First Derivative [50]
digital artisans—good vs. evil—harm—science—sex—satellite broadband—payment technology—AI remystification
Republic of Makers by Mario Carpo (e-flux): An interesting argument that the economics of digital fabrication allow for a return to artisan production vs. industrial production requiring economies of scale — TK
The good guy/bad guy myth by Catherine Nichols (Aeon): Questioning why good vs. evil dominates our popular stories while being absent in folk tales and ancient epics. Morality or personality — TK
Let’s Ban Porn by Ross Douthat (The New York Times): “The belief that it should not be restricted is a mistake; the belief that it cannot be censored is a superstition… But in this sense porn also presents an opportunity to reconsider the tendency to just drift along with technological immersion”
How Americans Became So Sensitive to Harm by Conor Friedersdorf (The Atlantic): A considerate look at how concept creep of “harm” has happened for better and worse — TK
The Intellectual War on Science by Steven Pinker (The Chronicle of Higher Education): Steven Pinker does not seem to understand criticism of modernity/rationalism but his larger concern about anti-science attitudes from intellectuals is valid and important. The scientific mindset and the humanities ought to be more integrated even if their synthesis is not Pinker’s ideal of science absorbing the humanities — TK
Sex and STEM: Stubborn Facts and Stubborn Ideologies by David C. Geary and Gijsbert Stoet (Quillette): Analysis of gender disparities in STEM. Lot of facts. I didn’t know women earn 57% of undergraduate STEM degrees (high in bio and psych, low in comp sci and engineering). — TK
Josh Wolfe — This Is Who You Are Up Against (Invest Like the Best): A venture capitalist I really admire. Great, stimulating podcast covering pretty much everything — TK
SpaceX hits two milestones in plan for low-latency satellite broadband by Jon Brodkin (Ars Technica): Thoughts from Kyle Samani on this — TK
The Evolution of Payments (a16z Podcast)
The machines ate my homework by Niall Ferguson (The Boston Globe): “But perhaps the right way to think of AI is historical — as a phenomenon that may return humanity to the old world of mystery and magic… How shall we cope with this re-mystification of the world? Shall we begin to worship the machines”
