The Bayesian Conspiracy

Join Ben Pace, owner of Science is Weird, known for his innovative education models; Brandon Hendrickson, a 2023 book contest winner; and Miranda Dixon-Luinenburg, a resilient advocate working for Lightcone after facing high P(Doom). They discuss living well amid existential threats, the role of mortality in meaningful living, and the importance of community connections. The conversation dives into balancing joy and creativity with life's uncertainties while addressing how personal choices can shape our responses to potential doom.

David Youssef used Claude and Suno to make some truly awesome music. He tells us how he did it and some of his favorite lyrics. Check out the lyrics to the main song we discuss (Silicon Soul) here! Check out the Spotify playlist or the Youtube playlist He’s also one of the cofounders of the Guild of the Rose! Check them out and our initial episode with him and Alex.

Steven works at SymbyAI, a startup that’s bringing AI into research review and replication. We talk with founder Ashia Livaudais about improving how we all Do Science. Also – If Anyone Builds It Everyone Dies preorders here, or at Amazon. LINKS SymbyAI Contact Ashia at livaudais@symbyai.com Kaggle arXiv 00:00:01 – If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies 00:05:40 – SymbyAI 01:17:51 – Guild of the Rose 01:21:05 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: on hiatus, returning this summer

We speak with a long-time Denver rationalist who’s converting to Christianity about why. Eneasz can’t get over the abandonment of epistemics. This is Part 2, see the previous episode (here) for Part 1. LINKS Thomas Ambrose on Twitter Paid Bonus content for the week – Pressed Into The Navy (patreon, substack) 00:00:05 – The trap 01:19:00 – Guild of the Rose 01:20:16 – Listener Feedback/Corrections & Announcements 01:24:31 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: on hiatus, returning this summer

Thomas Ambrose, a long-time rationalist from Denver, shares his inspiring journey of converting to Christianity. He dives into the complexities of navigating morality, examining how childhood beliefs shaped his views. The conversation touches upon the dynamics of personal versus institutional faith and the philosophical nature of goodness and existence. Ambrose intriguingly discusses the evolving ethics of sexuality and challenges conventional thoughts on societal values, making for a thought-provoking exploration of belief and identity.

Eneasz and Liam discuss Scott Alexander’s post “Twilight of the Edgelords,” an exploration of Truth, Morality, and how one balances love of truth vs not destabilizing the world economy and political regime. CORRECTION: Scott did make an explicitly clear pro Kamala post LINKS Scott Alexander’s Twilight of the Edgelords Liam & Waweru’s fiction & philosophy podcast – 2 Rash 2 Unadvised Paid Bonus content for the week – Liam on Them, 2:40 on Deontology, Steven on Black Mirror and Formula 1 also mentioned: Liam’s previous Gender Explained (substack and patreon) Eneasz’s post Does The Omelas Kid Have An Obligation To Suffer? Eneasz & Matt analyze Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and coming soon: Steven & Brian on Blindsight) The Rationalist Summer Trifecta: Manifest 2025 LessOnline 2025 VibeCamp 2025 00:00:05 – Twilight of the Edgelords 01:28:04 – Eneasz & Steven catch-up 01:36:48 – Guild of the Rose 01:39:42 – Rationalist Summer Trifecta 02:21:34 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: on hiatus, returning this summer

Wes Fenza and Jen Kesteloot join us to talk about whether there’s significant personality differences between men and women, and what (if anything) we should do about that. LINKS Wes’s post Men and Women are Not That Different Jacob’s quoted post Navigation By Moonlight Eneasz’s related post How To Believe False Things Clearer Thinking’s Gender Continuum Test The Mind Killer – biweekly news podcast via rationalists Ghibli Eve Theory of Consciousness 00:00:05 – Gender Differences 02:20:31 – Guild of the Rose 02:21:34 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: on hiatus, returning this summer

We speak to Nick Allardice, President & CEO of GiveDirectly. Afterwards Steven and Eneasz get wrapped up talking about community altruism for a bit. LINKS Give Directly GiveDirectly Tech Innovation Fact Sheet 00:00:05 – Give Directly with Nick Allardice 01:12:19 – Steven & Eneasz chat about Community Altruism 01:49:35 – Guild of the Rose 01:51:36 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: None Next Sequence Posts: None  

Dave Kasten joins us to discuss how AI is being discussed in the US government and gives a rather inspiring and hopeful take. LINKS Narrow Path Center for AI Policy Dave Kasten’s Essay on the Essay Meta on his Substack Prospective donors for CAIP can donate here and potential major donors ($5k+) encouraged to email Jason at jason@aipolicy.us TBC episode 202 – we talk with the Center for AI Policy Kickstarter link for Thomas Eliot’s new game: The Singularity Will Happen In Less Than A Year 00:00:05 – AI Policy in D.C. 01:20:07 – Fundraising for CAIP and The Singularity Will Happen in Less Than a Year 01:24:28 – Guild of the Rose 01:29:16 – Thank the Supporter! Our Patreon, or if you prefer Our SubStack Hey look, we have a discord! What could possibly go wrong? We now partner with The Guild of the Rose, check them out. Rationality: From AI to Zombies, The Podcast LessWrong Sequence Posts Discussed in this Episode: None Next Sequence Posts: None

The podcast highlights an initiative by the White House urging public feedback on AI safety. It discusses the vital role of citizen participation in shaping AI governance. Listeners are encouraged to voice their opinions, stressing that individual contributions can significantly influence policy more than traditional voting methods. Engaging in these discussions is portrayed as crucial for ensuring AI developments align with the public interest.