AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
McCarthy's Rule For Constructive Debate
- John McCarthy shut down nitpicking and demanded constructive collaboration during the 1979–80 CASBS AI group year.
- That admonition shaped Dennett's preference for cooperative problem-solving over one-upmanship.
Test Drafts With Undergraduates
- Use undergraduates to test drafts because they quickly spot unclear writing and keep you honest.
- Teach a seminar on a penultimate draft to iterate improvements before finalizing a book.
Gould Critique Sparked A Public Feud
- Dennett recounts Stephen J. Gould's harsh responses after critiques and how he weathered the controversy.
- The dispute brought Dennett invitations to evolutionary biology lectures and deeper engagement with critics.