Humans On The Loop
Michael Garfield
Let's dream better! Join paleontologist-futurist Michael Garfield for bold, far-ranging explorations into the nature of agency in the age of automation, wisdom and innovation, responsibility and power, and the care and feeding of the new superpowers conferred to us by magical technologies. Weekly dialogues at the edge of the knowable, learning to navigate Global Weirding and exponential AI with the curiosity and play required of us. Building on twenty years of independent research plus firsthand experience of the tech, arts, and science worlds, Humans On The Loop is a show to transform you and help us make better use of our greatest natural resource: our attention. michaelgarfield.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 19min
Matt Segall on Culture as The Lifeblood of The Machine Economy
Matthew David Segall, an Associate Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies, dives into the fascinating intersection of culture and technology. He discusses the difference between organisms and machines, questioning our approach to AI and emphasizing a unified cosmic process. Segall explores how cultural activity and market systems can coexist, advocating for a more profound understanding of money as a spiritual technology. The conversation also touches on our responsibilities toward our creations, urging a collaborative bond between humanity and machines.
18 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 7min
Andrew McLuhan on Needling The Somnambulists about How We've Never Been Autonomous
In an insightful discussion, Andrew McLuhan, author and director of the McLuhan Institute, traces the roots of media theory across three generations. He explores how technology shapes perception and the delicate balance between autonomy and surveillance in our digital age. The conversation dives into chaos magic and personal evolution, connecting it to broader cultural changes. Additionally, McLuhan reflects on his family's legacy, emphasizing storytelling's evolution and urging a mindful approach to modern technology's impact on society.
20 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 18min
J.F. Martel on Machines vs. Fractals, Black Box Personhood, and Navigating The AI Fairy Tale
J.F. Martel is a Canadian author and filmmaker known for his explorations of the unknown and mystical. In this discussion, he probes the evolving relationship between humanity and technology, questioning whether we’ve already experienced the Technological Singularity. Martel delves into the implications of AI on creativity and identity, particularly regarding art and social media’s impact on self-image. He underscores the necessity of integrating traditional wisdom in an age of automation, raising compelling queries about agency and the future of personhood.
Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 19min
Adah Parris on Neurodivergent Cyborg Shamans & Elemental Tech Ethics
Adah Parris, a strategic futurist and pattern navigator, shares her insights on cyborg shamanism and the ethics of technology. She discusses the relationship between neurodiversity and the digital world, framing conditions like ADHD as strengths rather than obstacles. The importance of authenticity in a social media-driven society is highlighted, alongside the need for ethical responsibility in tech development. Adah emphasizes creative expression as a tool for healing and community building in our interconnected lives.
17 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 19min
Howard Rheingold on Lucid Life Online & Attention As A 21st Century Literacy
Howard Rheingold, an author and critic renowned for his insights into technology's societal impact, dives into the importance of attention management in the digital age. He discusses how technology can both distract and empower individuals, urging listeners to engage more mindfully with digital tools. Rheingold reflects on his personal journey with technology and consciousness, emphasizing the necessity of digital literacy amidst challenges like surveillance capitalism. By fostering creativity and community engagement, he argues we can better navigate our complex digital landscape.
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 19min
Jessica Clark on Making New Realities with New Media
Jessica Clark, an author and futurist, leads Dot Connector Studio, where she champions social innovation at the crossroads of media and culture. In this conversation, she discusses her book on inclusive futures and the importance of diverse narratives in storytelling. Clark explores the challenges of misinformation in today's media landscape and the evolving roles of artists as creative entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need for collaboration and intergenerational dialogue to drive innovation and redefine success in the arts.
10 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 22min
New Selves of Neural Media & AI as 'The Poison Path' with K Allado-McDowell
In this engaging conversation, K Allado-McDowell, an artist and musician who co-founded the Artists & Machine Intelligence program at Google, dives deep into the intersections of technology, consciousness, and identity. They discuss how AI can transform selfhood, likening its impact to psychedelics. The conversation highlights the role of community in ethical tech and creativity, while examining how neural media shapes our identity and storytelling. K reflects on their esoteric journey, urging a holistic understanding of existence in our increasingly technological world.
32 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 25min
Futures Indistinguishable from Magic with Robin Sloan
In this engaging conversation, Robin Sloan, a New York Times best-selling author and creative technologist known for his novel Moonbound, explores the enchanting overlap of technology and magic. He delves into how myths and stories shape our perception of reality and the future. The discussion spans the intriguing vision of Rathveria, a harmonious future city, as well as reflections on the significance of worker-owned businesses and academic freedom. Sloan's insights prompt us to reconsider boundaries and our relationship with both technology and nature.
Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
Transcending (and Including) Partisan Debate with Stephanie Lepp
Join two-time Webby Award-winning producer Stephanie Lepp as she shares her mission to enhance multi-perspectivalism in media. She discusses her innovative project, 'Faces of X,' designed to bridge political divides by showcasing nuanced societal dialogues. Stephanie dives into the complexities of decision-making amid automation, the role of community support in fostering empathy, and the interplay of technology with our evolving identities. Her insights challenge listeners to rethink connectivity, compassion, and the power of understanding diverse viewpoints.
4 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 14min
Mycopunk Community Coordination with Christina Bowen of Socialroots
Christina Bowen, CEO and co-founder of Socialroots.io, excels in facilitating human communication and community dynamics. In this engaging discussion, she introduces the mycopunk movement, emphasizing decentralized leadership and collaborative storytelling. The conversation explores the significance of community connection during tough times, highlighting how virtual interactions nurtured deep relationships. Bowen also addresses the invisible labor in social networks and the need for mindfulness in technology use, advocating for emotional context and empathy in all interactions.
