本文记录了与复杂性科学家Sam Arbesman的深度对话，探讨了在日益复杂且超越人类理解能力的世界中，我们如何进行导航。讨论内容涵盖了保存关键科学知识的口述传统、认知多样性优于人口多样性的重要性、技术史中被遗忘的创新，以及对“Maxis 2.0”的设想。对话内容广泛，从科幻的文化影响到知识谦逊的哲学，深入剖析了复杂系统、历史背景以及“我不知道”作为真正学习基础的重要性，旨在激发读者对这些议题的思考。

💡 **口述传统在科学知识传承中的作用**：文章强调了口述传统在保存和传递关键科学知识方面的重要性，尤其是在信息爆炸和技术快速发展的时代，这种古老的形式仍然具有不可替代的价值，能够帮助我们理解和学习前人的智慧。

🧠 **认知多样性是创新的关键**：对话指出，认知多样性比人口统计学上的多样性更能驱动创新。拥有不同思维方式、解决问题角度和知识背景的个体组成的团队，更有可能产生突破性的想法和解决方案。

⏳ **挖掘技术史中的被忽视的创新**：文章提及了技术史中被遗忘的创新，暗示了对过去技术发展进行“技术考古”的价值。深入研究历史可以发现被低估或遗忘的宝贵技术和思想，为当下的发展提供灵感和借鉴。

humility **知识谦逊是学习的基石**：对话的核心观点之一是“我不知道”是真正学习的基础。承认自身知识的局限性，保持谦逊的态度，是探索复杂世界、获取新知识的关键第一步，有助于打破固有的认知模式。

🚀 **对“Maxis 2.0”的愿景**：Sam Arbesman提出了他对“Maxis 2.0”的设想，这可能代表着一种新的、更先进的系统或平台，旨在更好地应对和理解我们所处的复杂世界，预示着未来在复杂性科学和技术应用方面的新方向。

Sam Arbesman, complexity scientist, author of "The Magic of Code," and scientist in residence at Lux Capital, joins me for a wide-ranging exploration of how we navigate an increasingly complex world that often exceeds human comprehension.

We dive into the oral traditions that preserve crucial scientific knowledge, why cognitive diversity trumps demographic diversity, the forgotten innovations hiding in technological history, and Sam's vision for "Maxis 2.0".

This conversation had everything—from science fiction's cultural impact to the philosophy of intellectual humility. Sam and I discovered we're remarkably simpatico on how to think about complex systems, the importance of historical context, and why saying "I don't know" is the foundation of genuine learning.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack.

Important Links:

Personal Website Book Page: The Magic of Code Sam’s X Profile

Show Notes:

Sam’s Sci-fi Origins The Oral Tradition in Science and Technology Cultivating the Unexpected Open-Endedness and Large Language Models “All Models Are Wrong, but Some Are Useful” Culture’s Role in Shaping Everything Patching Bugs in HumanOS Tech History and Forgotten Innovations A Tech Archaeology Fellowship Humility and Knowledge Learning Via Negativa The Complexity of Our World Sam’s Current Obsessions in Science and Gaming Sam As Emperor of the World

Books Mentioned:

Dune; by Frank Herbert Foundation trilogy; by Isaac Asimov Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension; by Sam Arbesman The Half-Life of Facts; by Sam Arbesman When We Cease to Understand the World; by Benjamín Labatut White Mirror; by Tinkered Thinking Nonzero; by Robert Wright The Evolution of God; by Robert Wright God and Golem, Inc.; by Norbert Wiener The Road; by Cormac McCarthy The Guide for the Perplexed; by Moses Maimonides The Story of Civilization; by Will and Ariel Durant Mistakes Were Made, and Yes, by Me; by Jim O'Shaughnessy