In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, Stewart Alsop hosts David Weinstein, former Chief of Staff at the Near Foundation. They cover a range of topics including the Near Protocol and its scalability, the intersection of AI and crypto, the importance of propositional truth, and the future of learning with AI. David shares insights on the limitations of technology in solving existential problems and explores ideas for a new kind of Wisdom School that focuses on holistic education and collective intelligence. Find out more about David Weinstein on Twitter at @DW_Stein and his Substack at davidweinstein.substack.com.

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Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and welcome to David Weinstein, former chief of staff at the Near Foundation, discussing topics like Near Protocol and Wisdom School.

05:00 - Explanation of the Near Protocol, its launch in 2020, and its role as a scalable layer-one blockchain.

10:00 - Discussion on Near Protocol's relationship with AI, mentioning co-founder Ilya's background and work on the "Attention Is All You Need" paper.

15:00 - Exploration of AI and crypto, their intersection, and the concerns about the power of AI being centralized.

20:00 - Propositional truth and the role of crypto in data provenance, touching on John Vervaeke's concepts.

25:00 - AI's limitations in solving existential problems and technology's role in addressing surface-level issues rather than root causes.

30:00 - Discussion on holding multiple truths and the importance of paradox, with references to Ian McGilchrist's work on the Master and His Emissary.

35:00 - Quantum mechanics and its implications, comparing it to classical physics, and the influence of the unconscious on the conscious mind.

40:00 - Speculation on the future of books and learning with AI, including the possibility of interactive, conversational learning experiences.

45:00 - Discussion on the potential fracturing of the human species into new tribes based on technological and spiritual integration.

50:00 - The role of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in creating a permissionless, decentralized truth and value layer.

55:00 - David's vision for a Wisdom School, emphasizing more accessible and practical education, collective intelligence, and new governance models using crypto.

Key Insights

1-Near Protocol's Scalability and Innovation: David Weinstein explains how Near Protocol was designed to address scalability issues seen in other blockchain protocols, such as Ethereum. By incorporating the best features from various existing protocols, Near aims to provide a more efficient and unified user experience, where complexities are abstracted away, making blockchain technology more accessible to end users.

2-AI and Crypto Synergy: The discussion highlights the synergy between AI and crypto, particularly through the lens of Near Protocol's origins in AI. David underscores how AI's need for high-quality data and micropayments led to the creation of Near Protocol, and he envisions a future where AI and crypto together ensure data integrity and democratize access to advanced technologies.

3-Decentralization as a Check on Power: One of the key themes is the role of decentralization in maintaining checks and balances on the immense power of AI. David argues that crypto, through its decentralized nature, can prevent the concentration of power within closed institutions, ensuring a more open and equitable technological landscape.

4-The Limits of Propositional Truth in Technology: Stewart Alsop III and David discuss the concept of propositional truth, as highlighted by John Vervaeke, and how crypto can aid in establishing verifiable truths. However, they also recognize the limitations of technology in addressing deeper, existential truths and human experiences that go beyond mere data and computation.

5-The Role of Paradox and Struggle: The conversation delves into the importance of paradox and struggle in human life. Drawing from Ian McGilchrist's work, David emphasizes that while technology can solve surface-level problems, it is the existential challenges and paradoxes that drive human growth and fulfillment, suggesting that these aspects should not be overlooked in the pursuit of technological advancement.

6-Future of Learning with AI: Both Stewart and David explore how AI could revolutionize learning by creating more interactive and personalized educational experiences. They envision a future where learners can engage in bi-directional conversations with AI representations of authors and thinkers, making education more dynamic and tailored to individual curiosity and needs.

7-Emerging Cultural and Technological Paradigms: The discussion touches on the potential for humanity to fracture into new cultural and technological paradigms. With the rise of distinct memetic tribes and advancements in AI and genetic technologies, Stewart and David foresee a future where diverse human experiences and ways of knowing lead to a more complex and multifaceted societal evolution.

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