Welcome to that beloved Mindscape annual tradition, the Holiday Message. An opportunity for a quicker and less-well-thought-out solo episode to round off another year. Ironically, this year the theme is the importance of slowing down and thinking things out really well! Illustrated by two things that have been on my mind: a couple of internet/tech kerfuffles (Elon Musk buying Twitter, Sam Bankman-Fried and the collapse of FTX), and the distinction between foundations of physics and “regular” physics. See if you can dimly perceive the thread that ties them together.
@seanmcarroll thanks for this episode, it was so refreshing to hear a balanced take on the whole Elon/FTX thing.
I work in Web3 and unfortunately while there is some interesting potential for the tech, the hero worship of people like Sam and Elon means their "values" quickly filter through the industry, and from my perspective at least, are starting to become very damaging and toxic.
There's a distinct lack of any real critical thinking. Anyway, happy new year!
Sean Carroll
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