The Jim Rutt Show

Jim talks with BJ Campbell about the ideas in his Substack essay "On Cops, Belief, and Chainsaw Faced Robot Dogs." They discuss forms of social control, absolute police states vs. belief states, the role of belief vs. actual enforcement in maintaining order, the noble lie concept & Plato's original formulation, the 2020 crime spike & "defund the police" movement, the history of police forces & alternative methods of maintaining order, the "God-shaped hole" concept, membranes & group coherence, anthropological research on fairness, non-supernatural belief systems, marketing challenges for new social systems, money as a noble lie & coordination signal, Saudi Arabian social control methods, and much more. Episode Transcript Handwaving Freakoutery (Substack) JRS Currents 090: BJ Campbell and Patrick Ryan on Egregores JRS Currents 024: BJ Campbell on the Woke Religion "On Cops, Belief, and Chainsaw Faced Robot Dogs," by BJ Campbell The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, by Daniel Dennett BJ Campbell is a licensed professional civil engineer and practicing hydrologist who consults in the land development and environmental industries. In addition to his Substack Handwaving Freakoutery, he writes for Open Source Defense, Quillette, and Recoil Magazine.

Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of The Constitution of Knowledge, dives into the pressing issue of the epistemic crisis. He discusses Plato's Theaetetus and how manipulation shapes our understanding of truth in politics. Rauch advocates for the Constitution of Knowledge to nurture a reality-based community, highlighting the significance of free speech for minority voices. He also examines the impacts of social media on misinformation and the necessity for structured debate to uphold truth in our polarized society.

In this conversation, Bob Levy, Chairman Emeritus of the Cato Institute and a legal expert, dives into the complexities of presidential power. They discuss the historical evolution of the pardon, raising questions about its abuse and the need for reform. The conversation highlights pivotal issues surrounding executive authority, including potential constitutional crises and the balance of power between the branches of government. Levy emphasizes the judicial role in guarding against overreach while addressing the implications of executive action on immigration and tariffs.

Josh Bernoff, an expert in business writing and the author of "Writing Without Bullshit," discusses the impact of AI on writing education. He critiques the notion that AI can replace teaching essential writing skills, arguing for the vital role of human insight and critical thinking. The conversation dives into the creativity and limitations of AI, the necessity of clear writing in corporate decision-making, and addresses the decline of writing skills among younger generations. Bernoff emphasizes that writing is not just a skill but a fundamental life tool.

Jordan Hall, Co-founder of the Neurohacker Collective, dives into the intricate ties between humanity and AI. He explores how community values can shape ethical technology use and critiques the separation of state and market roles in AI governance. Hall discusses the historical evolution of the commons, the rise of neo-feudalism, and the existential risks posed by AI concentration. He advocates for personal AIs that reflect individual values and emphasizes the need for cohesive societal values to foster genuine connections in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Brian Chau, a mathematician and software engineer, dives into the intricate relationship between AI and political administration. He discusses the recent repeal of a Biden executive order on diversity and the implications of the Trump administration's policies. Topics include the competitive landscape of AI models, particularly the Chinese model DeepSeek, and the importance of democratized access versus gatekeeping. Chau also critiques the current regulatory environment, exploring historical precedents and advocating for ethical AI development in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Tyson Yunkaporta, an academic and researcher from the Apalech Clan, shares insights from his latest book, exploring Indigenous knowledge systems and the significance of storytelling. He discusses the impact of 'Sand Talk' on societal views, the symbolic meanings of language within Indigenous cultures, and the importance of community in preserving sacred knowledge. Tyson elucidates the differences between Aboriginal law and lore, challenges concerning cultural appropriation, and the interplay between skepticism and spirituality in Indigenous practices.

In this episode, neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins, founder of Numenta and author of 'A Thousand Brains', teams up with Viviane Clay, director of the Thousand Brains Project and cognitive computing expert. They delve into the Thousand Brains Theory, examining the brain's cortical columns and their significance in sensory integration. The duo contrasts this with deep learning, emphasizing a new AI paradigm rooted in human-like learning. They also discuss the concept of affordances, curiosity in technology, and the transformative potential of their findings on our understanding of intelligence.

In this engaging discussion, Rob Henderson, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of 'Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class', shares his journey from foster care to elite academia. He dives into the concept of luxury beliefs—ideas that privilege the wealthy while impacting the less fortunate. Topics include the decline of two-parent families, intra-elite hypocrisy, and the societal ramifications of academic ideologies. Henderson also critiques how affluent opinions often disconnect from the struggles of marginalized communities, especially in food security and cultural narratives.

Samuel Scarpino, an expert in epidemiology and AI at Northeastern University, discusses the alarming spread of H5N1 in dairy cows and its public health implications. He delves into the virus's high fatality rates, unique transmission dynamics, and compares it to COVID-19. Scarpino highlights lessons learned from past pandemics, stressing the importance of surveillance and preparedness. Economic impacts are also examined, including rising dairy prices, and he offers strategic recommendations for immediate action to mitigate future risks.