Humans On The Loop

This week I dialogue with Matthew David Segall, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Chair of the Science Advisory Committee for the Cobb Institute, and author of the Footnotes To Plato blog as well as numerous books on the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and Friedrich Schelling. In it, we wrangle with some very fundamental questions, such as:* What distinguishes the organismal and machinic?* How can we support vital cultural activity without reducing the measure of our humanity to our economic productivity?* What if we’re looking for mind in AI in the wrong places, and instead treat both technology and human consciousness as unified within one unfolding process of cosmic self-discovery?We welcome your feedback and reflections — here, or in the Future Fossils Discord Server — and to join us in the inquiry about what lies beyond modernity, and how to nourish the collective imagination we need to thrive there! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.Pardon the delay: inexplicable technical issues forced me to re-render this episode half a dozen times. Hopefully you appreciate the “staying up until 1 am to try and ship on time”!Subscribe, Rate, & Comment on YouTube • Apple Podcasts • SpotifyIf you like this show, dig into the archives and consider making tax-deductible donations at every.org/humansontheloop. (You’ll get all the same perks as Substack patrons.)Project LinksRead the project pitch & planning docDig into the full episode and essay archivesJoin the open online commons for Wisdom x Technology on DiscordContact me about partnerships, consulting, your life, or other mysteriesChapters0:00:00 - Teaser0:01:32 - Intro0:08:18 - About Matt0:15:19 - Nouns & Verbs, Machines & Organisms0:24:24 - Emergence & Epistemic Humility0:36:55 - The Relationship Between Cultures & Markets0:49:21 - What Are Markets & Can They Play?0:58:30 - Our Responsibility To What We Make1:06:42 - Is Conscious AI A Hyperobject?1:17:43 - OutroMentionsMatt’s Website & TwitterMatt Segall & O.G. Rose - Re-thinking Economics & The Meaning of ValueBrendan Graham Dempsey & Matt Segall - Physics, Metaphysics, Meta-MetaphysicsMatt Segall & Tim Jackson - The Blind Spot (2024): A Critical and Reconstructive ReviewFuture Fossils 223 - Timothy Morton on A New Christian Ecology & Systems Thinking BlasphemyMichael Garfield - Introducing Humans On The LoopAbraham Flexner - The Usefulness of Useless KnowledgeW. Brian Arthur - The Nature of TechnologyW. Brian Arthur - Economics in Nouns and VerbsMiguel Fuentes - Complexity and The Emergence of Physical PropertiesMichael Lachmann, Mark Newman, Cris Moore - The Physical Limits of CommunicationSteven Johnson - Revenge of The HumanitiesAdam Frank, Marcelo Gleiser, Evan Thompson - The Blind SpotJessica Flack - Hourglass Emergence: Complexity Begets Complexity thru Information Bottlenecks (video)Richard Doyle - Darwin’s Pharmacy: Sex, Plants, and The Evolution of The NoosphereKevin Kelly - The Expansion of IgnoranceWilliam Irwin Thompson - The Borg or Borges?Danny Hillis - The Enlightenment is Dead, Long Live The EntanglementKevin Kelly - Out of ControlKai EnnisCarl JungStephen HawkingFriedrich NietzschRichard DawkinsAlan WattsMichael SchwartzAlfred North WhiteheadSean Esjbörn-HargensFelix GuattariStuart KauffmanRudolf SteinerDavid WolpertRobert RosenMichael LevinNorbert WeinerKen WilberKarl FristonGilbert SimondonHumberto MaturanaFrancisco VarelaJohn VervaekeTerrence DeaconPierre Teilhard de Chardin This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

In an insightful discussion, Andrew McLuhan, author and director of the McLuhan Institute, traces the roots of media theory across three generations. He explores how technology shapes perception and the delicate balance between autonomy and surveillance in our digital age. The conversation dives into chaos magic and personal evolution, connecting it to broader cultural changes. Additionally, McLuhan reflects on his family's legacy, emphasizing storytelling's evolution and urging a mindful approach to modern technology's impact on society.

J.F. Martel is a Canadian author and filmmaker known for his explorations of the unknown and mystical. In this discussion, he probes the evolving relationship between humanity and technology, questioning whether we’ve already experienced the Technological Singularity. Martel delves into the implications of AI on creativity and identity, particularly regarding art and social media’s impact on self-image. He underscores the necessity of integrating traditional wisdom in an age of automation, raising compelling queries about agency and the future of personhood.

Adah Parris, a strategic futurist and pattern navigator, shares her insights on cyborg shamanism and the ethics of technology. She discusses the relationship between neurodiversity and the digital world, framing conditions like ADHD as strengths rather than obstacles. The importance of authenticity in a social media-driven society is highlighted, alongside the need for ethical responsibility in tech development. Adah emphasizes creative expression as a tool for healing and community building in our interconnected lives.

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.