Singularity Discussions

Latest Episodes:

FBL37 - Eva Galperin: Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Cultural Differences Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

This week my guest is futurist Eva Galperin who is the director of cybersecurity at the electronic frontier foundation, which might be argued to be the world’s leading non-profit when it comes to defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.

As you’ll hear her explain, Eva specializes in issues around vulnerable populations, such as journalists, activists, and people who are victims of domestic abuse.

In this episode we not only explore the privacy and security issues facing such groups as well as the wider population, but we also dig into questions about regulations, the issues created by our blindness to cultural differences, unique digital IDs, online voting, data ownership, and more.

You can follow Eva's work with the Electronic Frontier Foundation @ https://www.eff.org/about/staff/eva-galperin or follow her at https://twitter.com/evacide

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL36 - Tracey Follows: Can Your Identity Survive 21st-Century Technology? Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

This week my guest is futurist Tracey Follows, who recently released her book, The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st-Century Technology?

In this episode we explore many different aspects of identity and privacy, including narcissism, how our identities are being flattened into carbon copies of one another, anonymity, how our digital identities are influencing how we live, and much more.

You can find more of Tracey's work at https://www.traceyfollows.com/ or follow her on at https://twitter.com/traceyfutures

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL35 - Cory Doctorow: Navigating the Economics and Failures of Technology Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

This week my guest is science fiction author and activist, Cory Doctorow, who has such an extensive and prolific background that I’ll let him describe it to you at the top of the podcast. But I will say that whether you agree with him or not, Cory has an incredible clarity of insight that brings together a very wide variety of topics, and luckily he also has the ability to articulate those thoughts.

In this episode, we explore science fiction's impact on the world, how we balance the cost of technological solutions and progress, the failures of blockchain, peak indifference, gig economies, climate change, digital IDs, and so much more.

You can read more about Cory's work at his website (https://craphound.com/) or follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/doctorow

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL34 - Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying: Evolution & the Challenge of Modern Life Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

This week our guests are evolutionary biologists, Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying, who many of you might recognize from their frequent appearances on the Joe Rogan Podcast, or from their very own show, the Darkhorse Podcast, where they explore current affairs through an evolutionary lens.

They’ve recently released a brand new book, A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life, where they combine their decades of expertise into a comprehensive overview of the many lessons evolution can teach us, including concepts like the precautionary principle, Sucker’s Folly, Chesterton's Fence, and more.

This was a wonderfully expansive conversation exploring many of the ways in which technology and capitalism is being driven by our ancient genetic wiring. This includes exploring the impacts of social media, of technological infrastructure, of capitalism and its incentives, the biological influences of complacency due to technological comfort, and far much more than I can even begin to summarize here.

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL33 - Elizabeth Kolbert: Navigating the Impacts of Climate Change Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

This week our guest is journalist and author Elizabeth Kolbert whose work focuses heavily on climate change. Her books on the subject include Field Notes From A Catastrophe, The 6th Extinction (which won a Pulitzer prize), and her most recent 2021 book: Under A White Sky.

In this episode, we explore the content and ideas that Elizabeth puts forth in these books, with a particular focus on what kind of changes climate change is causing to the world and the ways in which humanity has been responding--for better or worse.

Find out more about Elizabeth on her website (ElizabethKolbert.com) or on Twitter at twitter.com/elizkolbert

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL32 - Steve Fuller: Consequences of Our Technological Transformation Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

This week our guest is sociologist Steve Fuller, who has a long history exploring Transhumanism, including his 2011 book Humanity 2.0: What it Means to be Human. Past, Present and Future.

To start this conversation, we first ask: what is Humanity 1.0? What is the version of humanity we’ve had since the dawn of civilization until today? And from there, we take a journey into the details of our transformation into Humanity 2.0, into the different flavors of post-humanism and the different challenges and opportunities afforded by each. This means a deep exploration of the sociopolitical, cultural, moral, and religious changes the future has in store for us.

Steve's latest book on the subject is Nietzschean Meditations: Untimely Thoughts at the Dawn of the Transhuman Era

Find him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/profstevefuller

*Steve also asked to make a correction, as he meant 'George Church' and not 'George Graham' in regards to his thoughts on Mammoths, Neanderthals, etc

Apply to join our Nov 7th - 11th Executive Program @ go.su.org/ep2021

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL31 - Katy Cook: The Psychology of Silicon Valley Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

This week our guest is social psychologist, Katy Cook, who authored the 2019 book: The Psychology of Silicon Valley : Ethical Threats and Emotional Unintelligence in the Tech Industry.

And so as you might expect, that’s exactly what we talk about. That takes us on a tour exploring ideas like empathy, capitalism, and the concept of progress. In a lot of ways, the key focus of Katy’s work and this conversation deals with the lack of the humanities (and to that extent humanistic values) in tech companies, which ultimately impacts all of us due to the monopoly such companies have on our attention.

The ebook version of Katy’s book is FREE and can be found here on Google Books

You can also follow Katy’s next adventure exploring individualism around the country on Instagram: @the.states.of.the.nation

Apply to join our Nov 7th - 11th Executive Program @ go.su.org/ep2021

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL30 - David Pearce: Engineering Happiness & the End of Suffering Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

This week our guest is British transhumanist David Pearce, who was one of the co-founders of the World Transhumanist Association, which has since been rebranded as Humanity+. In addition to being on the front lines of the early transhumanist movement, David is also well known for his active work on what he calls the “Hedonistic Imperative,” which seeks to use genetic engineering and nanotechnology to abolish suffering in all sentient life.

Obviously this is a very bold agenda, and through this conversation I try to push David on the many nuances and challenges inherent in this goal. Along the way we explore the fundamental questions of transhumanism, whether we’ll ever upload our consciousness into machines, the dangers of giving humans (who are known for their tendency towards addiction) control over their own neurotransmitters, questions around regulation, whether suffering is necessary for appreciating life, and so much more.

You can find more about David’s work at www.hedweb.com/

Apply to join our Nov 7th - 11th Executive Program @ go.su.org/ep2021

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL29 - Douglas Rushkoff: Digital Culture, Socio-Economics, and the Importance of Local Impact Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

This week we have our first-ever return guest, Douglas Rushkoff, who was one of our first guests on the show. If you missed that episode or you’re not familiar with Douglas, then let me tell you--you’re in for quite the treat. Douglas is a no-bullshit media theorist who is undeniably one of the most influential thinkers who has been steering digital culture.

We touch on many topics in this episode, but without a doubt the biggest focus throughout is how capitalism and digital culture are negatively impacting the ways in which we interact with one another and how we build our communities. We also briefly touch on topics like basic income, NFTs, cryptocurrency, and climate change.

Find Douglas' wonderful podcast at www.teamhuman.fm

Apply to join our Nov 7th - 11th Executive Program @ go.su.org/ep2021

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

FBL28 - Josiah Zayner: Garage Biohackers & Gene Editing Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

This week our guest is Josiah Zayner, who just might be the most prominent and controversial biohacker out there right now. He’s done numerous experiments that have drawn both positive and negative attention, such as transplanting the microbiome of another person into his body, attempting to genetically alter the color of his skin, and injecting CRISPR modifications into his body to enhance his muscles.

As radical as these things may sound, he does have a PhD in biosphysics and previously worked for NASA genetically modifying organisms for mars, so he’s not exactly an amateur.

In this episode we explore Josiah’s journey from traditional scientist to biohacker, and along the way discuss the possibilities of gene editing, the dangers, and how we should regulate and navigate this future inevitability.

You can access Josiah's company at the-odin.com and follow him personally at twitter.com/4lovofscience

Apply to join our Nov 7th - 11th Executive Program @ go.su.org/ep2021

Host: Steven Parton - LinkedIn / Twitter

Music by: Amine el Filali

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