Prof. Angus Fletcher is a story scientist working at the intersection of story and neuroscience. Angus started as a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan but eventually decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Shakespeare at Yale. Then he went to Stanford University and worked with clients in Hollywood, DARPA, and the US special forces. Angus is the author of Wonderworks and the upcoming Storythinking. He has become known for coming up with proof that computer AI lacks the physical hardware to replicate human creativity, let alone innovate or plan to take over the world.

During our 2-hour conversation with Angus Fletcher, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as what computer science is all about; why a neuro/scientist should study literature; why the brain is not a computer; what a Shakespeare Ph.D. can teach/consult DARPA and Spec Ops on; literature as a tool to heal and grow your brain; building a story machine that can establish cause-effect narratives; why story is the operating system of the brain; literature as the engine of science; the mission of Project Narrative; my definition of story; computer vs human creativity; the singularity and transhumanism story; Jonah Sach’s myth-gaps as the greatest leadership opportunity to ReWrite the Human Story; growth as the ability to change our minds; why multiplicity is better than a singularity; humanism and AI-ism.

You can see the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/angus-fletcher/

Singularity.FM

Angus Fletcher on Wonderworks: Seek The Untold Story

This is my 4 min video pitch for the 2023 Nordic Business Forum Speaker Contest. Hope you enjoy it 😉


The Greatest Leadership Opportunity in the 21st Century

A story I stumbled on in 2006 changed my life. “The Singularity is Near” by Ray Kurzweil totally blew my mind. It gave me insight into cool new tech like AI. It gave me meaning, purpose and community. It explained the world and who I was. It also told me I could live forever.

Eventually, I noticed the religious elements of the singularity and its theology of techno-messiahs, Gods, resurrection, and, ultimately, salvation. It provides the same utility, uses the same mechanisms, serves the same function, and has the same power as religion.

This new awareness made me seek the underlying process, and I discovered story. I felt like fish suddenly becoming aware of water. I started noticing how story permeates everything. That is why two people can share the same experience but construct different meanings.

This insight led me to my most profound realization: that our current planetary crisis is a story crisis. A story crisis because we can see our current story ends in our demise, yet we can’t agree on a better one. So, we find ourselves between stories, or what Jonah Sachs calls “the myth gap.”

On such occasions, the human story gets rewritten, and we end up with a revolution. For example, the last major iteration of our story dates to the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Because as Kenneth Burke noted: “Stories are equipment for living. Human beings need storytelling […] to make […] sense out of life.” But our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it, we are going to go obsolete too.

Take Climate Change. We have the science. We know what we must do. We know the consequences. We have most tools to make a difference now. Yet we bicker and take insufficient action. That’s because our fragmented stories fail to create shared meaning. No shared meaning, no shared action, and no resolution to our shared problem. But most of our existential issues – like nuclear weapons, pandemics, species extinction or Climate Change, are shared and global.

That is why many find Climate Change depressing. Because we cannot imagine a common story where our global predicament comes to a happy end.

That is also why we must ReWrite the Human Story – a new, shared, global story to unite, inform and guide us.

This is the greatest leadership opportunity of the 21st century.

Because just like sunflowers are heliotropic and orient themselves towards the sun, we humans are storytropic and orient ourselves towards story. Now, our story can have many names: the Singularity, God, Democracy, Human Rights, the Blockchain or Let’s Make America Great Again. But we all turn to story as our compass.

Today our old myths are falling apart. When the stories that are our social glue fall apart, we fall apart. Because there were civilizations without the wheel, guns, steel, or the internet, but there were no civilizations without story.

So, the story I propose is the Multiplicity. But what is the story you propose? 

For more like this go here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/rewriting-the-human-story-how-our-story-determines-our-future/

The Greatest Leadership Opportunity NBF Pitch

My goal with this podcast has always been to be a bit of a gadfly to your as well as my intellectual growth and, hopefully, a midwife to your best ideas rather than a disseminator of a specific movement or ideology. Thus, while I’ve never hidden my personal views, I don’t try to make you a believer and follower but simply to provide important and helpful people and ideas for your consideration. What you do then is, of course, entirely up to you.

Émile Torres is a philosopher and historian whose work focuses on existential threats to humanity. During this 2-hour conversation with Émile, we cover a variety of exciting topics such as escatology and teleology; determinism and inevitability; Kurzweil’s timeline and the ultimate end of the Universe; ChatGPT and AGI; the Rapture and Émile’s Baptist upbringing; watching out for our own biases and blindspots; Transhumanism, Religion, and Eugenics; the problems with defining, measuring, and boasting about (your) intelligence; Nick Bostom’s racism, narcissism, integrity, and dubious math in papers such as Astronomical Waste; the nature and danger of existential risks; the dangers of (Radical) Longtermism.

As always, you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support, you can write a review on iTunes or become a patron: https://www.singularityweblog.com/donate-and-support-singularity-weblog/

Émile Torres on Transhumanism, Longtermism and Existential Risks

When I started blogging and podcasting back in 2009 topics like wisdom were near-invisible, if not considered irrelevant to the conversations of AI, transhumanism, genetic engineering, human enhancement, and so on. So bringing ethics to the technology conversation became my longstanding goal and unique selling proposition for both Singularity Weblog and Singularity.FM.

At the time, most conversations were about the how and when – i.e. the technicalities and timeline, not the why – i.e. the wisdom and ethics related to the technological singularity. The prevailing romanticism was the belief that utopia is within our reach and the main obstacles were of scientific, technological, or legislative nature. So if we were to let inventors, entrepreneurs, markets, and Moore’s Law do their thing without any government or other interference we would reach THE Future – a place that is “better than we think” – with abundance, freedom, flying cars, robots, space exploration, and immortality for all.

Fifteen years later, the Singularitarian romanticism has been replaced by popular skepticism, if not outright cynicism.  Given that the gap between our collective power and our ability to use it in a non-destructive, net-positive manner is growing, we need wisdom and ethics more than ever. I believe that this is not a mere philosophical exercise but one of life and death for many species, possibly all life on our planet. That is why I want to discuss wisdom and ethics more than ever. And there are few better people for this kind of conversation than Kevin Kelly. Kevin is a radical optimist who has been twice before on my podcast when we discussed his books on technology. This time around his most recent book aims to provide Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier.

During this 90 min conversation with Kevin Kelly, we cover a variety of exciting topics such as: wisdom as the long-term view of the true, good, and beautiful for the maximum people and time; consistency, ideology, and thinking; learning from those you disagree with; Christianity, evolution and creationism; intelligence, wisdom and AI; our individual and collective power to affect change; whether AI, Nuclear Weapons or Climate Change are existential risks; the Cult of Personality in the East and the West; mirrors, selfies, Zoom and Narcism; AI and the Singularity; the gap between our wisdom and technological power.

My favorite quote that I will take away from this conversation with Kevin Kelly is:

Work on something (or head in a direction) that has no name.

As always, you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support, you can write a review on iTunes or become a patron: https://www.singularityweblog.com/donate-and-support-singularity-weblog/

Kevin Kelly on Wisdom and Excellent Advice for Living

Dr. Martin Shaw is the best oral storyteller that I know of. He is also the only person who can impromptu tell the entire Odyssey by his imagination alone. Martin is well versed in a variety of stories from classic Greek to pagan, indigenous, and religious ones. He is the author of 18 books and one of the very few people who make a living as a modern raconteur for audiences across the world.

During this 1 hour conversation with Dr. Martin Shaw, we cover a variety of exciting topics such as: how he became a storyteller and started making a living as a bard; why stories matter; myth as a beautiful lie that tells a deeper truth, a truth that works without the use facts;  living in a tent close to the Earth as a formative experience; why the world needs healing and how story can do that; the distinctions between growth and depth, story and myth; worshiping technology and tools becoming deities; the problems of Humanism and AI-ism; story as a sacred event with “a service code.”

My favorite quotes that I will take away from this conversation with Dr. Martin Shaw are:

"Stories deepen with you if they are of great quality."

"Every culture before they were literate collected the things that really mattered and codified them in stories to pass them down."

"Revery leads to participation."

To show your support, you can subscribe, write a review on iTunes or make a donation: https://www.singularityweblog.com/donate-and-support-singularity-weblog/

Modern Bard Dr. Martin Shaw: Be a Story-maker for Your Times

I have noticed that almost every startup in almost every industry is claiming “a revolutionary AI or blockchain breakthrough.” [Often both.] More recently I’m flabbergasted to see a similar fad in the growing number of self-proclaimed Tech and AI ethicists. We apparently have an exponential proliferation of what someone called “ethics natives” such as angel investor ethicists, venture capital ethicists, startup ethicists, bitcoin ethicists, blockchain ethicists, unicorn ethicists, AI ethicists, design ethicists, IPO ethicists, etc.

Here is the thing:

At the end of the day, there is really no such thing as tech ethics. Just like there is no angel investor, venture capital, startup, blockchain, or IPO ethics. There is, really, only ethics.

And bullshit ethics.

Yes, you can name legitimate examples of branching off such as bioethics. But the reason why they are subdisciplines of ethics is the recognition that there are some overarching principles or an overriding framework that comes first and is primary. It is only then that we have the specific context of medicine, technology, or anything else you’d like to consider. Yes, context is important but it is always secondary because ethics is the context-independent universal foundation or framework which allows you to evaluate any particular and unique problem in ethical terms. So, if you don’t have the foundation that gives meaning, contextual considerations are useless, perhaps damaging. And to the degree that we have made progress in fields such as bioethics, it is because we started with a very strong foundation in ethics.

But most AI or Tech “ethicists” can’t even define what ethics is. Even worse – many of them “teach” ethics by starting with the trolley dilemma, euthanasia, abortion, human enhancement, genetic manipulation, etc. But without the foundational framework, the result is only ignorance masquerading as knowledge. So we end up being oblivious to how much we don’t know. And we don’t know that we don’t know because we are obsessed with the specifics of the context while the actual foundation is, at best, an afterthought and, at worse, completely ignored.

We arrive at the modern misperception that there is ethics and that there is “applied ethics.” There is not. Because if you can’t apply it, if you can’t use it, it is not ethics.

Ethics is practical. It is not a theory. It means “a way of life” [so if it is not lived, it is dead – i.e., not ethics]. It means a group of principles or a “moral code of behavior” concerned with one’s personal character. That is what êthos (ἦθος) means – “character” or [moral] “nature.” That is the original meaning of ethics – ēthikós (ἠθικός) – “relating to one’s character.”

So every time you wonder if something is ethics ask yourself: Is this practical advice on how to live my life? Does it relate to the moral nature of my personal or our collective character? Does it provide a code of behavior or a set of principles that can inform and guide me [or us] through hard decisions and situations? If the answer is “No” then chances are it is not ethics. Certainly not in the original meaning of the word as coined by the ancient Greeks. A meaning which we have apparently forgotten but, I believe, we must revive.

Read the rest here:https://www.singularityweblog.com/ethics/

Nikola Danaylov: It’s Ethics. Not Tech Ethics

I have now been vegan for 8 or 9 years and people keep asking me how I feel and why I did it. So let me share a quick health update as well as the original 6 reasons why I went vegan.

Well, since going vegan I have lost and kept off 25 pounds or about 12 kgs. 

My body fat has gone down from about 22% to about 14%. 

My blood pressure went down from about 130 over 90 to about 115 over 75. 

My resting heart rate has dropped 5 beats to about 52. 

My BMI dropped almost 2 points to 22. 

My iron went up. My calcium went up. My triglycerides went down. My overall cholesterol went down. My sugar is stable at 5.1. Even my urologist said that my PSA is like that of a teenager.

Now, to be fair, not everything in my bloodwork is perfect and I am still very much struggling with and testing different nutritional protocols to get my LDL marker into the optimal range. 

However, at 48, I feel subjectively better, people often tell me that I look better, and my bloodwork is objectively better today than when I was 35 years old. 

So those are the effects of veganism on my health after almost 9 years.

Now, let me share my original 6 reasons why I went vegan, and feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree as well as your experience and your reasons as to why you would or you wouldn’t go vegan yourself 😉

Read the rest here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/6-reasons-why-i-went-vegan/

Our Future, AI and Veganism: 6 Reasons Why I Went Vegan

Throughout history, capital and labor have been interdependent forces driving economic growth. Capital relies on labor to generate returns on investment, while labor depends on capital for wages. Despite historical fluctuations in their balance of power, classical economics suggests a theoretical long-term equilibrium where both parties benefit—capital sees growing returns, and labor enjoys rising wages. But is this equilibrium sustainable in the face of rapid technological advancements?

The post-World War II era, particularly from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, exemplifies the mutual benefit of capital and labor. This period saw unprecedented economic growth and a significant rise in the standard of living for the baby boomer generation in North America. However, starting in the 1970s, the balance of power shifted towards capital. This shift was marked by productivity gains increasingly benefiting returns on investment while wages stagnated. As a result, the once-synchronized growth of productivity and wages decoupled, favoring capital over labor and increasing income inequality and social stratification.

This was a substantial quantitative change with proportionally substantial quantitative social implications. Today, we are approaching a qualitatively different watershed moment that will fundamentally shift the balance of power and have profound social and political implications.

For the first time in history, technological advancements like AI and robotics enable capital to create labor rather than hire it. This shift disrupts the traditional labor-capital relationship, leading to ‘technological unemployment,’ where machines and AI replace human labor across various industries. The longstanding relationship of mutual co-dependence between capital and labor will be profoundly altered, and the equilibrium taught by classical economics will no longer hold, even in theory. The incentive for paying wages diminishes as technologies like AI and robotics increase productivity while reducing costs. It’s like having workers who produce more and more while getting paid less and less. The best part for capital is the ability to create and multiply its own ‘labor’ force or cut it when needed, increasingly faster and cheaper. Humans are not required.

Some argue we have heard similar Luddite concerns before, and historically, technological advances have worked out for the better. However, today’s technological unemployment fundamentally differs from past labor disruptions, such as those during the Industrial Revolution. In the past, displaced workers transitioned from one type of manual job to another, as capital still needed human labor to operate machines, oversee production, and manage resources. Today, machines can autonomously perform these tasks. Production is monitored by sensors, and resource allocation and management are handled by AI, reducing the need for human labor to the point of potential obsolescence.

The speed and depth of change we are experiencing today, combined with an accelerating pace, means we will witness much more happen in a much shorter timeframe than during the Industrial Revolution. This is not simply about replacing some manual jobs with others; it’s about making most human jobs obsolete across all industrial levels—from cashiers and production-line workers to accountants, brokers, lawyers, insurance and real estate agents, consultants, doctors, and even CEOs. Such a fundamental change, occurring over a few decades, will have revolutionary political and social implications, similar to how the Industrial Revolution spawned various social movements, uprisings, and political revolutions...

Read the rest of the article and watch the original video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/tech-unemployment/

From Mutual Dependence to Obsolescence: The Future of Labor in an AI-Driven Economy

Technology is the new religion, Silicon Valley – the new Promised Land, and entrepreneurs – the new prophets. They promise a future of abundance and immortality—a techno-heaven beyond our wildest dreams. And we are all believers.

We often forget technology is the how, not the why or what. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. ‘Technology’ comes from two Greek words: ‘techne,’ meaning art, skill, or craft, and ‘logos,’ meaning word, discourse, or expression. Literally, technology means ‘discourse about the way things are achieved.’

Today, we have strayed from this original meaning, leading to a fundamental shift in perception. Technology is no longer a means to an end; it has become an end in itself.

People often say, “I am a big believer in technology,” as if it were a deity. This mindset blurs the line between using technology and worshipping it. I am a huge fan and user of technology, but I do not worship it. Worship leads to mindless slavery, and I want to master technology, not be enslaved by it. However, our civilization may already be on a different path.

In the past, actions were often justified as ‘God’s will.’ Today, we act because ‘technology wants it.’ The inevitability once attributed to divine will is now ascribed to technological progress. [Philip K. Dick wisely noted, “Just because something bears the aspect of the inevitable, one should not go along willingly with it.”]

Just as fulfillment in Christianity comes from following God, today we ‘follow’ technology. But in both cases, this can lead to enslavement. Are we masters, or merely tools of our tools? Are we fetishizing technological objects, creating personality cults around techno-prophets, and falling for new techno-religions? As Nassim Taleb remarked, “The difference between technology and slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free.”

These are the questions I hope to raise, and I encourage you to ask them, too. Because the world is transformed by asking questions, and technology is not enough. The moment we stop questioning, we risk becoming slaves. As Arthur C. Clarke warned:

Before you become entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all.

Technology excels at providing what we want but often falls short in giving us what we need. It can supply information and knowledge, but it struggles to provide wisdom. Technology helps us live easier, more comfortable, and longer lives, but it doesn’t tell us why we should live or what to do with our lives. Most importantly, technology does not make us happy—there is no app for happiness. If such an app ever existed, Nassim Taleb’s warning about the path to slavery would be even more relevant.

Intelligence can help us achieve our desires, but it is wisdom that guides us in determining what we should desire. Intelligence is valuable only when coupled with wisdom. Without the wisdom to discern what we should and should not want, possessing the intelligence to obtain it can lead to self-destruction.

The day humanity becomes the how and technology becomes the why or what is the day our freedom ends. The tool will have become the purpose, and the purpose will have become the tool. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a clear perspective on our priorities and fight for them.

See the original video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/technology-is-the-how/

Get Your Why before AI: Technology is The How, Not the Why or What

Fifteen years ago, I penned the first versions of Hamlet’s Transhumanist Dilemma and A Transhumanist Manifesto. Much has changed since then, including my perspective.

I began with a question inspired by Hamlet: Will technology replace biology?

At the time, I believed this to be the modern iteration of Shakespeare’s existential query: to be or not to be.

Since death is a tragedy, I believed technology was our only escape. Yet, I feared choosing technology over biology might exact a heavy toll—a Faustian bargain.

I worried that transitioning from human to transhuman—or cyborg—might cost us something precious and unique, something not worth trading even for immortality. Hence, I titled the piece Hamlet’s Transhumanist Dilemma, believing there was no definitive answer and that each person must determine their own path.

A few months later, convinced I had found the answer, I dove headfirst into transhumanism. Everything seemed straightforward—black and white. As Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II succinctly put it: “Death is wrong, and life is right.”

Right.

The issue with dilemmas is their lack of clear answers. They are uncomfortable and excellent at posing questions but poor at providing solutions.

In contrast, manifestos leave no room for doubt. They are straightforward calls to action, confident in their solutions. Immersed in the transhumanist narrative, I wrote my manifesto, urging my fellow transhumanists to unite and break the ‘chains of biology and death.’

Fifteen years later, I find myself almost back where I began. [I guess, at least in some ways, life is a circle.] Yes, it is still true that dilemmas may not offer clear guidance, but they are authentic, raw, and honest. They reflect the complexity of our world—a world without a GPS to guide us into the future, where answers are often free, but good questions are priceless.

Dilemmas call for introspection, while manifestos call for action.

Manifestos are idealistic, romantic and convenient. Worse, they are often naïve, simplistic, and utopian—dangerously so. They inspire focus and action but frequently lack introspection and justification.

Perhaps I’m getting old, but lately, I see much action taken without much introspection. The kind of action that is ready to use violence to build a new world on the ruins of the current one. Yet, the world is never as simple as manifestos suggest, especially after the revolutionary (i.e., destructive) phase is over, and we must eventually build something.

And so I’ve returned to dilemmas as a better way to face the future. Because the world is transformed by asking questions. And because, as Richard Feynman noticed, it is better to have questions we have no answers for than answers we can’t question.

So, I’m back to Hamlet. Back to doubt, uncertainty, paradox, and the possibility of being wrong.

What about you? Are you up for revolution or introspection? Do you embrace the paradox or prefer clear answers?

See the original video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/on-manifestos-and-dilemmas/

Hamlet’s Transhumanist Dilemma: Will Technology Replace Biology? [Redux] https://www.singularityweblog.com/hamlet-transhumanist-dilemma-will-technology-replace-biology/

A Transhumanist Manifesto [Redux] https://www.singularityweblog.com/a-transhumanist-manifesto/

Transhumanist Manifestos and Dilemmas: A Decade and a Half of Reflection

Ray Kurzweil‘s impact on my life in general but especially on what I have been doing for the past 3 or 4 years is hard to exaggerate. It is a simple fact that, if I haven’t read his seminal book The Singularity is Near, I would be neither blogging nor podcasting about exponential technologies, not to mention going to Singularity University. And so it was with great excitement and some trepidation that I went to interview Dr. Kurzweil in his office in Boston.

Part of my trepidation came from some technical concerns: I wish I could buy a better camera. I wish I could hire a team of audio and video professionals so that I can focus on the interview itself. I wish I did a better job with the set up. I wish I had noticed that Ray’s lavalier mic has slipped out of its holder… The list is exponential. Still, if there is one thing that I’ve learned since I started podcasting is that we do get better. But it takes time. Meanwhile, my consolation is that eventually I will have to do another interview with Ray Kurzweil just so I get it right that time. For now, however, I hope that the content of this one will make up for its technical deficiencies.

During our conversation with Dr. Kurzweil we cover a wide variety of topics such as: how and why at age 5 Ray decided to become an inventor; his unique background of being born to Jewish parents but brought up in a Unitarian Church; his early interest in issues such as religious tolerance, poverty, social inequality and justice; 3D printing, open source, patents, progress and intellectual property rights; Watson, artificial intelligence, the Turing Test and human rights for AI, the technological singularity and some criticism thereof; his upcoming book How To Create A Mind and his Pattern Recognition Theory of Mind; the evolutionary advantages of intelligence; the benefits of reverse-engineering the human brain for the creation of AI and whether the latter would be interested in pondering and solving humanity’s greatest problems.

My favorite quote that I will take away from this interview with Ray Kurzweil is:

“Don’t be too concerned about what’s practical. Follow your passion and be who you would like to be.”

Ray Kurzweil on the Singularity: Be Who You Would Like To Be

In this episode of Singularity FM, I speak with emotional intelligence (EQ) expert, executive coach, and keynote speaker Jamelle Lindo about the evolving role of EQ in our age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. While much of today’s discourse around AI focuses on technical prowess, data-driven decision-making, and automation, Jamelle highlights why understanding our inner emotional landscapes—and those of others—may be more critical now than ever.

We begin by tracing Jamelle’s personal journey, from his early struggles with social anxiety and insecurity to discovering the power of emotional literacy. Rather than seeing emotions as messy obstacles, he learned to view them as valuable sources of data about our values, needs, and mental states. That realization informed his personal development and later became the cornerstone of his approach to leadership coaching.

Throughout our conversation, Jamelle demystifies emotional intelligence, why it’s trainable, and how it can provide a critical edge for those navigating the complexity and uncertainty of the 21st century workplace. As technological tools—from AI-assisted apps to predictive analytics—reshape every industry, leaders who cultivate empathy, self-awareness, and emotional resilience will stand apart. Jamelle explains that EQ isn’t a “soft” or “nice-to-have” skill; it’s a strategic capability that underpins effective communication, talent development, organizational culture, and business outcomes.

We also discuss how AI might both challenge and enhance our EQ. On the one hand, automated systems can handle routine tasks and provide objective data, freeing up humans to focus on what we do uniquely well: build trust, inspire teams, and tackle nuanced ethical dilemmas. Conversely, the potential rise of “emotionally intelligent” AI agents forces us to ask: what does it mean to be human in an era where technology can mimic and sometimes surpass our cognitive and emotional capabilities?

Join us as we explore how to cultivate deeper emotional intelligence amid exponential change, what it takes to show up authentically as a leader, and how EQ might help us maintain a truly human edge in a future where humans and AI increasingly work side by side.

You can see the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/jamelle-lindo/

Jamelle Lindo on Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI: Harness the Power of Emotion

In this thought-provoking episode of Singularity.FM, I sit down with Dr. Jad Tarifi, CEO and co-founder of Integral AI, to explore the cutting-edge developments at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human potential. Dr. Tarifi shares insights into Integral AI’s mission to create foundation world models for real-world applications and the profound implications of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Our conversation delves into a wide array of topics, including:

The essence of intelligence and its evolution into artificial and general forms.
The challenges of AGI alignment and the importance of fostering collective human wisdom.
Dr. Tarifi’s personal journey from growing up in war-torn Lebanon to becoming a pioneer in AI.
The philosophical and practical dimensions of art, science, and technology as co-authors of our shared reality.
Why Integral AI believes we now have all the components necessary to achieve AGI—and what that means for humanity’s future.
Dr. Tarifi’s perspective is not only informed by his extensive academic and professional background but also deeply rooted in his lifelong curiosity about the nature of reality. He emphasizes that AGI is not the endpoint but a new beginning for humanity, offering unprecedented opportunities and risks.

Join us for a compelling discussion that challenges conventional thinking and illuminates the path toward a future shaped by the convergence of intelligence, creativity, and freedom.

You can see the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/jad-tarifi/

Dr. Jad Tarifi of Integral AI: “We Now Have All the Ingredients for AGI”

In this episode of Singularity.FM, Neil Redding, a near futurist and innovation architect, joins Nikola Danaylov for an insightful exploration into the intersections of technology, ecosystems, and human agency. With over 30 years of experience unlocking the transformative power of emerging technologies, Neil offers a fresh perspective on what it means to co-create reality in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Throughout the conversation, Neil discusses his journey from studying computer science and philosophy to becoming a thought leader in near futurism. He explains how his work bridges the possible and the practical, helping brands and individuals adapt to the rapid pace of technological change. Topics covered include the implications of spatial computing, the convergence of digital and physical ecosystems, and the role of AI in shaping our collective future. 

Neil also delves into the ethical dimensions of innovation, emphasizing the need for ecosystem-centered thinking and responsible co-creation. Together, Nikola and Neil examine humanity’s greatest challenges, from polarization to sustainability, offering actionable insights on how to navigate the accelerating future. 

Don’t miss this compelling dialogue that challenges conventional thinking and invites us all to participate in shaping the future. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking episode.

If you want to see the full video interview, click here: 

https://www.singularityweblog.com/neil-redding

Near Futurist Neil Redding on Co-Creating Reality

In this episode of Singularity.FM, I sit down with renowned author and philosopher Donald J. Robertson to explore his latest book, How to Think Like Socrates. As we navigate the crossroads of ancient wisdom and modern challenges, Donald shares timeless insights from Socrates that remain profoundly relevant in today’s age of rapid technological transformation and AI.

We dive into the art of critical thinking, the value of questioning assumptions, and the ethical considerations of integrating philosophy with cutting-edge innovation. About halfway through our conversation, Donald turns the tables and starts asking me some Socratic questions, sparking a dynamic and thought-provoking exchange that takes the discussion to new depths.

Together, we tackle big questions: What can Socrates teach us about living wisely in a world dominated by AI? How do we balance our pursuit of knowledge with the necessity of wisdom? And how do ancient philosophical techniques help us confront the uncertainties of our time?

Whether you’re a fan of philosophy, curious about the future, or looking to deepen your understanding of critical thinking in the digital age, this episode offers a rich dialogue packed with insights and practical takeaways. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of Socrates and its implications for humanity’s evolving relationship with technology.

You can watch the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/donald-j-robertson/

Donald J.  Robertson on How to Think Like Socrates in the Age of AI

Dr. Stuart Hameroff is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Psychology, and Director of the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona. Together with British quantum physicist Sir Roger Penrose, Hameroff is the co-author of the controversial Orch OR model of consciousness.

I first met Dr. Hameroff at the recent GF2045 conference where the usually mild-mannered Ray Kurzweil went out of his way to make it abundantly clear that the Orch OR model is totally wrong. Others called it “speculative,” “non-testable” and “unscientific”. By now both Stuart and Roger must have become accustomed to such attacks, and I have developed a lot of respect for the calm but firm way they are daring to stand their ground. Furthermore, if the Orch OR model were to be correct, then, there will be profound implications on variety of fields and disciplines such as medicine, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, quantum physics and philosophy. And so I decided to bring Dr. Hameroff on Singularity 1 on 1 where we can confront the controversy head-on.

During our 1 hour conversation with Stuart we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: how he got interested in studying consciousness and the definition thereof; why understanding anesthesia is the route to understanding consciousness; the hard problem of consciousness; why the brain is more than a classical computer; how Hameroff reached out to Roger Penrose after reading The Emperor’s New Mind; the Orch OR model and why the vast majority of scientists are disdainful of it; the best ways of proving or disproving the Hameroff/Penrose model and the most important implications if it is indeed correct; out-of-body experiences, quantum souls, afterlife, and reincarnation; Hinduism and Buddhism; cryonics and chemical brain preservation; Stuart’s upcoming paper [together with Roger Penrose] where they will review and present new evidence in support of the Orch OR theory.

Some of the most memorable quotes that I will take away from this interview are:

“Consciousness is the most important thing there is!”

“Assuming that a neuron is a bit-like [computer] firing ON or OFF is a tremendous insult to neurons.”

“Most scientists can’t explain consciousness in the brain, so they can’t say that consciousness out of the brain is impossible.”

“Consciousness is the music of the Universe.”

Stuart Hameroff on AI, the Singularity and Consciousness

There are 3 individuals who have had the most impact on what I’ve been doing for the past 5 years: Ray Kurzweil – who helped me to see deeper into the exponential growth and disruptive nature of technology; Seth Godin – who inspired me to pick myself and begin my journey into blogging and podcasting despite the potential for failure, and fail I did. And, finally, my wife Julie – who is the main reason why I’ve persisted when, on numerous occasions, I have felt like giving up. Thus it is a dream come true to have the privilege to steal 45min out of Seth Godin’s busy live just for me and you. And so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Please have in mind that this was not intended to be one of the usual conversations on the usual topics that Seth often gives. So if this is what you were looking for then you are better off to go read any one of Godin’s fantastic books because regardless of which one you pick you can’t go wrong. Whether successful or not, this conversation was intended to be different by covering a variety of topics that Seth doesn’t speak often about. Those topics include but are not limited to: what is to be human and how technology changes both the meaning and the question; art and doing work that matters; technological unemployment and basic income; transhumanism, life-extension and hubris; ai and the technological singularity; consciousness and free will; abundance, scarcity, industrialism and capitalism.

Seth Godin: Science Fiction is Really Important But Not Because It’s Right

Dr. Noam Chomsky is a famed linguist, political activist, prolific author and recognized public speaker, who has spent the last 60 years living a double life – one as a political activist and another as a linguist. His activism allegedly made him the US government’s public enemy number one. As a linguist he is often credited for dethroning behaviorism and becoming the “father of modern linguistics” (and/or cognitive science). Put together his accomplishments are the reasons why he is often listed as one of the most important intellectuals of the 20th century. And so I was very much looking forward to interviewing him on Singularity 1 on 1.

Unfortunately our time together was delayed, then rushed and a bit shorter than anticipated. So I was pretty nervous throughout and messed up some of my questions and timing. Never-the-less, I believe that we still had a worthy conversation with Dr. Chomsky and I appreciate the generous though limited time that he was able to grant me.

During our 30 minute conversation with Noam Chomsky we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: the balance between his academic and his political life; artificial intelligence and reverse engineering the human brain; why in his view both Deep Blue and Watson are little more than PR; the slow but substantial progress of our civilization; the technological singularity…

My favorite quote that I will take away from this interview with Dr. Chomsky is:

“What’s a program? A program is a theory; it’s a theory written in an arcane, complex notation designed to be executed by the machine. What about the program, you ask? The same questions you ask about any other theory: Does it give insight and understanding? These theories don’t. So what we’re asking here is: Can we design a theory of being smart? We’re eons away from doing that.”

Noam Chomsky: The Singularity is Science Fiction!

Dr. Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist, bestselling author, acclaimed public speaker, renowned futurist, and popularizer of science. As co-founder of String Field Theory, Dr. Kaku carries on Einstein’s quest to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into a single grand unified theory of everything. You will not be surprised to hear that Michio Kaku has been on my guest dream-list since I started Singularity 1 on 1, and I was beyond ecstatic to finally have an opportunity to speak to him.

During our 90 min conversation with Dr. Michio Kaku we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: why he shifted his focus from the universe to the human mind; his definition, classification and ranking of consciousness; his take on the Penrose-Hameroff Orch OR model; Newton, Einstein, determinism and free will; whether the brain is a classical computer or not; Norman Doidge’s work on neuro-plasticity and The Brain That Changes Itself; the underlying reality of everything; his dream to finish what Einstein has started and know the mind of God; The Future of the Mind; mind-uploading and space travel at the speed of light; Moore’s Law and D-Wave’s quantum computer; the Human Brain Project and whole brain simulation; alternatives paths to AI and the Turing Test as a way of judging progress; cryonics and what is possible and impossible…

Watch the full video of the interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/michio-kaku-future-of-the-mind/

Michio Kaku: Science is the Engine of Prosperity!

In his second appearance on Singularity.FM, Professor Angus Fletcher returns to dive even deeper into the story of human intelligence. [See the first interview here.]

Fletcher is no ordinary guest. A rare hybrid of neuroscientist and Shakespearean scholar, he has advised DARPA, Hollywood, and the U.S. Army, where his narrative-based research earned him the Commendation Medal for groundbreaking work with Special Operations.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the core ideas behind his bestselling book “Storythinking” and his upcoming book “Primal Intelligence” (Penguin, 2025) — and why story is not just for telling, but for thinking.

We unpack how story rewires our brains, restores purpose, and can even help individuals — and entire nations — reclaim their agency in an increasingly automated world.

You’ll learn: Why narrative, not logic, is humanity’s true superpower.

How imagination, intuition, emotion, and common sense form a “primal intelligence” that Angus believes AI will never replicate.

Why content isn’t king — context is.

How “plot twists” can transform trauma into growth — individually and collectively.

What happens when the U.S. military tests ancient storytelling theories on modern warriors.

From ancient wisdom literature to cutting-edge neuroscience, from baking bread with ChatGPT to surviving in war zones, this conversation doesn’t just span disciplines — it connects the dots that matter most to our future. This interview is not about AI. It is about being human in the age of AI.

Angus Fletcher on Storythinking and Primal Intelligence

Adam Becker is a science journalist with a PhD in astrophysics and the author of the provocative new book More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity.

I reached out to Adam because I found his book sharp, timely, and necessary — a long-overdue reality check to the fantasies of techno-utopianism flooding our culture. In More Everything Forever, Becker dissects the dominant visions of the future being sold by Silicon Valley’s billionaire elite: godlike AI, digital immortality, interstellar empires, and a future populated by trillions of posthuman minds. His thesis? These aren’t scientific forecasts. They’re billionaire fever dreams—ideological weapons dressed up as inevitabilities.

Drawing on over fifteen years as a science communicator and journalist, Becker traces how a fringe worldview — steeped in misunderstood sci-fi, hubris, and colonialist logic — has moved from the internet’s margins into university labs, government hearings, and mainstream media. We discuss why these ideas aren’t just wrong; they’re dangerous distractions from the real crises we face: war, climate change, inequality, and a fraying shared reality.

So, if you’ve ever questioned the hype around AI overlords, Mars colonies, or techno-salvation, this conversation is for you.

I hope you enjoy my interview with Adam Becker as much as I did.

My favorite quotes from this conversation with Adam Becker are:

Silicon Valley has confused science fiction with science — and science with branding.

We are solving imaginary future problems while the world burns right in front of us.

AI overlords, Mars colonies, and posthuman utopias aren’t visions of the future. They’re distractions from the present.

See the video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/adam-becker/

Adam Becker on More Everything Forever and Big Tech’s Future Myths

What if the world isn’t just a stage… but a circus? 🎪

In this opening keynote at St. John’s International Circus Fest 2025, futurist and philosopher Nikola Danaylov (aka Socrates) explores why context is more powerful than content — and why those who create context don’t just win attention, they shape the future.

👉 Themes you’ll hear in this talk:

Content vs. Context — why meaning, not information, defines value.

STEAM over STEM — reuniting science with the arts and humanities.

AI & Human Flourishing — why technology is the how, not the why.

The Circus Metaphor — resilience, artistry, and transformation as lenses for our times.

From Performer to Context Creator — how we can reframe the future together.

📍 Recorded live at The Well Room, St. John’s, NL on September 19, 2025.

 

The World’s a Circus but We’re Not Just Performers, We’re Context Creators!
In an age of AI-generated content, infinite data, and algorithmic noise, what truly sets us apart as human beings? In this powerful, playful, and thought-provoking keynote, futurist and bestselling author Nikola Danaylov argues that the answer is not more content—but better context. Through storytelling, neuroscience, history, and circus arts, Nikola reveals how context is the invisible force that shapes perception, meaning, and ultimately, the future.​

Drawing on everything from Renaissance humanism and McLuhan’s media theory to personal stories and plastic horse heads, this keynote challenges the myth that “content is king.” Instead, Nikola shows why meaning—not data—is our greatest asset. And circus? It’s not just performance. It’s a living metaphor for risk, awe, vulnerability, and transformation. You’ll walk away seeing circus—and your own work—not as entertainment or output, but as a vehicle for reframing reality itself. Because when you change the context, you change the story. And when you change the story… you change the future.

The World’s a Circus | Nikola Danaylov Keynote at St. John’s Circus Fest 2025

What do Facebook, Google, and TikTok really see when they look at us — and what do they miss?

In this episode of Singularity.FM, Nikola Danaylov (aka Socrates) interviews Petter Törnberg, Assistant Professor of Computational Social Science at the University of Amsterdam and co-author of Seeing Like a Platform: An Inquiry into the Condition of Digital Modernity.

Together they explore:

How platforms have become the new eyes of power

Why algorithms don’t just mirror society — they reshape it

The dangers of algorithmic tyranny and invisible control

The shift from industrial modernity to digital modernity

Why self-organization often hides new forms of hierarchy

Whether AI will become the ultimate platform of platforms

How citizens, activists, and policymakers can still resist

📘 Petter’s books:

Seeing Like a Platform (2025)

Intimate Communities of Hate (2024)

You can watch the full video recording here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/petter-tornberg/

Petter Törnberg: Algorithmic Tyranny & Digital Modernity

Salim IsmailExponential Organizations is one of those very rare individuals who can be and look from both inside and outside of the box – all at the same time. Furthermore, Ismail is one the few Singularity 1on1 interviewees who have the uncanny ability to keep surprising me with challenging, provocative, enlightening and often unexpected answers. During my time at Singularity University [GSP’11] I interviewed Salim for the very first time and then we talked about his personal background, why he is not a singularitarian and why “We are already Gods.”

During this 2nd conversation with Salim Ismail we went both further and deeper in a variety of interesting topics such as: the progress and changes since my time at Singularity University and what SU is all about; potential cures for Alzheimer’s and Diabetes; his book Exponential Organizations and who is it for; business, scarcity and abundance; the definition of Exponential Organization [ExO]; the Importance of a Massive Transformative Purpose [MTP]; the acronym SCALE IDEAS; whether SU is an ExO or not; why Apple and Google are among the most prototypical ExOs; why we may be witnessing the beginning of the end of the era of large organizations; the monumental implications for our political, legal, economic, social and ethical structures; technological unemployment, zero marginal cost and the decline of Capitalism…

(Apologies for Salim’s shorting mic which eventually died half-way through the interview so that we had to use the back up audio. Alas, those are the occasional birth-aches of my small, free podcast trying to produce expensive, broadcast quality interviews.)

You can watch the full video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/salim-ismail-on-exponential-organizations/

Singularity University Global Ambassador Salim Ismail on Exponential Organizations

Nick Gogerty is one of those people who wants to have his cake and eat it too – i.e. Nick is trying to make money while also doing good for the world. In fact, his latest venture – SolarCoin, may be focusing a lot more on the “making good” rather than the “making money” part. In addition, Gogerty himself is a very interesting and knowledgeable person with unique and very diverse personal interests and experience. So, all in all, a perfect interviewee for my Singularity 1on1 podcast.

During our 82 min discussion with Nick Gogerty we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: his time at Starlab and the lessons he took from there; his early interest in finance, economics and creating value; money, energy and bitcoin; his book The Nature of Value; SolarCoin and ElectricChain; technology and Moore’s Law; DeKo and the theory behind a currency Based on Electricity; proof of work and how you can get SLR; the half-life of facts and the bitcoin experiment; the Financial Singularity and Ethereum; nuclear power and big risk; climate change and meat consumption; true cost economics and the future of capitalism…

You can see the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/nick-gogerty-on-solarcoin/

Nick Gogerty on SolarCoin: “Think Networks and Adaptation”

Dr. Richard Stallman is an inductee of the internet hall of fame as well as the founder of the “Free Software” movement. In the words of Robert Grüning “Richard Stallman is like the Socrates of software, the money making colleagues are the sophists.” Another member of my audience said that Stallman is like Tron – he fights for the users. Yet Richard himself disliked both characterizations and called them misleading. So I suggest you check out my Singularity 1on1 interview with Richard Stallman, learn about the Free Software movement and judge for yourself.

During our 1 hour discussion with Dr. Richard Stallman we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: the misconceptions about and definition of Free Software; why freedom is worth the inconvenience; the GNU OS and the Linux kernel; freedom, technology, innovation and ethics; free software as a political movement with elements from capitalism, socialism and anarchism; AI and the technological singularity; Moore’s Law and the Law of Accelerating Returns; hacking and transhumanism; security, privacy and surveillance; free software for mobiles…

See the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/richard-stallman-singularity-free-software/

Richard Stallman on Free Software: Freedom is Worth the Inconvenience

Suzanne Gildert is a founder and CTO of Kindred AI – a company pursuing the modest vision of “building machines with human-like intelligence.” Her startup just came out of stealth mode and I am both proud and humbled to say that this is the first ever long-form interview that Suzanne has done. Kindred AI has raised 15 million dollars from notable investors and currently employs 35 experts in their offices in Toronto, Vancouver and San Francisco. Even better, Suzanne is a long term Singularity.FM podcast fan, total tech geek, Gothic artist, PhD in experimental physics and former D-Wave Quantum Computer maker. Right now I honestly can’t think of a more interesting person to have a conversation with.

During our 100 min discussion with Suzanne Gildert we cover a wide variety of interesting topics such as: why she sees herself as a scientist, engineer, maker and artist; the interplay between science and art; the influence of Gothic art in general and the images of angels and demons in particular; her journey from experimental physics into quantum computers and embodied AI; building tools to answer questions versus intelligent machines that can ask questions; the importance of massively transformative purpose; the convergence of robotics, the ability to move large data across networks and advanced machine learning algorithms; her dream of a world with non-biological intelligences living among us; whether she fears AI or not; the importance of embodying intelligence and providing human-like sensory perception; whether consciousness is classical Newtonian emergent properly or a Quantum phenomenon; ethics and robot rights; self-preservation and Asimov’s Laws of Robotics; giving robots goals and values; the magnifying mirror of technology and the importance of asking questions…

You can watch the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/suzanne-gildert-kindred-ai/

Suzanne Gildert on Kindred AI: Non-Biological Sentiences are on the Horizon

Matthew Le Merle is co-founder of Fifth Era and managing partner of Keiretsu Capital, which is the world’s largest angel network and most active US venture investor. Most recently, Le Merle is the author of a new book titled Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era: How to Prosper in an Age of Unprecedented Innovation.

During our 90 min discussion with Matthew we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: who Matthew Le Merle is and the origins of his family name; how he got involved in disruptive innovation first and angel investing later; the difference between angel and venture investors and what entrepreneurs can learn from that; Le Merle’s take on the singularity and the coming together of the digital and biotech revolutions; his book Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era and why the vast majority of people sit on the sidelines; why the world is transformed by asking questions; the importance of science fiction; generation C and their fundamentally different model; the transformation of capitalism and the Chinese model; zero marginal cost society and renewable energy; 9 ways to invest in the future and build a fortune…

My favorite quote that I will take away from this conversation with Matthew Le Merle is:

    “Big ideas are born bad.”

You can watch the full video of this interview here:

https://www.singularityweblog.com/matthew-le-merle/

Angel Investor Matthew Le Merle on How to Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era

PJ Manney is an award-winning science fiction writer interested in transhumanism, empathy, story-telling and the future of humanity. Her latest book (ID)entity is a can’t-put-it-down action-packed mind-uploading/downloading world-crashing the-Empire-Strikes-Back of a masterpiece that vividly depicts the dangers of monetizing and weaponizing narrative, which is what companies such as Cambridge Analytica do. And so I thought it would be appropriate to bring Manney back on Singularity.FM to discuss her new book as well as the role of science fiction with respect to contemporary events.

During our 90 min conversation with PJ Manney we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: science fiction, futurism and homo narrative; her Phoenix Horizon trilogy in general and book II – (ID)entity, in particular; DRM and why Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free; Cambridge Analytica and the weaponization of narrative; blockchain, history and cliodynamics; choice and free will; transhumanism and politics.

My favorite quote that I will take away from this interview with PJ Manney is:

“We are fish swimming in water and we don’t know it is water. And the job of science fiction is to show you the water.”

You can see the video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/identity/

Sci Fi Great PJ Manney on (ID)Entity and Weaponizing Narrative

Jonathan Taplin is the Director Emeritus of the USC Annenberg Innovation Lab, and a former tour manager for Bob Dylan and The Band, as well as a film producer for Martin Scorsese.

If that is not enough to make him a worthy guest of Singularity.FM then let me add that Jonathan is a visionary entrepreneur who started the very first streaming VOD startup called Intertainer way back in 1996.

Finally, Taplin is the author of a timely book titled Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google and Amazon Cornernerd Culture and Undermined Democracy. In my view Move Fast and Break Things is a must read and we all should not only discuss but also take political action on the issues described by Jonathan. [At least to the extent that we want to have a sustainable and working democracy.]

During our 75 min conversation with Jonathan Taplin we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: becoming Bob Dylan’s music producer; becoming Martin Scorsese’s film producer; his biggest dream and biggest fear; the thesis is of his book Move Fast and Break Things; whether Google, Amazon, and Facebook are monopolies; culture and the quality of content on YouTube; amateur movies like Envoy and True Skin that were bought for the big screen; Facebook and democracy; copyright, piracy, privacy, DRM and SOPA…

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation or become a patron on Patreon.

You can watch the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/jonathan-taplin/

Jonathan Taplin on Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google & Amazon Undermined Democracy

Peter Singer is arguably the most influential living philosopher of our day. His book on Animal Liberation basically started the animal rights movement and his textbook on Practical Ethics is the standard philosophy text of first-year students across the world. No wonder that Time Magazine called Peter Singer one of the 100 most influential people in the world. But for me, personally, having Professor Peter Singer on Singularity.FM was a dream come true.

During our 1-hour conversation with Peter Singer we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: ethics and philosophy; why he is not an animal lover; why he is a flexible vegan; 3D printed meat; Peter’s personal mentors and inspirations; transhumanism and human nature; his biggest dreams and fears; why I went vegan; his greatest ethical failure; Ayn Rand and objectivism; climate change, instinct and evolution; intelligence and ethics; whether life-extension is moral; AI and the technological singularity; technology and ethics.

You can watch the full video interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/peter-singer/

Philosopher Peter Singer on AI, Transhumanism and Ethics

Inc Magazine called Tim O’Reilly the “Oracle of Silicon Valley.” Wired called him “The Trend Spotter.” Others have noted that “the Internet was built on O’Reilly books.” All in all, Tim O’Reilly is as perfect of a guest for my Singularity.FM podcast as I can ever imagine. So, I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

During our 90 min conversation with Tim O’Reilly we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: why Tim sees himself as a change-maker; the change he is after; the aesthetic and the useful; the importance of story; Tim’s background in Latin and Ancient Greek; his thesis on Mysticism and Logic in Plato’s Dialogues; ethics as a way of debugging technology and society; reality and truth; why he is not a singularity fan; whether we can influence the future or not; why technology is not enough; his book WTF: What’s the Future and Why It’s Up to Us; Uber and Lyft; runaway AI; the Emperor Has No Clothes and serving the wrong algorithm; rewriting the human story…

My favorite quote that I will take away from this interview with Tim O’Reilly is:

“Economic determinism is probably the cardinal sin of the present moment.”

if you want to see the full video of this interview go here:https://www.singularityweblog.com/tim-oreilly/

“Oracle of Silicon Valley” Tim O’Reilly on WTF: Do Work That Matters

Cory Doctorow is probably my all time most favorite science fiction writer. The reason for that is simple – Doctorow is not only a great story-teller but also an activist. To paraphrase Karl Marx, writers have tried to capture and describe the world but the point, however, is to change it. And Cory is a fantastic example of an author who doesn’t spend his life in solitude or writing retreats. No. Doctorow jumps right in the trenches and is not afraid to get his hands dirty in doing what is necessary and what is right. Needless to say, I was elated to have him back on my podcast but, if you haven’t seen his 1st interview, you may want to start here: Cory Doctorow on AI.

During today’s 90-minute interview with Cory Doctorow, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: why Walkaway is an optimistic disaster novel; the history and concept of walkaway; elite panic and A Paradise Built in Hell; the purpose, function and necessity of the nation-state; modern monetary theory and the new green deal; exponential technology, post scarcity and abundance; the Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren; Resisting Reduction, Transhumanism and immortality; Radicalized and our present moment; the biggest issues that our civilization is facing; AI, the singularity and technological unemployment; Ada Palmer, human agency, the past and the future; polarization and the scientific method; Karl Schroeder‘s tremendous impact on both Cory and me…

My 2 favorite quotes that I will take away from this interview with Cory Doctorow are:

    Multiplicity is better than a singularity.

    The reason to care about the destiny of technology and our civilization is not merely because getting it wrong will be terrible but also because getting it right will be amazing. There is so much more at stake than averting apocalypse. There is ushering in utopia.

You can watch the video of the interview here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/cory-doctorow-walkaway/

Cory Doctorow on Walkaway: This will all be so great if we don’t screw it up

Cathy O’Neil is a math Ph. D. from Harvard and a data-scientist who hopes to someday have a better answer to the question, “what can a non-academic mathematician do that makes the world a better place?” In the meantime, she wrote a seminal book titled Weapons of Math Destruction: how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. In my view, this is a must-read book for anyone who thinks that algorithms are by definition a fair and unbiased way to produce a given result. As O’Neil notes in her TED Talk: “the era of blind faith in big data must end.” (Yuval Harari calls this religious belief a new techno religion – aka dataism.)



During this 90 min interview with Cathy O’Neil, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: Cathy’s path to and love of Math; Manifest Destiny, American Exceptionalism and why we don’t count the dead With God On Our Side; how and why she became a hedge-fund quant; trusting and fearing the authority of math; why her book is titled Weapons of Math Destruction; Andrew “Boz” Bosworth’s ugly memo that Facebook’s actions were ‘de facto good’ – even if they led to deaths; Mark Zuckerberg’s good for the world but not good for Facebook email; the inherent biases and flaws of PredPol and other Minority Report type of predictive software; AI and the singularity; why intelligence is more than information retrieval; techno-solutionism and why technology is not enough; ethics and accountability; a Hippocratic oath for data scientists and engineers; why I believe that Instagram is among the worst weapons of math destruction; why technology is a magnifying mirror.

My favorite quotes that I will take away from Cathy O’Neil’s Weapons of Math Destruction are:

“Algorithms are opinions embedded in code”

“Big Data processes codify the past. They do not invent the future. Doing that requires moral imagination. And that’s something only humans can provide.”

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation or become a patron on Patreon.

You can watch the full video here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/weapons-of-math-destruction/

Cathy O’Neil on Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Threatens Democracy

Ada Palmer is a Professor in History researching the history of science, religion, progress, culture and many other fascinating topics. She is also a science fiction author of the award-winning Terra Ignota series beginning with Too Like the Lightning, which explores a twenty-fifth civilization of voluntary citizenship and borderless nations.

During this 2h 45 min interview with Prof. Ada Palmer, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: why she is first and foremost someone who studies how cultures change over time; why there is nothing more similar to the future than the past; the Black Death and COVID-19; the Renaissance and the myth of the Golden Age;  the invention, definition, and trajectory of progress; why Francis Bacon thought that being a scientist was the best kind of Christian charity; Ada’s take on transhumanism and Ray Kurzweil’s 6 epochs of the singularity; the birth of atheism; whether more intelligence and better technology make us better; the usefulness of useless knowledge; her award-winning science fiction novel Too Like the Lightning, how cantaloupe brought about the French Revolution.

My favorite quotes that I will take away from this conversation with Ada Palmer are:

The problem with teleological narratives is that they make us ignore the fact that a huge portion of real change is made by people who didn’t intend that change to happen.

Science Fiction fights our ethical battles before we have to fight them.

Teamwork: The small things that we are achieving that feel small are the way that the civilization-wide big things happen. The more I look at history and zoom in the less it is the geniuses and the people whose names we know that made the world shift and the more it is, in fact, the microscopic – from a historical standpoint, teamwork of everybody. So never feel that the stuff you’re doing isn’t important.

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation or become a patron on Patreon.

You can see the full video recording here: https://www.singularityweblog.com/ada-palmer/

Prof. Ada Palmer on Pandemics, Progress, History, Teleology and the Singularity

Melanie Mitchell is the Davis Professor of Complexity at the Santa Fe Institute, and Professor of Computer Science at Portland State University. Prof. Mitchell is the author of a number of interesting books such as Complexity: A Guided Tour and Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans. One interesting detail of her academic bio is that Douglas Hofstadter was her Ph.D. supervisor.

During this 90 min interview with Melanie Mitchell, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: how she started in physics, went into math, and ended up in Computer Science; how Douglas Hofstadter became her Ph.D. supervisor; the biggest issues that humanity is facing today; my predictions of the biggest challenges of the next 100 days of the COVID19 pandemic; how to remain hopeful when it is hard to be optimistic; the problems in defining AI, thinking and human; the Turing Test and Ray Kurzweil’s bet with Mitchell Kapor; the Technological Singularity and its possible timeline; the Fallacy of First Steps and the Collapse of AI; Marvin Minsky’s denial of progress towards AGI; Hofstadter’s fear that intelligence may turn out to be a set of “cheap tricks”; the importance of learning and interacting with the world; the [hard] problem of consciousness; why it is us who need to sort ourselves out and not rely on God or AI; complexity, the future and why living in “Uncertain Times” is an unprecented opportunity.

My favorite quote that I will take away from this conversation with Melanie Mitchell is:

Intelligence is a very complex phenomenon and we should study it as such. It’s not the sum of a bunch of narrow intelligences but something much bigger.

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation or become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/singularityfm

Melanie Mitchell on AI: Intelligence is a Complex Phenomenon

Dr. Matthew Cole is the only vegan sociologist that I know of. His unique point of view on veganism, especially its implications with respect to ethics, transhumanism, and the application of technology, has already left a mark on the way I perceive the small challenges of being vegan as an opportunity for personal discipline and growth. I have learned a lot from him and I hope you take this interview as an opportunity to challenge and reconsider your personal choices with respect to non-human animals. Alternatively, if you are dead-set that you are a predator and consuming animals is the only conceivable alternative that is compatible with your identity then perhaps you ought to skip this one altogether. Sadly, I believe it would be a missed opportunity but, at the end of the day, you should make your own choices.

During this 2-hour interview with Dr. Matthew Cole, we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: the story of how he became a vegan sociologist; unemployment and basic income; playing guitar in a thrash metal band; the original vegan society definition of veganism; breaching experiments and social norms; the media representation and image of veganism; Dr. Who and my 6 reasons why I went vegan; transhumanism, nature and human exceptionalism; David Pearce’s Hedonistic Imperative; the importance of social structures and personal humility in everything we do; Matthew’s free open course on why non-human animals are victims of harm.

My favorite quote that I will take away from this conversation with Dr. Matthew Cole is:

Coming up with technical fixes rather than ethical reform, revolution, rebellion . . . Every time that technology tries to stand in for ethics, we do ourselves a disservice, […] we deny ourselves the opportunity for growth. Sex Robots and Vegan Meat, Page 298

As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full. To show your support you can write a review on iTunes, make a direct donation, or become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/singularityfm

Matthew Cole on Vegan Sociology, Ethics, Transhumanism and Technology

Singularity.FM is the first and best known singularity podcast - the place where we interview the future. 

Singularity.FM is a series of singularity podcast interviews with the best scientists, writers, entrepreneurs, film-makers, philosophers and artists, debating issues such as the technological singularity, transhumanism, artificial intelligence, life-extension and ethics.

Past guests of this singularity podcast include people such as Ray Kurzweil, Peter Diamandis, Noam Chomsky, Stuart Hameroff, Marvin Minsky, Aubrey de Grey, Max More, Michio Kaku, Vernor Vinge, Cory Doctorow, Charles Stross and many, many others.

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