The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 238 - New York Times Finally Against Censorship Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

Ok, maybe only when it's in other countries - but we'll look at that dichotomy. Also - we talk about the entertainment industry and the recently shelved Batgirl project.
Probability distribution of the Week: Binomial Distribution
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 237 - Thinking about Quality with Jonathon Wright Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Max talks to Jonathon Wright about what quality means for AI, and goes through a wide range of examples.
Jonathon Wright is the Chief Technology Evangelist and heads up Solution Engineering (R&D) for Eggplant a Keysight Technologies company, and hosts the QA Lead Podcast.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 236 - Alzheimer's Research Setback and Facebook News Demoted Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

On today's news update, Max and Aaron talk about several stories related to the consequences of confusing science and truth.
- Alzheimer's research reported to have major setback after results from the 2000s found to be manipulated
- Updates on the Google AI Saga
- Facebook is de-emphasizing professional news
Distribution of the day: Uniform Categorical Distribution
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 235 - Seasteading with Tony Olsen Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Max talks to Tony Olsen, founder of Freedomhaven about the idea of Seasteading, and the practical and theoretical issues it raises.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 234 - Simplexes and Distributions Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

Max discusses a fascinating geometrical object - the simplex - that generalizes to many dimensions, and its connection to the categorical distribution. Starts with some thoughts about Elon Musk spurning the Twitter deal, and the future of Social Media.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 233 - Crypto Winter Raging Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Max and Aaron break down the cascade of liquidity crises affecting major crypto firms, the larger cycle and growth story of bitcoin, and announce a new segment for listeners to learn about probability distributions.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 232 - Intro to Inflation Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

Max talks gives an intro course on inflation, what it is, it's causes, and its effects. He also talks about the history of the monetary system in the United States and how credit expansions, politics, and wars have contributed to the problem of inflation.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 231 - The Increasing Cost of Intelligence Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Max discusses the increasing centralization of AI research into large corporate institutions, with its causes and dangers.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 230 - Another Google AI Spat, Self Awareness, and the Eliza Effect Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

An engineer in Google Research was put on leave after claiming that their Lambda AI Chatbot is sentient. Max breaks down the situation, and the long-term drama that comes out of Google's AI programs.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 229 - Fun with Bayesian Statistics with Will Kurt Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

In a wide-ranging conversation, Max talks to Will Kurt, author of "Bayesian Statistics the Fun Way" about math, writing, philosophy, truth, and of course Bayesian techniques!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

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