The Local Maximum with Max Sklar - podcast cover

The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Expand Your Perspectivelocalmaximum.substack.com
Join Max Sklar and guests in this podcast about AI, technology, and society. Email [email protected] for questions and feedback. Show notes page on the website: www.localmaxradio.com

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Episodes

Ep. 118 - Learning vs Memorization, Bitcoin Halvening, and Antibody Tests

The Local Maximum cover a wide range of topics in this Local Maximum May news update with Max Sklar and cohost Aaron. Max said “this is one of the most fun episodes to do, but all the best stuff is at the end so you better listen through”. Concept of the week is the separation of test and training set in machine learning. We discuss why it is important, how it separates learning and memorization, and where the grey areas are. Other Topics include: - The Bitcoin halving - a once-in-4-years waters...

May 12, 20201 hr 21 min

Ep. 117 - A.I. Hype and the Expert Problem with Christian Hubbs

Today’s Local Maximum features Chistian Hubbs, host of the Artificially Intelligent podcast. We talk about the most recent examples of AI Hype, more on the Coronavirus models, and the nuanced problems of listening to the experts. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

May 05, 20201 hr 7 min

Ep. 116 - Cytometry and Machine Learning with Hefin Rhys

Cytometrist and author of the new Machine Learning text (ML with R the tidyverse, and mlr) joins the Local Maximum to tell us about some of the biological applications of machine learning and making it more accessible to all. We cover model evaluation, unsupervised learning, and the curse of dimensionality. Podlocalmax19 is the promo code to get 40% off all books at manning.com localmaxradio.com/116 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe...

Apr 28, 202047 min

Ep. 115 - Surprises in the Coronavirus Models

Today Max dives into the Coronavirus pandemic models. He talk generally about statistical models of this sort, and how epidemiological models are usually performed. Then, he finds that the models followed by the state and federal governments do nothing of the sort! Also: - What actions should individuals and governments take? - Do lockdowns affect viral spread? - What's the story with asymptomatic people? localmaxradio.com/115 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/sub...

Apr 21, 202051 min

Ep. 114 - Biden joins the Podoverse, The Market for Credibility, and Smart Toilets

The Local Maximum takes a break from continuing Coronavirus coverage to talk about larger social trends. Stanford University researchers proposal for a smart toilet goes too far as it scans your from the bottom up for login credentials. Established media throws shade at podcasting as a dangerous medium, even as they are guilty of the same crimes. Max explains the necessity of the long form podcast in our fractured information news economy. Joe Biden starts a podcast - meaning that this could be ...

Apr 14, 20201 hr 17 min

Ep. 113 - Quarantined Predictions Panel discusses Telemedicine, Virtual Reality, and Urbanization

The annualish Local Maximum predictions panel continues virtually even though under quarantine. They make future predictions, but also review past predictions for today’s time. Max gives a Coronavirus update from New York. Here are some questions that we tackle: - Will Urban or Rural spaces grow in the future? - Why did some virtual reality predictions fail, and what can turn that platform around? - Will doctors finally treat patients remotely on a regular basis? - How long will we be stuck in o...

Apr 07, 202048 min

Ep. 112 - Naomi Brockwell on Coronavirus Coverage, Encryption Laws, and Internet Freedom

Naomi Brockwell returns to the Local Maximum to share her knowledge of recent events. Naomi was reporting and sounding the alarm of Coronavirus before almost all of the media, but many dismissed her warnings. The discussion also includes: - Government reaction and mismanagement of the pandemic as well as misinformation - Ways to stay calm and protect yourself - The role of Censorship in preventing an informed public - Proposed laws against internet privacy and encryption (the EARN IT act) that c...

Mar 31, 202059 min

Ep. 111 - Covid Data Deluge, Zoombombing, and Wager Math

Max does a solo show during hist third week of staying at home during the Coronavirus outbreak. He covers: - The large amounts of stories about the virus coming in from all corners, and how it's difficult to evaluate them - The current situation in New York City, both everyday life, and policy - How we're getting set up to do more video chats and calls, some ideas for rigging up a home studio, and the popularity of zoom - The mathematics behind wagers and risks - Listener email on Logical Probab...

Mar 24, 20201 hr 3 min

Ep. 109 - Experimental Design with Adam Kapelner

Today’s guest is Adam Kapelner, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Queens College, to talk about the nature of probability, some of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of statistical inference, and his research into some basic questions of experimental design. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 10, 202052 min

Ep. 108 - What is Probability, Bloomberg vs Bernie on Boards, and Password Guessing

Max will tell you his definition of probability - which is his secret to clearly thinking about truth and inference - on the heels of last week’s discussion. Also some updates: - What’s the difference between the Google Photos leak and the iCloud leak? What is end-to-end encryption? - Now stories are coming out about Venezuela that contradict the positive stories being posted a few weeks ago - Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth want corporate board members to answer to other interests besides sharehol...

Mar 03, 202034 min

Ep. 107 - Bob Murphy: Probability, Economics, and Human Action

Economist Bob Murphy shares his insight into Ludwig von Mises’s ideas on Probability from the mid 20th century treatise Human Action. They work to square this with Max’s conception of probability in his own experience as a machine learning engineer. Topics include: - The differences between subjective and objective probability (and case vs class probability in Human Action) - Use of probability in decision making - The controversial meaning of subjective probability - Whether insurance companies...

Feb 25, 20201 hr 14 min

Ep. 106 - Incredible Map Tech, Venezuela 1% Free, and The 4 Crypto Seasons

Today’s news update focuses on the 15 years of Google Maps and Location technology in general. Max relates to his experience on Stickymap and Foursquare. We talk about Satellite Imagery, Mapquest, and recent efforts to create digital models of cities on the ground level using Machine Learning on Photos. Finally, we talk about what the augmented reality City might look like. Other topics include a recent spate of articles about Venezuela selling off part of it’s nationalized company, and whether ...

Feb 18, 20201 hr 4 min

Ep. 105 - Joys of Bayes, Belief Networks, and Aerodynamics with Sophie Carr

Today’s guest is Sophie Carr, a mathematician who specializes in Bayesian Inference and Aerodynamics. Max asks about her analogies for wrapping one’s head around Bayesian Inference, and applying it in the real world. Max also follows up on Encryption laws. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 11, 202050 min

Ep. 104 - Connected Cars, Coronavirus, and Communication: Privacy under assault in Digital Age

Today’s news update covers issues related to big data and privacy. We start with how big data from public information is being used to track and fight coronavirus, followed by the possibility that the car of the future will be spying on you. Finally, we get into a proposal in Congress to criminalize encryption technology, which will make our data less secure. Finally, the New York Times puts out another Bitcoin hitjob, complete with inaccurate links about criminal activity. Get full access to Th...

Feb 04, 202056 min

Ep. 103 - Dave Rubin on Launching Locals and Taking Power back from Big Tech

Dave Rubin stops in to The Local Maximum to discuss his new venture called Locals, a subscription-based community solution that gives power to creators, not platforms. He discusses the current problems with our online platforms and communication systems on “big tech” and his approach to fixing it. Dave Rubin is a talk show host, comedian, and TV personality. He is the host of The Rubin Report, a talk show about big ideas and free speech, heralded for it's politically incorrect and open approach ...

Jan 28, 202036 min

Ep. 102 - Logical Induction, Building Ordinals, and Compounding Errors

Max give his take on Logical Induction and the construction of mathematical objects, a topic that he's been interested in for years. Topics include: - Intro to Mathematical Induction - Tradition Induction vs Ordinal Induction vs Epslion Induction - The Dominos analogy - Logical arguments vs Physical Arguments - Problems with compound implications in the real world - Spotting arguments that hide compound errors localmaxradio.com/102 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.co...

Jan 21, 202041 min

Ep. 101 - Robots Taking All Our Jobs? Antony Sammeroff’s Rebuttal

These days there’s a lot of angst about job loss due to automation, AI, and Robotics. This led to a formal debate at the SoHo forum in New York about the implications of robotics and automation technology on the job market and what our response should be. Today’s guest, Anthony Sameroff, successfully argued against the resolution which predicts widespread joblessness due to automation. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe...

Jan 14, 202042 min

Ep. 100 - Milestones, Questions, and Wisdom from the First Hundred Episodes

Max talks about all the exciting developments from 100 episodes of producing The Local Maximum Podcast. He also answers listener questions relating to the first 100 episodes, the podcast as a whole, and where it can go in the future. localmaxradio.com/100 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Jan 07, 202045 min

Ep. 99 - Tech Trends of the 2010s

Aaron and I start by responding to listener emails, and talking about how our predictions are faring on Metaculus and PredictIt. Then we go over our short list of technological trends of the decade which includes: - The ubiquity of mobile and cloud computing - Consolidation of Social Networks - Status of Wearables and Audio - Populist Movements of all kinds fuels by mass communication - Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency - AI, Machine Learning, and Personal Assistants - Success and Failures of the “Uber...

Dec 31, 20191 hr 1 min

Ep. 98 - Bayesian Stats and Political Trends with Alexandre Andorra

Alex Andorra, host of the new podcast Learning Bayesian Statistics joins The Local Maximum today to talk about these fascinating issues: - The growing role of Bayesian Analysis in Science and Technology - How the pollsters and journalists cover election data, and how it can be improved - Ways to look at election polls from a Bayesian standpoint - Strategic voting, comparative political systems, and social choice theory - Approaches to explaining these topics in audio (podcast) form! localmaxradi...

Dec 24, 20191 hr 13 min

Ep. 97 - Classic Computer Science Problems with David Kopec

Today we dive into the world of Computer Science with David Kopec, author of Classic Computer Science Problems in Python. Topics include misconceptions about computer science, what the general public should know, stumbling blocks for students, graph algorithms, and genetic algorithms. localmaxradio.com/97 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe...

Dec 17, 20191 hr 3 min

Ep. 96 - Climate Protests, Pascal’s Wager, and the Duplicitous Science Press

Ep. 96 - Climate Protests, Pascal’s Wager, and the Duplicitous Science Press Max gives a first hand account of the climate protests during the Yale Harvard football game which delayed the game by almost an hour. He breaks down the arguments made by climate activists, and relates it to Pascal’s Wager, a concept in probabilities that relates to infinite values, and how it can be abused. Max and Aaron discuss a couple of news articles on scientific discoveries and break down how they analyze them. ...

Dec 10, 201945 min

Ep. 95 - Ideas and Inspiration from Gaming

Panelists Craig Lorentzen and Foursquare Founder Dennis Crowley discuss inspiration, lessons learned, and career shifts they’ve obtained from playing video games as kids and as adults. localmaxradio.com/95 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 03, 201935 min

Ep. 94 - Dividing By Zero, Infinite Ratios, and Ice Cream Sales

Today Max talks about his long-term fascination with the concept of infinity, including several different forms and definitions that infinity can take on. Then, we do a deep dive into what it means to extend the real number line and divide by zero. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 26, 201937 min

Ep. 93 - Innovation, Consolidation, and Entrenched Industry Doctrines

In our second November news update, we cover articles and stories on: - The consolidation of the internet - The dispute over whether Facebook centralized or decentralized speech - Calls to “re-decentralize” the internet with personal servers, and the practicality of that - How podcasting has been caught up in some internet trends, and left out of others. - A/B testing and shrinking emphasis on it Also, we go off on a bunch of tangents! localmaxradio.com/93 Get full access to The Local Maximum at...

Nov 19, 20191 hr 7 min

Ep. 92 - Political Game Theory and Self Driving Drama

This news update covers Ranked Choice Voting in New York City, Twitter’s decision to ban political advertising as we enter the 2020 political campaign season, and Waymo and Uber fighting it out for dominance in the self driving car market. Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 11, 201956 min

Ep. 91 - Ad Tech Intrigues with Shoshana Wodinsky

Max talks to Adweek reporter Shoshana Wodinsky about the fraud, the scandal, the propaganda, that goes out through online ad industry. localmaxradio.com/91 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 05, 201953 min

Ep. 90 - Narrative Confirmation Bias, Loaded Questions in Congress, Molyneux’s Misinformation

In this solo show, Max talks about Narrative building, and the confirmation bias that can be associated with it. To illustrate his points: The recent hearings in Congress of Mark Zuckerberg over the Libra Project A professor who claims to have the winning system to predict the presidential election Stefan Molyneux’s use of a combination of statistical and linguistic tricks to build his society narrative. localmaxradio.com/90 Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subsc...

Oct 29, 201936 min

Ep. 89 - Building Liberland! How to claim Your own Sovereign Territory with Vit Jedlicka

Max interviews Vit Jedlicka, president and founder of Liberland, which is a project to create a new country on unclaimed territory between Serbia and Croatia. Liberland was founded as a free republic with the goal of building new institutions to safeguard personal and economic freedom in a way that isn’t being done in any country including the western democracies today. We discuss the legal and organizational challenges in pursuing this project, as well as the technologies - blockchain, mobile c...

Oct 22, 201952 min
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