The Orthogonal Bet

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Rony. Paul is the founder and CEO of Kosmik, a tech startup based in France. Paul is also deeply knowledgeable about the history of computing and the ideas that animate it, and Samuel wanted to discuss these ideas with him.Samuel and Paul had a chance to discuss how Paul became interested in computing history, his own experiences with older computers, and the importance of the intellectual history and ideas that suffuse these technologies. They talked about the value of playing with old computers, the changing nature of programming as well as what hasn't changed, preserving old software and hardware, and even the best ways of learning about the history of computing. And of course, they talked about HyperCard, one of the wildest pieces of software ever.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock. Nick is the cofounder and CEO of the Recurse Center, a kind of retreat for programmers and community for people to work at what they term the edge of their abilities. RC has been running these self-directed retreats since 2011 and the company is a very intentional effort in fostering curiosity and is informed by the philosophy of unschooling.Samuel and Nick had a chance to discuss his unschooling experience and how he became interested in coding, the founding of what eventually became the Recurse Center, and how it developed. They talked about the uniqueness of RC's model, how Nick thinks about AI and programming, and the intentional culture of RC.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Corey Maley. Corey is an associate professor of philosophy at Purdue University who explores the philosophy of science and computation, focusing on cognitive science, the nature of computation both digital and analog, and how brains compute.Samuel and Corey had a chance to discuss the nature of analog computation and what people get wrong about it, the ways in which neurons are likely analog computers not digital ones, and even the implications for AI and consciousness. They talked about the history of computing, what computation is, and even explored some intriguing issues at the intersection of philosophy and computing.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Joel Simon. Joel is a fascinating creator who works at the intersection of art and computational research, particularly in the realm of AI and creativity. He is the creator of Artbreeder, a biologically inspired tool for navigating the space of AI images, and has also worked on many other projects, such as evolving floorplans, a digital puppet theater, and generating computational paintbrushes. He is also the author of a new essay entitled "Beyond Slop" which explores how to think about creativity and AI. https://www.joelsimon.net/beyond-slopSamuel and Joel had a chance to discuss how Joel thinks about his work, the nature of evolutionary algorithms and his interest in them, and the origins of Artbreeder. They also spent time discussing his new essay, and the need for creating computational tools that expand self-expression rather than limiting it, and how to think more broadly about creativity and AI.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman has the pleasure of speaking with Stephen Webb. Stephen is a physicist and the author of numerous books, including one entitled "If the Universe is Teeming with Aliens… Where is Everybody?", the second edition of which includes 75 solutions to the Fermi Paradox. Samuel wanted to talk to Stephen to explore the nature of the Fermi paradox — essentially, if the universe should have extraterrestrial intelligences, why don't we see them? — and how it forces us to think about our place in the universe.Samuel and Stephen have a chance to examine what the Fermi paradox is, the interdisciplinary nature of the approaches to this puzzle, science fiction as a "playground for thought experiments," and the three main categories for how people approach the Fermi paradox. They discuss some of the fun answers to the paradox, Stephen's personal take on it, how scientific and technological advances have affected how we think about the paradox, and even how AI has changed how we might think about intelligence in the universe.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman is excited to welcome David Edmonds back to the podcast. Dave is the cohost of the Philosophy Bites podcast as well as the bestselling author of numerous books about philosophy. Last time they spoke about his book Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, A Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need, and this time they discuss Parfit, his biography of the philosopher Derek Parfit, one of the most influential moral philosophers of the modern era. The book explores the life and philosophy of Parfit, and is simply delightful — a wonderful exploration of Parfit's personality, his ideas, and his relationships with others.Dave and Samuel discuss what prompted him to write this book and the origins of the biography, as well as his personal relationship to Derek Parfit and Parfit's wife, the philosopher Janet Radcliffe Richards. They explore Parfit's philosophy on personal identity, self-defeating moral theories, and non-identity and population ethics. But they also discuss Parfit as a person, including how he changed over his life and his combination of extreme kindness and self-absorption. They even explore how All Souls College at Oxford was the ideal place for a genius such as Parfit.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman welcomes back Edward Ashton. Edward is a science fiction writer and the author of numerous novels, including Mickey7, which served as the basis for the film Mickey 17. The two last spoke about Ashton’s novel The Fourth Consort, a compelling first-contact story, and he now returns to discuss his new book, After the Fall.After the Fall is a delightful and thought-provoking novel set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where an alien civilization has settled on the planet and domesticated humans. Despite the premise, the book is surprisingly fun and funny, featuring a goofy alien who owns the story’s main human character. Ashton’s publisher sent Arbesman an advance copy, which he quickly devoured, eager to dig deeper into the novel’s ideas with its author.Their conversation explores the origins of After the Fall, the concept of domestication and how we think—or perhaps should think—about it, and a distinctive feature of the alien species known as the Grays called “absenting,” along with its parallels in bull elephants. They also touch on the deliberately ambiguous future history of the book and venture into larger themes, including human mediocrity, the Great Filter, and humanity’s own self-destructive possibilities.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Lori Emerson, a professor of Media Studies at University of Colorado Boulder and the founding director of the Media Archaeology Lab, where Arbesman serves as an advisor. Emerson’s work sits at the crossroads of media, technology, and history—a perspective embodied by the Lab’s hands-on approach to preserving older technologies and keeping them alive through use, not just observation.The conversation also explores Emerson’s recent book, Other Networks: A Radical Technology Sourcebook, which treats the idea of the “network” as something far older and stranger than the modern internet. Drawing on examples ranging from pagers and flag signaling to pneumatic tubes—and even the memex envisioned by Vannevar Bush—the book radically expands how we think about connectivity across technological history.Together, Arbesman and Emerson discuss how she approaches her research, the practice of media archaeology, and how engaging directly with obsolete or forgotten technologies can stretch our collective imagination about what technology has been—and what it might yet become. Their conversation ranges from the deep logic of networks to Emerson’s enthusiasm for radio, and the vital role artists play in pushing new technologies into unexpected territory.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Brendan Schlagel, a builder obsessed with learning and community, and the cofounder of Hyperlink and Leaflet—projects devoted to helping people learn together and share knowledge in public.Samuel and Brendan trace the history of Hyperlink and the learning communities it sparked, and how that work ultimately led to Leaflet: a tool designed to make publishing and sharing online feel effortless again. Along the way, they explore learning and education, the strange power of lists, personal canons, antilibraries, practical advice for connection (online and off), and even why a two-person book club can be unexpectedly transformative.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Gordon Brander, a technologist and researcher currently building Deep Future, an AI tool designed to facilitate scenario planning. Gordon has worked in design and engineering at organizations including Mozilla and Google, where he used scenario planning in practice—and he’s now aiming to democratize the framework more broadly.Together, Samuel and Gordon explore the history and mechanics of scenario planning: what it is, how it works, and what it’s actually useful for. They dig into risk versus uncertainty, epistemic humility, and Knightian uncertainty, along with the research process behind building scenarios—and the common perils and misuses that can turn the practice into self-deception. They also discuss Gordon’s AI-powered approach with Deep Future (which Samuel is advising) and how scenario planning has reshaped Gordon’s understanding of society and the world.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Florian Jehn, a researcher who studies the nature of societal collapse and the author of the blog Existential Crunch. Existential Crunch examines and summarizes scientific work in this space, serving as a living literature review of research on societal collapse.Samuel and Florian discuss the origins of Existential Crunch, the radically interdisciplinary nature of collapse studies, and how the field cuts across domains—from the statistical study of history and the rise and fall of civilizations to catastrophic and existential risk, and the mechanics of societal resilience. They also explore what collapse might feel like from the inside, and whether we could already be living through a slow-motion version of it.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with novelist Dexter Palmer, the author of three books that deliberately resist easy categorization. As they discuss, Palmer’s work can be thought of as literary fiction infused with science-fictional tropes and textures. His debut, The Dream of Perpetual Motion, is a kind of steampunk tale; Version Control explores a near-future world with dollops of time travel; and Mary Toft; or, The Rabbit Queen is historical fiction drawn from the real 18th-century case of a woman who claimed—falsely—to be giving birth to rabbits.Together, Arbesman and Palmer talk through Palmer’s novels, the nature of realism in science fiction, how to build a lived-in near future, the tradeoffs of exposition and “info dumps,” the strangeness of AI, the parallels between historical fiction and science fiction, and more.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Stuart Buck, executive director of the Good Science Project—a think tank devoted to better understanding how science is done and funded. Stuart previously served as a vice president at Arnold Ventures, where he focused (among other things) on scientific practice and reproducibility, and he holds a PhD in education policy and a JD. Stuart also wrote a fascinating essay last year for Palladium Magazine titled “The Case for Crazy Philanthropy,” and Samuel wanted to explore the idea with him.Together, they discuss the nature and history of “crazy philanthropy,” why we don’t see more of it, and how to incentivize everything from risk-taking to new—and genuinely weird—types of research institutions. They also dig into metascience, neglected research, and federal science funding more broadly, including potential scenarios for where U.S. science might head next. This conversation was recorded in September 2025, so a few references may be slightly dated.

Tinkered Thinking is the pseudonym of the author behind White Mirror, a collection of stories that explore the implications of artificial intelligence and advances in computing—while offering a more optimistic lens than much of contemporary science fiction.In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Tinkered Thinking about the origins of these stories and his broader evolution as a writer, including his shift from a kind of Luddism toward a more forward-looking view of technological progress. Their conversation ranges across how we examine ideas about the future, societal blind spots around technology, the impact and importance of AI, concerns about AI doomers, and the kind of future he hopes we might create.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks again with Alec Nevala-Lee. Arbesman previously hosted Nevala-Lee to discuss his biography of Buckminster Fuller; this time, Nevala-Lee returns to talk about his new book, Collisions, a biography of Nobel Prize–winning physicist Luis Alvarez. Alvarez’s career ranged across particle physics, the Manhattan Project, the investigation of the JFK assassination, and—alongside his son—the asteroid-impact theory of dinosaur extinction.Arbesman and Nevala-Lee explore how Nevala-Lee first became interested in Alvarez; the physicist’s unique skills, brilliance, and difficult personality; the character of Berkeley and the Rad Lab in Alvarez’s era; the kinds and scale of science that most appealed to him; and his extensive work with the U.S. government. They also discuss Alvarez’s views on computers and the broader lessons from his life about choosing research problems and thriving as a successful outsider.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Nick Foster, a designer and futurist who has worked with numerous major companies imagining a variety of futures—from Nokia and Dyson to Google. Foster is also the author of the new book Could Should Might Don’t, which explores the many ways we do and can think about the future.Arbesman and Foster discuss how Foster found his way into the world of futures thinking and the nature of futures design work within organizations. Their conversation covers Foster’s taxonomy of different kinds of futures design, the importance of cultivating better future-thinking practices, common mistakes in forecasting, and the limits of prediction itself. They also delve into his perspective on science fiction and his distinctive approach to futures work—what he calls the “future mundane,” a vision of the future as a lived-in, everyday world.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with David Edmonds, cohost of the Philosophy Bites podcast and bestselling author of numerous books on philosophy, including his most recent work, Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, A Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need. In this delightful book, Edmonds explores Peter Singer’s famous “shallow pond” thought experiment—its moral implications, its influence, and how it gave rise to the Effective Altruism movement. The result is a fascinating biography of an idea and a penetrating analysis of its ripple effects through ethics and action.Arbesman and Edmonds delve into the origins and nature of the Shallow Pond experiment, tracing its journey from moral philosophy to practical impact through Effective Altruism. They discuss the demandingness of Singer’s argument, the most compelling counterpoints, the EA movement’s evolution toward longtermism and focus on AI and existential risk, why EA provokes criticism, and the broader question of how thought experiments shape the real world.

n this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Rohit Krishnan, one of the most playful and insightful thinkers in the world of ideas. Rohit writes Strange Loop Canon, a newsletter devoted to exploring delightfully wide-ranging concepts—including artificial intelligence. He also recently collaborated with Jon Evans on Walter, a project that trained an AI to be good at social media.Together, Samuel and Rohit discuss Walter and the curious question of why large language models remain so poor at good writing, despite being built around text. Their conversation branches into topics such as reinforcement learning for writing, useful metaphors for understanding LLMs—like “fuzzy processors”—and whether emphasizing the alienness of AIs is a fruitful endeavor. They also touch on the idea of nurturing AI, how to use these systems in one’s work and life, and what all this means for the future of labor—perhaps a future that feels more like a video game. Above all, they explore the importance of continuing to play with these strange new tools.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Linda Liukas, author of the beloved Hello Ruby children’s book series about computers, as well as a new Finnish-language book for adults on computing. Liukas also recently designed a playground in Helsinki that introduces children to foundational ideas in computer science through play.Together, Arbesman and Liukas explore her path to becoming a children’s book author, how to cultivate curiosity, and the appeal of generative AI. Their conversation ranges across educational philosophies, playground design, and the relationship between play and curiosity. They also delve into the teaching of history within computer science, reflecting on the historical intersection of computing and education and the need to rekindle those connections.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Molly Mielke. Despite her youth, Molly has already built a fascinating career across tech—spending time at Notion, Figma, Stripe, and the Browser Company—before launching her own venture fund, Moth Fund. Along the way, she’s learned a great deal about herself and thought deeply about the role of technology in the world.Arbesman and Mielke discuss her career so far, why she chose to move into venture, how she evaluates and supports people—whether through startup investments or grants—and the kinds of builders and thinkers who earn her conviction. The conversation also dives into tech culture, San Francisco’s gravitational pull and monoculture, the dynamics of age and youth, and how Molly frames meaning and purpose in work and life.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Daniel Temkin, a writer and artist working in the digital art space who has been creating strange and provocative programming languages for years. These “esoteric languages” or “esolangs” [esso] explore the limits and breadth of what programming and code can be. Temkin recently released a book collecting languages he created, titled Forty-Four Esolangs, a work that is both wild and fascinating.Together, Arbesman and Temkin explore the nature of esolangs, the benefits of playful constraints, how to think about programming languages more broadly, code poetry, the balance between the unforgiving and human properties of code, and how Temkin was able to turn these experiments and projects into a book.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Parker Owens, whose passion for Lego has grown into something remarkable. In addition to working as an attorney, Parker runs Parker’s Brick Builds, a company where he designs and sells custom Lego creations. His sets range from vehicles and a siege tower to even a Lego “dumpster fire” that fans can build themselves.Arbesman and Owens explore Parker’s Lego journey—from childhood play, through a hiatus during his young adult years, to rediscovering the bricks and eventually becoming a Lego TikTok star. Their conversation covers the origins of Parker’s business, his win in a business competition, the broader Lego-adjacent ecosystem of creators and companies beyond the official Lego Group, how he approaches design, and the mission that guides his work, including the kind of customer he envisions for his sets.

Samuel Arbesman is joined once again by Kristoffer Tjalve. The two previously spoke about the poetic web and the delightful aspects of the internet. This time, Kristoffer shares his new project: the Internet Phone Book—a physical book that lists personal websites alongside essays about the internet. After selling out its first run, the book is now available again as a reprint from Metalabel.In their conversation, Arbesman and Tjalve discuss the origins and nature of the Internet Phone Book, the spirit of the early web it seeks to recapture, and the lessons Kristoffer learned while making it. They also explore ideas such as the Internet as an “underdeveloped ecosystem,” the notion of “organic software,” ways of supporting the poetic web, and what today’s online world might learn from the traditions of books and print publishing.It’s a wide-ranging and playful exchange that captures both the wonder and the seriousness of building a more poetic internet.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Edward Ashton. Edward Ashton is a science fiction writer and the author of numerous novels, including Mickey7, which became the basis for the movie Mickey 17. His most recent novel is The Fourth Consort, a fascinating first contact story that touches upon many different topics, from humanity’s uniqueness to how to think about interstellar confederations.Arbesman and Ashton discuss the origins of The Fourth Consort, the science fiction features Ashton was playing with and subverting, and why science fiction shouldn’t simplify alien species or human beings. They also explore the unique features of humanity, the power of storytelling and its role in humanity’s triumph on Earth, the qualities that allow for technological intelligence, and much more. Their conversation even touches on the dark forest theory, underestimating humans, interstellar federations and the exploitation of other species, as well as other authors and works Ashton recommends.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Neal Agarwal. Neal has been building online playthings for most of his life. He runs neal.fun, which many listeners may already be familiar with, home to such games and internet toys as Infinite Craft and Internet Roadtrip. For example, Infinite Craft begins with the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, which can be recombined in open-ended ways to build almost anything: water plus earth yields plant; plant plus fire equals smoke; smoke plus fire equals volcano—and then you’re off to the races. These websites are delightful, strange, and exciting, showcasing the sheer breadth of what the web can be.Samuel and Neal discuss Neal’s origins and history making things on the web, and how he came to build neal.fun full time. Their conversation explores the unique nature of the web as a medium, and what it means to take it seriously. This connects to the challenge of describing the internet toys Neal creates, since they represent something truly new and delightful. They also touch on programming, how AI might make building weird online things easier, the communities that have grown around Neal’s creations, and his process for designing these games. Along the way, they even consider fellow travelers in this world of fun online creations.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Julian Gough — a writer, musician, and now researcher in cosmology. Julian was part of Toasted Heretic, an Irish rock group, has written novels for both children and adults, and even composed Minecraft’s end poem. More recently, he has turned his attention to cosmology, exploring ideas at the intersection of evolution and universe formation to better understand why the cosmos is the way it is. He writes about this work in his newsletter The Egg and the Rock, where he argues that “our universe appears to be the result of an evolutionary process at the level of universes,” drawing on recent data from across many fields.Samuel and Julian discuss his career in music and writing, and how he gradually became drawn into big questions about cosmology. Their conversation explores cosmological natural selection, the idea of the universe as a developmental process, Julian’s blowtorch theory, and the challenges and opportunities of doing research outside the scientific establishment. Along the way, they consider the implications for our understanding of the cosmos, the role of intelligent life in the universe, how scientific paradigm shifts occur, and the value of interdisciplinary thinking.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Étienne Fortier-Dubois, a writer and programmer whose work has appeared in publications such as Asterisk Magazine and Works in Progress. He also authors the newsletter Hopeful Monsters. With a vast and eclectic set of interests—from the intricate details of technological history to the sweeping arcs of human civilization—Fortier-Dubois recently created The Historical Tech Tree, a website mapping the vast interconnections and interdependencies of technological advances across millions of years.Arbesman and Fortier-Dubois delve into the concept of a tech tree (and its connections to the game Civilization) and examine the nature of the tech tree he built. Their discussion ranges from decisions about what qualifies as a technology to the sources he used, as well as fascinating edge cases and stories uncovered during the project. They explore how such a tech tree can and cannot be used, its implications for education in technological history and literacy, and the potential for other kinds of “trees” to be constructed. The conversation also touches on worldbuilding, the so-called “illusion of complexity” in most fantasy and science fiction worlds, and how this perspective may have influenced Fortier-Dubois’s interest in history.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Chris Ferrie, an associate professor of quantum information at the University of Technology Sydney and the author of an impressive range of books for audiences of all ages — from adults and children to even babies. Ferrie is best known for Quantum Physics for Babies, but his prolific output spans titles such as Night Night Tyrannosaurus, Newtonian Physics for Babies, 42 Reasons to Hate the Universe (and One Reason Not To), and ABCs of Artificial Intelligence. The breadth of his work is astonishing.Their conversation explores Ferrie’s background and the origins of his science-for-babies books, but also ventures far beyond. They discuss his nonlinear approach to building a career, his comfort with embracing the strange and unpredictable paths his professional life has taken, and his thoughts on communicating ideas clearly. Along the way, they touch on scientific jargon and gatekeeping, the value of generalists, perspectives on education and its future, and the work of raising children.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Evan Armstrong, the writer behind The Leverage, a newsletter devoted to exploring and explaining the rapid changes in technology markets. Before launching his own publication, Evan was the lead writer at Every, where he helped grow the platform to over 100,000 subscribers.Samuel and Evan discuss Evan’s path to writing and what it takes to build a new tech publication in today’s evolving media landscape. Evan shares his taxonomy of tech media publications, his thoughts on the nature of newsletters, and the kind of writing he believes the Internet needs more of. Their conversation also ventures further afield—touching on how to rekindle the tech world’s interest in the humanities, T.S. Eliot’s historical sensibility, and a vision of the future rooted in beauty, taste, and curiosity.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman sits down with writer Gabe Henry, whose latest book Enough is Enuf delves into the long-running crusade to simplify English spelling (note the purposeful “ENUF” in the title). Everyone senses that English orthography can feel downright irrational, yet spelling-reform campaigns often make readers bristle. Henry unpacks those efforts—missteps, breakthroughs, and all.Together, Arbesman and Gabe trace the tangled roots of English irregularity, explore past attempts to tame it, and spotlight the luminaries who tried: Benjamin Franklin, Noah Webster, Melvil Dewey, Teddy Roosevelt, and more. Their conversation weighs the case for and against reform, debates how fast change must move to stick, and considers the fresh pressures (and opportunities) technology brings to the spelling frontier.

In this episode, host Samuel Arbesman sits down with novelist Daryl Gregory, celebrated author of numerous science-fiction and fantasy works—including the newly released When We Were Real. Set seven years after humanity discovers that reality is a vast computer simulation, Gregory’s novel follows a cross-country bus tour of Americans seeking out the strangest “glitches” in their digital world. The story is wild, uncanny, and irresistibly imaginative—exactly the sort of narrative Arbesman is eager to unpack with its creator.Together, Arbesman and Gregory trace the book’s origins and intricate world-building, delving into the unused catalog of “Impossibles” that never made it to the page. Their conversation ranges from philosophical reflections on the simulation hypothesis and how to find meaning within it, to the tantalizing prospect of breaking free from the code entirely. Along the way, they consider how the novel doubles as a lens on the United States itself—its eccentricities, excesses, and enduring weirdness.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Kenneth Stanley, a renowned computer scientist and AI researcher whose career spans academia, industry, and startup innovation. Stanley has been a professor, a cofounder of multiple companies, and a researcher at both OpenAI and Uber. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Open-Endedness at Lila Sciences. He is also the coauthor of Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned: The Myth of the Objective, a widely praised book exploring the nature of creativity and discovery.Arbesman and Stanley discuss the nuances of conducting research across a variety of organizational structures. Their conversation delves into the tradeoffs between traditional and novel research institutions, how to carve out space for exploratory or “weird” work within large organizations, and how research itself can serve as a tool for navigating disruption. The episode also explores the evolving role of open-endedness in AI research and what it reveals about the future of scientific and technological progress.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with journalist and author Clive Thompson. Known for his thoughtful writing on science and technology—particularly in the realms of computing and programming—Clive contributes to Wired, The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, and more. He is also the author of Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World (2019).With the rise of generative AI and the emergence of “vibe coding,” their conversation turns to the evolving nature of programming and how Clive makes sense of it. They explore his early experiences with computers in the 1970s and ’80s, his temporary departure from coding, and his eventual return. The discussion ranges from creative coding and AI-assisted programming to computational thinking, the literary nature of code, and the future of coding education.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman sits down with Alec Nevala-Lee, author of numerous books, including Inventor of the Future, a definitive biography of Buckminster Fuller.Buckminster Fuller was an architect, designer, and public intellectual whose influence stretched far beyond blueprints and prototypes. Later in life, he became a lodestar for the counterculture, inspiring the pages of the Whole Earth Catalog and leaving fingerprints all over what would become Silicon Valley’s ethos.In his biography, Nevala-Lee unravels Fuller’s contradictions — a visionary who struggled to succeed yet profoundly shaped culture, and who in many ways anticipated the archetype of the modern startup founder before such a figure existed.Samuel and Alec explore Fuller’s radical ideas in design, the curious saga of the geodesic dome, the “virtual corporation” Fuller orchestrated around himself, his sway over the tech world’s imagination, and how he played the role of a mystical, almost messianic presence amid the polished suits of the Mad Men era — and so much more.

In this episode of The Orthogonal Bet, host Samuel Arbesman welcomes back return guest Eliot Peper. Eliot is a science fiction writer and the author of numerous books, and is currently collaborating with the tech company Portola, which is developing Tolans — AI friends and companions that blur the line between lore and code.Samuel and Eliot delve into how Eliot found himself shaping the mythos behind these AI agents, exploring how crafting lore for artificial minds differs from telling stories for human ones. Their conversation expands into the nature of narrative itself: what humans uniquely bring to creativity, what AI can augment, and how these two forces might dance together. They also touch on Eliot’s Cozy Little Internet Bookstore and his ideas for building deeper, more intimate connections with readers in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode, host Samuel Arbesman speaks with Anna Gat, founder and CEO of Interintellect. Described as “a curated marketplace of high-quality events hosted by intellectual seekers from all walks of life,” Interintellect is reimagining the salon for the digital age.Arbesman and Gat discuss the origins and evolution of Interintellect, as well as the deeper nature of conversation itself—what makes for an ideal dialogue, and how structured discourse can foster intellectual curiosity and community. Their conversation also touches on themes of rebelliousness, the future of education, and the power of bringing thoughtful people together in new ways.

It’s not every day that we get to fete the launch of a new book by one of our colleagues at Lux Capital, so today is a very special day. Lux’s scientist-in-residence, ⁠Samuel Arbesman⁠, just published his new book,⁠ “The Magic of Code: How Digital Language Created and Connects Our World―and Shapes Our Future.”⁠ It’s a deep dive into the wonderful conjuring that comes from coding computers, and Sam explores programming languages, spreadsheets, and how code bends reality all in a taut narrative. At its center, Sam is looking to bring the human back into the machine, and create a better computing environment for the future.Joining Editor-in-Chief of ⁠Riskgaming⁠ ⁠Danny Crichton⁠ and Riskgaming director of programming ⁠Laurence Pevsner⁠, the three talk about the new book and its major themes, the writing, editing and publishing process, as well as also how Sam is feeling about the science and venture world after nearly a decade with Lux.This episode will be published on both the Riskgaming and The Orthogonal Bet podcast feeds.

In this episode, host Samuel Arbesman speaks with Michael Rosen, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a lawyer focused on technology and intellectual property. Rosen is the author of Like Silicon From Clay: What Ancient Jewish Wisdom Can Teach Us About AI, a provocative new book that offers a framework for understanding artificial intelligence and how humans might relate to it.Arbesman’s own forthcoming book, The Magic of Code, explores similar themes—the strange and wondrous nature of computing—treating it as a kind of liberal art that intersects with language, philosophy, biology, and mythology.Together, Arbesman and Rosen delve into the taxonomy Rosen proposes for rethinking AI discourse, exploring its roots in Jewish thought. Their conversation spans early computing, alignment challenges, and the enduring relevance of ancient wisdom in shaping a more humane technological future.

In this episode of The Orthogonal Bet, host Samuel Arbesman speaks with Nick Bowden, CEO of Replica—a company that models mobility in urban environments through a blend of data and simulation. Think of it as a real-world version of SimCity.Arbesman and Bowden explore Nick’s journey from urban planning into the world of public-sector technology. Their conversation spans the inherent messiness of building software for government, how transportation simulations actually work, and the nature of cities as complex systems. They also dive into the importance of long-term thinking in public infrastructure—and yes, they talk about SimCity too.

In this episode of The Orthogonal Bet, host Samuel Arbesman speaks with Lu Wilson, a programmer and creative coder who also works as a software engineer at tldraw, a Lux Capital portfolio company. Lu’s creative work is broad, strange, and delightful in all the best ways—perhaps best exemplified by the Todepond videos, a mindbending series that reimagines computing through playful, experimental lenses.Together, Samuel and Lu explore the world of Todepond, the ethos of creative coding, and Lu’s unconventional path through education. Their conversation spans topics like cellular automata, the programming language Logo, the history of computing, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence. They also dive into Lu’s work at tldraw, collaborative software, and the importance of cultivating community in tech.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Sara Imari Walker, a theoretical physicist and astrobiologist at Arizona State University. Walker is the author of Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence, a book that explores the nature of life through the lens of physics and highlights her pioneering contributions at the frontier of this field.Their conversation delves into how Walker became fascinated by the nature of life, how to distinguish life from non-life, and how physics can offer new insights into some of the universe’s most fundamental questions. Along the way, they touch on topics ranging from astrobiology and SETI to the philosophy of science and her work in assembly theory.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Peter Bebergal. Peter is a writer and the author of numerous books, and the editor, most recently, of Appendix N: Weird Tales From the Roots of Dungeons & Dragons. Dungeons and Dragons was created by Gary Gygax and draws from numerous sources, which Gygax listed in Appendix N of his Dungeon Master’s Guide. Peter took this list as the basis for creating a fascinating collection of stories that inspired D&D.Peter and Sam talked about the origins of this book and how he chose what to include in the anthology. But they also spoke more broadly about pulp and high fantasy, remixing and creativity in the role playing world, and even how all of this led to Peter’s favorite parts of the Internet.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Samantha John, co-founder of Hopscotch—a delightful programming environment designed for children. Samuel wanted to explore the origins of Hopscotch, its underlying philosophy, and how we might think more broadly about teaching programming to young people.Their conversation spans the history of programming, the unique powers and possibilities of computers, and the role of tools like Hopscotch in shaping how kids interact with code. They also touch on AI and the future of programming. It’s a fun, wide-ranging discussion that captures Samantha’s thoughtful approach and contagious enthusiasm.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman sits down with Torie Bosch—now an editor at STAT News and formerly a longtime editor at Slate Magazine. Building on a groundbreaking Slate project, Bosch edited the acclaimed anthology You Are Not Expected to Understand This: How 26 Lines of Code Changed the World, which explores the pivotal snippets of software that have profoundly shaped society.Arbesman and Bosch trace the project’s origins and unpack the stories behind these influential code fragments. Their conversation dives into the wider interplay of code, technology, and culture—probing themes of humility in tech and the pitfalls that arise when programmers overlook social context. They explore how “learn to code” cycles through history, why recurring tech-society tensions matter, and the value of studying technology’s past. Bosch also shares insights from her current beat at STAT, outlining the questions she’s chasing in the life-sciences arena.

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Jason Crawford, a writer and thinker who explores the idea of progress in modern society. Jason is the founder and president of the Roots of Progress Institute, an organization dedicated to developing a modern philosophy of progress. As part of this mission, the institute runs a fellowship for individuals writing about progress-related themes. Jason himself is a prolific writer and is currently working on a book-in-progress titled The Techno-Humanist Manifesto.Together, Samuel and Jason discuss Jason’s journey from blogging about progress to founding an entire institution devoted to the topic. They explore his goals in writing, the cultural importance of storytelling in shaping societal values, and the distinct nature of the progress movement and how it compares to effective altruism and effective accelerationism. The conversation also touches on Jason’s broader ambitions for embedding progress-oriented thinking into pop culture and education, and concludes with a reflection on the role of optimism in shaping the future.Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Suno

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with John Hendrix. John is a writer and illustrator whose work appears widely across books and publications. His most recent book is the graphic novel The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This compelling work delves into the enduring friendship between Lewis, author of the Narnia series, and Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. But it also goes far beyond their personal story, exploring broader themes such as mythmaking, creativity, and the nature of friendship itself.Samuel and John discuss the genesis of the book, examining the impact of the world wars on both Tolkien and Lewis, and how those experiences shaped their worldviews and writing. Their conversation also explores the role of mythology and fantasy, the authors’ differing views on progress and disenchantment, and the influence of fame on their lives and relationship. They even venture into the idea of what modern mythmaking might look like today.Produced by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Suno

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Nadia Asparouhova. Nadia is a writer and thinker who explores the ideas that suffuse the tech world. She is the author of Working in Public, a book about the culture of open source software, as well as the forthcoming Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading. Antimemetics is a fascinating exploration of why some ideas are far less likely to spread than others—and how understanding this phenomenon can help us think more deeply about society.Samuel and Nadia discuss her new book, diving into the concept of antimimetics, a taxonomy of antimemes, and how these ideas relate to public versus private communities. Their conversation covers supermemes—essentially the opposite of antimemes—as well as immunity to supermemes and even long-term thinking. More broadly, they touch on the tech world’s distinctiveness, tech as a social class, and the nature of philanthropy within the tech community.Produced by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Suno

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Alex Pang, author of several influential books on rethinking work—particularly how we rest and why spending less time in the office can lead to greater productivity. Pang’s most recent works include REST: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less and SHORTER: Work Better, Smarter and Less—Here’s How. His work focuses deeply on the four-day workweek, and he collaborates with 4 Day Week Global to promote a more sustainable and balanced approach to labor.Together, Samuel and Alex explore the origins of Alex’s interest in rest and productivity, his thoughts on meaning and leisure, and why we should take our downtime seriously. Their conversation touches on how time itself opens up choice and freedom, and Alex’s vision for a better future of work and life. They also delve into how these ideas are received—or often ignored—in the startup world, and how many only begin to embrace them after reaching a breaking point.Produced by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Suno

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with Lawrence Lundy-Bryan, a partner at the venture capital firm Lunar Ventures who specializes in researching the landscape of cutting-edge technological advances. Lawrence has been examining technologies as part of a project called the State of the Future, providing analyses into a large number of new technological developments.And the current state of AI is freaking him out. In a recent essay titled "data-driven VC is over," Lawrence looks at how the new AI research tool Deep Research basically can do everything he used to do. This has prompted Lawrence to think about his work, and work and meaning more broadly, which he has also explored in further essays.Samuel and Lawrence discuss the nature of research in the world of venture capital and the shock of using Deep Research. They examine how to think about AI when it takes away not only work you are good at, but something you enjoy and love doing. They talk about the future of venture capital in an age of research democratization and the role of secret knowledge, taste, and wisdom, as well as how people have responded to Lawrence's essay. They even explore broader future implications, including youth unemployment and how education might need to be rethought.

On November 16, 1974, the first message meant for the stars was broadcast into space, using a series of zeros and ones to encode an image. This image was designed by Frank Drake, an astronomer who helped develop the modern field of SETI as well as the Drake Equation, a formula which helps scientists think about the likelihood of intelligent life in our galaxy.Fifty years later, the science journalist Nadia Drake, who is also the daughter of Frank Drake, wrote an essay for Scientific American about this message.In this episode Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure to speak with Nadia about this Arecibo Message. Nadia is a freelance science journalist and former contributing writer at National Geographic. Nadia and Samuel had a chance to discuss the nature of the Arecibo message and how this "selfie for humanity" was designed by her dad. They talked about SETI more broadly, as well as the wisdom of sending messages into outer space. They talked about other messages sent on behalf of humanity, as well as the nature of technosignatures more generally. They even discussed how the detection of extraterrestrial intelligence might change our lives, or not, and how we think about the world.Produced by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Suno