Robert Wright's Nonzero

Nonzero

Conversations with a series of people who have nothing in common except that program host Robert Wright is curious about what they’re thinking.

www.nonzero.org

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587 episodes
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Episodes587

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Jan 10, 2024 · 55 min
Israel’s War, Biden’s War (Robert Wright & Stephen Walt)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 1:44 How the Gaza war harms US interests 12:16 How the Gaza war harms Israel’s interests 22:49 Could Biden get Israel to wind down the war? 31:57 Biden’s complex political calculus on Israel 42:35 The Israel lobby: what it is and what it does 51:27 How elements of the lobby intimidate critics of Israel 54:42 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Stephen Walt (Harvard University, Foreign Policy). Recorded Jan 9, 2024. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Jan 5, 2024 · 39 min
Is AI Moving Too Fast? (Robert Wright & Timothy B. Lee)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:33 Tim seeks Substack synergy beyond Bob 3:21 Recent contributors to Bob’s AI anxiety 9:36 Why “Mamba” matters 13:53 Is AI moving too fast? 24:12 Are fears of an AI “jobocalypse” overblown? 35:02 AI’s (potential) next transformation 38:15 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Timothy B. Lee (Full Stack Economics, Understanding AI). Recorded January 4, 2024.
Jan 3, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Down the JFK Rabbit Hole (Robert Wright & Jefferson Morley)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:31 Jeff’s journalistic bona fides 4:09 The origins of the official assassination narrative 11:12 Oswald: Lone gunman? Patsy? Both? 19:52 The CIA’s interest in Oswald before the assassination 31:17 The Pentagon’s scheme to provoke war with Cuba via false flag 40:00 How Bob started down the JFK rabbit hole 44:39 Oswald’s critical time in New Orleans 51:39 Why did Jack Ruby kill Oswald, really? 57:57 Why JFK’s assassination still matters Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Jefferson Morley (JFK Facts, Snow-Storm in August). Recorded December 28, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Dec 30, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
ChatGPT Versus Taylor Swift (Earthling Unplugged)
Robert Wright and Andrew Day discuss items from the Earthling. 1:10 Where’s Mickey? 5:28 Why ChatGPT is the real person of the year 21:09 The New York Times sues OpenAI 34:08 Bob’s bitter vindication on Russia-Ukraine 43:40 Israel threatens a wider war 48:53 Efforts to remove Trump from the ballot 1:00:41 2024 predictions Read this edition of the Earthling at: https://nonzero.substack.com/p/nzns-person-of-the-year Recorded December 28, 2023. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Dec 28, 2023 · 58 min
Psychedelics, Meditation, and the Brain (Robert Wright & Kathryn Devaney)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:33 Kati’s very unusual Venn diagram 4:52 Your brain on meditation 10:59 The time Bob’s meditation got weird 16:43 What are the “jhanas”? 25:34 What science tells us about the jhana states 31:53 Are psychedelics gateway drugs to meditation? 41:25 Kati: Here’s how we get “not-self” wrong… 46:50 Psychedelics vs meditation—neuroscientifically 54:59 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Kathryn Devaney (The Alembic). Recorded December 06, 2023.
Dec 27, 2023 · 1 hr 31 min
What is to be done? A Nonzero/Psychopolitica Live Event | Live Replay
https://www.youtube.com/live/za5JxTsGwkg?feature=shared This is a recording of a livestream hosted by Robert Wright, publisher of the Nonzero Newsletter, and Nikita Petrov, publisher of the Psychopolitica newsletter. In the course of fielding questions from their newsletter subscribers, Bob and Nikita discussed psychedelics, meditation, US foreign policy, ego death, tribalism, cynicism, Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, artificial intelligence, evolution, how they first met, and more. Subscribe to Psychopolitica: Recorded December 21, 2023. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Dec 22, 2023 · 53 min
Is Israel-Palestine Peace Possible? (Robert Wright & Thomas Friedman)
1:20 How Tom tried to bring down Netanyahu’s government 10:00 The coming Biden-Netanyahu showdown 14:25 What’s driving Israeli public support for such massive retaliation? 24:18 The alarming growth of global disorder 30:50 Is Israel fated to be hated? 42:50 Why Tom is still hopeful about Israel-Palestine Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Thomas Friedman (The New York Times). Recorded December 20, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Dec 20, 2023 · 54 min
Effective Altruism, AI, and Existential Risk (Robert Wright & Émile P. Torres)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org (Overtime audio available to paid subscribers through the player at the top of the page and video version available below the paywall.) 2:44 A short history of “longtermism” 9:07 The evolution of effective altruism (EA) 17:27 Unpacking the TESCREAL bundle 22:02 Why AGI dominates longtermist thinking 30:13 Are AI doomers and accelerationists more aligned than it seems? 41:13 Why did Émile ditch EA? 52:02 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Émile P. Torres (Human Extinction; Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing). Recorded December 12, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Dec 16, 2023 · 22 min
America: Superpower Client State (Earthling Unplugged)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org Robert Wright and Andrew Day discuss items from The Earthling. Read this edition of The Earthling at: https://nonzero.substack.com/p/bidens-israel-impotence
Dec 15, 2023 · 1 hr 32 min
Israel, Antisemitism, and Social Media (Robert Wright & Max Abrahms)
0:45 Max’s book Rules for Rebels—and the rule that Hamas broke 4:13 Is social media a reality distortion machine? 19:32 “From the river to the sea…” compared to “globalize the intifada” 27:01 Does social media exaggerate the level of civil strife—and thereby raise it? 43:11 Is Israel’s assault on Gaza intensifying antisemitism? 56:08 How Israel’s actions impact the Jewish diaspora 1:05:54 The terrorism threat facing Israel 1:17:18 US foreign policy and the Israel lobby Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Max Abrahms (Northeastern University, Rules for Rebels). Recorded December 13, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Dec 13, 2023 · 46 min
Free Speech, Antisemitism, and Elon Musk (Robert Wright & Paul Bloom)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 1:06 The biggest surprise of Paul’s intellectual life 8:41 What the three college presidents should have said about free speech 21:07 Ramaswamy’s hot mic moment: mistake or power move? 23:13 Elon’s scorched-earth moment: power move or mental break? 31:17 Paul gets fact-checked—and likes it 36:30 In aligning AI, should we aim higher than human values? 40:57 Bob DESTROYS Paul’s AI article Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Paul Bloom (https://smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net, University of Toronto, The Sweet Spot, Against Empathy). Recorded December 11, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Dec 9, 2023 · 25 min
The Reality Distortion Field (Earthling Unplugged)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org Robert Wright and Andrew Day discuss items from The Earthling. Read this edition of The Earthling at:
Dec 8, 2023 · 38 min
The Gaza War and the Palestine Question (Robert Wright, Derek Davison, and Daniel Bessner)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:33 A bold experiment in podcast synergy continues 4:03 The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza 10:19 Is full-on ethnic cleansing more likely than a political solution? 19:49 If Biden loses in 2024, will elites rethink Israel-Palestine? 29:51 The changing perception of Israel 35:57 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True), Derek Davison (Foreign Exchanges, American Prestige, Discontents), and Daniel Bessner (American Prestige, University of Washington). Recorded December 07, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods Overtime titles: 38:46 Is “colonialism” a useful frame for understanding Israel-Palestine? 50:31 The future of Israel’s far right 56:45 Bush’s secret coup against Hamas 1:07:05 Ukraine’s failed offensive, the Blob’s failure of foresight 1:14:21 The ignominious career of Jeffrey Goldberg
Dec 5, 2023 · 52 min
The Trouble with Techno-Optimism (Robert Wright & Daron Acemoglu)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 1:02 Daron’s book Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity 1:57 What tech optimists get wrong about economic history 10:01 Will AI inevitably sideline workers? 23:29 The surprising weakness of our digital economy 29:35 Which jobs are most vulnerable to automation? 40:43 How to empower workers in the age of AI 51:15 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Daron Acemoglu (MIT, Why Nations Fail, Power and Progress). Recorded November 29, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Dec 2, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
The Sam Altman Paradox (Earthling Unplugged)
Robert Wright and Andrew Day discuss items from The Earthling. Read this edition of The Earthling at: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Nov 30, 2023 · 50 min
What Really Happened at OpenAI? (Robert Wright & Timothy B. Lee)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:33 Bob and Tim seek Substack synergy 2:31 What was the OpenAI drama really about? 14:49 Viewing the drama through a (cynical) psychological lens 21:19 Were reports of a safety vs speed schism greatly exaggerated? 29:53 Larry Summers joins OpenAI’s board… time to panic? 40:21 Superintelligence, Sam Altman, and the singularity 44:53 Altman’s not so veiled ignorance 49:17 Overtime preview: superintelligence skepticism, the truth about effective altruism, self-driving car speed bumps, and more Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Timothy B. Lee (Full Stack Economics, Understanding AI). Recorded November 29, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Nov 28, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
A Palestinian-American Looks at Gaza (Robert Wright & Omar Baddar)
1:23 Biden’s vexing political calculus on Israel-Palestine 10:13 Israel-Palestine compared to Russia-Ukraine 13:56 If Israel eliminates Hamas, what happens next? 23:14 Can anything good come out of the present crisis? 29:53 The meaning of “From the river to the sea…” 37:47 Why the 2000 Camp David Summit failed 44:19 Where is Palestine's Nelson Mandela? 54:45 Assessing US media coverage of the Gaza war Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Omar Baddar (Arab American Institute, Public Citizen). Recorded November 28, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nonzero.org/subscribe
Nov 24, 2023 · 56 min
Is AI Evolving into an Existential Threat? (Robert Wright & Dan Hendrycks)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:34 Preamble: The OpenAI drama and this conversation 3:46 Where Dan falls on the AI doomer spectrum 6:42 Is safe AI possible without international cooperation? 12:38 Are we selecting AI for truth or engagement? 25:53 Using “psychology” to understand—and control—AI 31:08 The worrisome Darwinian dynamics of AI development 40:37 Life after an AI takeover 51:52 How structural incentives make AI safety harder Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Dan Hendrycks (The Center for AI Safety). Recorded October 10, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Nov 20, 2023 · 54 min
Getting Russia Right (Robert Wright & Thomas Graham)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 0:33 Tom’s new book, Getting Russia Right 2:13 Does Putin want to take more territory before talking peace? 12:35 Putin’s "messianic" transformation 22:41 America’s failed effort to Americanize Russia 32:46 Does the US focus too much on other nations’ internal affairs? 41:10 The 2004 event that sunk US-Russia relations 49:16 Why Tom supports a diplomatic reset Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Thomas Graham (Council on Foreign Relations, Getting Russia Right). Recorded November 09, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods
Nov 16, 2023 · 53 min
China’s Overreach, America’s Overreaction (Robert Wright & Susan Shirk)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nonzero.org 1:51 Susan’s new book, Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise 7:28 China’s turn to more assertive policies in 2007 15:30 The well-intentioned reform that produced big authoritarian consequences 25:20 How public opinion influences autocratic leaders 31:53 Xi Jinping’s purge of suspect officials 41:52 Does Beijing feel threatened by America? 48:20 Heading to Overtime Robert Wright (Bloggingheads.tv, The Evolution of God, Nonzero, Why Buddhism Is True) and Susan Shirk (University of California San Diego, Overreach). Recorded October 23, 2023. Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonzeroPods