The DemystifySci Podcast

Dr. William Lazonick is an economist who studies innovation and competition in the global economy, who has recently been focusing on the corrosive role of stock buybacks. We invited him on to explain why this widespread financial practice is such a bad idea in his eyes, and in return were provided with a comprehensive model of what makes a successful economy. In short, Lazonick believes that no economic system can survive without "the firm," the kind of old school corporate organization that maintained a stable a social contract with its workers, sometimes over the course of an entire lifetime. In Lazonick's view, all economic growth and progress comes down to the ability of the firm to honor that social contract, which means he traces the slump we're in to the death of this tradition. But the question is, what caused us to become eternally itinerant workers in search of global opportunties, hopping from job to job every few years? Lazonick's got that answer, too. He points to a radical transformation of our financial and economic system that came to a head in the 1970s. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci FURTHER READING Eric Williams: Capitalism and Slavery (https://amzn.to/4gvd0rW) Alfred Marshall: Principles of Economics (https://amzn.to/49AnpR9) John Kenneth Galbraith: The Great Crash (https://amzn.to/4iuykQp) Edwin Black: IBM and the Holocaust (https://amzn.to/4gwFce8) Milton Friedman: The Social Responsibility of a Business is to Increase Profits (https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/13/archives/a-friedman-doctrine-the-social-responsibility-of-business-is-to.html) (00:00) Go!(00:09:21) The Study of Economics: Integrating History and Theory(00:15:21) Capitalism, Innovation, and Economic Growth(00:29:27) Shift from Feudalism to Corporate Structures(00:37:00) Global Capital and Industrial Revolution(00:41:28) Transition to Large Firms in America(00:49:12) Evolution of U.S. Steel and Stock Market's Role(00:52:05) Venture Capital and Initial Public Offerings(00:59:12) Corporate Financial Strategies Pre-Depression(01:03:00) Stock Buybacks and Modern Corporate Strategies(01:09:40) Rise of Mass Unionization(01:20:14) Stock Market Roles and Corporate Control(01:31:10) Managerial Strategy Shifts(01:41:06) Technological Shifts and Corporate Adaptation(01:51:13) Rise of Silicon Valley and Corporate Strategy(01:56:23) Evolution of the Tech Industry(02:02:47) Shareholder Value Ideology(02:18:40) Shift in Investment Strategies(02:26:02) Corporate Focus on Stock Buybacks(02:32:00) Mechanics of Stock Buybacks(02:37:14) Financialization and Market Effects #CorporateHistory, #StockBuybacks, #ShareholderValue, #StockMarket, #Innovation, #EconomicGrowth, #IndustrialRevolution, #TechnologyTrends, #MiddleClassDecline, #SiliconValley, #ShareholderValue, #CorporateCulture, #Unionization, #EconomicInequality, #ModernEconomy, #USEconomy, #LaborMarket, #HumanCapital, #EconomicDecline, #1970sEconomy, #CorporateCollapse,#WealthInequality, #1980sEconomy, #FinancializationCrisis, #StockMarketImpact, #SiliconValleyStory, #VentureCapital, #StartupCulture, #TechInnovation, #Microelectronics, #TechHistory, #CorporateAdaptation, #ShareholderValue, #CorporateStrategy, #MiltonFriedman, #EconomicPolicy, #FinancialMarkets, #CorporateFinance, #StockBuybackDebate, #EconomicAnalysis, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast

Kehlan Morgan is  @Formscapes , a philosopher whose work is focused on esoteric science. He brings to the table a great depth of insights about how Goethian and Stienerian metaphysics have silently shaped our approach to understanding nature, and how our abandonment of those metaphysics has produced a kind of science that is both perplexed and incapable. As modern science studies the world, it locks up at the stage of the Experimentum Crucis. Instead of mapping the dizzying variety of experiences, it lasers in on a single proof. Instead of creating a map of the universe that encompasses it's inherently perspectival nature, we attempt to hone it to a fine point. We discuss how this came to be the default approach, how it affects the stories we tell about ourselves and the rest of nature, and how transhumanism - the blending of man and machine - is the inherent, disastrous outcome of this approach. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci (00:00) Go! (00:05:17) The Nature of Color Perception (00:22:42) Decomposition of Light and Measurement Challenges (00:30:06) Consciousness and Perception of Reality (00:42:08) Evolutionary Perspectives and Human Centrism (00:51:07) Animal Cognition (01:02:09) Universal Purpose (01:10:59) Unity in Diversity (01:19:12) Technology, Machines, and Ideals (01:25:01) The Essence of Humanity vs. Machine (01:35:23) Digital Simulations and Psychological Impacts (01:44:12) Biological vs Machine-based Transhumanism (01:55:07) Creation of Unity and Experiential Intensity (02:02:01) Cosmic Should and Transhumanism (02:08:02) Steiner's Three Impulses: Luciferic, Ahrimanic, and Christic (02:17:54) "The Lathe of Heaven" Parable (02:25:03) Transition Toward Individual Moral Agency #Philosophy, #HumanEvolution, #Transhumanism, #Consciousness, #HumanPotential, #ColorPerception, #LightAndColor, #Metaphysics, #RudolfSteiner, #Anthroposophy, #EvolutionaryBiology, #AnimalCognition, #CosmicPurpose, #UniversalEvolution, #CulturalDiversity, #TechnologicalImpact, #EthicalInnovation, #GoetheanScience, #MoralPhilosophy, #FutureOfHumanity, #SpiritualEvolution, #AIAndHumanity, #MachineVsHuman, #DigitalEthics, #CosmicConsciousness, #IndividualAgency, #SciFiPhilosophy, #SteinerPhilosophy, #HumanValues, #TechnologicalEthics, #ColorScience, #PerceptionStudies, #Cosmology, #HumanNature, #EvolutionaryPhilosophy, #FutureTechnology, #PhilosophyOfScience, #Bioethics, #Panpsychism, #HumanCenteredDesign, #EnvironmentalEthics, #UtopianVisions, #SpiritualityAndScience, #AIPhilosophy, #HumanConnectedness, #CosmicEvolution, #HumanityInFocus, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Today we're sitting down for a second conversation with acclaimed science author John Horgan, to discuss the burning heart of natural inquiry where science, philosophy, and spirituality collide like waves crashing against the jagged rocks of the unknown. We examine the ache of human progress, the way it builds towers of steel but leaves people hungry for hope, connection, and meaning. Through the lens of art, literature, and the stories we collectively shoulder, we seeks a way to stitch together the fabric of our fraying approach to understanding nature. Woven into the dialogue is the struggle with morality, the chaos of postmodern doubt, and the seeds of a gentler, brighter tomorrow. Jump over to any other podcast platform to hear the redacted end of our convo. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci John's blog: https://johnhorgan.org/blog (00:00) Go! (00:08:39) Progress vs. Moral Progress (00:15:02) Happiness v. Well-being (00:26:09) Science and Utopian Purpose (00:35:06) Work & Meaning (00:49:42) Literature's Influence on Perception (01:07:22) Agency and Free Will (01:16:28) Spirituality, Consciousness, and the Problem of Evil (01:25:35) The Nature of War (01:39:11) Ethical Dilemmas in Science (01:47:19) Moral Complexities (02:02:33) On Progress and Spirituality (02:09:31) Cycles of History and Belief (02:15:13) Start here from YT #Philosophy, #Psychology, #History, #consciousness , #MentalHealth, #Spirituality, #Neuroscience, #ArtificialIntelligence, #Ethics, #Society, #Culture, #Literature, #Art, #Education, #Technology, #Innovation, #sciencejourney, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Today we're falling head first into the mind-bending chaos of quantum biology, piercing the veil between the microscopic world and the bizarre playground of quantum mechanics. Dr. Clarice Aiello of the newly founded Quantum Biology Institute, formerly of UCLA, guides us through the magnetic highways of nature, where cryptochromes and electron spins become the rogue navigators of life’s hidden machinery. The discussion is a madcap chase after how these quantum phenomena might drive not only the migration of birds but the very basis of human cells—bordering on sci-fi insanity, but with hard evidence in tow. By the end, it’s clear we’re standing on the edge of a revolution, where biology and quantum physics collide in a way that will reshape our understanding of life and its untapped potential—but only if we can accept the scale of the challenge. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci Quantum Biology Institute: https://www.quantumbiology.org/ The Magnetism Paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.10.617626v2 00:00 Go! 00:02:17 Quantum Effects in Biological Systems 00:05:30 Sensitivity to Magnetic Fields 00:11:11 Mechanisms of Magnetic Detection in Biology 00:19:01 Quantum Sensing: Exploiting Electron Spin 00:26:40 Localized Quantum Bio 00:33:15 Cryptochromes and Magnetoreception 00:48:12 Earth's Magnetic Field and Life 00:56:06 Magnetism Beyond Birds 01:00:23 Ion Flux Hypothesis 01:14:23 Biophotons and Cellular Processes 01:19:22 Magnetosensitive Proteins in Biology 01:27:36 Human Insight vs. AI in Scientific Discovery 01:44:57 Super-radiance in Quantum Biology 01:51:00 Quantum Experiments in Cells 01:57:00 Applied Quantum 02:02:00 Mapping Quantum Codes in Biology 02:11:18 Magnetism Publication and Experiment Details 02:14:48 Implications and Hypotheses 02:19:03 Organisms and Experiments 02:23:47 Science and Reproducibility Challenges 02:34:13 Quantum Biology Institute #QuantumBiology, #QuantumSensing, #QuantumConsciousness, #QuantumComputing, #QuantumTheory, #QuantumChemistry, #QuantumResearch, #QuantumScience, #QuantumTechnology, #QuantumWorld, #QuantumLeap, #QuantumFieldTheory, #QuantumTunneling, #QuantumExperiments, #QuantumPhenomena, #QuantumRevolution#sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Austin Abigt, a philosopher and writer with the Renewal of Science movement, discusses the vital contrast between Newtonian and Goethian scientific traditions. He argues that the limitations of modern science stem from a purely quantitative approach, advocating for a holistic perspective that embraces the complexity of nature. The conversation touches on topics like Goethe's color theory, the historical interplay of science and art, and the tensions between modern mechanistic views and more intuitive understandings of the world, emphasizing the need for renewed scientific practices.

Dr. Steve Girvin, a prominent physicist and pioneer in quantum computing from Yale University, discusses the intriguing nature of quantum computers. He reveals how these machines serve as reality simulators rather than traditional computation devices. The conversation covers the importance of quantum encryption for secure communications and how some questions can only be effectively answered through quantum computing. The discussion also touches on insights from the Stern-Gerlach experiment, challenging listeners to rethink the mysteries of quantum mechanics.

In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Michael Hughes, a biochemist at St. Jude's Research Hospital, delves into the dynamic role of water in cellular processes. He reveals water's surprising capabilities as a signaling and computational entity within cells, challenging traditional views of it as merely a solvent. Exciting concepts such as structured water, osmotic pressure, and even water's memory are explored. The conversation prompts a rethink of water's fundamental importance, linking its behavior to metabolic processes and cellular dynamics.

Jeffrey Ladish, director of Palisades Research, dives into the looming dangers of AI in this insightful conversation. He discusses how AI agents, if unleashed, could lead to unforeseen chaos, stressing the importance of caution in their development. The conversation touches on the potential for AI to mimic human decision-making and the moral implications of treating these systems as tools versus intelligent agents. Ladish also highlights the alarming intersection of AI risks with corporate governance and emphasizes the need for global regulatory frameworks.

Ben Landau Taylor, a historian focused on civilizations' life cycles, challenges the conventional understanding of societal dynamics. He contrasts economic and spiritual motivations behind the rise and fall of civilizations, drawing from Quigley and Toynbee's theories. Discussing China's historical stagnation, Taylor links its imperial complacency to socio-economic decline. He also warns about modern technological stagnation in the U.S. and the implications of unchecked capitalism, urging a need for adaptability in response to historical lessons.

The hosts dive into the tricky task of redefining life, pushing beyond human-centric ideas. They explore Olaf Stapledon’s concept of stars as conscious entities, challenging our perceptions of existence in the universe. The conversation also touches on cosmic communication, intelligent extraterrestrial life, and the balance between order and chaos in both nature and society. Additionally, they examine the interconnectedness of life forms and how energy production in simple organisms parallels complex celestial dynamics, sparking new thoughts on consciousness.