Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning

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.

In this engaging discussion, behavioral geneticist James Lee and philosopher Jonathan Anomaly tackle the complexities of embryo selection, particularly the new tech startup Herasight. Lee raises ethical concerns about the implications of polygenic embryo selection, arguing that embryos have full moral status. In contrast, Anomaly advocates for cautious genetic enhancement, considering its potential to unlock human capabilities. The duo debates societal equality repercussions and explores the multifaceted moral landscape surrounding these emerging technologies.

Jason Richwine, a resident scholar at the Center for Immigration Studies and Harvard Ph.D., dives into the contentious immigration debate. He critiques Biden’s border policies, arguing for a moratorium on immigration, including legal channels. With the foreign-born population surging, Richwine emphasizes the economic and cultural ramifications of high-skilled immigration. He contrasts current policies with Trump’s approach, examining the potential for future reform amidst shifting political dynamics.

In this discussion, Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President at the Cato Institute and an expert on immigration policy, dives into the shifting landscape of U.S. immigration under Trump and Biden. He critiques the Biden administration's approach and how it fueled public anger over illegal immigration. The conversation touches on the media's role in shaping perceptions of immigration and crime, and the vital need for expanding legal immigration pathways. Nowrasteh also highlights the economic contributions of immigrants, debunking prevalent myths that cloud the debate.