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
10 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 22min
New Selves of Neural Media & AI as 'The Poison Path' with K Allado-McDowell
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.
32 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 25min
Futures Indistinguishable from Magic with Robin Sloan
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.
Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
Transcending (and Including) Partisan Debate with Stephanie Lepp
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.
4 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 14min
Mycopunk Community Coordination with Christina Bowen of Socialroots
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.
7 snips
Dec 25, 2024 • 1h 2min
The Inner Life of a Responsible Tech Practitioner with Benjamin Olsen
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.
6 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 40min
Reclaiming Attention from 'The Ravenous Maw of The Screen' with Richard Doyle
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.
Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 6min
📚🧙🏼♂️🦾 232 - Myth & Magic in Technological Metamodernism
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.
42 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 33min
⏳🎨🔮 231 - Eric Wargo & J.F. Martel on Art as Precognition, Biblically-Accurate A.I., and How to Navigate Ruptures in Space-Time
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.
8 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 1min
🐦⬛🐙🖤 230 - Jamie Curcio on Living in Mythpunk, Eldritch Complexity, and Finding The Bright Side of Dark Ages
In this conversation, Jamie Curcio, a prolific writer and game world-builder, tackles the intricate interplay of power, narrative, and climate action. He delves into the revival of animistic traditions and how contemporary storytelling shapes identity and community. Jamie explores the shift from Gnostic idealism to materialism through systems thinking, emphasizing the role of art in personal transformation. The discussion also reflects on technology's impact on sustainability, the ethical complexities of AI in creativity, and the optimistic potentials of a post-civilizational future.
Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 22min
👾🖼️🏯 229 - Sara Phinn Huntley on Making A Field Guide to DMT Entities
Sara Phinn Huntley, a multimedia artist and writer exploring psychedelics and technology, joins to discuss her work on the forthcoming Illustrated Field Guide to DMT Entities. The conversation delves into how psychedelics like DMT shape creativity and self-discovery, intertwining personal narratives with larger cultural themes. Huntley emphasizes the need for a common language around DMT experiences and tackles the role of technology in understanding consciousness. They also explore the future of human advancement through psychedelics and virtual reality.
