A curated collection of documentaries, scientific insights, and philosophical perspectives on quantum physics, non-duality, and the mysteries of existence.
This vault archives YouTube transmissions and corresponding literature across meditation, neuroscience, ontology, ecology, AI, spirituality, and cosmology.
Latest Explorations
491 Transmissions
Lectures
Consciousness and psychedelics | Peter Sjostedt-H | TEDxTruro
Philosopher of mind Peter Sjöstedt-H discusses the hidden impact psychedelics have had on philosophy and asks if such extreme, altered modes of mind could help give us answers to some of the big questions facing the philosophers and scientists of today. Peter is an Anglo-Scandinavian...
https://youtu.be/tV8PSevhd_M?si=aB2jWjDr3Mqqct-f
Philosopher of mind Peter Sjöstedt-H discusses the hidden impact psychedelics have had on philosophy and asks if such extreme, altered modes of mind could help give us answers to some of the big questions facing the philosophers and scientists of today. Peter is an Anglo-Scandinavian philosopher of mind and author. He lives in West Cornwall and is engaged in his PhD with the University of Exeter, where he also teaches philosophy modules and writing skills. Peter is the inspiration behind the inhuman philosopher Marvel Superhero, Karnak. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Dr. Joscha Bach discusses advanced AI, consciousness, and cognitive modeling. He presents consciousness as a virtual property emerging from self-organizing software patterns, challenging panpsychism and materialism. Bach introduces "Cyberanima," reinterpreting animism through information processing, viewing spirits as self-organizing software agents. He addresses limitations of current...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MkJEGE9GRY
Dr. Joscha Bach discusses advanced AI, consciousness, and cognitive modeling. He presents consciousness as a virtual property emerging from self-organizing software patterns, challenging panpsychism and materialism. Bach introduces "Cyberanima," reinterpreting animism through information processing, viewing spirits as self-organizing software agents. He addresses limitations of current large language models and advocates for smaller, more efficient AI models capable of reasoning from first principles. Bach describes his work with Liquid AI on novel neural network architectures for improved expressiveness and efficiency. The interview covers AI's societal implications, including regulation challenges and impact on innovation. Bach argues for balancing oversight with technological progress, warning against overly restrictive regulations. Throughout, Bach frames consciousness, intelligence, and agency as emergent properties of complex information processing systems, proposing a computational framework for cognitive phenomena and reality.
Michael Levin – Why Intelligence Isn’t Limited To Brains.
Professor Michael Levin explores the revolutionary concept of diverse intelligence, demonstrating how cognitive capabilities extend far beyond traditional brain-based intelligence. Drawing from his groundbreaking research, he explains how even simple biological systems like gene regulatory networks exhibit learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Levin introduces key...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w5xr8BYV8M
Professor Michael Levin explores the revolutionary concept of diverse intelligence, demonstrating how cognitive capabilities extend far beyond traditional brain-based intelligence. Drawing from his groundbreaking research, he explains how even simple biological systems like gene regulatory networks exhibit learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Levin introduces key concepts like "cognitive light cones" - the scope of goals a system can pursue - and shows how these ideas are transforming our approach to cancer treatment and biological engineering. His insights challenge conventional views of intelligence and agency, with profound implications for both medicine and artificial intelligence development. This deep discussion reveals how understanding intelligence as a spectrum, from molecular networks to human minds, could be crucial for humanity's future technological development. Contains technical discussion of biological systems, cybernetics, and theoretical frameworks for understanding emergent cognition.
WARNING: This is fully simulated using A.I. This video is a unique experience, as it features a simulated interview between Steve Jobs and Joe Rogan. Showcasing power of artificial intelligence such as chatGPT, LaMDA etc.
https://youtu.be/N_mG_bniSzs?si=HQ9c5XEWLJqukbZ2
WARNING: This is fully simulated using A.I. This video is a unique experience, as it features a simulated interview between Steve Jobs and Joe Rogan. Showcasing power of artificial intelligence such as chatGPT, LaMDA etc.
Analytic Idealism
What Came Before the Big Bang? | Theory of Embedded Intelligence, Bill Mensch & Bernardo Kastrup
Could it be a coincidence that two founding fathers of modern day computing, independently from each other, are both coming with theories of consciousness that are idealist in nature? Or does a deep understanding of what computation is—and what it is not—inevitably lead away from...
https://youtu.be/EiePsomaMpI?si=kraNGXVKRYxGuh1q
Could it be a coincidence that two founding fathers of modern day computing, independently from each other, are both coming with theories of consciousness that are idealist in nature? Or does a deep understanding of what computation is—and what it is not—inevitably lead away from physicalist ideas on consciousness? Previously Essentia Foundation presented the work of Federico Faggin, and now a legendary contemporary of his, computer engineer Bill Mensch, presents his Theory of Embedded Intelligence (TEI) to us. Mensch was a major contributor to the Motorola 6800 and became famous for his work on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU, a chip that, because of it’s efficiency, completely revolutionized computing in the 80’s. From Arcade halls to the Apple II and Nintendo 8 bit consoles, 6502s could be found everywhere. Even to this day the chip is still used in children's toys and even in pacemakers and satellites. Looking back at his career, Mensch realizes that building computer chips is in essence a form of ‘embedding’ intelligence in technology, just as nature has embedded intelligence in biological systems, like humans. In his TEI model intelligence is fundamental. This raises the philosophical question of how consciousness relates to intelligence, and for this reason Bernardo Kastrup joined in on the conversation Mensch and Hans Busstra had. The value of a theory like Mensch’s is perhaps exactly that it is not philosophically fine-tuned to the terminology commonly used in philosophy of mind. By not taking the human mind and phenomenal consciousness as its departure point, but intelligence instead, Mensch arrives at a position in which the distinction between living beings and abiotic systems is less distinct. Mensch's slides can be downloaded here: https://www.essentiafoundation.o...
In Lama Yeshe's and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's first trip to Europe they offered a weekend seminar based on their famous month-long Kopan meditation courses. Preceded by Lama Yeshe's lecture on meditation at Kensington Town Hall, these teachings at Royal Holloway College, Surrey, encompass the entire...
https://youtu.be/9tp4EDY_Xro?si=WmXugC4iZp4zbqwl
In Lama Yeshe's and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's first trip to Europe they offered a weekend seminar based on their famous month-long Kopan meditation courses. Preceded by Lama Yeshe's lecture on meditation at Kensington Town Hall, these teachings at Royal Holloway College, Surrey, encompass the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. Please also visit us at http://www.LamaYeshe.com
Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at...
https://youtu.be/UF8uR6Z6KLc?si=5XPs7MiTHLDchn-_
Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005. Transcript of Steve Jobs' address: http://news-service.stanford.edu...
Altruism
Will AI produce a state of deep utopia? (w/ Nick Bostrom, Future of Humanity Institute)
In his new book “Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World,” philosopher Nick Bostrom ponders what life could be like in a “solved world” – a world where everything works and works better than if human hands got in the way. “What then?”...
https://youtu.be/9urt0XpStrg?si=pfq7LuwV9l8odLYV
In his new book “Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World,” philosopher Nick Bostrom ponders what life could be like in a “solved world” – a world where everything works and works better than if human hands got in the way. “What then?” asks Bostrom, is the reason to work? “Is it to earn extra income or because working is an intrinsically valued activity?” Bostrom is the head of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford and a philosopher with a background in theoretical physics, computational neuroscience, logic, and artificial intelligence. He has been called the “Superintelligent Swede” because of the deep philosophical work he undertakes as he examines the trajectory of human life at the intersection of destruction and possibility. Bostrom says, “If artificial intelligence can be achieved, it would be an event of unparalleled consequence – perhaps even a rupture to the fabric of history” – a rupture, Bostrom says, “will change the course of human history but is it the end of human history?” We invited Nick Bostrom to join us for a Conversation That Matters about our flirtatious and tempestuous relationship with the evolution of intelligence.
”We need to move from transaction to relationship.” Nipun Mehta brings us on a transcendental journey to find our compassionate selves. Through the transforming story of his walking pilgrimage across India, Nipun kicks off by sharing his three key values: success, service and stillness. Further...
https://youtu.be/RY8GAeXT7tk?si=7SPQsdmV9bH5mAJk
”We need to move from transaction to relationship.” Nipun Mehta brings us on a transcendental journey to find our compassionate selves. Through the transforming story of his walking pilgrimage across India, Nipun kicks off by sharing his three key values: success, service and stillness. Further life snippets trigger us to ask ourselves fundamental questions such as “Where did you learn to be good?” or “Who must we be to walk towards futures we cannot imagine?” For one thing is certain, Nipun loves life and the humans that constitute it. He generously shares with the audience the guiding statements shaping his daily life, work and service, as they are all intertwined. By taking inspiration from figures of compassion and wisdom such as Mother Teresa, Gandhi or Desmond Tutu, he insists that creating a “we-to-we” community centred around our relationship to the other rather than the value involved in the transaction process will make us all more complete humans. As he concludes, “we are not merely what we do but we become who we are by what we do”. A true lesson of community, service and humility to help us navigate the unknown of tomorrow.
Altruism
Designing for the Intelligence of the Heart | Nipun Mehta | IDG Summit 2023
Join Nipun Mehta on day 1 of the IDG Summit 2023 as he discusses the importance of designing for ‘heart intelligence’ in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). Nipun illuminates the importance of differentiating between content and context, why we should design for...
https://youtu.be/8IU7IKO45aU?si=4jgFj4WcRn8JqoK0
Join Nipun Mehta on day 1 of the IDG Summit 2023 as he discusses the importance of designing for ‘heart intelligence’ in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). Nipun illuminates the importance of differentiating between content and context, why we should design for AI (renamed artificial intimacy) and how his initiative ServiceSpace has turned the impact model on its head by starting with inner development. About Nipun Mehta Nipun Mehta is the founder of #ServiceSpace, an incubator of projects that work at the intersection of #volunteerism, #technology, and the gift economy - inspiring people to be the change they wish to see. What started as an experiment with four friends in #siliconvalley grew to a global ecosystem of over 400,000 members that has delivered millions of dollars in service for free. Much of his work explores how we can help more people to embrace #giving and #gratitude. Mehta has received many awards, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and Wavy Gravy’s Humanitarian Award. He serves on the advisory boards of the Seva Foundation, the #dalailama Foundation, and the Greater Good Science Center. About Inner Development Goals In 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) provided a comprehensive plan for a sustainable world by 2030. However, progress is not happening fast enough, and we urgently need to increase our collective abilities to face and work effectively with complex challenges. This is why we are co-creating the Inner Development Goals (#IDG) – a non-profit, open-source initiative committed to fostering inner development towards more sustainable futures. We research, collect, and communicate science-based skills and qualities that help us to live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives. Follow our journey from inner growth to outer change: https://innerdevelopmentgoals.org
Neuro-Science
A Conversation Between Iain McGilchrist and David Bentley Hart
On the mind, the structure of the brain, the structure of life, the arts, perceptions of reality, the pervasiveness of consciousness... Scientist, physician, psychiatrist, writer, literary scholar, and philosopher Iain McGilchrist is as genial as his work is fascinating. As anyone familiar with his books...
https://youtu.be/vooDJQ3fdug?si=z8bb7mEPmHaytHxI
On the mind, the structure of the brain, the structure of life, the arts, perceptions of reality, the pervasiveness of consciousness... Scientist, physician, psychiatrist, writer, literary scholar, and philosopher Iain McGilchrist is as genial as his work is fascinating. As anyone familiar with his books could attest, this conversation no more than grazes the surface of his thought; but it was, to my mind, a rich and absorbing conversation nevertheless. He is, moreover, almost aggressively sane. https://davidbentleyhart.substac...
The modern world has been incredibly successful at producing material wealth, scientific knowledge, and technological innovation. But all these advances have not led to corresponding improvements in our psychological well-being, social harmony, spiritual wealth, or the health of this planet. With his upcoming book titled...
https://youtu.be/bolMmHm00AM?si=WDjrwrzwxTZYrjn3
The modern world has been incredibly successful at producing material wealth, scientific knowledge, and technological innovation. But all these advances have not led to corresponding improvements in our psychological well-being, social harmony, spiritual wealth, or the health of this planet. With his upcoming book titled Into the Mirror, Andy shows that remedies for these problems can be found within the profound insights of Mahayana Buddhism. Andy Karr doesn’t like to talk about himself very much, but he does talk and write about Buddhist teachings, particularly the profound paths of the Mahayana and Mahamudra. He is the author of Contemplating Reality, an experiential guide to Buddhist philosophy (Shambhala Publications, 2007) and co-author of The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the world with fresh eyes (Shambhala Publications, 2011). His latest book, Into The Mirror: A buddhist journey through mind, matter, and the nature of reality will be published by Shambhala in May, 2023. He spoke with students at RYI and online participants on the 20th February 2023.
