The Meaning Code

Glen and Karen discuss how language and computation are tied together, that multiple languages can be used to create a symphony of choices to express something logically and emotionally. Links follow timestamps. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:40 The halting problem, Joscha Bach on Godel’s incompleteness theorem, and the connection between language and computation. 04:24 “There is no deeper notion of truth than proof.” Joscha Bach Patterns 06:20 “There. Is a covenant between Truth and Language.” 15:33 Euclid’s fifth postulate is not decidable Decidability and the equivalence of the halting problem to other problems. Wolfram’s computational irreducibility Rule 110 in cellular automata. 22:30 The concept of computation relates to heuristic rule sets. Computation as a physical process that can be based on formal languages or logic, probabilities, or heuristic rule sets. Example: a recipe. 26:00 Computation is a sequence of choices guided by a set of rules. Undecidability. Computational Systems 39:26 Language, an alphabet of symbols, Russell's Paradox, Incompleteness Theorem, a project to reduce mathematics to a formal system, doomed to failure with Kurt Godel's Incompleteness Theorem. Russell and Whitehead left mathematics and became philosophers. Glen also explains the Barber Paradox, which is related to Russell's Paradox, and how it can be solved by adding new rules. 45:46 The concept of truth relates to language. Glen suggests that truth can be determined by stepping outside of the system and asking questions, Language is a key factor in our ability to ask questions and understand truth. Truth is not just a statement about math and formal systems, but also about people and their ability to ask questions. 56:25 The problem with a lock is that it needs an outside agent. Computation is a group phenomena. Can’t analyze a computational system in isolation. Exploring the Relationship Between Computation, Consciousness, and Agency Alignment of AI/LLM to humans1:07:09 Archetypes are a proof in a non-formal language, a story with a punch line. The Relationship Between Language, Computation, and Truth. Truth can be found in both formal and non-formal languages. The concept of alignment, and how large language models can be hacked by flooding the learning set with false statements. 1:16:50 A symphony of choices. Exploring the Possibility of Creating a Symphony of languages to express emotional joy. Could this be used to solve the alignment problem in Artificial Intelligence?Interact with Glen on Twitter, @wildiris Up and Atom on The Halting Problem: https://youtu.be/t37GQgUPa6k The three body problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-body_problem#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20general%20closed,repeating%2C%20except%20in%20special%20cases Undecidability, Part I: https://youtu.be/nsZsd5qtbo4 Part 2: https://youtu.be/FK3kifY-geM Part 3: https://youtu.be/lLWnd6-vSGo Joscha Bach on TOE, start at 58:03: https://youtu.be/bhSlYfVtgww Michael Levin, Richard Watson, Mark Solms, 30:00 to 50:00 https://youtu.be/gjArtj5PIU8

Lucas Van Os joins to tell us about the differences between Austrian Economics and Keynesianism, as well as a journey into the world of bitcoin, and how this all lines up with a life of personal responsibility and the freedom to do what's best. Videos and books mentioned: The Dao of Capital by Mark Spitznagel Human Action by Ludwig von Mises Metaphysics of Quality, Maps of Meaning and Austrian Economics: https://youtu.be/B-fviFKFsw4 Money and Reality: The Natural Order of Money w Ira and Brad https://youtu.be/Uwsz4q4Ufk4 Robert Breedlove and Mike Hill series on Metaphysics of Quality: https://youtu.be/pEgpNGfS6XM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuBqB1FCPCs&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwU1zilQagA&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqO3KIq9LYc&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/@drmichaellevin Levin, Watson, Fields: Harmonics and Resonance https://youtu.be/RkkqQF_ulYo Levin, Watson, Solms: https://youtu.be/pMTuWL2vDoY Levin, McGilchrist, Watson #4 https://youtu.be/nWgzWYt5c88 Levin, McGilchrist, Watson #3 https://youtu.be/jdrfx7Z5oo4 Levin, McGilchrist, Watson #2 https://youtu.be/fgnQBD0CjMo Levin, McGilchrist, Watson #1 https://youtu.be/ynHfrfpTH18

Chad the Alcoholic tells his story and we discuss his unexpected homecoming. The mask is to adhere to the "11th tradition" of Alcoholics Anonymous, to protect him from his own ego, and to protect AA from his ego.Paul Vander Klay speaks of Chad here: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxIRyw_wg-PyZ3Biegxx6b69ZuvIABLJuW Chad's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefridaymorningnameless7623 The basic tenets of AA - Seek God and Help Others. If one helps another, sobriety is possible. Receive help, then give help. The dilemma: the choice between two undesirable options, alcoholic suffering? or seek spiritual help? Why do some choose life, and some don't? We feel powerless, looking for something to connect us to the world, to feel like a person. Addiction is a misdirected use of power, a spiritual malady, a separation between me and my fellows. Alcohol is one of the options to fill that hole, but leads to despair for alcoholics. Misery, deliverance, gratitude. The alcoholic sees a need for help (a recognition of misery) , seeks God (deliverance) and then helps others (out of gratitude).

Justin Wells, maker of documentaries, adjunct professor teaching documentaries, YouTuber analyzing story and narrative, daily winner of Twitter (@onejwells) Justin's Morning Coffee, 7 Basic Plots on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@justinsmorningcoffee Intro to This Little Corner with Justin Wells and Grim Griz https://youtu.be/ivl_SlzbeW8

Chad comes to John with a very specific question. Seeing the way institutions fail when they are lacking or when they have discarded their natural constraints. The dangers of transplantation, transference, loss of tradition, monetization, radical simplification or coercive ordering of complexity. What can we in This Little Corner do to prevent these dangers and to improve our ability to dance the ineffable freedom of jazz and the "snarky puppy": https://youtu.be/L_XJ_s5IsQc Earlier conversation with Chad's story, including the story behind the mask: https://youtu.be/4XdgA1PZO48

Ted Stiritz introduces the work of Daniel Toma, a new framework within which to understand developmental biology. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 4:05 The flat ontology of materiality 12:55 Introduction and Overview of Daniel Toma's Ideas 22:15 The tadpole wrong face "knows" how to develop into a proper frog face 24:00 Ted Stiritz discusses his background and interest in regenerative agriculture and earthworks. 29:07 Developmental biology is amazing 34:22 Material cause and formal cause The Impact of Human Ideas and Values on Landscape 49:50 The entire hierarchy of the living is about self giving 50:49 Discussion on Creation and Redemption in Art and Construction The Redemptive Process of Intelligence and the Nonlinear Development of Organisms The Influence of Environment on Development Daniel Toma's Hierarchy of Being and the Gift of Life The Importance of Understanding the Formal and Final Cause of Cells Discussion on Toma's idea of the relationship between common human experience and the scientific endeavor. 1:03:25 Dr. William Beaumont's Experiments on Digestion Toma's Arguments on Geometric Knowledge and Immortality of Intellect Discussion on the Whole Being Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Kyle McNease, Nate Hile (A Grail Country) and Luke Thompson join Karen for a discussion of That Hideous Strength and The Abolition of Man, two books by C. S. Lewis that speak to our current moment. The lecture by C. S. Lewis that was mentioned regarding punishment or remediation: https://youtu.be/xP4_dVs_Ks4 timestamps 00:00 Intro and Directions for the conversation 08:35 The Cosmology of That Hideous Strength 16:00 The roadblocks that inculcate you into "the club" 23:50 Unity and Diversity 31:58 Virtue terrorism 38:10 What to do about it? 44:00 NICE's sorceress approach 51:30 Venus in her proper mode 1:00:50 Beckoning back to Babel, the power channeled through Merlin 1:15:00 C S Lewis' experiences from WWI and WWII incorporated 1:24:00 We're all cyborgs now anyway 1:30:55 What true knowledge really is 1:41:20 Siloed thinking

Tayo, from the UK, had the opportunity to attend the Quest for a Spiritual Home conference in Chino last month. Finding a family in the community that makes up this corner of the internet, Tayo is especially thankful for Estuary groups and the commitment of friendship within the groups. See Timestamps below for topics covered. Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Tayo's life story 16:00 How Tayo found the corner 19:30 Finding a church 24:00 Talking about Estuary 33:45 Speaker's Corner 38:00 The experience of the Estuary at Chino, the "as if" feeling, the assumption of trust 45:00 John Vervaeke and his 4 P's of knowing 49:30 Another conception of Estuary. Its telos is friendship and the freedom to play. Is there an "out of bounds"? 52:00 Tayo's description of The Meaning Code channel as a place for scientists to "play" with ideas. 55:50 A discussion of a previous conversation with Justin Wells, art and narrative structure 1:02:05 The Meaning Code builds a bridge to bring new ideas into the corner 1:04:00 Getting corn plants to generate their own nitrogen 1:07:00 Tayo's illustration of John Vervaeke's emanation/emergence dance! 1:11:00 The autodidact space 1:13:00 N. T. Wright's role in Tayo's journey 1:27:30 Seeing demotion as an opportunity, the frame of gratitude and humility 1:31:45 God has got His reasons A link to the Justin Wells conversation that Tayo mentions enjoying so much: Documentaries with Justin Wells: Looking Down to Look Up: https://youtu.be/XqOhjRS072Y

Lucas Vos was introduced to Karen Wong's channel through his brother and was interested in her conversations with Wolfgang Smith and John Vervaeke. He was born in 2001 and grew up in a rural area in the Netherlands with a Protestant church-going family. Not interested in church, drinking and partying in high school drove him to ask how his parents still offered unconditional love. His own desire to better himself led him to the self-help section of Youtube, which eventually led him to Jordan Peterson. Links below timestamps: Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:15 Lucas details his journey from rebellion to faith, his interest in history, philosophy and Eastern and Christian worldviews. 12:25 Exploring the Impact of Self-Help and Psychedelic Experiences on Faith 12:35 Self-help as a gateway to Jordan Peterson 16:20 Psychedelics and Christianity 24:58 The asymptote 28:00 The impact of Participatory Practices, Ayahuasca and John Vervaeke 34:20 The power of having a grounded tradition instead of just a spiritual experience 39:00 The benefits of boundaries and commitment in relationships 50:18 The journey toward marriage 53:20 Egyptology - Joe Rogan and Graham Hancock, Immanuel Velikovsky, war in the heavens and a worldwide flood 1:01:47 The Relationship between Jesus, the Bible, and the Truth, the Way, and the Life. Truth found in Chinese characters and artifacts in other languages and cultures.1:07:00 Discussion of Monotheism and Polytheism in Ancient Egypt 1:12:26 Lucas asks Karen about how she became a Christian (conspiracy theories and fear v. Faith and peace) 1:26:10 Transforming through faith 1:28:06 Introducing Lucas’ new YouTube channel on meaning and metaphysics. If you have an idea for a title, drop it in the comments:-) Karen's talks with Paul VanderKlay, a good introduction to The Meaning Code channel. Art, Chaos, Information, Jesus is the Axis: https://youtu.be/HlMgGkwWUNY From Hippie Prepper to Christian Artist: https://youtu.be/ZC03aNsPHOQ Immanuel Velikovsky - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Velikovsky&crid=21KJX4MQQK5Z4&sprefix=velikovsky%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Links from Lucas: His Ayahuasca experience: https://youtu.be/oGW8piXqFao Lucas' channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Lucasvoz The song we talked about, In the Valley, He Restoreth My Soul - various versions This one because the comments below the video are awesome: https://youtu.be/TunsbrLBxiA This one is fresh and young:-). https://youtu.be/WXJvNfoxskU Including this one because the lyrics and many wonderful verses are in the description section below the video: https://youtu.be/r_a014JObkI And for those who prefer a male voice: https://youtu.be/LL90MDww5Ew The vertical and horizontal discussed on The Meaning Code with Jeremy Firth: Jeremy on Structure and Flexibility, The Two Great Commandments: https://youtu.be/6IfWU3zQRjI

Jump to 3:20. If you want the intro of my guests, start at the beginning. Episode is also on YouTubeDr. Michael Levin, developmental biologist and pioneer in the area of morphogenesis and regenerative possibilities meets with Matthew Segall, a philosopher who sees Alfred North Whitehead's cosmology as a way forward in healing the rift between philosophy and science. They discuss the role of behavior, environment, time and necessity in shaping life. Timestamps and links follow description. The relationship between philosophy and science is tied together now by the work in developmental biology. Advances in science can help to sharpen philosophical categories. Plato's static view of forms and Aristotle's great chain of being need to be revolutionized to account for the emergence of forms in evolutionary history. Mechanistic science has been successful in terms of instrumental knowledge, but has left out formal and final causes. Whitehead's view of evolution as an accumulation of facts in the past and a field of possible forms in the future was discussed, as well as the agency that is needed to search this field of possibilities. Perhaps the environment is massively underdetermined, but pattern memory can be visualized and rewritten. Finally, Levin posited that "proof of humanity" must be related to the level of compassion, ability and existential struggles that humans have. Timestamps are from YouTube video and will be off by 15 seconds.Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:20 Question regarding Michael Levin's view of the relationship of philosophy and science. 06:15 Developmental biology is the key to looking at the relationship between philosophy and science. 22:30 Whitehead's injunction to take self-organization seriously 28:30 Free energy principle and the agency of the environment 28:50 The environment is massively under-determined 32:45 Engineering protocols. What do I need to know in that spacetime environment to most optimally relate to that system? 33:45 How Whitehead might relate to the idea of cognitive light cones 47:55 Anomaly 51:30 Determinism is a side effect of the deistic hangover of Newton and Descartes The Observer is within the world being observed, and has an impact on it. 55:40 Mechanistic cosmology is deism, basically. We need a new metaphysic. 58:30 We are more than just perceiving beings 1:01:45 Every cell is trying to behavior shape its neighbors 1:11:00 The Logos as ordering principle 1:13:20 Ingression of relevant novelty The relationship between perception, agency, and intelligence as collective efforts. 1:16:10 Does the prompting of the oak tree leaf presuppose that the subroutine that creates the gall is already present in the leaf? 1:20:00 When a salamander regrows a limb, is that a memory capacity? 1:22:50 Energetic transmission is a kind of vector feeling (Whitehead) What is the Place of Thinking, Feeling, and Willing in Nature? 1:23:50 The project is the sentience of physics and the physics of sentience 1:24:34 The distinction between control and relationship The Paradigms of Control v. Relationship The Spectrum of Persuadability Levels of Controllability 1:28:50 Ethical considerations and the movement from force to persuasion Michael Levin's website: https://allencenter.tufts.edu Matthew Segall's website: https://footnotes2plato.com Books by Matthew Segall: https://footnotes2plato.com/books/ Michael Levin's TAME paper (scroll down for Figure 1): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.768201/full