In this book, Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate human ability, produced by evolution to solve the problem of communication among social hunter-gatherers. He explains how language works, how children learn it, how it changes, and how the brain computes it. Pinker refutes common ideas such as the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis and the notion that language is a human invention. He supports his argument with examples from linguistics, psychology, and popular culture, emphasizing that language is a specialized 'mental module' rather than a mark of advanced intelligence. The book also includes updates on advances in the science of language since its initial publication.
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.
In this book, Steven Pinker delves into the workings of the human mind, addressing questions such as why we are rational yet often irrational, how we perceive the world, and the origins of emotions, social interactions, and higher cognitive functions. Pinker synthesizes insights from cognitive science, evolutionary biology, and other fields to explain how the mind evolved to solve the problems faced by our ancestors. He discusses topics like vision, emotion, social behavior, and the mysteries of consciousness, arguing for a computational theory of mind and an adaptationist approach to evolution[2][3][5].
In this book, Nick Bostrom delves into the implications of creating superintelligence, which could surpass human intelligence in all domains. He discusses the potential dangers, such as the loss of human control over such powerful entities, and presents various strategies to ensure that superintelligences align with human values. The book examines the 'AI control problem' and the need to endow future machine intelligence with positive values to prevent existential risks[3][5][4].
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.
Written by Scott Aaronson, this book takes readers on a tour through some of the deepest ideas in mathematics, computer science, and physics. It covers topics ranging from antiquity with Democritus to modern quantum computing, including logic, set theory, computability, complexity theory, cryptography, and the interpretation of quantum mechanics. The book also discusses philosophical perspectives and includes extended discussions on time travel, Newcomb's Paradox, and the anthropic principle. Aaronson's informal style makes the book accessible to readers with scientific backgrounds and those working in physics, computer science, mathematics, and philosophy.
In this book, Max Tegmark presents his mathematical universe hypothesis, which posits that reality is not just described by mathematics but is actually a mathematical structure. The book is divided into three parts: 'Zooming Out' explores our location in the cosmos and multiverse, 'Zooming In' delves into quantum mechanics and particle physics, and 'Stepping Back' discusses Tegmark's speculative ideas about the mathematical nature of reality. Tegmark introduces four levels of multiverse, culminating in the 'Level IV multiverse,' where all possible mathematical structures have physical existence. The book is written in an accessible and engaging style, using anecdotes and clear explanations to make complex scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience.
This week Liron was interview by Gaëtan Selle on @the-flares about AI doom.
Cross-posted from their channel with permission.
Original source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Qi-54I9Zw
0:00:02 Guest Introduction
0:01:41 Effective Altruism and Transhumanism
0:05:38 Bayesian Epistemology and Extinction Probability
0:09:26 Defining Intelligence and Its Dangers
0:12:33 The Key Argument for AI Apocalypse
0:18:51 AI’s Internal Alignment
0:24:56 What Will AI's Real Goal Be?
0:26:50 The Train of Apocalypse
0:31:05 Among Intellectuals, Who Rejects the AI Apocalypse Arguments?
0:38:32 The Shoggoth Meme
0:41:26 Possible Scenarios Leading to Extinction
0:50:01 The Only Solution: A Pause in AI Research?
0:59:15 The Risk of Violence from AI Risk Fundamentalists
1:01:18 What Will General AI Look Like?
1:05:43 Sci-Fi Works About AI
1:09:21 The Rationale Behind Cryonics
1:12:55 What Does a Positive Future Look Like?
1:15:52 Are We Living in a Simulation?
1:18:11 Many Worlds in Quantum Mechanics Interpretation
1:20:25 Ideal Future Podcast Guest for Doom Debates
Doom Debates’ Mission is to raise mainstream awareness of imminent extinction from AGI and build the social infrastructure for high-quality debate.
Support the mission by subscribing to my Substack at DoomDebates.com and to youtube.com/@DoomDebates. Thanks for watching.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
lironshapira.substack.com
Doom Debates 
