#662: David Deutsch and Naval Ravikant — The Fabric of Reality, The Importance of Disobedience, The Inevitability of Artificial General Intelligence, Finding Good Problems, Redefining Wealth, Foundations of True Knowledge, Harnessing Optimism, Quantum Computing, and More

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Mar 23, 2023

Join physicist David Deutsch, a visiting professor at Oxford and author of influential books on quantum theory, alongside entrepreneur Naval Ravikant, co-founder of AngelList. They dive into the fabric of reality, discussing the evolving nature of knowledge and the critical role of creativity in science. Topics include the implications of artificial general intelligence, ethics in technology, and the importance of optimism in future advancements. Their engaging conversation challenges conventional thinking and emphasizes the interconnectedness of various fields.

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INSIGHT

Scientific Method Misconceptions

The popular conception of the scientific method as observation-driven and leading to settled truth is wrong.
Observations are theory-laden, and theories are always fallible and subject to change through criticism and better explanations.

INSIGHT

Knowledge Growth and Experiments

Knowledge growth starts with problems and conjectures, not just observations.
Experiments are crucial for resolving conflicts between theories, not for confirming existing ones.

INSIGHT

Good Explanations

Good explanations are hard-to-vary stories that account for observations in terms of unseen mechanisms.
They explain more than previous theories and survive criticism by accounting for more phenomena.

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The Beginning of Infinity

Explanations That Transform the World

David Deutsch

In this groundbreaking book, David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor. The book takes readers on a journey through various fields of science, history of civilization, art, moral values, and the theory of political institutions. Deutsch explains how we form new explanations and drop bad ones, and discusses the conditions under which progress, which he argues is potentially boundless, can and cannot happen. He emphasizes the importance of good explanations, which he defines as those that are 'hard to vary' and have 'reach', and argues that these explanations are central to the Enlightenment way of thinking and to all scientific and philosophical progress.

The selfish gene

Lalla Ward Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins

In 'The Selfish Gene', Richard Dawkins presents a gene-centred view of evolution, arguing that genes are the primary units of selection and that they behave selfishly to ensure their own replication. The book explains concepts such as kin selection, inclusive fitness, and the evolutionarily stable strategy, highlighting how these mechanisms can lead to altruistic behaviors in organisms. Dawkins emphasizes that the 'selfishness' of genes is a metaphorical concept, describing their evolutionary consequences rather than any intentional behavior. The book has been influential in shaping modern evolutionary thought and remains relevant today[1][3][5].

The Fabric of Reality

The Science of Parallel Universes--and Its Implications

David Deutsch

In 'The Fabric of Reality', David Deutsch explores a four-strand theory of everything, integrating Hugh Everett's many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics, Karl Popper's epistemology, Alan Turing's theory of computation, and Richard Dawkins's evolutionary theory. The book discusses the implications of these theories, including the concept of the multiverse, quantum computers, time travel, and the ultimate fate of the universe. Deutsch argues that these theories, when taken literally and jointly, reveal a unified, objective, and comprehensible fabric of reality.

The Logic of Scientific Discovery

Karl Popper

Karl Popper's "The Logic of Scientific Discovery" is a highly influential work in the philosophy of science. It critiques the traditional view of scientific method as inductive, arguing instead that scientific knowledge is developed through a process of conjecture and refutation. Popper introduces the concept of falsifiability, suggesting that a scientific theory must be testable and potentially falsifiable to be considered scientific. The book has had a profound impact on the philosophy of science, influencing the way scientists approach the development and testing of theories. It remains a cornerstone of modern epistemology.

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Heide Luthers

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

A short history of England

Simon Jenkins

This book provides an enlightening and engaging account of England's history, from the invaders of the dark ages to the aftermath of the coalition. Written by Simon Jenkins, it brings together all the significant events, themes, and individuals in a stylish and authoritative narrative. The book is beautifully illustrated and has been updated to include recent events, making it a standard work for years to come.

The Science of Can and Can't

A Physicist’s Journey Through the Land of Counterfactuals

Chiara Marletto

This book introduces the concept of counterfactuals in physics, developed by Chiara Marletto and David Deutsch. It argues that traditional physics is limited by focusing only on what actually happens, and proposes a new approach that includes what could happen. This 'science of can and can't' aims to reformulate quantum and classical physics, and has implications for understanding information, computation, and the universe as a whole. The book uses clear analogies and includes short fictional stories to explain complex concepts, making it accessible to a broad audience.