Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning

Shadi Hamid, a political analyst and author focused on democracy and American foreign policy, shares insights from his new book, The Case For American Power. He discusses the cultural shifts since the 'woke' era and how the Israel-Palestine conflict has reshaped his political identity toward a more progressive stance. Hamid argues for a balanced use of American power in promoting democracy, emphasizing the moral implications of intervention and engagement in global affairs.

Vishal Ganesan, a California attorney known for his 'Hindoo History' project, and Anang Mittal, a political communications expert from D.C., dive into the complexities of American Hindu identity. They explore generational differences in Hinduism's articulation, touching on the dynamics of diaspora politics and media narratives surrounding Hindutva. Discussion includes the role of temples in immigrant life, the potential for cultural adaptation in America, and how Hinduism's varied practices challenge Western definitions of religion.

Join paleoanthropologists John Hawks and Chris Stringer as they delve into the fascinating world of human evolution. Hawks critiques the broad categorizations of Homo erectus, advocating for genetic over morphological explanations. Stringer discusses groundbreaking findings like the Yungshan Si cranial reconstruction and its implications for human timelines. The duo explores Denisovan diversity, ecological adaptations, and genetic admixture patterns, while also linking ancient populations to modern Native Americans. A lively discussion filled with insights into our ancestry!

Sean Trende, a Senior Elections Analyst at RealClearPolitics and AEI fellow, dives into the dynamics of the 2025 elections in Virginia and New Jersey, highlighting Republican setbacks influenced by economic issues. They explore Zohran Mamdani's victory in NYC and its implications for local politics, discussing the rise of populism across the political spectrum. Trende critiques the myth of permanent majorities in politics and reflects on youth voter disconnects, the challenges of appealing to mainstream voters, and the evolving landscape of identity politics.

In this captivating discussion, Alex Young, an Assistant Professor at UCLA and a pioneer in statistical genomics, delves into the fascinating world of heritability and genetics. He and Razib explore how advancements in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have transformed our understanding of traits like intelligence and autism. Young addresses the concept of missing heritability, the complexities surrounding polygenic scores, and the profound implications of embryo genomic prediction at Herasight. Their conversation challenges existing norms while emphasizing the necessity of studying sensitive genetic topics.

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.