Paradigm

Matthew Geleta

Conversations with the world's deepest thinkers in philosophy, science, and technology. A global top-ranked podcast by Matt Geleta.

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#28
Sep 23, 2024 · 1 hr 24 min
Oliver Burkeman: Shortness of Life | Paradox of Productivity | Rethinking Time Management
Oliver Burkeman is the author of the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks, Meditations for Mortals, and several other books on the philosophy and psychology of time management and happiness. Ad-free episodes, links and more at ⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/⁠ Watch on ⁠YouTube⁠. Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any other podcast platform. Connect - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - X: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Timestamps 00:00 Mortality and Immortality 00:57 The Paradox of Infinite Time 02:51 Polls and Public Opinion on Immortality 05:09 The Concept of Finitude 06:56 The Philosophy of Time and Life's Shortness 10:03 Accepting Mortality and Denial of Death 19:49 Eastern and Western Philosophies 45:14 The Paradox of Productivity and Burnout 45:45 Critique of Capitalism and Personal Goals 47:19 Finding Purpose in a Capitalist System 48:33 Introducing 'Meditations for Mortals' 54:40 The Three to Four Hour Rule 01:04:20 The Fallacy of Effort Equals Worth 01:07:57 Parenting and Personal Development 01:15:06 Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations
#27
Sep 9, 2024 · 1 hr 28 min
Neil Johnson: Bad Actor AI & the Online Battlefield
Ad-free episodes, links and more at ⁠⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/⁠ Neil Johnson is a professor of physics at George Washington University. His work explores impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in online battlefields (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more). Support & connect - Like and subscribe - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - X: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Podcast info - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IVDF2W - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oEZYmJ - YouTube: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-youtube Timestamps 00:00 Understanding the AI Battlefield 01:21 Global Context and Online Mapping 02:38 Challenges of Online Bad Actors 03:58 Congressional Hearings and Platform Responsibilities 05:49 The Role of Smaller Platforms 07:10 AI's Impact on Content Creation 08:36 Defining Bad Actor AI 20:18 Ethical Considerations and Access to AI Models 39:35 Distrust Subset and Community Influence 44:51 Navigating Distrust in Online Information 45:13 The Growing Distrust Subset 47:58 Quantum Dots and Vaccine Myths 54:58 The Complexity of Bad Actor AI 56:03 Predicting the Frequency of AI Attacks 58:01 The Red Queen Hypothesis 01:04:17 Endemic AI and Control Strategies 01:09:06 The Role of Complexity Science 01:20:12 Encouraging Interdisciplinary Studies 01:24:41 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts #paradigm #ai #chatgpt #battlefield #online #socialmedia
#26
Sep 2, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Cailin O'Connor: Scientific Curation and Clickbait
Find full ad-free video episodes and more at ⁠⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/⁠ Cailin O’Connor is a philosopher of science and evolutionary game theorist. She’s a Professor in the Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science at UC Irvine. We discuss: news media and exaggerated and misleading headlines scientific and journalistic practices, and the incentives behind them how content curation impacts public perception and understanding of what is true the role of algorithms in perpetuating misleading content on social media practical suggestions for improving our information environment personal reflections and recommendations on navigating misinformation … and other topics Podcast info - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IVDF2W - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oEZYmJ - YouTube: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-youtube Support & connect - Like and subscribe - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - X: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Timestamps 00:00 Misleading Titles & Headlines 02:59 Journalistic Practices 04:02 Curation in Journalism 11:41 Challenges in Fair Reporting 22:08 Hyperbole and Extreme Headlines 26:42 Confirmation Bias and Trust in Sources 32:09 Best Practices for Science Journalism 35:50 Need for Algorithm Regulation 38:03 Case for Social Media Regulation 43:01 Role of Incentives in Algorithm Design 44:45 Challenges of Algorithm Transparency 47:09 Improving Social Media Platforms 53:54 User Responsibility vs. Systemic Change 56:20 Future of Misinformation 01:03:17 Navigating Information in the Digital Age 01:09:37 Books and Personal Influences
#25
Aug 26, 2024 · 1 hr 38 min
David Krakauer: Free Will and Complexity
David Krakauer is an evolutionary biologist and President of the Santa Fe Institute. His research explores the evolution of intelligence and stupidity on Earth. Ad-free episodes, AMAs and more at ⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ David's Books Foundational Papers in Complexity Science: Vol 1 Foundational Papers in Complexity Science: Vol 2 David's website⁠ Books discussed Worlds Hidden in Plain Sight Douglas Hofstadter - Gödel, Escher, Bach Thomas Nagel - The View from Nowhere Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:45 Limits of AI and Human Predictability 06:15 Determinism & Laplace 09:00 Free Will 23:00 Symmetry Breaking and Quantum Fluctuations 41:00 Emergence and Effective Theories 50:15 Large Language Models 53:00 Evolution of Intelligence 55:00 Science: Humanistic vs. Utilitarian 01:07:00 Complexity Science and Its Applications 01:14:00 Future of Complexity Science 01:29:00 Book Recommendations 01:36:00 Who Should Represent us to an AI Superintelligence
Aug 25, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Video Episode - Anil Seth: Reality and Illusion
This is the full video of our previously published audio-only discussion with neuroscientist Anil Seth. Video episodes and other content are available at ⁠⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/⁠
Aug 12, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min
Video Episode - Christof Koch: Consciousness, Physics and Neurotechnology
Special episode - please share your feedback.   This is the video version of our most recent conversation with Christof Koch, without the intro from Matt. Usually video episodes are published on YouTube, and audio episodes with intros are published elsewhere.   Which do you prefer? Please let us know what you think in the comments Christof's latest book can be found here
#24
Aug 12, 2024 · 1 hr 30 min
Christof Koch: Consciousness, Physics and Neurotechnology
Christof Koch is an acclaimed neuroscientist known for his work on consciousness and the physical world. Find full episode details, video, and more at https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Christof's latest book: Then I Am Myself the World
#23
Aug 5, 2024 · 1 hr 32 min
Avi Loeb: Space Teslas and Technology from the Unknown
Avi Loeb is a world-leading astrophysicist known for his work on the search for technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilisations. Enjoy our conversation! Find full episode details, video, and more at https://www.matthewgeleta.com
Dec 14, 2023 · 1 hr 35 min
Michael Muthukrishna: Rethinking Nuclear Energy
Michael Muthukrishna is an associate professor of economic psychology at the London School of Economics, and the author of the book "A Theory of Everyone". Episode links, show notes and bonus content here: ⁠https://www.matthewgeleta.com/⁠ Make a one-off donation here: ⁠https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Michael's books: https://www.atheoryofeveryone.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Episode intro 01:00 Energy and nuclear power - reflections 08:00 How do cultural differences impact how we work together? 23:30 Why is human coordination and cooperation so difficult 33:50 Why do we need energy abundance to enable cooperation? 46:05 What is the most efficient energy source? 1:00:00 Why is energy becoming scarce? 1:06:45 Nuclear - why might this be our best bet? 1:11:40 Sustainability - should we pull the brakes? 1:23:16 Major challenge for the 21st century 1:27:50 Book recommendations #nuclear #energy #sustainability #solarenergy #windenergy #nuclearenergy
#21
Dec 10, 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
Lee McIntyre: Conspiracies and Misinformation
Lee McIntyre is philosopher and leading voice on the topics of Disinformation and Science Denial. Episode links, show notes and bonus content here: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Make a one-off donation here: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Lee's books: https://leemcintyrebooks.com/ Timestamps 0:00 Intro - disinformation 5:05 Flat Earther phenomenon 9:30 What is disinformation? 11:40 How big of a problem is disinformation? 16:40 What should we do when the truth sounds conspiratorial? 22:15 Origins to Big Tobacco 27:50 Amplification of disinformation 31:25 Is social media to blame? 34:30 How should social media companies be regulated? 46:30 Social media business models 50:15 Information diet - what is healthy? 56:45 How can individuals protect themselves against misinformation? 59:25 Book recommendations
#21
Nov 30, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
Philip Goff: Physics and the Purpose of Everything
Philip Goff is a philosopher and author, and one of the world's foremost proponents of panpsychism, among several other non-mainstream philosophical views. Episode links, show notes and bonus content here: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Make a one-off donation here: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm Philip's Links: ‘Mind Chat’ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MindChat Book: ‘Why? The Purpose of the Universe’: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Purpose-Universe-Philip-Goff/dp/0198883765/ Website: https://philipgoffphilosophy.com Social Media: https://twitter.com/Philip_Goff Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:30 Response to Richard Dawkins' meaningless purposeless universe 10:15 Why might the universe have a purpose? 15:10 Why does the universe seem designed for life? 20:30 Is the universe design for rabbits? 26:30 The multiverse hypothesis and reverse gambler's fallacy 38:10 Pseudoscience and falsifiability 41:30 What does it mean to say the universe has a purpose? 45:10 Is a universe with purpose a good thing? 56:50 How this has changed Philip's life? 1:02:55 Regrets and #movember 1:04:30 Book recommendations 1:09:50 Who should represent humanity to an AI superintelligence?
#19
Nov 21, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min
Sara Seager: Life Beyond Earth
Sara is an astronomer and planetary scientist known for her pioneering work on the vast and unknown world of exoplanets, and the search for life beyond Earth. Find episode details, video and more at: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ We discuss: The prospects for finding alien life in our solar system The possibility that there is life on Venus The infamous fermi paradox Exoplanets The beautify of the night sky … and other topics. Timestamps 0:00 Intro: Where are they? 5:35 Is there life on Venus? 13:25 Venus Life Finder mission 17:15 Non-biological life? 20:15 How might aliens discover life on Earth? 23:17 Should we broadcast our existence? 28:30 Consensus view - is there life outside of Earth? 31:05 Fermi Paradox - where are they? 34:50 Exoplanets 48:20 Starshade mission 54:11 Beauty and awe in physics 1:03:50 Book recommendations 1:11:23 Behind the scenes / backstory
#18
Nov 1, 2023 · 1 hr 45 min
Joscha Bach: AI Risk and the Future of Life
Joscha is an artificial intelligence researcher, cognitive scientist, and philosopher known for his work on cognitive architectures and mind extension technologies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus content and perks, visit: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Watch on YouTube. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other podcast platform. Read the full transcript here. Follow me on LinkedIn or Twitter/X for episodes and infrequent social commentary. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro - AI risk 5:20 Transhumanism and mind uploading 10:20 Philosophy of self & mind 12:50 Is mind uploading physically possible? 21:50 Tele-transportation 24:50 Philosophy of self & mind - part 2 31:40 Gaia & hypergaia 37:05 Information processing & consciousness 54:10 AI risk & Eliezer Yudkowsky 1:03:10 AI regulation & control 1:11:25 Responsible AI development 1:27:26 AI intelligence explosion 1:36:23 Book recommendations & wrap
#17
Oct 17, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
Anil Seth: Reality and Illusion
Anil Seth is a cognitive and computational neuroscientist and author of an excellent and highly successful book called Being You: A New Science of Consciousness. He is recognised as being in the top 0.1% of most impactful researchers globally, and his TED talks have collectively been viewed around 20 million. Episode notes more more available here: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Anil's book available here: https://amzn.to/4dKXg2Mhttps://amzn.to/4dKXg2M Timestamps 0:00 Intro 4:10 Blue and black or white and gold? 9:08 Yanny or Laurel? 12:17 Do we see the world in the same way? 18:21 Perceived is a controlled hallucination 24:16 Why does consciousness exist? 31:19 The Hard and Real problems of consciousness 34:15 Integrated information theory 46:17 Beast machines and the emergence of consciousness 1:04:40 Dreams, psychedelics and exotic conscious experiences 1:18:00 Book recommendations
#16
Oct 17, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Samir Okasha: Philosophy of Evolution
Samir Okasha is a philosopher of science whose work focuses on theories of knowledge, evolutionary theory and the philosophy of biology. He’s a fellow of the British Academy, and the author of several interesting and very accessible books on philosophy and science, including Agents and Goals in Evolution, and an introductory book to the philosophy of biology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers and get access to bonus content, episode notes, and subscriber perks, visit: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:00 The limits of human knowledge 3:55 What is science? 9:00 Science vs philosophy 18:38 Can we make progress in philosophy? 23:20 Philosophy of biology 29:58 Functional language in biology 34:12 Is evolutionary psychology is pseudoscience? 45:40 Evolution and morality 58:28 Can we get 'ought' from 'is'? 1:08:00 Book recommendations
#15
Oct 5, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Naomi Oreskes: Free Market Economics
Naomi is a Harvard University professor of the history of science, and an Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences. She’s a leading voice on the role of science in society, the reality of anthropogenic climate change, and the role of disinformation in blocking climate action. She’s also a world-renowned author, having co-authored 9 books, including the best-selling book Merchants of Doubt, Climate change denial, and her most recent book, the Big Myth, which explores the idea of free market economics, and its dark and politically laden history. In this conversation Naomi and Matt discuss: * The relationships between science, economics, and politics * The idea of the free market, and common misconceptions about free market economics * Arguments for and against a free market way of thinking * The incentives systems that influence how ideas spread in a society * Meme theory * Propaganda … and other topics This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers and get access to bonus content, episode notes, and subscriber perks, visit: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:03:15 Myth of the Free Market 0:08:55 Adam Smith vs regulation 0:28:40 Bad incentives vs bad actors 0:34:25 Arguments for and against regulation 0:44:10 Are free markets more fair? 0:53:00 Distrust in government as a cause of free market thinking 0:57:50 Meme theory of free market thinking 1:01:00 Ayn Rand & propaganda 1:09:00 Advice for people in positions of power 1:14:20 The Entrepreneurial State 1:16:50 Book recommendations 1:18:00 Advice for scientists 1:18:00 Who should represent humanity to an AI superintelligence?
Sep 28, 2023 · 1 hr 38 min
Stephen Fleming: The Limits of Self Knowledge
Stephen Fleming is a professor of cognitive neuroscience whose work focuses on metacognition - what people think or know about their own minds - and the computational and neural basis of subjective experience. He’s the author of the book Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness. Today’s topics include the possibility of self deception; cognitive biases and what we can do to guard against them; the benefits and drawbacks of improved metacognition; the relationship between metacognition of conscious experience; the theoretical limits of self knowledge; and other topics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers and get access to bonus content, episode notes, and subscriber perks, visit: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:01:20 Self deception 0:08:08 Cognitive biases and over confidence 0:14:40 Evolution of metacognitive biases 0:18:18 Dunning Kruger effect 0:20:52 Split brain experiments and self narratives 0:25:32 Delusion of self understanding 0:29:54 Isolation of losing touch with reality 0:34:38 How good is our metacognition? 0:38:53 Metacognition vs performance 0:42:46 How trainable is metacognition? 0:46:51 Limits of self knowledge 0:50:52 Theory of self vs others 0:54:16 Benefits from improving metacognition 1:01:40 Psychosis and reality vs imagination 1:14:15 The hard problem of consciousness 1:27:05 Book recommendations 1:33:35 Who should represent humanity to an AI superintelligence?
Sep 19, 2023 · 1 hr 41 min
Thomas Metzinger: Neuroethics, Psychedelics, and Conscious AI
Thomas Metzinger is a philosopher and author whose work focuses neuroethics, neurotechnology, and the philosophy of mind. Thomas is the author of books on the philosophy of mind, consciousness, and the self, including the Ego Tunnel, Being No One, and The Elephant and the Blind. Today’s topics include the prospects for engineering post-biotic conscious systems, and the ethical implications of doing so; psychedelic drugs and psychedelic experiences, and what these might teach us about the nature of the mind; the range of possible conscious experiences available to human beings and other systems; climate change; intellectual honesty; and other topics. Links: * Website: https://thomasmetzinger.com/ * Books - available for free on the website SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Follow and leave a 5-star review - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm PODCAST INFO: - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewGeleta - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IVDF2W - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oEZYmJ - Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-google Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:02:10 Postbiotic conscious systems 0:13:00 The Ego Tunnel 0:20:15 Space of possible experiences 0:29:13 Psychedelics and epistemology 0:36:17 Ethical obligations to explore phenomenal state space 0:50:36 Climate change & culture of consciousness 1:00:45 Can we pull back from the brink? 1:09:00 AI ethics & suffering AI 1:27:20 Minimal forms of consciousness 1:35:40 Book recommendations 1:37:00 Advice (meditate!) Get full access to Paradigm at
Sep 7, 2023 · 1 hr 6 min
Alice Dreger: Medical Ethics and Sexuality
Alice Dreger is a bioethicist, historian, activist, and author. She’s well known as a powerful public voice in support of rights people born with atypical sex characteristics, such as intersex. In this conversation, Alice and Matt explore the science, philosophy, and history sex, gender, intersex, and similar topics. Topics: * Biological and social determinants of sex and gender * Medical treatment of people born with atypical sex characteristics * Ethics of sex and gender affirming medical interventions, especially in the case of children and adolescents * Conflicts that often arise between science and activists on matters relating to individual identity … and other topics. Alice’s links: * Website: https://alicedreger.com/ * Books: https://alicedreger.com/books/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceDreger SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Follow and leave a 5-star review - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm PODCAST INFO: - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IVDF2W - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oEZYmJ - YouTube: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-youtube - RSS: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/1656558/s/65176.rss Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:02:20 Alice’s path to studying intersex 0:04:05 What are sex and gender? 0:08:20 Are sex and gender biologically determined? 0:10:14 Is intersex a “problem”? 0:13:00 Sexual orientation vs gender identity 0:16:34 How common is intersex? 0:22:24 Medical treatment of intersex people 0:30:23 Experience of people with intersex 0:41:21 Intersex in children and adolescents 0:44:32 Scientists vs activists 0:55:54 Galileo’s Middle Finger 0:58:21 Book recommendations 1:01:20 Advice for aspiring activists
Aug 31, 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Thomas Hertog: Stephen Hawking and the Physics of Time
Thomas Hertog is a cosmologist and one of Stephen Hawking’s closest collaborators. He's the author of the book On the Origin of Time, which is a beautiful blend of physics, philosophy, and biography of Stephen and his long term collaboration with Thomas. Find episode details, video and more at: https://www.matthewgeleta.com/ Topics: * The physics and philosophy of time * The origin of time, and how even make sense of statements of that type * A bold new idea about the origin of the laws of physics * Stephen Hawking, both as a scientist and a human being … and other topics. Thomas’ book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Origin-Time-journey-Stephen-Hawking-ebook/dp/B08QV2Y1JF SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Follow and leave a 5-star review - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgeleta/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewGeleta - Donate: https://bit.ly/donate-to-paradigm PODCAST INFO: - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IVDF2W - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oEZYmJ - Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-google - YouTube: https://bit.ly/paradigm-on-youtube - RSS: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/1656558/s/65176.rss Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:10 How could time have an origin? 8:15 Human intuition and the origin of time 10:50 Thomas and Matt reminisce about Stephen Hawking 20:20 Can time flow in reverse? 28:30 Wave Function of the Universe 36:25 Imaginary time & quantum gravity 39:15 Darwinian evolution of the laws of physics 56:15 Quantum multiverse 1:06:10 Experimental verification of Thomas' & Stephen's' theories 1:15:25 Book recommendations 1:18:25 Who should represent humanity to an AI superintelligence?

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