The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Dive into the fascinating world of Cellular Automata and Conway's Game of Life. Discover how simple rules can create complex behaviors, reflecting on artificial life and self-replicating machines. Explore William Poundstone's thoughts on cosmic themes and Stephen Wolfram's groundbreaking ideas. The conversation even touches on Von Neumann probes and their theoretical implications for universal exploration. Unravel the mysteries of deterministic systems while pondering the philosophical questions they raise about computing and existence.

Max reflects back on his podcast and radio show as he turns forty, and discusses the non-stop news events of this month of a seemingly epoch-defining nature, from the earthquake to the eclipse, to the Bitcoin halving. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Fresh off of his trip to the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation for the Yale Alumni Service Corps, Max talks to Aaron about his trip. They then get into some of the ideas of Cal Newport and Digital Minimalism, as well as a recent warning from Jonathan’s Haidt’s research on children and mobile technology. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Max talks about the intensifying AI trends in 2024, including video creation and context windows, as well as Google's misstep with their image generation in Gemini. Will we be replaced by AI? Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Callahan, host of "Where We Go Next" (wherewegonext.com) comes onto the Local Maximum to share what he's learned about hosting open conversations about Identity and Ideas. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Max appears on the podcast Where We Go Next with Michael Callahan to talk about technology’s effects on the health of society.https://wherewegonext.com/episodes/max-sklar Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Max and Aaron welcome 2024 by talking about the most interesting episodes of 2023, and possible areas for exploration in the New Year. Their conversation runs the gamut from copyright to crypto to digital habits and to international politics. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Discussion on the implications of the fourth turning theory and potential scenarios, including a severe political crisis and violence. Exploring the consequences of postponing problems and the impact on institutions. Delving into historical events like the Glorious Revolution and its influence on the colonies. The potential impact of wealth transfer from the boomer generation and cultural shifts. Strategies for preparing for crisis and shaping the next generation. Exploring the trend of multi-generational households and the concept of making a comeback.

Max just finished reading the 450-page book "The Fourth Turning is Here" by Neil Howe, so he has a new discussion with Aaron about Generational Theory and its relationship to cultural trends. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe