#191 – Daniel Schmachtenberger: Steering Civilization Away from Self-Destruction

This podcast episode covers a wide range of topics including quantum computation, externalities, love, global supply chains, creativity, consciousness, perception, individuation, viral contaminants, interconnectedness, epistemic humility, power dynamics, comfort versus happiness, alternative metrics for evaluating well-being, personal and population growth, limitations of metrics, creating a better world, resilience, genuine joy, authenticity, meaning in life, the impact of death on consciousness, conditioning and societal structures, the role of technology in governance, non-agnostic nature of technology, role of information platforms, need for new social technology, attentionalism, emergent order, and personal growth. The speakers stress the importance of understanding external impacts on the economy and society, as well as the value of love, global supply chains, and creativity. They delve into the intricacies of consciousness, perception, and human experience, while also addressing the challenges posed by viral contaminants and the interconnectedness of various systems in society. The episode concludes with a discussion on epistemic humility, the transformative power of conversations, and the appreciation of fleeting moments of beauty in life. Main points • Quantum computation and its potential for enhancing computational power. • The impact of externalities on the economy and society. • The significance of love in interpersonal relationships and personal well-being. • The role of global supply chains in facilitating international trade. • The importance of creativity in innovation and problem-solving. • The nature of consciousness, perception, and individuation. • The challenges posed by viral contaminants and the interconnectedness of various systems in society. • The value of epistemic humility and intellectual openness in personal growth and development. • Power dynamics and the conditioning of society • The trade-off between comfort and happiness in industrial societies • Alternative metrics for evaluating well-being and resilience • Focus on personal and population growth • The limitations of metrics and the need for continuous expansion • The significance of resilience in an increasingly comfortable but potentially addictive environment • The transformative power of genuine joy and compassion • The importance of authenticity and personal growth • Exploring the concept of a meaningful life • The profound impact of death on consciousness and societal structures • The potential of technology in shaping governance and societal systems • The non-agnostic nature of technology and its impact on behaviors and values • The role of technology in societal changes throughout history • The relationship between technological advancements and social dynamics • The concept of emergent order in decision-making processes • The potential for participatory governance and the challenges faced • Insights into the power of attentionalism and its impact on behavior • The influence of corporations on democratic open societies • The importance of developing social technology aligned with the interests of open societies • The power of love and compersion in creating a better world • The evolving nature of social tech and the need for transparency and individual control • The potential of digital technologies to enhance capacity for emergent order • The impact of family relationships on personal growth • Lessons learned from personal experiences and reflections on regrets • The appreciation for life's fleeting moments of beauty and the power of mindfulness.