
Humans On The Loop
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
Latest episodes

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.

21 snips
Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 52min
🧬🕰️⚗️ 228 - William Sarill on Intuition in Science & The Physics of Philip K. Dick
William Sarill, a multidisciplinary researcher with a focus on biochemistry and physics, dives deep into the intricate relationship between intuition and scientific discovery. He shares insights on unifying thermodynamics with general relativity and explores time as a multi-dimensional concept influenced by culture. Listeners will be captivated by his discussions on reincarnation through a quantum lens, his innovative work with Vitamin B12, and the philosophical implications of time and consciousness, all interwoven with personal narratives and the enigmatic writings of Philip K. Dick.

Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 30min
🎙️🖇️🕸️ 227 - MG + Tim Adalin of Voicecraft: Network Philosophy, Caring Organizations, & Wiser Innovation
Tim Adalin, a thoughtful investigator from Voicecraft, dives deep into holistic innovation and the interconnectedness of art and science. He discusses the challenges of fostering collective intelligence and navigating the epidemic of loneliness within organizations. The conversation touches on the ethics of technology and the importance of trust in human connections. Adalin emphasizes the need for a pluralistic approach to problem-solving and warns against the obsession with novelty that can stifle true creativity.

17 snips
Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 14min
📚🧐🦾 226 - Stephen Reid on Technological Metamodernism
Stephen Reid, a transdisciplinary technologist and founder of The Psychedelic Society, discusses designing virtuous technologies while acknowledging their complexities. He emphasizes the importance of values-driven approaches and fostering curiosity in a world beset by anxiety. The conversation navigates the relationship between technology and evolution through the crab metaphor, exploring consumerism and democratic processes. Reid and the host highlight the necessity for deeper reflections on identity, ethics, and the need for ecological stewardship in technological advancements.

Aug 23, 2024 • 1h 45min
🤰🏽🧐🕸️ 225 - Alyssa Allegretti on Sacred Domesticity and Hard Times in The Liminal Web
Join Alyssa Allegretti, a professional organizer and independent public intellectual who juggles single motherhood with profound insights on digital life. They explore how to find the sacred in daily chaos, the invisible labor often overlooked in caregiving, and the complexities of parenting in today’s tech-driven world. Alyssa also shares her journey navigating identity and community in the digital age, shedding light on the emotional intricacies of online interactions and the importance of authenticity and connection.

5 snips
Aug 6, 2024 • 59min
🔍👁️🔮 224 - Helané Wahbeh of IONS on Arguments against Materialism and for New Theories of Consciousness
Helané Wahbeh, Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and a neurology professor, dives deep into consciousness research. She challenges traditional materialistic views, advocating for new theories and examining evidence for non-local consciousness. The discussion includes the societal stigma around extraordinary perceptual abilities and the significance of transcultural experiences. She explores telepathy, precognition, and the need for unflinching research in this promising field. Get ready for a thought-provoking journey beyond conventional boundaries!

43 snips
Jul 12, 2024 • 2h 16min
🔥🌎💒 223 - Timothy Morton on A New Christian Ecology & Systems Thinking Blasphemy
Environmental philosopher Timothy Morton discusses the need for a new Christian ecology, embracing the sacred, and riotous love for the living world. Topics include postmodern Christianity, ecstatic religious experiences, psychedelics, Kundalini energy, AI dangers, creation through comedy, and collaborative understanding of evil.

Jun 20, 2024 • 1h 40min
👾🍄🧮 222 - Andrés Goméz Emilsson on Psychedelic Computer Science & The Mathematics of Consciousness
Andrés Goméz Emilsson, President and Director of Research at the Qualia Research Institute, discusses the computational approach to consciousness and psychedelics. Topics include the geometry of DMT space, avoiding dissonance in psychedelic states, complexity of music and cognitive processing, pharmacological adaptations to technology, and temporal perception under the influence of psychedelics.

40 snips
May 30, 2024 • 1h 26min
📯💗🌌 221 - Tom Morgan on Answering The Call of Destiny & Love As An Attractor
Tom Morgan, a curiosity sherpa, discusses answering destiny's call and love as an attractor. Topics include complexity, the heroic metamyth, alchemy of money, love in cognition, and holding others through the 'meaning crisis'. The podcast delves into personal narratives, new evolutionary paradigms, embracing complexity, love's transformative power, and the importance of time and flow.