Robinson's Podcast

Robinson Erhardt
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Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between. https://linktr.ee/robinsonerhardt

  1. 1 FEB

    269 - Scott Aaronson: What Is Quantum Computing?

    Scott Aaronson is the Schlumberger Centennial Chair of Computer Science at The University of Texas at Austin, and director of its Quantum Information Center. He researches the capabilities and limits of quantum computers, and computational complexity theory more generally. For the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, he was on leave to work at OpenAI on the theoretical foundations of AI safety. In this episode of Robinson’s Podcast, Scott answers a host of questions about the basics of quantum computing. He and Robinson discuss the physics- and computer science elements of the field, how it connects to the foundations of quantum mechanics, the biggest myths about quantum computing, and whether quantum computers will every actually be built. Scott’s Blog: https://scottaaronson.blog OUTLINE 00:00 Scott’s Interest in Quantum Computing 07:10 Distinguishing the Physics from the Computer Science 14:43 What Is Quantum Computation? 39:41 The Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics 53:31 Quantum Information 55:54 Prime Factorization 01:03:19 The Biggest Myths About Quantum Computing 01:14:06 Can Quantum Computers Actually Be Built? Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1h 25m

  2. 18 JAN

    268 - Jeffrey Pfeffer: Power, Influence, and the Psychology of Institutions

    Jeffrey Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University where he has taught since 1979. He is the author or co-author of 16 books. Dr. Pfeffer received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Carnegie-Mellon University and his Ph.D. from Stanford. In this episode, Robinson and Jeffrey discuss the field of organizational behavior. More particularly, they talk about the aims and methods of the field, some of its subjects—such as power and influence—and case studies. Jeffrey’s latest book is the 7 Rules of Power (Holt, 2022).  7 Rules of Power: https://a.co/d/58WWhiC OUTLINE OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 05:46 Understanding Vs Implementation 11:42 The Seven Principles of Influence 19:33 Evolutionary Biology 20:49 How Self-Interest Rules Organizations 29:37 Power and the Prevalence of Conspiracies 33:53 Jeffrey Epstein and the Laws of Power 42:55 The Administration of Health Benefits 49:16 How Jeffrey’s Research Has Influenced His Behavior 59:06 The Price of Power Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1 hr

  3. 3 JAN

    267 - Lee Cronin: Aliens, Artificial Intelligence, and the Origin of Life

    Lee Cronin is Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Among his many pursuits are the digitization of chemistry, the discovery of alien life, and the creation of artificial life. Lee was most recently on the show for episode 264, in which he and Robinson and Lee discussed astrobiology, the chemistry of life as we know it, and the controversies surrounding artificial intelligence. In this follow-up conversation, they focused primarily on artificial intelligence, aliens, and assembly theory. Lee’s Website: https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/ Lee’s Twitter: https://x.com/leecronin OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 01:01 AI or Aliens?02:46 What Is Intelligence?13:57 Are Autonomous Vehicles Intelligent?21:39 Assembly Theory and the Origin of Life28:23 Is ChatGPT Intelligent?34:12 What Would Genuine Artificial Intelligence Really Look Like?41:13 Are “AI Skills” Just Product Placement?49:45 Are AI Actually Intelligent “Agents”?56:21 Concluding Thoughts59:16 Will Aliens Be Biological?01:00:01 How Common Are Aliens in the Universe?01:05:51 How Will Aliens Search for Life on Earth?01:12:58 The Chemistry of Minds01:17:10 The Biggest Myths About Aliens Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1h 23m

  4. 21/12/2025

    266 - Annaka Harris: The Fundamentality of Consciousness

    Annaka Harris is the New York Times bestselling author of CONSCIOUS: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind and writer and producer of the audio documentary series, LIGHTS ON. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Nautilus Magazine, the Journal of Consciousness Studies, and IAI Magazine. She is also an editor and consultant for science writers, specializing in neuroscience and physics. In this episode, Robinson and Annaka discuss panpsychism and the case that consciousness is fundamental. More particularly, they talk about complexity and emergence, the relationship between consciousness and physics, and artificial intelligence. Lights On: https://a.co/d/cy8YTpd Conscious: https://a.co/d/3uFZ2Jq Annaka’s Website: https://annakaharris.com OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Annaka’s Obsession with Consciousness 06:09 How Should We Define Consciousness? 13:06 Why the Complexity Might Not Explain Consciousness 25:30 Is Consciousness Emergent or Fundamental? 29:45 Are Fundamentalia Conscious? 45:18 How Can Consciousness Solve Deep Problems of Physics? 52:14 Consciousness and Quantum Entanglement 01:00:11 Consciousness and the Many Worlds Theory of Quantum Mechanics 01:10:50 What Does an Electron Feel? 01:13:41 AI and Consciousness 01:22:42 Science and the Fundamentality of Consciousness Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1h 34m

  5. 07/12/2025

    265 - Jacob Barandes: A New Foundation for Quantum Mechanics

    Jacob Barandes is Senior Preceptor in Physics at Harvard University, where he works widely across the philosophy of physics, with focuses on the foundations of quantum mechanics, the philosophy of spacetime, and the metaphysics of laws. In this episode, Robinson and Jacob focus on the foundations of quantum mechanics. They discuss the importance of history and philosophy in the same, its connections to mathematics, many of the biggest puzzles in quantum physics, and Jacob’s new approach to the foundations, which he refers to as the “Indivisibility” approach. Jacob's Website: https://www.jacobbarandes.com OUTLINE 00:00 Mathematics, Nature, and Physics 07:55 The Deep Link Between Math and Physics CLIP 15:21 Scrutinizing the History and Philosophy of Physics 28:11 A Digression on Achille Varzi 36:53 The Etymology of “Matrix” 41:17 Learning from the History of Physics 52:38 Why Does Quantum Mechanics Need New Foundations? 59:04 Does Quantum Gravity Need New Quantum Foundations? 01;08:26 What Is a Constructive Physical Theory? 01:32:31 Markov Laws and Determinism 01:45:30 The Wave Function 02:06:53 Inconsistencies in Quantum Mechanics 02:12:20 What Is Quantum Decoherence? 02:23:10 The Biggest Problems in Quantum Foundations? 02:33:49 Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics 02:38:57 Quantum Mechanics, Many Worlds, and the Problem of Induction 02:50:05 The Indivisibility Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics 03:04:42 What Are the Fundamentalia of the Universe? Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    3h 14m

  6. 23/11/2025

    264 - Lee Cronin: The Chemistry of Life

    Lee Cronin is Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Among his many pursuits are the digitization of chemistry, the discovery of alien life, and the creation of artificial life. In this episode, Robinson and Lee focus on astrobiology, the chemistry of life as we know it, and the controversies surrounding artificial intelligence. Lee’s Website: https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/ Lee’s Twitter: https://x.com/leecronin OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Lee’s Interests in the Origin of Life 10:29 Is Life Unique to Earth? 18:16 What Is the Self? 24:05 Is the Selfish Gene Hypothesis Wrong? 30:46  How Does Sand Turn into Cells? 44:02 What Is Chemputation? 45:41 What Is Assembly Theory? 01:11:33 Why Won’t We Find a Mine of Coffee Mugs on an Asteroid? 01:25:09 Has AI Become a Cult? 01:32:16 Will AI Use Biological Weapons to Wipe Out Humanity? 01:55:24 Why AI Can’t Be Agents Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    2h 1m

  7. 09/11/2025

    263 - Sara Imari Walker: Astrobiology, Aliens, and the Origin of Life

    Sara Imari Walker is Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, where she is Deputy Director of the Beyond Center. Sara is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist, with research interests in the origins of life, artificial life, life and detection on other worlds. In this episode, Robinson and Sara discuss the physics that makes life possible. More particularly, they discuss assembly theory, the growing field of astrobiology, the difficulties of defining life, and where we are most likely to find aliens. Sara’s latest book is Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence (Riverhead Books, 2024). Life as No One Knows It: https://a.co/d/2fdKa2e OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 00:35 The Connection Between Physics and Biology 07:15 Philosophy and the Origin of Life 10:03 Is the Selfish Gene Theory Wrong? 22:17 On Her Work with Lee Cronin 38:47 Experiments To Discover the Origin of Life 48:52 What Is Assembly Theory? 01:00:42 Are Boltzmann Brains Possible? 01:05:53 The Paradox of Defining Life 01:31:10 Is Life a Vague Concept? 01:38:13 Where Are All the Aliens? Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1h 47m

  8. 26/10/2025

    262 - Slavoj Žižek: Marxism, Quantum Mechanics, and Artificial Intelligence

    Visit our sponsor, Wealthfront!: wealthfront.com/robinson Slavoj Žižek is international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at the University of London, visiting professor at New York University, and a senior researcher at the University of Ljubljana’s Department of Philosophy. This is Slavoj’s fifth appearance on the show. On episode 109, he and Robinson discussed wokeness and psychoanalysis. On episode 118, he, Sean Carroll, and Robinson discussed quantum physics, the multiverse, and time travel. And on episode 206 he, Lee Smolin, and Robinson discussed quantum physics. In episode 212, Robinson and Slavoj talk about ancient philosophy, god, communism, quantum mechanics, and psychoanalysis. In this episode, they discuss current political events, marxism, quantum mechanics, and artificial intelligence. Slavoj’s upcoming book is Quantum History: A New Materialist Philosophy (Bloomsbury, 2025).Quantum History: https://a.co/d/7WFcAGi Visit our sponsor, Wealthfront!: wealthfront.com/robinson Promo terms & conditions apply. See our affiliated link for more details. Robinson Erhardt is a Wealthfront client and was compensated for the testimonial and promotion of the Wealthfront Cash Account. This compensation creates a conflict of interest. Experiences may vary among Cash Account clients, and results are not guaranteed.  The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of September 26, 2025, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.25% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Marxism and Quantum Mechanics 07:34 Why We Aren’t Pessimistic Enough 16:29 The Wisdom of the First Philosopher 29:27 The Assassination of Charlie Kirk 38:10 On Curtis Yarvin 49:23 The Naivety of Pete Hegseth 51:06 The Contradiction in American Fascism 57:43 Could a Coup Overthrow Trump? 01:04:17 The Utter Shamelessness of Today’s Society 01:14:15 The Danger of the Disappearing Left 01:18:06 AI Is a Tool of Authoritarian Suppression Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

    1h 39m
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About

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between. https://linktr.ee/robinsonerhardt

Information

  • Creator
    Robinson Erhardt
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    271
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Robinson Erhardt
  • Show Website
    Robinson's Podcast

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