Cosmic Intelligence (Chad Woodford)
Explore every episode of Cosmic Intelligence
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2022 | How To Be Spiritual But Not Ridiculous | 01:07:49 | |
This week I discuss discernment: What it is, why it’s important, how it can prevent ridiculousness, why that matters, and how to increase our discernment. As part of this discussion, I explore the Yog-Vedantic theory of mind and specific practices that can help us be more discerning, including self study, kriya, classical Tantrik practices, having a teacher you can trust, spiritual community, working with sacred plants, meditation, and good old psychotherapy, including psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The philosophy, cosmology and consciousness masters program I’m enrolled in at the California Institute of Integral Studies has the following goals:
Other references from the episode:
Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 17 Nov 2022 | Resting Deeply In the Divine with Hilary Jackendoff | 01:05:28 | |
This week I talk to Hilary Jackendoff, a yoga nidra and meditation teacher and trainer, and Human Design coach. She’s also a powerful, heart-centered woman. To me, Hilary is the ideal teacher: wise yet humble, evolved yet grounded, knowledgeable yet hilarious. In this episode, we talk about Yoga Nidra, states of consciousness, how Hilary came to the spiritual path, the importance of rest, making spiritual practices accessible, ashram life, and being seen by the Divine. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | What It Means To Be Human In The Age of AI: A New Beginning | 00:23:22 | |
Chad is relaunching his podcast with a new name and a broader focus! Starting this week on this same feed, the show will be called Cosmic Intelligence and explore fundamental questions about philosophy, artificial intelligence, consciousness, cosmology and what it means to be human in this new age. We will delve into philosophical ideas, spiritual practices and reflections on how technology is shaping the human experience. Our goal is not just more knowledge or productivity but greater insight, imagination and fulfillment. We believe that ancient contemplative traditions fused with cutting-edge insights from science and AI can illuminate the path ahead. This show is for anyone curious about humanity's place in a world of accelerating change. Join me as we seek revelation and renewal at the intersection of Silicon and Soul. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 11 Aug 2023 | Unraveling the Mysteries of Quantum Consciousness and AI | 00:21:48 | |
In this episode, Chad explores a scientific theory of consciousness first put forth by Nobel Laureate Roger Penrose and Dr. Stuart Hameroff in the 1990s called quantum consciousness. This unorthodox, yet-scientific theory proposes that consciousness arises out of highly coordinated quantum processes occurring in the cells of the brain. This theory combines quantum mechanics, relativity, neuroscience, cognitive science, molecular biology, and philosophy. It’s different than prevailing theories of consciousness, which suggest that consciousness is an epiphenomenon of the firing of synapses in the neurons of the brain. Instead, Penrose’s theory suggests that subatomic particles collapse of their own accord and thereby create what Penrose calls proto-consciousness. It is an elegant way to bridge the two prevailing theories of consciousness: materialist and idealist. This theory also has major implications for artificial intelligence because it means that machine learning and neural networks may never achieve true intelligence, strong AI, superintelligence, or anything resembling artificial consciousness. Chad also explores the idea of computability, computers as universal metaphor, and the possibility that quantum computers might be a more promising avenue for research into artificial general intelligence. This episode was inspired by Chad's work in the philosophy, cosmology and consciousness program at CIIS under Kerri Welch, for a course called The Epic of the Universe. Thank you Kerri for providing such rich pointers for further study! The original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa5eRD4lGDA To learn more, we recommend starting with this Penrose & Hameroff paper https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1571064513001188 For more about quantum weirdness and how nobody really understands what is happening when the quantum and classical worlds interact, check out this explainer from PBS Spacetime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7SiRiqK-Q&ab_channel=PBSSpaceTime This conversation with Roger Penrose by Lex Fridman is pretty great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orMtwOz6Db0&t=644s For a great intro to quantum computing, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3fz3dqhN44&t=6s Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 21 Aug 2023 | Hit of Happines: The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence with Brian Dubow | 01:07:35 | |
This week we're sharing an episode of a podcast called Hit of Happiness, where Chad spoke to Brian Dubow about artificial intelligence and consciousness, among many other things. This may have been Chad's favorite interview so far, just because he loves talking to Brian and because they explored so many topics in such a coherent fashion. This interview is a great teaser for this three-part series Chad is working on about the myth of artificial intelligence, the nature of consciousness, transhumanism, spiritual machines, and metaphor. As our long-time listeners know, Chad likes to do these deep-dive episodes once in a while. It’s taking a while to do all the research and writing so we can finally record it. But we think it will be worth the wait. Look for the first episode of that series in the coming week. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 21 May 2024 | Looking Through the AI Hype into a More Human Future | 00:12:47 | |
Long time no talk! I just finished my masters in philosophy, cosmology and consciousness, which didn’t leave me much time for producing this podcast in the past nine months. But I’m back with a short episode that offers a preview of a thesis I am developing around the hype and mythology of artificial intelligence, and the ways that it sidelines the human. Part of my mission is to expose the cyborgian, techgnostic ideologies underlying technology innovation in Silicon Valley, and offer an alternative that is more ecological, humane, holistic, and inspired. As we philosophers like to say, worldview create worlds. So let’s be thoughtful about it. In contrast with current approaches to AI development, I want to help shape AI development so that it reflects human values, and a richer, more imaginative vision of the future, beyond just copying Scarlett Johansson's voice. I want to elevate and celebrate the human in this exciting new age of AI. We have faculties that AI cannot replicate, including imagination, intuition, emotional intelligence, and wisdom. Let’s not forget that. In the coming months, I intend to start putting out more episodes, starting with one exploring the cyborgian, techgnostic ideologies animating Silicon Valley today. I’m also working on a book and a course centered around these ideas. More to say about that soon… Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 15 Jul 2024 | Impediments to Creating Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) | 00:52:23 | |
Artificial general intelligence, or superintelligence, is not right around the corner like AI companies want you to believe, and that's because intelligence is really hard. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 18 Aug 2024 | What Psychedelic States of Consciousness Tell Us about AI | 00:32:25 | |
The irony of the application of the word “hallucination” to LLMs making mistakes is that they are completely incapable of having psychedelic experiences. Why does that matter? Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 05 Oct 2024 | Zombies, Transhumanists, and the Worldview Crisis | 00:46:30 | |
Continuing our deep dive into what it means to be human in the age of AI, and inspired by the physicalist yet transcendent worldviews of the transhumanists, in this episode I start to explore the concept of worldviews, focusing first on physicalism / scientific materialism (the idea that matter / energy is fundamental), and how that particular metaphysics or worldview was based entirely on a series of assumptions that were never empirically proven. We contextualize all of it via the postmodern zombie mythology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHDMJqJHCQg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kxmR82QMN8 Quantum entanglement explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqmIVeheTVU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuvK-od647c John Vervaeke on being rational and spiritual John Vervaeke on Zombies The famous Einstein - Bergson debate of 1922 My video on the hurdles to AGI Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 29 May 2021 | Welcome to the Podcast | 00:40:40 | |
In this inaugural episode of the podcast I attempt to define spirituality, explain the title, and talk about the themes and topics I will be exploring on future episodes, including:
Look for new episodes about once a month, although I plan to put a few out in quick succession to clear this backlog of content I have. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 29 Jun 2021 | Astrology Isn't What You Think It Is | 01:15:21 | |
What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plunging continually? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is not night continually closing in on us? — Friedrich Nietzsche
The Modern Astrology Zeitgeist “I don't believe in astrology; I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical.” — Arthur C. Clarke
“Astrology is not a science; there’s no evidence that one’s zodiac sign actually correlates to personality.” [citing a 1984 research paper showing no correlation between astrology and personality.] Astrology in the Age of Uncertainty (Oct 2019) “Millennials who see no contradiction between using astrology and believing in science are fueling a resurgence of the practice.” Exploding popularity, a booming $40 million business for apps (Nov 2020) The New York Times Modern Love podcast recently featured a story about Vedic astrology. Influences
"Nature is alive and talking to us. This is not a metaphor." — Terence McKenna
Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 28 Jul 2021 | Holistic Yoga, Ashrams & Gurus with Meghan Kemp | 01:22:42 | |
My podcast guest this week is Meghan Kemp, a dedicated student and teacher of yoga, who is integrating eastern practices into western culture (which is why I was so excited to talk to her). She has been practicing yoga since she was 14 and teaching asana, meditation, breathwork and kriya for the past five years. Following a year of living, studying and teaching at an ashram in northern India, Meghan has returned to the States to share these transformational practices with all walks of life. She is also a budding Vedic Astrologer and offers astrology readings as a means to alleviate suffering and increase joy. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 26 Aug 2021 | On Becoming More Impactful With Spirituality | 00:57:29 | |
Inspired by friends, family, and people like Daniel Pinchbeck, who have been so critical of spirituality, I mount a full-throated defense of spirituality, first acknowledging the pitfalls and shortcomings. Spirituality for me is a holistic worldview and set of practices that make us more relevant and impactful in the world, instead of more escapist and checked-out. Here's my blog post about morphic fields. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 22 Sep 2021 | Stop Playing It Safe with Adam Schomer | 01:15:24 | |
My guest this week is Adam Schomer, a documentary film and television director, writer, and producer, and the president of i2i Productions. Adam is probably most known for the Netflix documentary HEAL and is currently spearheading the global online summit for the film Fantastic Fungi. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 06 Nov 2021 | Sacred Plants & Yoga: A Love Story | 00:49:21 | |
In this episode, we approach plant medicine from a yogic perspective. And we explore how yoga and sacred plant medicine are complementary practices with a long-standing symbiotic tradition; how yoga can be a powerful preparatory and integrative practice when working with plants; and how yoga can also be a powerful alternative to working with plants—not everyone needs to work with plants. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 28 Nov 2021 | Embodiment, Wildness & Magic with Schuyler Brown | 01:24:53 | |
In this episode I talk to Schuyler Brown, a futurist, facilitator, coach, teacher of embodiment and meditation, and a writer. You can find her at artofemergence.com and her essays/poems are on Medium @ schuylerbrown. As you can probably tell from the recording, we had so much fun talking. I wish we could record all of our conversations!
Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||
| 17 May 2022 | Transforming Wellness with Kerri Kelly | 01:37:07 | |
This week I talked to Kerri Kelly, the founder of CTZNWELL, a movement that is democratizing wellbeing for all. A descendant of generations of firemen and first responders, Kerri has dedicated her life to kicking down doors and fighting for justice. She’s been teaching yoga for over 20 years and is known for making waves in the wellness industry by challenging norms, disrupting systems, and mobilizing people to act. A community organizer, wellness activist and author of the forthcoming book American Detox: The Myth of Wellness and How We Can Truly Heal, Kerri is recognized across communities for her inspired work to bridge transformational practice with social justice. In this episode, we talked about the ways in which the concept of wellness is distorted and unhealthy, and how, for us to truly heal as a country and a humanity, we need to examine our intentions, motives, and prejudices relentlessly so we can truly build community and transform collectively. The work is both inner and outer; spiritual, activist, political. Human. Kerri’s been instrumental in translating the practices of wellbeing into social and political action, working in collaboration with community organizers, spiritual leaders, and policy makers to transform our systems from the inside out. Her leadership has inspired a movement that is actively organizing around issues of racial and economic justice, healthcare as a human right, civic engagement, and more. Kerri is also a powerful facilitator, TED speaker and is the host of the podcast, CTZN. You can learn more about her work at kerrikelly.co and ctznwell.org. Want to talk about how Chad can assist you with your own transformation? | |||