In the first half, USC Professor Bart Kosko spoke about advancements in technology, and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). Responding to scientist Geoffrey Hinton's claim that AI could wipe out humanity, he finds such an outcome an unlikely possibility. Rather, Kosko believes the real dangers lie in cyberwarfare and misuse by bad actors, citing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as examples where AI-driven systems are already impacting warfare. On the topic of ChatGPT, he outlined its roots in longstanding neural network algorithms dating back to the 1980s, and suggested that one of the reasons it works so well is that there's so much structure built into natural language.
In a conversation on the future of computing and human augmentation, Kosko explored the ongoing evolution of Moore's Law and its implications for technology and society. He explained that Moore's Law, which predicts the doubling of transistors on a chip roughly every two years, is approaching physical limits with current silicon-based electronics, and he anticipates a shift from traditional electronics to photonics-- using light instead of electrons-- to continue progress. He also touched on emerging technologies like spintronics and nanotubes as potential successors to silicon chips.
Addressing brain-computer interfaces, Kosko praised Elon Musk's Neuralink as a pioneering effort to bridge the gap between digital chips and biological neurons. Neural implants currently assist disabled individuals, but Kosko predicts broader applications, including direct knowledge downloads and seamless AI interaction. While acknowledging social and ethical concerns, including biblical and apocalyptic fears surrounding brain implants, he urged a balanced view. "Religion is really going to take off in ways that are hard to foresee at this point," he commented, suggesting that enhanced cognition may expand humanity's understanding of the infinite and the divine.
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In the latter half, author Michael Kozlowski, who has written books in the horror fiction and paranormal investigation genres, shared insights into Bigfoot, the elusive creature often described as a large, hairy hominid. He approaches Bigfoot research as an "optimistic skeptic," acknowledging the lack of definitive proof but emphasizing the plausibility of its existence. He noted that Bigfoot-like creatures are reported worldwide, including the Yeren in China and the Yowie in Australia. Rather than being interdimensional in nature, he favors the interpretation of Bigfoot as an organic creature, possibly a descendant of archaic human species like Neanderthals or Denisovans. "There's a lot of overlap" in human evolution, suggesting Bigfoot may represent a surviving branch of this lineage, he said.
Kozlowski recounted notable violent encounters, such as the 1958 Ape Canyon incident in Washington state, where Bigfoot allegedly hurled rocks at loggers, but indicated these were likely defensive reactions. He also discussed the cultural parallels between Bigfoot and the Himalayan Yeti, describing the latter as a "protector of nature" in local folklore. On the challenge of locating Bigfoot, he proposed that "minimal population viability," could explain the scarcity of evidence. He reported that about 27% of Americans believe in the creature's existence in some form. "A third of people believing is a pretty good number," he stated, but added that "it's gonna take a body or some sort of DNA evidence" to significantly increase public acceptance.
He also touched on his book "American Ghost Stories," which compiles one haunting tale from each US state, blending well-known legends with lesser-known local accounts. He highlighted the tragic story of Minnie Quay from Michigan, a young woman who, heartbroken over a lost sailor, is said to haunt Lake Huron's shores and "tempt other young women to come to join her in the cold water."
News segment guests: Howard Bloom, Mish Shedlock