FreakTakes

A FreakTakes interview with Jano Costard, Head of Challenges at SPRIN-D — known to some as “a German ARPA.” The interview will give listeners a peak inside the SPRIN-D experiment, from the perspective of one of its leaders.

Ilan Gur, CEO of the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) and a metascience enthusiast, dives deep into the groundbreaking mission of ARIA. He discusses innovative funding models that foster independent research, aligning incentives with impactful advancements. The conversation explores the intersection of science and entrepreneurial spirit through historical figures like Edison and Curie. Gur highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and the challenges of merging academic research with market needs.

Chuck Thorpe, President of Clarkson University and a key figure in Carnegie Mellon’s autonomous vehicle research, shares insights into the university's groundbreaking work. He discusses the early days of autonomous vehicles, including CMU’s remarkable 1995 cross-country drive with minimal human intervention. Thorpe details the collaborative spirit that transformed CMU into a robotics powerhouse, highlighting innovative strategies in mentorship and project management. He emphasizes the importance of autonomy in research, fostering partnerships that advance technology, especially with DARPA.

Many have strong opinions on Thomas Edison. From great inventor to great fraud, the opinions run the gamut. But few truly understand what life was like in Edison's lab, how he viewed himself, and what his goals really were. This episode recounts tales from the icon's one true place of comfort: his lab. My writing: freaktakes.substack.com My Twitter: https://twitter.com/eric_is_weird