The Orthogonal Bet

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.

In this engaging discussion, Edward Ashton, acclaimed science fiction writer and author of The Fourth Consort, shares insights into his latest first contact narrative. He explores the nuanced portrayal of humanity in science fiction, emphasizing the need for complex characters over simplistic ones. The conversation delves into the vital role of storytelling in human social dynamics and the ethical dilemmas of interacting with alien species. Ashton also touches on the dark forest theory and the works of other notable authors, broadening the conversation about interstellar intelligence.

Neal Agarwal, the creative mind behind neal.fun, weaves delightful web projects that combine playfulness with experimentation. He shares how his early exposure to platforms like Scratch fostered his innovative spirit. The conversation explores how generative AI may empower a new generation of creators and discusses his unique definition of 'internet toys' versus traditional games. Neal also highlights the joy of community collaboration in projects like Internet Roadtrip and reflects on the evolving landscape of the web for creators.