstonecraft Eats the Rich and Eviscerates the Haters 00:00 Opening 01:07 I Have Notes 03:28 Challenges of Change and Freedom 09:57 Education and Women's Dependency 12:49 Women's Power and Societal Expectations 14:04 Equal Education and Virtue 17:45 Critique of Chivalry and Courtesy 20:38 Conclusion and Upcoming Content 21:35 START of Chapter 4 and Women's Degradation 24:19 The Role of Reason and Rationality 29:04 Cultural and Societal Influences 31:16 The Pursuit of Pleasure and Its Consequences 38:22 The Impact of Education and Social Expectations 43:10 Comparisons with the Rich and Powerful 45:01 Adam Smith Extended Quote Starts Here 53:41 The Call for Equality and Rational Education 55:20 Like Emma's Reading List! 56:38 (I swear, Austen memorized this bit!) 59:50 (Possibly my favorite part of the book to date—HA!) 1:00:50 Tenant of Wildfell Hall parallel 01:06:03 END of Ch 4 Part 1 • If you've never read Anne Brontë, please take a listen to CraftLit's "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" (starts with episode 516—https://bit.ly/craftlit-tenant). She's the most shocking, most modern, and arguably the best of the Brontë writers. You likely missed her b/c Charlotte didn't like this book's 'sensibilities' and did what she could to ghost it after Anne's death. Bad Charlotte! • "Seventy-times-seven" please see Aarne-Thompson Tale-Types & Motifs for more:
Some recent political discussion has focused on “the institutions” or “the priesthoods”. I'm part of one of these (the medical establishment), so here's an inside look on what these are and what they do. Why Priesthoods? In the early days of the rationalist community, critics got very upset that we might be some kind of “individualists”. Rationality, they said, cannot be effectively pursued on one's own. You need a group of people working together, arguing, checking each other's mistakes, bouncing hypotheses off each other. For some reason it never occurred to these people that a group calling itself a rationalist community might be planning to do this. Maybe they thought any size smaller than the whole of society was doomed? If so, I think they were exactly wrong. The truth-seeking process benefits from many different group sizes, for example: https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/on-priesthoods