Secrets, nature speaks! Oft silenced by stories Men shriek; Join the two! Source ideas from the deep blue, Parallel the designs within You; Observe the original classroom! Answers are in plain sight, Written across starry nights, Encoded in wombs, And hidden where flowers bloom.

Let’s build a talking dog. First, collect data. You’ll have to collect two kinds of data. The first kind of data is the sensory input the dog absorbs from his environment (visuals, audio, etc.). A tiny camera and some clever computer vision hacks could do the trick for sight. Now…

We all need a life that has some kind of meaning and purpose. And we all outsource the job of creating that meaning and purpose differently. You can find what you need in religion. You can find it in your work, your nation, or other forms of cultural programming. The…

Today I had an orthodontist appointment. As my orthodontist worked on my teeth, asked me questions like, “so what do you major in at school?” and “how is your summer going so far?” Fingers and metal tools were in my mouth. My tongue was stuck in one position. …

I’m sorry that you feel misunderstood. I’m sorry that you’re afraid the world may never recognize your “genius.” But let me ask you: If a philosopher has brilliant thoughts but can’t coherently express them, is he really brilliant? There is the image of a philosopher foaming at the mouth, choking…

Where is the “AI Whisperer?” The ability to clearly communicate our desires to AI is a prerequisite to realizing any big dreams we have for the technology. The more abstract our request to an algorithm, the harder clear communication becomes. “Improve education.” “Help people find true love.” “Promote justice and…

Close your eyes and envision a long, narrow hallway. There are paintings on the walls. Each painting — each image — corresponds to your mental image of what something “is.” Your painting for “apple” will probably look similar to my painting for an apple. As we walk down the hallway…

The Dopamine Artist is back. David Dobrik is a 21st century social-media influencer, but I have a feeling that his vlogs would appeal to early homo sapiens, too. First, David leverages the power of genetics. Think about the common themes that thread together his vlogs. David presents us with disgusting…

“I’m focusing.” And I’m sorry to hear that. Because “focusing” is miserable. Think of a camera that’s focusing. Everything is blurry. When the lens is finally clear, that’s not a state of focus for the camera — it’s a state of perception, awareness, consciousness, experience. “Focus” is not a state…