Humans On The Loop Co-Evolving with Magical Technologies feat. Sam Arbesman
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Oct 2, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Sam Arbesman, a scientist-in-residence at Lux Capital, unpacks themes from his book, The Magic of Code. He explores the enchanting blend of code and human experience, likening code to both magic and a liberal art. Sam emphasizes the importance of open-source development and iterative experimentation, illuminating the interplay between simplicity and complexity. He also probes the relationship between technology and biology, and advocates for a conscious approach to our digital tools, embracing the ephemeral nature of software for greater present impact.
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Embrace Humility With Complex Systems
- Sam Arbesman urges humility: accept limits to human understanding while still trying to learn.
- Avoid worship or panic; deliberate choices about tech come from knowing the kind of life you want.
Grandfather's Sci‑Fi Spark
- Sam recounts his grandfather reading science magazines and recognizing the iPhone as the object he'd imagined for decades.
- That childhood exposure shaped Sam's lifelong wonder for technology and computing.
Computing As A Humanistic Craft
- Arbesman frames computing as a humanistic liberal art that mixes language, philosophy, and biology.
- He argues re-enchanting computation restores wonder alongside utilitarian uses.
