Post Wave

What are the implications of recent developments in code- and image-generating AI? What is the difference between intelligence and consciousness? What impact do these developments have on the open-source community? How will this affect developer jobs?   Test Driven Development in the Age of AI: https://youtu.be/kBIr46RNxVI DALL.E: https://openai.com/blog/dall-e/ GLIDE: https://syncedreview.com/2021/12/24/deepmind-podracer-tpu-based-rl-frameworks-deliver-exceptional-performance-at-low-cost-173/ AlphaFold: https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/ AlphaCode: https://www.deepmind.com/blog/article/Competitive-programming-with-AlphaCode GitHub Co-Pilot: https://copilot.github.com/ GPT-3: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.14165 Helen Keller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller Michio Kaku: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michio_Kaku Douglas Hofstadter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Hofstadter Terrence McKenna on Intuition: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna Jest: https://github.com/facebook/jest Enzyme: https://enzymejs.github.io/enzyme/ Web Vitals: https://web.dev/vitals/ Embrace Extend Extinguish: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish  Outro Music by Trevor Villwock

What does it mean to exist? We explore Plato’s theory of ideas and his Republic.   Plato Republic: https://youtu.be/rVxSoiHtovM Sophie’s World: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_World Stephen Wolfram heat death of the universe: https://youtu.be/kuFRyOwkYuE Universal wavefunction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_wavefunction#:~:text=The%20universal%20wave%20function%20is,times%20a%20deterministic%20wave%20equation.%22 Bohr’s atom: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Bohr Alan Watts quote: https://youtu.be/-VzLBkmeW8E Steven Pinker – The Better Angels of Our Nature: https://stevenpinker.com/publications/better-angels-our-nature Iain McGilchrist episode: https://www.post-wave.com/49-divided-brain

Who were the Stoics, what did they believe about the world, and how can we apply it to life today?   References:   Marcus Aurelius - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcus-aurelius/ Hunter-gatherers and happiness - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/10/01/551018759/are-hunter-gatherers-the-happiest-humans-to-inhabit-earth Dzogchen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzogchen    Music by Trevor Villwock

update: oh no! I accidentally bungled the conversion and only uploaded the last 2 minutes of this episode. Here's the full episode! (should be fixed now). What is the self? Am I a different person than you are? How can we engender compassion in ourselves? Trevor & Eric discuss enlightenment as talked about by Ram Dass – philosopher, psychologist, luminary.   Ram Dass lecture: https://youtu.be/kjh1BAG5Pfs Dzogchen Buddhism - https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/the-practice-of-dzogchen/ Timothy Leary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Leary Terrence McKenna: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna Ted Achocoso:  https://www.post-wave.com/47-analysis-dr-ted-achacoso Alan Watts: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-10-alan-watts-this-is-it Peterson Dillahunty debate: https://www.post-wave.com/55-religion-and-morality Incompleteness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del%27s_incompleteness_theorems   Outro Music by Trevor Villwock

How should we feel about billionaires pursuing space exploration when there's so much wrong on earth?   References:   Billionaire tax rates - https://www.propublica.org/article/the-secret-irs-files-trove-of-never-before-seen-records-reveal-how-the-wealthiest-avoid-income-tax   Culture series - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_series   Lex Fridman's conversation with Neal Stephenson - https://youtu.be/xAfdSak2fs8   Sabine Hossenfelder on terraforming Mars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb0UnogKQeo   Spinlaunch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0   Largest comet ever discovered - https://www.space.com/newfound-comet-biggest-recorded-history   World's richest people 2021 - https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/   Elon Musk helping fight world hunger - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/11/1052719247/how-6-billion-from-elon-musk-could-feed-millions-on-the-brink-of-famine Percentage of U.S. who are independents - https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx

We are joined by special guest Walker T. Roman to continue our discussion of abstraction, this time in the context of art and music. References: Walker T. Roman: https://www.walkertroman.com/ Lascaux cave paintings: https://www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/ Isometric perspective: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isometric_projection Vermeer optics: https://arranqhenderson.com/2017/09/19/did-vermeer-use-optics-in-his-art/ Danielle: http://www.daniellemulcahy.com/ Origins of Kindergarten: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/little-history-american-kindergartens-180963263/#:~:text=Kindergarten%20itself%20is%20a%20German,in%201837%20in%20Blankenburg%2C%20Germany. Jackson Pollock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock Clement Greenberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Greenberg Isorhythm: https://www.britannica.com/art/isorhythm#:~:text=isorhythm%2C%20in%20music%2C%20the%20organizing,around%201900%20by%20the%20German Serialism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serialism Trevor's music: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock Eric's music: https://soundcloud.com/faero

In this episode we discuss the various forms of immortality humanity could possibly achieve and their implications for meaning and purpose in life.   References: Sean Carroll on time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAScJvxCy2Y Roy (Rick & Morty) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szzVlQ653as Simulation argument (Nick Bostrom) - https://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html Possible evidence for a multiverse - https://www.quantamagazine.org/multiverse-proof-possibility-from-colliding-universes-20141110/

This is the first in a two-part series in which we discuss the topic of abstraction. In this episode we focus on the term as it relates to computer science, existentialism, and music. Max MSP: https://cycling74.com/ Dorris McComics: https://dorrismccomics.com/ Infinite Jest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest Finnigan's Wake by James Joyce:  Wassily Kandinsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Kandinsky Terence McKenna Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/21-terence-mckenna The Double by Dostoevsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Double_(Dostoevsky_novel) Donald Hoffman Episode: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-5-is-what-we-see-reality-donald-hoffman erowid: https://www.erowid.org/ Yes: http://www.yesworld.com/ The Mars Volta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2puUdO4YBg&ab_channel=TannerBarker Tally Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjGzOJ5IiSM&ab_channel=TallyHall-Topic The Well Tempered Clavier by Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0ufknMW0FI&ab_channel=RiqueBorges Reggaeton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxFSBPHwKgY&ab_channel=OSOCITYNATION Music by Trevor Villwock: https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing

Can we have morality without religion? Where do spiritual experiences fit into a modern scientific conception of the world? In this episode we discuss a debate between Matt Dillahunty and Jordan Peterson from 2018 on religion, morality and more.   References:   Debate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmH7JUeVQb8   New Atheism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism   Secular Humanism - https://secularhumanism.org/what-is-secular-humanism/   The Moral Landscape - https://samharris.org/books/the-moral-landscape/   Expert systems - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_system   Godel’s Incompleteness Theorems - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/goedel-incompleteness/

What motivates a teacher to pursue a career in software engineering? How do class roles permeate our society? We speak with teacher Eric Saldivar about his experience transitioning into a technical field.  References: Eric Saldivar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esaldivar1214/ JavaUnscripted: https://anchor.fm/javaunscripted  Codesmith: https://codesmith.io/ Elon Musk work ethic: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/03/elon-musk-works-80-hour-weeks--heres-how-that-impacts--your-health.html Doing Good Better: https://www.post-wave.com/20-doing-good-better  AI singularity: https://www.post-wave.com/episode-7-artificial-superintelligence  Outro music by Eric Mulhern

In this episode we discuss the advent of AlphaGo, an artificial intelligence program created by DeepMind that was the first to beat a top-ranked professional player at Go. This accomplishment in 2016 came nearly a decade before most experts thought it was possible, and brings up many interesting questions about the rate of AI progress, narrow vs. general artificial intelligence, intuition, and more.   Correction: Lee Sedol wasn't the world champion at the time he was defeated, but was second in international titles at 18. AlphaGo later beat the number 1 ranked player Ke Jie in 2017.   References:   AlphaGo Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK6gekU1Y   Terrence McKenna - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna   3 Blue 1 Brown on neural networks -  https://youtu.be/aircAruvnKk   Music:   https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/broken-franglish   https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing  

Does an artistic background lend unique advantages in the field of computer science? How will Github Copilot effect the future of software engineering? We speak with accredited actor Sam Arnold about his experience transitioning into a technical field.  References: JavaUnscripted: https://open.spotify.com/show/47bsykKB1LJ3NtzQf3CHTA Codesmith: https://codesmith.io/ AI Poetry episode: https://www.post-wave.com/42-computer-science-iii Github Copilot: https://copilot.github.com/ Cardono: https://cardano.org/ Motvation & Addiction episode: https://www.post-wave.com/13-motivation-addiction Mark Rylance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rylance Outro Music by Eric Mulhern  

What does the divided brain tell us about the mind body problem? As each half of our brain perceives the world in a different way, does it create a distinct world, or two aspects of the same one? We examine the first chapter of Iain McGilchrist's "The Master and His Emissary".   References: The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist Outro music by Eric Mulhern

It's our 50th episode of this crazy show somehow! We reflect back on this past year of recording the podcast and re-examine some of the topics we've touched.   References:   Coleman Hughes - https://colemanhughes.org/  John McWhorter - https://www.theatlantic.com/author/john-mcwhorter/ Glenn Loury - https://bloggingheads.tv/programs/glenn-show    

How do the two hemispheres of our brains differ? How do they interact? How do these interactions influence society as a whole? We examine some of the ideas of British psychiatrist and author Iain McGilchrist.   References:   Iain Milgilchrist talk - https://youtu.be/HRMiHwT0H4M   The Master and His Emissary - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6968772-the-master-and-his-emissary   Neuralink monkey mind pong demo - https://observer.com/2021/04/elon-musk-neuralink-monkey-demo-draw-skepticism-scientist/   Kernel - https://www.kernel.com/   Dunning-Kruger effect - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect  

What if there were secret knowledge that could effect everything you do: make you stronger, smarter, cure mental illness & heal chronic pain? We explore the concept of salutogenesis; that some activities can increase wellness for the sake of wellness.   Huberman Lab: https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-how-to-optimize-testosterone-and-estrogen/ Lex Fridman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/ Robert Sapolski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky Protien reccommendations: https://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resource-library/protein-intake-for-optimal-muscle-maintenance.pdf Humans are naturally lactose intolerant: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/integrative_medicine_digestive_center/news_events/lactose_intolerance.html#:~:text=Lactose%20intolerance%20is%20a%20common,enzyme%20which%20breaks%20down%20lactose. Testosterone plummeting in males: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2017/10/02/youre-not-the-man-your-father-was/?sh=4b08aa478b7f The Alexander Technique: https://alexandertechnique.com/ Tounge pressure on the roof of your mouth changes skull shape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbzT00Cyq-g&ab_channel=WhatI%27veLearned Jaws by Robert Ehrlich: https://news.stanford.edu/2018/04/10/paul-ehrlich-problems-modern-jaw/ Outro Music by Eric Mulhern

In this episode we examine and explore the many interesting ideas of Dr. Ted Achacoso on consciousness, wellness, the brain, and more.   References:   Kyle Kingsbury Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kyle-kingsbury-podcast/id626299586   Dr. Ted Achacoso interview - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kyle-kingsbury-podcast/id626299586?i=1000521782588   Dzogchen Buddhism - https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/the-practice-of-dzogchen/   Default mode and task positive networks - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-fundamental-four/201406/good-task-bad-people%3famp   Music - lattice for climbing by Trevor Villwock https://soundcloud.com/trevor-villwock/lattice-for-climbing

We explore some concepts in music theory: What are the fundamental elements that make music, and how do we use them in our own compositions?   Ladysmith Black Mambazo: https://mambazo.com/ Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road Ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWYo388T1XU&ab_channel=Berlinale-BerlinInternationalFilmFestival Sunn O))): https://sunn.bandcamp.com/ La Monte Young: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Monte_Young Lutosławski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witold_Lutos%C5%82awski D'Angelo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Angelo J Dilla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Dilla Zach Hill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Hill King Crimson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Crimson Thou: https://thou.bandcamp.com/album/heathen

What can roleplaying games tell us about ourselves -- about our relationships, about what it means to be human? We're joined by special guest Walker T. Roman; artist, creator, dungeon master. Walker T. Roman: https://www.walkertroman.com/ References: Dungeons and Dragons: https://dnd.wizards.com/ I floop the pig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3baEtSTbog&ab_channel=CartoonNetwork Forgotten Realms: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page  roll20: https://roll20.net/ Story by Robert McKee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48654.Story Martin Puryear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Puryear Spectralism episode: https://www.post-wave.com/12-spectralism James Turrell: https://jamesturrell.com/ Sunn O))): https://sunn.bandcamp.com/album/kannon The Raven Queen: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Raven_Queen Critical Role: https://critrole.com/ Infinite Jest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest Spaghettio Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lmvX00TLY&ab_channel=LUISMIGGG Joseph Campbell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell Music by Eric Mulhern.

What if current efforts to produce human-level artificial intelligence are fatally misguided? We discuss new research which suggests current AI practices fail to take into account the 95% of brain activity which takes the form of "spontaneous fluctuations" which are not clearly tied to anything in the mind or the body.   Salon articles: https://www.salon.com/2021/04/30/why-artificial-intelligence-research-might-be-going-down-a-dead-end/?fbclid=IwAR0Wdjpk9Tlf8dp_bW8_2f5wN_KQt7oAzqJci7QcU_gcs66IyDl4cdRSOco   https://www.salon.com/2021/02/20/most-brain-activity-is-background-noise-cognitive-flux-consciousness-brain-activity-research/   Neutral Networks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk   Neurotransmitters and Nueromodulators: https://www.britannica.com/science/nervous-system/Neurotransmitters-and-neuromodulators   Neurons can change their own DNA: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/landmark-study-shows-brain-cells-revamp-their-dna-make-new-proteins-perhaps-sparking   Robin Carhart-Harris article on psychedelics:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390818301175   Harmonic series (Andrew Huang video): https://youtu.be/Wx_kugSemfY   You need to vibrate higher - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnsI67bHpmk