Immortal Beings: The Selfish History of Things That Refuse To Die - From DNA & Religion to Memes & Digital Gods

Why are we here? Can the patterns of history and nature tell us anything new?In this episode of How to Change the World we trace a clear line. From ancient molecules learning to copy themselves, to religions and nations learning to spread, to algorithms that now compete for your attention. All on a subversive quest for immortality.This hidden history of innovation maps the evolution of the universes most successful survivors. Learn the game theory of how these immortal beings compete and impact society.This season has been about a species of hairy apes and how they became human. Today we combine science, history, and philosophy to build a set of mental models that explain the animal and human landscape of today and quite possibly tomorrow. The future of humanity depends on the decisions and innovations of today.This episode will turn a lot of your ideas about the world on their head:Have you ever considered that your genes don't exist to build you, you exist to build your genes?Do you have ideas or do ideas colonize your mind - eating away at your attention just like we eat food to survive?Is innovation more about what we spread, than what we invent?Become a MemberPatreon.com/ChangeTheWorldPodAccess to behind the scenes episodesAsk Sam anythingSupport the showABOUTHow to Change the World is an independent podcast on a mission to document the entire history of innovation. One world-changing event at a time. In the process we are building out frameworks and mental models to think more coherently about global change.Written, edited, recorded, and produced by Sam Webster Harris.🤓 Website: ChangeTheWorldPod.com🤗 Join the Patreon: Patreon.com/ChangeTheWorldPodHelp from:👩‍🎨 Design - Francisca Correia (available to hire)🧙‍♂️ Mentorship - Jeremy Enns (available to hire)ResourcesThe Selfish Gene - Richard DawkinsThe Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene - Richard DawkinsCHAPTERS00:00 You are a robot01:47 Patterns of Nature03:04 ACT 1 - CONTROL03:39 Nico Tinbergen and the randy fish06:05 The Primordial Soup Starter Kit07:23 Algorithmic Governance08:43 ACT 2 - CO-OPERATION08:43 Cancer11:03 Fear of death and The Birth of religion12:42 ACT 3 - EXTERNAL CONTROL12:42 Extended Phenotypes14:55 Remote control18:01 ACT 4 - IDEA VATS18:01 Consciousness20:31 What is a meme?21:32 Genes vs Memes Speed23:21 Idea Propogation25:46 Carrier Class27:40 ACT 5 - GAME THEORY28:03 Hawk Dove Conjecture29:16 Gravity Wells & conformity30:39 ACT 6 - INNOVATION30:39 Complexity - Meme Stacks32:15 Innovation34:13 ACT 7 - IMMORTAL MINDS34:13 The Third Replicating Medium - Silicon36:53 Immortal Minds38:06 What does it mean to be conscious?39:45 Building the future41:28 Sign off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.