“A surrogate activity is an activity that is directed toward an artificial goal that the individual pursues for the sake of the “fulfillment” that he gets from pursuing the goal, not because he needs to attain the goal itself. For instance, there is no practical motive for building enormous muscles, hitting a little ball into … Read more
The Age of Silicon is coming to an end, and a new era of computing is on the horizon. Quantum computers, which harness the peculiar properties of quantum mechanics, are poised to revolutionize the world in ways that were once thought impossible. Unlike traditional digital computers, which process information using bits (0s and 1s), quantum … Read more
In the final three chapters of his book “Battling to the End,” René Girard engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Benoît Chantre, exploring the intricate relationship between mimetic desire, the escalation of violence, and the role of the Catholic Church in shaping European history. Girard’s unique perspective, grounded in his mimetic theory, offers a fresh … Read more
René Girard and Benoît Chantre explore the religious and apocalyptic implications of their dialogue on Clausewitz and modern violence. They begin by considering Péguy’s attempt to oppose a chivalric conception of the duel, rooted in honor, to Clausewitz’s more ruthless vision of war. However, they conclude that this noble vision was eclipsed by the realities … Read more
In Chapters 2 and 3 of Battling to the End, René Girard and Benoît Chantre discuss the relationship between the key ideas of Hegel and Clausewitz, both of whom were deeply influenced by Napoleon. While Hegel saw Napoleon as an incarnation of the World-Spirit moving through history, Clausewitz had a more ambivalent view of Napoleon … Read more
The document “Navigating the Future of Work: Perspectives on Automation, AI, and Economic Prosperity” presents three perspectives on the future impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on jobs and the economy. The authors are Erik Brynjolfsson, Adam Thierer, and Daron Acemoglu. Erik Brynjolfsson argues that the “Turing Test”, which judges AI based on how … Read more
In “The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect,” Roger Williams crafts a riveting narrative that delves deep into the heart of post-singularity existence, where the boundaries between human desire, technological omnipotence, and ethical quandaries blur. This novel not only interrogates the essence of humanity in the face of omnipotent AI but also explores the paradoxes of a … Read more
Ageless by Andrew Steele presents a case for treating aging as a disease that can potentially be cured through scientific intervention, enabling longer, healthier human lifespans. The book begins by contrasting human aging with species like the Giant Galápagos tortoise which exhibit “negligible senescence,” maintaining low mortality risk and high vitality even at advanced chronological … Read more
The third part of Andrew Yang’s book, “The War on Normal People,” is where he explores the transformative idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a response to the challenges posed by automation and artificial intelligence. Yang presents UBI not just as a financial safety net, but as a foundation for a future where technology … Read more
In part 2 of The War on Normal People, Andrew Yang tells us a story about the typical life of an American. After college, many smart people end up working in big fields like finance, tech, law, medicine, and teaching. They move to big cities on the coasts like New York, San Francisco, and Boston. … Read more