In Chapter 3 of How the World Really Works, Smil writes about the four key materials of modern civilization: cement, steel, plastics, and ammonia. These are indispensable for infrastructure, transportation, communication, and other essential functions. Despite their critical role, these materials often receive less attention compared to more intangible aspects like GDP growth or technological … Read more

In “The Myth of the Machine: The Pentagon of Power”, Lewis Mumford describes the transformative period starting in the late 15th century, known as The Age of Exploration. This era was marked by significant advancements in both physical and intellectual exploration. Western civilization experienced a newfound sense of accessibility to the entire planet, fostering opportunities … Read more

“Trick or Treatment,” authored by Edzard Ernst, M.D., and Simon Singh, methodically navigates the intricate landscape of alternative medicine, juxtaposing it with the rigor of scientific research and evidence-based practices. Ernst, once an alternative medicine practitioner, and Singh, a seasoned science journalist, embark on an investigative journey, scrutinizing therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic therapy, and … Read more

In a thought-provoking conversation with Joe Rogan, Tristan Harris highlighted the manipulative powers of technology on human minds. Let’s extend this idea to its darkest horizon: envision a future where an AI-empowered doomsday cult isn’t just possible but a ticking time bomb. This scenario transcends science fiction, evolving into an age-old human narrative. Historically, doomsday … Read more

Welcome to our deep dive into the life of Bryan Johnson, a controversial entrepreneur who has invited quite a bit of intrigue and criticism. Is he the embodiment of Nietzsche’s Ubermensch, or does he tread the fine line of narcissism? Bryan Johnson isn’t your ordinary entrepreneur. He’s a trailblazer in the tech world, a philanthropist, … Read more

Picture this: You’re in a crowded room, trying to listen to a friend. Instead of focusing on one word at a time, you use your brain’s ‘attention’ to pick up key phrases and understand the whole conversation. That’s what this paper introduced to AI – a model called the Transformer. Before this, computers processed language … Read more

The quest for immortality and prolonged life is not a recent phenomenon but has been a part of human culture since early civilizations. This pursuit is evident in ancient legends like that of King Gilgamesh and in the practices of Taoists in China and in ancient Egyptian texts. Throughout history, various methods, including alchemy, dietary … Read more

Richard Webster’s book, “Why Freud Was Wrong: Sin, Science, and Psychoanalysis,” takes a critical look at Sigmund Freud, the famous founder of psychoanalysis, digging into his life, theories, and the influences behind them. Webster explores Freud’s upbringing and the cultural atmosphere of 19th-century Vienna to see how these factors might have shaped Freud’s groundbreaking ideas. … Read more

Richard Noll’s book ‘The Aryan Christ: The Secret Life of Carl Jung’ stirs up a lot of controversy about Carl Jung’s life and ideas. It mainly talks about the possibility that Jung was involved with ideas about the Aryan race and Nazis. Noll suggests that in the 1930s, Jung liked Aryan race ideas. He looks … Read more

Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self” is a seminal work by Carl Jung that explores the depths of the human psyche through the lens of analytical psychology. In this book, Jung delves into the concept of the collective unconscious, a foundational element of his psychological theory, which posits that there is a part … Read more