Exploring the Shift from Optimism to Realism

15min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The chapter analyzes a historical figure's transition from pacifism to a more practical view on collective actions, critiquing their optimism towards solving public goods issues. It discusses the gap between aspirations and reality in international organizations like the League of Nations and transitions into a discussion on the progress and uncertainties in quantum computing technology. The conversation also delves into the potential privatization of AI and quantum computing activities, the implications of linear algebra in these fields, and the importance of fostering diverse ideas in advancing physics.

Take our Listener Survey

Michael Nielsen is a scientist who helped pioneer quantum computing and the modern open science movement. He's worked at Y Combinator, co-authored on scientific progress with Patrick Collison, and is a prolific writer, reader, commentator, and mentor.

He joined Tyler to discuss why the universe is so beautiful to human eyes (but not ears), how to find good collaborators, the influence of Simone Weil, where Olaf Stapledon's understand of the social word went wrong, potential applications of quantum computing, the (rising) status of linear algebra, what makes for physicists who age well, finding young mentors, why some scientific fields have pre-print platforms and others don't, how so many crummy journals survive, the threat of cheap nukes, the many unknowns of Mars colonization, techniques for paying closer attention, what you learn when visiting the USS Midway, why he changed his mind about Emergent Ventures, why he didn't join OpenAI in 2015, what he'll learn next, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded March 24th, 2024.

Other ways to connect

Follow us on X and Instagram
Follow Tyler on X
Follow Michael on X
Sign up for our newsletter
Join our Discord
Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu
Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.