The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 109 - Experimental Design with Adam Kapelner Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

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.
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. 108 - What is Probability, Bloomberg vs Bernie on Boards, and Password Guessing Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

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 shareholders, such as employees. Bloomberg says this is throwing away capitalism. Who is right?
localmaxradio.com/108
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. 107 - Bob Murphy: Probability, Economics, and Human Action Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

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 are gambling
- Contrasting visions of Bayesian Inference from the 20th to the 21st centuries.
This is a fascinating discussion that involves the clashing of different schools of thought, which is by no means definitive and will be expanded upon in later episodes!
localmaxradio.com/107
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. 106 - Incredible Map Tech, Venezuela 1% Free, and The 4 Crypto Seasons Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

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 the socialist revolution has run its course in that country. Max also coins the 4 seasons of cryptocurrency.
localmaxradio.com/106
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. 105 - Joys of Bayes, Belief Networks, and Aerodynamics with Sophie Carr Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

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.
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. 104 - Connected Cars, Coronavirus, and Communication: Privacy under assault in Digital Age Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

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.
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. 103 - Dave Rubin on Launching Locals and Taking Power back from Big Tech Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

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 to discussing complex issues and current events. The show has garnered a huge fan base from across the world, by having honest conversations about important topics in a thoughtful and candid manner rarely seen in mainstream media. The show is a top political YouTube channel and leading political podcast on iTunes.
localmaxradio.com/103
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. 102 - Logical Induction, Building Ordinals, and Compounding Errors Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

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
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. 101 - Robots Taking All Our Jobs? Antony Sammeroff’s Rebuttal Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

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.
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. 100 - Milestones, Questions, and Wisdom from the First Hundred Episodes Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

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
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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