Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal Chomsky on Terence McKenna, GPT-3, Sam Harris, Cryptocurrencies, Kierkegaard, Neuralink, and Hofstadter
Mar 24, 2021
Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist and political activist, takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of thought-provoking topics. He discusses the complexities of the Piraha language and its implications for our understanding of cognition. Chomsky delves into existential themes inspired by Kierkegaard, critiques cryptocurrencies, and reflects on the philosophical inquiries of consciousness. The conversation also touches on Terrence McKenna's stoned ape theory and the ethical dilemmas in modern society, all while championing the importance of inquiry and critical thinking.
01:23:44
Thought and Language
- We lack an independent concept of thought beyond linguistic expression, making questions about non-linguistic thought difficult to answer.
- Wittgenstein noted that "thought" is open-textured, applied to humans and extended to things perceived as human-like.
X-bar Theory and Its Flaws
- X-bar theory, while initially useful in linguistics, has flaws due to its endocentric nature.
- Merge-based systems with labeling conventions offer improvements over X-bar theory's limitations.
Derivational Theory of Complexity
- The derivational theory of complexity, linking processing difficulty to the number of generative operations, faced challenges.
- Changing linguistic theories and experimental inconsistencies led to its abandonment, though future revival is possible.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Exploring Philosophy and Worldviews in an AMA with Chomsky
02:41 • 2min
Language, Thought, and Economic Structures
04:29 • 29min
Entrepreneurship vs. Institutional Power
33:39 • 6min
Ethics and Language Evolution
39:58 • 20min
The Mysteries of Language and Thought
59:55 • 5min
Questioning Norms and Embracing Inquiry
01:04:31 • 17min
#1
• Mentioned in 1,142 episodes
1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
#1724
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
The Emperor's New Mind
Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics
Roger Penrose
In this book, Roger Penrose challenges the idea that human consciousness can be replicated by computers.
He delves into various subjects including algorithms, Turing machines, complexity theory, quantum mechanics, and the basics of modern physics to support his argument that human cognition is fundamentally non-computable.
Penrose discusses the limitations of Turing machines, the incompleteness of formal systems as shown by Godel's proof, and the necessity of a unified theory of quantum gravity to explain human consciousness.
The book is a detailed and thought-provoking journey through mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and physics, making it a must-read for those interested in the nature of mind and the relationship between physics and consciousness.
#
Kierkegaard
the difficulty of being Christian
Søren Kierkegaard
Either/Or is a foundational work by Søren Kierkegaard, exploring the search for a meaningful existence through two distinct characters: the aesthetic and the ethical.
It delves into themes of boredom, romance, meaning, and culture, offering a profound philosophical and literary analysis.
#14
• Mentioned in 324 episodes
Sapiens
A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens.
It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution.
Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights.
The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
#26245
Introduction to metaphysics
Gregory Fried
Martin Heidegger
Richard Polt
This book is a revised and edited version of Martin Heidegger's 1935 lecture course.
It delves into the metaphysical condition of modern man and philosophy, particularly focusing on the Presocratics and the concept of 'Being'.
Heidegger critiques the traditional understanding of 'Being' as established by Plato and Aristotle, and argues for a return to the original notions of 'Being' as understood by Heraclitus and Parmenides.
The work also marks a significant shift in Heidegger's thought, emphasizing language as the site of the meaning of 'Being'.
#67987
Gpt-3
Building Innovative NLP Products Using Large Language Models
Shubham Saboo
Sandra Kublik
This book provides a pragmatic approach to understanding and utilizing GPT-3 for creating AI-powered products.
It explores the capabilities of GPT-3, its impact on AI trends like the creator economy and no-code development, and offers practical insights into building NLP products from scratch.
The authors discuss how GPT-3 can be used to transform ideas into reality, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical readers.
#261
• Mentioned in 67 episodes
Gödel, Escher, Bach
An Eternal Golden Braid
Douglas Hofstadter
This book by Douglas Hofstadter is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that explores the interrelated ideas of Kurt Gödel, M.C.
Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
It delves into concepts such as self-reference, recursion, and the limits of formal systems, particularly through Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem.
The book uses dialogues between fictional characters, including Achilles and the Tortoise, to intuitively present complex ideas before they are formally explained.
It covers a wide range of topics including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, number theory, and the philosophy of mind, aiming to understand how consciousness and intelligence emerge from formal systems.
#
Jacques Derrida
basic writings
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida, philosophe français, est une figure majeure de la déconstruction, un mouvement philosophique qui remet en question les fondements de la pensée occidentale.
Derrida a développé une critique radicale des concepts traditionnels de la métaphysique, en soulignant l'importance de la différence, de la différance et de la trace.
Son œuvre est caractérisée par un style complexe et exigeant, et par une utilisation originale du langage.
Derrida a eu une influence considérable sur la philosophie, la littérature et les études culturelles, et son œuvre continue d'être étudiée et débattue aujourd'hui.
#68673
Lectures on the Philosophy of World History
Duncan Forbes
Hugh Barr Nisbet
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
Hegel's "Lectures on the Philosophy of World History" is a monumental work that explores the development of human consciousness and the unfolding of reason throughout history.
Hegel's approach to history is dialectical, emphasizing the interplay of opposing forces and the progressive realization of freedom.
His work examines the historical development of various civilizations, tracing the evolution of ethical and political systems.
Hegel's philosophy of history offers a profound and complex understanding of the human condition and the trajectory of human progress.
His insights into the nature of history and the role of reason continue to inspire debate and discussion.
#
Stoned Ape Theory
Terence McKenna
Terence McKenna's "Stoned Ape Theory" is a controversial hypothesis proposing that the consumption of psychedelic mushrooms played a significant role in the evolution of human consciousness and language.
McKenna argued that these substances altered the perception and cognitive abilities of early hominids, leading to breakthroughs in symbolic thought and communication.
The theory has been met with skepticism from the scientific community, lacking robust empirical evidence.
However, it has sparked considerable interest and debate, highlighting the potential impact of psychoactive substances on human evolution and the development of culture.
The theory remains a provocative idea, prompting further exploration of the complex interplay between biology, consciousness, and culture.
#
Michel Foucault
Michel Foucault
#888
• Mentioned in 28 episodes
The End Of Faith
Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris delivers a critical analysis of the clash between reason and religious faith in the modern world.
He argues that religious beliefs, even moderate ones, can lead to dangerous consequences, such as terrorism, and that these beliefs are not grounded in empirical evidence.
Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to propose a secular and humanistic foundation for ethics and spirituality.
The book is a call to action against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics and advocates for a rational approach to ethics based on human happiness and suffering.
#
X-bar structure in microtubules
Not Available
Stuart Hameroff
Stuart Hameroff's work focuses on the role of microtubules in neurons and their potential involvement in quantum processes related to consciousness.
His theories, such as Orch-OR, propose that microtubules could act as quantum computers within the brain.
However, there is no specific book titled 'X-bar structure in microtubules' by him.
#103
• Mentioned in 124 episodes
The master and his emissary
The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
Iain McGilchrist
This book argues that the division of the brain into two hemispheres is essential to human existence, allowing for two incompatible versions of the world.
The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, while the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity.
McGilchrist takes the reader on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists from ancient to modern times.
He argues that the increasing dominance of the left hemisphere in today’s world has potentially disastrous consequences.
#
Neuralink
Brain-Computer Interface Technology
Elon Musk
Neuralink aims to integrate human brains with computers through implantable chips, enabling advanced communication and control over devices.
The technology involves flexible electrode threads and a neurosurgical robot for precise implantation.
Neuralink's vision includes treating neurological disorders and enhancing human capabilities through AI integration.
Noam Chomsky joins Curt Jaimungal for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on group selection, his own mortality, the Piraha language, and a host of philosophical and technological ideas.
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:02:17 - Iain McGilchrist: Language without thought?
- 00:06:54 - Stuart Hameroff: X bar structure in microtubules
- 00:11:16 - Roger Penrose's Emperor's New Mind
- 00:11:59 - Veno Volenec: Derivational Theory of Complexity and Generative Grammar
- 00:20:02 - Existentialism and Kierkegaard [John Clever]
- 00:21:00 - Sam Harris and Islam [Naman Jain]
- 00:21:54 - Terrance McKenna and Stoned Ape Theory (psychedelics aiding language development / evolution)
- 00:22:58 - Group Selection [Slaventhefourth]
- 00:23:32 - Cryptocurrencies and decentralizing money [ThrowingSn0w]
- 00:31:35 - Elon Musk's Neuralink [Tarek]
- 00:31:56 - Douglas Hofstadter strange loop and generative grammar [Ryan]
- 00:34:25 - Peter Singer's "Drowning Child" Thought Experiment [The_platypus_king]
- 00:42:31 - Steven Pinker
- 00:43:48 - Yuval Harari's Sapiens and the origin of language as introspective [Brez]
- 00:49:50 - Piraha language and Daniel Everett [Mahendra Varma]
- 00:54:40 - Karl Friston's free energy principle [MediocreBat2]
- 00:55:03 - What does Chomsky get awestruck by? [Mai April]
- 01:03:58 - Žižek / Hegel / Heidegger [Zowhat]
- 01:06:23 - What mysteries would Chomsky want solved? [Mai April]
- 01:11:44 - Open AI and GPT-3
- 01:12:22 - Do you fear death? [Wil-Waal]
- 01:12:40 - How to be more like Chomsky? [Overboi1]
SPONSORS:
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44
- Discord Invite Code: dmGgQ2dRzS
- Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
RESOURCES:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6MU5zQwtT4
- Iain McGilchrist's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLo0Zwe579g
- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:02:17 - Iain McGilchrist: Language without thought?
- 00:06:54 - Stuart Hameroff: X bar structure in microtubules
- 00:11:16 - Roger Penrose's Emperor's New Mind
- 00:11:59 - Veno Volenec: Derivational Theory of Complexity and Generative Grammar
- 00:20:02 - Existentialism and Kierkegaard [John Clever]
- 00:21:00 - Sam Harris and Islam [Naman Jain]
- 00:21:54 - Terrance McKenna and Stoned Ape Theory (psychedelics aiding language development / evolution)
- 00:22:58 - Group Selection [Slaventhefourth]
- 00:23:32 - Cryptocurrencies and decentralizing money [ThrowingSn0w]
- 00:31:35 - Elon Musk's Neuralink [Tarek]
- 00:31:56 - Douglas Hofstadter strange loop and generative grammar [Ryan]
- 00:34:25 - Peter Singer's "Drowning Child" Thought Experiment [The_platypus_king]
- 00:42:31 - Steven Pinker
- 00:43:48 - Yuval Harari's Sapiens and the origin of language as introspective [Brez]
- 00:49:50 - Piraha language and Daniel Everett [Mahendra Varma]
- 00:54:40 - Karl Friston's free energy principle [MediocreBat2]
- 00:55:03 - What does Chomsky get awestruck by? [Mai April]
- 01:03:58 - Žižek / Hegel / Heidegger [Zowhat]
- 01:06:23 - What mysteries would Chomsky want solved? [Mai April]
- 01:11:44 - Open AI and GPT-3
- 01:12:22 - Do you fear death? [Wil-Waal]
- 01:12:40 - How to be more like Chomsky? [Overboi1]
SPONSORS:
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Id3k7k7mfzahfx2fjqmw3vufb44
- Discord Invite Code: dmGgQ2dRzS
- Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
RESOURCES:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6MU5zQwtT4
- Iain McGilchrist's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLo0Zwe579g
- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com
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