The Do It Podcast

David Deutsch—physicist, pioneer of quantum computation, and author of The Beginning of Infinity and The Fabric of Reality—joins me to discuss fun, learning, and how minds create knowledge. We explore the Fun Criterion: why a sense of “no fun” is best treated as criticism, a signal that something needs improvement, rather than a stop rule or a feeling to chase. Deutsch unpacks conflicts between explicit, inexplicit, and unconscious ideas, and how problems get worked on through conjecture and criticism across different modes of thought and learning. We then zoom out to how ideas “evolve together” inside a mind and why biological evolution is less understood than people often assume. The discussion also touches on focus and attention—whether they’re better seen as a trainable skill, a resource constraint, or both. Finally, we unpack the self as the collective term for the institutions of consent among the multiple strands of creativity and criticism that constitute a mind.📚 Mentioned Resources The Beginning of Infinity — David Deutsch The Fabric of Reality — David Deutsch My upcoming book — The 4 Acts ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 01:21 — Can we measure Fun? 04:31 — Thwarting creativity 06:01 — Can mundanity be Fun? 07:58 — What does “follow the Fun” mean? 10:28 — Fun and inner alignment 12:20 — Resolving conflicts 15:47 — Must ideas align? 17:39 — Are all thoughts creative? 21:25 — Different modes of creativity & learning 28:22 — Evolution of ideas in the mind 33:58 — How (poorly) we understand biological evolution 37:41 — Creating knowledge vs. learning knowledge 40:42 — Knowledge is information with causal power 43:06 — The Self and how the parts of the mind are organized 51:15 — Focus and attention 53:37 — The roots of inexplicit knowledge 57:15 — Physical sensations vs. emotions 01:00:36 — David's upcoming book 01:02:29 — Outro🧠 More from me Book Website Newsletter Productivity blog X

Dirk Meulenbelt, AI graduate, co-founder of based.guide, digital nomad, and organizer of CR events—joins me for a wide-ranging conversation at the edges of critical rationalism. We explore discipline and the Fun Criterion, creativity as compression, the construction of emotion, and the role of consciousness in grounding agency and judgment. Along the way, we dig into epistemology: the distinctions between explicit and inexplicit knowledge, expressible versus inexpressible understanding, and what it really means for knowledge to be explanatory.📚 Mentioned ResourcesLisa Feldman Barrett - How Emotions Are Made - https://amzn.to/3Lcq8bG James Russell's Circumplex Model of Affect -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion...What is the 'Fun Criterion'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idvGl...Edwin's essay on Fun - https://edwindoit.com/funBrett Hall on the unknowns in evolution - https://bretthall.substack.com/p/know...Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman - https://amzn.to/4jolfstDavid Chalmer's hard and easy problem of consciousness - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_pr... Lobotomy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LobotomyDescartes' Error by Antonio Damasio featuring the story of "Elliot" - https://amzn.to/4psBdmZRichard Byrne, ‘Imitation as Behaviour Parsing’ - https://pages.ucsd.edu/~johnson/COGS2...Range by David Epstein - https://amzn.to/3MVzOIdIndustry challenge board https://www.innocentive.com/⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Intro01:08 Emotions11:10 Discipline25:30 Open-questions with the Fun Criterion31:31 The role of constraints in knowledge-creation38:08 Non-randomness of creativity42:27 Explanatory, explicit and inexplicit knowledge01:06:59 Proto-creativity01:28:17 Invention & functional ignorance01:36:59 Consciousness: the easy vs. hard problem01:50:59 Critical rationalism events01:55:10 Outro🧠 More from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog: https://medium.com/@edwindoitX: https://x.com/Edwindoit

In today's video we explore two kinds of knowledge: factual knowledge—rules of thumb that seem to work but don’t explain why—and explanatory knowledge, which reveals how and why things work. Drawing on David Deutsch’s idea that humans are universal explainers, I show why explanations lead to better decisions, fewer mistakes, and more adaptable thinking. We look at why explanations are more accurate and versatile, how they scale far better than memorizing endless facts, and how an explanatory worldview helps you filter information, reason from first principles, and adjust your approach when new knowledge arrives. Timestamps00:00 Intro00:58 Differences between Facts and Explanations01:23 Qualitative differences01:51 1. Accuracy02:30 2. Improvability03:52 3. Range of applicability05:00 Differences in Efficiency05:32 1. Error-rate05:52 2. Storage08:00 Benefits of an Explanatory Worldview08:11 1. Filtering information09:10 2. First-principle thinking10:27 3. Making adjustments11:57 OutroFeatured linksConjecture Institute: https://www.conjectureinstitute.org/My upcoming book: https://edwindoit.com/4actsMore from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit

In this episode, we explore the limits of reality—not as reasons for pessimism, but as the best explanations we have for what truly cannot be done. Drawing from David Deutsch, I explain 1) the laws of physics, 2) unpredictable actions caused by quantum fluctuations, 3) the unknowability of future knowledge and technologies, and 4) intractable problems that require resources we don’t yet have. The key takeaway is hopeful: anything that doesn’t violate these limits is possible, and human creativity can always find a way forward.Timestamps00:00 Intro01:01 Limit 1: The Laws of Physics02:23 Limits due to a lack of knowledge03:10 Limit 2: Unpredictable actions06:09 Limit 3: Unknowability08:31 Limit 4: Intractable actions10:35 Optimism and the Potential of Human Creativity11:53 Constructor theory12:44 OutroFeatured linksThe Science of Can and Can’t (Popular science book on constructor theory): https://www.chiaramarletto.com/books/...Constructor Theory of InformationDavid Deutsch, Chiara Marletto: https://arxiv.org/abs/1405.5563Constructor theory of time David Deutsch, Chiara Marletto: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.08692The Fabric of Reality (Chapter 9): https://www.daviddeutsch.org.uk/books...My upcoming book: https://edwindoit.com/4actsMore from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit

Bart Vanderhaegen, business consultant and host of the Seeking Good Explanations podcast, joins me to explain his Problem Based Management method, built on critical rationalism. We discuss how organizations can improve by focusing on knowledge creation, a simple four-step problem-solving process, and the common traps businesses fall into when defending ideas instead of improving them. We also touch on Austrian economics, the experience of flow, and why personality tests can be misleading—plus much more.📚 Mentioned ResourcesBart's Problem based management paper:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aWIUHqjv_wr6Y1F1ozPCV2s-9k6ATjdQ/viewBart's TEDx on Flow: https://youtu.be/XnPy3uVc3xo?si=XJyihagGxNnGiZV5Seeking Good Explanations podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/0hypZrKSlBFktwXaD1qp4m?si=cv5hJkh9TxO5UAffY9GJlw&nd=1&dlsi=64ce27b28cdd4271The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch: https://www.thebeginningofinfinity.com/⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:53 The role of knowledge creation in business06:51 The basic process of knowledge creation09:11 Visual walkthrough of the 4 moves of problem solving13:40 What is a "problem"?18:13 The role of goals/success criteria23:28 Generating ideas26:16 The explanatory component of an idea29:35 The different modes of criticism33:43 When (not) to move on to execution40:48 The wrong approach to problem solving49:37 Assigning idea "owners" or not?51:24 Encouraging a problem-solving mindset53:19 The benefits of CR-based problem solving58:47 Are we early to CR-based problem solving?01:00:44 The Flow state01:02:39 Austrian economics01:07:27 Personality tests01:10:39 How Bart approaches problem solving in daily life01:12:41 Outro🧠 More from meBook: ⁠https://edwindoit.com/4acts⁠Website: ⁠https://edwindoit.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠https://edwindoit.substack.com⁠Productivity blog: ⁠https://medium.com/@edwindoit⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/Edwindoit⁠

In this episode, we explore the Fun Criterion, a powerful idea of David Deutsch that helps us take action in a way that’s both enjoyable and effective. Rather than relying on discipline or forcing ourselves through tasks, the Fun Criterion urges us to take all parts of our mind seriously—our Statements, Intuitions, and Drives. We unpack what “Fun” really means in this context, why coercion undermines problem-solving, and how to recognize when you’re in a state of fun. We also discuss practical ways to apply the Fun Criterion in daily life.

Dennis Hackethal, philosopher and author of A Window on Intelligence, joins me to discuss how human creativity evolved, how it differs from animal cognition, the role of emotions and values in the mind, and the connections between objectivism and critical rationalism—plus much more.Note: Some segments were re-recorded due to technical issues, resulting in occasional overlap.📚 Mentioned Resources00:00 – Dennis Hackethal – A Window on Intelligencehttps://www.windowonintelligence.com/01:30 – The Neo-Darwinian Theory of the Mindhttps://blog.dennishackethal.com/posts/the-neo-darwinian-theory-of-the-mind06:26 – Karl Popper – Objective Knowledge (Appendix: The Bucket and the Searchlight)07:30 – Lambda Calculushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_calculus15:30 – Animal Sentiencehttps://blog.dennishackethal.com/posts/animal-sentience-faqhttps://blog.dennishackethal.com/posts/evidence-of-animal-insentience18:25 – Sleepwalkinghttps://blog.dennishackethal.com/posts/sleepwalking39:40 – David Deutsch – How Close Are We to Creating Artificial Intelligencehttps://aeon.co/essays/how-close-are-we-to-creating-artificial-intelligence41:30 – What Are Inexplicit Ideas? (with Lulie Tanett)https://youtu.be/vxemBLZRgYI?si=CqWRISkp-svFmI6944:30 – Michael Levin – Picasso Tadpole Experimentshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XheAMrS8Q1c48:40 – Richard Feynman – Cargo Cult Sciencehttps://calteches.library.caltech.edu/51/2/CargoCult.htm53:09 – Robert Trivers – Deceit and Self-Deceptionhttps://amzn.to/4lBFHGg57:30 – Daniel Kahneman – Thinking, Fast and Slowhttps://amzn.to/40oupNJ1:02:40 – Lisa Feldman Barrett – How Emotions Are Madehttps://amzn.to/44rnLan1:13:43 – Ayn RandThe Virtue of Selfishness: https://amzn.to/4nBiN3SPhilosophy: Who Needs It: https://amzn.to/44MCXQQThe Fountainhead: https://amzn.to/44ezomr1:17:00 – Anthony de Mello – Awarenesshttps://amzn.to/44upoEb1:19:25 – David Deutsch – Why Are Flowers Beautiful?https://youtu.be/gT7DFCF1Fn8?si=kmkvckzUp1eCL9s01:22:00 – Film: Whiplashhttps://g.co/kgs/xrCHrsM⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Intro01:30 The Neo-Darwinian Theory of the Mind06:00 Ideas and thoughts are functions07:48 Ideas as Software Functions08:34 The selective pressure in the mind09:00 Evolutionary Pressure in the Mind10:14 The Meta-Algorithm of the Mind12:59 Consciousness and Critical Reflection16:00 Conjecture in the Unconscious17:29 Conscious and Unconscious Behavior19:59 The Complexity of Human Behavior21:02 Differences in Learning: Humans vs. Animals22:41 Reinforcement Learning and Evolutionary Algorithms25:14 The Interplay of Randomness and Targeted Learning26:42 Animal Behavior: Instinct and Sentience31:37 How Creativity Evolved36:18 Cognitive Abilities and Evolutionary Advantage38:47 Understanding Consciousness and AGI41:52 The Language of Ideas and Information Processing43:36 Decentralized Intelligence and Motor Movements46:42 Replacing/Overriding Unconscious Knowledge48:41 The Complexity of Honesty and Self-Deception55:07 Common Challenges & Hiccups in Reasoning01:02:03 The Origins and Role of Emotions01:06:23 Fun Criterion Nuances01:10:06 Morality: Critical Rationalism, Objectivism & Existentialism01:15:21 Non-Dualism and Awareness01:18:55 Art, Beauty, and Inspiration01:24:10 Bodybuilding01:28:07 Pursuing or Envying Ideals01:31:27 Outro🧠 More from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog: https://medium.com/@edwindoitX: https://x.com/Edwindoit

n this video, we explore how to choose between different solutions to a problem and the mental traps that often derail good decision-making. We look at two common pitfalls: acting too quickly based on instinct or limiting beliefs, and relying too heavily on mental shortcuts like negativity bias, survivorship bias, and overconfidence. While these shortcuts help with everyday decisions, they can lead us astray in more complex situations. For serious problems, we should use deliberate reasoning, but avoid overthinking by balancing accuracy with efficiencyTimestamps00:00 Intro00:32 Today's topic00:46 Mistake 1: acting too fast01:45 Example: overcome by emotion02:22 Example: self-limiting beliefs04:39 Mistake 2: being fooled by mental shortcuts05:56 What mental shortcuts are06:25 Example: negativity bias07:14 Example: survivorship bias07:54 Example: overconfidence08:32 How to correctly handle our mental shortcuts09:58 The overthinking trap10:51 Wrap up and outroFeatured linksMy upcoming book: https://edwindoit.com/4actsThinking, Fast and Slow: https://amzn.to/44mO41x The Beginning of Infinity: https://www.thebeginningofinfinity.com/More from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit

In this episode, we dive into how to come up with better solutions once you've identified a clear problem. Drawing from David Deutsch’s ideas and critical rationalism, I explain how creativity works—through conjecture and criticism—and how we often limit our own options without realizing it. We explore three common creativity-blocking mistakes: 1) Assuming there's only one solution, 2) Believing certain limitations can't be overcome and 3) Thinking in terms of compromise or zero-sum tradeoffsTimestamps00:00 Intro00:32 Today's topic00:51 How creativity works02:14 What we can do to optimize our creativity03:41 Examples of how we hinder our creativity03:58 Example 1: Conditioned laziness04:30 Mistake 2: Imagined constraints06:05 Mistake 3: Unnecessary compromises10:09 OutroFeatured linksMy upcoming book: https://edwindoit.com/4actsThe Beginning of Infinity: https://www.thebeginningofinfinity.com/Conjecture Institute: https://www.conjectureinstitute.org/More from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit

Why don’t Critical Rationalists—like David Deutsch—give life advice?In this video, I explore three key reasons grounded in Critical Rationalism and fallibilism:1) Knowledge is always conjectural, not authoritative2) Problems are deeply personal and context-dependent3) Advice can misalign with individual goals and values

In this episode, we explore why all knowledge—whether from our senses, thoughts, or feelings—is inherently fallible. Drawing on David Deutsch and Critical Rationalism, we explain why even our strongest knowledge is likely flawed and should always be open to improvement. Through practical examples of faulty Intuitions, incorrect Statements, and misfiring Drives, we show how to develop a clearer understanding of problems. We also highlight the importance of defining success criteria early—so we know when a problem is truly solved.Timestamps00:00 Introduction 01:15 Why our interpretations and all our knowledge is fallible05:14 But, doesn't mathematics have absolute truths?08:28 Examples of errors in our internal knowledge08:42 Errors in our Intuitions09:41 Errors in our Statements11:29 Errors in our Drives13:21 Errors in Succes Criteria15:23 Recap & OutroFeatured linksMy upcoming book: https://edwindoit.com/4actsPrevious episode:    • How to Understand Your Mind with David Deu...  Reason is Fun "Potato story" podcast episode:    • Are feelings ideas? | Reason Is Fun #6  The Beginning of Infinity: https://www.thebeginningofinfinity.com/Conjecture Institute: https://www.conjectureinstitute.org/More from meBook: https://edwindoit.com/4actsWebsite: https://edwindoit.comNewsletter: https://edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit

We explore how to understand the mind using the ideas of David Deutsch and the philosophy of Critical Rationalism. We cover 3 types of internal knowledge—Statements, Intuitions, and Drives—and how conflicts between them shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions. By learning to evaluate these signals based on their content (not their category) we can make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.Timestamps00:00 Intro 01:47 The 3 Types of Knowledge We Use02:13 Type 1: Statements (conscious explicit knowledge)02:42 Type 2: Intuitions (conscious inexplicit knowledge)03:40 Type 3: Drives (unconscious knowledge)05:29 How Conflicts Between Knowledge Creates "Problems"06:11 Examples of Different Types of Knowledge in Conflict07:55 The Mistake of Judging Knowledge Based on Type Instead of Content 10:08 The Correct Way to Deal with Statements, Intuitions and Drives10:14 Example 1: Gloomy Monday11:16 Example 2: Stressful Thursday12:27 Example 3: Happy News13:19 Recap and wrap-upFeatured linksPrevious episode:    • Why Critical Rationalists—Like David Deuts...  The Fun Criterion:    • What is the 'Fun Criterion'? (David Deutsc...   The Conjecture Institute: https://www.conjectureinstitute.org/More from meUpcoming book: 4acts.comWebsite: edwindoit.comNewsletter: edwindoit.substack.comProductivity blog:   / edwindoit  X: https://x.com/Edwindoit