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Hanzi Freinacht, political philosopher, historian, sociologist, & author has a wide-ranging talk with Jim that starts by exploring what postmodern views are, how many postmodernists there might be & how they act. They, then go on to cover effective values memes & how they arise/interact, the dynamics of the model of hierarchical complexity, societal code, the progression from modern to post-modern & metamodern perspectives, how code & cognitive complexity interact, whether post-modernism is valuable, similarities of metamodernism & GameB, the promises & dangers of running metamodern code, why spirituality is important & its value/dynamics, Jim’s experience & ideas about mystical states, the yoga bourgeoisie, and much more.

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Hanzi Freinacht is known for his works on societal transformation and political theory, primarily through his two main books: "The Listening Society" and "Nordic Ideology."

The Listening Society: This book explores the concept of a post-industrial society characterized by deep empathy, collective intelligence, and fluid social structures. Freinacht proposes that such a society would prioritize individual well-being, personal growth, and meaningful relationships over material wealth. He advocates for a shift towards a more participatory democracy and a redistribution of power to facilitate a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Nordic Ideology: In this book, Freinacht delves into the cultural and political dynamics of the Nordic countries, particularly Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. He examines the underlying values and beliefs that have contributed to the success of the Nordic model, such as social trust, egalitarianism, and a strong welfare state. Freinacht argues that these countries offer valuable lessons for other societies seeking to address contemporary challenges, including inequality, environmental degradation, and political polarization.

Both books offer insightful perspectives on the potential for societal evolution and provide frameworks for reimagining politics, governance, and social organization in the 21st century.

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Sam Harris speaks with Tim Maudlin about the foundations of physics and metaphysics. They talk about the nature of scientific reductionism, emergence, functionalism, the nature of time, presentism vs eternalism, causation, the nature of possibility, the laws of nature, David Lewis’s possible worlds, rival interpretations of quantum mechanics, free will, and other topics.

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at NYU and the Founder and Director of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. He has a BA in Physics and Philosophy from Yale and a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, and the author of books on the foundations of physics, logic, and foundations of mathematics. His books include Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity, Truth and Paradox, The Metaphysics Within Physics, Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time, and Philosophy of Physics: Quantum Theory.

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There is an inspiring story hidden behind the formulas and word problems of single-variable calculus–a story that should be told in every introductory calculus course, but usually isn’t. Regardless of if you’ve taken a few calculus courses before or are just beginning your study of calculus, this video aims to give a taste of the insights that can be gained from learning about the history and philosophy behind the key ideas of this field of math… brought to you by a dog and some rough animations!

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Found this channel just now, subscribed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE_tmd1PI-Y

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John Cochrane of the University of Chicago talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the experience of teaching a massive open online course (MOOC)--a class delivered over the internet available to anyone around the world. Cochrane contrasts the mechanics of preparing the class, his perception of the advantages and disadvantages of a MOOC relative to a standard in-person classroom, and the potential for MOOCs to disrupt traditional education.

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Vahid Behzadan is known for his works on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics. One of his notable books, "Cyber-Physical Attack Recovery Procedures: A Step-by-Step Preparation and Response Guide," focuses on strategies to recover from cyber-physical attacks, offering a systematic approach for preparation and response.

Another significant work is "Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security," where Behzadan delves into the challenges and solutions for ensuring the safety and security of AI systems. This book explores various aspects of AI safety, including robustness, transparency, and ethical considerations.

Overall, Behzadan's books provide valuable insights into critical areas such as cybersecurity, AI, and robotics, offering practical guidance and solutions for addressing emerging challenges in these fields.

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Kyle Polich is known for his work in data science and podcasting. He is the host of the popular data science podcast "Data Skeptic," where he explores topics related to data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistics. The podcast features interviews with experts in the field, discussions on research papers, and explanations of fundamental concepts in data science.

Polich has a background in computer science and mathematics, and he has contributed to the data science community through his podcast by providing valuable insights, analysis, and discussions on various topics within the field.

Through "Data Skeptic," Polich has helped to educate and inform a broad audience about the latest developments and trends in data science, making complex concepts more accessible to listeners of all levels of expertise.

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Andy Clark is a prominent philosopher and cognitive scientist known for his work in embodied cognition and the extended mind thesis. His books and work often explore the idea that cognition isn't confined to the brain but extends into our bodies and the environment. Here's a brief summary of his major works and contributions:

"Being There: Putting Brain, Body, and World Together Again" (1997): In this book, Clark argues that cognition isn't just a process occurring inside the brain but is deeply intertwined with our bodies and the environment. He introduces the concept of "embodied cognition," suggesting that our cognitive processes are shaped by our bodily experiences and interactions with the world.

"Natural-Born Cyborgs: Minds, Technologies, and the Future of Human Intelligence" (2003): Clark explores the ways in which humans have always been cyborgs, incorporating technology into our cognitive processes. He examines how tools, language, and other external resources have shaped human cognition throughout history and speculates on the future implications of human-technology integration.

"Supersizing the Mind: Embodiment, Action, and Cognitive Extension" (2008): In this book, Clark expands on the concept of the extended mind thesis, which suggests that cognitive processes can extend beyond the boundaries of the individual organism to include external objects and tools. He argues that tools and technology are not just aids to cognition but integral parts of it, challenging traditional views of where the mind ends and the world begins.

"Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind" (2015): Here, Clark explores the role of prediction in cognition and action. He argues that the brain is fundamentally a prediction machine, constantly generating hypotheses about the world and using sensory feedback to update and refine those predictions. He also emphasizes the importance of embodiment and action in shaping our predictive processes.

Overall, Andy Clark's work has been influential in reshaping our understanding of cognition, highlighting the dynamic and interactive nature of the mind as it is situated in the body and the environment. He has challenged traditional views of cognition as solely a brain-based process and has instead emphasized the importance of embodiment, action, and external resources in shaping human intelligence.