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SOB #475 Emergent Complexity and Building Systems We Don’t Understand

SOB #475 Emergent Complexity and Building Systems We Don’t Understand

Author: Adam B. Levine July 24, 2021 Duration: 38:13
Speaking of Bitcoin (formerly Let's Talk Bitcoin!)
Technology

If you landed in medieval times, could you build a phone? Or something even simpler, a pencil? 

Join hosts Adam B. Levine, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy & Jonathan Mohan for a deep dive into the wildly empowering, complex and terrifyingly automated world we live in. This wide ranging, philosophical discussion touches on such topics as the Suez Canal, Douglas Adams, combat drones, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and more.

The world’s complexity exponentially increases by the decade. A gradual systemization has led to the automation of specialized tasks, affording people free time to perform other, even more complex tasks. For example, consider  navigation apps reducing the decision-making process from driving, or the rise of autonomous cars that will eventually remove human interaction altogether.

As the world depends more on an unimaginable web of logistics, what happens when something breaks? The evolution of automation from simple, rules-based systems to incredibly complex machine learning algorithms has diminished the ability to understand or predict these structures.

As much as we love decentralization and technological advancement, where do these aims fail us? Are we creating more problems than solving them?

Have any questions or comments? Send us an email at adam@speakingofbitcoin.show

Today's show featured Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Stephanie Murphy, Jonathan Mohan and Adam B. Levine. This episode was edited by Jonas, with music by Jared Rubens and Gurty Beats.

Our album art a photo by Luca Carrà on Unsplash, modified by Speaking of Bitcoin


For years, Speaking of Bitcoin has served as a thoughtful hub for conversation about the technology reshaping money and society. Hosted by Adam B. Levine alongside Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Dr. Stephanie Murphy, and Jonathan Mohan, this podcast approaches a complex and often divisive space with a commitment to clarity and even-handed exploration. The discussions prioritize depth over hype, breaking down technical concepts, economic implications, and the human stories behind the cryptocurrency phenomenon. You'll hear nuanced analysis and interviews that respect the listener's intelligence, whether the topic is a new protocol layer, a regulatory shift, or a philosophical debate about digital sovereignty. As the longest-running English-language talk show dedicated to this ecosystem, it offers a unique historical perspective that newcomers and veterans alike will appreciate. Tune in for the friendly, substantive dialogue that has defined this show since its earlier days as Let's Talk Bitcoin.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Speaking of Bitcoin (formerly Let's Talk Bitcoin!)
Podcast Episodes
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