Daniel Cloud

Daniel Cloud

Author: Smart People Industries November 18, 2014 Duration: 40:18
Daniel Cloud - This week we tackle the question, "What is life?" Seriously, our guest wrote an entire doctoral dissertation on that exact question. And we don't just stop there! We also discuss the evolution of human language, where it came from, and where it may be going. Have you ever thought about what words mean and where they came from? Why do you use a certain work in conversation instead of another? The choice of which words to use and in which sense to use them is both a "selection event" and an intentional decision.   Our guest this week is Dan Cloud, and in his brand new book, The Domestication of Language: Cultural Evolution and the Uniqueness of the Human Animal, Dan explores the analogy between Darwin's model of domestication and the evolution of human languages and cultures. Daniel received his Ph.D from Princeton and became a Junior Fellow there soon after.  He currently teaches philosophy at Princeton University.   "The idea of cultural evolution is older than the idea of biological evolution." - Daniel Cloud Quotes from Dan:  What we learn in this episode: What is Schrodinger's Crystal and how might it solve the question, "What is life"? What is an aperiodic pattern?  Why do words mean what they mean? Why do we use particular words in each situation? Why does the world have so many various dialects? Resources: The Domestication of Language: Cultural Evolution and the Uniqueness of the Human Animal http://www.cup.columbia.edu/book/978-0-231-16792-5/the-domestication-of-language/reviews -- This episode is brought to you by: Our Amazon Page! Support the show by making your Amazon purchases through our affiliate link! It's the easiest way to support the show and NO cost to you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every other week, Chris Stemp and Jon Rojas sit down with a guest who has fundamentally shaped their field, driven not by a rigid agenda but by genuine curiosity. The Smart People Podcast from Smart People Industries is built on the idea that the most compelling insights emerge from relaxed, authentic dialogue. You’ll hear authors, innovators, and cultural leaders-each with significant recognition in areas like business, education, or society-speak in a way that often feels more like a fascinating dinner conversation than a formal interview. Chris’s thoughtful questioning, paired with Jon’s producer perspective, gently guides discussions into unexpected territories, revealing the personal journeys and nuanced ideas behind public achievements. This podcast thrives in the space between expertise and accessibility, making complex topics relatable without sacrificing depth. It’s for anyone who believes that learning is a continuous, engaging process, and that the best lessons come from listening to people who think differently. Tune in biweekly for conversations that are as intellectually substantial as they are genuinely enjoyable, reminding us that smart discourse can be both enlightening and warmly human.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

Smart People Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Karen Wickre - Networking Tips From a Silicon Valley Pro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
This week, we speak with Karen Wickre. Karen is a Silicon Valley veteran. She worked at Google for a decade and moved to Twitter as the Editorial Director. She is a member of the Board of Visitors for the John S. Knight…
Todd Rose - Success Through Individuality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:30
This week, we speak with Todd Rose. Todd is the co-founder of Populace, a social impact organization that focuses on our understanding of individuality. Todd dropped out of high school, obtained his GED, went to Weber St…
James Clear - The Laws of Behavior Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:09
This week, we speak with James Clear. Yup, that's right. James Clear!!! James is an author an entrepreneur and you might know him best for his fantastic newsletter. He writes about habits and human potential. His focus i…
Dr. James Lewis - Understanding ADHD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:26
This week, we speak with Dr. James Lewis. Dr. Lewis' clinical and research interest focuses on the treatment and prevention of school problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavior and learning p…
Alexandra Levit - The Workforce of the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
This week, we speak with Alexandra Levit. Alexandra conducts primary workplace research on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies. She is a former nationally syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a writer…
Jeffrey Gitomer - Be Intriguing from the Outset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
This week, we speak with Jeffrey Gitomer. Jeffrey is best known as the "King of Sales." He is an author, a professional speaker, and a business trainer. Jeffrey has written thirteen books, including multiple New York Tim…
Brad Staats - Never Stop Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:08
Dr. Staats is a professor at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and author of Never Stop Learning: Stay Relevant, Reinvent Yourself, and Thrive. Brad also works with companies around the world…
Brandon Webb - Conquer Fear Like a SEAL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:20
This week we interview Brandon Webb. Brandon Webb is a former US Navy SEAL sniper, New York Times bestselling author, Experimental aircraft pilot, and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of the Hurricane Group, a U.S. based d…
Joan C. Williams - Class Clash in America, The Forgotten Workers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
This week we interview Joan C. Williams. Joan is a rock star in her field, who focuses her work on issues faced by women in the workplace. She currently serves as the Founding Director at the Center for WorkLife Law and…
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz - Gut Health, Gut Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:09
This week we interview "Dr. B," Dr. Will Bulsiewicz. Dr. B is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine. He trained in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and gastroenterology at The Universi…