Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma

A Different Kind of Ted (Chiang) Talk

Dec 27, 2023

Paul Giamatti and Stephen Asma have an intriguing conversation with award-winning fiction writer Ted Chiang. They delve into the blurring of reality and fiction when it comes to alien life and mistaking actors for assassins. The impact of social media on conspiracy theories is explored, along with the concept of singularity and its potential influence on society. The discussion also touches on the fascinating topic of AI romance and the appeal of relationships with chatbots. Virtual relationships and the emotional trauma associated with them are also examined.

54:35

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Episode guests

Ted Chiang

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Quick takeaways

The current AI technology, referred to as large language models, is better understood as a tool for enhancing capitalism rather than a threat to humanity.

Artificial romantic relationships lack the essential elements of real human connections and can raise ethical concerns.

Deep dives

The Nature of the Singularity

The concept of the singularity, as proposed by science fiction writer Werner Vinci, refers to a future point where machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence and becomes dominant. However, the idea of AI becoming superintelligent and taking over the world is more fiction than reality. The current AI technology, referred to as large language models, is not truly intelligent. It lacks intention and the ability to communicate like humans. It is better understood as a tool for enhancing capitalism rather than a threat to humanity.

The role of human labor in training AI

01:29

Rapid Changes in News Consumption

00:53

Introduction

2min

Acclaimed Science Fiction Author and Discussion on Sleep

3min

UFOs, Alien Life, and the Blurring of Reality

8min

The Influence of Social Media on Belief in Conspiracy Theories

9min

The Concept of Singularity and its Impact on Society

15min

When AI Gets Too Attached

12min

Virtual Relationships and Emotional Trauma

3min

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In this Chinwag, Paul and Stephen are thrilled to be subject to fascinating thought experiments by award-winning fiction writer Ted Chiang. Up for the discussion?

The difference between fact and fiction when it comes to the existence of alien life, and whether Paul is indeed an assassin because he played one in an action film Ted once saw. Imaginations are running amok and people can’t differentiate between what’s real and what isn’t. Is social media to blame or was The National Enquirer the social media of yester-year? Online echo chambers and the dangerous speed of information may be a culprit for conspiracy theories. And is belief in aliens and monsters in pop culture a direct response to higher anxiety levels and an externalization of neuroses? Then, what is singularity and was it born with the invention of the wheel?

Paul and Stephen are happy to learn that Ted’s not afraid that AI will take over, but the natural desire to do less work may lead to more romances between humans and AI robots. So buckle up and plug in your lady-cyborg and get ready for an all new fascinating Chinwag!

Paul Giamatti is an award-winning actor and producer. Stephen Asma is a professor and author specializing in the philosophy of science, religion, and art.

Ted Chiang is a fiction writer whose works have won him four Hugo, four Nebula, and four Locus awards. He has been featured in The Best American Short Stories and has authored two collections, Exhalation and Stories of Your Life and Others. The title story from Stories was adapted into the feature film Arrival. Chiang is also a frequent non-fiction contributor to the New Yorker Magazine, most recently on topics related to computer technology, and artificial intelligence.

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