Made You Think

Explore the concept of ooziness in technology and the fear it instills, challenges in preserving knowledge over time, humans' fear of uncertainty, and the evolution of trust in changing landscapes. Delve into 'ousification' in government structures and the potential loss of technical knowledge over time.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the emotionally impactful novel 'Flowers for Algernon', exploring themes of intelligence and loneliness. They also touch on topics such as the treatment of disabled individuals, the relationship between intelligence and happiness, and the influence of social norms. Additionally, they discuss hardware innovation, the potential of AI in the energy sector, and the challenges of achieving early success. They also share their plans for future episodes and express excitement about upcoming readings.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the book 'Straw Dogs' and its arguments on human progress, technology, and morality. They explore connections to Taoism, debate individualistic vs. collectivistic thinking, and question the idea of humans being special. The chapter also touches on rogue AI, critiquing John Gray's book, and the role of religion and personal responsibility in society.

This episode of Made You Think explores the concept of Quality and its relationship to work, overcoming gumption traps, and the value of hands-on experience. It delves into the narrative and philosophy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, as well as discussing the importance of the journey over the destination. The hosts also touch on the limitations of technology in defining quality and the benefits of starting with one thing at a time in project or writing tasks.

Get ready to expand your mind and question the fabric of the world around us in this episode of Made You Think! From the building blocks of civilization to the impact of glyphosate on the food industry, the speakers touch on a wide range of topics including advancements in hardware and renewable energy, starting a small farm, young activists, dominant crypto exchanges, and the crash of armed nuclear bombs in North Carolina. The chapter also explores the concepts of extreme competence and incompetence while recommending chapters from the books 'Crypto Confidential' and 'Where's My Flying Car?'

In this episode, the hosts discuss the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, exploring meditation, telepathy, and the essence of a peaceful death. They delve into the role of the ego in spiritual practices, reincarnation, and the continuous nature of consciousness. The podcast also covers the sacredness of birth and dying, as well as reflections on knowledge, social media, and death. The speakers explore the mind-body relationship in Alzheimer's and extraordinary experiences mentioned in the book.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! In this episode, we're diving into Novacene by James Lovelock, a book which challenges the very essence of human intelligence. Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation that delves into the realms of evolution, deep oceans, and the enigmatic dance between humanity and artificial intelligence. We cover a wide range of topics including: Gaia hypothesis and its connections to the book Intelligence beyond the human-centric view How the evolution of organisms has affected global temperatures The uncovered mysteries of the deep ocean Will AI be a friend or foe to humans? And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: Gaia hypothesis (1:53) Tesla Bot (23:52) Stealth (25:05) Cruise (27:26) Waymo (27:26) Arrival (35:54) Bees playing soccer (39:32) Brilliant Earth (49:01) They Did The Math (49:42) Dark Forest theory (55:16) Rooted Local (1:02:16) Books Mentioned: The Three-Body Problem (0:03) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes) Homo Deus (0:46) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes) Breath (13:35) (Nat's Book Notes) Deep (13:37) The Hidden Life of Trees (19:14) Permutation City (21:12) (Book Episode) Where Is My Flying Car? (22:35) (Book Episode)  Antifragile (36:24) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes) The Fighter’s Mind (37:41) (Nat's Book Notes) People Mentioned: James Lovelock (1:54) James Nestor (13:36) Nassim Taleb (36:24) Show Topics: (1:46) Buckle up for this episode as we discuss Novacene, authored by the originator of the Gaia Theory, James Lovelock. The book probes into humanity's role in the world and speculates on a future where machines might supersede us. (4:34) Lovelock wrote this book with the help of his assistant when he was 99 years old. We talk about what exactly the Gaia Theory is and the end of the age of Anthropocene. (9:50) We go deeper into sharing our thoughts on the Gaia Theory and how the evolution of organisms have affected the regulation of the global temperature.  (13:10) How much do we actually know about the deepest parts of the ocean? Plus, learn about the author’s involvement with designing instruments for NASA. (16:40) Nat, Neil, and Adil make connections from Novacene to The Three-Body Problem. Historically, we've looked for life on other planets the way we would measure life on earth, but are extraterrestrial species carbon-based like we are? (19:04) Our idea of time here on Earth is based on our life and our own orbit around the sun, but another civilization could view time in a completely different way. (24:21) Addressing AI predictions, military applications, and the challenges of AI intervention, including experiences with self-driving cars. (32:08) Is our technology watching us?  (35:28) The limitations of language as an information interface and the intuitive nature of processing multiple inputs. Speaking, for example, is completely linear. However, when you have multiple inputs, you're able to be more intuitive. (39:18) We talk about exploring intelligence beyond the human-centric view, considering the collective intelligence of species like bees. (42:05) It’s powerful the progress that has been made with ChatGPT, but there still remains the question of whether or not it will be a linear process to AGI (artificial general intelligence).  (46:02) The intersection of crypto mining, Bitcoin, and futuristic energy societies, along with the possibility of harnessing CO2 for creation. (52:24) Earth is a rare, one-of-a-kind planet. How the universe had to align for habitability on earth, and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. (58:29) Would AI have the potential for parallel processing capabilities? (1:00:35) Nat and Neil share their final thoughts on Novacene and Lovelock's charming writing style. If you were intrigued by our discussions in this episode, make sure you pick up a copy! (1:01:59) That concludes this episode! Stay tuned for our next episode on the The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche.  If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by leaving a review on iTunes and tell a friend. As always, let us know if you have any book recommendations! You can say hi to us on Twitter @TheRealNeilS, @adilmajid, @nateliason and share your thoughts on this episode. You can now support Made You Think using the Value-for-Value feature of Podcasting 2.0. This means you can directly tip the co-hosts in BTC with minimal transaction fees. To get started, simply download a podcast app (like Fountain or Breez) that supports Value-for-Value and send some BTC to your in-app wallet. You can then use that to support shows who have opted-in, including Made You Think! We’ll be going with this direct support model moving forward, rather than ads. Thanks for listening. See you next time!

Discover the untold stories of Brazilian explorer Cândido Rondon and his expedition into the Amazon. Hear about Rondon's unique approach to exploration, the wildlife and plant life of the Amazon, and the challenges he faced. Explore the relationship between technology and human intelligence, the difficulties of expedition funding, and Rondon's passion for intellectual pursuits. Reflect on the sweet connection between Rondon and his wife through Morse code, reminisce about old technology, and discuss the impact of technological advancements on education and future generations.

The podcast covers the fascinating world of fighter pilots turned astronauts, the challenges they faced, and their impact on space exploration. It explores the evolution of the aerospace industry, the intense training regimens of astronauts, and the battle between NASA and the Air Force. The hosts discuss the changing criteria for astronauts, advancements in technology, the capabilities of the International Space Station, and the possibility of faster space travel. They also touch on breathing techniques for weight loss, the role of aquatic plants, astronaut lifespan, and moon landing conspiracies.

"Made You Think" explores The Upanishads, texts that explore Hindu teachings on reality and the self. Topics covered include interconnectedness, similarities to Plato, homelessness approaches in cities, rationalism vs. intuition, Twitter/X rebrand, and more.