The Orthogonal Bet

Tinkered Thinking is the pseudonym of the author behind White Mirror, a collection of stories that explore the implications of artificial intelligence and advances in computing—while offering a more optimistic lens than much of contemporary science fiction.In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Tinkered Thinking about the origins of these stories and his broader evolution as a writer, including his shift from a kind of Luddism toward a more forward-looking view of technological progress. Their conversation ranges across how we examine ideas about the future, societal blind spots around technology, the impact and importance of AI, concerns about AI doomers, and the kind of future he hopes we might create.

Alec Nevala-Lee, an author and historian of science, dives into the life of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Luis Alvarez. He explores Alvarez's knack for solving complex problems across various fields, including his role in the Manhattan Project and the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinction. Nevala-Lee reveals Alvarez's difficult personality and resistance to collaboration at times. He reflects on the evolution of big science and the need for small-team freedom, encouraging a fresh perspective on modern scientific challenges.

Nick Foster, a renowned designer and futurist who has shaped future-oriented design for major brands like Dyson and Google X, discusses his book, *Could Should Might Don’t*. He explores how organizations engage with futures design and the common pitfalls in forecasting. Foster introduces his taxonomy of future-thinking, emphasizing the need for balance and intentionality. He shares insights on using science fiction effectively and advocates for a grounded approach to envisioning 'the future mundane'—making futures relatable and realistic.

In this engaging discussion, journalist David Edmonds delves into Peter Singer's shallow pond thought experiment, which challenges our moral obligations toward distant strangers. He explains how this concept paved the way for the Effective Altruism movement, designed to maximize charitable impact. Edmonds also addresses critiques of the movement, including its demandingness and the shift towards longtermism, stressing the importance of balancing individual aid with systemic change. Thought experiments, he argues, can significantly shape real-world ethics and actions.

Join Rohit Krishnan, a creative force behind the Strange Loop Canon newsletter and an AI practitioner, as he dives into the world of artificial intelligence and writing. He reveals the intriguing flaws of large language models in generating prose and discusses the role of reinforcement learning in training AI like his project, Walter. Rohit also explores how AI can reshape our future work dynamics, likening it to managing playful video games. Above all, he emphasizes the importance of experimentation and play in unlocking AI's full potential.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Linda Liukas, author of the beloved Hello Ruby children’s book series about computers, as well as a new Finnish-language book for adults on computing. Liukas also recently designed a playground in Helsinki that introduces children to foundational ideas in computer science through play.Together, Arbesman and Liukas explore her path to becoming a children’s book author, how to cultivate curiosity, and the appeal of generative AI. Their conversation ranges across educational philosophies, playground design, and the relationship between play and curiosity. They also delve into the teaching of history within computer science, reflecting on the historical intersection of computing and education and the need to rekindle those connections.

Molly Mielke, an early-stage investor and founder of Moth Fund, has an impressive background with stints at Figma, Notion, and Stripe. She dives into her journey from tech intern to venture capitalist, emphasizing the importance of person-centered investment over sector focus. Molly discusses how early-stage bets reveal unique potential and the significance of supporting creative builders through grants. She also reflects on the tech culture in San Francisco, the risks of monoculture, and the importance of genuine values in startups.

Daniel Temkin, a writer and digital artist known for his pioneering work in esoteric programming languages, joins to explore the whimsical world of esolangs. They discuss how these unconventional languages challenge coding norms and stimulate creativity through playful constraints. Temkin highlights his unique creations, like Fatfinger—a tolerant dialect for code poetry—and shares surprising applications of esolangs, including their use in malware. The conversation dives into the intersection of art, programming, and human expression.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Parker Owens, whose passion for Lego has grown into something remarkable. In addition to working as an attorney, Parker runs Parker’s Brick Builds, a company where he designs and sells custom Lego creations. His sets range from vehicles and a siege tower to even a Lego “dumpster fire” that fans can build themselves.Arbesman and Owens explore Parker’s Lego journey—from childhood play, through a hiatus during his young adult years, to rediscovering the bricks and eventually becoming a Lego TikTok star. Their conversation covers the origins of Parker’s business, his win in a business competition, the broader Lego-adjacent ecosystem of creators and companies beyond the official Lego Group, how he approaches design, and the mission that guides his work, including the kind of customer he envisions for his sets.

Samuel Arbesman is joined once again by Kristoffer Tjalve. The two previously spoke about the poetic web and the delightful aspects of the internet. This time, Kristoffer shares his new project: the Internet Phone Book—a physical book that lists personal websites alongside essays about the internet. After selling out its first run, the book is now available again as a reprint from Metalabel.In their conversation, Arbesman and Tjalve discuss the origins and nature of the Internet Phone Book, the spirit of the early web it seeks to recapture, and the lessons Kristoffer learned while making it. They also explore ideas such as the Internet as an “underdeveloped ecosystem,” the notion of “organic software,” ways of supporting the poetic web, and what today’s online world might learn from the traditions of books and print publishing.It’s a wide-ranging and playful exchange that captures both the wonder and the seriousness of building a more poetic internet.