Computing Up
Conversations about computation writ large, with Michael Littman and Dave Ackley.
Latest episodes
Sep 29, 2018 • 32min
Doing Standup - Computing Up Sixteenth Conversation
Some professors think they're, like, funny.
Aug 31, 2018 • 33min
Uploading and Immortality - Computing Up Fifteenth Conversation
Dave and Michael talk about achieving immortality by 'uploading' yourself into a computer. (Note: There's also this book.) [Episode thumbnail based on public domain image.]
Jul 31, 2018 • 33min
God exists - Computing Up Fourteenth Conversation
God exists in a perfectly real sense that is sure to please almost no one.
Jun 30, 2018 • 47min
Richard Gerrig on Narrative Worlds - Computing Up Thirteenth Conversation
Michael and Dave talk to Professor Richard Gerrig about the power and the computation and cognitive science of stories and narrative worlds. Watch out! There be monsters! [Title photograph courtesy of Richard Gerrig]
May 27, 2018 • 36min
The Internet - Computing Up Twelfth Conversation
We are in the bronze age of the internet. [Title background image is a 2005-era partial internet map, created by Matt Britt using data from the OPTE project, licensed under CC-BY-2.5]
Feb 11, 2018 • 34min
Charles Isbell is Reinventing Computer Education - Computing Up Eleventh Conversation
Michael talks to Professor Charles Isbell about computing education and topics ranging from Sebastian Thrun to whether computer science is a lame name. [Title photograph courtesy of Charles Isbell]
Jan 15, 2018 • 32min
Now It's Meltdown and Spectre - Computing Up Tenth Conversation
Discussing the immediate and ultimate causes of these latest horrible predictable computer vulnerabilities. But note that Dave the big expert confuses his facts at least twice: Austria is not Germany, and Heartbleed is not Shellshock. [Title image based on a public domain CPU image posted by bicanski]
Dec 31, 2017 • 35min
Evolution Porn - Computing Up Ninth Conversation
From evolution to proxy fitness to generalized drugs and back again. [Title image combines a public domain CC0 book image plus a version of Ernst Haeckel's 'Tree of Life' drawing]
Nov 18, 2017 • 32min
TEDx Twice - Computing Up Eighth Conversation
Dave finds out how Michael ended up doing two TEDx talks in a month and a half. [Title image using screengrabs from Michael's talks at TEDx Providence and TEDx Boston]
Nov 4, 2017 • 34min
Melanie Mitchell on AI - Computing Up Seventh Conversation
Professor and author Melanie Mitchell discusses artificial intelligence with Dave. [Title photograph courtesy of Melanie Mitchell]
