In 'The Phenomenon of Life', Christopher Alexander presents a new cosmology that integrates scientific knowledge with human experience, focusing on the properties of life present in all structures, from microorganisms to vibrant communities. He argues that these properties are essential for creating environments that support human well-being and beauty. The book is part of a four-volume series that redefines architecture by uniting structural and personal aspects.
Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people[2][5][4].
The Overstory is a sweeping and impassioned work of environmental fiction that follows the lives of nine individuals whose paths are intertwined by their connections to trees. The novel is structured in four parts – 'Roots', 'Trunk', 'Crown', and 'Seeds' – mirroring the parts of a tree. It delves into themes of ecology, climate change, and the interconnectedness of trees and humans, using a blend of science, history, and magical realism. The book advocates for the protection of trees and the natural world, posing critical questions about humanity's relationship with the environment and the long-term consequences of human actions[2][4][5].
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century. The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg. The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate. Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life. The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition[2][4][5].
In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore the anatomy of ideas that stick and provide methods to make ideas more memorable. They introduce the SUCCESs formula, which stands for Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories. The book is filled with examples from urban legends, business stories, and personal anecdotes, demonstrating how these traits can be applied to make any idea stickier. It is particularly useful for anyone interested in influencing others, whether in business, education, or other fields.
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden. The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights[1][3][5].
In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.
In 'Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre', Keith Johnstone delves into the world of improvisational theatre, providing insights into its history, techniques, and significance. The book covers various aspects of improvisation, including status, spontaneity, and the role of the audience. Johnstone also discusses his own experiences and methods, making it a valuable resource for both practitioners and students of improvisational theatre.
Nabeel S. Qureshi (Website, X, Substack) is a writer, entrepreneur, and former Palantir product lead known for his writing on technology, AI, Palantir, culture, and learning. After a brief hiatus writing and researching and spending nearly a decade at Palantir working across government, healthcare, and intelligence, he's now founding a new company.
The first half of the conversation focuses on two big ideas. First: the growth of "slop" across media and culture and how "care" is its opposite. Then: how to think, learn, and understand more deeply across domains over a lifetime. We discuss how both of these sit against the backdrop of AI's rapid challenging of what it means to make and what it means to think.
Then we discuss Palantir and "grey areas" that many technologists avoid working on or thinking about, government bureaucracy and DOGE, and how technologists are pursuing and accumulating power. We also chat about Nabeel's idea maze ahead of the new company, art and what it is for, and a range of other topics that showcase how curious, polymathic, and considerate Nabeel is.
As the world changes at a breakneck pace thanks to technology and AI, Nabeel embodies a deeply humanistic approach that also accepts change as the default. This conversation inspired me to embrace surprise and strangeness, especially in creativity; to push through the friction and temptation to accept the answers at face value and instead yearn to more deeply understand; and to pursue a life of growth, practice, and care.
Full transcript with all linked references available here.
Timestamps:
- (3:21): “The Opposite of Slop Is Care.”
- (4:15): Defining Slop
- (14:17): Do We Decide What We Care About?
- (20:16): Original Seeing and Intimacy as a Path to Care
- (24:05): Creativity, Craft, and Care in the Digital World and Physical World
- (28:24): The Human Moat and Practice
- (32:48): Can AIs Care?
- (35:52): Understanding Things Deeply and “The Will to Think”
- (39:52): School: Getting the Answer vs. Deeply Understanding
- (41:44): High-Dimensional Learning from Simulations (Games) and Reality (the Real World)
- (48:38): Moving Down from Abstraction: Be Specific
- (50:49): Karl Popper, Fallibilism, Tyler Cowen, and Fighting Intellectual Inertia
- (53:00): Slowing Down
- (56:00): Nabeel's Funnel for Information & Retention
- (59:18): Spaced Repetition (Flashcards)
- (1:01:09): Palantir, Duty, and Engaging in Political and Moral Gray Areas
- (1:07:06): Palantir's Culture of Independent Thinking: People Who Speak Their Mind but Aren't Douchebags
- (1:09:38): Government Bureaucracy, DOGE, Power
- (1:14:51): Why Can't Governments Be Better at Error Correction and Healthy Renewal?
- (1:17:02): Technologists and Power
- (1:23:47): Nabeel's Next Company and the Idea Maze: “Context Is That Which Is Scarce”
- (1:27:11): Scientist Brain vs. Founder Brain and Context vs. Details
- (1:30:17): Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and What Art Is For
- (1:34:02): Art for Defamiliarization
- (1:36:00): What Makes Film Special
- (1:37:15): Depth in Text and Other Mediums
- (1:40:32): Patterns Across Nabeel's Taste: The Unfamiliar
- (1:43:11): Lightning Round: Travel
- (1:44:37): Stories Nabeel Tells Himself
- (1:45:31): Agency and Being Told What to Do by AI
- (1:47:49): Negotiation and Creating Optionality
- (1:50:28): Palantir's Vocabulary
- (1:53:07): Lessons from Tyler Cowen
- (1:54:41): Fighting Inertia
Key Links (all references available here)
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