Core Memory

Earlier this month, Nature published some of the results from a multi-year effort to better understand the visual cortex of mice.The work took place under the MICrONS effort backed by IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity), one of the U.S. government’s more exotic research arms. And it represented a ground-breaking attempt to blend cutting-edge techniques in how we analyze brains with artificial intelligence technology.As The New York Times wrote,The researchers zeroed in on a portion of the mouse brain that receives signals from the eyes and reconstructs what the animal sees. In the first stage of the research, the team recorded the activity of neurons in that region as it showed a mouse videos of different landscapes.The researchers then dissected the mouse brain and doused the cubic millimeter with hardening chemicals. Then they shaved off 28,000 slices from the block of tissue, capturing an image of each one. Computers were trained to recognize the outlines of cells in each slice and link the slices together into three-dimensional shapes. All told, the team charted 200,000 neurons and other types of brain cells, along with 523 million neural connections.Andreas Tolias, our guest on today’s podcast, was one of many researchers involved in this effort, and he walked us through MICrONS in detail.Tolias also took us on an exploration of the history and future of brain research and his current passion, which is to represent human brains in digital form. He’s a fascinating man working one of the most fascinating areas of science.This episode was sponsored by the kind people at E1 Ventures. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.corememory.com/subscribe

Coinbase CEO and co-founder Brian Armstrong joins the pod to discuss crypto, crypto, crypto.Well, not really.Everyone asks Armstrong about crypto all the time, so we decided to head in a different direction and focus on his life and his interests around very cutting-edge science. Armstrong, for example, co-founded and backed New Limit, which is working on therapies to reverse the damage of aging. (We’ll have a Core Memory video episode on them soon.)He’s also been on X talking about the Gattaca Stack. This is his vision of the IVF clinic of the future in which people can make eggs from skin cells and do all sorts of gene editing on embryos either to thwart diseases or even give babies some enhancements. And he sees these babies coming to life in artificial wombs.Let’s get weird, y’all. As Coinbase CEO, Armstrong has been to known to generate controversy now and again with some strongly held views on politics in the workplace and on the Feds. The press has not taken kindly to Armstrong at times for said views, and we get into that as well.If you listen to this and need you some more Brian Armstrong, there’s a great documentary on him and Coinbase called Coin.And now on with the show. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.corememory.com/subscribe

Chris Kemp, co-founder and CEO of Astra Space, dives into the highs and lows of rocket manufacturing. He discusses Astra's bold strategy to mass-produce rockets and the recent $80 million investment that has repositioned the company for success. Kemp envisions rapid drone deployments via rockets, revolutionizing military logistics. He humorously reflects on his experiences with media and shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from public to private ownership. The conversation opens a window into the future of space access and innovation.

Dwarkesh Patel, a prominent podcaster and co-author of "The Scaling Era: An Oral History of AI," dives into the world of AI with captivating insights. He discusses the transformative implications of AI advancements on the economy and human society. Sharing experiences from his interviews, he highlights the necessity for balanced perspectives in understanding technology's evolution. Patel also reflects on his upbringing, the transition from computer science to podcasting, and the vital role of mentorship in shaping voices within the podcasting landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Alan Weston, an aerospace engineer with a colorful past that includes early bungee jumping and developing space weapons, shares his extraordinary journey. He reveals his pivotal role in creating low-cost lunar landers at NASA and his innovative work with airships for Sergey Brin's startup. Weston also shares exciting stories, like flying a powered hang glider over London in a gorilla suit and insights into modern airship potential for green transport and humanitarian aid.

Max Hodak, co-founder of Neuralink and CEO of Science Corp, dives into the intriguing world of brain-computer interfaces. He discusses the revolutionary work in restoring vision through retinal prostheses and the wild concept of lab-grown neurons. The conversation touches on the philosophical implications of naming his company 'Science Corp' to make science relatable. Hodak also explores the future possibilities of BCIs, including enhancing human communication, while sharing his optimistic vision for innovation in Silicon Valley and beyond.

In this engaging conversation, scientist Suzanne Gildert, co-founder of Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies Inc., shares her passion for merging AI with consciousness. She critiques traditional AI models, suggesting that consciousness might actually originate from the quantum realm. Gildert explores the relationship between biology, AI, and quantum mechanics, revealing innovative ideas on sentient machines living alongside humans. Her insights on the fusion of art and science deepen our understanding of consciousness, painting a vivid picture of a future where robotics and humanity coexist.

Join veteran tech journalist John Markoff, whose reports have shaped our understanding of Silicon Valley, as he shares stories from his remarkable career. He reflects on the intertwined origins of tech culture and psychedelics, examining how creativity has thrived in past countercultures. Markoff also discusses the shifting landscape of innovation, contrasting bold ideas of the past with today's focus on short-term gains. Dive into the evolving political dynamics within tech and how AI is redefining the industry, highlighting lessons from history.

Several years ago, KFC did something ridiculous. It hired a giant, stratospheric balloon maker called World View to put its Zinger Chicken sandwich into space. Or at least near space. This was an expensive, showy endeavor and no less than Rob Lowe came on as a new Colonel Sanders-cum-Mission Control Lead for the stunt. Ultimately, the sandwich did not go quite as high as KFC wanted, but, still, I was entertained. A young man named Andrew Antonio helped drive much of World View’s marketing for the space sandwich. And he became something of a stratospheric balloon guru in the process. He’s now the CEO of Urban Sky, a maker of smallish balloons that can be launched in a matter of minutes and, just as impressively, the guest on this episode of the Core Memory pod. We, of course, talk about the KFC happening and about putting humans, cameras, sensors and all kinds of things into the stratosphere. Antonio’s dream is to have the stratosphere filled with balloons performing useful tasks. As you might expect, China and Russia share in these ambitions. Enjoy the show. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.corememory.com/subscribe

Dina Radenkovic, a Serbian-born doctor and co-founder of Gameto, is on a mission to revolutionize women’s reproductive health. She discusses how her start-up is using stem cell technology to significantly reduce the discomfort and time associated with IVF treatments. Gameto’s product, Fertilo, helps mature eggs outside the body in days instead of weeks. The conversation also delves into future applications of this tech for menopause and the need for greater research in women’s health. Radenkovic shares her journey in bridging medicine and entrepreneurship.