

Riskgaming
Lux Capital
A podcast by venture capital firm Lux Capital on the opportunities and risks of science, technology, finance and the human condition. Hosted by Danny Crichton from our New York City studios.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2024 • 23min
The Orthogonal Bet: The Quest to Build the Fruitful Web
Laurel Schwulst is a versatile designer, artist, educator, and technologist passionate about the intersection of humanity and technology. She shares her journey from a 90s upbringing shaped by digital curiosity to advocating for 'HTML Energy.' Topics include using web development for personal expression, the celebration of HTML Day, and the vision of reimagining the internet as a public good. Laurel emphasizes creating a more educational and mindful web that fosters community and enhances human connection.

Aug 15, 2024 • 39min
Industrial literacy and the fate of American progress
In the discussion, Jason Crawford highlights the rise of inflation and the demand for better social services in America. He delves into the concept of industrial literacy, arguing it’s essential for understanding and fostering prosperity. The conversation emphasizes the role of education in teaching innovation’s history to inspire future generations. They also explore the challenges of policy and technology in navigating progress. Throughout, there's a call for a balance between technological advancement and human welfare.

6 snips
Aug 9, 2024 • 36min
The Orthogonal Bet: : The Art of Cultivating Curiosity
Eliot Peper, a science fiction novelist known for his captivating tales of the near future, dives into the intriguing world of semiconductors. He discusses the unique manufacturing processes and their geopolitical implications. Eliot shares insights on cultivating curiosity, outlining practical tips to explore diverse interests and engage with new perspectives. The conversation also highlights the transformative power of curiosity in storytelling, emphasizing how it can enhance our understanding of complex subjects through active engagement.

Aug 8, 2024 • 34min
Why engineers are using chaos to make computers more resilient
Delve into the lessons learned from a catastrophic IT incident that exposed the fragility of global systems. Discover how chaos engineering is reshaping resilience in coding and the importance of reliability in product design. Experts discuss the interconnectedness of our digital infrastructure and the complexities it presents. Uncover the evolution of engineering practices as technology grows more intricate. Finally, explore the innovative world of fuzzy processors and their potential to solve real-world challenges.

Aug 2, 2024 • 46min
The Orthogonal Bet: Building a Fractal Combinatorial Trope Machine
Hilary Mason, co-founder and CEO of Hidden Door, shares her extensive expertise in interactive storytelling and machine learning. She discusses the innovation behind merging technology and narrative, emphasizing the importance of player choice and AI's thoughtful integration into gaming experiences. Hilary also explores the creation of a storytelling engine that marries human creativity with AI support. Lastly, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities startups face compared to corporations in harnessing AI technology, advocating for a more deliberate approach to development.

Jul 31, 2024 • 46min
How many trillions in damage would an invasion of Taiwan cost global GDP?
The discussion dives into the staggering potential economic fallout from a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, estimating losses could reach $10 trillion globally. The conversation highlights Taiwan's crucial role in semiconductor supply chains, emphasizing its significance for major economies. It also delves into the complexities of geopolitical tensions, possible sanctions, and intriguing contrasts between South Korea and Taiwan's economic paths. Insights reveal unexpected findings on how interconnected global markets would react to escalating conflicts.

Jul 26, 2024 • 36min
The Orthogonal Bet: Using Computational Biology to Understand How the Brain Works
Host Samuel Arbesman interviews Amy Kuceyeski, a mathematician and biologist from Cornell University. They discuss her groundbreaking research on the human brain, using AI to understand brain processes, and potential applications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Amy's work explores brain responses to images, compares artificial and biological networks, and delves into the challenges of securing funding for high-risk research projects.

Jul 24, 2024 • 21min
Evolved Technology: Why technology is counter-intuitively pushing us back to natural products in pharma development
Explore the shift from synthetic to natural products in pharmaceutical development, showcasing how nature's evolution outshines man-made compounds. Discover the influence of artificial intelligence in decoding life for medicinal benefits and the paradox of natural products surpassing synthetics in efficacy. Dive into the use of genomics, metabolomics, and machine learning in uncovering the therapeutic potential of natural products for cancer treatment.

Jul 19, 2024 • 10min
The Orthogonal Bet: What the Microsoft Outage Reveals
Delve into the recent CrowdStrike/Microsoft outage through the lens of complexity science. Explore the vulnerability of complex systems to targeted attacks. Learn from system failures and navigate technological complexity to prevent future crises.

Jul 19, 2024 • 33min
The Orthogonal Bet: The Quest to Find the Poetic Web
Curator Kristoffer Tjalve discusses celebrating the 'quiet, odd, and poetic web.' Explore artistic experiments online, intentional navigation, building diverse communities, and the influence of tech on creativity.