JRE #183 – Jason Silva

This podcast explores the intersection of technology, consciousness, and the future with futurist and filmmaker Jason Silva. Provocative topics discussed include the exponential growth of technology, the potential for human augmentation, the nature of reality, and the role of psychedelics in expanding consciousness. Underlying themes delve into the philosophical implications of our technological evolution, the transformative power of ideas, and the importance of embracing both wonder and disruption.

Major Topics

1. Exponential Growth of Technology

   • Silva highlights the accelerating returns of technology, noting the dramatic increase in processing power and decrease in cost of technology over time. He cites the example of a 1966 supercomputer being a million times smaller, cheaper, and less powerful than the smartphone in our pocket today.
   • This rapid progress leads to Silva’s prediction that in the next 25 years, nanotechnology will enable blood cell-sized devices trillions of times more powerful than today’s technology to interface directly with our brains.
   • The podcast explores the implications of this accelerating progress, suggesting it will impact not only our technological capabilities but also our understanding of the world and our place within it.
   • Silva uses the analogy of the cell phone to illustrate how our tools shape our thinking and perception, highlighting the transformative potential of future technologies.

2. Human Augmentation and Transcendence

   • Silva discusses the possibility of using technology to augment human consciousness, referencing David Pearce’s idea of genetic rewriting to make bliss the norm.
   • He explores the potential for bioengineering to create a future where we are able to engineer ourselves into a state of perpetual ecstasy, free from the limitations of our current biology.
   • The podcast examines the ethical implications of such radical interventions, highlighting the potential for both positive and negative outcomes.
   • Silva emphasizes the importance of mindful consideration and cultural conversation regarding the potential impact of human augmentation technologies.

3. The Nature of Reality and Individual Universes

   • Silva explores the idea that our reality is a subjective experience, shaped by our individual perceptions and biases, and that technology is further fragmenting our experiences.
   • He cites Paula Antonelli’s observation that personalized devices like iPods allow us to create customized soundtracks for our lives, creating individual subjective universes.
   • This concept challenges the idea of a shared objective reality, suggesting instead a multiplicity of individual experiences.
   • The podcast explores the implications of this fragmentation, questioning whether we are moving towards a reality where consensus is less important and individual experience reigns supreme.

4. The Power of Ideas and the Neurosphere

   • Silva argues that ideas are as real as the neurons they inhabit, and that they have a transformative power to shape our world.
   • He cites James Gleick’s concept of information as the fundamental building block of reality, and Terence McKenna’s idea that the invention of language marked the end of biological evolution.
   • This leads to the concept of the “neurosphere,” a sphere of ideas that transcends the biosphere, shaping our reality and impacting our evolution.
   • Silva emphasizes that we are not just passive recipients of ideas, but active participants in shaping and disseminating them.

5. The Role of Psychedelics in Expanding Consciousness

   • Silva explores the potential of psychedelics to expand consciousness and facilitate new ways of thinking.
   • He references Terence McKenna’s stoned ape theory, which suggests that psychedelics played a role in the development of language and human consciousness.
   • The podcast discusses the potential of psychedelics to reveal hidden patterns and connections in the world, as well as to help us transcend our limitations.
   • Silva highlights the ethical considerations around psychedelics and the need for a nuanced conversation about their potential benefits and risks.

6. The Singularity and the Future of Humanity

   • Silva discusses Ray Kurzweil’s concept of the technological singularity, a point where technological progress becomes so rapid and profound that it becomes impossible to predict.
   • He explores the potential for a future where technology seamlessly integrates with our biology, leading to a blurring of the line between human and machine.
   • The podcast explores the implications of this merging, suggesting it could lead to a future where we transcend our current limitations, but also raises concerns about potential risks.
   • Silva highlights the importance of having a proactive and informed conversation about the singularity, ensuring that its arrival is a positive and beneficial one.

7. The Role of Art and Aesthetics in Shaping the Future

   • Silva emphasizes the importance of art and aesthetics in conveying complex ideas and inspiring action, arguing that art can make complex concepts accessible to a wider audience.
   • He discusses the power of filmmaking to create immersive experiences that can transform our consciousness and perspectives.
   • The podcast explores the potential for art to play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the future and guiding our technological evolution.
   • Silva highlights the role of artists as visionaries, creating worlds and experiences that can inspire and challenge us to think differently.

8. The Importance of Wonder and Disruption

   • Silva emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and awe in the face of the ever-changing world, arguing that this can help us overcome hedonic adaptation and maintain our curiosity.
   • He suggests that embracing disruption is essential for progress, and that we should not fear change but rather welcome it as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
   • The podcast explores the idea that we are all participants in a cosmic revolution, shaping our own future through our thoughts, actions, and choices.
   • Silva encourages listeners to embrace the power of imagination and to believe in the possibility of a better future.

9. The Importance of Shared Values and Cooperation

   • Silva highlights the need for a shared set of values and a sense of global cooperation in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the future.
   • He argues that we must recognize ourselves as a superorganism, interconnected and interdependent, and that we must work together to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
   • The podcast explores the role of technology in facilitating cooperation and shared consciousness, highlighting its potential to connect us and foster a sense of shared purpose.
   • Silva emphasizes that our future depends on our ability to embrace shared values and work together to create a more just and sustainable world.

Memorable Quotes

• “The canvas of life itself is the new instrument for aesthetic design.”
• “Ideas do transform reality better than biological evolution did.”
• “We are as gods and might as well get good at it.”
• “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
• “We must never forget that we are cosmic revolutionaries, not stooges conscripted to advance a natural order that kills everyone.”