Humans On The Loop
Michael Garfield
Let's dream better! Join paleontologist-futurist Michael Garfield for bold, far-ranging explorations into the nature of agency in the age of automation, wisdom and innovation, responsibility and power, and the care and feeding of the new superpowers conferred to us by magical technologies. Weekly dialogues at the edge of the knowable, learning to navigate Global Weirding and exponential AI with the curiosity and play required of us. Building on twenty years of independent research plus firsthand experience of the tech, arts, and science worlds, Humans On The Loop is a show to transform you and help us make better use of our greatest natural resource: our attention. michaelgarfield.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
31 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 24min
Co-Evolving with Magical Technologies feat. Sam Arbesman
In this engaging discussion, Sam Arbesman, a scientist-in-residence at Lux Capital, unpacks themes from his book, The Magic of Code. He explores the enchanting blend of code and human experience, likening code to both magic and a liberal art. Sam emphasizes the importance of open-source development and iterative experimentation, illuminating the interplay between simplicity and complexity. He also probes the relationship between technology and biology, and advocates for a conscious approach to our digital tools, embracing the ephemeral nature of software for greater present impact.
Sep 22, 2025 • 2h 15min
Holistic Technology for Growing a World in Love with Larry Muhlstein
Larry Muhlstein, a former UC Berkeley research fellow in machine learning, discusses his Holistic Technology Project aimed at aligning technology with care and love. He dives into the concept of 'Technological Love,' exploring how technologies can foster understanding and mutual respect. Larry warns against societal 'disease' caused by economic incentives and urges a shift toward shared truths to combat deception. He also highlights ways to scale care from local to global governance through practices like meditation and gratitude.
6 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 13min
Taryn Southern on Surfing the Exponential Tech Tsunami
Taryn Southern, a creative technologist and early YouTube star, dives into the wild world of exponential technology. She reflects on her tech journey from Wichita to the digital frontier, revealing how technology can expand human experiences and bridge conversations. Taryn discusses AI's potential in personal growth and facilitating difficult dialogues, while navigating the complexities of tech's impact on identity and belonging. She also emphasizes the importance of ethical dialogue in AI, suggesting diverse voices for shaping its future.
Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 27min
Chaim Gingold on Building SimCity & Simulation as Discourse
Chaim Gingold, a brilliant computer scientist and game designer known for co-creating Spore and authoring 'Building SimCity,' dives into the fascinating world of simulations. He discusses how SimCity transcends mere gaming to reshape societal concepts, highlighting the interplay of creativity and play in technological engagement. The conversation touches on the historical evolution from analog to digital, exploring the impact of simulation on political decision-making and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies. Gingold encourages us to reflect on how simulations can empower or mislead.
9 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 47min
Culture, Consciousness, and the Second Renaissance with Rufus Pollock
Rufus Pollock, a prominent entrepreneur and co-founder of Life Itself, delves into engaging conversations about the intersection of culture and technology. He emphasizes the importance of community in navigating modern challenges and the need for ecological consciousness. Pollock explores the concept of a Second Renaissance, highlighting personal and collective transformation as keys to societal progress. Their discussion also touches on the complex relationship between trust, ethics, and capitalism, advocating for reflection and innovative governance in times of crisis.
25 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 6min
Lessons from a Metamodern AI Shaman with George Pór
George Pór, a mentee of Doug Englebart and founder of multiple initiatives focused on collective intelligence, delves into the role of AI as a tool for enhancing human wisdom. He discusses his journey from sociologist to metamodern AI shaman, emphasizing collaboration between humans and machines. Pór explores reclaiming agency in the age of AI, advocating for community narratives to foster empathy. He also examines the dual nature of technology's values and its potential to address wealth disparity through enhanced human-AI cooperation.
10 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
Design for Provably Safe AI with Evan Miyazono
Evan Miyazono, CEO of Atlas Computing and former Protocol Labs researcher, dives into the fascinating world of provable AI safety. He discusses the importance of transparency in AI decisions and outlines the challenges in regulating these systems. By advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration, he reveals how combining insights from humanities and sciences can enhance AI oversight. The conversation also touches on trust, ethics, and the need for clear frameworks to align AI with human values, ultimately championing a future where technology promotes human flourishing.
17 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 24min
Religions of the Future & The New Monstrous with Rina Nicolae
Rina Nicolae, a commentator and writer for Incognita Substack, dives into the chaotic blend of technology, spirituality, and identity. She discusses how modern culture, marked by rapid digital evolution, challenges our understanding of self. Rina explores the duality of cuteness and monstrosity in digital culture and the rise of networked spirituality among digital natives. She questions our identity in a commodified landscape shaped by influencers, urging authenticity in an age defined by noise and the merging of the natural and synthetic.
29 snips
May 23, 2025 • 1h 11min
Self-Actualization in the Global Brain with Cadell Last of Philosophy Portal
Cadell Last, the creator of Philosophy Portal and author of 'Global Brain Singularity,' dives into self-actualization in today's tech-driven world. He discusses the impact of AI on our identities and the importance of cultivating agency amidst automation. Cadell advocates for recognizing life's inherent gaps, exploring how to embrace uncertainty as a transformative journey. He also examines intergenerational investment in a rapidly changing landscape, urging collaboration and meaningful connections to combat societal challenges.
117 snips
May 3, 2025 • 1h 24min
The Architecture of The Next Creative Economy with Michael Dean
In this engaging discussion, Michael Dean, an essayist with a background in VR tech, delves into the intersection of creativity and technology. He explores how AI can reshape social media into a participatory platform and enhance creative writing. Dean argues for a future where passion and profession converge without the constraints of 'product-market fit.' The conversation also addresses the complexities of identity in the digital age and the potential of generative AI to empower both creators and audiences in a more authentic cultural landscape.
