What's up Zengineers? This episode continues our marathon of depth, diving into the pool of modern human understanding on our way to episode 50!!
How do we define an experiment and who is really running them? Here's a hint. It's all of us, but we might not think of it that way. At least not in day to day life. Why not? Well we think things should probably be reframed so more of us do, and we'll tell you why. Surprised? Probably not.
This episode starts off talking about the colloquial idea of “experimenting with an activity” like, trying out surfing, versus the idea of “running an experiment" ... the more traditional scientific peer reviewed kinda stuff. From here we uncover the depth of what it means to really experiment.
You'll enjoy a bit of a semantic dance as we spiral through one of Brian's more complex experiments (or series of tests) done during his industrial automation and mechanical engineering days. Then we change rhythm and pull back to discuss everyday human experience with "real" experiments, touching on the rigor and control required to fit the more classic scientific definition.
The world of big data obviously comes up where we touch on ongoing loops and testing, then more loops and then more testing. Modern software is tracking everything we do, our devices monitor more and more about us, and the complete human understanding is available at any moment in any location. Our entire society is now obsessed with optimization and modification. We're able to analyze our every movement and our every thought to alter our paths and move towards whatever goals we choose. Is this good? Do we know what good is? Do we have control? Should we have control?
Life is squishy and applying scientific methods and rigorous analysis to our goals has created magic beyond our wildest imagination, but is there a limit? Are the problems of fake news and massive political, economic, & ethnic polarity a result of leaning too heavily on principles that we just invented a few hundred years ago? We should be proud of what we've accomplished and of what we know as a species, but we might be pushing up against a philosophical or spiritual boundary that we're not expecting.
This one's a real doozie, and we hope you dig it. If you haven't listened to Episode 44, "On Experts, Algorithms, and Scientific Thinking," you may want to start there, first, or you may want to chase this episode with that one. Both are diving deeply into the same black hole with true reckless of spirit!!
As always, let us know what you think, like, or dislike on our website at https://www.zengineeringpodcast.com, rate and review Zengineering on iTunes, and support Zengineering on Patreon.
Cheers,
Adam & Brian
060 - with Gustaf Alstromer of Y Combinator - On Climate Change - Part 3 - Carbon Capture
059 - On Drones - Part 1 - Quadcopters and NASA Warp Drives
058 - on Climate Change - Part 2 - Carbon, Cooking, and Chemistry
057 with Kelly Gardner - On Storytelling and Everyday Inspiration
Storj Storage and Solar Powered Mining Rigs w-Netwise Data CTO and Mechanical Engineer T Brian Jones
056 - with Mike Rosolio - On Privacy, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica
055 - On Climate Change - Part 1 - What the Fuck is It
054 - with Jen Friel - On Blogs, Bartering, and Footslaves
053 - On AOL Instant Messenger - May it Rest in Peace
052 - with Jonathan Sampson, on Brave, Basic Attention Token and Browser Security
051 - On The Solar System - Part 2 - Rovers and Rocky Planets
050 - On Listener-fed Rabbit Holes
049 - with Peet Guercio - On Rap Battles, Aaron Sorkin, and Problematic Art
048 - On STEAM Education and the Importance of Curiosity
047 - with Pat Connelly - On Health, Happiness, and The Rock
045 - with Laura Goldfarb - On PR, Pop Music, and Power To The People
044 - On Experts, Algorithms, and Scientific Thinking
043 - With Allen and Jesse From FitBod - On Fitness and Technology
042 - On Optimization, Staying Stoked, And Our New Website
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Insight Story: Tech Trends Unpacked
Zero-Shot
Fast Forward by Tomorrow Unlocked: Tech past, tech future
The Unbelivable Truth - Series 1 - 26 including specials and pilot
Lex Fridman Podcast