Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2023-07-11
Books mentioned on A.I. Could Solve Some of Humanity’s Hardest Problems. It Already Has.
Demis Hassabis recommended The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch and Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks, and discussed The Metatheory of Physics Theories, and the Theory of Everything as a Quantum Computer Language by Stephen Blaha. Also mentioned: Permutation City by Greg Egan.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Metatheory of Physics Theories, and the Theory of Everything as a Quantum Computer Language
Discussed“I actually read this book must have been a high school called dreams of a final Theory by Stephen Weinberg”
Where to get it
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The Fabric of Reality
The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch is a seminal work of popular science and philosophy that synthesizes quantum physics, epistemology, computation, and evolution into four overarching explanatory frameworks.
Recommended“I would say first of all fabric of Reality by David Deutsch”
Where to get it
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Permutation City
Permutation City by Greg Egan is an imaginative and mind-bending science fiction novel that explores the complex implications of digital consciousness, virtual reality, and software-based AI simulations.
Recommended“the second book I would say is permutation City by Greg Egan I think it's an amazing story actually wild story of how interesting and strange I think the world can get in the context of AI and simulations and Hyper realistic simulations”
Where to get it
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Consider Phlebas
Consider Phlebas by Iain M.
Recommended“and then finally I would recommend consider flibers by Ian Banks”
Where to get it
