Humans On The Loop

Howard Rheingold, an author and critic renowned for his insights into technology's societal impact, dives into the importance of attention management in the digital age. He discusses how technology can both distract and empower individuals, urging listeners to engage more mindfully with digital tools. Rheingold reflects on his personal journey with technology and consciousness, emphasizing the necessity of digital literacy amidst challenges like surveillance capitalism. By fostering creativity and community engagement, he argues we can better navigate our complex digital landscape.

Jessica Clark, an author and futurist, leads Dot Connector Studio, where she champions social innovation at the crossroads of media and culture. In this conversation, she discusses her book on inclusive futures and the importance of diverse narratives in storytelling. Clark explores the challenges of misinformation in today's media landscape and the evolving roles of artists as creative entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need for collaboration and intergenerational dialogue to drive innovation and redefine success in the arts.

In this engaging conversation, K Allado-McDowell, an artist and musician who co-founded the Artists & Machine Intelligence program at Google, dives deep into the intersections of technology, consciousness, and identity. They discuss how AI can transform selfhood, likening its impact to psychedelics. The conversation highlights the role of community in ethical tech and creativity, while examining how neural media shapes our identity and storytelling. K reflects on their esoteric journey, urging a holistic understanding of existence in our increasingly technological world.

In this engaging conversation, Robin Sloan, a New York Times best-selling author and creative technologist known for his novel Moonbound, explores the enchanting overlap of technology and magic. He delves into how myths and stories shape our perception of reality and the future. The discussion spans the intriguing vision of Rathveria, a harmonious future city, as well as reflections on the significance of worker-owned businesses and academic freedom. Sloan's insights prompt us to reconsider boundaries and our relationship with both technology and nature.

Join two-time Webby Award-winning producer Stephanie Lepp as she shares her mission to enhance multi-perspectivalism in media. She discusses her innovative project, 'Faces of X,' designed to bridge political divides by showcasing nuanced societal dialogues. Stephanie dives into the complexities of decision-making amid automation, the role of community support in fostering empathy, and the interplay of technology with our evolving identities. Her insights challenge listeners to rethink connectivity, compassion, and the power of understanding diverse viewpoints.

Christina Bowen, CEO and co-founder of Socialroots.io, excels in facilitating human communication and community dynamics. In this engaging discussion, she introduces the mycopunk movement, emphasizing decentralized leadership and collaborative storytelling. The conversation explores the significance of community connection during tough times, highlighting how virtual interactions nurtured deep relationships. Bowen also addresses the invisible labor in social networks and the need for mindfulness in technology use, advocating for emotional context and empathy in all interactions.

Benjamin Olsen, Head of Windows Responsible AI & Data Compliance at Microsoft, advocates for ethical technology development. He shares his journey from philosophy to tech, stressing the importance of responsible AI and long-term corporate ethics. Olsen emphasizes the need for humility and diversity in perspectives within tech organizations. He also explores themes of love, responsibility, and informed consent in AI, encouraging listeners to reclaim control over their data. His insights offer a hopeful vision for merging technology with human flourishing.

In this enlightening discussion, Richard Doyle, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor at Penn State and author of the thought-provoking "Darwin's Pharmacy," dives into the complexities of modern technology and its influence on human attention. He explores the digital age's impact on perception and agency, shares journeys of healing through psychedelics, and underscores the importance of mindfulness and grounding in our fast-paced lives. Doyle also critiques how AI reshapes consciousness, urging a reclamation of focus amidst information overload.

In this engaging discussion, Stephen Reid, founder of the Dandelion online learning program and The Psychedelic Society, dives into the fascinating blend of myth, magic, and technological metamodernism. He highlights the power of poetic frameworks in shaping our reality and the importance of personal narratives in tech innovation. The conversation also touches on adaptability in competition, suggesting we can learn from evolutionary biology. With insightful reflections on ancient myths and contemporary challenges, Reid invites listeners to rethink their relationship with technology.

Eric Wargo, an author exploring art's connection to precognition, joins J.F. Martel, who delves into symbolism and the uncanny. They discuss how art can predict the future, intertwining personal experiences with cultural narratives. The conversation covers the role of shamanism in creativity, the impact of cinematic techniques on our perception of time, and even the link between art and UFO phenomena. Their insights on intuition and artistic expression reveal a transformative view of how we navigate reality and human consciousness.