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This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, the recent world events that include a coup attempt in Turkey have had Micah asking whether this incident, the outcome of which worked largely to the benefit of Turkish leader Erdogan, could have been more than it seemed to be. More specifically, is there precedent here — both historically, as well as with recent news involving the coup attempt, that suggests it could have been a “false flag”?
We also examine a number of other items trending in the news, which include the continuing popularity and fervor surrounding the Pokemon Go smartphone app. What does it tell us about the future of technology, and does it even point toward new notions of the much-discussed idea of a “simulated universe”?
The in hour two, we discuss a new book, Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension, by complexity scientist Samuel Arbesman. In it, he offers an insightful field guide to living with complex technologies that defy human comprehension. As technology grows more complex, Arbesman argues, its behavior mimics the vagaries of the natural world more than it conforms to a mathematical model. If we are to survive and thrive in this new age, we must abandon our need for governing principles and rules and accept the chaos. By embracing and observing the freak accidents and flukes that disrupt our lives, we can gain valuable clues about how our algorithms really work. What’s more, we will become better thinkers, scientists, and innovators as a result.
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