The American Mind Podcast A Grade of AI
10 snips
Sep 4, 2025 The podcast tackles the tragic shooting at a Minneapolis school, sparking discussions about mental health and the identity of the shooter. It critiques leftist responses to violence and examines the impact of AI on education, highlighting grade inflation at elite institutions. The relocation of Space Command to Alabama and reflections from the NatCon Conference add depth to the dialogue. They also touch on academic standards and the significance of classical literature, wrapping up with media recommendations for listeners.
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Parrot Analogy For AI Limits
- Large language models are powerful pattern predictors but lack an inner, rational 'inner word' that humans possess.
- Spencer Clavin argues this gap makes AI unsuitable for roles like therapists or priests.
NatCon Talk About AI And Parrots
- Spencer Clavin recounts delivering a NatCon talk about AI shortly after arriving and waking from travel.
- He used a parrot joke and discussed parrots to illustrate AI's lack of inner rationality.
AI Can Amplify Harmful Thought Patterns
- High-profile cases show chatbots can amplify suicidal ideation or affirm dangerous delusions.
- These incidents raised urgent ethical questions about alignment and human stewardship of AI.
