Episode 109: Predictive Brain with Andy Clark
Ellie and David interview cognitive philosopher Andy Clark, whose cutting edge work on perception offers an intriguing computational model of mind and experience. The predictive processing model promises a healthier relation to neurodiversity, and helps us understand placebos, road safety, chronic pain, anxiety, and even the accidental success of ‘positive thinking.’
Episode 101: AI Safety with Shazeda Ahmed
In episode 101 of Overthink, Ellie and David speak with Dr. Shazeda Ahmed, specialist in AI Safety, to dive into the philosophy guiding artificial intelligence. With the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT, the lofty utilitarian principles of Effective Altruism have taken the tech-world spotlight by storm. Who is right about AI: the doomers or the utopians? And whose voices are part of the conversation in the first place?
Episode 98: Reputation
In Episode 98, Ellie and David untangle the philosophy behind reputations. From Machiavelli’s advice to despots looking to stay popular, to disgruntled students venting on their professors online, they explore concepts like the Matthew effect, the homo comparativus, and informational asymmetry.
Episode 95: Biohacking
Night vision. Superhuman strength. And… kale salad? In episode 95 of Overthink, Ellie and David explore the weird world of biohackers, who leverage science and technology to optimize their bodies. The movement moves from the blurry ethics of self-experimentation to Cartesian dualism. The stakes are political, metaphysical, and ethical — and your hosts are here to make philosophical sense of it all.
Episode 80: Art and AI with Raphaël Millière
Minds meet machines in episode 80 of Overthink. Ellie and David talk with guest Raphaël Millière, philosopher at Columbia University, on the aesthetics of AI and computer-generated art. They discuss early photography YACHT’s pop songs, emotional expression, and more. itself? Might DALL·E be the greatest artist of us all?