KunstlerCast 431 — Thomas Fowler on the Diminishing Returns of Artificial Intelligence

KunstlerCast 431 — Thomas Fowler on the Diminishing Returns of Artificial Intelligence

Author: James Howard Kunstler October 22, 2025 Duration: 1:03:25

Thomas B. Fowler is the author of five books and over 150 articles and reviews, ranging over philosophy, theology, engineering, physics, and mathematics.  He is an expert in analyzing systems and procedures for the U.S government.  He says he is "keenly aware of the rapid politicization that has occurred not just in the humanities, but increasingly in the science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) areas, and is devoted to debunking the shoddy reasoning behind many contemporary trends such as the extravagant claims made for Artificial Intelligence." His latest book is Artificial Intelligence: Foundations, Limitations, Benefits and Dangers — and is the subject of this conversation. He is president of the Xavier Zubiri Foundation of North America, and has translated several of the Spanish philosopher's books into English. Currently an independent consultant and Adjunct Professor of Engineering at George Mason University, he has lectured widely in the U.S., South America, and Europe on science and philosophy. His doctorate from George Washington University is in system theory.  


Each week, author and social critic James Howard Kunstler sits down with host Duncan Crary for a series of frank discussions that form KunstlerCast-Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century. The dialogue, grounded in Kunstler's seminal works like "The Geography of Nowhere" and "The Long Emergency," moves beyond simple critique to explore the deep interconnections between the crises shaping our time. Listeners will find these conversations delve into the enduring consequences of suburban sprawl, the societal costs of disposable architecture, and the profound shifts awaiting us as the age of cheap oil recedes. This isn't a lecture, but a dynamic exchange that examines how these forces collide within our culture, economy, and daily lives. The podcast serves as an ongoing, thoughtful autopsy of the American built environment and the unsustainable habits it fosters, while also casting a wary eye on the news of the day. For anyone perplexed by the fragility of modern systems or curious about the roots of our social discontent, these episodes offer a coherent, if challenging, narrative. Kunstler's distinctive perspective, honed over decades of observation and writing, provides a lens through which the chaos of current events begins to form a clearer, if unsettling, picture. Tune in for a consistently provocative analysis that connects the dots between place, energy, and the future of community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century
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