Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning

In this insightful discussion, Zineb Riboua, a Hudson Institute research fellow, delves into the complex world of Zohran Mamdani and Third-Worldism. She explains how Mamdani, a product of the post-colonial landscape, reinterprets Marxism through an anti-colonial lens. Riboua explores the intellectual legacy of the Algerian Revolution and the strategic use of Islam in Mamdani's politics. The conversation further touches on the evolving role of decolonial narratives in U.S. politics and their potential to reshape global alliances.

In this enlightening discussion, Ed West, a British journalist and author known for his insights on culture and politics, delves into Britain's socio-economic decline. He examines the welfare state's impact on work incentives and the implications of immigration on social policies. West contrasts UK's cultural tensions with its large Muslim community and critiques the trajectory of British political parties. They also explore generational shifts in attitudes, the role of technology in economic growth, and the future of British society amidst significant changes.

Noah Smith, an economist and Substack author known for his insights on Japan and public policy, dives into the transformative political landscape in Japan. He discusses how Japan shifted from minimal immigration to actively recruiting foreign workers, driven by demographic needs. The conversation also explores the implications of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policies and America's own cultural vibe shift, contrasting post-wokeness sentiments with right-wing ascendance. Smith shares thoughts on social media's role in radicalization and its impacts on U.S. politics.

Coltan Scrivner, a behavioral scientist and author known for his work on horror and true crime, explores our fascination with fear. He discusses how horror operates on predator-prey dynamics, highlighting why vulnerable protagonists stand against formidable antagonists. Coltan connects morbid curiosity to evolutionary survival instincts and explains the psychological effects of fear, even suggesting that safe exposure to horror prepares us for real-life challenges. He also dives into the allure of true crime and the unique appeal of horror films, providing a riveting insight into our darkest interests.

Nate Soares, President of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of 'If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies,' delves into the existential risks posed by superintelligent AI. He argues that modern AI systems are 'grown' rather than engineered, leading to unpredictable behaviors with potentially catastrophic outcomes. Soares highlights alarming scenarios where even slightly misaligned AI goals could lead to humanity’s end. He calls for urgent cooperative action and policy measures to mitigate these risks, emphasizing the necessity of global coordination.

In this engaging conversation, fitness influencer Alexander Cortes shares insights from his journey in the fitness world and the significance of personalized health protocols. He demystifies 'broscience' and its surprising empirical roots, emphasizing the evolution of fitness advice over time. Cortes also delves into peptides, explaining their biological roles and the hype surrounding them. Additionally, he discusses the founding of Ferta, driven by his wife's fertility struggles, advocating for a proactive approach to reproductive health.

Kat Rosenfield, a novelist and culture critic, dives into the evolving landscape of culture wars and the nuances of wokeness. She discusses her unique position attracting criticism from the identitarian left and sheds light on sexism in online discourse. With insights on Gen Z's relationship dynamics and the impact of technology on intimacy, Kat examines how cultural narratives have shifted. Their conversation touches on the emergence of a 'woke right' and debates the future of cancel culture while reflecting on the cultural implications of globalization and tech.

In this engaging discussion, Eric Kaufmann, a political professor and author, dives into the decline of WASP influence in America, attributing it to liberal-progressive shifts. He explores the history of Anglo-America and the impact of immigration waves, as well as the rise of 'cultural socialism' in his latest work, The Third Awokening. Kaufmann also examines the concept of multiracial whiteness and assimilation patterns, shedding light on how identity shapes social treatment. Additionally, he shares insights on the backlash against wokeness and his personal experiences with institutional pressure.

Today Razib talks to Ryan P. Williams. He is president of The Claremont Institute, a position he has held since 2017. He is also a contributor to The Claremont Review of Books and started The American Mind. Williams earned a B.A. in political science and Economics from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in politics from Claremont Graduate University. He has taught American politics and political philosophy as an adjunct professor at California State University, San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona. Razib and Williams first discuss the origins of The Claremont Institute and the influence of Harry Jaffa on the think-tank's founding and current thought. They explore the influence of Jaffa's mentor, political philosopher Leo Strauss, upon his worldview, and the differences that define the "west coast Straussianism" associated with the Institute and "east coast Straussianism." Williams also articulates how the conservative thought of Claremont affiliated scholars and pundits differs from other movements on the right, and in particular, how it is differentiated from both neoconservatism and paleoconservatism. Razib and Williams then go over The American Mind's decision to publish Michael Anton's "flight 93 election" piece, and the connection of many Claremont scholars to the Trump administration and the MAGA movement.

Chad Orzel is a physicist and science writer who has been blogging for nearly twenty-five years. He's the author of four books, Breakfast with Einstein: The Exotic Physics of Everyday Objects, How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog, Eureka: Discovering Your Inner Scientist and A Brief History of Timekeeping. The last is a mix of cultural and engineering history, archeology and physics, and reflects Orzel's wide interests as reflected in his Substack, Counting Atoms. In this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib surveys the state of physics communication and science, as well as our broader culture's relationship with academia. Orzel and Razib first discuss the massive success of physicist-turned-YouTuber Sabine Hossenfelder. Emerging from academic physics and associated with Lee Smolin and the Perimeter Institute, Hossenfelder has shifted from skepticism of mainstream theories like string theory to arguing that academic science as a whole must be restructured. Orzel also notes that contrarian or heterodox views in popular areas such as astrophysics and particle physics receive much more attention than applied fields like solid-state physics. Razib and Orzel reflect on how science communication has changed over the past two decades, moving from the text-driven blog era before 2010 to the rise of podcasts and video. They also discuss the many technological applications of physics in the 21st century, particularly in battery technology, an area that is transforming daily life but rarely serves as fodder for glossy popular-press treatments. In the second half of the podcast, Orzel considers how science, and academia more broadly, have navigated the adversarial stance of the Trump administration. Razib asks whether institutional science, shaped in the post–World War II era, may be due for a major transformation, or whether it is even approaching the end of its line. Finally, Orzel addresses whether academics can regain broad public trust in the wake of the extreme politicization of the 2010s.