Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning

Bryan Ward-Perkins, an archaeologist and historian focused on economic history, discusses his work on the material consequences of Rome's collapse. He challenges the notion that Rome fell into a slow decline, presenting it as a transformative process marked by evidence of economic downfall and cultural shifts. Topics include the loss of advanced construction skills, the emergence of new trading towns, and the contrasting experiences of the Western and Eastern Empires. Ward-Perkins also explores the role of lead pipes and migration in this pivotal historical moment.

J. P. Mallory, retired professor, discusses the origin of Indo-Europeans, challenges in genetic research, and the interdisciplinary nature of studying ancient populations. Emphasis on patriarchal lineage groups, complexities of Indo-European origins, and the importance of integrating archaeology, linguistics, and genetics for a comprehensive understanding.

Historian Sean Anthony and Razib discuss controversial scholarship on the origins of Islam, challenging orthodox narratives. They explore new findings updating revisionist perspectives. Topics include early sources on Islam, impact in the 7th century, Y chromosome analysis, Quranic manuscripts preservation, 'Islam the Untold Story' documentary, and genetic mutations.

AI researcher and entrepreneur Nikolai Yakovenko discusses the current state of LLM-driven AI, the unfulfilled promises of AI advancements, the limitations of GPT models, the impact of AI on diverse search results at Google, the slow progress in AI model improvements, the use of AI in genomics and music production, the challenges in the tech industry, including revenue issues and job market competitiveness, and the increasing importance of AI tools in society.

Chad Niederhuth, a former academic plant geneticist, and Razib delve into the rich history of genetics in plants, highlighting differences from animals like genome size flexibility and polyploidy resilience. They discuss the relevance of genomic methods in creating productive cultivars and the public perception of genetic engineering in agriculture. The conversation also touches on transposons, industry-academic collaborations in plant genetics, and the transition from academia to industry for research focus.

Former lecturer Jonathan Keeperman, known as 'Lomez' online, discusses his experience transitioning from anonymous to public persona. He navigates the challenges of maintaining separate identities, revealing his political views, and the complexities of online discourse. Keeperman delves into his intellectual journey, the influence of politics on art, and the importance of open discussions on feminism and free speech.

Ryan Burge, Professor of political science, discusses the trend of secularization in America, the rise of religiously unaffiliated individuals, the connection between religion and politics, and the potential future of Christianity in the US. They also explore the impact of social desirability bias, changing attitudes towards atheism, and the normalization of extreme polarization in Christian conservative politics.

Writer Graham Hancock discusses the theory of a lost civilization during the Ice Age, challenged by archaeologist Flint Dibble. Razib explains the lack of evidence for a global advanced civilization from the Pleistocene, but considers the existence of stillborn cultures. The podcast delves into the origins of civilizations, the debate between pseudo-science and scientific certainty, and the role of genetic evidence in understanding ancient societies.

Razib Khan talks to Akshar Patel of The Emissary about India's societal dynamics, economic growth, and identity politics. They discuss Modi's leadership, communal identities, caste system, and the country's economic rise. Patel highlights the conservatism and collective nature of Indian society, noting the significance of religion and caste. Despite modernization, traditional barriers persist. They also touch on India's geopolitical relevance and assertive civilization. The conversation sheds light on the unique complexities of India's social fabric and economic landscape.

Jeremy Carl, Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, discusses his book 'The Unprotected Class' highlighting anti-white racism in America. He explores declining life expectancy among whites and the impact of identitarianism on society. The conversation delves into racial discourse, the evolution of whiteness, ties between environmentalism and white supremacy, and the intersection of Christianity with critical race theory.