Crazy Wisdom Show Notes: Episode Guest: Jonah Messinger, PhD student of physics at Cambridge and writer for The Breakthrough Institute (check out his article here) Topics Covered: Fusion Developments: Recent developments in the fusion sector. The last 3-4 years have seen significant investment in plasma-based fusion technology from private startups, amounting to around 5 billion dollars.  Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR): An overview of LENR or cold fusion, a sector of nuclear physics that has been castigated for 30 years but is now undergoing a resurgence. Jonah is part of an MIT research team awarded an ARPA-E research grant in this field. Physics Fundamentals: Explanation of plasma-based fusion and how it differs from LENR. Discussion includes protons, neutrons, and electrons, the strong nuclear force, and the relationship between mass and energy.  Controversies around Cold Fusion: Delving into why cold fusion is considered heretical, including its inconsistencies with conventional theories and unexpected reaction pathways. Jonah outlines why despite its challenges, it still holds potential.  In-depth Look at Cold Fusion Experiments: Discussion on various cold fusion experiments, highlighting experiments with unambiguous results. Jonah recalls his entrance into the field after reading a Nature article in February 2022 and how it influenced his research.  Radiation and Cold Fusion: Conversation about nuclear energy outputs with chemical inputs, the theoretical framework of LENR, and how one can potentially engineer nuclear pathways. A discussion on radiation types and the relative low radiation of cold fusion also unfolds. Quantum Coherence and Fusion: Exploration of the role of quantum coherence in LENR, with reference to a quote challenging traditional assumptions about nuclear interactions.  Commercialization and Future of LENR: Discussing the potential future of LENR commercialization, using the transistor's history as an analogy. Jonah emphasizes the importance of more people and resources coming into the field for LENR's progress.  Additional References: Jonah Messinger's article on The Breakthrough Institute: https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/energy/fusion-runs-hot-and-cold Jonah Messinger's Twitter: People Mentioned: Fleischman and Ponns, prominent researchers in the field of cold fusion.

Crazy Wisdom Show Notes Guest: Rick Nucci Key Themes: The importance and business problems solved by Knowledge Management (KM). The role of AI in transforming Knowledge Management. Startup challenges, employee engagement, and leadership advice in times of rapid change. Summary: In this episode, we're joined by Rick Nucci, CEO of Guru, to delve into the field of Knowledge Management and how it's being transformed by AI. Rick shares his entrepreneurial journey and the critical business problems that Guru is designed to solve. We dive deep into the metrics around employee efficiency, the importance of transparency, and the role of AI in knowledge management. Rick also shares valuable insights for startup founders and CEOs on keeping teams engaged and aligned amidst rapid changes. Key Discussion Points: Knowledge Management (KM) is critical for improving business efficiency and customer experience. It aids in quickly disseminating necessary information to employees and aligning communication to customers. The value of metrics in evaluating the success of KM and getting buy-in from the company. The importance of understanding the pains of both employees and subject matter experts to avoid burnout and enhance efficiency. Knowledge Management helps in scaling businesses without compromising on learning and customer relationships. Change within organizations is inevitable and often difficult, but it offers valuable inflection points. Timely, transparent, and even messy communication can aid in managing this change. The pandemic has increased the importance of asynchronous communication, thus boosting the need for KM. The transformation of KM by AI is promising. Large Language Models (LLMs) can play a vital role in making information retrieval efficient, but it's crucial to establish trust in AI and ensure accuracy. A "Single Source of Truth" is impractical to achieve by storing all knowledge in one place. Instead, it's about providing employees with a unified place of access to accurate, cross-functional knowledge. Notable Quotes: "It's not about having all knowledge in one place, it's about giving employees one place they go to know what they need to do their job." "Lean into change. People value timeliness and transparency much more than they do polish." "Knowledge is power, but it's the transparency and sharing of knowledge that has exponential value." Resources: Guru's website: Getguru.com Call to Action: Explore more about the transformation of Knowledge Management with AI at Getguru.com and find out how their solutions can aid your business efficiency and customer experience. Post Podcast Reflection: Rick Nucci offers a fresh perspective on the field of Knowledge Management and the intersection of AI. His insights on business efficiency, leadership, and managing change are particularly valuable in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Be sure to tune in for this engaging conversation!

Introduction In this exciting episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, we are joined by Tim Wood Powell, an innovator, catalyst, author, and speaker whose motto is "Let's make our Knowledge work!" Tim is the founder of the Knowledge Agency and author of the book The Value of Knowledge. This episode is packed with insightful discussions around the realm of knowledge, its role and value in business, and the challenging aspects of measuring intangibles. Notes Understanding Knowledge The discussion kicks off by probing the question, 'What is knowledge?' An intangible asset with no weight, its definition and measure become particularly complex in a business setting. Tim explores his insights from his experience in the music business and recounts a copyright dispute over a song. The Benefits and Challenges of Knowledge Tim shares his views on how knowledge benefits us by bringing in perspectives from psychology and philosophy. But in the business world, where there's a constant pursuit to measure the immeasurable, knowledge can be a conundrum. The current accounting systems are designed to measure tangible assets, but they fall short when it comes to intangibles. This poses challenges, especially in today's knowledge-driven work environment. Tangible to Intangible: The Journey With real-world examples, Tim illustrates how we've moved from tangible to intangible assets and discusses their role in creating business value. From IP sales of bankrupt companies to branding strategies for products like tobacco, Tim provides insightful commentary on the value and paradox of intangibles. Knowledge and Business Performance Tim delves into how companies must create their own metrics to assess intangibles despite existing accounting systems. He speaks about the role of knowledge in buffering business risks, managing uncertainty, and aiding decision-making processes. He discusses the importance of decision-making in a world that is increasingly algorithmic. The Role and Value of Knowledge Management (KM) Tim narrates the ups and downs of knowledge management through various business cycles. He explains the concept of 'time value of knowledge' and how the value of an asset is always changing. The conversation then moves towards understanding the value dynamics in a business and the role of KM in managing these dynamics. What do KM Workers do? The discussion then shifts towards understanding the role of KM workers and the challenges they face. He talks about the shift from information search to knowledge resources management and the difficulties faced due to lack of standardization and resources. He also gives insights into how KM can help organizations deal with uncertainty and manage complexity. Technologies for Sharing Information Tim discusses the benefits and challenges of technologies used for sharing information. He talks about issues related to governance, the importance of standardization, and the role of network and relationships in implementing technologies. Findability on Enterprise Search Towards the end, Tim shares his experiences as a client and how the needs of users have evolved due to Google. He stresses the importance of knowing what resources are available and what are needed, and how generative AI might help in the future. Websites/Books Mentioned Tim Wood Powell's Website The Value of Knowledge High Tech Marketing Machine Knowledge Value Chain Team of Teams book People Mentioned Fritz Maclow Professor Sid Winter Don't forget to check out Tim's book and his work at the Knowledge Agency to delve deeper into the fascinating world of knowledge management and business strategy!

Episode Introduction: Welcome to another insightful episode of Crazy Wisdom, where we delve into fascinating discussions around philosophy, technology, and everything in between. Today, we are delighted to host Saman Farid, a visionary who is working on an ambitious project of supplying the world with a robot workforce through his company, Formic. In this episode, we navigate through a range of topics from the evolution of societies to robotics, AI, industrial revolutions, and the changing face of human labor. Show Notes: Formic's Foundation: Formic, named after the Latin word for ants, is a reflection of Saman's philosophy of collective efficiency and productivity. Influence of Literature: Saman drew parallels between Formic's mission and elements from Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" which is where the name Formic is drawn from Human Progress & AI: The conversation delves into the history of human progress and the implications of AI, drawing from phases like the Paleolithic era, agricultural and industrial revolutions, to the current digital age. Labor Shifts: Saman touches on the shift from manpower-heavy jobs to more digital and AI-related roles. He addresses the fear surrounding job loss and the need to fill undesired roles through robotics. Revitalizing Manufacturing: Discusses the potential resurgence of manufacturing through advanced technology like GPT and robotics. Challenges of Robotics Adoption: Saman shares insights on the low adoption rate of robotics in factories and the hurdles that prevent companies from leveraging this technology. Role of Robotics: Details the functionalities of the robots being built at Formic, including tasks such as palletizing, inspection, and machine welding. Redefining Labor & Purpose: The conversation explores the moral and societal implications of automating repetitive jobs and how it might impact individuals' sense of purpose and identity. Individual and Collective Purpose: Saman discusses the dichotomy between individual and collective purposes, arguing for a balance of individuality and unity. Motivations behind Formic: The journey and vision behind Formic, from the excitement of building something new to the satisfaction of seeing the products in use. Humanity and Tool Use: The conversation examines the idea of humans as tool users and the role of technology in shaping human identity and experience. Fears and Hopes for the Future: The dialogue closes with Saman's thoughts on future shifts in societal perspectives, changes in labor dynamics, and the role of engineers in creating utopian futures. Media Mentioned: Bloomberg Article: "The US is building factories, but who will work there?" Book: "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. Company Website: Formic Saman's Twitter

Introduction Welcome to this deep dive into the world of Large Language Models (LLMs) and vector databases for the Crazy Wisdom Podcast. Our guest today is Eden Marco (follow him on Twitter), a Customer Engineer at Google Cloud and a best-selling Udemy instructor with a passion for General Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). In this episode, we unpack the complexities and intricacies of LLMs, explore the role of vector databases, and discuss the future of autonomous agents and machine learning. Key Discussion Points Vector Databases & Similarity Search: Vectors play a critical role in similarity searches, a common use case in vector databases. These databases are pivotal in developing LLMs and help in getting the right context to prompts. They are also used to truncate long pieces of text into paragraphs for vector outputs. Understanding LLMs and Context: How does an LLM answer questions about things it hasn't been trained on? The answer lies in in-context learning. We delve into the main problems LLMs face in understanding context and the role of vector stores in this process. LLMs and Long Term Memory: We discuss the concept of coreference resolution in LLMs, the issue of growing queries due to token limitations, and techniques to handle these challenges. Eden explains the human-like behavior of LLMs and how autonomous agents interact with other agents using memory as context. Prompt Engineering & Autnomous Agents: What is sophisticated prompt engineering? It's the art of getting the LLM to do what you want. We explore autonomous agents with Langchain, the process of augmenting prompts, and the growing importance of prompt engineering. Human Simulation & Machine Learning: Despite advancements, a real human simulation remains distant. We touch upon the statistical nature of machines and humans and discuss whether machine learning could be considered a parasite in the digital ecosystem. Twitter API & Coding: We discuss the implications and challenges of using Twitter's API for scraping tweets, and how coding can be used to overcome limitations and navigate permissions. Chroma - A Vector Database: An introduction to Chroma, a vector database that facilitates in-context learning and filtering. Eden sheds light on the competitive vector database market, the benefits of using managed servers, and the potential of combining vector databases with relational ones for enhanced utility. Long Term Memory and Scaling Databases: We discuss the potential of using vector databases for long term memories, the importance of cataloging memories, and the ease of scaling databases with cloud services. People to Follow: Hari Sanchez, co-founder, and creator of the Langchain framework, is a must-follow for anyone interested in long-term memory and LLMs. The Gap in Machine Learning: We wrap up the discussion with insights into how the gap between machine learning programmers, data scientists, and PhDs has been bridged, and the potential future of open-source models in the face of state-of-the-art LLMs. Websites & Resources Mentioned Chain of Thought Paper: A resource that describes how LLMs think. Eden Marco's Udemy Class: A comprehensive course by Eden Marco on GenAI. Langchain by Hari Sanchez: A groundbreaking framework for autonomous agents. Eden Marco's Twitter Profile: Stay updated with Eden's latest insights and work.  

Show Notes In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, we are joined by Tem Nugmanov, the founder of the first-ever Notion consultancy Optemization. This enlightening discussion covers a broad array of topics, from how our lives are defined by the tools we use to the changing landscape of knowledge management. Key Discussion Points Tem's journey from moving to NYC in 2015 to study at NYU to becoming an entrepreneur and starting his fitness technology business, focusing on data optimization for weightlifting. His knack for discovering and figuring out productivity tools such as Trello, Asana, Flow, Slack, and Zapier, which led to him becoming known as the guy who "does the API." Tem's fascination with Notion since the release of its 2.0 product in 2018, which he believes puts everything into one space. He talks about the steep learning curve with Notion and how the aesthetic satisfaction from using it keeps users hooked. The rise of Notion within startups and how it replaced traditional tools by offering a simplified and unified workspace. Tem discusses his experiences hosting Notion events and migrating Confluence workspaces to Notion. The relationship between form and function in knowledge management, and how tools like Notion, Coda, and Almanic are revolutionizing the industry by making it more conducive to knowledge sharing. The transition from personal knowledge management to enterprise knowledge management, with different rules, permissions, and sharing methods. The impact of AI on knowledge management and the possibility of a new category emerging within the field. The different aspects of knowledge management, including project management and asynchronous work. Tem discusses his views on the subject, particularly disagreeing with the notion that knowledge management is solely about asynchronous work. The core concept of hierarchy within knowledge management, where beliefs about how things are done need to be nurtured and maintained. He talks about the tension between people and processes and the need for checks and balances within an organization. The challenges faced when incorporating asynchronous work into a remote workflow. Tem shares his experiences working with a startup and their struggle to redefine their remote workflow. The future vision for his Notion consultancy, which involves workspace design, workspace automation, project management, and goal management. He dreams of creating a "big four consultancy" for Notion and code. Listen to the full episode to hear all this and much more. Don't miss this insightful conversation with Tem Nugmanov, as he shares his crazy wisdom and his unique insights into the world of productivity tools, knowledge management, and the future of work.

Show Notes for the Crazy Wisdom Podcast Guest: Jared Zhao, CEO of AskEdith (https://www.askedith.ai/) Conversation: Introduction to AskEdith: Explanation of the search-driven analytics tool that enables users to access data in plain language Targeted at non-technical users Background: Jared's previous work in creating a visual editor for a data warehouse and training non-technical users Evolution of AskEdith: The journey so far and how it's still in its early stages The influence of startup circles and the emergence of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT from OpenAI The potential for swapping out the underlying core technology The role of English to SQL translations Future of AskEdith and Industry Insights: Thoughts on the future of core IP and the impact of open source Understanding the inference structure and use of APIs Discussion on the current competitive advantage of OpenAI The litmus test for whether we are in a technological singularity and its definition Unique aspects of the data industry, including the inability to host data Technical Aspects of AskEdith: The balance between search functionality, security, and compliance The use of a terraform module for one-click deployment into private clouds Insights into database and networking configuration AI and Society: The implications of AI on philosophy and its potential as a "silver bullet" The difference between AI replacing tasks versus jobs The historical context of automation and the Roman Empire's approach to universal basic income The potential need for universal business income today Whether AI will lead to deflation and thoughts on the economics of AI AI in Practice: The role of AI in replacing resources like Stack Overflow Challenges faced by AI in writing innovative code and the current capabilities of GPT-4 The potential for AI to predict the future and become an expert in a field The use of external data and consumer trends for benchmarking The Future of AskEdith: The vision of AskEdith as a mission control for enterprises The role of AskEdith as a search layer

Introduction Jae Yang, the founder of Tacen, a decentralized exchange, discusses his first hire as an archivist for the company and how this unique approach to knowledge management has helped them navigate the complex world of crypto startups. Tacen's commitment to thorough documentation and keeping a permanent record of every decision made is a testament to their belief in transparency and accessibility. Topics Covered Knowledge Management and the Role of an Archivist Jae shares how his experience at various startups led him to the role of an archivist, a guardian of a company's history and knowledge, differentiating it from a librarian who curates and organizes knowledge. The importance of meeting notes and how AI is utilized in their decision support process. The evolution of their team, starting as the 3rd person on board, to now 26 members. The process of making knowledge visible across the company and its challenges. Explains their unique classification system for information security that ranges from '00' for public data to '04' for secret data. Tools Used for Knowledge Management The use of internal wikis and Urbit, a suite of software tools that provides good infrastructure level support. Transition from Notion to WikiJS for self-hosting, and the reason behind the move. The capabilities of Urbit in knowledge management, including indexing textual content and its limitations like the absence of a textual management system like Obsidian. Urbit vs Obsidian The comparison between Urbit and Obsidian, which has features like bi-directional tagging and infinite discoverability. Events Discussion of "Reassembly 2023," a conference hosted by Tacen in Cheyenne, Wyoming from August 16-18th. Company Location and Cryptocurrency Law Explanation of why Tacen was established in Wyoming, citing factors such as crypto-friendly laws like the Wyoming DAO Law, zero corporate tax, and good internet infrastructure. Comparisons to South Dakota's innovative banking regulations and credit card processing. Brazil and Cryptocurrency The situation of cryptocurrency in Brazil, including its integration in daily life with apps and its role in circumventing high inflation and tax burdens. Brief mention of cryptocurrency's role in Argentina (note: segment about stablecoins was cut out). World View and Social Change Jae's thoughts on the rapidly changing world, the social changes since the 1970s, and the impact of technology. Discussion on the falling birth rates, changing attitudes to personal rights, and the further atomization of society. His view of the internet as a powerful tool that can lead to both individual empowerment and the spread of harmful agendas. Banks and Access to Finance Concern over banks preventing people from accessing their accounts for ideological reasons. Cheyenne and Tech Startups The vibrant tech startup scene in Cheyenne and its nearby University town, Laramie. About Tacen Tacen's early struggles with information overload and automatic deletion of data on Notion, leading to a change in their documentation strategy.

Robert DT on twitter: @DeeperThrill Doctorate on biomedical engineering with a focus on AI Entrepreneur building biomedical systems with AI specifically; medical imaging The conversation centers on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, with an emphasis on computer vision and the utilization of existing imaging algorithms. Transformers, a type of deep learning model, are discussed for their unique self-attention mechanism and applications in natural language processing and computer vision. The talk pivots to data cleaning, specifically anonymization and safeguarding personal identifiers in the context of healthcare. Questions arise about data storage in healthcare facilities and the process of transferring it to the cloud. The conversation broadens to encompass AI's predictive capabilities and inherent risks, including the possibility of AI predicting third-order effects of its own interventions and concerns about excessive trust in AI predictions. The potential of AI in genetic engineering surfaces, particularly regarding CRISPR technology and nanobots. The conversation explores the benefits and risks of such advancements, including the revival of extinct plants and emergence of new diseases. Finally, the conversation shifts to societal implications of AI, including job displacement, the emergence of an attention economy, and the prospects of decentralized AI. The importance of understanding the limits of AI is underscored.   Show notes We need to examine what's currently happening in the field of AI, particularly in relation to medical imaging. This involves an exploration of computer vision technologies and how pre-existing imaging algorithms are being applied. We should discuss the concept of a "transformer" in the context of artificial intelligence. A critical part of working with AI is data cleaning. This includes the process of anonymization, ensuring that we only use the person's image and not any identifiable data like their name. We must also consider the storage of this data, which is typically housed on hospital servers. Additionally, there's the question of how this data is transferred to a cloud system for further processing. Let's explore the issue of gatekeeping in the field of AI. This might involve discussing the role of clinical trials and the Institutional Review Board in ensuring ethical standards. The engineering aspect of gatekeeping also requires attention, particularly when dealing with 3D data sets for imaging. We should highlight two major changes currently happening in the field of AI. Swin Transformers represent a significant development, as they are built off the concept of transformers in AI. Let's delve into the world of language modeling and chatbots. We must also consider the potential downsides of these AI technologies. The transhumanism angle presents an interesting point of discussion, particularly in relation to the next generation of technology. For example, the development of the mRNA vaccine was a major leap forward in response to global health crises. There's also the concept of generative mRNA vaccines, which use AI to generate potential cures. However, these AI technologies also come with risks. They could inadvertently create a disease, or develop a cure that isn't effective. The ease with which technology can be used in this field means that virtually anyone can make implants, leading to a new set of challenges. We should also discuss the emerging role of AI in lab-based work, such as managing petri dishes. The application of Hegelian principles to AI provides an interesting philosophical perspective. Looking ahead, we might consider what a lab kit might look like in ten years. The idea of the first version of something, and its relationship to anti-authoritarianism, is another interesting topic to explore. We have to acknowledge that AI, despite its potential, will not prevent all risks. AI can be used as a predictive tool for triaging, helping to determine whether an intervention will benefit a person. The use of CRISPR technology is another relevant point of discussion, especially considering its potential downsides, its application in nanobot technology, its use in regrowing extinct plants, the potential for new diseases arising from its use, and the systematics of finding new plant species in places like the Amazon. Let's also consider the case of the dodo and the role of technology in its extinction. With a small sample size, AI can predict certain outcomes, a feature that can be beneficial in various fields. Most plant species are discovered rather than created, and AI can potentially help in predicting where these new species might be found. The question arises: is AI better at predicting the future? It can certainly help us see larger scale patterns that we aren't aware of. However, the act of predicting the future can create its own issues, akin to the Oracle of Delphi dilemma. For instance, can AI predict the third-order effects of its own intervention? By revealing patterns, AI becomes a more effective tool. The more layers of patterns it can show us, the better. AI and Medical Imaging: AI is increasingly being used in medical imaging, particularly through deep learning techniques. These have applications in MRI, CT, and PET scans, enhancing image reconstruction, quality, and efficiency. While impressive progress has been made, the technology still needs further development before it can be widely applied in clinical settings Transformers: Introduced in 2017, transformers are a type of deep learning model used primarily in natural language processing and computer vision. They're distinguished by their use of self-attention, enabling them to process the entire input data all at once, rather than sequentially as in Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). This allows for more parallelization and thus reduces training times. Transformers have become the model of choice for many NLP problems, replacing RNN models such as long short-term memory (LSTM)

In this podcast episode, the host, Stewart, is talking with Zach and Matthew, co-founders of Clay, a relationship management platform. The conversation covers various topics including: The Journey to Clay: Zach and Matthew discuss their journey of conceptualizing and developing Clay. They reveal the thought process that went into creating a product that could help manage relationships without reducing them to transactional entities. Exploration of Clay: They delve into the workings of Clay, its AI assistant, and how it helps users manage their relationships. Clay has the capability to remind users of their connections, keep them updated with their social interactions, and help maintain the quality of their relationships. Concept of Attention Economy: They talk about the notion of the attention economy and how it can be detrimental to our relationships. They also discuss how Clay can help users regain control over their attention. Relationship with Nature: Stewart discusses his personal experience with his move from San Francisco to the country, and the challenges and learning experiences that came with it. He prompts the others to share their thoughts on the relationship with nature, and how it influences our relationship with ourselves. Matthew relates this to the idea of self-discovery and the inherent need for human connection with nature. Adapting to Challenges: They discuss the challenges and "curveballs" of life, especially in the startup world, and how they adapt to them. Matthew highlights the importance of having a supportive co-founder and a solid team to weather the inevitable storms. Future Plans for Clay: Zach and Matthew hint at upcoming features in Clay, including AI advancements. They invite listeners to check out the beta preview of these features on their website. At the end of the conversation, Matthew emphasizes the importance of investing time in our relationships, not only in a professional context but also personally. He suggests that this investment offers a high return and could significantly improve one's quality of life.