Robert Wright's Nonzero

Nathan Labenz, host of the Cognitive Revolution podcast and an AI entrepreneur affiliated with Waymark AI, shares his personal journey navigating his son's cancer diagnosis with the help of AI. He discusses the role of AI in identifying critical health issues and optimizing treatment plans. Topics include the balance of AI and doctor trust, utilizing multiple AI opinions for informed decisions, and AI's ability to provide expert insights across different domains. Nathan emphasizes the importance of using AI to empower patients, streamline medical consultations, and improve monitoring for better outcomes.

In this conversation, Russia analyst Nikita Petrov sheds light on the complexities of the Ukraine conflict while sharing insights from his Psychopolitica newsletter. They discuss Zelensky's grim address amidst U.S. pressure and whether recent peace talks are genuine. Petrov explains Russia’s economic resilience despite sanctions and highlights the stark differences in mobilization strategies. They question the West's portrayal of peace resistance and explore who truly holds decision-making power in this multifaceted conflict.

Historian Sam Tanenhaus, former editor of the New York Times Book Review, dives deep into his recent biography of the provocative William F. Buckley. They discuss Buckley's role in shaping conservative media and how his upbringing fueled a unique counterintellectual stance. Tanenhaus explores Buckley's complex views on race, his evolution regarding civil rights, and his deliberate provocations against elite academia. This insightful conversation reveals the contradictions that define Buckley's legacy in American culture.

Aryeh Cohen-Wade, host of Culturally Determined and a former contributor at BloggingHeads.tv, teams up with Robert Wright to explore the legacy of their groundbreaking platform. They discuss how BloggingHeads anticipated modern media trends and ponder Twitter's relevance for journalists today. Aryeh and Robert dive into the intricacies of Substack's subscription dynamics, the evolving landscape of podcasting and video production, and the importance of civil dialogue against the backdrop of viral content. Their insights chart a fascinating roadmap of online discourse.

Kaiser Kuo, a seasoned commentator on Chinese politics and culture, joins to discuss the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations. The conversation explores the history of American hawkishness towards China, particularly changes after the 2008 financial crisis. Kuo shares insights on Xi Jinping's leadership and the implications of a burgeoning China. He raises questions about the waning influence of hawkish rhetoric and how younger generations perceive China. They also delve into the complexities of domestic politics and international behavior, highlighting the shift in perspectives.

Join psychologist Paul Bloom, known for his thought-provoking works like Against Empathy, as he delves into the tangled web of Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to political figures like Steve Bannon and Trump. The conversation covers the implications of these ties on the MAGA movement and Trump's popularity. Bloom also passionately defends Larry Summers regarding his correspondence with Epstein, while they discuss broader themes of societal forgiveness, email privacy, and the evolution of podcast formats. It's a deep dive into morality and media in today's landscape!

Alex Komoroske, co-founder of Common Tools and former Google product leader, dives deep into the world of AI and tech aggregators. He highlights the limitations of chatbots, emphasizing that AI's potential extends far beyond them. The conversation explores the dangers of centralized AI and how it influences user behavior. Alex proposes a decentralized software distribution model to counteract these issues, advocating for a tech landscape that prioritizes user privacy and resonant experiences over hollow engagement.

Nikita Petrov, a writer and commentator on geopolitics and psychology, dives into the chaos of our times. He reflects on how COVID shifted our collective reality and the implications of ongoing conflicts like the Ukraine war. They explore the idea of 'inner emigration' as a coping mechanism during turmoil and discuss the rising trend of younger generations distancing from social media. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by deepfakes in media and how recent events have normalized conflict disruptions in our daily lives.

Shadi Hamid, a columnist for The Washington Post and author of "The Case for American Power," dives into American global leadership. He discusses how the Iraq War reshaped his views on intervention, advocating for the U.S. role in promoting democracy despite recent setbacks, like the Gaza situation. The debate on whether U.S. actions fostered a global democratic wave is compelling. Shadi also examines the moral stakes of military intervention and the implications of a dominant China versus American democracy.

Mickey Kaus, a sharp political commentator and writer, joins Robert Wright for an insightful discussion. They dive into the recent elections and what they mean for Trump, explore the complexities of healthcare reforms, and investigate the Epstein saga's ties to intelligence. Mickey also critiques the current state of the blogosphere and media dynamics, compares the AI hype to the dot-com bubble, and speculates on the 2028 presidential race. Their banter is punctuated with humor, making the serious topics more approachable.