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MIND & MACHINE: Science & Tech of Maximizing Human Capability
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MIND & MACHINE: Science & Tech of Maximizing Human Capability

Author: August Bradley

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Weekly interview show with people at the forefront of transformational technologies, scientific research, and bold new thinking that enables humans to operate at higher levels — better able to achieve whatever each person values most in life.

This could be in fields as diverse as neuroscience, computer science, psychology, bio-tech, augmented reality, nutrition & fitness and so many more areas of pioneering work.
68 Episodes
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My guest today is Akshay Kothari, the Chief Operating Officer at Notion. As COO, Akshay is one of the top people driving the ship at this next-generation software platform that's enabling everyday users to create their own software tools instead of settling for what's provided on the market.  Despite Notion being a young and small company of around 50 people, it has received a valuation of $2 billion dollars in its latest venture capital funding round — making it one of the fastest moving ventures in Silicon Valley. In today's discussion with Akshay we explore the future of Notion and this new movement of democratizing software development, enabling anyone to create their own software tools.  More at http://mindandmachine.io
My guest today is Dr. Bertalan Mesko, also known as The Medical Futurist. He's the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, delivers keynote addresses all over the world, and runs a popular magazine and YouTube channel on the future of medicine with an emphasis on how technology will shape healthcare. Dr. Mesko is a physician with a PhD in genomics, and an Amazon Top 100 author. With the Coronavirus pandemic underway, we get into the nature of pandemics, what stages to look for in the evolution of the COVID-19 crisis, and what we can expect with future pandemics. Then we discuss how emerging technologies are being used to fight the virus, and how we can better prepare to fight future pandemics by leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Genomics, 3D Printing, and other advanced technologies.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    More on Bertalan Mesko:     - Website:  https://medicalfuturist.com/     - Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Berci     - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/medicalfuturist __________   MIND & MACHINE features interviews by August Bradley with bold thinkers and leaders.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter   MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Nir Eyal, who writes and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The MIT Technology Review dubbed Nir, "The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology." Nir has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Institute of Design at Stanford. He's the author of two bestselling books, "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life". We explore the the psychology of focus, and how to channel your mind to achieve more.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    More on Nir Eyal:     - Website:  https://www.nirandfar.com     - Book Website: http://www.indistractable.com     - Twitter:  https://twitter.com/nireyal __________   MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Anders Ericsson, author of the renowned book "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise". He is among the world's leading authorities on how to new master skills. Anders is a Professor of Psychology and conducted much of the research on expertise and peak performance that Malcolm Gladwell famously referenced to develop the 10,000 hour rule in Gladwell's book Outliers. However, as we discuss today, Malcom Gladwell mis-interpreted much of the science behind the 10,000 hour rule. Anders demonstrates that talent is overrated and peak achievement is dependent on a specific type of learning called "deliberate practice", and that your skill in any area is a function of the quantity and quality of “mental representations” you have for that activity. We explore the science of learning and of skill mastery -- how it happens, and how to do it. Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Steven Kotler. Steven is one of the world's leading experts on achieving Ultimate Human Performance through Flow States. "Flow" is the cognitive state of full immersion and focus in which brain activity changes to enable peak human capability across an intellectual or physical activity. It's characterized by rapt attention so deep that one loses their sense of space and time, tapping into radically heightened performance, creativity, and learning.   Steven is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, and a New York Times bestselling author. His books include The Rise of Superman, Tomorowland, and Stealing Fire. Along with Peter Diamandis, he co-authored the books Bold, Abundance, and most recently The Future is Faster than you Think. We go deep into the neurological causes of flow states, what it enables, and how to achieve it.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Douglas Rushkoff, who has been named one of the “world’s ten most influential intellectuals” by MIT. He's an author and documentarian who studies human autonomy in the digital age. He's written over twenty books include the recently-published "Team Human", and he hosts a popular podcast, also called "Team Human", focusing on the economic, technological, and social programs that determine how we live, work, and interact. His perspective challenges conventional thinking, often calling out both sides of polar debates. We explore modern life in the digital age, and how to come together as "Team Human". Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter More on Douglas Rushkoff:    - Twitter: https://twitter.com/rushkoff    - Website: https://rushkoff.com    - Podcast: https://teamhuman.fm _______ MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Dr. Christof Koch, one of the worlds foremost experts on neuroscience and consciousness. Dr. Koch is the Chief Scientist and  President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. He recently released his latest book, The Feeling of Life Itself – Why Consciousness is Everywhere But Can’t be Computed. It explores new insights and perspectives into human consciousness, as well as ideas surrounding the potential of sentient machines. We explore a wide range of issues surrounding consciousness, what it means, and theories on how it works.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    The Allen Institute: https://bit.ly/2rNVEEj Personal Website: https://christofkoch.com   Book: The Feeling of Life Itself https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/feeling-life-itself __________   MIND & MACHINE features interviews by August Bradley with bold thinkers and leaders in transformational technologies.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter   MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Paul Shapiro, author of the national bestseller "Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World". He's also the CEO and co-founder of The Better Meat Co., a four-time TEDx speaker, the co-host of the Business for Good Podcast.   In our conversation today we explore the future of food, with a particular focus on lab-grown meat that's identical to meat from animals. I came away from this conversation with enhanced hope for our ability to use this technology to create a better world by improving our environmental impact, enhancing human health, and greatly reducing suffering. We also explore plant-based meat-replacements and how that can be a stepping stone to the big Clean Meat technological breakthroughs.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter    More On Paul Shapiro and his work: Website:  https://www.paul-shapiro.com Book:  https://cleanmeat.com The Better Meat Co.:  https://www.bettermeat.co Business for Good Podcast:  http://www.businessforgoodpodcast.com   __________   MIND & MACHINE features interviews by August Bradley with bold thinkers and leaders in transformational technologies.   Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter   MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io   Subscribe to the podcast on:      iTunes: https://www.mindandmachine.io/itunes      Overcast: https://www.mindandmachine.io/overcast      Android or Other Apps: https://www.mindandmachine.io/android
We explore Human Enhancement and Personal Performance Hacking with Matt Ward (@mattwardio), the host The Disruptors podcast, startup investor, adviser and business innovation consultant. Matt and I thought it would be fun to do two episodes, one here on MIND & MACHINE and the other on The Disruptors, where we explore what we've learned, the ideas we've formed and our takeaways across all these different fields that we cover. So with this episode here on MIND & MACHINE, we focus on human enhancement -- technologies that are extending lifespan and enhancing human capability. Then we get into what Matt and I are doing currently to maximize our own performance capabilities -- our ability to think more clearly, to live more energetic vibrant lives... which is all heavily informed by all these amazing guests across these different fields that we explore. In the other part of this discussion, on The Disruptors, we look at another set of subjects from space to AI to Augmented and Virtual reality. So I encourage you to check that out as well at The Disruptors... For the other part of the Conversation on The Disruptors: https://is.gd/mv1Vez MIND & MACHINE features interviews by August Bradley with bold thinkers and leaders in transformational technologies. Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter MIND & MACHINE Website: https://www.MindAndMachine.io YouTube Channel for video edition: https://www.mindandmachine.io/youtube Show Host August Bradley on Twitter: https://twitter.com/augustbradley
In a follow-up to our previous episode, my guest today is again cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman, author of the book "The Case Against Reality". In this addendum to the previous episode, we explore how Don's First Principles Thinking enabled his remarkably original theory on reality (covered fully in the previous episode). Then further into today's discussion we hear about the Secret Mastermind of Brain Scientists that Don was a part of for nearly two decades, Don has been making waves lately in a range of scientific fields with a theory of reality that splinters all of our preconceived notions. What if everything we thought was real -- the physical world around us and the notion of time -- are not reality but a vast surface-level operating system designed to guide our behaviors for evolutionary survival. What if understanding true objective reality were in fact counter to evolutionary success, and therefore the truth has been obscured from us. Donald Hoffman is a cognitive scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: https://www.mindandmachine.io/newsletter "The Case Against Reality" (Book) is at https://is.gd/thecaseagainstreality __________ More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman, author of the book "The Case Against Reality". Don has been making waves lately in a range of scientific fields with a theory of reality that splinters all of our preconceived notions. What if everything we thought was real -- the physical world around us and the notion of time -- are not reality but a vast surface-level operating system designed to guide our behaviors for evolutionary survival. What if understanding true objective reality were in fact counter to evolutionary success, and therefore the truth has been obscured from us. Don Hoffman is a cognitive scientist at the University of California, Irvine. In our conversation today we explore the nature of reality and of consciousness. Then over the next week I'm going to release a shorter episode, as a stand-alone addendum, on Don's process for moving beyond conventional wisdom and to generate truly original thinking -- plus a look into the secret club of brain scientists he was a part of for nearly two decades with some of the most brilliant minds in cognitive science. That mini-episode will follow shortly. Subscribe to the MIND & MACHINE future-tech newsletter: http://news.mindandmachine.io "The Case Against Reality" (Book) is at https://is.gd/thecaseagainstreality More on Donald Hoffman: Website: http://cogsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donalddhoffman __________ More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
Today we explore CRISPR and gene editing, embryo selection vs embryo editing, parental vs societal needs, emerging mind-reading technologies, and the ethics surrounding all of these issues. August Bradley's guest is Hank Greely, a Stanford Law School professor specializing in the ethical, legal, and social implications of new biomedical technologies, particularly those related to genetics and neuroscience. Hank frequently serves as an advisor on policy issues — he's the chair of California’s Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, a member of the Advisory Council on the NIH’s National Institute for General Medical Sciences, a member of the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law of the National Academies, and a member of the Neuroscience Forum at the Institute of Medicine. He chairs the steering committee for the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics and directs both the Stanford law school’s Center for Law and the Biosciences, and the Stanford Program in Neuroscience and Society. His book "The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction" gives us a look at the future of making babies through new technologies. Podcast Audio version at: http://mindandmachine.libsyn.com More on Hank Greely at: https://law.stanford.edu/directory/henry-t-greely/ https://profiles.stanford.edu/henry-greely Twitter: https://twitter.com/hankgreelylsju __________ More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
August Bradley's guest today is Martin Bryant, a technology and media writer, speaker and consultant who puts out the Big Revolution newsletter on what's happening at the intersection of technology and media. Martin was previously the Editor In Chief of the TNW digital magazine which operates alongside the influential The Next Web conference on emerging tech. We explore how tech companies are transforming the media world, and bringing many aspects of culture and politics along with it. Podcast Audio version at: http://mindandmachine.libsyn.com Martin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinSFP More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Steven Furber, who has led the design of the SpiNNiker neuromorphic computer — a brain simulator with one million cores on a single machine, each core interacting with the others in ways mimicking how living brains function. His work on the SpiNNiker neuromorphic computer is designed to both teach us more about how human brains work and to advance computational capabilities. Neuromorphic computing is a sub-set of Artificial intelligence focusing on hardware that uses the information processing methods of brains, as opposed to other fields of AI using software algorithms. Steven Furber is the ICL Professor of Computer Engineering in the School of Computer Science at the University of Manchester in the UK. We discuss modeling the brain with machines, why neuromorphic computing is generating so much excitement these days, and how it opens up computational possibilities beyond traditional computers. Then we examine the potential capabilities and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence more broadly.
My guest today is Paul Scharre, author of the book "Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War" — which Bill Gates recently featured in his top five book recommendations of the year. Paul is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security — a think tank based in Washinton D.C.   Previously, Paul worked for the U.S. Secretary of Defense where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense working-group that drafted policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs.   We discuss the current state of military autonomous weapons, the degree to which highly autonomous warfare will be conducted in the future, and the ethical challenges facing this technology. We also get into the resistance from employees within Google and other A.I companies toward supporting military uses.   More from Paul: https://www.cnas.org/people/paul-scharre Twitter: https://twitter.com/paul_scharre   More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is Chris Pain, director of the AI documentary film "Do You Trust This Computer?" and previously the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?". The new film is a powerful examination of artificial intelligence centered around insights from the most high-profile thinkers on the subject, including Elon Musk, Stuart Russell, Max Tegmark, Ray Kurzweil, Andrew Ng, Westworld creator Jonathan Nolan and many more. Chris set out to ask these leaders in the field "what scares smart people about AI", and they did not hold back.    More on Chris and the Film: Chris Paine's Production Company, Papercut Films: http://papercutfilms.com “Do You Trust This Computer?" Website: http://doyoutrustthiscomputer.org __________   More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest is Isaac Arthur — a theoretical space scientist, physicist, futurist and bold visionary of human expansion. He brings a mind-blowing level of research and storytelling to his series . While the subject matter sounds like science fiction and is certainly inspired by it, his exploration is framed within the known laws of physics. We will focus on space megastructures, a form of future world-building on a scale that's almost unimaginable. From Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds to Shell Worlds and Artificial Planets. We touch on all this and more, all within known physics and largely within known technology, albeit at a mind-bending scale. More on Isaac and his work: https://www.isaacarthur.net More MIND & MACHINE: https://www.mindandmachine.io
As artificial intelligence evolves, it will present itself to us in a variety of ways. One of the most intriguing manifestations of AI will be when it assumes our own faces — forming an autonomous double of ourselves.   My guest today is Nikhil Jain, founder and CEO of ObEN which creates AI-driven digital humans in the likeness of its users to perform tasks when they cannot be there in person. These digital avatars simulate a person’s voice, face and personality, enabling never-before-possible social and virtual interactions.   We look at the technology today, its ultimate potential and how it can transform they way we live and work.   More on ObEN at http://oben.me Twitter: https://twitter.com/ObenMe __________   More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
My guest today is J.L. Galache, an asteroid astronomer turned new-space entrepreneur. J.L. is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Aten Engineering, a pioneering space mining company. He has designed and directed asteroid data projects with NASA’s Frontier Development Lab and Oracle. At the Minor Planet Center (part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), J.L. was Acting Deputy Director, where he helped keep the world safe from killer asteroids.   We discuss space mining and the practical steps necessary for human settlement of the solar system — as well as what a space economy among interplanetary settlements would look like.   More on J.L. & Aten Engineering J.L. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlgalache Aten Engineering: https://www.atenengineering.com Aten on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtenEngineering __________   More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
Today we explore genomics and how it will transform medicine. My guest is Lisa Alderson, the CEO and co-founder of Genome Medical — a fast growing company in the emerging field of genomics. Genome Medical provides expertise to both individuals wanting to explore their DNA, and to health care providers wanting to offer genomic medicine.    We explore how genomic medicine will transform health care.   Lisa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaa?lang=en Genome Medical: https://www.genomemedical.com   More at: https://www.MindAndMachine.io
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Comments (2)

Tom Morlan

Fabulous discussion! There is hope for us all with science and intentions like clean meat. Thank you for this podcast.

Dec 21st
Reply

Веселин Василев

My God.... I know this is old and I usually refrain from commenting but this guest is a fucking televangelist, so annoying....

Sep 11th
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