Crazy Wisdom Episode #407: Transhumanism Lite: Using Urbit and Spaced Repetition to Hack Your Brain, Not Replace It
In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, Stewart Alsop hosts ~littel-wolfur to explore spaced repetition, the dynamics of learning algorithms, and the philosophy behind Urbit. They break down Urbit’s promise as a peer-to-peer platform with roots in a deep, almost otherworldly commitment to resilience and a long time horizon. Alongside ~littel-wolfur’s take on memory as the strange balance of laziness and persistence, they dig into shrubbery, Urbit's latest namespace innovation, and the challenge of creating tools that last. From generational shifts to the philosophy of technology, Stewart and ~littel-wolfur contemplate whether Urbit’s rebellious craftsmanship might be the foundation for a more enduring internet. You can connect with ~littel-wolfur on Twitter.
Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast
00:22 Understanding Spaced Repetition
01:39 Personal Experiences with Spaced Repetition
04:08 Challenges in Spaced Repetition Software
06:45 Building a Flashcard App on Urbit
09:03 Introduction to Shrubbery on Urbit
13:26 The State of Urbit and Its Future
22:01 The Long-Term Vision of Urbit and Bitcoin
28:37 Balancing Internet Time with Parenthood
29:37 Challenges of Urbit's Ease of Use
30:22 New Blood in the Urbit Community
31:15 Building Communities on Urbit
32:38 Twitter's Complexities and Elon Musk's Influence
41:02 AI's Role in Software Development
49:52 Transhumanism and AI Art
54:50 The Future of Craftsmanship in Programming
55:45 Conclusion and Contact Information
Key Insights
- The Power and Paradox of Spaced Repetition: Stewart and ~littel-wolfur discuss spaced repetition as an ingenious blend of laziness and persistence. By setting reminders to review information just before it's forgotten, spaced repetition acts as an effortless yet powerful memory tool. Although the practice demands daily discipline, it becomes an invaluable mechanism for retaining knowledge across vast timescales.
- SuperMemo and Incremental Reading: ~littel-wolfur shares his experience with SuperMemo, the original spaced repetition software that takes the method even further. SuperMemo’s “incremental reading” allows users to gradually extract information from lengthy texts, breaking down complex learning into manageable, spaced chunks. For ~littel-wolfur, this approach goes beyond mere memorization; it turns learning into an immersive, long-term commitment.
- The Urbit Experiment: Urbit, a decentralized peer-to-peer network and OS, represents a radical rethinking of the internet. Stewart and ~littel-wolfur examine Urbit’s potential as a platform where users truly own and control their data, echoing ideals of early Web 1.0. As the “long-haul project” of the tech world, Urbit cultivates an almost timeless ethos, making it as much a social experiment as a computing system.
- Shrubbery and Namespace Innovation: A core element of Urbit, “shrubbery” introduces a namespace that enables users to organize, connect, and retrieve information from across their digital universe. ~littel-wolfur explains how shrubbery allows users to link pieces of data like conversation notes, wikis, and documents, making it a versatile learning platform on Urbit. The elegance of this integration hints at a future internet where information can be personalized and seamlessly connected.
- Craftsmanship and Digital Resilience: ~littel-wolfur and Stewart touch on the fading art of craftsmanship in tech, which often gets lost in the layers of abstractions that modern software relies on. For ~littel-wolfur, coding on Urbit feels like working in a digital woodshop, where the focus is on intentionality and precision rather than flashy or disposable tech. This philosophy of craftsmanship offers a refreshing take on the art of creation in software, hinting at the durability and authenticity Urbit hopes to embody.
- AI’s Limitations and Overconfidence Trap: The episode also highlights the limitations of AI, especially when it encourages laziness or over-reliance. While AI can help automate routine tasks, ~littel-wolfur warns of its tendency to produce fragile, overly complex solutions that unravel under scrutiny. They caution that true understanding comes not from shortcuts, but from engaging deeply with the work—a point that resonates with their belief in disciplined learning practices like spaced repetition.
- The Value of Optimism and Long Time Horizons: Amid a society obsessed with quick wins and rapid monetization, Stewart and ~littel-wolfur see Urbit’s culture as a refreshing outlier, filled with builders who value curiosity and long-term thinking. This “thousand-year mindset” stands in contrast to much of the tech industry, where projects are often driven by immediate financial returns. By embracing a philosophy that resists the pressure for instant success, Urbit aligns itself with a vision of digital infrastructure that, rather than fueling transient trends, aims to be a lasting foundation for generations to come.