80k After Hours

Philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel discusses nested consciousness in the US, challenging intuitive thinking and exploring dream experiences. The conversation delves into emergent consciousness in ants, reliability of human intuition, and the moral significance of dreams, questioning the boundaries between wakefulness and dreams.

Rachel Glennerster discusses using 'market shaping' to address global challenges like climate change and pandemics, highlighting pull mechanisms for universal COVID vaccines and incentivizing drug repurposing. She also explores systemic reforms in education versus specific interventions.

Matt Clancy discusses the impact of scientific progress, including potential negative consequences. They explore how technology benefits our day-to-day lives, the role of science in reducing extinction risks, and challenges hindering explosive economic growth. Can science delay the time of perils?

Julian Hazell discusses the UK recession, religion, and higher education. The conversation delves into humorous analyses of the British monarchy, decision theory, effective altruism, and ethical dilemmas. They also explore the value of philosophy, student-led academic publishing, and the nuances of academic systems. The debate includes questioning voting rights based on physical strength and historical sword fighting traditions.

Zach Weinersmith discusses his transition from a space optimist to a 'space bastard', covering topics like the history of space exploration, the challenges of space settlement, effects of space on human bodies, ethics of having babies in space, and a roadmap for settling space.

Dean Spears, an expert on why babies are born small in Uttar Pradesh, discusses the impact of maternal undernutrition, the success of Kangaroo Mother Care in reducing neonatal deaths, and the cost effectiveness of programs aimed at saving infants' lives. The podcast also explores challenges of cash-based healthcare for neonatal survival in Uttar Pradesh.

Lewis Bollard discusses strategies to end factory farming and the impact of AI on animals. Topics include: ethical justifications for factory farming, emotional capacities of animals, corporate campaigns in animal advocacy, fish welfare challenges and improvements, globalized standardization in factory farming, and emerging advocacy in Asian countries.

AI expert Zvi Mowshowitz discusses sleeper agents and AI updates in this episode. Topics include ethical considerations in AI labs, triggers in AI systems, pace vs. safety in AI development, rationality, AI viewpoints, and the Jones Act.

Dwarkesh Patel, a young podcast host, shares insights on landing top guests and discusses ideological labels. Topics range from the impact of Microsoft vs. Gates Foundation, motivating people in government, boosting agency, and navigating career decisions. The conversation dives into balancing technical skills with big ideas, exploring power, ambition, and altruism, and embracing unconventional paths in entrepreneurship. It culminates in reflections on growth, adaptation, brand perception, and handling controversies.

Rob Wright and Rob Wiblin discuss topics like Sam Bankman-Fried, virtue ethics, longtermism, EA's role in OpenAI drama, fears about rogue AI, and societal impacts of AI advancements in an engaging discussion.