Scientist and writer Sam Arbesman joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, optimism, science, education, archives, science fiction, and why the history of computing still has so much to teach us.
We talk about why pessimism is often mistaken for sophistication, why AI may reward open-mindedness more than intelligence, why science works even though scientists are imperfect, and why the future may depend on revisiting forgotten ideas from the past.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
05:39 AI as a tool
10:32 Rethinking education
16:32 Science fiction futures
25:43 Rational optimism
30:06 Weird research institutions
35:41 Bell Labs and breakthroughs
45:30 Science and reality
58:19 Keep it all
1:23:11 Simulation and curiosity
#Tech #Science #curiosity
