Episode · EconTalk · 2023-06-26
Books mentioned on Jacob Howland on the Hidden Human Costs of AI
In the early 1900s, the philosopher Henry Adams expressed concern about the rapid rate of social change ushered in by new technologies, from the railways to the telegraph and ultimately airplanes.
Jacob Howland discussed The education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams, Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren by John Maynard Keynes, Politics, and Leisure, the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper. Russ Roberts discussed The Odyssey, Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom, and The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The education of Henry Adams
The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams is a classic autobiographical masterpiece that reflects on the author's failed formal education in the nineteenth century while examining the accelerating impacts of technology, politics, and social upheaval on American identity.
Discussed“um I recently have been studying Henry Adams book the education of Henry Adams”
Where to get it
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Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren
Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren by John Maynard Keynes is a famous 1930 essay examining technological progress, productivity, and the future reduction of the workweek.
Discussed“and that is that um we haven't been trained as John Maynard Keynes points out in a famous essay called economic possibilities for our grandchildren”
Where to get it
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Politics
Politics by Aristotle is an ancient foundational philosophical treatise examining the nature of the state, governance, citizenship, and political organization.
Discussed“Aristotle says and he has a he has the critique of the Spartans but it extends to the Athenians as well says in the politics you know war is for the sake of peace and business which you conduct in pieces for the sake of leisure”
Where to get it
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The Odyssey
Homer's epic poem The Odyssey recounts the arduous ten-year journey of the Greek hero Odysseus as he strives to return home to Ithaca following the Trojan War, facing mythical monsters, divine wrath, and profound personal trials along the way.
Discussed“we were talking about uh I think the Odyssey on the program at some point and Alyssa wrote me and said well I don't need to read it because I've read the comic book and I know what happens”
Where to get it
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Leisure, the Basis of Culture
Leisure, the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper is a mid-twentieth-century philosophical work that examines the true meaning of leisure and its vital role in sustaining human culture against the pressures of modern utilitarianism.
Discussed“and um to sort of come to the punch line here about Leisure I'm very persuaded by Joseph peepers um famous essay Leisure the basis of culture”
Where to get it
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Superintelligence
Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom is a foundational book exploring the future of artificial intelligence and the existential risks posed by the creation of superintelligent systems.
Discussed“I mean his book super intelligence you know it's it's quite chilling”
Where to get it
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a seminal 1759 work of moral philosophy that examines the psychological foundations of human judgment, empathy, and social order.
Discussed“it's Adam Smith's mana's system in the theory of moral sentiments”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“his latest book is glaucon's fate history myth and character in Plato's Republic”
“his latest book is glaucon's fate history myth and character in Plato's Republic”
“also by Mark Twain and now you don't exactly have that experience you can of course look on the line”