ToKCast

This is the final "The Beginning of Infinity" episode. I must say: the Youtube version of this contains many useful videos and images to help with what is being described and explained.    Either way: Enjoy! (And rest assured "The Science of Can and Can't" and "The Fabric of Reality" episodes will continue to come out weekly. This is not the end, but "The Beginning").   Here is a time-stamped summary of the contents of this episode: 00:00 “The Horizon”: An introduction to “The Beginning of Infinity” 03:10 The Beginning. A throwback. 04:20 The point of all this. 06:15 Comments on Ricky Gervais and Sam Harris “Absolutely Mental” podcast and related themes 09:30 A place for religion and people. 16:00 A central message of BoI 16:45 Books that inform a worldview: including "The Fabric of Reality" by David Deutsch and "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris 22:30 Some criteria for understanding 27:40 Competing “epistemologies”. 31:20 Some comments on Ayn Rand’s philosophy 32:30 The “knowledge density” of "The Beginning of Infinity" 38:20 Critical thinking 43:15 Common Sense Realism 47:30 The end of the introduction 48:00 Reading Part 1 49:05 My reflections on historian Roy Porter and the competing Enlightenments 56:45 Reading Part 2 57:00 Prophesies and Predictions. 59:15 Reading Part 3 59:30 "Popperian Provisos" 1:00:35 Reading Part 4 1:00:51 The infinite potential of explanatory knowledge 1:01:40 Reading Part 5 1:04:10 Physical reality and laws of physics 1:05:15 Reading Part 6 1:05:30 Simulations vs recordings of people 1:06:35 Reading Part 7 1:08:00 Misunderstandings of Explanatory Universality 1:10:00 The Final Reading 1:11:00 The Beginning. A Throwback Part 2 1:12:30 Extended credits.   Music: "Double Slit Test" by Ketsa: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/The_Double_Slit_Test/Double_Slit_Test   Made for Mum & Jem.

This podcast is abut crypto - and recent volatility. I explain some of the psychological motivation for crypto currency and compare it to fiat currency and the liabilities of both. Some comments on so-called “Modern Monetary Policy/Theory”.    If you wish to support my podcast, that can be done here: ToKCast is creating Videos, Podcast and Articles | Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com › BrettRHall or here Brett Hall is creating Videoes and Podcasts about ... - Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com › tokcast   or for Paypal donations - either one off or monthly go here and click on "Donate" http://www.bretthall.org

Discover the fascinating distinction between a simple theory of everything in physics and David Deutsch's grander vision for unifying our deepest theories. Explore the mind-bending concept of emergence and how it challenges traditional views. Unravel the mysteries of quasars and their role in reshaping our understanding of the universe. Dive into the balance between specialization and generalization in knowledge, all while pondering the intricate connections between different fields of study. Humor and philosophy meet in the Parable of the Copper Atom!

This episode is focussed on the physics content of chapter 1. I explain what the current “conception” of physics is in terms of dynamical laws and initial conditions. I run through a simple example of how equations of motion are used and discuss how this has been, hitherto, the way physics has been done, is done and is expected to continue to be done according to most philosophers and physicists. We then compare this vision of physics to what constructor theory aims to achieve by considering more than just a single thread through the fabric of reality (what was, is and will be) and instead to consider what might have been and might still be. This clearly has implications for knowledge and, again, we hint at the possibility of a physics of epistemology. It also opens up the possibility for physics to address questions about why the initial conditions are the way they are and thus provides a new window into the origins of the universe and the problem of "fine tuning" when it comes to the constant of nature and the form of the physical laws.

The title says it all. This episode is about quasars. I return to my original “training” in astrophysics in order to correct some misconceptions that may have crept into my video titled “The Nexus” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpTxBkmr4LE  This episode covers three basic things: The history of the discovery of quasars The physics of quasars Varieties of quasars As with episodes of this kind, it is "image intensive" and although I hope listeners of the audio only will find value - there might be something missed without the images. This episode is also in recognition of the long term work of author Danny Frederick's contribution to the promotion of Popperian epistemology. May Danny be remembered as a philosopher of deep insight into epistemology and a critically rational worldview.

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of optimism versus pessimism in our understanding of the universe. The discussion spans intriguing concepts like dark energy, consciousness within the multiverse, and the simulation hypothesis. Philosophers weigh in on potential doom scenarios while others offer hopeful perspectives on humanity’s future and technological evolution. The podcast tackles the intersection of AI and human consciousness, questioning what it means to be alive in a rapidly changing world filled with infinite possibilities.

This is an exploration of the first 7 pages of "The Fabric of Reality". I spend much of the time talking about the significance of the book, how I missed so much even on my first few readings of it and how we find even in these first few pages not merely the seeds of aspects of David Deutsch's later work, but an entire forest of important ideas that motivate much in "The Beginning of Infinity" and his other philosophical work such as "The Logic of Experimental Tests": https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271767/1-s2.0-S1355219816X00032/1-s2.0-S135521981530023X/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjELP%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJIMEYCIQDFvidQX0HdiKbHk8tDPI6Xx3d%2B08WVdW4bvTrJtAYhMQIhAOt3a6GjnI1w40bclPo3W%2FmgEaTVnQbmCk0bLelHxjBMKrQDCDwQAxoMMDU5MDAzNTQ2ODY1IgxMZezhD4njxDVguhMqkQNVjXPy%2FvRGzs%2FHY9Eq0tQcEX79UhxDO7Y%2B1Q71GgGvyy3IIsw3VGCgbYaLsIV7h%2BhoB6bfELgfSNGiy33pRrgxKytokoNoIXVQRSCJdkc%2F93GAjaEDCpzMDX1NV9Jujj9iQOHeLzbiLkqMCXld1sWannla7s7Nm2MOb7GdKYkHcGnHcba5fugyQE8HUhiCtGFHzyPRyq2ZnuoL7SFFGeC5tLB7X7TFQhT2YO%2FuXrt9LLkIiFAPCGsCAYW2AMr0XuQdkuG7CxWDYmTIWLTJ734iOlYtppxYbperE3Y63xDqTS7Jq80A79It3GulbT9iStjm7JBFy4LF3ZZbhs%2F60XABJ8U3WyEV4d4sYYWIzPsoTFZoFB3OQlchQg6WNuFwQXUHj5yLYnJDRkVP%2BnggZ%2Boln%2BJw8ILAe9BUexIxS1qGO2J8xgQciX04NQG2ELZ6ciEQnC12rc7l2nIMtz56C3JfPaYJhMwk%2B6%2FJkkxYlNvT5bhxxSwq4hTVPpBWXbMZNWx%2B5FilnKR6kIbmVmPM2L8MvjDg2NKEBjrqAQG87WkTVsRgGe2AoR45PfFE%2BVUqtcUC9qY8q8vzdDIEKGwhaA3BMdfISXsH8Sl7Jxw0TxNioDazf5uueAEQB2yFowtSVc9udD9N6mhwOlRby4RBAPLwkAEgz%2FWl4aXXE3%2FaWxCuXQfWEFbN9mSHtc2kmafJWYYfijbeOdmTC9kRwrCVraCdWAGPgzcUNGW0ciNWBo6s%2B9Vci2sCyZo7OCcVfYMuWZFDjcWYK0t3kGvEvVWQuFTLyOTSLsDvZNf0JeZo5%2BggGnUuqs8DFMZ0GlcEaeP5GnNcPaMdAqitYYF67f9vfRQdGsbGbg%3D%3D&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20210507T033518Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTYQHJSKL4E%2F20210507%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=5f11cec79591e29071a4fd8800fd5d04f1af8a99e6afc05e17f2f07b201e3a92&hash=5835606749c3a73dfb50b1c1a16451933716d7dd085bc5ca765562e01bae8aa1&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S135521981530023X&tid=spdf-d6a79e96-757a-4541-9f5d-c2e61a0df1ed&sid=cd7069598b3c214f033b0e3-bdecf1cfde71gxrqa&type=client For many who read "FoR" as it has affectionately become known prior to "The Beginning of Infinity" (BoI) - it was FoR that really shifted our mindset from a common-sense and traditional understanding of science and philosophy to a genuinely Popperian world view, updated and refined by David Deutsch. This is not a book to be read lightly if one is unaccustomed to the work of David Deutsch. It will change your mind. I do not mean in the colloquial sense of that phrase - like "It will change an idea you have". I mean it will change what your mind is to you. You will think differently. You be speak differently. You will behave differently. You will be different. In a much better way.

Chiara Marletto, author of 'The Science of Can and Can't,' discusses Constructor Theory, a departure from traditional physics, focusing on counterfactuals and epistemology. The podcast explores genetic resilience in DNA, mutations' role in adaptation, and the evolution of knowledge. It delves into the significance of counterfactuals in science and the transition to constructor theory in physics.

Delve into the dynamic clash between John Horgan's pessimism and David Deutsch's optimism about science. Explore critiques surrounding Popper's theories that veer into personal attacks. Uncover the exciting mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, revealing how they challenge current cosmological models. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a curious mindset in the face of science's evolving nature and unresolved questions, particularly in fundamental physics.

This episode is identical to episode 59 - only it contains no music. I don't think this is as good :) My preferred way to experience this is the video version version which is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpTxBkmr4LE .  of this video (there is another published alongside this without any music -again, I don't think it is as good, but if you prefer "no music" - there is a video version without that also here: https://youtu.be/Ky4vMllidvM​   In either case this episode seeks to answer the question "What is a person?" in the context of our best scientific and philosophical understanding of evolution by natural selection, the theory of computation (including quantum computation), the theory of epistemology - how knowledge is created - and finally quantum theory - in particular the Everettian multiverse understanding of it in its most modern incarnation, as explained primarily by David Deutsch in "The Beginning of Infinity" and invoking the concept of fungibility. The concept of "personhood" has been historically a very tricky idea; either mired in the murky waters of mysticism, or reduced by the near vacuousness of physicalism. This document attempts to provide a video essay on the topic given our most up to date notions of what is true in philosophy, mathematics, morality, epistemology and physics. Time stamps will be available soon. Credit for the music goes to “Ketsa” - https://ketsa.uk/​ where their music can be downloaded for free on a Creative Commons License here: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa​ and my own track breakdown is as follows: Track List and Times Save Ourselves (00:05​) Deliverance (03:02​) Astral Travel (06:22​) Blazing Stars (09:42​) Blessed Time (12:54​) Dancing by Twilight (38:30​) Wild Rivers (41:46​) Hear me out (44:42​) Gilded Moon (48:27​) Deep Math (53:58​) Built from Nothing (57:11​) Details for the creative commons license can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa​ and at the end of the video.