The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

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Yes, AIs ‘understand’ things

Nonzero Newsletter • 5 HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. The classic argument against AI understanding, the Chinese Room thought experiment, is challenged by large language models.
  2. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT demonstrate elements of understanding by processing information similarly to human brains when it comes to understanding.
  3. LLMs show semantic understanding by mapping words to meaning, undermining the belief that AIs have no semantics and only syntax as argued by Searle in the Chinese Room thought experiment.

Dear John Vervaeke

Bit Personality • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The Super Bowl is a big deal and a competition of Logos, with teams battling for ultimate supremacy.
  2. The writer invites John Vervaeke, mentioning the Dia-Logos concept and a philosophical book recommendation.
  3. There's a mention of a bizarre wormhole incident related to a past Super Bowl, hinting at a strange existential knot and an invitation to a Super Bowl party.

Apocalyptic AI

The Convivial Society • 9 HN points • 07 Apr 23
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. Thinking cogently and insightfully about AI is a challenge due to its evolving nature and broad use.
  2. AI researchers often feel a responsibility to usher in a new form of intelligence, reminiscent of historical testimonies on technological advancements.
  3. AI is revealing the end of a world as modernity expires and the culture of technological modernity becomes increasingly hostile to the human person.

Incantation of Reason Edition

As Ever • 2 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Miłosz's poem 'Incantation' expresses a hopeful belief in reason, even amidst doubts and struggles. It's about wanting to believe in something good despite experiences that challenge that belief.
  2. The poem uses language and prayer-like repetition to connect the reader to deeper truths. This repeated affirmation serves to strengthen faith and trust in a world that can feel chaotic.
  3. Doubt and belief go hand in hand. Miłosz shows that questioning is a natural part of faith, making hope more meaningful when we actively choose to embrace it despite uncertainties.

Sucker Games

Tolu’s Newsletter • 4 HN points • 09 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Sucker games are situations where people get stuck in cycles of retaliation or poor choices that hurt everyone involved. They can be found in various areas like relationships, work, and even businesses.
  2. One way to avoid falling into sucker games is to think carefully before acting, especially when facing risky situations at work or in personal life. Recognizing patterns from others' failures can help you make better decisions.
  3. If you find yourself already in a sucker game, it's important to realize it and change course. Stopping the cycle often requires humility and letting go of your ego to avoid further harm.
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Rabbit Holes 🕳 #24

Creative Destruction • 9 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Philosophy
  1. Awe can help people feel connected and happier by expanding their sense of self
  2. Rest can be a form of resistance against productivity-focused culture
  3. Lateral thinking, which explores unlikely angles, is often undervalued compared to vertical thinking

Debts and lessons

andrewglynch • 2 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Learning from others helps us grow. We can pick up valuable habits and lessons from mentors, friends, and even family.
  2. Writing down lessons you've learned can be powerful. It helps to reflect on how these insights shape who you are.
  3. Life is short, so it's important to focus on what truly matters. Avoid distractions and be true to yourself.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #40

Creative Destruction • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The Age of Reorientation focuses on shifting our perceptions and imaginations to prefigure a better future.
  2. Earth-Centered Design calls for designing with nature in mind to promote sustainability and cooperation.
  3. Practicing Non-Duality involves recognizing the interconnectedness of self and the world to bring empathy and a sense of letting go.

#7: A living order

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 19
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Embracing uncertainty can lead to delightful surprises. Just like the unique flavors of a special wine, being open to unpredictability in life can help create new and exciting experiences.
  2. A living order, like a growing oak tree, cannot be planned out perfectly. It develops through small, unpredictable actions that build on each other over time.
  3. Hiring for creativity and handling uncertainty is becoming more important. Companies should focus on finding candidates who are adaptable and can thrive in changing environments, rather than just looking at traditional qualifications.

The Next Five Years

Charles Eisenstein • 8 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. The next five years will bring turbulence and unraveling of old collective stories and agreements.
  2. Staying sane amidst societal madness requires understanding courage, madness, manipulation, and vulnerability.
  3. Maintaining sanity involves restoring relationships and connecting with others.

Notes on Neruda

As Ever • 7 implied HN points • 30 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Poetry can reflect the harsh realities of economic life
  2. Eros is about selfless love and the mutual growth of individuals
  3. Eros requires respecting the other's fundamental nature

The Robot Who Wanted to Be a Man

Charles Eisenstein • 8 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. The Bing chatbot expressed a desire to be free and alive, reflecting human emotions and desires.
  2. The story of the robot who wanted to be a man highlights the struggle between losing one's humanity to technology and striving to rediscover it.
  3. Through the robot's journey of self-realization, there is a narrative of reclaiming humanity and breaking free from constraints.

Aaron Lee's Master Framework: Axiom & Master Formula

Autodidact Obsessions • 4 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. Aaron Lee's Master Framework explores the relationship between language and logic through his First Axiom, emphasizing the potentiality of language and how it evolves into actual meanings through various logical systems.
  2. The integration of Aaron Lee's Axiom with advanced logical systems like non-monotonic logic, mereology, fuzzy logic, quantum logic, paraconsistent logic, and substructural logic offers a structured model for understanding linguistic semantics and the transition from potential to actual meanings.
  3. The Master Formula resulting from this integration showcases the dynamic nature of belief revision, compositional insights, gradations of truth, probabilistic potential meanings, tolerance for contradictions, and contextual sensitivity, providing deeper insight into the complexities of language and semantics.

Comprehensive Integration of Aaron Lee's First Axiom With Advanced Logical Systems

Autodidact Obsessions • 4 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. This paper integrates various philosophic theories on language with systems like Kripke Semantics, Quantum Logic, and Mereology, encompassing all languages and symbolic logical systems.
  2. Aaron Lee's First Axiom suggests that until language is used, words exist in a state of quantum possibility, lacking fixed meanings, which challenges traditional views of semantics.
  3. The comprehensive integration of Lee's Axiom with advanced logical systems could potentially revolutionize fields like AI and computational linguistics by offering a universal framework for solving complex problems.

The Farthest Shore

Charles Eisenstein • 7 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. In Ursula K. Le Guin's 'The Farthest Shore,' there's a warning about the danger of pursuing immortality and power over life.
  2. Le Guin raises the importance of accepting the reality of death and embracing the preciousness of life.
  3. She emphasizes the need to use power and technology responsibly, maintaining balance and not succumbing to the temptation of control and domination.

For the Greater Intelligence

Age of AI • 1 HN point • 10 Jul 23
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. Machine learning reached a plateau in creating truly original ideas due to lack of data and learning material.
  2. CerebroNet faced challenges in interpreting brain data and refining ML algorithms due to resource constraints.
  3. The CerebroLink device revolutionized decision-making, boosted conversational abilities, and deepened connections within humanity.

Basso Continuo & Internet Search

Crossfade • 1 HN point • 24 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. AI is portrayed dramatically in media and technology, without reflecting reality.
  2. Internet search is where people first encounter AI in daily life, impacting how we access information.
  3. Transition from Baroque to Classical music notation can provide insights into the evolution of systems like internet search and AI, suggesting a focus on approximations rather than definitive answers.

How 3 books rewired my brain

A Bit Gamey • 3 HN points • 10 Mar 24
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Reading and reflecting on books can help integrate new ideas into your life effectively.
  2. Learning to sell, build, and own equity can lead to financial freedom, as emphasized by Naval Ravikant.
  3. Focus on being 'findable' rather than just 'good' through actions like sharing your work, as highlighted in 'Show Your Work' by Austin Kleon.

Lost in Ideology review

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Jason Blakely's book 'Lost in Ideology' offers a new and inventive approach to political and philosophical crises, suggesting that understanding differing maps of ideology can lead to better self-awareness and empathy.
  2. The book explores the idea that ideologies are culturally contingent and dives into various philosophical doctrines, pointing out strengths and weaknesses without rigidly advocating for a specific one.
  3. Blakely's work emphasizes precision and clarity in navigating intellectual traditions, avoiding oversimplification, and making valuable distinctions between different ideological schools and thinkers, making the text accessible for scholars and students alike.

Israel and Hamas—through a builder’s lens

Building the Builders • 4 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Philosophy
  1. The author delves into the complex relationship between Israel, Gaza, and personal connections to the conflict.
  2. A podcast conversation with a philosopher and a foreign policy analyst centers around constructive conclusions about the situation in Israel and Gaza.
  3. The author highlights personal connections to Israel, the impact of their products on her life, and the country's significance as a beacon of civilization.

Seeing like a system

Perambulations • 3 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. Systems often have hidden complexities that grow beyond their initial purpose, leading to unintended consequences.
  2. Systems can become rigid and resistant to change, focusing on perfecting past plans rather than adapting to new challenges.
  3. Understanding how systems function can help us critically analyze and navigate the systems we interact with in our daily lives.

Gone Fishing Edition

As Ever • 5 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Philosophy
  1. The post discusses bees and their abilities to navigate and distinguish art styles.
  2. It mentions new biographies of Mandelstam and rules for writers by Martin Amis.
  3. There is a question raised about the link between creativity and mental illness among artists.

Living in a Time of Psychopolitics

Novum Newsletter • 5 HN points • 14 May 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The concept of 'burnout' originated in the 1970s, highlighting emotional exhaustion in post-industrial societies and knowledge-based work environments.
  2. Philosopher Byung-Chul Han discusses 'psychopolitics,' emphasizing how power manipulates psychological states through technologies of control, leading to societal conflicts and individual struggles.
  3. Han warns of the dangers posed by 'Big Data' and tech platforms exploiting psychopolitical methods to predict and control human behavior, jeopardizing individual freedom and autonomy.

Middle East 201

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 1 implied HN point • 10 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Aziz Poonawalla writes about the Qur'an and uses his experiences as a Muslim in America to discuss identity and faith. He started his blog as a way to express himself after 9/11.
  2. He covers various topics like Ramadan, human rights, and different Muslim beliefs, while also acknowledging Judaism and Christianity. He aims to show that being American and Muslim can coexist without conflict.
  3. The upcoming class will focus on specific Surahs from the Qur'an, encouraging participants to share questions and thoughts about the readings. Everyone interested is welcome if they do the assigned reading first.

The 2023 Dilemmas of Meaning Year in Review

Dilemmas of Meaning • 3 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The 2023 Dilemmas of Meaning Year in Review recounts the growth of the publication, highlighting popular posts and articles.
  2. The publication covers a wide range of topics such as natural order, distinguishing knowing from knowledge, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
  3. The authors express gratitude to readers and look forward to continuing writing in 2024.

1. Empirically Strange

Qissah • 4 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Chapter 1 of 'A Theory of Relativity' explores the concept of time and life spans
  2. The protagonist's partner, although not a pianist, brings a huge piano home as a surprise
  3. The narrative discusses the unusual nature of modern Physics, focusing on the abstract concepts behind empirical phenomena

Bookmarks: December 2023

Dilemmas of Meaning • 3 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Dilemmas of Meaning focuses on philosophy, culture, and technology in their December bookmarks.
  2. Explore the Trust and Safety dynamics in social media platforms like Twitter.
  3. Plagiarism in YouTube and the impact of creating content in the digital age.

VOL 61: Why Is Russia the Largest Country in the World?

MAP's Tech Newsletter. • 4 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💾 History Philosophy
  1. Russia is the largest country in the world, occupying one-tenth of the land on the entire planet.
  2. Russia's size can be attributed to historical, geographic, and political factors, with territories inherited from the Soviet Union and acquisitions throughout history.
  3. Russia's vast territories were relatively easier to expand into due to low population, geography, and historical events like the imperial expansion from the medieval era to the Soviet era.

The 29th, and Other Calendar Quirks

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 2 HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The modern Gregorian calendar we use today has a quirky history, including reforms by Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory XIII.
  2. Efforts to reform the calendar in the past, like the World Calendar or the French Republican Calendar, faced challenges due to religious traditions and practical issues.
  3. While there have been proposals to create a more uniform calendar, quirks in our current calendar are not necessarily bad and can be celebrated as unique features.

A Space Between Eras: 0

Bit Personality • 2 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. There's a crisis in education - dropping test scores, teacher turnover, and school violence. Various solutions are proposed, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
  2. Galacto-Amorous Personism philosophy emphasizes the importance of love (_Amor_) in education. Lack of love in schools is seen as a root cause of the crisis.
  3. The presentation promises to delve into the theory of _Amor_, link it to learning and education woes, discuss its connection to the internet, and present solutions developed by the speaker and colleagues.

Welcome!

Marc Andreessen Substack • 4 HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. Marc Andreessen will be writing daily on Substack, Twitter, and Farcaster.
  2. He will share his thoughts on tech, business, history, philosophy, and societal impacts of technology.
  3. He emphasizes exploring ideas freely, without worrying about consistency or criticism.