Eliezer Yudkowsky (recently heard on G’Day World #238) is back. This time we’re having a discussion about another one of Eli’s favourite memes – rationality. We had originally planned to discuss his “Twelve Virtues of Rationality” but got side tracked into why “faith” and “religion” are irrational and dangerous and… well… we never really got onto what we planned to talk about. So we’ve agreed to have another crack at this one in another couple of weeks. Next time we’ll stick to the script.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed today’s chat as well. As I explained to Eli afterwards, I don’t really think these shows will change the minds of many religious types. In fact, I’m pretty sure they have mostly stopped listening to the show.
The idea of these shows now is to provide some tools and arguments for those of you who find yourselves having discussions with your religious friends and family. So take notes (or get the transcript!!) and do your part to make the human race completely rational!
Now… folks… this isn’t radio. This is podcasting. It’s supposed to be a conversation, not just me talking at you.
For years now I’ve had people ask me about podcast transcriptions. So I’m pleased to announce that TPN has just started working with UK company Pods In Print to provide transcripts for some of our shows. We’re going to start with a couple to test out demand – G’Day World, Digital Photography Show and Napoleon.
Tom Price, the guy behind Pods In Print, has real live human beings doing the transcriptions, which is important. I haven’t found a software solution yet that could even begin to handle TPN’s range of dialects – my Aussie accent, Ewan’s Scottish accent, Dave’s geek accent….
Anyway the first transcript available is the Vint Cerf interview. Get it here. Access to the transcripts requires a subscription. It’s US$12.95 for one month or $120 a year.
Another show with the brilliant Dr Peter Ellyard today. I popped around to his place yesterday without any planned agenda and, as I had hoped, we ended up talking about a whole range of interesting things, including:
What entrepreneurs dream about
Peter’s introduction to the operas of maestro Richard Wagner
How globalism and tribalism are playing out around the world
Why the United Kingdom might break up within five years
What “Australian values” are
Chavez’s activities in Venezuela
The rise of “sustainable individualism” over capitalism and communism
What a great gift this guy is.
If you missed them, check out my other shows with Peter.
What can I say about Vint Cerf? One of the founding fathers of the Internet. Winner of the Turing Award. VP and Chief Internet Evangelist of Google, Inc. Chairman of ICANN. Trekkie. He’s in Facebook.
By the way, is it just me or does his cover photo here bear a strange resemblance to mine?
Rumour has it he was also the inspiration for the character of “The Architect” in The Matrix. Check out this image.
Here’s a couple of questions that I asked him:
What does the Chief Internet Evangelist at Google do?
Which job has been more fun – Google or being “special technical adviser” on Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict?
What was Al Gore’s actual role in inventing the Internet?
Back in 1973, when Vint and Bob Kahn developed TCP/IP, did they have any idea how big it would become?
Is the Interplanetary Internet (which Vint has been working on with JPL) for more than making sure astronauts have good access to porn on a trip to Mars?
When are we going to see IPv6 rolled out more widely?
Where are we currently at with Network Neutrality?
What is the role of ICANN and who should get involved?
If he could go back in time, what advice would he give to Vint Cerf in 1973?
It was obviously a great pleasure and honour to have Mr Cerf of the show and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. And I have to sincerely thank Stan Relihan and Carla, Vint’s Chief of Staff, for helping set it up. This morning was certainly a highlight of my podcasting career.
My guest today (from Cafe Panetta in South Melbourne – try the Three Crows merlot, truly wonderful) on show n-1 (the last show before I have Vint Cerf on) is Gary aka “Wiz Nordberg” Wisniewski, Founder/CEO of SLCN, the Second Life Cable Network, “a professional video network designed to expand the in-world audience as well as deliver virtual entertainment to the real-world”.
I asked Gary to explain the Second Life phenomenon to me – what people currently see in it, where it’s going in the short term, long term, and the role of SLCN.
