Episode
#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
1:58:54
Published: Mon Sep 06 2021
Description
Jaron Lanier is a computer scientist, composer, artist, author, and founder of the field of virtual reality. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Skiff: https://skiff.org/lex to get early access - Novo: https://banknovo.com/lex - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Jaron's Website: http://www.jaronlanier.com/ Jaron's Books: https://amzn.to/3tlhl9T PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (08:04) - What is reality? (12:17) - Turing machines (13:35) - Simulating our universe (19:49) - Video games and other immersive experiences (23:37) - Death and consciousness (32:08) - Designing human-centric AI (33:42) - Empathy with robots (37:33) - Social media incentives (49:53) - Data dignity (57:26) - Jack Dorsey and Twitter (1:09:10) - Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies (1:13:51) - Government overreach and freedom (1:24:06) - GitHub and TikTok (1:26:16) - The Autodidactic Universe (1:31:07) - Humans and the mystery of music (1:37:17) - Defining moments (1:48:03) - Mortality (1:49:56) - The meaning of life
Chapters
Join in on a conversation with Jaren Lanier, the founder of virtual reality, as he shares his insights on various topics such as technology, the human experience, and the future.
00:00 - 01:45 (01:45)
Summary
Join in on a conversation with Jaren Lanier, the founder of virtual reality, as he shares his insights on various topics such as technology, the human experience, and the future. The conversation is approached with the intention of making the other person shine and exploring their ideas.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
When selecting a team to work with, it is crucial to invest a lot of effort and use the best tools to ensure you have the right people around you.
01:45 - 07:44 (05:59)
Summary
When selecting a team to work with, it is crucial to invest a lot of effort and use the best tools to ensure you have the right people around you. Indeed is a great service for initial candidate selection.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of universality in how we perceive reality is flawed as people are always evolving and learning.
07:46 - 20:06 (12:20)
Summary
The concept of universality in how we perceive reality is flawed as people are always evolving and learning. It's not accessible to us and it's deceptive to aim for such an unattainable goal.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The belief that there's something beyond the physical brain and the hope for post-mortem survival motivates the sentimental school of dualism while the belief in the brain as a computer and the possibility of uploading oneself for eternal life motivates the hardcore materialist school of thought.
20:07 - 28:28 (08:21)
Summary
The belief that there's something beyond the physical brain and the hope for post-mortem survival motivates the sentimental school of dualism while the belief in the brain as a computer and the possibility of uploading oneself for eternal life motivates the hardcore materialist school of thought. Regardless, the fear of death has been a great motivator for the development of human civilization and thought.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker argues that it is possible to create technologies and a new kind of technologist/engineer that admires humanity and empathizes with common humans, rather than just respecting them.
28:28 - 35:58 (07:30)
Summary
The speaker argues that it is possible to create technologies and a new kind of technologist/engineer that admires humanity and empathizes with common humans, rather than just respecting them. They discuss the idea that everybody has a line they draw where they take control, undermining the concept of the invisible hand.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how advertising through social media has led to manipulation rather than establishing deeper connections between individuals.
35:58 - 42:26 (06:27)
Summary
The speaker discusses how advertising through social media has led to manipulation rather than establishing deeper connections between individuals. They propose potential solutions, such as creating algorithms that respect human beings' experiences and developing empathy-provoking advertisements.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Author suggests that people take a break from social media to examine their behavior and potentially improve their overall well-being.
42:26 - 45:41 (03:15)
Summary
Author suggests that people take a break from social media to examine their behavior and potentially improve their overall well-being.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The negative effects of social media including promoting anger, selfishness, and xenophobia are discussed.
45:41 - 53:10 (07:28)
Summary
The negative effects of social media including promoting anger, selfishness, and xenophobia are discussed. Additionally, the consequences of automation and subsequent job losses are examined.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the guest discusses the concept of data unions and how they can improve the quality of data sold to companies using it.
53:10 - 1:02:21 (09:11)
Summary
In this episode, the guest discusses the concept of data unions and how they can improve the quality of data sold to companies using it. They also touch on the challenge of making technology better while it is already being used.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The importance of transparency and control over personal data are highlighted.
1:02:21 - 1:08:18 (05:56)
Summary
The importance of transparency and control over personal data are highlighted. The idea that profit can only be obtained through the model of Facebook and similar companies is challenged in some discussions.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of government punishment can be necessary when those in power no longer represent the people's needs and interests, and instead act similarly to dictators or authoritarian regimes.
1:08:18 - 1:16:30 (08:12)
Summary
The concept of government punishment can be necessary when those in power no longer represent the people's needs and interests, and instead act similarly to dictators or authoritarian regimes. Recent governmental decisions have led many to question the validity of such leadership.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea that Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies can intrinsically resist corrupt governments might not be accurate, as the initial creators might have had some dubious practices, and people's designs and expectations may be poor, leading to reliance on the Horatio Alger myth.
1:16:30 - 1:23:54 (07:23)
Summary
The idea that Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies can intrinsically resist corrupt governments might not be accurate, as the initial creators might have had some dubious practices, and people's designs and expectations may be poor, leading to reliance on the Horatio Alger myth.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Theories in physics can be understood and applied through the principles of machine learning, which could lead to new discoveries and paths of inquiry.
1:23:54 - 1:31:07 (07:12)
Summary
Theories in physics can be understood and applied through the principles of machine learning, which could lead to new discoveries and paths of inquiry.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding cover from the constant sway of social perception and manipulation to believe in experience as a real thing.
1:31:07 - 1:43:23 (12:16)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding cover from the constant sway of social perception and manipulation to believe in experience as a real thing. They suggest that playing music or doing something that gets you in touch with the way reality happens can give you a sense of how the universe is, with a lot more life and things flowing through it, but acknowledges that we are not in a privileged enough position yet to really know much about ourselves in the context of something larger.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the hosts discuss reimagining Beethoven's music and questioning the traditional interpretation of his works as only for highly skilled and cultured musicians.
1:43:23 - 1:48:35 (05:12)
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss reimagining Beethoven's music and questioning the traditional interpretation of his works as only for highly skilled and cultured musicians.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast host shares his personal experience with stargazing and discusses the impact of stars on human civilization, suggesting that if ancient humans were not able to see the stars, they may not have developed early civilizations.
1:48:35 - 1:55:24 (06:48)
Summary
The podcast host shares his personal experience with stargazing and discusses the impact of stars on human civilization, suggesting that if ancient humans were not able to see the stars, they may not have developed early civilizations.
Episode#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Meaning is defined by context and therefore talking about ultimate meaning without context is not possible.
1:55:24 - 1:58:44 (03:19)
Summary
Meaning is defined by context and therefore talking about ultimate meaning without context is not possible. Trying to apply concepts with external contexts to ultimate meaning is also not resolvable.