Techtonic with Mark Hurst | WFMU Peter Dear ("The World As We Know It") and how we interpret AI from Feb 9, 2026
Feb 10, 2026
Peter Dear, emeritus Cornell history professor and author of The World As We Know It, explores how scientific ideas are interpreted across time. He contrasts science as understanding versus mere technique. He traces authority from Aristotle to Newton, critiques the label "artificial intelligence," and links historical interpretation to today's debates on AI, power, and political investment.
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Science Is Understanding, Not Just Technique
- Science grew from a distinction between knowing how to do things and understanding how things are.
- Peter Dear emphasizes science as understanding, not just technical skill.
Scientific Claims Carry Political Meaning
- Newton's ideas were invoked to lend authority across politics and science in the 18th century.
- Interpretations of scientific claims reflected competing social and religious views.
Language Shapes AI's Perceived Authority
- AI hype mirrors past debates where elites interpret scientific signs to justify power.
- Peter Dear warns 'intelligence' language makes AI seem mysterious rather than computational.
