Robert Wright's Nonzero

Dan Faggella, founder of Emerj AI Research and host of The Trajectory podcast, dives deep into AI succession and its moral implications. He shares how his background in positive psychology led him to explore AI's future. The discussion touches on the traits of a worthy successor, emphasizing the importance of sentience and value creation. They also explore various succession scenarios, debating whether AI will prioritize human well-being in the long term. Dan warns against the risks of unworthy successors and advocates for proactive stewardship of AI's development.

Dive into the origins of podcasting with insights from pioneers in the field. Explore the impact of AI on content creation, including humanless podcasts and how algorithms influence audience behavior. The discussion transitions to the evolution of sports, tackling issues like new betting risks and changes in rules. The duo also examines the challenges of maintaining a non-tribal brand in a polarized media landscape, along with the future of news models in our decentralized world.

Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist and author known for his work on moral psychology, joins Robert Wright to explore the Minneapolis shooting's implications. They dive into how differing perspectives color interpretations of the incident. The duo discusses the behavior of protesters, police reactions, and the questions raised by video evidence. They also challenge political narratives surrounding figures like Trump and J.D. Vance, debunking the notion of consistent ideological beliefs. Bloom even touches on the controversial tactics of ICE and the complex psychology behind self-interest.

Cameron Berg, a research director at AE Studio specializing in AI alignment, delves into the complexities of AI consciousness. He and Robert Wright discuss why consciousness remains a challenging problem, the ethical implications of AI subjectivity, and whether consciousness requires a carbon-based substrate. They also tackle the trustworthiness of AI self-reports, highlighting the need for cautious policies surrounding AI development. Cameron shares innovative experiments that explore self-referential processing in AI, making a case for further investigations into AI's subjective experience.

Joel Achenbach, a veteran journalist and author known for his in-depth reporting on science and space, shares insights on NASA's evolving landscape. He discusses the implications of Jared Isaacman's confirmation as NASA chief and the challenges of prioritizing human spaceflight over scientific missions. The duo reflects on the lag in human space expansion compared to robotic achievements, the reimagining of lunar missions, and the pivotal role of companies like SpaceX. Achenbach also tackles the skepticism surrounding UFO claims and the cultural myths that persist.

Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist and author, joins Robert Wright for a thoughtful discussion. They reflect on notable 2025 figures lost, including Jane Goodall. The duo explores how the algorithmically guided age has shifted daily cognition and work dynamics. They dive into the political ramifications of global poverty reduction, the risks of AI, and the potential chaos of future governance. Bloom critiques the rise of eccentric influencers in media, while both share predictions for a transformative yet uncertain future.

Nikita Petrov, a member of the Non-Zero team and author of the Psychopolitica newsletter, joins Robert Wright for an intriguing discussion. They explore how the COVID pandemic marked the beginning of a strange era filled with uncertainty. Nikita likens the internet to an alien intelligence, reshaping our realities. They debate the implications of AI as a looming threat and its impact on music industry dynamics, especially for artists in repressive environments like Russia. The conversation delves deep into the importance of global cooperation in this rapidly evolving landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Andrew Day, a senior editor at The American Conservative, and Connor Echols, a reporter at Responsible Statecraft, analyze the complexities of Trump’s foreign policy. They dive into U.S. strategies in Venezuela and Ukraine, highlighting power dynamics and the influence of hawkish advisors. The guests also debate Trump's approach to Israel, China's policies, and the impact of technology on modern warfare, like drones. Their insights reveal a world navigating the unpredictable landscape shaped by Trump's ideologies.

In this conversation, psychologist Paul Bloom delves into the troubling behavior of figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. He argues Musk's tweets amplify xenophobia, questioning if his actions stem from ignorance or trolling. Bloom also analyzes Trump's bizarre responses to public tragedies, highlighting the dangers of unchallenged rhetoric in modern media. The dynamic shifts to Nick Fuentes, where Bloom contrasts his messaging with other controversial figures and critiques Piers Morgan's interview style for failing to challenge deceptive narratives.

Derek Davison, co-host of the American Prestige podcast and foreign policy commentator, teams up with Daniel Bessner, an academic and geopolitical expert, to dissect Trump's foreign policy chaos. They explore the incoherence surrounding Trump's actions, like the Venezuelan tanker seizure, and the intellectual deficiencies in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation also touches on the shallow debates over Chinese chip restrictions, the risks of AI dominance, and the need for a pragmatic approach to relations with China.