Mind Matters - podcast cover

Mind Matters

Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligencemindmatters.ai
On the Mind Matters podcast, Discovery Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence considers the implications and misconceptions, the opportunities and limitations, and the applications and challenges presented by intelligent agents and their algorithms. Episode notes and archives available at mindmatters.ai/podcast.
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Episodes

Can a Computer Be a Person?

Are we on the verge of the era of machines? Is AI destined to supplant most human endeavors and activities? Can a computer be deemed a person? And if so, should that computer be granted rights as part of the moral community? Will we ever attain immortality by uploading our minds into computers as transhumanists predict? And what the heck Read More › Source

Nov 10, 20221 hr 7 minEp. 212

An Excerpt from Chapter Two of Non-Computable You

What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks is now available in audiobook form. Listen now to an excerpt from the second chapter as read by Larry Nobles. Will machines someday replace attorneys, physicians, computer programmers, and world leaders? What about composers, painters, and novelists? Will tomorrow’s supercomputers duplicate and exceed humans? Read More › Source...

Nov 03, 202220 minEp. 211

Hinduism, Philosophy, and the Mind

Arjuna Gallagher is the host of the YouTube Channel called Theology Unleashed and a Hindu. He discusses Hinduism’s unique perspective regarding subjects such as metaphysics, evil, and free will with Dr. Michael Egnor. They also address creation, social ethics, and the relationship of the mind and the body. Additional Resources Dr. Michael Egnor Follow Arjuna Gallagher on Facebook Subscribe to Read More › Source...

Oct 27, 20221 hr 16 minEp. 210

Appropriate Technology: Solar Powering Hospitals, Orphanages & Schools

Under normal conditions only about 30% of the entire country of Haiti has physical connection or access to the electricity grid. Electrical engineer Brian Thomas and environmental engineer Kayla Garrett work for a small nonprofit called JustEnergy, which works in northern Haiti creating solar energy systems to power hospitals, clinics, schools, and orphanages to combat this lack of access to Read More › Source...

Oct 20, 202218 minEp. 209

Appropriate Technology: The Haitian Energy Problem

Not all countries need the latest technologies. Those in developing countries don’t need high powered computers or the latest car from Tesla. They have more fundamental concerns like how do I feed my family tomorrow? Where do I get clean water? And where can I get power and energy? This effort of supplying needed technology is referred to as appropriate Read More › Source

Oct 13, 20220Ep. 208

Get a Sneak Peek of the New Non-Computable You Audiobook

Will machines someday replace attorneys, physicians, computer programmers, and world leaders? What about composers, painters, and novelists? Will tomorrow’s supercomputers duplicate and exceed humans? Are we just wetware, natural computers doomed to obsolescence by tomorrow’s ultra-powerful artificial intelligence? Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks is now available in Read More › Source...

Oct 06, 202221 minEp. 207

The Nature of Mind, Body, and Soul

How do the mind, the body, and the soul interact? After years of studying the brain, there are still many questions. Dr. Joshua Farris discusses free will, consciousness, and philosophy on this bingecast with Dr. Michael Egnor. Additional Resources Dr. Joshua Farris Dr. Michael Egnor Buy Dr. Joshua R. Farris’ Book: The Soul of Theological Anthropology Cartesian Exploration What is Read More › Source...

Sep 29, 20220Ep. 206

School Shooters, the AI Church, and Patents

Walter Bradley Center Director and Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks discusses artificial intelligence and predicting school shootings with John Catsimatidis on The Cats Roundtable. He talks about religions based on artificial intelligence and artificial general intelligence with David Krieger on The Power Hour. Finally, he examines the idea of issuing patents to AI with Pastor Greg Young on Read More › Source...

Sep 22, 202228 minEp. 205

Top Gun, HAL 9000 and Jobs of the Future

Walter Bradley Center Director and Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks continues the press tour for his book Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will. He discusses artificial intelligence, drone technology, and the movie Top Gun: Maverick with Michael Medved on his nationally syndicated talk show. Then, he talks about the job market and intelligent computers Read More › Source...

Sep 15, 202216 minEp. 204

Staking and Liquidity on Web3

Like gold, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin is mined. Gold becomes harder and harder to find as it is mined. In the same way, as the supply of a cryptocurrency increases, computers have to solve harder and harder problems to be awarded cryptocurrency. Staking is a is a new approach that replaces mining and reduce costs. How does it work? Adam Read More › Source

Sep 08, 202229 minEp. 203

What Is Decentralized Finance?

When you pay Uber for a ride, or anybody else, you use a bank or a third party like PayPal. What if you could pay the Uber driver directly? Decentralized finance uses blockchain to establish trust and security without government regulations. Is decentralized finance the way of the future? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss Read More › Source

Sep 01, 202230 minEp. 202

Animal Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence

Did you know that animals have built-in algorithms? Some of these amazing algorithms allow animals to migrate to new places and navigate back to previous locations. Insects also have a wide variety of fascinating social behaviors. Where did they come from? Eric Cassell, author of Animal Algorithms, discusses animal algorithms, artificial intelligence, instincts, and irreducible complexity with Robert J. Marks. Read More › Source...

Aug 25, 20221 hr 26 minEp. 201

The NFT Anti-Bubble

When new technology is introduced, there is often a buildup of incredible hype. But eventually, people are going to recognize the limitations of the new technology and it can become irrelevant. Where are NFTs on this “hype curve” and will they continue to exist? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss non-fungible tokens, the economy, and Read More › Source

Aug 18, 202230 minEp. 200

What Are NFTs?

What’s the big deal with non-fungible tokens (NFTs)? Is it worth it to invest in NFTs? How does copyright work with NFTs? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss non-fungible tokens, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE Xplore Dr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore ”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” Read More › Source...

Aug 11, 202232 minEp. 199

Web3: The Next Generation of the Internet

Futurist George Gilder forecasts that decentralization of the web is going to be the future of the internet. Data will become more personalized and stored on your local computer instead of in the cloud and companies like Google will have to figure out some way to adjust. Adam Goad and Dr. Austin Egbert discuss blockchain, Web3, decentralization, and the metaverse Read More › Source

Aug 04, 202230 minEp. 198

Mysteries of the Mind

It’s hard to know where the brain ends and the mind begins. How can studying our brains give us insight into our minds? Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and neurosurgeon Michael Egnor sit down for a chat about all things brain related including neurotheology, methods of studying the brain, and other mind/brain phenomena. Additional Resources Andrew Newberg’s Website Michael Egnor at Discovery.org Read More › Source...

Jul 28, 20221 hr 7 minEp. 197

Who Controls the Tech?

Technology companies spend a lot of money trying to determine the best way to hook customers on their products. They have tremendous influence, but you have the final say. Andrew McDiarmid discusses technology, influence, and how to reset your technology use with Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Andrew McDiarmid’s website Andrew McDiarmid at Discovery.org How to Glorify God with Your Read More › Source...

Jul 21, 202232 minEp. 196

Weaving the Technology of Our Lives

We have the ability to choose how to weave technology into our lives. How can we use technology in a healthy way? What are the consequences of being always connected and having everything available instantaneously? Andrew McDiarmid discusses technology, digital wellness, and freedom with Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Andrew McDiarmid’s website Andrew McDiarmid at Discovery.org How to Glorify God Read More › Source...

Jul 14, 202219 minEp. 195

Why Computers Will Never Understand What They are Doing

Can computers be sentient? Are there things which humans can do that computers can’t? Is artificial intelligence really creative? Robert J. Marks talks about his new book Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will with talk show host Bill Meyer. Additional Resources Hear Bill’s podcasts at www.BillMeyerShow.com (broadcast from KMED / KCMD, Medford, OR). Purchase Robert J. Marks’ Read More › Source...

Jul 07, 202220 minEp. 194

AI: The Potential and the Problems

Despite the hype regarding the seemingly infinite possibilities surrounding AI technology, artificial intelligence still has a number of humbling hurtles to overcome. Justin Bui and Samuel Haug join Robert J. Marks to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Show Notes 00:00:56 | The Homunculus 00:04:09 | Introducing Justin Bui 00:06:54 | Fast AI 00:13:45 | Deepfake Technology 00:21:40 | Read More › Source...

Jun 30, 20221 hr 21 minEp. 193

Card Counting Strategies and Dangers

Some of the most successful card counting strategies include working with others as a team. Of course, casinos aren’t happy about successful card counters, so you might run into some trouble. Robert J. Marks and Sal Cordova discuss card counting, statistics, and gambling. Show Notes 00:07 | Introducing Sal Cordova 00:23 | Team Play 09:47 | The Big Player Model Read More › Source

Jun 23, 202230 minEp. 192

Can A Good Hustler Count Cards Like A Computer?

Do you have to be a genius to count cards? What are the skills needed to learn this algorithmic art? And what happens if you get caught? Robert J. Marks and Sal Cordova discuss the ins and outs of card counting. Show Notes 00:06 | Introducing Sal Cordova 00:36 | What Does It Take to be a Good Hustler? 01:45 Read More › Source

Jun 16, 20220Ep. 191

When The House Can’t Win The Game, It Will Change The Rules

Intelligent gamblers can try and beat the house, but the house will fight back. Casinos protect their investment in a variety of ways including surveillance, banning players, and even changing the game rules. Robert J. Marks and Sal Cordova discuss gambling, casino oversight, and “advantage players.” Show Notes 00:31 | Recapping How Don Johnson Cleaned Out Atlantic City 02:48 | Read More › Source...

Jun 09, 20220Ep. 190

The House Always Wins In The Long Run

In statistics, there’s a theorem called the law of large numbers. It teaches you can’t win in the long run at casino games. It’s why casinos always get rich, and the gambler always gets poor. Robert J. Marks and Sal Cordova discuss gambling, statistics, and mathematics. Show Notes 01:06 | Introducing Sal Cordova 03:11 | The Famous Team: Claude Shannon Read More › Source

Jun 02, 202228 minEp. 189

It’s a Wonderful, Complex, and Finely-Tuned Universe

What does it mean for something to be finely-tuned? Does fine-tuning extend beyond our own man-made systems and into biology and the universe itself? If so, what or who has done the fine-tuning? Robert J. Marks, Ola Hössjer, and Daniel Diaz discuss the concept of fine-tuning. Show Notes 00:02:17 | Introducing Ola Hössjer and Daniel Diaz 00:04:39 | No Free Read More › Source

May 26, 20222 hr 12 minEp. 188

Good and Bad Algorithms in the Practice of Medicine

Computers and artificial intelligence are restricted to being algorithmic. If something is non-algorithmic, it is not computable. Creativity, nuance, and insight are human characteristics that are non-algorithmic. What happens if you remove those human characteristics from the practice of medicine? Robert J. Marks and Dr. Richard Hurley discuss how algorithms can help and harm the practice of medicine. Show Notes Read More › Source...

May 19, 202235 minEp. 187

A First-Hand Account of Kicking Fentanyl Addiction: Reversing Hebb’s Law

Donald Hebb, the father of neuropsychology, is known for Hebb’s Law which states “neurons that fire together wire together.” This means that as you repeatedly perform an action which gives you pleasure or relief, the neurons between the action and the pleasure simultaneously fire. Dr. Robert J. Marks interviews an anonymous man called Stretch who describes his experience with fentanyl Read More › Source...

May 12, 202248 minEp. 186

Exercising Free Won’t in Fentanyl Addiction: Unless You Die First

In the 1960s, neurosurgeon Benjamin Libet noticed there was a signal in the brainthat occurred before you knew you were going to do something. On the surface, it looks like you don’t have free will. But Libet noticed that humans do have the ability to say no to these brain signals. He called this free won’t. Dr. Robert J. Marks Read More › Source

May 04, 202235 minEp. 185

The National Science Foundation and Advancement in Artificial Intelligence

Early in his career, IEEE fellow and retired National Science Foundation program director Paul Werbos developed the neural network training algorithm known as error backpropagation, which has been foundational to the vast majority of today’s advances in artificial intelligence. Listen in as he discusses his work in this area and other topics, including his tenure with the National Science Foundation, Read More › Source...

Apr 28, 20221 hr 55 minEp. 184

How to Sever Big Tech’s Strings

Doug Smith, author of [Un]Intentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires and How You Can Break Free, explains to Andrew McDiarmid how we can escape the subtle influence of Big Tech. He also emphasizes the importance of removing ourselves from our screens so we can enjoy the outside world and recapture our creativity. Show Notes 00:38 | Introducing Doug Smith Read More › Source

Apr 21, 202222 minEp. 183
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