Michael Nielsen, quantum computing pioneer, discusses beauty in the universe, collaboration, Simone Weil's influence, potential applications of quantum computing, linear algebra's importance, threat of cheap nukes, Mars colonization unknowns, USS Midway visit, and changing views on Emergent Ventures and AI.
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Quick takeaways
Open collaboration through platforms like Jupiter notebooks accelerates scientific progress.
Open access policies can challenge costly textbook models, providing authors greater influence.
Private sector wages may not always reflect scientific progress, impacting individual researchers in AI fields.
Deep dives
Importance of Openness in Science
Openness in science, especially evident through platforms like Jupiter notebooks in machine learning, plays a crucial role in accelerating progress. By openly sharing experiments and findings, researchers can drive significant advancements in their fields, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Challenges in Science Textbook Pricing
The high cost of science textbooks poses a significant challenge, driven by factors such as third-party payment issues, instructor lock-in, and inefficient library subscription models. Despite the financial benefits publishers may gain, the impact of open access policies can lead to greater influence and opportunities for authors.
Scientific Progress and Market Wages
Analyzing private sector wages as a proxy for progress in science may not always align, as historical figures like Newton and Einstein were not necessarily among the richest, yet made substantial contributions to human understanding. The dynamic nature of wages in fields like pharma science may not always directly reflect the impending advancements or breakthroughs waiting in the pipeline.
The Impact of AI Research on Individual Researchers
The podcast explores the potential impact of AI research on individual researchers. As big companies increasingly publish papers less openly, it limits the ability of individual researchers to build personal brands publicly. This shift may diminish their negotiating power and ability to capture value from their work. The discussion also touches on the significant salaries offered to top AI researchers, potentially reaching millions of dollars annually.
Challenges and Opportunities in Establishing Civilization on Mars
The podcast delves into the challenges and opportunities of establishing a civilization on Mars. It highlights the need to overcome scientific constraints like gravity, radiation effects on the human body, and water scarcity. Reference is made to a study involving twins, where one spent a year in space, revealing the impact of long-duration space travel on the human body. The conversation underscores the potential of economic growth to reduce the relative cost of space exploration and colonization over time.
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.