Crazy Wisdom (Stewart Alsop)

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This in-depth conversation provides invaluable insights into running a tech startup in Argentina. Former Rappi executive, Lucas Assad, discusses the challenges faced by businesses in an unpredictable economy marked by hyperinflation and rapid changes in exchange rates. Using his experiences in managing Rappi and his present venture dealing with imported construction materials, Lucas explains the complexities of Argentina's entrepreneurial ecosystem. One must be street-smart and agile, adept at handling the unpredictable. Equally, there's a resilience brought out in entrepreneurs dealing with these trying conditions. This podcast also takes a detour, analyzing the complexities of the food delivery business, the competition, and unrest in the marketplace, especially in comparison to the USA.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Background 01:11 Discussing Entrepreneurship in Argentina 06:25 Impact of Government Policies on Business 07:51 Exploring Successful Latin American Startups 12:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Argentine Business Environment 19:59 Effects of Currency Devaluation on Business 24:20 Impact of Rappi on Argentine Market 29:33 Unexpected Encounter and Introduction to Rappi 29:58 Expansion of Rappi in Latin America 31:55 Competition in the Food Delivery Market 33:17 Challenges in the Food Delivery Business 33:30 The Importance of Perfect Delivery 34:33 Balancing Supply and Demand in Food Delivery 35:10 The Role of Restaurants in the Delivery Ecosystem 36:08 The Financial Aspects of Food Delivery 44:17 The Impact of the Pandemic on Food Delivery 45:34 The Future of Food Delivery Businesses 50:27 Transition from Tech to Construction

Key Discussion Points:

1. Background and Introduction:

   • Lucas Assad, a friend of Nico (previously interviewed), is an entrepreneur with experience in both traditional business and the tech startup world. He transitioned from the pharmaceutical industry to tech startups, playing a significant role in Rappi's expansion in Argentina.

2. Entrepreneurship in Argentina:

   • Discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities in Argentina due to political and economic instability. Examples include hyperinflation and rapidly changing laws.
   • The concept of being "street smart" (DNA in Spanish) in Argentina, highlighting the need for agility and adaptation in business.

3. MercadoLibre and Rappi:

   • Insights into successful Latin American startups like MercadoLibre and Rappi.
   • The impact of these platforms on daily life and the economy.
   • Differences between MercadoLibre's evolution and Rappi's rapid expansion.

4. Challenges of Food Delivery Business:

   • Exploring the operational difficulties of running a food delivery service like Rappi.
   • The importance of balancing supply and demand, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
   • The role of technology in managing logistics and enhancing customer experience.

5. The Pandemic's Impact:

   • How Rappi adapted and grew during the pandemic, particularly in Argentina.
   • A notable surge in orders for products like ice cream and the importance of adapting offerings to consumer demands.

6. Sustainability of VC-Funded Startups:

   • Discussion on whether companies like Rappi represent sustainable business models.
   • The role of venture capital in scaling businesses rapidly and the potential pitfalls of this approach.

7. Lucas's Current Endeavors:

   • Transition from tech startups to a more traditional business model.
   • Lucas is currently involved in importing construction materials, aiming to capitalize on the anticipated construction boom in Argentina.

8. Contact Information:

   • Lucas Assad can be reached via Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under the name "Lucas Assad".
   • His email address is asadlucas@gmail.com.

This was a great episode about remote work and how to manage effectively in a remote work environment. We also talk about how life puts us into trying situations and its part of the way we make meaning to overcome them. 

Follow Gary here:

https://twitter.com/garyposter

What is dialogue?

What is monologue?

How do you have dialgoue with your colleagues? And then engagement?

How many corporate retreats have you done?

What is a corporate retreat?

How do you find perfect deals?

What is a perfect deal?

How do you deal with the stress from early deals?

How do you deal with principal agent dilemma of investors?

How do you deal with potential for embarassments?

Is honor culture neccesary? Why does it show up in human relationships?

What is the difference between true inquiry and reputational status building activity?

How do you deal with the necessity of being an asshole?

Man is a political animal, there is no apolitical.

Who is someone you know that you know that you still find mysterious?

Why do people have conversations?

What do you do about the possibility of surprise?

Conversation as a dance; what is the music that you are dancing to?

What is the logos?

What is the relationship between logos and revelation?What is Poesis?

Can a muse be anything?

What is a poetic disclosure?

What is Plato’s phaedrus?

Arate (skill or excellence) and aristeia (best game ever while he had the flu).

What is the difference between Daemon and Spirit?

What are your thoughts on the thing you just said and how AI will interact with it?

Contemporary thought versus super power daemons.

How do you make yourself ready to have God move through you?

How do you work with ethical tightropes when ethics themselves are not respected by most people?

How do you cultivate flow?What do you think about secularism?

Animals don’t have type 2 thinking.

 What is an Emu’s algorithims?Why do I feel nervous about being a Stewart algorithm?

How do substances help us unravel and put back together our unconscious?

What is your thoughts on city versus country?

Is Western civilization less paradoxical than the east?

What is hippie buddhism?

How many hours a day are you reading? Do you put in your calendar?

How do you wear a mask without idenifitying the character that the mask portrays?

What is the science that has been rejected?

https://nintil.com/discoveries-ignored

What is science again?

What happens when scientists experiment on themselves?

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/when-scientists-experiment-on-themselves-h-pylori-and-ulcers/

What is glory?

How do you talk about science when you are not a scientist but have studied?

What is the difference between scientism and science?

What are your invalidated hypothesis that you have discovered in the past year?

What do you think of dark ages?

Who is Francis Bacon?

Who are the scientists that have been ignored in their life but then turned out to be revolutionaries?

What is an age of concealment?

What is the cult of progress?

Who did Jesus rail against?In what ways was Jesus a contrarian?

What is the difference between change and progress?

What is chronological snobbery?

Can you see all of your own blind spots?

What are the virtues of medeival thought?

What is the different way of funding science?

How is science funded?

Corporate R&D, venture capital, and government-academic complex for grants.

What are teh different ways that corruption shows up?

Incredible incrementalism.

If the grant complex is so wonderful, then why dont we 10X funding?

What is Francis’ approach to funding science?

Crowdfunding, find the experiment to validate 

Philanthropy based prizes

What is the spirit of science?

How do narcissists use simple statements to manipulate thoughts?

Should scietnists be passing laws?

What can we call people who believe in Scientism?

Paradox has no thearitcal solution.

How can you develop paradoxical thinking?

What do you believe is true that is absolutely true?

There is no way of doing nothing.

I sat down with Charlie Pinto and have a conversation about how to become a whole person not the fractured selves we often find ourselves thinking we are.

What is the current state of psychedelics?

Is it legal to use psilocybin in a controlled treatment framework in Oregon?

What state will be next?

What does it mean to be a Schedule One Drug?

What will the FDA do next year in terms of psychedelics?

Why is Ibogaine illegal?

What is Habitat for Humanity?

What percentage of the population has P.T.S.D.?

Who is on the cutting edge of research in this area?

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into a myriad of topics ranging from the complexities of curatorial practice in art to the secular study of religion. Nico Sarian guides us through an intellectual journey that stretches from the art scene in Moscow to the academic corridors of the University of Toronto, touching on astrology, Zen Buddhism, and the nature of suffering along the way. Prepare for a multi-layered discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and explores the intersections of art, religion, and culture.

Join the awesome whatsapp community that Nico is helping to build

Early Life and Academic Background

• Nico Sarian began his career journey after completing high school and entering the world of fashion.
• Intrigued by the art world, he transitioned into academia due to a spiritual crisis.
• Nico studied art history and philosophy at King's College in London, and this led to work as an art curator in Moscow.

Defining a Curator

• According to Nico, the role of a curator involves managing a triangle between works of art, the public, and the space or architecture.
• Failing to manage all three elements would reduce a curator to merely a critic.
• The role of a curator is likened to that of a priest in that they serve as a mediator between these elements.

Evolution into Religious Studies

• Nico later began teaching at a British art college in Moscow, which fueled his interest in theory, aesthetics, and teaching.
• After discovering the field of religious studies, he started studying it in a secular context at the University of Toronto.

Influence of Russian Culture

• Nico spent considerable time in Russia and was in a relationship with a Russian woman for four to five years.
• He studied the Russian language to immerse himself fully in the culture, stating that Russia felt like another planet to him.

Esoteric Studies

• Nico discussed various aspects of astrology, Zen Buddhism, and Shintoism.
• He mentioned Richard Tarnas as a researcher who places astrology in a historical context and contrasts Vedic and Western astrology.
• The demotion of Pluto to an asteroid sparked a debate about its relevance in modern astrology and contemporary life.

The Philosophical Angle

• Nico is a critic of modernity and holds a deep academic viewpoint.
• His questioning of our modern belief systems was influenced by philosophers like Bruno Latour, who claimed, “We have never been modern.”

Questioning Religion and Spirituality

• Nico wrestles with the concept of secularism in religious studies.
• His inability to give a straight answer to whether he believes in God stems from his view that the term 'secular' is an illusion.

Life Philosophy

• Nico argues that suffering is not a problem; rather, it's the inability to deal with suffering that becomes the problem.
• He spent three years studying Sanskrit and used the term “Duhka” to discuss the concept of suffering.

Future Directions

• Nico mentioned the idea of creating an infinite discussion board that incorporates various perspectives, aiming to foster and create symbolic capital.

The episode delved into Nico's multifaceted life journey, from art and fashion to philosophy and religious studies. He provided a comprehensive view of how different disciplines intersect and inform each other, offering a critique of modernity along the way.

This was a very fun episode where I sit down to talk with Ivonna about the device her company (FathomAI) built to help people exercise with less injuries. We talk about the subjective and objective components of injury prevention as well as a little bit into the biomechanics of what their product is measuring.  I enjoyed it so much that I then interviewed her technical cofounder about more of the biomechanics and I'll be releasing that this monday.

Check out the FathomAI device here: https://www.fathomai.com/

Or get the free app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fathom.fathomai&hl=en

This Crazy Wisdom Podcast episode features Paul Lambert, CEO of Quilt, a start-up working to revolutionize home heating and cooling systems. Quilt's solution is an all-electric system that replaces traditional fossil fuels, significantly reducing households' contributions to global warming. Lambert shares Quilt's approach to HVAC, emphasizing overall comfort, efficiency, and incorporating modern technologies like machine learning and AI. Quilt has a waitlist in anticipation of their 2024 launch.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:39 Guest Introduction: Paul Lambert, Founder and CEO of Quilt

00:49 Understanding Quilt: A Revolutionary Heating and Cooling System

02:42 The Efficiency and Benefits of Heat Pumps

07:58 The Quilt Experience: Installation and User Interface

08:35 The Business Aspects and Challenges of Quilt

24:20 The Future of Quilt and Home Energy Systems

30:35 Understanding AI, Machine Learning, and Their Role in Quilt

37:16 Closing Remarks

Key Points

• Quilt aims to introduce a state-of-the-art HVAC system that is not only highly efficient but also contributes to reducing the environmental impact traditionally associated with home temperature regulation.
• Lambert explains that a heat pump, a core component of Quilt's system, functions much like a refrigerator, transferring heat instead of generating it, leading to remarkable efficiency gains. You can put 100 watts into the machine and, effectively, get 400 watts of heating power into the home.
• Lambert brings an impressive resume to the table, with experience leading a 120-person team and an investment fund at Google. His transition from Google to Quilt was fueled by a high level of conviction to address climate change..
• Quilt's strategy revolves around combining mature core technologies into a seamless system that offers advantages over centralized heating and cooling methods.
• The company aims to address the inherent inefficiencies in traditional duct systems and provide a more tailored, room-by-room control approach to homeowners.
• Lambert believes that smart software and AI integration will further drive efficiency and user comfort in Quilt's system, making a substantial difference in energy consumption and sustainability.

Conclusion:

Lambert envisions Quilt as a platform that not only offers economic benefits to consumers but also contributes positively to the environment. With plans to roll out real home implementations by 2024, Quilt is poised to become a significant player in the home energy market, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods.

Quotes:

• "We're not just creating energy; we're moving it from one place to another. It's like rotating the energy."
• "By simply moving the heat that already exists, we can achieve insane levels of efficiency."
• "Choosing to work on the biggest problem means a commitment to provide a better world for the next generation. In my case, it’s addressing climate change head-on."
• "In the home, our jobs are to keep you warm and safe. We’re extending this by making sure we also keep you comfortable and do it sustainably."

Here are a few questions which we discussed:

What is the difference between writing for your business and writing for yourself?

What is the relationship between imagination and writing? How do they intersect?

What is the difference between desire and craving?

Is writing thinking?

How does the idea of human exceptionalism limit our understanding of intelligence?

How can confusion be an answer?

Find Rachel on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/DidYouWriteThat

Find Holloway:

https://www.holloway.com/

I sit down with Preethi Kasireddy from Trustory and we talk about the importance of debate for a shared understanding of the truth. 

Find more about Preethi here:

https://twitter.com/iam_preethi

Find more about Trustory here:

https://www.trustory.io/

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, I, Stewart Alsop, speak with Leo Kayali, CEO of Invo Station, about the pioneering world of electric flying vehicles (eVTOLs). Leo shares how his early sketches evolved into a patented design for a personal electric flying vehicle, inspired by none other than Leonardo da Vinci. We dive into the challenges of scaling production, environmental impacts, and the critical role of automation and autonomy. Leo also explains the regulatory landscape, aiming for a near-future where electric flying vehicles integrate seamlessly into urban spaces. You can find more about Leo’s work on Invo Station's website and follow them on social media @invostation. Also, if you're around, Leo’s team will showcase their tech at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:15 The Birth of a Flying Car Idea

01:01 Prototyping and Early Development

02:13 Design Inspirations and Challenges

06:39 Battery Innovations and Future Prospects

12:24 Mass Production and Automation

26:26 Autonomy in Flying Vehicles

32:23 Introduction to eVTOL Vehicles

32:54 Autonomy and Safety Systems

34:13 Regulatory Landscape and Industry Collaboration

35:58 Upcoming Releases and Pre-Orders

37:15 Future of Urban Air Mobility

39:32 Global Market Potential

42:40 Innovative Vehicle Designs

52:04 Charging and Infrastructure

52:36 Lessons from Historical Inventors

58:38 Conclusion and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. The Birth of Electric Flying Vehicles: Leo Kayali, CEO of Invo Station, explains his journey from sketching ideas in a coffee shop to prototyping his eVTOL concept. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s inventive spirit, he developed a design that draws on the artist’s legacy of combining engineering with aesthetics. This approach led him to conceptualize a circular vehicle layout, which is optimized for lift and resembles Da Vinci’s early designs. His design not only aims to innovate but to shape the future of personal and sustainable aerial transportation.
2. The Benefits of Aerial Autonomy: Autonomy in flying vehicles is, as Leo describes, paradoxically easier to achieve than with ground vehicles due to the reduced number of obstacles. In the air, autonomy faces fewer unpredictable factors like pedestrians, stoplights, and multiple vehicle types. Instead, aerial autonomy focuses on collision avoidance, scanning airspace, and adapting to bird traffic, making fully autonomous air vehicles a viable and less complex solution compared to self-driving cars.
3. Revolutionizing Mass Production for eVTOLs: One of Leo's core goals is to make eVTOLs affordable and mass-producible. Drawing on his experience with Tesla and Siemens, he designed Invo Station’s production process for efficiency and scalability, so that vehicle production could be completed in just two minutes, thanks to advanced automation and robotics. This approach allows Invo Station to eventually sell flying vehicles at a consumer-friendly price, potentially putting eVTOLs within reach of the average car buyer.
4. Environmental Impact and Emission Reduction: Invo Station’s mission is not just about bringing flying cars to market but also about tackling urban pollution and reducing emissions. Leo envisions a future where flying electric vehicles replace traditional cars for shorter urban trips, significantly reducing air pollution and congestion. He is especially interested in targeting cities with heavy traffic and pollution issues, like São Paulo and Los Angeles, to create a real, measurable impact on urban sustainability.
5. Regulatory Challenges and Industry Standardization: With new regulatory frameworks emerging after 80 years of stagnant aviation standards, Leo believes the current climate is favorable for eVTOL integration. Invo Station works closely with regulators, helping to set safety and operation standards for urban air mobility. Although the regulatory landscape is evolving, Leo’s aim is to influence these standards to support a future where autonomous flying vehicles share airspace safely and efficiently with traditional aircraft and other eVTOLs.
6. Battery Innovation and Energy Efficiency: A critical part of making eVTOLs practical is optimizing battery life and charge times. Leo discusses potential breakthroughs in solid-state lithium batteries that could reach ranges up to 900 miles with rapid charging capability. This would far surpass the range of current lithium-ion batteries and make eVTOLs viable for longer journeys, enhancing both usability and energy efficiency in the electric vehicle market.
7. Future of Multi-Purpose eVTOL Applications: Beyond personal transportation, Leo envisions a wide range of applications for eVTOLs, from emergency response vehicles to freight transport. Invo Station is already planning models with features like firefighting capabilities, medical transport, and goods delivery, all optimized to reduce weight and maximize functionality. These diverse applications could fundamentally change how cities operate, providing rapid response in emergencies and potentially creating a new standard in logistics and public safety.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop engages with senior data scientist Anand Divedi to delve deep into the facets of machine learning and AI’s evolving capabilities. They discuss Anand's journey and insights into AI, particularly focusing on the freedom from execution boundaries brought by advancements in AI and large language models (LLMs). The conversation extends to the concept of 'human in the loop' learning, emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach to mimicking neural decision-making processes. Anand shares his initial foray into machine learning via financial surveillance to detect fraud utilizing AI to sift through massive data. They discuss the significance of teaching and learning for both AI models and humans, touching on aspects of cognitive pruning, memory, and how AI, much like the human brain, can 'forget' outdated information to make room for new learnings. The episode also introduces Haley Darden, who kicks off her segment on supervised learning, aiming to bridge the gap between technical AI concepts and everyday understanding. Together, they ponder over the future of AI in terms of model specialization versus generalization, and whether AI should or can forget information similar to human cognitive pruning.

Check out this GPT we trained on this conversation

Timestamps

00:41 Diving Deep with Anand Divedi: Exploring Machine Learning and Boundaries 01:23 The Evolution of Machine Learning: From Boundaries to Freedom 04:00 Bridging the Gap: Machine Learning for Technical and Non-Technical Minds 08:54 Human in the Loop: Merging AI with Human Decision-Making 10:20 From Financial Surveillance to AI: Anand's Journey into Machine Learning 14:13 Understanding AI: Parameters, Learning, and Growth 29:54 The Spiritual and Philosophical Dimensions of Learning and AI 37:28 Exploring Self-Reflection and Emotional Learning 38:12 The Role of Memory and Reflection in Learning 38:47 Introducing AI's Long-Term Memory and Reflection 39:10 Active Learning and the Structure of Self in AI 40:42 Welcoming Haley Darden and Discussing Supervised Learning 41:44 Breaking Down AI: From Basics to Complex Concepts 44:56 Understanding AI's Learning, Forgetting, and Trust Mechanisms 59:01 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Key Insights

1. Breaking Boundaries in AI and Machine Learning: Anand Dwivedi shared a significant shift in his approach to AI, where he moved from conceptual boundaries to practical execution, experiencing a newfound sense of freedom. This reflects a broader trend in the AI field, where advancements in large language models (LLMs) and other technologies have drastically expanded the possibilities for innovation and application, enabling researchers and practitioners to explore new frontiers beyond traditional limitations.

2. Human-in-the-Loop Learning: The conversation highlighted Anand's work in human-in-the-loop learning, emphasizing the integration of human decision-making processes within AI systems. This approach seeks to understand and replicate human reasoning in AI models, facilitating a symbiotic relationship where both humans and AI contribute to and enhance the learning process, thereby improving the accuracy and effectiveness of AI applications in real-world scenarios.

3. The Evolution of AI through Large Language Models: Anand discussed the transformative impact of LLMs on his work, describing them as powerful tools for parsing and analyzing information. These models have revolutionized how AI can assist in structuring thoughts and accelerating research processes, showcasing the rapid development in AI's capabilities and the increasing sophistication of tools available to data scientists and researchers.

4. The Importance of Frameworks in AI Learning: Throughout the podcast, the significance of frameworks in understanding and implementing AI was a recurring theme. Anand underscored the need for structured approaches to learning and applying AI, highlighting how frameworks can guide users in effectively leveraging AI capabilities, thus bridging the gap between technical complexity and practical usability.

5. AI's Impact on Decision Making and Surveillance: Anand's insights into his career, particularly in financial surveillance, illustrated how AI can be pivotal in managing vast amounts of data to identify anomalies or fraudulent activities. This underscores AI's role in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making processes in high-stakes environments, such as financial markets, where the ability to swiftly analyze and act on data is crucial.

6. Neuroscience and AI: The discussion touched on the intersection of neuroscience and AI, with Anand exploring how AI models mimic neural processes. This comparison not only sheds light on the potential of AI to replicate human cognitive functions but also on the ongoing efforts to improve AI's learning and decision-making capabilities by understanding and emulating the complexities of the human brain.

7. Future of AI and Ethical Considerations: The conversation ventured into the future trajectory of AI, including the ethical dimensions of AI development and application. Anand's dialogue with Hayley Darden in the latter part of the episode highlighted the challenges in ensuring AI's reliability and trustworthiness, addressing concerns such as AI hallucinations and the importance of developing robust mechanisms to evaluate and trust AI outputs, thereby ensuring AI's responsible and ethical integration into society.

Episode Introduction:

Welcome to another insightful episode of Crazy Wisdom, where we delve into fascinating discussions around philosophy, technology, and everything in between. Today, we are delighted to host Saman Farid, a visionary who is working on an ambitious project of supplying the world with a robot workforce through his company, Formic. In this episode, we navigate through a range of topics from the evolution of societies to robotics, AI, industrial revolutions, and the changing face of human labor.

Show Notes:

1. Formic's Foundation: Formic, named after the Latin word for ants, is a reflection of Saman's philosophy of collective efficiency and productivity.

2. Influence of Literature: Saman drew parallels between Formic's mission and elements from Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" which is where the name Formic is drawn from

3. Human Progress & AI: The conversation delves into the history of human progress and the implications of AI, drawing from phases like the Paleolithic era, agricultural and industrial revolutions, to the current digital age.

4. Labor Shifts: Saman touches on the shift from manpower-heavy jobs to more digital and AI-related roles. He addresses the fear surrounding job loss and the need to fill undesired roles through robotics.

5. Revitalizing Manufacturing: Discusses the potential resurgence of manufacturing through advanced technology like GPT and robotics.

6. Challenges of Robotics Adoption: Saman shares insights on the low adoption rate of robotics in factories and the hurdles that prevent companies from leveraging this technology.

7. Role of Robotics: Details the functionalities of the robots being built at Formic, including tasks such as palletizing, inspection, and machine welding.

8. Redefining Labor & Purpose: The conversation explores the moral and societal implications of automating repetitive jobs and how it might impact individuals' sense of purpose and identity.

9. Individual and Collective Purpose: Saman discusses the dichotomy between individual and collective purposes, arguing for a balance of individuality and unity.

10. Motivations behind Formic: The journey and vision behind Formic, from the excitement of building something new to the satisfaction of seeing the products in use.

11. Humanity and Tool Use: The conversation examines the idea of humans as tool users and the role of technology in shaping human identity and experience.

12. Fears and Hopes for the Future: The dialogue closes with Saman's thoughts on future shifts in societal perspectives, changes in labor dynamics, and the role of engineers in creating utopian futures.

Media Mentioned:

1. Bloomberg Article: "The US is building factories, but who will work there?"

2. Book: "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir.

3. Company Website: Formic

4. Saman's Twitter

Dashiell Bark Huss

CEO, Wish Tender

1. What is Wish Tender?
   1. Gifts from fans
   2. Gift registries
   3. It's a privacy company
2. How do adult film stars know how to create boundaries?
3. Is it hard for adult film stars to create boundaries?
4. What is financial domination?
   1. A sub who likes to be submissive when it comes to money
5. 90-Day Fiancee
6. If someone comes to you and offers you gifts, what do you do?
7. Why are you nervous about outsourcing?
8. What is it like to do business with your life partner?
9. Is Wish Tender a “no-code business”?
10. Why is New Mexico a great place to do vanlife?
11. Meow Wolf is Pee Wee’s Playhouse on acid
12. What do you know about Urbit so far?
13. What is the deal with Linkedin’s search?
14. What do we know about lucid dreaming
    1. What do we not know about lucid dreaming?
    2. We don’t know any biomarkers during lucid dreaming
    3. Why don’t we know what is physically happening in lucid dreaming?
15. What do the electrodes measure?
    1. EMG muscle tone
    2. EOG electric ocular graphing 
    3. EEG electroenchephalograph
       1. Alpha
       2. Beta
       3. Gamma
       4. Theta
16. Lucid Dreaming lab at NorthWestern
    1. Send them an eye signal through the dream
17. REM you can detect
18. What about your 100 days of discomfort like?
    1. Vanlife (37 minutes in)
19. Why does Stewart have a fear of wearing silly stuff?
20. What was it like asking people to play Rock Paper Scissors?
21. What is the feeling like of having someone confront strangers?
22. What types of attention are fun to get?
23. What is the difference between political swag and political garb?
24. What happens when you wear both a Trump shirt and a Bernie shirt?
25. What happens when you wear a Trump shirt at a college campus? (40 minutes in)
26. What are some other things that will get you stereotyped that aren’t political?
27. Why do both Dashielle and Stewart have so many idiosyncrasies when other people?
28. What is relationship between stoicism and sex and/or sex word?
29. Can you be both a sex worker and a stoic at the same time?
30. What is it like to be a contrarian?
31. What is the relationship between crying and stoicism?
32. What are crocodile tears?
33. How do you fire people?
34. What are the differences between sympathy and empathy?
35. What is metacognition?
    1. What does it improve in relation to lucid dreaming?
    2. What is the inner monologue’s connection to lucid dreaming?
36. What does it take to be a good lucid dreamer?
37. Why do people disagree about what just happened?
38. What is a reality check?
    1. Awake
39. What do you think of the deep sleep state?
40. What are the stages related to deep sleep?
    1. Step 1
    2. Step 2
    3. Step 3
41. What is the difference between REM and deep sleep?
42. What is the relationship between cannabis and lucid dreaming?
43. Should I do an OnlyFans account?
44. How do you get a lot of attention for a good cause?
45. How can I get arrested for something silly?
46. How do you find an old law to test?
47. How do I create a mugshot for myself?
48. What is the difference between satirical news and fake news?
49. How can I get more magical realism in my life?
50. Read the book from Gabriel Garcia Marquez?

@dashbarkhuss on twitter

Anna and I sit down to talk about what it means to be a public intellectual in the current age and what is the difference between a mainstream public intellectual and a niche public intellectual. You will like this episode if you like to understand more about the context of what social media is doing to our social relationships. 

Check out Pynchon here:

https://www.thepynchon.com/

Follow Anna here:

https://twitter.com/theannagat?lang=en

Norland Tellez is an artist and teacher, with a degree in film animation from Cal Arts, and a student of mythology and mythological history with a master’s and a doctorate degree in mythology from Pacifica Institute. In this episode, we discuss the Jungian idea of individuation, the nature of the individual, the two-ness of nonduality, and much more. You can reach Norland on Twitter @mythistorian or via his website: norlandtellez.com

(3:47) Asking “who am I?” is a narrow approach to self-discovery; a better trail of inquiry as suggested by Norland.

(5:10) Are the worldwide instabilities and widespread crises of meaning that are occurring in today’s world a sign that the religious and philosophical movements that were inspired in the axial age are coming to an end? If so, what attitudes should we take in response? Does the Popol Vuh say anything about this?

(11:25) An interesting breakdown of the term ‘image,’ in the context of the religious idea (found across a variety of religions; not just Christianity) that “God/the gods attempted to make man in their own image”

(13:12) What Carl Jung failed to see about the human psyche and why his psychological worldview is incomplete.

(15:49) What exactly is Western Civilization? What is it and is it really behind the ‘hyper-individualistic’ psyche that dominates the majority of human society in today’s world? That said, are we just cogs in society’s machine? Or are we individuals with free will? Or is it both?

(28:10) Individualism is a relational concept; an individual is a collective process.

(31:50) How the concept of twinship, from the Popol Vuh, correlates with the structure of consciousness; the primordial archetype of ‘two-ness’; why the ‘One’ is actually a ‘twinship.’

(47:45) How we can deal with ideological traps.

 

Stephen is working on AI dev on Near protocol and developing on Ethereum

1. What is the NEAR blockchain?
2. What is sharding?
   1. Increasing throughput of the transactions
   2. Breaking up the blockchain into shards so that you can get more parallelism
   3. When does ETH sharding begin?
   4. ETH sharding is based on blobs
3. Why are you attracted to Rust?
4. Can you use Rust on Ethereum?
5. What is a virtual machine?
   1. Something that is interpreting bite code instead of binary
6. Why would a blockchain need a virtual machine?
7. Why are virtual machines more secure?
8. What is web assembly?
9. How do interfaces work for smart contracts?
10. What is a blockchain?
11. Why would someone want to have a blockchain for gaming?
12. Why does a blockchain economize resources better than something like AWS or cloud computing?
13. What are zero knowledge proofs?
14. What is the relationship between zero knowledge proofs and KYC networks?
15. What is determinism?
16. What are your thoughts on AI right now as an AI developer?
17. How far are we from AGI?
18. How much has psychology or biology informed the development of AI?
19. Has anyone formed a plan to actually get to AGI?
20. Would gaming be a good way to create an AGI through this bootstrapping thing you mention 25 minutes in?
21. Why is gaming AI dumbed down?
22. Is it dumbed down because of resource efficiency?
    1. No its because you want that determism and the expected range of behaviors
    2. QA doesn’t want to deal with unexpected issues which cause bugs you can’t fix or expect
23. How is deep learning affecting gaming developments?
    1. How is gaming affecting deep learning?
24. Are you using copilot for developing?
25. What is reinforcement learning?
    1. Find out how much you value decisions that lead to certain rewards
26. What does it mean to “discount something”?
27. Whether OPENAI is open source?
28. What did NFT protocol did you create?
29. What is a Markoff chain?
30. What is a lottery smart contract?
    1. You purchase tickets with your crypto wallet
    2. The more tickets you purchase, the better chances you have for a payout
31. How does peer reviewing work for writing solidity?
32. What are the implications of developing on a blockchain versus a normal database?
33. What is state when it comes to programming?
34. How do you visualize the state of the EVM?

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, I, Stewart Alsop, had the pleasure of hosting Albert Chun, Director of Operations at Invisible Technologies. We explored the latest advancements in large language models, particularly focusing on their implications for content creation, coding, and video generation. Albert provided insights into the evolution of software engineering towards prompt engineering, the philosophical debates surrounding AI and humanity, and the impact of AI on creativity and discipline. We also discussed the role of AI in education across different socioeconomic contexts and pondered over the future of AI in decentralized systems. Albert shared some valuable resources and thoughts, including those from his experiences in educational settings. For those looking to connect with Albert or explore more about his work, you can find him on LinkedIn at Albert S. Chun's LinkedIn. Check out this GPT we trained on the convo

Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast with Stewart Alsop and Albert Chun. Discussion on the remarkable capabilities and implications of a recent LLM update named SORA, its impact on content generation, and the significant human effort required behind improving LLMs.

• [00:05:00] Focus shifts to the evolving role of software engineering towards prompt engineering and the increasing complexity of tasks that LLMs can handle.

• [00:10:00] Albert reflects on the philosophical aspects of interacting with AI, touching on human endeavor, the essence of being human, and the potential for AI to reshape personal reprogramming.

• [00:15:00] Conversation moves to the impact of AI on creativity and the challenges of maintaining discipline amidst increasingly accessible creative tools.

• [00:20:00] Discussion on the social implications of AI in different socio-economic settings, especially concerning technology use in education.

• [00:25:00] Albert talks about his experiences teaching in diverse educational settings and using technology to enhance learning outcomes in lower-income neighborhoods.

• [00:30:00] The podcast explores potential changes in education policy and technology, including the benefits and limitations of current educational frameworks in adapting to technological advancements.

• [00:35:00] Focus on financial literacy in education, exploring the slow adoption of practical skills teaching in school curriculums and the broader societal implications.

• [00:40:00] The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the future impact of decentralized systems and technologies on societal structures and norms.

Key Insights

1. Advancements in LLMs: Albert Chun highlighted recent advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) such as SORA, discussing its capabilities in content generation and the significant human labor involved in refining these models. This reflects a broader trend in AI development, where human input remains crucial despite increasing automation.

2. Role of Software Engineering: The conversation shifted to how the role of software engineers is evolving towards prompt engineers and annotators. As AI grows more complex, the skills required to train and manage these models are becoming more specialized, suggesting a paradigm shift in the tech industry's labor needs.

3. Philosophical Implications of AI: Albert and Stewart delved into the philosophical implications of AI, pondering what it means to be human in an age increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. They discussed how AI challenges our conventional views on creativity, knowledge, and the essence of human endeavor.

4. AI and Creativity: The discussion explored how AI might impact creativity, particularly through tools that simplify the creative process. While AI can democratize creativity by making tools more accessible, there is concern about whether this ease of use might undermine the discipline required for profound creative work.

5. Educational Disparities and AI: Albert shared insights from his teaching experiences, highlighting how AI and technology could bridge or widen educational gaps. He emphasized the potential for technology to transform educational outcomes, especially in underprivileged areas, by enhancing engagement and learning modalities.

6. Policy and Educational Change: They discussed the slow pace of educational reform in integrating practical skills like financial literacy into curricula. Albert expressed skepticism about whether current educational policies could adequately prepare students for a future intertwined with AI, suggesting that more proactive and innovative approaches are needed.

7. Future of Decentralized Systems: Finally, the conversation touched on the potential for AI and technology to lead to more decentralized systems, affecting everything from governance to personal autonomy. This reflects a broader societal shift towards questioning and potentially restructuring traditional power dynamics and institutional structures.

This one was really fun and I got to go deep into Tiago's understanding of the impact of technology on our ability to learn. Its a huge passion for me as well so we got some interesting stuff out there.

If you remember the interview I did with Ian Livingstone last thursday about starting companies outside of Silicon Valley, this is actually the episode that got me on to the trail of Ian and his company Dropout Labs.

Boris basically helps me map out the entire global ecosystem for startups and where its headed particularly from the investment angle. 

Find Boris on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bwertz

Find Version One:

https://versionone.vc/

Hiten Shah (@hnshah) is a startup investor and the co-founder of FYI, a company that has developed research-based software to help people find their documents as quickly as possible.

In this talk, we explore the connection that is gradually flourishing between two seemingly distinct worlds: Technology and Spirituality. Hiten has a lot of insights to share and is keen to delve into the many different ways in which computers, the human condition, and business intertwine with each other.

If you're interested in either of these topics, you can't miss this one.

Follow along:

(04:33) - Is the human experience necessarily a spiritual one?

(08:20) - Hiten's personal experience with the internet

(12:06) - What is Hiten's view on the relationship between technology and spirituality?

(16:57) - Shadow work: what is it?

(22:45) - Samskara, energy body and the essence of observation

(29:18) - Judgment vs. Discernment

(33:07) - What is Hiten most excited about right now?

(37:05) - Start, Grow, Scale - the changing nature of a business

(42:22) - How relevant is memorization in the face of unlimited digital storage?

(48:27) - What does Hiten think about predicting the future impact of technology?

(51:42) - What projects is Hiten currently working on?

(54:17) - Hiten's relationship with stress and creativity

Please subscribe to Crazy Wisdom wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a rating and review in Apple Podcasts.

We talk about the future of work, the joy of dancing and how to think about living a healthy life while also building a company.

Follow @StaceyFerreira

and Check out:

https://www.joinforge.com/

 

Zohar Atkins

He is a rabbi, philosopher, blogger and podcaster. His podcast is called Meditations With Zohar

Show Notes

1. Who is your favorite philosopher?

2. What is non-aggressive socratic questioning?

3. Why do you like Heidegger?

   1. How was he Nazi-ism

4. How do you relate to the history of philosophy?

5. How do you walk the line between tradition and being a revolutionary?

6. What was your first experience learning for yourself instead of learning top-down?

7. What does it feel like to have a hunger for learning?

8. What happens when we decide we are going to learn everything and then run into the block of only having so much time?

9. How do you relate to patience when confronting the weird language of philosophy?

10. How do you define good communication?

11. What is the value of incomprehensibility?

12. How important is banging your head on the wall?

13. Who is a philosopher that you think is a fraud?

14. Was Jesus a philosopher?

15. Do philosophers build truth structures?

16. What is hagiography?

17. What is your philosophy of technology?

18. How is Socrates exceptional?

19. Where do philosophy and religion meet?

20. What happened to the public intellectual?

21. Was Wittgenstein religious? 

22. How was Wittgenstein obsessed with language?

23. What is your take on rationalism?

    1. What about scientism?

24. What is the job of philosophy?

25. Why are most people not interested in philosophy?

26. Who is Leo Strauss?

    1. Philosophy is opposition to the state

    2. What happens when the state get too powerful and the philosophy gets crowded out?

27. What is the dominant philosophy of the US in the 20th century?

    1. Pragmatism

28. What was the difference between philosophy and science for ancient philosophers?

29. How is philosophy a technology?

30. How is UX a strain of phenomenology?

31. What is the feedback cycle between technology and philosophy?

32. What is the problem of induction?

    1. Aristotlean is ok with doing case studies

    2. Deductionism leads to cancelling all the case studies

33. What defines the modern essence of technology?

34. What happens when humans commoditize themselves?

35. Without technology why can’t most understand leisure?

36. How does Science doesn’t think?

37. How did the original science people become more humble about the origins of science?

38. How does achievement distract from the question of meaning?

39. Why don’t you think Scientism is a big deal?

40. How is Scientism is bad for religion?

41. What is your take on new age occult stuff?

42. Irrationalism sees with a squint to what rationalism is blind

43. How can we become open to the strangeness of the universe?

44. How can we be epistemologically humble?

 

In this episode, the host, Stewart Alsop, takes a deep dive with Suman Kanuganti, the co-founder and CEO of personal.ai. They discuss the concepts of Personal Language Models (PLM), artificial intelligence, and the UX of AI systems. Suman presents the idea of creating personalized AI for every individual to preserve their memory and enable people to interact with it, thus introducing a new way to retain and access human knowledge. They also touch upon the impacts of AI on the way history will be told and remembered in the future.

We built a Custom GPT trained on this episode for you to interact with. Try this prompt with it:

What are Suman's thoughts on the evolution of personal AI?

Key Insights

1. Introduction to Personal AI: Discussion on the concept of Personal AI, an AI version of oneself that leverages personal data, facts, and opinions to create interactive experiences for others.

2. Origin of Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti shares his inspiration behind Personal AI, motivated by the loss of his mentor, Larry Bok, and the desire to maintain intellectual and emotional connections.

3. Nature of Personal AI: Unlike current Large Language Models (LLMs), Personal AI focuses on individual memory, including context, location, and personal history. It grows over time, assimilating various aspects of an individual's life.

4. Explicit vs. Implicit Memory: Exploration of the concept of explicit memory control in Personal AI, ensuring intellectual integrity, and distinguishing it from implicit inference.

5. Personal AI's User Experience: Discussion on the evolution of the user experience in Personal AI, highlighting how it started before the hype of current LLMs like GPT-3.

6. Integration with LLMs: Insight into how Personal AI integrates with general LLMs to enhance user experience and fill gaps in personal knowledge.

7. Challenges and Solutions in Personal AI Development: Suman Kanuganti discusses overcoming challenges related to UX design, data training, and market adaptation.

8. Future of AI Interaction: Speculation on the future modalities of interacting with AI, including voice, virtual avatars, and potential integration into the metaverse and synthetic biology.

9. Vision and Persistence in Developing Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti reflects on the journey of developing Personal AI, emphasizing the importance of vision and overcoming resistance and challenges in the tech industry.

10. Historical Implications of Personal AI: A closing thought on how Personal AI could change the way history is recorded and told, with individual memory shaping personal narratives.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Michelle Shocron, CEO and founder of Parsed, diving deep into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the shift towards GPU-based computing for AI applications. They discuss how cloud services like AWS and Google Workspace are pivoting towards AI, leveraging models for various functions including storage and computation. Michelle shares insights about the increasing attraction of AI software as investments and AI-driven opportunities in cloud computing. The dialogue also explores the concept of decentralized computing and the potential for AI to operate independently, laying the groundwork for a world where AI can run locally on individual devices, reducing reliance on centralized services. They speculate on the future of AI technology's integration into social media and the internet, addressing the challenges of distinguishing real from fake content, and the implications for human interaction and information consumption. Lastly, Michelle introduces Parsed, detailing its mission to democratize AI accessibility and usage among businesses by overcoming the barrier of asking the right questions and optimizing AI application through a user-friendly platform.

Check out the GPT we trained on the convo

Timestamps

00:54 Exploring the Intersection of AI and Cloud Computing 05:26 The Future of AI: Decentralization and Local Models 10:59 The Impact of AI on Social Media and Internet Usage 19:49 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity and Truth Detection 25:30 The Shift in Work-Life Balance and Entrepreneurship in the AI Era 27:40 The Impact of AI on Consumer Interaction 28:03 The Responsibility and Uncertainty of AI in Business 28:25 The Role of AI in Credit Systems and Predictive Models 29:22 The Adoption and Branding of AI 31:26 The Challenges and Potential of AI Chatbots 33:37 The Unpredictability and Control of AI 34:20 The Future of AI: Explainable AI and Access 37:15 The Role of Open Source and Decentralization in AI 42:50 The Power Dynamics in AI and Society 45:11 The Journey of Building an AI Startup 48:57 The Importance of Asking Better Questions in AI 52:17 Conclusion: The Future of AI and How to Thrive

Key Insights

1. Decentralization of AI and Technology: There's a significant emphasis on how decentralization, driven by blockchain technologies, can offer an alternative to the current model dominated by private corporations and venture capital. This shift towards open-source development is seen as a potential future that challenges the status quo, highlighting the importance of incentives in promoting open-source projects.

2. AI's Impact on Cloud Computing: The conversation touches on the evolving relationship between AI and cloud computing, suggesting that AI could significantly shift the landscape of cloud computing. This includes the potential for AI to become more attractive for investments and the way AI technologies are becoming central to companies traditionally focused on cloud services.

3. Creative and Efficient AI Applications: The dialogue explores how AI, particularly in the form of chatbots and AI-driven models, can be tailored for specific niches like education, customer service, and private equity, suggesting a future where AI's versatility leads to more personalized and efficient applications.

4. The Paradox of Choice and AI Adoption: Michelle discusses how one of the main challenges in AI adoption is the paradox of choice, where too many options lead to decision paralysis. Her startup aims to resolve this by helping companies develop an AI mindset and improve workforce productivity by simplifying choices and fostering creativity.

5. Social Media and AI: There's an exploration of how AI is already deeply integrated into social media, affecting user experiences and behaviors. This includes discussions on how people interact with AI unknowingly through algorithms and the potential for AI to change content creation and consumption.

6. Ethical and Societal Implications of AI: The conversation delves into broader philosophical questions about power, visibility, and the role of AI in society. This includes discussions on the nature of power, the potential for AI to redefine social structures, and the ethical responsibilities of AI developers.

7. Future of AI Development: The discussion hints at the ongoing evolution of AI, including the shift towards more localized, decentralized AI models that could run independently of the internet, potentially changing how we interact with technology on a fundamental level.

8. Overcoming the "Blank Page" Phenomenon: The idea that AI, specifically tools like ChatGPT, can help overcome the initial hurdle of starting a project or idea by providing prompts and suggestions, essentially serving as a catalyst for creativity.

9. AI and the Job Market: Insights into how the rise of AI might change job landscapes, emphasizing the importance of adapting to and learning about AI to remain relevant in future job markets.

10. Decentralized Entrepreneurship: The discussion points towards a trend of decentralized entrepreneurship, where individuals leverage digital platforms and AI to create new business models and revenue streams, challenging traditional employment and business practices.

The Crazy Wisdom Podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Simone Collins, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-host of the Based Camp podcast. Topics explored include the concept of 'based' in the context of the podcast, the crisis of belief in authority, the role of AI in governance and its potential to improve bureaucratic efficiencies. Simone shared her views on the impact of demographic collapse on cities and illustrated the potential future of 'techno-feudalism' where power and money concentrate within isolated, secure communities. The discussion also touched upon the role of cryptocurrencies as an alternative during hyperinflation scenarios, based on experience in countries like Argentina. The episode ends with a brief discussion about the potential ways to evade an 'Argentine future' for the US, predicated on curbing bureaucratic waste.

Here is a GPT we trained on this episode if you want to ask it questions (you need to be a subscriber to GPT4 to access)

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Simone Collins 01:04 Understanding the Term 'Based' in Podcasting 02:19 Navigating Political Conversations in Progressive Cities 02:45 Breaking Free from Restrictive Beliefs 03:28 Hosting Diverse Dinner Parties 04:15 Challenging Progressive Culture 04:31 Personal Journey of Changing Political Beliefs 06:03 The Limitations of Progressive Culture 08:08 Engaging with Controversial Ideas 15:46 The Patchwork Age: A New Era of Diverse Beliefs 16:59 Technofeudalism: The Future of Cities and Infrastructure 23:36 The Impact of Demographic Collapse 26:28 European Influence and Immigration in Southern Brazil 27:02 The Impact of Emigration on Argentina 27:15 The Role of Tourism in Argentine Emigration 27:40 Hyperinflation and its Effects on Infrastructure 27:45 The Future of the U.S. Dollar in a Hyperinflated World 29:09 The Role of Cryptocurrency in Economically Unstable Countries 30:55 The Black Market and the U.S. Dollar in Argentina 32:13 The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Argentina 32:52 The Necessity of Cryptocurrency in Developing Countries 33:08 The Adoption of Cryptocurrency by Non-Tech Savvy Individuals 35:22 The Impact of AI on Bureaucracy 35:44 The Role of AI in Government and Politics 38:52 The Future of the U.S. Government in an AI-Driven World 39:41 The Impact of AI on Corporate Governance 40:30 The Role of AI in Reducing Government Bureaucracy 44:11 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Demographic Collapse 44:39 The Role of AI in the Future of Governance 47:04 The Impact of Bureaucracy on the Argentine Economy 47:57 The Future of the U.S. Economy Amidst Rising Debt 49:36 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Economy 50:36 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:05 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Government 51:38 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:51 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 52:34 Conclusion

Key Insights

1. The Concept of 'Based': Simone Collins discussed the term 'based,' highlighting its varied interpretations. Initially understood as someone comfortable with their beliefs, regardless of others' opinions, it has evolved to carry political connotations and baggage. The term now often implies a conservative leaning, especially when contrasted with progressive viewpoints.

2. Cultural and Political Dynamics in New York City and San Francisco: Collins shared her experiences growing up in San Francisco and living in New York City, describing them as progressive environments where there's a prevalent culture of not tolerating differing opinions. She observed that progressive culture often equates being challenged or uncomfortable with personal attacks, impacting open dialogue.

3. Diverse Dinner Parties and Political Dialogues: Collins and her husband host dinner parties in New York City, deliberately inviting a heterodox mix of people, including conservatives, progressives, and others with unconventional views. She noted that criticisms of these gatherings typically come from progressive attendees who feel uncomfortable with conservative perspectives.

4. Personal Political Shifts: Stewart shared his journey of political and ideological transformation, particularly around the time of Donald Trump’s election. This shift was a process of questioning and reassessing his long-held beliefs.

5. Demographic Collapse and its Implications: Collins expressed concerns about demographic collapse, particularly in countries like South Korea and Japan. She discussed how this phenomenon might lead to a decline in smaller cities and towns, with a corresponding rise in mega-cities or gated communities.

6. The Role of AI in Future Societies: The conversation touched on the potential impact of AI on governance and societal structures. Collins speculated about a future of 'techno-feudalism,' where AI-driven communities could emerge, leading to a patchwork of different societal models.

7. Cryptocurrency in Economies Facing Hyperinflation: The host and Collins discussed the practical use of cryptocurrencies in countries like Argentina and Venezuela, where traditional currencies are highly unstable. This situation contrasts with the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies in more stable economies like the U.S.

8. Government Bureaucracy and Potential AI Solutions: Collins suggested that AI could streamline government functions and reduce bureaucracy. However, she acknowledged the challenge of implementing such changes due to entrenched interests and the complexity of government structures.

9. Potential for Change in U.S. Governance: The conversation ended on a note of cautious optimism about the possibility of reforming U.S. governance structures, particularly at the state level, despite recognizing the significant challenges ahead.

 

Why you should listen to this episode:

Andy started taking pictures of yogis around the world in 2012. Anyone who spends time with people devoted to a yoga practice has a lot of interesting stories to share. Andy does not disappoint. The New York times even did a piece on his work.

There is so much valuable info here in terms of yoga's growing popularity around the world. It's like a virus and Andy has a lot of insight into its spread.

Andy's voice is so soothing and melodic. Seriously, listen to this episode just to hear his voice!

If you want to check out more about Andy's work here is a link to his website, which features his new book, Serpent in the Wilderness. The book was recently published by Kehrer Verlag.

Such a great, candid interview with down-to-earth Ryan Caldbeck, CEO of CircleUp, on some of the rarely-discussed, yet crucial aspects of entrepreneurship, its effects on mental health and how leaders can improve their lifestyle to boost their company's performance. Ryan was very open and receptive towards sharing some of the most intimate issues that he's faced on his journey as a founder. 

Check out Ryan's tweetstorm here: https://bit.ly/2O7vhmY

Timeline of the conversation:

(3:18) - What is the #1 lesson that building CircleUp has taught Ryan?

(6:26) - What is the job of a CEO?

(8:35) - Ryan's spiritual backdrop

(11:43) - Ryan's advice for inexperienced entrepreneurs 

(15:49) - Distinguishing between what is Important, what is Urgent, or what is both

(23:30) - Business context: Work vs. Non-work

(26:20) - Why you should be wary of going to conferences

(28:15) - Ryan's experience with series-C investment

(34:22) - The role of authenticity in the grand scheme of business

(48:44) - Related reading and closing thoughts

Please subscribe to Crazy Wisdom wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a rating and review in Apple Podcasts.

 

 

 

I did a special interview series about humanity's largest creative asset: the ocean, and how we are putting huge stresses on it and what we can do to fix it.

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Maples Jr. to talk about the role stress plays in entrepreneurship. 

Sahil is really sharp and definitely has his head on straight. He has a lot of wisdom to share here about painting, life, and startups. 

Welcome to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast! I'm your host, Stewart Alsop III, and today we have a special guest, Steve Case, the former CEO of AOL and current chairman of Revolution. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including Steve's early career and the founding of AOL, the challenges faced during the dot-com era, and the importance of partnerships in driving success. We also discuss Steve's transition into venture capital, his work with the Rise of the Rest initiative, and the regulatory challenges faced by tech companies. Read Steve's profile in Revolution's web page here for more details on his work. Join us for an insightful conversation with one of the pioneers of the internet!

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and the main topics to be covered.

05:00 - Early beginnings of Steve Case's career and the founding of AOL.

10:00 - Challenges and obstacles faced during the early years of AOL.

15:00 - Key partnerships and their impact on AOL's growth.

20:00 - The importance of a strong company culture and vision.

25:00 - Navigating the dot-com boom and bust.

30:00 - Lessons learned from the AOL and Time Warner merger.

35:00 - Steve Case's transition from AOL to venture capital and founding Revolution.

40:00 - Investing in startups and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs outside Silicon Valley.

45:00 - The Rise of the Rest initiative and its mission to foster innovation across America.

50:00 - Policy and regulatory challenges faced by tech companies.

55:00 - Reflections on the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

Key Insights

1. The Early Struggles of AOL: Steve Case shared the challenges AOL faced in its early years, including significant layoffs and the eventual decision to pivot and create a new company. This highlighted the resilience and adaptability required to survive and eventually thrive in the competitive tech landscape.

2. Importance of Partnerships: A recurring theme in the conversation was the crucial role of partnerships in driving AOL’s success. Case discussed how AOL partnered with PC manufacturers like IBM and Radio Shack to bundle its software, which significantly boosted its user base and market penetration.

3. Navigating the Dot-Com Boom and Bust: The episode provided valuable insights into the dot-com era, emphasizing the volatility and rapid changes that characterized the tech industry during that time. Case’s reflections on the AOL and Time Warner merger underscored the complexities and risks of large-scale corporate mergers.

4. Rise of the Rest Initiative: Case passionately discussed his Rise of the Rest initiative, which aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across America, particularly outside of the traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. He highlighted the potential for great ideas and businesses to emerge from diverse locations, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach to venture capital.

5. The Role of Policy and Regulation: The discussion delved into the evolving relationship between technology and regulation. Case pointed out that as technology integrates more deeply into sectors like healthcare and transportation, understanding and navigating policy becomes increasingly critical for entrepreneurs and investors.

6. Future of AI and Human Augmentation: Both Case and Alsop shared their perspectives on the future of AI, particularly the distinction between AI as a tool for human augmentation versus the development of superintelligence. They discussed the potential of AI to transform industries by enhancing human capabilities and improving efficiencies.

7. Role of Universities in Innovation: The episode also explored the role of academic institutions in driving innovation. Case argued for a more entrepreneurial approach from universities, suggesting that they focus on unleashing ideas and supporting startups rather than solely relying on traditional tech transfer models. This could significantly enhance the impact of academic research on real-world applications.

Here are some of my favorite questions:

What is the lifespan of an average system?

Why does a system prioritize its own existence?

How do adaptable systems manage inertia?

Why is real estate so stable?

Why are corn and soybeans such a good investment in the mid-west?

What is regulatory capture?

Why humans are so crazy about curiosity?

How does consciousness help us eat, have sex, poop, and sleep better?

What is the point of subconsciousness?

What does it mean to be a system engineer?

Can the systems of technology and the systems of nature coexist?

Is a human pushing a rock off a cliff an example of technology?

How would you describe the intention of a tree?

What percent of services are automated now? What percentage will be in five years?

Follow Matt on Twitter: @thatmatt

We talked about how philosophy can help us do better business.

We covered the following questions:

What are the most important questions to ask yourself while starting a company?

What is the most important thing to know about hypergrowth?

Follow Kulveer here:

https://twitter.com/kul

Find out more about Zeus Living:

https://zeusliving.com/

 

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, Stewart Alsop chats with Taren Pang, a full-stack developer with a rich background in architecture, Web3, and AI. The discussion covers the evolving role of algorithms in shaping our online experiences, the importance of transparent AI and blockchain technologies, and how tools like Urbit and Bitcoin could reshape business in a decentralized world. Taren also shares insights on programming with AI and his journey of transitioning from architecture to the tech industry. For more on Taren's thoughts and work, stay tuned for future updates as he refines his focus.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:18 The Role of Twitter as a Journal
01:50 Navigating Twitter's Algorithm
06:00 The Impact of AI and Deepfakes
11:05 Transition to Web Development
17:12 Exploring AI in Programming
21:47 The Future of AI and Job Market
28:09 Web3 and Blockchain Insights
49:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Key Insights

1. The Shift in Online Trust: The discussion highlighted how algorithms have become more trusted than traditional sources of knowledge, such as books. This shift reflects the increasing influence of digital platforms on our perception of truth and the ways we consume information.
2. The Role of AI in Work and Life: AI's growing role in automating tasks was a major theme, with Taren expressing optimism about AI's potential to take over mundane tasks, allowing humans to focus on more meaningful work. Despite fears of job displacement, Taren believes AI will be more of an enabler than a replacement.
3. The Importance of Transparent Algorithms: Both Stewart and Taren emphasized the need for transparency in the algorithms that shape our online experiences. Open-source algorithms, especially on platforms like Twitter, could allow users to understand how their data is being used and manipulated, fostering greater trust.
4. Web3 and Decentralization: The episode explored the promise of Web3 technologies, such as Ethereum and Erbit, which aim to decentralize the internet by giving users more control over their data and digital identities. This shift could potentially democratize online spaces and reduce the power of large corporations.
5. The Evolution of Programming with AI: Taren shared his experiences with AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, illustrating how these technologies are transforming programming by making tasks like code conversion more efficient. The rise of no-code and low-code platforms is also making AI more accessible to non-programmers.
6. The Future of Digital Economies: Blockchain's potential to create new forms of digital economies was discussed, particularly through programmable platforms like Ethereum. These technologies could enable new business models that are more transparent and equitable, allowing creators to own and monetize their work in novel ways.
7. Adapting to Technological Change: The conversation concluded with a broader reflection on how humanity has always adapted to technological advancements. Taren argued that, like past innovations, AI and blockchain will present new opportunities and challenges, but ultimately, they will enhance human life rather than diminish it.

On this episode of Crazy Wisdom, Stewart Alsop welcomes back guest David Hundley, a principal engineer at a Fortune 500 company specializing in innovative machine learning applications. The conversation spans topics like techno-humanism, the future interplay of consciousness and artificial intelligence, and the societal implications of technologies like neural interfaces and large language models. Together, they explore the philosophical and technical challenges posed by advancements in AI and what it means for humanity's trajectory. For more insights from David, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:31 Techno Humanism vs. Transhumanism

02:14 Exploring Humanism and Its Historical Context

05:06 Accelerationism and Consciousness

06:58 AI Conversations and Human Interaction

10:21 Challenges in AI and Machine Learning

13:26 Product Integration and AI Limitations

19:03 Coding with AI: Tools and Techniques

25:28 Vector Stores vs. Traditional Databases

32:16 Understanding Network Self-Optimization

33:25 Exploring Parameters and Biases in AI

34:53 Bias in AI and Societal Implications

38:28 The Future of AI and Open Source

44:01 Techno-Humanism and AI's Role in Society

48:55 The Intersection of AI and Human Emotions

52:48 The Ethical and Societal Impact of AI

58:20 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Key Insights

1. Techno-Humanism as a Framework: David Hundley introduces "techno-humanism" as a philosophy that explores how technology and humanity can coexist and integrate without losing sight of human values. This perspective acknowledges the current reality that we are already cyborgs, augmented by devices like smartphones and smartwatches, and speculates on the deeper implications of emerging technologies like Neuralink, which could redefine the human experience.
2. The Limitations of Large Language Models (LLMs): The discussion highlights that while LLMs are powerful tools, they lack true creativity or consciousness. They are stochastic parrots, reflecting and recombining existing knowledge rather than generating novel ideas. This distinction underscores the difference between human and artificial intelligence, particularly in the ability to create new explanations and knowledge.
3. Biases and Zeitgeist Machines: LLMs are described as "zeitgeist machines," reflecting the biases and values embedded in their training data. While this mirrors societal norms, it raises concerns about how conscious and unconscious biases—shaped by culture, regulation, and curation—impact the models' outputs. The episode explores the ethical and societal implications of this phenomenon.
4. The Role of Open Source in AI's Future: Open-source AI tools are positioned as critical to the democratization of technology. David suggests that open-source projects, such as those in the Python ecosystem, have historically driven innovation and accessibility, and this trend is likely to continue with AI. Open-source initiatives provide opportunities for decentralization, reducing reliance on corporate-controlled models.
5. Potential of AI for Mental Health and Counseling: David shares his experience using AI for conversational support, comparing it to talking with a human friend. This suggests a growing potential for AI in mental health applications, offering companionship or guidance. However, the ethical implications of replacing human counselors with AI and the depth of empathy that machines can genuinely offer remain questions.
6. The Future of Database Technologies: The discussion explores traditional databases versus emerging technologies like vector and graph databases, particularly in how they support AI. Graph databases, with their ability to encode relationships between pieces of information, could provide a more robust foundation for complex queries in knowledge-intensive environments.
7. The Ethical and Societal Implications of AI: The conversation grapples with how AI could reshape societal structures and values, from its influence on decision-making to its potential integration with human cognition. Whether through regulation, neural enhancement, or changes in media dynamics, AI presents profound challenges and opportunities for human civilization, raising questions about autonomy, ethics, and collective progress.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Nader Khalili, the CEO and Co-founder of BrevDev, a company making it easier to use GPUs for machine learning applications. They delve into the details of BrevDev's work, discussing AI infrastructure, the advantages of fine-tuning over training AI models from scratch, and the evolution of user experience with AI systems. Khalili shares insights about CUDA, a software suite used to leverage GPUs' power, and details how BrevDev simplifies this process. They also compare the work processes and results of remote vs non-remote work teams and share thoughts about future developments in AI. The broad spectrum of AI software applications is touched upon, highlighting the potential benefits for businesses.

If you are a subscriber to GPT4 check out this GPT we trained on the episode

TImestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Nader Khalil, CEO of BrevDev 00:49 Understanding BrevDev and its Role in GPU Usage 01:40 Deep Dive into CUDA and its Importance in AI Applications 02:40 Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities in AI Development 03:37 The Intricacies of Distributed Computing and Programming 05:12 The Role of Abstraction in Engineering and AI 06:46 BrevDev's Approach to Simplifying GPU Configuration 07:50 The Future of Fine Tuning and AI Development 11:05 The Impact of AI on Business and Software Development 22:00 The Role of Notebooks in Machine Learning and AI 24:04 Addressing Infrastructure Problems in Tech 24:21 The Challenges of Accessing GPUs 25:06 The Art of Model Training and Optimization 26:27 The Evolution of GPU Production 28:09 The Role of GPUs in Model Training 32:10 The Impact of AI on Business 33:38 The Vibrant Tech Scene in San Francisco 41:01 The Future of Deep Tech and AI 43:32 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. Simplifying GPU Use with BrevDev: BrevDev focuses on making GPUs easily accessible and usable for various purposes, especially in AI and machine learning. The platform connects to different data centers, manages hardware requirements, and sets up necessary environments like CUDA and Python versions, essentially abstracting the complexities of configuring GPUs for end-users.

2. Understanding CUDA: CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is pivotal for AI applications as it allows for more powerful operations on NVIDIA GPUs. Nader explains CUDA as a low-level, highly capable software suite that can be challenging for application developers used to working at higher abstraction levels.

3. Evolution of AI Applications: The conversation touches upon the Cambrian explosion in AI, emphasizing that the current boom isn't just about more noise from existing AI practitioners but a significant expansion, including application developers transitioning to AI development. The key challenge is the abstraction layers and ensuring that application developers can work without needing to understand the lower-level intricacies like CUDA.

4. Business Philosophy and Team Dynamics in Startups: Nader discusses the importance of having a close-knit, collaborative team, especially when dealing with complex and rapidly evolving technologies. He emphasizes the preference for in-person collaboration in the early stages of a startup to facilitate better information flow and decision-making.

5. Fine-tuning vs. Training AI Models: The podcast sheds light on the distinction between training AI models from scratch and fine-tuning existing models. Fine-tuning is presented as a more accessible entry point for businesses looking to leverage AI, focusing on how businesses can use their unique data to enhance pre-trained models for specific applications.

6. Future of GPUs and Computational Infrastructure: Nader talks about the advancements in GPU technology, like the transition from A100s to H100s, and the challenges in accessing and utilizing these resources efficiently. He also hints at the potential shifts in computational infrastructure with new startups innovating in the GPU space.

7. The Role of San Francisco in Tech Innovation: The podcast touches on the cultural and entrepreneurial dynamics of San Francisco, emphasizing how the city attracts and fosters a community of builders and innovators, particularly in the tech and AI sectors.

8. Advent of Distributed Computing and Future Paradigms: There's a philosophical discussion about the future of computing, particularly around distributed, peer-to-peer, network-based software and the impact of machine learning models that can process and compress vast amounts of high-dimensional data.

We recorded this episode right after Jeff started working at Lambda school doing growth. Jeff has a lot of insight into how remote works and how it doesn't. He also has a lot to add about how to think about investing in remote companies as well as companies in general. 

It was also very interesting to hear how Jeff broke into tech as well by making a move to Kansas City in response to a tweet! 

Find Jeff on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jmj

And Chapter One Ventures:

http://www.chapterone.vc/

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Omar Shaya, the founder of Multion. They explore the transformative potential of AI in everyday tasks, discussing how Multion acts as an AI agent to perform web-based activities like booking flights and making reservations. The conversation also covers the evolution of AI models, the future of programming, and the integration of AI in coding. For more information, you can visit Multion's website at Multion.ai and follow them on Twitter at @Multion_ai.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast and guest Omar Shaya. Introduction to Multion, an AI agent that performs web-based tasks.

00:05:00 - Discussion on the capabilities of Multion, such as making reservations and booking flights. The distinction between co-pilot and autopilot AI frameworks.

00:10:00 - Conversation about trust in AI for specific tasks and the idea of delegating various tasks to AI agents.

00:15:00 - Omar Shaya explains the focus on models that take actions rather than just generating text. Discussion on the evolution and sophistication of these models.

00:20:00 - The potential of AI in handling complex tasks, integrating multiple steps, and being a pragmatic solution for daily activities.

00:25:00 - The future of AI in terms of taking over tasks traditionally performed by humans and how AI is being integrated into various fields.

00:30:00 - Omar discusses his technical background, his approach to coding, and the use of AI in programming.

00:35:00 - Exploring the use of AI for refactoring code and the complexities involved. Discussion on programming languages and their evolution towards human language.

00:40:00 - The importance of understanding underlying systems and concepts in programming. The continuous evolution of programming languages.

00:45:00 - The role of memory in computing and its management in programming. Omar's early experiences with programming and his learning process.

00:50:00 - Discussion on learning and consuming information through AI. The future of search and AI's impact on it. The use of AI in understanding and summarizing information.

Key Insights

1-AI's Expanding Capabilities: Omar Shaya explains how Multion, an AI agent, is designed to perform a wide range of web-based tasks such as making restaurant reservations and booking flights. This highlights the growing capabilities of AI to handle complex, multi-step processes that were traditionally managed by humans.

2-Trust in AI: Stewart Alsop raises concerns about trusting AI with specific tasks, such as booking Airbnbs based on the "vibe" of the place. Omar addresses this by emphasizing the importance of user control and customization, allowing the AI to either fully automate tasks or check in with users before making final decisions, thus balancing autonomy with reliability.

3-Evolution of AI Models: The discussion delves into the sophistication of AI models, which have evolved from generating text to performing actionable tasks. Omar describes how Multion's AI can horizontally manage a variety of tasks and progressively handle more complex actions, showcasing the dynamic nature of AI development.

4-Future of Programming: Omar predicts that while AI will significantly aid in programming, understanding foundational concepts will remain crucial. AI's role in filling in code snippets and handling mundane coding tasks is emphasized, but Omar notes the importance of human oversight in ensuring coherent and efficient code integration.

5-Integration of AI in Daily Life: The conversation highlights the practical applications of AI in everyday life, such as assisting with scheduling, ordering, and other routine activities. This shift towards AI integration signifies a future where people can delegate more tasks to AI, freeing up time for more creative and enjoyable pursuits.

6-Learning with AI: Both Stewart and Omar agree on the benefits of using AI as a learning tool. AI can provide instant, personalized responses to queries, making it a valuable resource for quickly understanding new concepts or acquiring knowledge about unfamiliar topics, thus transforming traditional learning methods.

7-AI and the Future of Work: The episode touches on the broader implications of AI in the job market. While AI might take over certain programming and administrative tasks, there will still be a need for human creativity, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. This indicates a future where humans and AI collaborate, each complementing the other's strengths.

We also discuss the topic of using your strengths to help support the areas where we are weak.

Krystal runs a business that is past 100 employees and she has a lot of insight into what it means to build such a business from the ground up. If you are starting or running a business this is a good episode for you to listen to.

Also if you happen to feel like a 3rd culture kid this would also be interesting for you as Krystal shares her experience with that. 

Find more info on Bentobox: https://getbento.com/

Third episode I've done with Kapil. This one is hard to publish and I've kept all silences. Subscribe if you like it.

(0-10 minutes)

Corvas is a founder and CTO of Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Meow Wolf is a psychedelic art installation that is a mix between Disneyland and burning man. Corvas runs their technology. Stewart taught Corvas yoga and meditation previously and they discuss how his practice has evolved over the last ten years as he has helped to build Meow Wolf into the thriving business and art collective it is today.

Corvas explains how he doesn't think that he would be able to do what he does at Meow Wolf without mindfulness.

He describes how he discovered meditation in college along with experimenting with other avenues toward self-exploration. The first time he meditated he had messages and insights waiting for him. From that moment on he felt like he had an internal knowing of what meditation is. He said the only instruction he had at the beggining was that meditation was about bringing awareness back to the breathing. Focus on the breath. Let his mind unwind until it gets quiet.

Stewart agrees and says that the breath is such a good meditation tool because it's always there. You don't need anything extra. Wherever you go you are always breathing so you never need another tool besides that for meditation. The breath is the thread that links many meditation traditions together.

Stewart asks Corvas about his informal practices that he uses throughout the day in order to remain mindful and present. Corvas talks about how it's important to maintain a certain mindset while in challenging situations. He looks at environmental triggers where you intentionally leave a mark or a symbol to help him to remember to come back to the present. Do you want to become more creative?

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(10-20 minutes)

Corvas talks about his experience investigating the shadow side of his personality. When he encounters dark thoughts he uses his environment trigger to look and acknowledge these negative purposes. These shadow aspects have value. If we look away from these and pretend everything is great, then we become distorted. Corvas is learning how to appreciate these moments.

Stewart brings up the cult of positivity and how it's difficult to share negative emotions with other people because they have taught to be positive all the time. We are all humans and we are fallible. Corvas says that fear and anxiety are really powerful motivators and that if you can have a healthy relationship to these negative emotions, there is great power there.

This brings Corvas to talk about public speaking and the anxiety that comes with that. He's learned that just by acknowledging these emotions they tend to lose their power. They are still there but they don't bite as deep as they used to. Stewart brings up something one of his friends once said to him that "Anxiety is excitement without the breath".

Stewart talks about his own experience with public speaking and how they are actually his best opportunities for mindfulness because they are the most emotionally affecting. Corvas says that human beings usually hear tone and body language before they connect with the linguistic and intellectual components of speech. You can talk about the most important things, but if you do it with no emotion, nobody will connect with it. This also works the opposite way too.

(20-30 minutes)

We talk about the beginning of Meow Wolf and how difficult it was in the beginning. Stewart asks whether Corvas was doing individual work to create the first exhibitions. He says that yes and that everyone was. It was an organization without hierarchy and if you were a part of the team you were creating. Now Corvas is in more of a strategic role and doesn't do as much creation.

For Corvas, as an artist, he has had to adapt become an administrator. He says that because Meow Wolf is such a creative place to be he hasn't felt like he has left the creative process, but it has been an adjustment to being more hands-off in the process. He goes on to explain the story of Meow Wolf and how in 2014 they decided to move from an art collective to becoming a business and starting the House of Eternal Return. This was the first time many of the people in Meow Wolf actually had jobs.

This transition was the first step in moving from an individual contributor to actually creating the circumstances for other people to be creative. He said that this transition was at first very scary because he thought he needed to be an individual contributor to feel like he was being creative. After he got into it, he realized that he could still find creativity and satisfaction in a more managerial and administrative work.

He says that given all of the above, there is no replacement for the feeling of being on your own and creating a piece of art. That he still needs to find an outlet for this creative urge of his and he is waiting to get Meow Wolf to a more sustainable spot before he can take some time to fill this part of him.

Stewart talks about how dancing fills that spot for him that Corvas talked about when he was explaining the solitary creative process and the cathartic experience that comes out of it.

Stewart asks Corvas about the state of creative flow and whether he still experiences creative flow while doing administrative or strategic work or communicating with coworkers. He talks about a new experience he is building for their new exhibition in Las Vegas. He felt creative flow in this project as he was building out the script for one of the exhibitions there. He hadn't experienced a flow state like that for a month beforehand and he hasn't experienced one after that for a couple weeks. He says they are rarer these days.

He says that the experience of creative flow happens most often when he is working with a team and they are advancing an idea and everyone is on the same page. Now that he is in a more high-level position, other people end up taking what they are working on and rolling with it. He no longer gets to keep the ball rolling and continuously has to zoom his work to a higher level. He says that a lot of his job is context switching throughout the day where the creative flow comes and goes.

Stewart explains how it sounds like Corvas' job is now to set the conditions for his team members to experience creative flow for themselves.

(30-40 minutes)

Corvas explains how at the beginning when Meow Wolf transitioned into a business in 2014, the founders had to ask themselves the question: What is the most valuable thing I can do right now?

Many times the answer was not the same as what is the most fulfilling thing I can do, so there was a sense of sacrifice that had to be made to make sure Meow Wolf got off the ground.

Now that they are doing well and finding success, Corvas is asking himself: "What can I do right now that will bring me the most joy?"

Stewart says that the more he finds joy in his life the more he is able to share with others. Corvas agrees.

Stewart asks Corvas how he deals with the state of friction that is necessary to find creative flow. He says that the friction used to be depressing for him. He would get trapped in it. Now he has learned that those states of friction are important to his growth. Once he found the value, purpose, and lessons of the friction. He said the last time that he fell into such a depressed and lost state was maybe 4 years ago.

He goes on to talk about how the state of friction between people is really important for creating something. They have worked with the same people for 10 years and he learned that the disagreement creates that dynamism where something really interesting is created.

Stewart talks about his time at Meow Wolf and how the thing that impressed him most was the abil...

Josh and I have a conversation about the latest in AI research and he gives me the breakdown on what is Unsupervised learning and what is Supervised learning. This would be a good one to listen to if you fear the AI apocalypse (doesn't seem likely).

Follow Josh here: https://twitter.com/josh_tobin_

This one was really fun because I got to talk to Brian about how humans are adapting to cities, one of my favorite things to talk about. Brian started a company that creates tiny rooms that people can use for meetings or podcasts escaping from open office floor plan hell. He was actually in one of the rooms while he recorded this podcast!

Follow Brian on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/_bchen

And check out Room:

https://room.com/

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes guest Neal Davies, a former computer science professor and nuclear engineering PhD, currently working at the Urbit Foundation. Their conversation covers a range of intriguing topics including the Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet from the 19th century, Neal’s experiences balancing generalist and specialist roles, and the influence of AI in both his work and the world at large. Neal also shares his insights on syntax, symbols, and the cultural shifts that have shaped modern consciousness. You can connect with Neal on Twitter @Sigilante or find him on Urbit as @Lagravnokvap.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast
00:19 Exploring the Deseret Alphabet
04:02 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Generalist
06:47 Impact of AI on Generalism and Specialization
08:24 AI in Code and Image Generation
13:43 Salvador Dali's Paranoiac Critical Method
17:18 Symbolism in Art and Language
20:49 The Spiritual Connection with Language
30:05 Greek Influence on Language and Zero
32:59 Exploring Number Systems
35:10 Rational Numbers and Greek Innovations
38:12 The Evolution of Linguistic Systems
40:29 Cultural Shifts: 1870s to 1960s
45:46 The Impact of the 1960s on Modern Thought
49:58 The Role of Illegible Spaces in Innovation
56:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Key Insights

1-Deseret Alphabet as a Cultural and Linguistic Experiment: Neal Davies is deeply fascinated by the 19th-century Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet created to help immigrants in Utah become literate. Its unique structure and religious origins present a profound example of how language can be intentionally shaped to serve a community, although this project ultimately didn’t gain widespread adoption.
2-Balancing Generalism and Specialization: Neal shares his personal journey of pursuing generalist roles while maintaining expertise in specific fields like computer science and nuclear engineering. He emphasizes the value of broad, diverse knowledge in a world that often rewards specialization. His approach allows for flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, despite the professional challenges generalists may face in a society focused on specialization.
3-AI as a Tool for Productivity, Not Replacement: Neal highlights the utility of AI in his work, particularly in code generation and ideation. He discusses how tools like GitHub’s Copilot act as force multipliers for developers, offering a starting point that saves time without replacing the critical thinking required for final implementation. AI is seen as a support system for creativity, especially in programming and image generation.
4-Syntax and Symbols as Catalysts for Thought: Neal discusses the profound relationship between syntax, symbols, and thought. By exploring different symbol systems, such as mathematical notation or alphabets like Deseret, he argues that they can unlock new ways of thinking. Symbol systems not only shape reasoning but allow people to build layers of understanding and explore more complex ideas.
5-Cultural Experimentation and Enclaves: Reflecting on the importance of high variance in human endeavor, Neal supports creating enclaves of culture and thought outside the mainstream. He argues that monoculture, driven by surveillance and conformity, limits the ability to think freely and explore novel solutions. Platforms like Urbit, which emphasize privacy and decentralized communication, provide a space for communities to experiment and innovate without being surveilled or controlled.
6-The Failure and Legacy of the 1960s Counterculture: Neal suggests that the cultural revolution of the 1960s was an ambitious attempt at societal transformation that ultimately failed. Co-opted by commercialism, politics, and other forces, the movement couldn’t fully realize its vision of reshaping consciousness. However, it planted seeds for future cultural shifts, much like the influence of the Romanticists in the 19th century.
7-The Importance of Illegibility in Innovation: Neal explains that true freedom in innovation comes from creating spaces where ideas and communities can evolve without constant oversight. He draws a parallel to Hemingway’s theory that the unseen parts of a story are as important as the visible ones. Similarly, innovation flourishes when parts of a system or community remain illegible and unobserved, allowing for creativity and growth beyond the constraints of external control.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, Stewart Alsop hosts David Weinstein, former Chief of Staff at the Near Foundation. They cover a range of topics including the Near Protocol and its scalability, the intersection of AI and crypto, the importance of propositional truth, and the future of learning with AI. David shares insights on the limitations of technology in solving existential problems and explores ideas for a new kind of Wisdom School that focuses on holistic education and collective intelligence. Find out more about David Weinstein on Twitter at @DW_Stein and his Substack at davidweinstein.substack.com.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and welcome to David Weinstein, former chief of staff at the Near Foundation, discussing topics like Near Protocol and Wisdom School.

05:00 - Explanation of the Near Protocol, its launch in 2020, and its role as a scalable layer-one blockchain.

10:00 - Discussion on Near Protocol's relationship with AI, mentioning co-founder Ilya's background and work on the "Attention Is All You Need" paper.

15:00 - Exploration of AI and crypto, their intersection, and the concerns about the power of AI being centralized.

20:00 - Propositional truth and the role of crypto in data provenance, touching on John Vervaeke's concepts.

25:00 - AI's limitations in solving existential problems and technology's role in addressing surface-level issues rather than root causes.

30:00 - Discussion on holding multiple truths and the importance of paradox, with references to Ian McGilchrist's work on the Master and His Emissary.

35:00 - Quantum mechanics and its implications, comparing it to classical physics, and the influence of the unconscious on the conscious mind.

40:00 - Speculation on the future of books and learning with AI, including the possibility of interactive, conversational learning experiences.

45:00 - Discussion on the potential fracturing of the human species into new tribes based on technological and spiritual integration.

50:00 - The role of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in creating a permissionless, decentralized truth and value layer.

55:00 - David's vision for a Wisdom School, emphasizing more accessible and practical education, collective intelligence, and new governance models using crypto.

Key Insights

1-Near Protocol's Scalability and Innovation: David Weinstein explains how Near Protocol was designed to address scalability issues seen in other blockchain protocols, such as Ethereum. By incorporating the best features from various existing protocols, Near aims to provide a more efficient and unified user experience, where complexities are abstracted away, making blockchain technology more accessible to end users.

2-AI and Crypto Synergy: The discussion highlights the synergy between AI and crypto, particularly through the lens of Near Protocol's origins in AI. David underscores how AI's need for high-quality data and micropayments led to the creation of Near Protocol, and he envisions a future where AI and crypto together ensure data integrity and democratize access to advanced technologies.

3-Decentralization as a Check on Power: One of the key themes is the role of decentralization in maintaining checks and balances on the immense power of AI. David argues that crypto, through its decentralized nature, can prevent the concentration of power within closed institutions, ensuring a more open and equitable technological landscape.

4-The Limits of Propositional Truth in Technology: Stewart Alsop III and David discuss the concept of propositional truth, as highlighted by John Vervaeke, and how crypto can aid in establishing verifiable truths. However, they also recognize the limitations of technology in addressing deeper, existential truths and human experiences that go beyond mere data and computation.

5-The Role of Paradox and Struggle: The conversation delves into the importance of paradox and struggle in human life. Drawing from Ian McGilchrist's work, David emphasizes that while technology can solve surface-level problems, it is the existential challenges and paradoxes that drive human growth and fulfillment, suggesting that these aspects should not be overlooked in the pursuit of technological advancement.

6-Future of Learning with AI: Both Stewart and David explore how AI could revolutionize learning by creating more interactive and personalized educational experiences. They envision a future where learners can engage in bi-directional conversations with AI representations of authors and thinkers, making education more dynamic and tailored to individual curiosity and needs.

7-Emerging Cultural and Technological Paradigms: The discussion touches on the potential for humanity to fracture into new cultural and technological paradigms. With the rise of distinct memetic tribes and advancements in AI and genetic technologies, Stewart and David foresee a future where diverse human experiences and ways of knowing lead to a more complex and multifaceted societal evolution.

On this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop chats with Alexander, a Gen Z innovator passionate about technology, particularly AI and blockchain. Together, they explore Alexander’s creative approach to tackling challenges like reading dense white papers, the dynamics of AI in software engineering, and the philosophical implications of emerging tech, from blockchain’s elegant simplicity to AI's transformative potential in reshaping industries. Alexander also shares insights from his journey in crypto and smart contract development, providing a glimpse into how technology and human ingenuity intertwine in the modern era. For more, follow Alexander on X at @AlexanderTw33ts.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:32 Exploring White Papers and Crypto

04:55 The Gen Z Advantage and Social Media

07:38 The Power of Time-Lapse Videos

11:18 Understanding Bitcoin and Blockchain

14:27 Smart Contracts and AI

20:56 The Future of AI and Software Development

32:02 The Role of Humans in the Future

32:56 The Concept of Singularity

33:52 Technological Merging and Its Implications

35:34 The Impact of AI on Society

00:43 The Future of Learning and AI

55:02 Navigating the Job Market with AI

01:02:09 The Human Element in a Tech-Driven World

01:04:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Key Insights

1. The Role of AI in Learning and Productivity: Alexander highlighted how AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), has become a crucial tool for learning and productivity. By using AI, tasks like coding, debugging, and understanding complex documents, such as white papers, have become more accessible. This shift emphasizes the importance of understanding how to effectively prompt and interact with AI to maximize its capabilities.
2. Blockchain’s Simplicity and Significance: The conversation revealed the elegant simplicity of blockchain technology, particularly Bitcoin. Despite its technical complexity at first glance, the core mechanisms—like the transaction ledger—are remarkably straightforward. This simplicity, combined with the groundbreaking nature of decentralized systems, positions blockchain as both a financial innovation and a conceptual work of art.
3. Challenges for Gen Z with AI and Attention: Alexander discussed the unique challenges his generation faces with attention spans shaped by the internet and social media. While this digital immersion offers advantages, such as a natural aptitude for navigating tech tools, it also creates hurdles, like focusing on dense materials. He shared how creative approaches, such as time-lapse recordings for accountability, can transform learning into an engaging and rewarding process.
4. The Future of Software Development Careers: With AI increasingly capable of performing technical tasks, the demand for junior developers may dwindle. Alexander advised aspiring developers to embrace entrepreneurship, leveraging AI to build their own projects. This approach not only enhances practical skills but also positions them as creators in a competitive market where the definition of “developer” is rapidly evolving.
5. The Evolution of Distributed Cognition: The episode touched on how technology has transformed distributed cognition, from early written communication to the internet and now AI. Platforms like social media are already curating personalized worlds for users, but AI’s advancement could make these experiences even more immersive, raising questions about individual agency and shared reality.
6. Navigating the Technological Singularity: Both Stewart and Alexander reflected on the concept of the technological singularity—the point at which human understanding can no longer predict future technological developments. They discussed its philosophical implications, likening it to a black hole where no one can see beyond its event horizon, emphasizing the profound uncertainty it brings to humanity’s trajectory.
7. Balancing Human Connection in an AI-Driven World: The conversation underscored the importance of human connection and shared experiences amidst increasing AI-driven customization. While AI can create tailored virtual worlds and digital interactions, Alexander and Stewart noted the enduring value of real-world activities like engaging with nature, forming authentic relationships, and fostering creativity in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

In today's episode I invite two of my best friends, Eric Levin (@ericrius1) and Eric Fisher, for a laid-back and entertaining conversation. Having previously worked at Facebook, Fisher is currently a character coach and social designer at MiNDFUL iMPROV. Levin is a VR developer who experiments with art, meditation, and yoga in his work.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• VR, AR, and Technology
• Meditation, and Yoga
• Creativity and Business
• Job automation, and AI
• Skepticism, and Beliefs
• Freedom in Tech, Science and Truth
• Globalization
• The Age of Acceleration
• Limitations of language
• Psychedelics, Spirituality and Therapy
• Consciousness, Awareness and Attention
• Being vs. Becoming, and Flow
• Socialization and Improv
• Society and Culture

Timeline:

(02:43) Who is Eric Levin?

(04:17) Keeping Creative integrity in business

(06:58) Job automation, and creativity: will AI replace humanity?

(10:03) Designing digital spaces within a capitalist society

(13:17) Spirituality: Skepticism to Belief

(17:54) Creating Tech that serves Freedom, not Capitalism

(21:29) Are we entering the Age of Acceleration?

(29:05) Can work be a place of therapy?

(33:02) Ayahuasca, and other flow-inducing plants

(38:28) Flow: Being, or Becoming

(42:30) What is Improv: closing thoughts

Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with friends and family!

 

Crazy Wisdom Show Notes:

Episode Guest: Jonah Messinger, PhD student of physics at Cambridge and writer for The Breakthrough Institute (check out his article here)

Topics Covered:

1. Fusion Developments: Recent developments in the fusion sector. The last 3-4 years have seen significant investment in plasma-based fusion technology from private startups, amounting to around 5 billion dollars. 

2. Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR): An overview of LENR or cold fusion, a sector of nuclear physics that has been castigated for 30 years but is now undergoing a resurgence. Jonah is part of an MIT research team awarded an ARPA-E research grant in this field.

3. Physics Fundamentals: Explanation of plasma-based fusion and how it differs from LENR. Discussion includes protons, neutrons, and electrons, the strong nuclear force, and the relationship between mass and energy. 

4. Controversies around Cold Fusion: Delving into why cold fusion is considered heretical, including its inconsistencies with conventional theories and unexpected reaction pathways. Jonah outlines why despite its challenges, it still holds potential. 

5. In-depth Look at Cold Fusion Experiments: Discussion on various cold fusion experiments, highlighting experiments with unambiguous results. Jonah recalls his entrance into the field after reading a Nature article in February 2022 and how it influenced his research. 

6. Radiation and Cold Fusion: Conversation about nuclear energy outputs with chemical inputs, the theoretical framework of LENR, and how one can potentially engineer nuclear pathways. A discussion on radiation types and the relative low radiation of cold fusion also unfolds.

7. Quantum Coherence and Fusion: Exploration of the role of quantum coherence in LENR, with reference to a quote challenging traditional assumptions about nuclear interactions. 

8. Commercialization and Future of LENR: Discussing the potential future of LENR commercialization, using the transistor's history as an analogy. Jonah emphasizes the importance of more people and resources coming into the field for LENR's progress. 

Additional References:

• Jonah Messinger's article on The Breakthrough Institute: https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/energy/fusion-runs-hot-and-cold
• Jonah Messinger's Twitter:

People Mentioned:

• Fleischman and Ponns, prominent researchers in the field of cold fusion.

We get into a lot of stuff here including: AI, Sports medicine, Pain, Consciousness, Mentorship, Being versus becoming, and much more.

Check out Pelion here: https://www.pelion.app/

And Follow Martin here:

https://twitter.com/purrmin

This is a really great low down on the Mexican (and overall Latin American) startup scene from someone who has experience in both San Francisco as well as Mexico.  We get into the specific challenges of what it means to raise money in Mexico and entrepreneurs there are limited by the old school capital. Highly recommend it if you are interested in global startups. 

Follow Domingo here:

https://twitter.com/sundaywar

Dulma and I talk about what it means to create something that requires 100% of your effort and if its possible to remain balanced in the process. Dulma has a lot of wisdom to share and I like her definition of suffering about half way through.

Check out Makelane here:

https://www.makelane.com/

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes Jonathan Dickinson, a specialist in Ibogaine treatment and co-founder/CEO of Ambio Life Sciences and Teregnosis. They discuss the history and therapeutic uses of Iboga and Ibogaine, focusing on its effects in treating heroin addiction, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain. Jonathan also shares insights into the cultural origins of Iboga, its use in traditional Bwiti ceremonies, and how modern approaches, particularly his work with veterans, expand its applications. More information about Jonathan's work can be found at Ambio Life.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:21 Understanding Ibogaine and Its Uses

02:00 Ibogaine's Impact on Veterans and Brain Injuries

03:57 Psycho-Spiritual and Medical Benefits of Ibogaine

07:12 Scientific Studies and Misconceptions

18:50 Legalization and Research Challenges

25:05 Ibogaine Sourcing and Sustainability

31:43 Ibogaine Smuggling and Export Practices

32:10 Pharmaceutical Grade Iboga Extract

33:36 Challenges of Growing Iboga

33:53 Traditional Growth Methods and Cultural Attitudes

37:04 Global Cultivation Efforts

38:05 Access and Benefit Sharing Agreements

38:54 Traditional Knowledge and Bwiti Culture

39:40 Historical Context of Iboga Use

40:44 Bantu and Pygmy Cultural Exchange

42:31 Bwiti Rituals and Practices

46:23 Learning from Traditional Practices

48:19 Western and Traditional Knowledge Integration

55:58 Future of Iboga and Ibogaine

59:22 Connecting with Ambio

Key Insights

1. Iboga and Ibogaine as Addiction Treatments: Ibogaine is primarily known for its effectiveness in treating heroin addiction. It interrupts the addiction cycle through a powerful psychoactive experience lasting 12-24 hours, which helps individuals detox from drugs like heroin and opioids. After the session, many report being free of withdrawal symptoms and cravings for months, providing a unique pathway out of addiction.
2. Use in Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Jonathan has worked extensively with veterans, especially Navy SEALs, using Ibogaine to address TBIs. These injuries, often from combat-related concussive forces, lead to symptoms that mirror PTSD. Ibogaine appears to regenerate brain function, as seen in a study conducted with Stanford University, where veterans exhibited significant brain activity improvement following treatment.
3. Cultural Roots in Bwiti and African Traditions: Iboga has deep cultural significance in Gabon, particularly in Bwiti spiritual practices, which have been influenced by both indigenous Pygmy traditions and Bantu peoples. Bwiti uses Iboga in ceremonies for psycho-spiritual exploration, healing, and connection to ancestors, a tradition that has persisted for centuries and possibly millennia.
4. Misunderstandings About Noribogaine: Many believe that noribogaine, a metabolite of Ibogaine, remains in the body for up to eight months, contributing to long-lasting effects. However, Jonathan clarifies that noribogaine remains in the system for only a few days or a week. The extended feeling of ease or afterglow people experience may be due to neurotrophic factors like GDNF, which stimulate brain healing and regeneration over time.
5. Emerging Scientific Understanding of Ibogaine: Research into Ibogaine's mechanisms is still developing. It acts on many receptors in the brain, including the Sigma 2 receptor, which has been linked to pain relief and neuroprotective effects. There's also growing interest in its potential role in intracellular processes and energy metabolism, where it appears to improve cellular efficiency, possibly explaining its long-term regenerative effects on brain function.
6. Decentralized Knowledge and Treatment Communities: Unlike tightly regulated pharmaceutical models, Ibogaine treatment has grown in a decentralized, community-driven way, with providers sharing their experiences and knowledge. This echoes the traditions of Bwiti and emphasizes the importance of communal support around Ibogaine therapy, where the intensity of the experience requires a supportive environment and a collective sharing of insights.
7. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing of Iboga: Jonathan is actively involved in ensuring the sustainable and ethical sourcing of Iboga through his company, Teregnosis. Working with Gabonese communities, Teregnosis follows the Nagoya Protocol to ensure that the benefits of Iboga's growing global interest are shared with the traditional communities that have long relied on this plant, protecting both the ecosystem and cultural heritage.

Christian Langalis is the co-founder and C.E.O. of Tirell Corporation

What is Orbis Tertiary?

What is the Orbis Ledger?

Are there any cyberpunk references for Urbit business?

What is the distinction of cyber-punk? Dystopia.

What is cypher-punk?

Who are Timothy May and Satoshi Nakamoto

What is the overreach of instrumentalization?

What is the atomization of the social?

How did computers atomize humans even further?

In what ways has studying culture informed your world view?

What is the ultimate holy grail for Tirrell?

What is an interregnum?

What is the role of Urbit in the Web 3.0 ecosystem?

How do you maintain legacy systems on an entirely new system that is censorless?

What is a Spot ETF and why is it important?

What is Bitcoin’s fifth pillar? (15 minutes)

What is a cantalon insider?

What is the New World Order that George H. W. Bush setup and how does it work now?

What is the Minsky Moment?

What is the Austrian tendency when it comes to economics?

Who are Larry White and George Selgen?

What is synthetic commodity money?

What is the New Wyoming Bank Charter? 

What are Full-Reserve Cryptocurrency Banks?

What is the difference between a bank and a bitcoin wallet?

What are interbank clearing systems?

What is the difference between a deferred system and a credit card settlement?

What is unchained capital multisig?

What is an FBO?

What are extant regulations?

What is the Nick Land quote (“in the mouth of madness”) (25 minutes)?

How did science fiction inform your life?

Who is Phil Monk?

Urbit strives to have a system that is human scale, that will never require the long-term intervention of a specialized third party.

Why do people call Curtis Yarvin an authoritarian?

What is peer discovery?

What is the contained podcast and who is Barret (36 minutes)? 

What are your favorite exclaves?

How do I use Tirrell?

Download the thing (find the thing).

What is landscape (groups) programming language?

What is the future of NFTs when it comes to fan groups?

NFT’s can be digital cellophane wrappers for an album.

How many people are in the Tirell corporation?

What should someone know about the Urbit foundation?

What is Hoon School?

Do you have any insight into the people aspect of doing business?

How is Tirell corporation set up?

What church do you belong to (55 minutes)?

What is the correct view of Urbit? 

What is the Jungen?

What is Cottage Core?

What is the relationship between Solipsism and being a Luddite? 

Who is Junger?

What is the naming scheme?

~tirrel

~pindet-timmut

~tirrel corporation

tirrel.io

Pamela Valdez is the CEO and founder of Beek.io; one of the top-rated audio platforms in Latin America, known for its original, high-quality audio content, produced in Spanish. In this podcast we discuss the details of creating high-quality audio content in the Latin American market, the unique opportunities and experiences being the founder of the first Mexican company to be sponsored by Y Combinator have brought her, the challenges of growing a start-up and dealing with investors in Mexico, her philosophy and much more. You can find Pamela on Twitter on @pamevls and visit her company website: beek.io

(4:38) The current big opportunity available for content creators in the Spanish speaking market.

(10:30) What she learned from Netflix about localizing international content.

(16:18) How she navigated investors and raising funds and what she feels investors who can afford less should focus on.

(20:56) Getting into Y-combinator.

(22:13) The major benefit of being part of the Y-combinator network for companies based outside Silicon Valley, asides the investments, and how Pamela takes advantage of it.

(26:19) The one skill a founder needs that no one tells him or her to cultivate; the huge part it plays in helping Pamela refine her ideas for her company, and how she knows she’s used it effectively.

(33:56) What meditation and God mean to her; how surfing helps her meditate, and what it has taught her about life.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop welcomes John Hyde, founder of Turf, to discuss the fascinating intersection of decentralized technology and virtual worlds. John shares the origin story of Turf, a virtual world built on Urbit, and delves into his experiences as a developer navigating the unique challenges and opportunities that Urbit presents. The conversation also touches on topics such as the future of decentralized computing, the business potential of Turf, and even John's personal journey with Orthodox Christianity. For those interested in following John's work, you can find updates on Twitter at @turf_on_urbit, or join the Turf group on Urbit. Additionally, John hosts "Turf Time" every Thursday at 1 PM Pacific, where participants can engage in discussions and explore new features in Turf.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:37 What is Turf?

02:19 John Hyde's Journey into Development

03:37 Challenges and Frustrations with Hoon

14:08 Orthodox Christianity and Mysticism

19:01 Future of Urbit and Turf's Business Potential

27:28 Guest Introduction and Initial Discussion

27:53 Building a Marketplace in Brazil

29:51 Challenges and Successes in Business

31:09 User Statistics and Platform Growth

33:28 The Philosophy of Social Networks

35:12 The Future of Distributed Computing

37:17 Generational Perspectives on Technology

41:17 The Tech Scene in the Bay Area

41:56 Funding and Business Costs

47:30 Product Roadmap and Development

48:29 Technical Aspects and Tools

52:51 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. The Origins of Turf: Turf is a virtual world built on Urbit, designed by John Hyde, who was inspired by the idea of creating a multiplayer game where users could program their own items. This evolved into Turf, a decentralized platform where users can create, customize, and explore virtual spaces, reflecting the ethos of the Urbit ecosystem.
2. Urbit as a Decentralized Platform: Urbit is not just another computing platform; it represents a complete reimagining of the internet's infrastructure. John explains how Urbit aims to replace the current centralized internet model with a decentralized one, giving users more control over their data and interactions. This decentralized nature is what makes platforms like Turf possible, where users can interact and transact without relying on centralized servers.
3. Challenges in Hoon Programming: John discusses the unique challenges of programming in Hoon, Urbit's native language. While Hoon offers powerful capabilities for building secure and efficient applications, it also presents a steep learning curve, particularly due to its unconventional syntax and limited documentation. Despite these challenges, John sees potential in Hoon for creating robust, decentralized applications.
4. Orthodox Christianity and Modern Technology: John, who was born and raised in the Orthodox Christian faith, touches on the interesting trend of Westerners converting to Orthodox Christianity. He connects this to a broader search for truth and tradition in a fragmented, digital world, seeing parallels between the decentralized, self-sovereign nature of Urbit and the spiritual grounding provided by his faith.
5. Building a Business on Urbit: John is optimistic about Turf's business potential, particularly through the sale of virtual items. He envisions a marketplace within Turf where users can trade items, leveraging the decentralized nature of Urbit to ensure authenticity and ownership. This business model reflects the growing interest in digital ownership and NFTs in virtual environments.
6. The Future of Urbit: John is hopeful but cautious about the future of Urbit. He believes that while the technology has the potential to revolutionize the internet, its success depends on continued innovation, improved usability, and sustained financial support. He also emphasizes the need for more user-friendly applications like Turf to drive adoption.
7. The Cultural Impact of Urbit: The conversation highlights how Urbit is fostering a new kind of online community, where quality interaction and thoughtful engagement are prioritized over mass adoption. John observes that while the Urbit community is still relatively small, it is growing steadily, attracting people who value the platform's decentralized principles and the opportunity to participate in building a new internet paradigm.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, I, Stewart Alsop, am joined by Avetis Muradyan, Chief Technology Officer at Mobile Interactive, to discuss a range of topics from China's economic stability and supply chain innovations in Southeast Asia, to the technological advancements in Chinese manufacturing. We also touch upon the geopolitical dynamics of Indonesia, the impact of economic policies on innovation, and the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of South America. Avetis shares insights from his extensive experience in Asia and reflects on the global economic landscape.

For more about Avetis's work, you can find him on LinkedIn and read his contributions on the Palladium author's page, or follow him on Twitter @AvetisMuradyan

Check out this GPT we trained on the convo

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and brief overview of Avetis Muradyan's recent visit to China, discussing societal and economic stability contrary to the "collapse narrative."

05:00 - Discussion about supply chain innovations in Southeast Asia, particularly the significant role of mom and pop shops in local economies.

10:00 - Debate on the position and potential of Indonesia within Asian geopolitics, reflecting on historical expectations versus current realities.

15:00 - Shift to technological advancements in China, focusing on the rapid development and improvement of Chinese manufacturing sectors, including automotive and truck design.

20:00 - Exploration of global shifts in manufacturing and deep tech innovation, comparing Western and Chinese approaches to technological development and industrial strategy.

25:00 - Reflections on economic policies, the impact of free capital during economic crises, and societal values influencing national and global economics.

30:00 - Personal anecdotes about experiences in China, comparing past and present manufacturing landscapes, and the broader implications for global economic shifts.

35:00 - Discussion on perceived conflicts between the U.S. and China, arguing against the idea of significant ideological or economic clashes between the two nations.

40:00 - Examination of South America's entrepreneurial spirit and personal freedom, discussing the cultural and economic vibrancy of Brazil and Argentina.

44:00 - Conclusion of the podcast with final thoughts on the abundance and potential of the Western Hemisphere, and information on how to connect with Avetis Muradyan for further discussions.

Key Insights

1. Economic Stability in China: Avetis Muradyan discusses the misconception of China's economic collapse, emphasizing the country's resilience and growth despite global narratives that suggest otherwise. He points out that, contrary to the collapse narratives, China has emerged as a significant global player, particularly highlighted by its ascent to become the world's largest car exporter.

2. Supply Chain Innovations in Southeast Asia: Muradyan sheds light on the critical role of small mom and pop shops in Southeast Asia’s economies. These establishments, he notes, are pivotal in the region's retail ecosystem, accounting for a significant portion of retail sales. He also discusses the rapid digital transformation within these small businesses and its impact on local economies.

3. Indonesia's Geopolitical Position: The discussion delves into Indonesia's potential and its complex internal dynamics, which include a significant military presence that does not align with its geographical identity as an archipelago. Muradyan explores the paradoxical elements of Indonesia’s development and its strategic geopolitical role between major powers like the US and China.

4. Technological Advancements in China: There is a significant focus on the evolution of Chinese manufacturing, where Muradyan highlights the shift from low-quality production to high-quality, innovative manufacturing processes, particularly in the automotive and tech sectors. This shift illustrates China's broader industrial strategy to climb up the value chain.

5. Economic Policies and Global Impact: Muradyan critiques recent global economic policies, particularly zero-interest policies, which he believes have led to missed opportunities for genuine innovation. He discusses how these policies have influenced both economic stability and developmental priorities worldwide.

6. Cultural and Entrepreneurial Dynamics in South America: Muradyan praises the unique entrepreneurial spirit of South America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. He discusses how cultural vibrancy and a focus on personal freedom contribute to a dynamic economic environment that fosters self-improvement and resilience.

7. Reflections on Global Economic Shifts: Finally, Muradyan reflects on the broader implications of manufacturing and economic shifts from the West to East, particularly how these shifts are redefining global economic centers. He uses personal anecdotes from his experiences in China to illustrate the dramatic transformations he has witnessed firsthand, comparing them to previous Western manufacturing prowess.

• Robert DT on twitter: @DeeperThrill
• Doctorate on biomedical engineering with a focus on AI
• Entrepreneur building biomedical systems with AI specifically; medical imaging

The conversation centers on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, with an emphasis on computer vision and the utilization of existing imaging algorithms. Transformers, a type of deep learning model, are discussed for their unique self-attention mechanism and applications in natural language processing and computer vision.

The talk pivots to data cleaning, specifically anonymization and safeguarding personal identifiers in the context of healthcare. Questions arise about data storage in healthcare facilities and the process of transferring it to the cloud.

The conversation broadens to encompass AI's predictive capabilities and inherent risks, including the possibility of AI predicting third-order effects of its own interventions and concerns about excessive trust in AI predictions.

The potential of AI in genetic engineering surfaces, particularly regarding CRISPR technology and nanobots. The conversation explores the benefits and risks of such advancements, including the revival of extinct plants and emergence of new diseases.

Finally, the conversation shifts to societal implications of AI, including job displacement, the emergence of an attention economy, and the prospects of decentralized AI. The importance of understanding the limits of AI is underscored.

 

Show notes

1. We need to examine what's currently happening in the field of AI, particularly in relation to medical imaging. This involves an exploration of computer vision technologies and how pre-existing imaging algorithms are being applied.

2. We should discuss the concept of a "transformer" in the context of artificial intelligence.

3. A critical part of working with AI is data cleaning. This includes the process of anonymization, ensuring that we only use the person's image and not any identifiable data like their name. We must also consider the storage of this data, which is typically housed on hospital servers. Additionally, there's the question of how this data is transferred to a cloud system for further processing.

4. Let's explore the issue of gatekeeping in the field of AI. This might involve discussing the role of clinical trials and the Institutional Review Board in ensuring ethical standards.

5. The engineering aspect of gatekeeping also requires attention, particularly when dealing with 3D data sets for imaging.

6. We should highlight two major changes currently happening in the field of AI.

7. Swin Transformers represent a significant development, as they are built off the concept of transformers in AI.

8. Let's delve into the world of language modeling and chatbots.

9. We must also consider the potential downsides of these AI technologies.

10. The transhumanism angle presents an interesting point of discussion, particularly in relation to the next generation of technology.

11. For example, the development of the mRNA vaccine was a major leap forward in response to global health crises.

12. There's also the concept of generative mRNA vaccines, which use AI to generate potential cures.

13. However, these AI technologies also come with risks. They could inadvertently create a disease, or develop a cure that isn't effective.

14. The ease with which technology can be used in this field means that virtually anyone can make implants, leading to a new set of challenges.

15. We should also discuss the emerging role of AI in lab-based work, such as managing petri dishes.

16. The application of Hegelian principles to AI provides an interesting philosophical perspective.

17. Looking ahead, we might consider what a lab kit might look like in ten years.

18. The idea of the first version of something, and its relationship to anti-authoritarianism, is another interesting topic to explore.

19. We have to acknowledge that AI, despite its potential, will not prevent all risks.

20. AI can be used as a predictive tool for triaging, helping to determine whether an intervention will benefit a person.

21. The use of CRISPR technology is another relevant point of discussion, especially considering its potential downsides, its application in nanobot technology, its use in regrowing extinct plants, the potential for new diseases arising from its use, and the systematics of finding new plant species in places like the Amazon.

22. Let's also consider the case of the dodo and the role of technology in its extinction.

23. With a small sample size, AI can predict certain outcomes, a feature that can be beneficial in various fields.

24. Most plant species are discovered rather than created, and AI can potentially help in predicting where these new species might be found.

25. The question arises: is AI better at predicting the future? It can certainly help us see larger scale patterns that we aren't aware of.

26. However, the act of predicting the future can create its own issues, akin to the Oracle of Delphi dilemma. For instance, can AI predict the third-order effects of its own intervention?

27. By revealing patterns, AI becomes a more effective tool. The more layers of patterns it can show us, the better.

28. AI and Medical Imaging: AI is increasingly being used in medical imaging, particularly through deep learning techniques. These have applications in MRI, CT, and PET scans, enhancing image reconstruction, quality, and efficiency. While impressive progress has been made, the technology still needs further development before it can be widely applied in clinical settings
29. Transformers: Introduced in 2017, transformers are a type of deep learning model used primarily in natural language processing and computer vision. They're distinguished by their use of self-attention, enabling them to process the entire input data all at once, rather than sequentially as in Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). This allows for more parallelization and thus reduces training times. Transformers have become the model of choice for many NLP problems, replacing RNN models such as long short-term memory (LSTM)

We talk all things culture and how culture spreads from place to place. We talk about how burning man culture is changing the culture of Singapore. We also talk about the differences and similarities between the culture of Silicon Valley (where I grew up) and Singapore. There are also some tidbits in here for anyone who wants to thrive in the stressful era we might be entering.  Follow Visa here:

https://twitter.com/visakanv

Particularly what technologies will help us remove ourselves from systems of waste and hopefully inequality of opportunity.

Many people think that we are in a dark age but what if in fact the last few years have been a civilizational level psych-out and we are on the cusp something truly great and transformational. Listen for more by Ben Magelsen (you can find him on Twitter at

@benmagelsen  

 

We try to get at this question:

How can we incentivize the truth? Is this possible?

We also talk about the rise of the personal computing industry and Robin's role in that. 

Check out Robin on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/robinr

Check out more about Living in Digital Times and their event at CES:

https://livingindigitaltimes.com/

If you are interested in applying for an online course I'm running with Anders Jones on how to raise money for a distributed team check out this 15 minute episode.

We go over the crazy amount of value we are offering in this course including:

How to raise money

How to build a distributed team

How to build a hypergrowth business

How to establish creative constraints which make employees more effective

We also talked about the following questions:

How does education work different in different countries?

How has internet connectivity changed in Myanmar?

How does an authoritarian government affect education and creativity?

What does it take to learn?

What does it mean to learn?

What was it like to grow up in a dictatorship that is based on Buddhism?

 

Director of developer experience at the Urbit Foundation

~lagrev-nocfep on Urbit

@sigilante on twitter

 

1. What is a sigil?
2. What is the most important thing you’ve learned about teaching?
   1. Driven by authoritarian high modernism
   2. Top down imposition
   3. Structural way of understanding context
   4. Industrial revolution
   5. Ten years ago there was online education
   6. MIT open course where
   7. Open up the content to everyone and it will create revolution
   1. Introducing a model that the person gets illuminated from
   2. Humans are good at metaphors
   3. Give them a framework and people will figure it out
   1. These things are measurable
   1. Open problem in computer science
   2. Two classes of complexity
   3. Polynomial time
   4. Vastly exponentially complicated than things that can be solved in a certain time
   5. NP on the hard problems
   1. Has to do with the structure of our attention
   1. 9 years experience
   2. Philosophy of pedagogy
   3. Why doesn’t it make it easy to open up knowledge?
   4. How do you make something relevant?
   5. Strongly in favor of hyper individualist approach to teaching
   6. Interdisciplinary
   7. Try everything, some things stick
   8. Analogical reasoning
   9. How do you improvise for metaphors?
   10. Why is it so disincentivized to do improv?
   11. Input output model doesn’t quite work because the context is so vast
   12. The model of the areas of learning is helpful but not 100% accurate
   13. Tutorial method does not scale but its the most effective
   14. Really hard problem
   15. P=NP what is it?
   16. When I’m working on a particular mode, gumption traps, energy sinks, takes a lot of agency to activate yourself out of the state
   17. Rumsfeld called the unknown unknowns
   18. What questions do you have? Is a better question than What are your questions?
   19. What do you do when you need to solve a problem?
   20. Someone tried to build a solution for what Neal is talking about at 10 minutes in
   21. Go to the fringes to get the edge cases
   22. What is the advantage of a low status source?
3. How do you make your questions and answers legible?
4. Subtopics and how to use them?
5. What is the demand for previous for previous programmers learning Urbit?
6. What is the percentage of programmers who are learning Urbit?
7. What was the first iteration of home school?
   1. Dozen people finished
   2. Now they have 60 people finishing
8. Why does Urbit have a weird perception from people?
   1. Once you hear about it you go into the rabbit hole and it never stops
   2. Its a web within a web
   3. Its like a secret door in a house didn’t you know about it
9. Pitch the idea of the treasure hunt powered by Urbit
10. Why did stars survive in demand?
    1. How much did they survive?
    2. How much does it cost to buy a star now versus the 2022 downturn in crypto
11. How do you get the right answer as opposed to the fast answer?
12. Only developers who are autodidactic like and stay with Urbit
13. Who is Richard Stallman?
    1. LISP
    2. He built community around GANU, Linux?
    3. Invented the free software 
14. What is functional programming?
15. What is the relationship between mental divergence and programming?
16. What is the third type of developers in relation to something like Urbit?
    1. The arguers
17. What is the fourth type of developers in relation to something like Urbit?
    1. Rebellious and devious enough 
18. What is the relationship between Bitcoin and Urbit?
19. What are the main challenges you see in terms of my crazy idea for the treasure hunt?
20. What are the options to build this quickly?
    1. This is the main problem
    1. Is it a web page driven experience?
    2. Build an urbit app and get them to install it
    3. You would have to figure out how to do the call outs to the phone device
    4. Hot or cold game
    5. Only track wether they found it or not
21. How can we effectively expose underlying things to the urbit server?
22. 24 minutes in
23. Should we think about Urbit as a operating system?
24. Who is experimenting with Urbit moons as internet of things?

I sit down with Julian Weisser, who does Growth for a company called Virta Health which has figured out a way to reverse type II diabetes without the use of medication. Julian was an absolute blast to talk to and is one of those behind the scenes geniuses. He even has a framework for attaining happiness! 

Here are some other questions we discuss:

• What is the best way to take drugs?
• What is the relationship between creativity and drugs?
• What is the relationship between
• What is the ego?
• What is the difference between civilization and culture?
• What are accuator impulses?
• What is the control state?
• What is the motor state?
• What is the effect of the abundant virtual environments and how will that change evolution?

Nicholas Faulkner

chemistry and physics teacher, former nuclear engineer, author of the upcoming book “Angelic Physics”

1. How do you ascend to the next level of consciousness?
2. What does it feel like to have an out of body experience?
3. What are your thoughts on the future of nuclear power?
4. What are the physics of nuclear power?
5. How long will it take to feel the benefits of nuclear power if we start building massively?
6. What is the waste of solar versus the waste of nuclear?
7. What is the deal with getting uranium from seawater?
8. Why does uranium float in seawater?
9. How is uranium traditionally harvested?
   1. Two isotopes (235 and 238) of uranium
10. What does it feel like to have a different path?
11. What is autism from an energetic framework?
12. What is the relationship between being autistic and recognizing vibes?
13. What is it like to live in an angel producing simulation?
14. What is the relationship between quantum mechanics and nuclear physics?
15. How many people are hypnotized?
16. What is the relationship between certainty and the simulation?
17. What is a miracle?
18. What percentage of people who are being trained to be angels?
    1. 1.7%
19. What is the nature of the leap that the planet is in right now?
20. What is the relationship between quantum mechanics and karme?
21. What is the angelic roller coaster?
22. What does it mean to have your soul evolve?
23. What is the relationship between THC and conspiracy theory?
24. Do you think we are headed for a bifurcation of humanity into two species?
25. What is the definition of an angel?
26. Is a starseed actually angels?
27. What does it feel like to be touched by an angel?
28. What are the two teams of the simulation?
29. What is a good way to describe the demonic?
30. What does it feel like to have inability to tell truth from falsehood?
31. What is the timeline for the next couple years for nuclear power?
32. Is nuclear power the way to colonize mars?

Ray Alejandro is the Access to Finance Leader, Endeavor, Mexico City. He’s passionate about figuring out better ways to signal skills and talent, optimizing for the things you want, inequality of opportunity, properly contextualizing ideas, improving the education system, navigating upward and social mobility in emerging regions, philosophy and ideas, and economics and that forms the basis of this episode’s discussion. You can catch Ray thinking out loud on Twitter and medium @rayalcas. Enjoy.

(1:52 – 10:54) Why you should treat life as a videogame; How Ray’s fundamental beliefs have been shaped by death, limitation, living in an emerging market, self-awareness, and trying to accomplish his goals via experimentation.  

(12:11 – 19:49) The role of credentials in emerging regions, such as Latin America, for aspects of life like mobility and social freedom; how these credentials are limited to certain aspects of the population and how knowledge of this limitation should guide your optimization process, such that you neither end up stuck nor end up enslaved by the glamorization of credentials.

(20:12 – 21:56) How Ray learned to avoid the hype offered by credential-based thought leaders; the importance of contextualizing and idea-debugging.

(23:15 – 27:40) Why the movement to liberate the lower class and create opportunities for social mobility of people of all classes should be supported just as strongly as movements such as feminism.

(31:50 – 35:50) Mexico City in 15 years: Ray’s projections on the effect of urbanization on the city, based on the current trends. (Hint: large tech companies currently have very little impact on the lives of the majority of individuals.)

(37:00 – 41:17) Why the education system is a cultural monopoly and how it holds the middle-class ransom to maintaining narrow forms of credentialing and signaling if they’re to experience any forward mobility; how this credentialing system is maintained by the inability, in most fields, to measure competency.

(46:46 – 53:04) Creating your own life philosophy vs copying the playbook of people who have what you want; how to navigate this tension, and having the self-awareness to define success for yourself.

(53:42 – 58:18) How Ray navigates consciousness, the sense of self, and personal identity and how he uses the insights he’s gained from studying this to deal with the struggles of life.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop talks with John Ballentine, the founder and CEO of Alchemy.ai. With over seven years of experience in machine learning and large language models (LLMs), John shares insights on synthetic data, the evolution of AI from Google's BERT model to OpenAI's GPT-3, and the future of multimodal algorithms. They discuss the significance of synthetic data in reducing costs and energy for training models, the challenges of creating models that understand natural language, and the exciting potential of AI in various fields, including cybersecurity and creative arts. For more information on John and his work, visit Alchemy.ai.

 Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 - Stewart Alsop introduces John Ballentine, founder and CEO of Alchemy.ai, discussing John's background in machine learning and LLMs.

05:00 - John talks about the beginnings of his work with the BERT model and the development of transformer architecture.

10:00 - Discussion on the capabilities of early AI models and how they evolved, particularly focusing on the Google Brain project and OpenAI's GPT-3.

15:00 - Exploration of synthetic data, its importance, and how it helps in reducing the cost and energy required for training AI models.

20:00 - John discusses the impact of synthetic data on the control and quality of AI model outputs, including challenges and limitations.

25:00 - Conversation about the future of AI, multimodal models, and the significance of video data in training models.

30:00 - The potential of AI in creative fields, such as art, and the concept of artists creating personalized AI models.

35:00 - Challenges in the AI field, including cybersecurity risks and the need for better interpretability of models.

40:00 - The role of synthetic data in enhancing AI training and the discussion on novel attention mechanisms and their applications.

45:00 - Stewart and John discuss the relationship between AI and mental health, focusing on therapy and support tools for healthcare providers.

50:00 - The importance of clean data and the challenges of reducing bias and toxicity in AI models, as well as potential future developments in AI ethics and governance.

55:00 - John shares more about Alchemy.ai and its mission, along with final thoughts on the future of AI and its societal impacts.

Key Insights

1. Evolution of AI Models: John Ballentine discusses the evolution of AI models, starting from Google's BERT model to OpenAI's GPT-3. He explains how these models expanded on autocomplete algorithms to predict the next token, with GPT-3 scaling up significantly in parameters and compute. This progression highlights the rapid advancements in natural language processing and the increasing capabilities of AI.

2. Importance of Synthetic Data: Synthetic data is a major focus, with John emphasizing its potential to reduce the costs and energy associated with training AI models. He explains that synthetic data allows for better control over model outputs, ensuring that models are trained on diverse and comprehensive datasets without the need for massive amounts of real-world data, which can be expensive and time-consuming to collect.

3. Multimodal Models and Video Data: John touches on the importance of multimodal models, which integrate multiple types of data such as text, images, and video. He highlights the potential of video data in training AI models, noting that companies like Google and OpenAI are leveraging vast amounts of video data to improve model performance and capabilities. This approach provides models with a richer understanding of the world from different angles and movements.

4. AI in Creative Fields: The conversation delves into the intersection of AI and creativity. John envisions a future where artists create personalized AI models that produce content in their unique style, making art more accessible and personalized. This radical idea suggests that AI could become a new medium for artistic expression, blending technology and creativity in unprecedented ways.

5. Challenges in AI Interpretability: John highlights the challenges of understanding and interpreting large AI models. He mentions that despite being able to see the parameters, the internal workings of these models remain largely a black box. This lack of interpretability poses significant challenges, especially in ensuring the safety and reliability of AI systems as they become more integrated into various aspects of life.

6. Cybersecurity Risks and AI: The episode covers the potential cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI models. John discusses the dangers of rogue AI systems that could hack and exfiltrate data, creating new types of cyber threats. This underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and the development of defensive AI models to counteract these risks.

7. Future of AI and Mental Health: Stewart and John explore the potential of AI in the field of mental health, particularly in supporting healthcare providers. While Jon is skeptical about AI replacing human therapists, he sees value in AI tools that enhance the ability of therapists and doctors to access relevant information and provide better care. This highlights a future where AI augments human capabilities, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of mental health care.

By now you know the name of the game.

All silences left. The audio quality isn't that great.

Yet this episode will change your life and kill all your sacred cows. 

Enjoy. Subscribe to the show. 

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, host Stewart Alsop talks with Phil Filippak, a software arcanist and knowledgemancer from Ideaflow. The conversation covers a range of topics, including knowledge management, the discipline behind organizing knowledge, personal systems for note-taking, and the impact of AI on programming and game development. Phil shares his experiences with tools like Obsidian and discusses the balance between creative exploration and over-systematization in managing information. You can follow Phil on Twitter at @Blisstweeting (https://twitter.com/Blisstweeting) for more insights.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:49 Phil's Journey and Knowledge Management

02:17 The Discipline of Knowledge Management

05:49 Personal Struggles and Systematization

09:43 AI's Role in Knowledge Management

16:16 The Future of AI and Programming

21:03 Monasteries and the Future of Coding

28:03 Navigating Quests Without Markers

28:46 Evolution of Game Engines

32:02 Creating Games as a Solo Developer

34:42 The Balance Between Art and Commerce in Gaming

45:00 Knowledge Management in Large Companies

52:03 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. The Role of Discipline in Knowledge Management: Phil Filippak emphasizes that knowledge management is more than just gathering information—it's about organizing it with discipline. This process involves creating orderly structures, either mentally or through notes, to track progress across different areas of interest. Discipline is crucial for maintaining an interconnected understanding of multiple fields.
2. Over-Systematization Can Be a Trap: While using tools like Obsidian to systematize knowledge can be helpful, Phil warns that too much structure can become burdensome. Over-systematizing can make it harder to add new information and can stifle creativity, leading to a reluctance to engage with the system at all.
3. AI’s Transformative Role in Programming: Phil discusses how AI is changing the landscape of software development, particularly by assisting with tedious tasks like debugging. However, he points out that AI hasn't yet reached a point where it can handle more creative or complex problem-solving without human intervention, leaving room for the enjoyment and intellectual satisfaction that come from manual coding.
4. Creativity in Game Development is Often Stifled by Commercial Pressures: Large gaming companies, driven by shareholder value, tend to avoid risks and stick to formulas that are proven to sell. Phil notes that this limits experimentation, whereas indie game developers and smaller studios—especially in places like Serbia—have more freedom to innovate and take creative risks.
5. Periodic “Resets” in Personal Knowledge Systems: Phil recommends performing occasional resets on personal knowledge systems when they become too complex. This involves stripping away unnecessary rules and simplifying processes to keep the system flexible and sustainable, helping to avoid burnout from excessive structure.
6. The Idea of a Code Monastery: Drawing on the historical role of monasteries as centers of knowledge preservation, Phil introduces the idea of a "code monastery" where programmers could dedicate themselves to maintaining and refining software. This concept highlights the aesthetic and spiritual satisfaction of combining technical expertise with a disciplined, purpose-driven lifestyle.
7. The Future of Programming and AI: Looking ahead, Phil acknowledges that while AI will likely continue to take over more routine programming tasks, there will always be people passionate about coding for its intellectual rewards. He believes that even in an AI-dominated future, the human element of creativity and problem-solving in programming will remain essential.

Woody Wiegmann

https://twitter.com/WoodyWiegmann

What will AI do the ability of people who have limited intelligence and agency?

1. What will AI do to humans who tend to create rituals for guidance on what to do?

   1. Back in the 400BC, humans were ritually inclined, to put off their questions to ritual

2. Are there going to be business moats around AI?

3. How do humans seem to get things wrong and that ends up being their superpower?

4. The tribe is now occulted behind crazy complexity, what does that mean?

5. What is the importance of status games in human relationships?

6. What is Keynesian beauty/stock dynamics?

7. Is there a ground truth?

8. What is the relationship between gossip and myths for what both for tribes and meta-tribes?

9. What is trend on vices that represent escapism?

   1. In what ways is Twitter escapism?

10. What happens when a bureaucracy tries to intervene?

11. What happens when bureaucracies clash with the uncertainty of the implications of AI?

12. What is humanity going through in terms of its faith in the expert class?

13. Where does credit go when you have low-interest rates and the government pumps trillions of monopoly money into the system?

14. What are the negative externalities of corporations consolidating?

15. What is the relationship between monopoly money injected into the economy and finding consensus among humans?

16. What happens when AGI becomes the deity?

    1. What happens when the market becomes God?

17. What is the importance of optics? Can you be authentic when concerned with optics?

18. How does anti-trust law get it wrong?

19. Can we have decentralized anti-trust law?

20. How is the brain built off redundant systems?

21. What is your take on transhumanism?

 

Books mentioned:

Seveneves: https://www.amazon.com/Seveneves-Novel-Neal-Stephenson-ebook/dp/B00LZWV8JO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Rare Earth: https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Earth-Complex-Uncommon-Universe-ebook/dp/B00L60PP0I/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=V3UGRDR27PTV&keywords=rare+earth&qid=1676913897&s=digital-text&sprefix=rare+earth%2Cdigital-text%2C185&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySUg5NjgyRlBBQ0hJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjIyOTI0MkE1QlExN0xCM1NRRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDMxNjY0MTczTkU0VDdSQkpPMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

 

What is a Maker Space?

What is a Skill Share?

Are cars more plastic than metal?

How can you create more intimate realtionships with everything in your life?

What is Upcycling?

What is Cooperative Community Development?

Is local always better?

Is efficiency the bottom line?

What is a Fila-bot?

 

 

 

My pseudoanonymous guest here today is ~Pilwyc-Fastec, you can find him on Urbit by that name spelled out

Urbit is the right OS to build the future of the smart home.

What is a smart home?

What does it mean to shift around time?

How did the mainframe build the modern smart home infrastructure?

How can we share time on devices with others in a home in an intelligent way?

What was the grant process like for Urbit?

What is identity?

Peer to peer versus server to client

What does it mean to codify reputation?

What is the difference between reputation and identity?

What is the human way of doing reputation?

What is the antifragile nature of reputation?

What is preferential attachment?

What is an engagement loop?

What is calm technology?

Are client-server relationships more promotive of engagement loops?

What is a group recommender system?

What is the relationship between AI and Urbit? How will Urbit integrate with artificiall intelligence?

What does it mean to reduce error for AI? Is that all it is?

What is the relationship with business decisions and the effectiveness of artificial intelligence?

What is a pace layer?

Why does technology over-complicate things and then decomplicate them?

What is an edge device?

On this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop is joined by Katelynne Schuler, a thinker and innovator in the realms of psychology, religion, and philosophy. The conversation spans a wide range of compelling topics, including the layered nuances of Korean social hierarchy, the evolution of political language, and the shifting ideologies within Western conservatism. They explore the rebranding of the KKK, the deeper implications of free speech in a world dominated by digital platforms, and the unseen influence of corporations on government censorship. Katelynne also shares her insights on the psychology of "falls from grace" and how isolation during the pandemic may have catalyzed narcissistic tendencies in some people. The episode touches on larger philosophical questions about civilization, power, and media's role in shaping collective belief. To learn more about Katelynne Schuler, you can find her on Facebook under her name, Katelynne Schuler.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:32 Exploring Korean Culture and Social Nuances

02:52 Language and Political Ideologies

04:23 Project 2025 and Political Shifts

06:21 The KKK's Rebranding and Conservatism

10:25 Theocracy and Intersectionalism

11:14 Free Speech and Internet History

30:05 The Impact of COVID-19 and Vaccines

34:15 Clearing Out and Cognitive Dissonance

35:07 Pandemic Social Dynamics

36:06 Narcissism and Social Isolation

38:22 Conspiracy Theories and Social Impact

41:34 Lockdowns and Quarantine

43:25 Media Manipulation and Public Perception

44:52 Nanotechnology and Conspiracy Theories

49:42 Bill Gates and Genetic Engineering

52:42 Trump, Publicity, and Media Influence

58:41 Finance, Asset Valuation, and Media Future

01:03:30 Pandemic Warnings and Conspiracies

01:07:34 Conclusion and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. The Power of Language in Social and Political Systems
Katelynne Schuler highlights the profound role that language plays in shaping social dynamics, drawing on Korean culture's use of honorifics as a prime example. In Korean, different forms of language are used depending on social rank, respect, and familiarity, essentially creating three distinct "languages" within one. This insight is paralleled with Western political discourse, where the left and right often use the same words but with entirely different meanings. The observation points to a broader idea that shared language does not guarantee shared understanding—a crucial realization in an era of increasing political division.

2. Free Speech, Corporate Power, and Government Censorship
A central thread in the episode is the evolution of free speech in the age of digital platforms. Schuler and Alsop explore how platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become arenas where free speech is both enabled and curtailed. While platforms have the right to control content as private entities, the duo highlights the more concerning trend of governments using corporations as proxies to suppress dissent. This dynamic blurs the line between free enterprise and state censorship, raising questions about how much "free speech" really exists in online spaces.

3. The Psychological Fallout of Isolation and "Fall from Grace"
Katelynne offers a unique psychological perspective on how the pandemic-induced isolation created a rise in narcissistic tendencies. As people lost their social connections, especially those ostracized for holding unpopular views on COVID, their need for self-validation intensified. This "fall from grace" experience can push people toward more rigid thinking, strengthening their attachment to specific beliefs or ideologies. Schuler notes that this isn't a reflection of right or wrong beliefs but a psychological response to social exclusion. It's a profound insight into how isolation and rejection affect the human psyche.

4. The Rebranding of Extremist Ideologies
One of the more startling revelations is the claim that groups like the KKK have rebranded themselves with a new focus on Christian nationalism, moving away from racial exclusion and embracing ideological alignment with "Christian values." Schuler notes that this shift aligns with a broader push within segments of American conservatism to integrate Christian morality into governance. This evolution is compared to the broader concept of theocratic governance, where laws are designed to reflect specific religious values—a concept that is controversial, even within conservative circles.

5. Global Power Shifts and Lessons from History
The episode provides a historical deep dive into events like the Seven Years’ War, which Winston Churchill referred to as the first true "world war." Schuler suggests that while Germany was ostensibly defeated in this war, its real victory lay in how it exported its people and culture globally, influencing future power structures. This insight parallels modern debates about nationalism and globalism, with the hosts exploring how smaller, insulated communities might have better weathered the COVID crisis by closing off from global networks—much like Germany's "export" strategy.

6. Technology, Nanotechnology, and the Role of Bill Gates
Alsop and Schuler address the controversial role of Bill Gates, focusing on his investments in biotech and nanotechnology. They discuss Gates' involvement in genetically engineered mosquitoes released in South America and the ethical questions it raises. There’s also a hint of speculative intrigue around nanobots, with references to origami-style nanostructures found in human blood. While these claims are framed as emerging curiosities rather than confirmed realities, they touch on larger concerns about who controls emerging technologies and to what end.

7. The Fragmentation of Media and the Future of Information
Finally, the episode explores the fragmentation of media and its impact on public consciousness. Unlike previous decades when a few major outlets shaped collective opinion, today's media landscape is fractured, with individuals curating their own reality through niche sources. While this decentralization of media offers more choice, it also leads to greater division, as people consume entirely different versions of reality. Schuler suggests that this lack of a shared narrative might weaken societal cohesion, as people lose common ground on basic truths. This shift toward decentralized media aligns with broader conversations about social media algorithms and "echo chambers," where everyone has their own version of reality.

I sit down with my roommate David Zangwill who has a lot of interesting things to say about the relationship between stress and creativity.

Welcome to another episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast! I'm your host, Stewart Alsop III, and today we're diving deep into the vibrant cultures and challenging economies of Latin America with our esteemed guest, BowTiedMara. Mara, an expatriate economist and online marketer, shares his unique insights and personal experiences from decades of living in Argentina and Brazil.

In today’s discussion, BowTiedMara walks us through the complexities of Argentina's high inflation rates and its impact on business and daily life. He compares the bureaucratic landscapes of Brazil and Argentina, providing a nuanced look at how each country handles rules and regulations differently. Mara also reflects on his personal journey of moving from the Netherlands to South America, detailing the cultural richness and quality of life that continue to hold him in Argentina.

Additionally, we explore the significant political changes underway in Argentina, particularly under President Milei's administration, and discuss the broader implications of remote work and economic independence in such a fluctuating economic environment.

For those interested in delving deeper or contacting BowTiedMara, you can find more about his work on his blog at bowtiedmara.io and follow him on Twitter @BowTiedMara. Mara also offers one-on-one consultations, which can be booked through his website.

Join us as we unpack these intriguing topics, providing both expats and locals with valuable perspectives on navigating life and business in Latin America.

Timestamps

• [00:05:00] Discussion on life in Argentina and security
• [00:10:00] Economic conditions and cryptocurrency
• [00:15:00] Political insights and changes in Argentina
• [00:20:00] Provincial and federal government dynamics
• [00:25:00] Historical political attempts and current changes
• [00:30:00] Economic and political entrepreneurship
• [00:35:00] Personal political journey and shifts in beliefs
• [00:40:00] Challenges of doing business in Argentina
• [00:45:00] Immigration policies and personal experiences
• [00:50:00] Travel and immigration challenges between Brazil and Argentina

Key Insights

1. Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Argentina: BowTiedMara discusses the economic complexities of living in Argentina, highlighting the nation's high inflation rates, which sometimes exceed 200%. Despite these challenges, he notes the advantages of earning in foreign currencies for those who can secure overseas clients. This geographical arbitrage allows for a significantly improved standard of living compared to relying solely on the local economy.

2. Political Landscape and Reforms: The episode delves into Argentina's political environment, particularly focusing on the recent reforms under President Malay. BowTiedMara expresses optimism about Malay's administration, which has implemented rapid and significant changes, including economic adjustments and efforts to combat inflation. He also touches on Malay's strategy of using executive decrees to bypass the slower legislative processes.

3. Personal Journey and Integration into Argentine Culture: BowTiedMara shares his personal journey of moving to Argentina and integrating into its culture. Originally from the Netherlands, his decision to settle in Argentina was influenced by relationships and the allure of Latin American culture. His narrative provides insights into the expatriate experience, including the social and emotional aspects of adapting to a new country.

4. Comparative Analysis of Brazil and Argentina: Throughout the episode, BowTiedMara offers a comparative perspective on living in Brazil versus Argentina, noting the bureaucratic and cultural differences between the two countries. He describes Brazil as more rule-abiding and challenging in terms of immigration and bureaucracy, whereas Argentina offers more flexibility and easier integration despite its own set of challenges.

5. Impact of Remote Work and Economic Independence: The conversation highlights the transformative impact of remote work and economic independence. BowTiedMara emphasizes how remote work has allowed him to navigate and mitigate some of the economic instabilities in Argentina, underscoring the importance of having international clients and income sources in a volatile economy.

6. Legal and Bureaucratic Challenges: Legal and bureaucratic challenges are a significant theme in the episode. BowTiedMara discusses the complexities of the Argentine legal system, particularly in the context of business operations and employment laws. He shares personal anecdotes about the difficulties and financial risks involved in terminating employees, which reflects the broader challenges of doing business in Argentina.

7. Cultural Insights and Quality of Life: Finally, the podcast sheds light on the cultural aspects of life in Argentina, with BowTiedMara praising the country's high quality of life in terms of social interactions, food, and public life. Despite economic difficulties, he notes that cultural richness and community values are significant attractions that contribute to a fulfilling life in Argentina.

Here are the questions we discuss in this episode:

How do you tell your investors that you have "terminal" cancer? How do continue to run a company?

How do you find your north star either as an individual or for your company?

What is the difference between creativity in the business sense and in the artistic sense?

Find more on Michael here: https://twitter.com/M_A_FitzGerald

Find more on Submittable here: https://www.submittable.com/

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, Stewart Alsop speaks with Diego Fernandez, co-creator of QuarkID and the Secretary of Innovation for Buenos Aires. They discuss the future of innovation in Buenos Aires, focusing on how technology can simplify citizen interactions with the government and empower individuals through control over their identity with Web3. The conversation explores the potential of decentralized technologies like blockchain to transform government services and create new opportunities for innovation, especially in Argentina's unique economic landscape.

In the episode Stewart forgot the name of something about the innovation of digitizing real world assets in Argentina, see this tweet about the deregulation of warrants so that they can be handled online.

And for more on QuarkID, visit www.quarkid.org.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:13 Innovation in Buenos Aires: A Vision for the Future

01:34 The Role of Technology in Government

02:37 Web3 Technologies: Closing the Gap

05:29 Argentina's Unique Economic Resilience

08:53 Crypto Adoption in Argentina

11:25 The Impact of Inflation and Crypto Solutions

17:41 Argentina's Potential in the Web3 Era

27:40 Crypto Scene in San Francisco

28:20 Buenos Aires: A Hub for Crypto Innovation

29:04 Aleph's Pop-Up City and Economic Vision

31:04 Regulatory Changes and Crypto Opportunities

32:09 Decentralization and the Future of Money

32:47 The Role of Governments in the Digital Age

34:50 The Evolution of Money and Technology

38:02 Real-World Crypto Applications: Morphy Token

41:09 Decentralized Platforms and Censorship

41:57 QuarkID: Revolutionizing Digital Identity

45:21 The Future of Digital Identity and Privacy

51:22 Conclusion and How to Learn More About QuarkID

Key Insights

1. Innovation in Buenos Aires: Diego Fernandez emphasizes that the future of innovation in Buenos Aires is centered around making government services seamless and empowering citizens. He envisions a "WiFi-like" government where the state's presence is only noticed when something goes wrong, with a primary focus on streamlining interactions between citizens and government through technology.
2. The Role of Web3 in Identity: Web3 technologies, particularly decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials, are set to revolutionize how individuals manage their identities. With QuarkID, citizens will have control over their digital identities, securely storing documents and credentials on their own devices. This shifts control from centralized entities like governments or tech giants to individuals.
3. Argentina’s Economic Resilience: Fernandez expresses optimism about Argentina’s future, calling its citizens "economic Navy Seals" due to their experience in dealing with decades of economic instability. He believes that Argentina's hardships have made its population more entrepreneurial, adaptable, and uniquely positioned to embrace blockchain and Web3 technologies to overcome economic challenges.
4. Web3’s Impact on Global Financial Systems: The episode highlights how Web3 technologies are poised to disrupt traditional financial systems by enabling peer-to-peer transactions of value and identity. In Argentina, where economic crises have pushed citizens to adopt cryptocurrencies, the use of decentralized financial tools is not only growing but also fostering innovation in industries like tokenization of real-world assets.
5. The Leapfrogging Potential of Argentina: Fernandez believes that Argentina has the potential to "leapfrog" other nations in developing new financial systems and infrastructure based on decentralized technologies. The country’s lack of entrenched financial systems, combined with its thriving blockchain ecosystem, provides an opportunity to build future-proof solutions that could serve as a model for other emerging economies.
6. Blockchain Startups Flourishing in Argentina: Argentina has become a hotspot for blockchain innovation, with notable startups like Decentraland, Ripio, and numerous others being created within the country. Fernandez is bullish on the growth of both centralized and decentralized financial products, as well as advancements in deep tech, especially in cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs.
7. Decentralization and Government’s Role: Fernandez draws a parallel between the separation of church and state and the future separation of money from the state. He argues that just as governments no longer control religion, they will eventually lose their control over money as decentralized platforms take hold. This change, driven by technological advancements, could fundamentally reshape governance and public services.

This is a new series of Crazy Wisdom where I invited my dad Stewart Alsop II to bring people from his past as a tech journalist and uncover the best stories from the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s about the personal computing revolution and apply them to the AI revolution currently happening.

Our first guest Donna Dubinsky talks about her career experiences at Apple, handheld innovator Handspring, her work as the CEO of Palm (of the Palm Pilot handheld mobile device), and current AI work at Numenta. She and Stewart Alsop II both go deep on how the personal computing industry led to the mobile revoltuions and now how we got to where we are today. Dubinsky encourages listeners to stay tuned to developments at NatCast, her current project associated with the CHIPS Act.

If you subscribe to chatGPT4, check out this GPT we trained on the conversation

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and the AI Revolution 00:50 The AI Bubble and Lessons from Past Revolutions 01:28 Invitation to Engage with the Podcast 02:04 Introducing the Special Guest: Donna Dubinsky 02:31 Reminiscing about the Past: The Agenda Conference 03:30 The Evolution of Computing Devices 06:14 The Changing Landscape of the Computer Industry 06:58 The Ubiquity of Computing and the Future of the Chips Industry 08:11 The Evolution of Apple and Personal Device Preferences 14:28 The Journey of Numenta and the Future of AI 29:15 The Evolution of Mainframes and the Future of AI on Phones 37:31 The Early Days of the Tech Community 38:30 Transition from Mainframes to Personal Computing 39:04 The Launch of the Palm Pilot 41:30 The Evolution of the Microcomputer Business 42:59 The Role of Government in Advancing Technology 44:46 The Challenges of Manufacturing and Design in the Tech Industry 01:08:05 The Impact of Pricing on Perceived Value 01:09:17 The Highs and Lows of the Palm Pilot Journey 01:12:26 Current Work in AI and the CHIPS Act

Key Insights

1. Early Days of Computing and Mainframes: Initially, computing was not a common feature on everyone's desk. Mainframes, the early giants of the computing world, were massive and expensive, accessible only to large corporations and the government. These machines were housed in special rooms and were far from being personal or portable​​​​.

2. Transition to Client-Server Models and Personalization: Computing started evolving with the development of client-server architecture. From the large, centralized mainframes, the industry moved to a model where computing was more distributed. Time-sharing systems allowed multiple users to access mainframe resources, leading to a gradual democratization of computing power. This shift laid the groundwork for the development of personal computers​​.

3. The Era of Desktops and Handheld Devices: The next significant shift was the move to desktops and eventually to handheld devices. This evolution represented a dramatic change in how people interacted with computers, making them more personal and portable. The podcast mentions how devices like the Apple II brought computing into educational settings, revolutionizing how people could use these tools​​​​.

4. The Impact of the Palm Pilot: The Palm Pilot is highlighted as a significant milestone in personal computing. Before the Palm, handheld devices were simply smaller versions of existing technology. The Palm Pilot, however, adopted a different approach. It did not try to replicate all functionalities of a PC. For instance, it did not support printing directly, positioning itself as a window or client to the PC, thus embracing a kind of client-server model. This decision not only made the device more practical and focused but also less expensive to support​​.

5. Evolution of Form Factors: The podcast discusses the evolution of computing devices in terms of form factors. There were three main form factors: desktop (too big to carry), notebook (fit in a briefcase), and handheld (fit in a pocket or purse). Each form factor was defined by how users could physically carry and interact with these devices. It was believed that devices falling between these form factors would not be successful, although this was later proven not entirely accurate with the success of intermediate devices like tablets​​.

Matt Bunday works in crypto. He loves to rock climb, martial arts, and think about underground psychedelic therapy

 

1. What is the biggest problem you’ve faced with knowledge management at your companies?

   1. Slack 

   2. Dropped balls in communication

   3. LLMs might be the response

2. Why do you think slack spread so fast even though its not the best product?

   1. It was a step up from email

   2. IRC was a component

   3. More friendly for non-engineering

3. What do you think about the complexity of slack?

   1. Twist is an alternative

4. Why is information architecture such a challenge?

5. How do LLMs fit into this?

6. What would happen if slack created a LLM or plugged one in?

   1. Slack workspace plug in

7. What is a retrieval plug in?

   1. Universal adapter for any type of data

8. Who are the incumbents in the slack knowledge management space?

   1. Guru startup

9. What is the difference between information management and knowledge management?

   1. Knowledge management is a higher level synthesis

   2. Information management is siloing related types of information

      1. Data types 

      2. Group related to information around people

10. What are your thoughts on the membrane?

    1. Siloes

    2. Privacy is where LLMs can be very innovative

    3. If we were to share a LLM

    4. We can both specify a privacy policy to the LLM and it will follow it

    5. LLMs can intuit the privacy public distinction

11. Are you using LLMs to code for you?

    1. Copilot

       1. Issues with difficulty to prompt it correctly

       2. You had to write comments to prompt it

       3. Inline suggestions were not good

       4. Is it better now?

          1. Haven’t noticed a dramatic improvement

       5. Hard to prompt it to code in certain styles now

    2. GPT 4 is way better for a starting off point for projects

       1. Helpful for conversion processes

12. What are the things that GPT4 has not been helpful for you?

    1. You have to chunk it

13. What about building systems with GPT4?

14. Code completion cool called tap9

    1. Train the model against your local code

15. What are some other things about KM that we can use tools for?

    1. Shared LLM for the family

    2. Surface serendipity between users

    3. If facebook were to do this

       1. One person says they are selling a couch

       2. One person is buying one

       3. LLM connects them

16. At what point do we merge with the machines?

    1. Sufficiently high bandwidth

    2. Translation

17. Are we already cyborgs?

    1. It began with wearing shoes

    2. Horselike

18. Where do you fit in the excitement vs fear when it comes to AI?

19. What parts of knowledge work will get automated?

20. What are we losing?

21. What is your take on bodywork?

    1. 10% investment

    2. Martial arts practices, he gets beat up 

    3. Ninjiutsu

       1. Special forces for ninjas

    4. Healing and striking points on the body are the same

    5. Balance between healing/killing, if you know how to heal

    6. Unbroken transmission since 1400

    7. What is the importance 

Very proud to release this episode with Camilo who shares the truth, not just the hype about the particular stresses that come from starting a company in Medellin, Colombia. We also did a later interview in Spanish which was a lot of fun. 

Follow Camilo here:

https://twitter.com/camilo_u

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, I, Stewart Alsop, sit down with Fabian Schonholz, a seasoned technology and operations executive, to explore the intriguing world of synthetic data. We discuss its pivotal role in training AI models, particularly large language models (LLMs), and delve into the nuances of data behavior, the challenges of ensuring realism without real-world ties, and the potential of synthetic data to mitigate biases in AI training. For those interested in learning more about Fabian or reaching out for consultations, visit his LinkedIn profile linked here or check out his consulting services at FESSEXconsulting.com.

Check out this GPT we trained on this conversation

Timestamps

• 05:00 - Challenges of modeling nuanced behaviors in synthetic data and its implications for AI model training.
• 10:00 - Applications of synthetic data in different types of models (e.g., churn models, conversion models) before the emergence of LLMs.
• 15:00 - The role of synthetic data in accelerating AI model production and enhancing data density.
• 20:00 - Discussion on the influence of nuanced behaviors on AI models, specifically within the context of LLMs and their ability to capture the subtleties of human language.
• 25:00 - Exploration of the improvement in model performance when retrained with real data after initial training with synthetic data.
• 30:00 - Considerations on bias in model training, the impact of synthetic data on reducing bias, and the broader implications for AI accuracy and fairness.
• 35:00 - The process of creating synthetic data, including the use of data from real-world scenarios as a base for generating synthetic datasets.
• 40:00 - The utility of synthetic data in operational contexts, specifically in AI model training, and the feedback loops involved in improving these models over time.
• 45:00 - Final thoughts on the potential risks and philosophical aspects of synthetic data usage, particularly in relation to its impact on the quality of AI models and the ethical considerations involved.

Key Insights

1. Definition and Importance of Synthetic Data: Fabian Schonholz defines synthetic data as data that mimics real-world data but has no direct link to it, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. This type of data is crucial for training AI models where real data can be sensitive or scarce.

2. Challenges of Synthetic Data: Despite its benefits, synthetic data comes with challenges, particularly in accurately replicating the nuanced behaviors of real data. This can affect the realism and effectiveness of AI models trained with synthetic data, especially in complex applications.

3. Applications Before LLMs: Synthetic data has been utilized in various models such as churn models, conversion models, and predictive lifetime value models. These applications demonstrate the versatility and impact of synthetic data across different domains prior to the emergence of large language models.

4. Impact on AI Model Training: Synthetic data accelerates the production of AI models by providing a robust way to simulate real-world data. This can significantly reduce the time and resources needed to bring AI technologies to production, especially in early stages of development.

5. Mitigating Bias in AI: One of the profound benefits of synthetic data is its potential to reduce bias in AI training. By carefully crafting datasets, developers can ensure a more balanced representation that avoids perpetuating existing biases found in real-world data.

6. Nuanced Behaviors and AI Accuracy: The conversation highlights the importance of nuanced behaviors in data, which synthetic data might overlook. Capturing these subtle aspects is critical for the accuracy and functionality of AI models, particularly in fields like natural language processing and predictive analytics.

7. Future of Synthetic Data in AI: Looking forward, the integration of synthetic data in AI development holds promise for more ethical, efficient, and effective model training. However, the ongoing challenge will be improving the methods of generating synthetic data to ensure it remains relevant and reflective of real-world complexities.

Steve Schlafman (@schlaf), based in NYC, is a seed-stage investor and leadership Coach at Primary Ventures. Here, he shares his experience of chronic pain, how it prevented him from starting his own podcast, and the ways in which he explores creativity in his life.

Check out Steve's blog at https://www.schlaf.me/

In today's episode, we mention:

• Chronic pain + the science behind it
• Industries, and their ecosystems
• Meditation, Yoga, and Chakra
• NYC, and the fly-wheel effect
• 10-Day Vipassana Retreat
• Mind-body techniques
• Surgery, and stress
• Inner Resources
• Hypnotherapy
• Psychedelics
• Breathwork
• Coaching
• Creativity
• Anxiety
• Focus

Timeline of our conversation:

(04:24) Steve's experience with chronic pain

(08:05) Different types of pain reception

(09:23) What did Steve learn with a 10-Day Vipassana retreat?

(14:30) Dealing with stress: Steve's (serious) cycling accident

(23:12) The untapped potential of ancient mind-body techniques

(32:38) Struggles and Lessons that Steve's gone through with stress

(39:56) Steve, on Creativity: what is he most excited about creating?

(45:54) NYC: Startup Ecosystem, and Culture

(51:29) Steve's timeless one piece of advice 

Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with your friends and family!

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop speaks with Francisco D'Agostino, a business development expert focused on helping entrepreneurs expand into new markets. They discuss a range of topics, from the ethical implications of emerging technologies like AI to the historical parallels with figures like Oppenheimer, who grappled with the consequences of their creations. The conversation also touches on the human aspects of business development, cultural considerations in market expansion, and the potential future of AI in shaping societal structures. To learn more about Francisco and his work, you can follow him on Instagram at @Pancho_D'Agostino or connect with him on LinkedIn here.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:29 The Ethical Dilemma of New Technologies

04:58 AI vs. Human Intelligence

14:41 The Role of Religion and Philosophy in Technology

28:32 Business Development Insights

38:48 Conclusion and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. The Ethical Dilemmas of Innovation: The episode draws parallels between historical figures like Oppenheimer, who grappled with the moral implications of creating the atomic bomb, and modern technologists dealing with AI. Both scenarios highlight the ethical complexities that arise when powerful new technologies are developed, forcing creators to consider the broader consequences of their innovations.
2. AI as a Tool, Not an Inherent Threat: Francisco D’Agostino emphasizes that AI, like any technology, is neutral by nature. Its impact depends entirely on how it is applied by humans. Just as a hammer can be used to build a house or cause harm, AI’s effects on society will be determined by the intentions and decisions of those who control it.
3. Human Decision-Making Remains Central in Business: Despite the rise of AI and automation, the conversation underscores that human decision-making is still the core driver of business success. Markets are fundamentally shaped by human behavior, emotions, and cultural contexts, which cannot be entirely predicted or replicated by machines.
4. Cultural Sensitivity in Market Expansion: A key insight from Francisco’s experience in business development is the importance of understanding local cultures when entering new markets. Success in one country does not guarantee the same results in another, as seen in the example of Paraguay, where cultural conservatism posed unexpected challenges.
5. The Potential for AI to Redefine Power Structures: The discussion touches on the idea that AI could significantly alter societal power dynamics. Those who master AI technology could wield unprecedented influence, potentially creating new forms of dependency or even challenging traditional concepts of power and authority.
6. The Role of AI in the Future of Religion: The episode explores the provocative idea that AI might either become a new object of worship or contribute to the further decline of traditional religious beliefs. This reflects a broader question about whether technology will fill the existential void left by the diminishing role of religion in modern life.
7. The Inevitable Dependency on Technology: Both Stewart Alsop and Francisco D’Agostino reflect on how deeply integrated technology has become in daily life, creating new dependencies. This reliance on technology, while making life more convenient, also raises concerns about losing essential human skills and connections, as people increasingly turn to machines to solve problems that once required human effort and interaction.

I sit down with Annie Duke who is an author about randomness and uncertainty and how to work intelligently with these things while also trying to live a good life. 

We talked about the following questions:

What is unique about Africa when it comes to merging of technology, culture and capital?

How can individual Africans find role models to model after colonization destroyed the local culture and imposed a different language?

How does Nigeria show that the brand of being scammers is only representative of a small part of the population?

Also we mapped the startup ecosystem in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and a few other places. Africa has a lot of things going on in a lot of countries so might take a few more episodes to get all of it on here. 

Follow Wiza here:

https://twitter.com/wizaj

I talk with Doug about his plan to give people $10K to move out of San Francisco and how they are building a network of coworking places where people can work remotely yet still find personal connections. 

We investigate the question: Will big companies trust remote work at scale?

We also went into a tangent on what remote work looks like in China.

Follow Doug here on twitter:

https://twitter.com/dougludlow

Check out Mainstreet here:

https://www.mainstreet.org/home

Vinay is one smart dude and lays down the knowledge about neural networks as well as the stress of growing up in the middle of Illinois as a person of color. Also how that lead him to be who he is today and propels him towards success. This guy has a lot of valuable things to say.

This episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast features Trent, CEO and founder of Holium, and Stewart Alsop discussing a range of topics including corporate culture, quantum computing, the perception of time, Jungian theories, and distributed AI. Trent shares his thoughts on how AI might transform corporate culture and capital distribution, highlighting the potential for AI to replace market functions and enhance decision-making. He delves into the implications of large language models (LLMs) and their ability to synthesize human knowledge, touching on the importance of information velocity and sharing for organizational effectiveness. The discussion also explores the nature of coordination and sharing as fundamental aspects of life, the impact of technological developments on society, and the need for a balance between technological acceleration and resilience. Trent emphasizes the potential of decentralization in AI and computing to ensure alignment with human values and prevent corporate monopolization of future narratives.

Timestamps

• [00:05:00] Corporations and scalability
• [00:10:00] Cultural technology and organizational information flow
• [00:15:00] Velocity of information and its impact
• [00:20:00] Intelligence levels and perception
• [00:25:00] Information sharing in biology and cybernetics
• [00:30:00] The necessity of distributed computing and internet evolution
• [00:35:00] Potential risks of rapid technological change
• [00:40:00] Information precision and belief systems

Key Insights

1. AI's Impact on Corporate Culture: Trent discusses the potential for AI to disrupt corporate culture, suggesting that AI and cryptographic technologies combined could lead to a new paradigm in how businesses operate. He draws parallels with the distributed nature of Bitcoin mining, hinting at a shift from centralized corporate structures to more decentralized, AI-driven models. This disruption could fundamentally change how corporations function, moving away from traditional hierarchies to models that leverage AI for decision-making and capital distribution.

2. Efficiency of Smaller Organizations: The conversation touches on the idea that smaller organizations, like startups, tend to operate more efficiently than larger ones. Trent attributes this to the agility and reduced bureaucratic overhead in smaller teams. He suggests that the future of corporate structure could favor smaller, more nimble entities that leverage AI and collective intelligence, thus challenging the conventional wisdom that bigger is always better.

3. Coordination and Information Sharing: Trent emphasizes the foundational role of information sharing and coordination in human progress. He explores the historical evolution of communication and coordination mechanisms, from tribal societies to modern-day internet-fueled global networks. The essence of coordination, as discussed, lies in the ability to trust and share information, leading to collective actions and decisions that benefit the larger community.

4. The Role of the Internet in Democratizing Information: The discussion explores how the internet has transformed information sharing, enabling rapid dissemination and access to knowledge. This democratization of information has led to a surge in creativity and innovation, as people can now collaborate and build on each other's ideas with unprecedented speed and scale.

5. Velocity of Ideas and Organizational Effectiveness: Trent posits that the velocity of ideas within an organization is a crucial metric for its effectiveness. He suggests that reducing barriers to information flow and increasing the speed at which ideas can circulate leads to more dynamic and successful organizations. This concept is tied to the broader theme of how AI can enhance decision-making and efficiency in business and society.

6. Decentralized AI and Human Alignment: The conversation veers towards the importance of aligning AI development with human values and decentralization. Trent argues that decentralized AI systems are essential to prevent monopolistic control over AI technologies and to ensure that these systems work for the benefit of humanity as a whole, rather than serving the interests of a few powerful entities.

7. The Necessity of Balancing Acceleration and Resilience: Trent and the host discuss the delicate balance between the rapid advancement of technology and the need for resilience. While acceleration in technological development can lead to significant benefits, there is a risk of moving too fast and not considering the potential negative consequences. Trent advocates for a thoughtful approach to technological progress that seeks to maximize benefits while also building robust systems that can withstand unforeseen challenges.

           

We talk about two types of creativity:

1. Creativity that VC unlocks through the companies VC's invest in

2. Creativity of how to make investment decisions

We also talk about these questions:

How do you set up a relationship so that its good for the long term?

What is the difference between creativity that is exponential and creativity that is linear?

What will the search algorithm for Voice technology be once its more widespread?

What are the roadblocks to speech to text algorithms today? Computation?

Is imagination just a virtual game?

What have you learned about reality from programming computers?

Follow Leo here:

https://twitter.com/lpolovets

Theodore Blackman

Urbit Core Dev & Manage projects at Tlon Arvo Kernel

Find him on ~rovnys-ricfer on Urbit

What are metapolitics?

What is content distribution for Urbit?

What is the networking protocol for Urbit?

How is Urbiit different from other networking protocols?

What is Subscription Reform?

What is a Pub-Sub system?

What is the Scriname Space?Are there already scalable networking systems?

What is the limit on users right now on Urbit?

How do analytics work on Urbit?

How long have you been programming in Hoon and Knock?

What is an overlay OS?

If I’m programming something for a Rasberry Pi, does it make it harder or easier? 

Why would somebody want a peer-to-peer operating system?

What does it mean to have a personal server? Why is it important?

What is a root node and a routing node?

What is the key to a distributed system? What are the pillars of it?What is transactional networking or persistent networking?

Is Port my own server? How does that work?

How easy is it to interface with APIs and connect Urbit apps to web apps?

What is your favorite Urbit app? Have you used Urtweet?

Do you have access to Dallee?

Dalton Collective Octupus @_dalton 

What is Urbit trying to do?

Urbit destroys the need for a server admin (24 minutes)

Are there any hardware wallets that can keep my Urbit planets?

Ledger

What is the PKI (Urbit ID system)? Azimuth

What is the world going to look like in ten years when/if Urbit is much larger?

What are autonomous digital communities?

Bridge.urbit.org (33 minutes)

What is the intersection between Crypto and Urbit?

What is the software supply chain (47 minutes)?

What are your thoughts on Holochain?

~Datnutpollen

What is a categorization theorist?

Enzo is an investment professional at Dalus Capital, Mexico City, and an Angel investor as well. He has holdings in companies like Talently, and this episode discusses investing in Latin America, his unlikely journey to becoming an investment professional in Mexico City, his philosophies, the investing dynamics in different Latin American countries, his passion for the education sector, and a lot more. You can find Enzo on twitter @enzocavalie. Dive in!

(3:37) His introduction to entrepreneurship, startups, markets and investing

(5:05) How his desire for more and a job application with no expectation to be hired led to him ending up in Mexico City, all the way from Peru.

(7:42) How market-size in Latin America affects where startups launch and how investment companies choose to fund these startups.

(13:49) How college ignited his passion to reform the educational system.

(16:00) Why are some people contrarians and others not? And why Enzo thinks it’s a trait that’s beyond choice

(19:19) A difference between entrepreneurs in Latin America and those from places like Europe, or the U.S., that should be noted.

(34:03) What types of backgrounds do the majority of the most successful founders in Latin America possess?

(36:43) A lesson Latin American angel investors should learn from investors in San Francisco.

(38:53) The value of social media, writing online, and building a reputation on the web; how it helps forge genuine connections; how it has helped in building his career and network, and how entrepreneurs can benefit from it.

(43:36) The scarcity of original content in Spanish by Latin American venture capitalists and the opportunity it provides.

(52:22) How Enzo comes up with content for his blog

 

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, Stewart Alsop hosts Nick Berns, founder of a software product company and a marketing firm focusing on SEO. They discuss a range of topics, including the intricacies of couch surfing while working remotely, the evolution of Airbnb, and Nick's journey in product development and AI-driven SEO. They also explore the challenges of marketing for developers and introverts, with Nick sharing insights into his productivity hacks and strategies for finding product-market fit. For more information about Nick's work, visit his portfolio at fryingneurons.com, follow him on Twitter at fryingneurons, or check out his SEO and Google ad services at bluelightweb.co.nz.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast with Nick Berns, discussing AI and marketing meetups in Buenos Aires.

00:05 - Nick talks about his experience couch surfing in Brazil while working remotely and compares it to traditional travel experiences.

00:10 - Discussion about couch surfing business model, challenges, and its transformation from non-profit to a for-profit organization.

00:15 - Insights into the rise of Airbnb and how it influenced Nick's life and business ideas, including a startup for organizing co-working retreats.

00:20 - Nick explains his productivity while traveling and working remotely, highlighting the focus gained by having limited time.

00:25 - Nick shares his approach to product development, finding the smallest MVP, and prioritizing actions that drive revenue and customer retention.

00:30 - Impact of AI on SEO and content generation, and examples of successful and failed attempts using AI in SEO.

00:35 - Challenges of marketing for introverts and developers, the essence of marketing, and strategies to handle marketing failures.

00:40 - Conclusion and how to contact Nick for SEO services or to discuss selling software products.

Key Insights

1-The Power of Couchsurfing for Remote Work: Nick Burns shares his unique experience of combining couchsurfing with remote work during his travels in Brazil. Despite potential challenges, he found that staying with locals and working from their homes increased his productivity and provided rich cultural experiences. His ability to work efficiently in unconventional environments underscores the potential for remote work flexibility.

2-Airbnb’s Influence and the Rise of Co-living: The discussion highlights the significant impact of Airbnb on travel and accommodation, detailing its evolution from a small startup to a major global platform. Stewart Alsop III and Nick Burns reminisce about the early days of Airbnb and its influence on their lives, including Stewart's entrepreneurial venture into organizing co-working retreats inspired by couchsurfing and Airbnb's models.

3-Challenges in the Couchsurfing Business Model: Nick explains the transformation of Couchsurfing from a non-profit organization to a for-profit business and the struggles it faced in monetizing its platform. Despite its popularity and high traffic, Couchsurfing struggled to generate sufficient revenue, highlighting the difficulties of sustaining a business that relies on free services.

4-AI’s Role in Modern SEO: The conversation delves into how AI has transformed SEO practices, particularly through content generation and programmatic SEO. Nick provides insights into how AI tools can quickly create targeted content, although he cautions against over-reliance on AI due to recent de-indexing actions by Google. This underscores the need for balance and quality control in using AI for SEO.

5-Marketing for Introverts and Developers: Nick discusses the unique challenges faced by developers and introverts in marketing their products. He emphasizes the importance of experimenting with different marketing channels, setting realistic expectations, and treating failures as learning opportunities. His approach demystifies marketing for those who might find it daunting and encourages a structured, experimental mindset.

6-The Essence of Effective Product Development: Nick shares his philosophy on finding the essence of a product by focusing on the minimum viable product (MVP) and listening closely to customer feedback. He stresses the importance of shipping quickly and iterating based on real user input, which helps in refining the product and achieving product-market fit.

7-Future of Work and AI’s Impact on Jobs: The episode touches on the potential for AI to cause significant job displacement, particularly in roles involving repetitive tasks. Both Stewart and Nick reflect on the necessity for workers to adapt and learn new skills to remain relevant in an AI-driven economy. They highlight the dual nature of AI as both a disruptive force and an enabler of new opportunities.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop sits down with Aaron Fried, founder of Dainty Diamond and former founder of a company acquired by High Touch. The conversation weaves through topics like remote work and the appeal of Buenos Aires, the evolution of e-commerce, and the challenges of knowledge management in the digital age. Aaron shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on how technology influences human connections and the future of business. If you're interested in learning more about Aaron's work, you can visit his website or connect with him on Instagram and Twitter.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Spontaneous Podcast Setup

00:41 Living the Digital Nomad Life in Buenos Aires

02:38 The Warmth and Culture of Argentina

05:09 The Story of Tilt and Crowdfunding Adventures

09:30 Knowledge Management and AI in the Workplace

21:37 Defining Knowledge vs. Intelligence

22:07 AI's Impact on E-commerce

23:23 Challenges in Building a Brand

23:46 The Human Element in AI

24:24 Personal Assistant AI Experience

25:13 Introducing Dainty Diamond

26:00 Branding and Inspiration from Buenos Aires

29:31 Community and Networking in Buenos Aires

32:33 Future Plans and AI Conference

33:18 Knowledge Management in E-commerce

36:37 E-commerce Operations and Challenges

40:17 Supplier Relationships and Trade Shows

41:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Key Insights

1. Remote Work in Buenos Aires: Aaron Fried highlights the growing appeal of Buenos Aires as a hub for remote work, driven by its vibrant culture, welcoming community, and the flexibility that technology offers. The city's unique blend of European architecture and Latin American energy creates an ideal environment for digital nomads looking to build a community while balancing work and leisure.
2. The Evolution of E-commerce: Aaron's experience in founding Dainty Diamond illustrates the rapid evolution of e-commerce, where launching a business has become more accessible than ever. He emphasizes the importance of blending creativity with data-driven strategies to build a brand that resonates with customers, while also navigating the complexities of supply chain management and digital marketing.
3. Challenges in Knowledge Management: Reflecting on his previous venture, Aaron discusses the challenges organizations face in managing and transferring knowledge, especially in a remote work environment. He underscores the value of tools like Slack and AI-driven applications that help streamline the flow of information, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing collaboration within teams.
4. Impact of AI on Business: The conversation touches on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on various aspects of business, from automating mundane tasks to enhancing customer interactions. Aaron believes that while AI can handle data processing and surface-level tasks, the human element remains crucial for deeper understanding and emotional connection in business.
5. Building a Brand in the Digital Age: Aaron shares insights into the art of building a brand, particularly in the luxury jewelry market. He emphasizes the importance of creating an emotional connection with customers and the role of storytelling in differentiating a brand in a crowded marketplace. This involves not just selling a product but curating an experience that aligns with the brand's values.
6. Community and Networking in Argentina: The discussion highlights how Buenos Aires fosters a strong sense of community among both locals and expats. Aaron shares his experiences of connecting with the tech and startup communities in the city, noting how these interactions have enriched his personal and professional life. This sense of community is seen as a vital element in the success of remote work and entrepreneurial ventures in the city.
7. The Future of Business with AI: Finally, Aaron and Stewart explore the potential future of business in the age of AI, where the competition shifts from human versus machine to leveraging AI as a tool to enhance human creativity and decision-making. They discuss the need for businesses to adapt to this new paradigm, where AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing humans to focus on innovation and strategic thinking.

This is part 2 of a special series I did with Dr. Cameron Sepah about Stress and how to work with it intelligently. This particular episode goes into Dr Sepah's particular specialty, ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which Dr. Sepah uses both clinically in his private practice and studies its efficacy at UCSF.

Paul drops some knowledge on how to find yourself, live more creatively while being less stressed, and find your purpose here on the planet. Really deep. I hope you enjoy.

I interview Nate about why he is always a customer of a product before he works or invests in the company that creates that product. We also talk about nature, fitness, ego, the gold rush and much more.

I sat down with Daniela to talk about Ocean Health and her organization: The Sustainable Ocean Alliance (@SOAalliance). 

We talked a lot about plastics in the oceans, in the fish, and in our freshwater supply. If you are interested in solutions to solve some of the major problems we are facing with our oceans then check out this episode or her organization.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes guest Neal Davies, a former computer science professor and nuclear engineering PhD, currently working at the Urbit Foundation. Their conversation covers a range of intriguing topics including the Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet from the 19th century, Neal’s experiences balancing generalist and specialist roles, and the influence of AI in both his work and the world at large. Neal also shares his insights on syntax, symbols, and the cultural shifts that have shaped modern consciousness. You can connect with Neal on Twitter @Sigilante or find him on Urbit as @Lagravnokvap.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:19 Exploring the Deseret Alphabet

04:02 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Generalist

06:47 Impact of AI on Generalism and Specialization

08:24 AI in Code and Image Generation

13:43 Salvador Dali's Paranoiac Critical Method

17:18 Symbolism in Art and Language

20:49 The Spiritual Connection with Language

30:05 Greek Influence on Language and Zero

32:59 Exploring Number Systems

35:10 Rational Numbers and Greek Innovations

38:12 The Evolution of Linguistic Systems

40:29 Cultural Shifts: 1870s to 1960s

45:46 The Impact of the 1960s on Modern Thought

49:58 The Role of Illegible Spaces in Innovation

56:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Key Insights

1. Deseret Alphabet as a Cultural and Linguistic Experiment: Neal Davies is deeply fascinated by the 19th-century Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet created to help immigrants in Utah become literate. Its unique structure and religious origins present a profound example of how language can be intentionally shaped to serve a community, although this project ultimately didn’t gain widespread adoption.
2. Balancing Generalism and Specialization: Neal shares his personal journey of pursuing generalist roles while maintaining expertise in specific fields like computer science and nuclear engineering. He emphasizes the value of broad, diverse knowledge in a world that often rewards specialization. His approach allows for flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, despite the professional challenges generalists may face in a society focused on specialization.
3. AI as a Tool for Productivity, Not Replacement: Neal highlights the utility of AI in his work, particularly in code generation and ideation. He discusses how tools like GitHub’s Copilot act as force multipliers for developers, offering a starting point that saves time without replacing the critical thinking required for final implementation. AI is seen as a support system for creativity, especially in programming and image generation.
4. Syntax and Symbols as Catalysts for Thought: Neal discusses the profound relationship between syntax, symbols, and thought. By exploring different symbol systems, such as mathematical notation or alphabets like Deseret, he argues that they can unlock new ways of thinking. Symbol systems not only shape reasoning but allow people to build layers of understanding and explore more complex ideas.
5. Cultural Experimentation and Enclaves: Reflecting on the importance of high variance in human endeavor, Neal supports creating enclaves of culture and thought outside the mainstream. He argues that monoculture, driven by surveillance and conformity, limits the ability to think freely and explore novel solutions. Platforms like Urbit, which emphasize privacy and decentralized communication, provide a space for communities to experiment and innovate without being surveilled or controlled.
6. The Failure and Legacy of the 1960s Counterculture: Neal suggests that the cultural revolution of the 1960s was an ambitious attempt at societal transformation that ultimately failed. Co-opted by commercialism, politics, and other forces, the movement couldn’t fully realize its vision of reshaping consciousness. However, it planted seeds for future cultural shifts, much like the influence of the Romanticists in the 19th century.
7. The Importance of Illegibility in Innovation: Neal explains that true freedom in innovation comes from creating spaces where ideas and communities can evolve without constant oversight. He draws a parallel to Hemingway’s theory that the unseen parts of a story are as important as the visible ones. Similarly, innovation flourishes when parts of a system or community remain illegible and unobserved, allowing for creativity and growth beyond the constraints of external control.