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Doomed to discuss AI (Friends)

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Sep 8, 2023

Guest

Jon Evans

Join Jon Evans, an author, journalist, and software engineer, as he dives into the intriguing nexus of AI doom and science fiction. He discusses how classic Sci-Fi has influenced technology, like smartphones, and tackles the profound implications of AI on humanity. Reflecting on innovative methods like ultrasound drug delivery, he draws parallels between historical feats and modern advancements. The conversation weaves through philosophical questions about AI sentience and the evolving landscape of creativity, both human and machine.

01:23:15

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Frankenstein: First AI Doom?

The first sci-fi novel, Frankenstein, depicted AI doom.
The creature, a form of early AGI, worried characters due to its intelligence and potential to reproduce.

insights

INSIGHT

Ultrasound Drug Delivery

Ultrasound drug delivery allows targeted drug release.
Tiny bubbles containing drugs are injected, then popped with ultrasound at specific locations.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Ancient Pyramids

Pyramids were already ancient when Herodotus visited them.
Their age and scale highlight the impressive engineering of past civilizations.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Preserving Digital Legacies

01:52 • 14min

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Revolutionizing Drug Delivery with Ultrasound

16:07 • 7min

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Science Fiction's Influence on Technology and Imagination

23:27 • 1min

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Navigating the Software-Centric Universe

24:48 • 6min

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Science Fiction Meets Software Development

30:59 • 8min

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Navigating Reality: AI and Human Perspectives

38:53 • 11min

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Navigating the AI Evolution

50:09 • 20min

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Human vs. AI Creativity in Writing and Music

01:09:41 • 12min

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Exploring AI Sentience and Literary Hook

01:21:16 • 2min

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#47057

And Then She Vanished

Nick Jones

Joseph Bridgeman, haunted by his sister Amy's disappearance over twenty years ago, discovers he can time travel after visiting a hypnotherapist. He sets out to save Amy, but each attempt becomes more challenging as he struggles to master his new skill. With the help of Alexia Finch, Joseph embarks on a desperate race against time to solve the mystery of Amy's disappearance.

#47075

The Adolescence of P1

Greg Egan

#19996

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

True Names and Other Dangers

Other Dangers

Vernor Vinge

Vernor Vinge's "True Names and Other Dangers" is a collection of science fiction short stories exploring themes of technological singularity, artificial intelligence, and the nature of reality. The stories often feature advanced technologies and their impact on humanity, raising questions about the future of consciousness and the potential for technological transcendence. Vinge's work is characterized by its intellectual depth and exploration of complex philosophical ideas. His stories often blend hard science fiction with thought-provoking narratives, making them engaging for both science enthusiasts and fiction readers. The collection showcases Vinge's unique ability to weave intricate plots with profound philosophical undertones.

#10266

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Bobiverse Series

Dennis E. Taylor

The Bobiverse series begins with 'We Are Legion (We Are Bob)', where Bob Johansson is transformed into a digital consciousness and becomes a von Neumann probe exploring the universe. The series expands with 'For We Are Many', 'All These Worlds', and 'Heaven’s River', each delving into themes such as autonomy, morality, and the nature of consciousness. The series is known for its blend of adventure, exploration, and philosophical inquiry, with a lighthearted and humorous tone. The latest book in the series is 'Not Till We Are Lost', released in September 2024.

• Mentioned in 888 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.

#165

• Mentioned in 80 episodes

Snow Crash

Neal Stephenson

Published in 1992, 'Snow Crash' is a science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson that delves into a future where the United States has fragmented into corporate city-states and the internet has evolved into a virtual reality called the Metaverse. The story follows Hiro Protagonist, a pizza delivery driver and part-time hacker, and Y.T. , a teenage skateboard courier, as they navigate a complex world threatened by a mysterious computer virus and a powerful drug known as Snow Crash. The novel explores themes of history, linguistics, anthropology, and computer science, and is noted for its prescient vision of the metaverse and its influence on Silicon Valley innovators.

#169

• Mentioned in 79 episodes

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

#46314

Exadelic

Jon Evans

Author, journalist, travel writer & software engineer Jon Evans joins us to weigh in on the cultural history (and present-day sentiment) of AI doom. Along the way, we talk plausible Sci-Fi, ultrasound drug delivery, the maybe-evolving laws of physics & even weirder stuff.

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Featuring:

Jon Evans – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, X
Jerod Santo – GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Exadelic on Amazon
Inside GitHub’s Arctic Code Vault
A Study: Ancient Egyptians used sound waves in building pyramids
Extropia’s Children Redux - by Jon Evans
The Only Way to Deal With the Threat From AI? Shut It Down | Time
Nick Jones
Dennis E. Taylor

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