ToKCast

Brett Hall
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11 snips
Jun 28, 2023 • 1h 3min

Ep 192: Where do ideas come from?

This is a cross-post from my Substack podcast "The 3Rs: Reality, Reason, Rationality" the text of which can be found here: https://bretthall.substack.com/p/where-do-ideas-come-from?sd=pf#details   This diagram is also relevant:  
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6 snips
Jun 16, 2023 • 39min

Ep 191: Science News 2: Dark Matter, Fusion, JWST Latest

Science news from a "critical rational" perspective. No "believing" in explanations here, no time for instrumentalism and a focus on good explanations of the evidence. Introduction (epistemology in science): 00:00 Dark Matter: 04:32 Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND): 08:12 Statistical confidence in physics: 15:23 Instrumentalism in modern physics: 19:00 Fusion Power 'News': 22:09 "Spinoffs" from fusion research: 24:56 Advice for investors in pure science: 28:26 James Webb Space Telescope latest: 31:59 Concluding Remarks: 37:42
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5 snips
Jun 13, 2023 • 35min

Ep 190: David Deutsch’s ”The Fabric of Reality” Chapter 9 ”Quantum Computers” Part3

Here in this second-to-last episode on the discussion of Chapter 9 from the Fabric of Reality we discuss some of the key distinctions between the classical and quantum - the philosophical and scientific implications and then some of the current experimental approaches to (and reporting on) the actual engineering of these devices. 
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7 snips
Apr 26, 2023 • 18min

Ep 189: Epiphenomena

This serves as "part 2" of my "Are Consciousness and Creativity the same thing?" podcast, the Youtube version of which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjY4fR-qMU
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5 snips
Apr 21, 2023 • 41min

Ep 188: Nick Bostrom on AI on ”Talk TV” - analysis

This podcast was originally produced on Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/bretthall/bretthall It is all about an interview that can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fv4Uz_i1iQ
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6 snips
Apr 14, 2023 • 24min

Ep 187: Red Pens and Fallibilism

This podcast episode is based around two sets of chits (two "chats") found on airchat at https://www.getairchat.com/bretthall/bretthall?t=440630 The articles associated with these chits and in the latter case many links are here: https://www.bretthall.org/blog/the-white-swan-and-red-pen and here: https://www.bretthall.org/blog/the-problem-with-fallibilism
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54 snips
Apr 8, 2023 • 1h 34min

Ep 186: Brett, Naval and more on AI & AGI

The latest on the philosophy, science and technology of AI and AGI. ChatGPT, Deep Learning, Neural Networks and Large Language Models (LLMs). What do we know? Where is it going?
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24 snips
Mar 31, 2023 • 1h 1min

Ep 185: Possibility and Actuality. Facts and Counterfactuals.

Sam Harris and Lex Fridman vs The Multiverse and Constructor Theory. Although this is a reaction video, it's just 10 minutes of Sam with the rest of the time spent me doing some analysis, dissection and "what went wrong" reflection as a vehicle for explaining certain parts of physics and philosophy.
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6 snips
Mar 29, 2023 • 1h 21min

Ep 184: ToKCast Digest - An Overview of Optimism

Everything that we’ve covered on ToKCast so far for those in a hurry or those wanting a refresher. It’s the synecdoche episode. 183 episodes down and David Deutsch has spoken with Naval Ravikant and Tim Ferris, and so begins another cohort of people - a new generation if you like - of people coming to optimism in Deutsch's sense and the infinite potential of people and explanatory knowledge. I begin with some reflections on David’s appearance on The Tim Ferris show. If you watch no other ToKCast episodes or don't have the time for complete commitment - this is the one for you. ToKCast is now ranked in the top 1% of podcasts worldwide according to "Listen Notes". https://lnns.co/AwGLfoTRgHZ   Thankyou to all listeners and especially all supporters. You can support ToKCast by following the links here to Patreon or Paypal: https://www.bretthall.org/
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Mar 21, 2023 • 1h 2min

Ep 183: St George in retirement syndrome on St Patrick’s day.

What is "St George in retirement" syndrome? This and much more in another random livestream about all sorts.

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