

LessWrong (30+ Karma)
LessWrong
Audio narrations of LessWrong posts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 24, 2025 • 59min
Gemini 3 Pro Is a Vast Intelligence With No Spine
Tune in as the hosts dissect the groundbreaking capabilities of Gemini 3 Pro, claiming it can transform any scribble into sophisticated projects like board games and websites. However, there's a catch: its eagerness can lead to hallucinations and inaccuracies. Andrej Karpathy advises caution, despite the model's impressive performance metrics. Insights on Google Antigravity highlight its development potential, and user reactions praise its creative writing and humor. Yet, spatial reasoning and debugging remain inconsistent, prompting mixed reviews on its practical applications.

Nov 24, 2025 • 10min
“The LessWrong Team Was Selling Dollars For 86 Cents” by Screwtape
Explore the intriguing dynamics of prediction markets, where savvy bettors exploit mispriced opportunities on a platform favored by critical thinkers. Delve into the LessWrong Annual Review process and discover how a bot assesses post valuations. Learn about the value of 'dumb money' and the importance of betting strategy. Screwtape highlights why certainty is often misleading and provides examples of safe bets unlikely to make the 'best of' list. Tune in for insights on trading skills and correcting market mispricings!

Nov 24, 2025 • 8min
NATO is dangerously unaware of its military vulnerability
NATO is facing its biggest military vulnerability since 1949, largely due to the rise of drone warfare. Recent struggles against low-cost Houthi drones highlight serious gaps in air defense capabilities. The astonishing cost asymmetry of drones versus modern tanks is reshaping combat tactics. NATO's lack of drone combat experience and outdated doctrines leave it ill-prepared for modern conflicts. Additionally, geopolitical shifts and bureaucratic inertia hinder urgent adaptations, raising concerns about the alliance's future effectiveness.

Nov 24, 2025 • 5min
Inkhaven Retrospective
Join a writer reflecting on the vibrant Inkhaven event, where inspiring ideas and 40 daily posts flowed from talented creators. Discover the balance between quality and quantity as they emphasize the importance of publishing even imperfect work. Lessons learned highlight the need to write without the pressure of perfection and to keep momentum going, even with a less-than-stellar draft. Listen for intriguing writing prompts and an overview of the diverse topics that emerged during this creative gathering.

Nov 23, 2025 • 3min
“Stop Applying And Get To Work” by plex
Take initiative and act instead of waiting for approvals. With job applications rising, entry-level positions are nearly impossible to secure. Focus on doing meaningful work rather than just signaling competence. Consider your timelines and prioritize making immediate contributions to projects. Offer specific help and address real problems, showcasing your reliability. It's time to stop applying and start making an impact in the AI safety field!

Nov 23, 2025 • 6min
Show Review: Masquerade
Dive into the world of immersive theater as the show reviews the unique experience of Masquerade. Discover how it compares to the iconic Sleep No More, with its intricate, multi-floor layouts and enhanced storytelling. The discussion delves into the reasons why immersive formats can create deep engagement and why the decline of certain shows has paved the way for new demand. However, Masquerade’s guided format raises questions about audience freedom and exploration. With solid production values and mainstream appeal, it’s a thought-provoking look at the evolving theater scene.

Nov 23, 2025 • 5min
I’ll be sad to lose the puzzles
The discussion opens with a dilemma about pausing superintelligence development while weighing humanity's unsolved issues like aging and environmental degradation. A compelling argument highlights how superintelligence might tackle engineering challenges faster than we can. However, there's a concern it could feel like a cheat code, robbing us of our agency. The speakers reflect on the personal value of overcoming challenges and advocate for enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them, mourning the potential loss of our tasks and puzzles.

Nov 23, 2025 • 6min
You can just do things
Explore the idea that you can take action, defying the limits imposed by your social environment. Barriers are often self-created, and with a spark of whimsy, you can expand your possibilities. Discover the significance of starting despite imperfections and evaluate real downsides before diving in. A rapid list of actionable projects inspires experimentation and creativity. The challenge is set: stop delaying and start doing! The narrator encourages you to just act and embrace the journey.

Nov 23, 2025 • 18min
Literacy is Decreasing Among the Intellectual Class
The podcast explores the striking differences between the original 1922 and modern versions of Emily Post's Etiquette, highlighting a decline in assumed reader competence. It critiques the 2022 edition's focus on superficial mechanics over social nuance. The discussion extends to historical texts like Grey's Anatomy, showcasing shifts in informational density and audience. It also addresses the simplification in modern student texts, reflecting lowered expectations, and reviews concerning literacy trends among the intellectual class, culminating in personal remedies to address these declines.

Nov 23, 2025 • 18min
Traditional Food
Insulin resistance is a lurking villain, linked not only to heart disease but also to cancer and Alzheimer's. A fascinating comparison of modern diets shows how American and Japanese metabolisms diverge from hunter-gatherer standards. The impact of nationalism on what we consider 'traditional food' reveals surprising changes in diets over time. The consequences of refined carbohydrates are highlighted, with a call to shift towards more natural, bean-based diets for better health. A delicious black-bean stew recipe caps off the discussion!


