David Bramante Show: Consciousness, Biohacking and Artificial Intelligence

David Levine Bramante
David Bramante Show: Consciousness, Biohacking and Artificial Intelligence

What is human consciousness, and where does it reside? Can we decipher its mysteries or even replicate it within machines? Hosted by David Levine Bramante, who devotes extensive time to studying consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, the technological singularity, and the future of robotics. In this podcast, David engages with leading researchers, scientists, and visionaries to explore the trajectory of human evolution. He digs deep into the intricate dynamics between humans and machines, drawing insights from experts at the forefront of their fields. www.davidbramante.com

Episodes

  1. Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Biology with Andrew Hessel: From BioBricks to Gattaca

    06/15/2022

    Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Biology with Andrew Hessel: From BioBricks to Gattaca

    Are you fascinated by the intersection of science and technology? Do you love learning about the latest advances in biology and medicine? Then you won't want to miss this conversation with Andrew Hessel, co-author of The Genesis Machine and a leading expert in the fields of synthetic biology and genetic engineering. But what exactly are synthetic biology and genetic engineering, you might ask? Simply put, synthetic biology involves the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems that do not already exist in the natural world. This could include creating new strains of bacteria to produce useful compounds or designing novel DNA sequences to perform specific tasks. On the other hand, genetic engineering involves the modification of an organism's DNA in order to change its characteristics or traits. This could involve inserting a gene from one species into another species in order to give it a desired trait, such as pest resistance in crops. In this conversation with Andrew Hessel, we'll delve into the exciting world of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, exploring the technologies and techniques used to design and manipulate living systems. We'll also touch on the broader field of genomics, which is the study of an organism's complete set of genetic information, and mRNA, which plays a key role in the expression of genes. And that's not all - we'll discuss BioBricks, a modular approach to synthetic biology that allows researchers to easily assemble and test new biological systems, as well as Andrew's work with Autodesk and Humane Genomics. But the conversation doesn't stop there - we'll also delve into the world of science fiction, discussing classic movies like Dune and Gattaca that have explored the potential impacts and ethical implications of advanced biotechnology. So whether you're a seasoned scientist or just a curious learner, there's something for everyone in this wide-ranging conversation with Andrew Hessel. https://www.davidbramante.com YouTube video: https://youtu.be/k3EZHFc_jfw

    1h 19m
  2. Uncover the Deep Meaning Crisis in Western Society with John Vervaeke

    05/24/2022

    Uncover the Deep Meaning Crisis in Western Society with John Vervaeke

    Western society is facing a crisis of meaning that threatens to undermine our sense of purpose and direction. In this interview, Professor John Vervaeke discusses his 50-part series, "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," and his book, "Zombies in Western Culture," which delve into the reasons behind this crisis and explore potential solutions. According to Vervaeke, the rapid breakdown of the Axial Age and Christianity in the West is contributing to a crisis in our worldview and world attunement. He argues that there is a breakdown in the agent-arena relationship in the West, leading to a sense of disconnection and loss of meaning. Vervaeke believes that groups are forming rapidly in an attempt to respond to this crisis, racing against the clock to find ways to restore meaning and purpose to Western society. But he notes that the search for a new kind of meaning – one that is not tied to any specific religion – is proving difficult. Many individuals, particularly those who no longer associate with Christianity or other traditional belief systems, are seeking a new religion which is, in fact, no religion at all. This search for meaning is complex and multifaceted, and Vervaeke believes that it will require an "ecology of practices" – a variety of approaches and methods – to solve the crisis personally and collectively. Join Vervaeke on a quest for meaning in a society that is on the brink. In his "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" series and book, he offers insight and guidance on how we can navigate this crisis and work towards a more fulfilling and purposeful future. Thank you for watching! For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com #JohnVervaeke #Meaning #DavidBramanteShow

    55 min
  3. Debunking AI Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction with Steve Shwartz

    05/01/2022

    Debunking AI Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction with Steve Shwartz

    In this groundbreaking book, Steve Shwartz, a renowned artificial intelligence researcher and investor, debunks the myths and fear-mongering surrounding AI that have become all too common in popular culture and media. From facial recognition to self-driving cars, chatbots to deepfakes, Dr. Shwartz explains the inner workings of today's AI technologies in simple terms, demonstrating why they cannot evolve into the terrifying AI of science fiction. But that doesn't mean we can simply ignore the potential risks and challenges posed by AI. In fact, Dr. Shwartz argues that we must be proactive in addressing issues of safety and personal freedom as we continue to embrace and leverage this amazing technology in our world. By understanding the true capabilities and limitations of AI, we can separate fact from fiction and use it to enhance our lives rather than fearing its power. In this book, Steve Shwartz aims to cut through the hype and misinformation that often surrounds discussions of artificial intelligence. He wants readers to understand the true capabilities and limitations of AI, and to see that while it is an incredible feat of engineering, it is not something we need to fear. Dr. Shwartz explains how AI works in simple terms, using examples of real-world applications such as facial recognition, self-driving cars, machine translation, chatbots, and deepfakes. He shows that today's AI systems are impressive, but they are not capable of the kind of independent thinking and decision-making that is often depicted in science fiction. However, Dr. Shwartz also recognizes that the widespread adoption of AI brings with it a number of complex challenges and risks. He explores the need for new laws and policies to protect our safety and personal freedoms as we continue to integrate AI into more and more aspects of our lives. Ultimately, Dr. Shwartz wants readers to understand that while we don't have to worry about robots taking over the world or turning us into their pets, we do need to be thoughtful and proactive in how we use and regulate AI. By learning the truth about this technology, we can embrace its potential to enhance our world rather than being held back by fear and misinformation. For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    51 min
  4. Navigating the Digital Age: Balancing Technology, Free Speech, and Privacy with Scott McClallen

    04/30/2022

    Navigating the Digital Age: Balancing Technology, Free Speech, and Privacy with Scott McClallen

    In our modern world, technology plays a central role in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. From the way we communicate and access information, to the way we work and entertain ourselves, it's hard to imagine life without the convenience and connectivity that technology provides. However, with this increased reliance on technology comes a host of new considerations, particularly when it comes to privacy. In his book, Twisted Tech, Scott McClallen seeks to shed light on the complex intersection of technology, free speech, and privacy. Through research, interviews with industry experts, and his own analysis, McClallen delves into the potential dangers and opportunities presented by the digital age. From policy enforcement gone awry to individuals misusing technology, McClallen explores the ways in which technology can be used for both good and evil, and the challenges we face as we try to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. But McClallen's goal isn't just to highlight the problems. He also seeks to start a conversation about how we can find a balance between using technology to advance humanity, and protecting our privacy in an increasingly connected world. Through his interviews with individuals like Seth Dillon, CEO of the Babylon Bee, and commentary from Robby Soave of Reason, McClallen offers a diverse range of perspectives on these issues, and encourages readers to think critically about the role of technology in their own lives. So if you're interested in understanding the impact of technology on our society and how we can navigate the complex issues of free speech and privacy in the digital age, be sure to check out Twisted Tech. For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    1h 4m
  5. Meet the Montwood High School Robotics Team: An Inside Look at El Paso's Rising Stars

    03/03/2021

    Meet the Montwood High School Robotics Team: An Inside Look at El Paso's Rising Stars

    Get an inside look at the exciting world of high school robotics with the Montwood High School Robotics Team! Host David Bramante interviews teacher Luis Ramirez and students Said Ajo, Reyes Mata, and Valentina Valles about their experiences on the team. These talented students have been learning JAVA programming, engineering, and building skills through the STEM program at Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas. With a strong tradition of success in robotics competitions, the school currently has two teams competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Last year, two of the three Montwood teams were on a winning streak and set to compete in the FTC Worlds competition, but the event was unfortunately canceled due to COVID-19. Now, the teams are back and ready to take on the competition once again, with even stronger skills and determination. Follow along as we follow the journey of these dedicated students and teachers as they work towards victory in the exciting world of robotics. Luis started the robotics team about 10 years ago with two other teachers, and with the STEM program starting early in the district, self-taught and peer-taught students like Said, Reyes and Valentina are learning and competing in robotics competitions. These students are learning JAVA programming, engineering and building at Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas (https://www.sisd.net/montwoodhs).  The high school has so many students in the robotics program, that they have two teams competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) (https://www.firstinspires.org) this year 2021.  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hULT8qK4LGU Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tqvidcib3zVlJS5KbdWX8?si=0oxjcmYEQpaDSCcvHT9kmA Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-bramante-show/id1525266196?i=1000511559575 For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    53 min
  6. The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Computers: An Insider Perspective with Matthew Justice

    11/18/2020

    The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Computers: An Insider Perspective with Matthew Justice

    Join host David Bramante and software engineer Matthew Justice as they take you on an exciting journey through the inner workings of computers. With Matthew's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, including over 17 years at Microsoft working on low-level software, operating systems, and web applications, you can be sure you're in expert hands. In this engaging conversation, Matthew will be discussing his upcoming book "How Computers Really Work," offering a comprehensive and hands-on guide to understanding the machine. Whether you're an experienced programmer looking to deepen your knowledge or just starting out in the field, this conversation has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from an industry insider and get an inside look at the technical side of computers. You can order Matthew's book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2UBqivd   Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lFIIuUT99Ph1E5PcUdTjX?si=TenkpJ6oTC65wq94OYE04Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-bramante-show/id1525266196?i=1000499096625   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7DCdAaKAQ1Y   About this show:  The David Bramante Show | Discussing the relationship between humans, machines and the future. Host David Bramante researches and reads a massive amount of books on consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, tech singularity, robots, robotics, and futurism. He talks to cutting-edge researchers, scientists, and futurists, to learn more about where we're headed as a species.  For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    1h 1m
  7. Uncovering the Mystery of Consciousness During Anesthesia with Emery Neal Brown

    11/13/2020

    Uncovering the Mystery of Consciousness During Anesthesia with Emery Neal Brown

    Emery Neal Brown is a renowned expert in the field of anesthesiology and consciousness. He is the Warren M. Zapol Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where he is also a practicing anesthesiologist. In addition to his work in anesthesiology, Emery is also the Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical Engineering and Professor of Computational Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He serves as the Associate Director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and the Director of the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology at MIT. Emery's contributions to the field have been recognized by the Society of Neuroscience, which awarded him the Swartz Prize for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience. He is one of only 19 individuals to have been elected to all three branches of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and is the first African American and the first anesthesiologist to achieve this distinction. Learn more about Emery here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emery_N._Brown  Listen on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fmWufR6vdGbsrQg0F3ZGS?si=7O2xecO2QUSicUgGwVdR_w Listen on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-bramante-show/id1525266196#episodeGuid=849441c3-0cdd-4135-b3f5-039d182cdec3 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GmYuwHzCO4w   PS. Emery discusses that he prefers Star Trek over Star Wars at the end of the show, and that his favorite episode is called Ultimate Computer. Check it out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ultimate_Computer   About this show:  The David Bramante Show | Discussing the relationship between humans, machines and the future. Host David Bramante researches and reads a massive amount of books on consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, tech singularity, robots, robotics, and futurism. He talks to cutting-edge researchers, scientists, and futurists, to learn more about where we're headed as a species. For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    30 min
  8. USA vs China: Tom Stefanick breaks down the race for Artificial Intelligence supremacy

    11/10/2020

    USA vs China: Tom Stefanick breaks down the race for Artificial Intelligence supremacy

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping the future of military strategy and warfare, and two countries are at the forefront of this technological revolution: the United States and China. As these nations race to advance their AI capabilities, Tom Stefanik is an expert on the frontlines. A visiting fellow in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, Tom has spent over two decades in scientific consulting, specializing in military and intelligence. During his career from 1988 to 2018, Tom worked as a technical analyst and eventually as a senior vice president at Metron, Inc., where he supported research and development and operations analysis for the Pentagon, Navy System Commands, and Warfare Centers. He initiated and managed numerous technical projects, including those focused on machine learning, image recognition, autonomous planning, statistical modeling, sensor modeling, and simulation of military operations and US border security operations. Tom also founded business units that conducted research and development in the field of autonomy and lidar technology for military applications. One particularly notable project that Tom led was the use of advanced statistical methods to assess foreign nation attitudes towards cooperative security exercises conducted by the US. Using data from targeted surveys and social media, Tom was able to provide valuable insights into the perceptions of these exercises by other countries. Join host David Bramante as he sits down with Tom Stefanik to discuss these exciting topics and more on the Artificial Intelligence Race between the US and China. Tune in to learn about the latest developments in AI, military strategy, and the intersection of technology and international relations. Read more at: https://www.brookings.edu/experts/tom-stefanick/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LUAHIBHERktnke13mXlkE?si=FRQ02HkUQFi_Loe8yNq6eA Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-bramante-show/id1525266196#episodeGuid=8d86dc13-40e4-4adc-8f9a-b621ae8eca49 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qXzc95COE4Q About this show:  The David Bramante Show | Discussing the relationship between humans, machines and the future. Host David Bramante researches and reads a massive amount of books on consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, tech singularity, robots, robotics, and futurism. He talks to cutting-edge researchers, scientists, and futurists, to learn more about where we're headed as a species. For more info, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com

    51 min
  9. Unlocking the Mystery of Consciousness: A Deep Dive with Johnjoe McFadden

    11/02/2020

    Unlocking the Mystery of Consciousness: A Deep Dive with Johnjoe McFadden

    Thank you for tuning in to this interview with Johnjoe McFadden, Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. During this fascinating conversation, host David Bramante explores the connection between electromagnetic theories of consciousness and artificial intelligence with McFadden. They delve into a wide range of topics, including the big bang, punctuated equilibrium, self-replication, the anthropic universe, quantum mechanics, neural networks, and more. The feedback and information shared in this conversation have been invaluable, and we are grateful to all those who participated and contributed. Keep an eye out for more thought-provoking interviews on consciousness and artificial intelligence with David Bramante. Join host David Bramante as he embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries of the relationship between humans, machines, and the future. With a passion for all things tech singularity, robotics, and futurism, David reads extensively on consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and more, and talks to top researchers, scientists, and futurists to get a glimpse of where our species is headed. Don't miss out on this exciting exploration of the intersection between humanity and technology. For more information, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com. McFadden’s books referenced:  Quantum Evolution, Life in the Multiverse: https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B01CC8B96Q&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_9uhOFb4HH46ZS&tag=davidbraman02-20  Life on the Edge, The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology: https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00RKO0KWM&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_uxhOFbVTKXR9B&tag=davidbraman02-20  For more information about John McFadden, visit: www.Johnjoemcfadden.co.uk   Watch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/bpTvSNEv6rc

    53 min
  10. 07/03/2020

    Van Life Origins: A Retrospective with Michael Robert Westell

    Michael Robert Westell | Original Van Life in Santa Monica Beach Host David Bramante talks to Michael Robert Westell at Santa Monica Beach about his Vandewlling #vanlife experiences. He's been doing it long before it became cool and mainstream.  Join host David Bramante as he embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries of the relationship between humans, machines, and the future. With a passion for all things tech singularity, robotics, and futurism, David reads extensively on consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and more, and talks to top researchers, scientists, and futurists to get a glimpse of where our species is headed. Don't miss out on this exciting exploration of the intersection between humanity and technology. For more information, visit https://www.DavidBramante.com. Find Michael "Wandering Sou" Robert here: https://www.instagram.com/wandering._soul_/ Find his awesome "Blue Dream Van" here: https://www.instagram.com/thebluedreamvan/ Vandwelling, a portmanteau of the words "van" and "dwelling", is a lifestyle of living full- or part-time in a vehicle, typically a van that has been modified with basic amenities, such as house batteries, solar panels, a bed platform, some form of toilet, sink and storage space. Some vandwellers live this lifestyle by choice while seeking freedom, self-sufficiency, and mobility without paying for conventional stationary housing, while for others it may be one step from living on the street or in a shelter. An idealized version has been popularized through social media with the hashtag #vanlife. Although the term vandwelling implies living in a van, many types of vehicles may be used for permanent, mobile living arrangements, including conventional buses, school buses (called "skoolies"), campervans, RVs, travel trailers or mobile homes.

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

2.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What is human consciousness, and where does it reside? Can we decipher its mysteries or even replicate it within machines? Hosted by David Levine Bramante, who devotes extensive time to studying consciousness, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, the technological singularity, and the future of robotics. In this podcast, David engages with leading researchers, scientists, and visionaries to explore the trajectory of human evolution. He digs deep into the intricate dynamics between humans and machines, drawing insights from experts at the forefront of their fields. www.davidbramante.com

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