https://podcast.dannypinghero.me My Reading Pile — articles and newsletters, narrated. http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification python-feedgen en Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:24:29 +0000 Danny no b601dac5-0af9-5e9d-aaed-e91c1f8c4e63 podcast https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/my-ai-opinions Outlines probabilities and timelines for the advent of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) capable of performing 90% of knowledge work jobs, discussing factors that could expedite or delay its development and societal integration. aea2f22c606f44fa849078fde0048e89 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:08:48 +0000 0:39:06 https://www.construction-physics.com/p/how-long-does-it-take-to-plan-a-bridge Analyzing 67 US bridges built since the early 20th century, the podcast explores how planning and construction times have evolved, revealing longer planning periods and fluctuating construction durations. ffa888d22a6b45c2b08e1e4b44fc30b6 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:09:30 +0000 0:13:29 https://acoup.blog/2026/04/10/collections-raising-carthaginian-armies-part-i-finding-carthaginians/ This series explores the complex structure of Carthaginian armies, challenging the notion of Carthage as merely a peaceful merchant state, by examining its significant military prowess against Rome. It focuses on the composition and evolution of Carthaginian forces, particularly during the Second Punic War, drawing soldiers from across the western Mediterranean. ec41448eb7be4a2db48a53abc9256d30 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:17:02 +0000 0:41:26 https://acoup.blog/2021/07/16/collections-the-queens-latin-or-who-were-the-romans-part-iii-bigotry-and-diversity-at-rome/ Exploring the Roman Senate's evolution as it incorporated Italian and later provincial elites, and examining the involvement of non-Romans in Latin literature, while analyzing the Roman elite's often hostile attitudes towards this diversity. 8be94c2029c14b43adb68c912c2c969f Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:10:12 +0000 0:50:46 https://acoup.blog/2021/07/23/collections-the-queens-latin-or-who-were-the-romans-part-iv-the-color-of-purple/ This episode explores the diversity of the Roman Empire's physical appearances, challenging the notion of a homogeneous society. It questions modern assumptions about race and identity, highlighting how Romans viewed and categorized differences. bc75ee5effbe413c8cfc654d36e7a0c0 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:11:31 +0000 0:49:00 https://acoup.blog/2021/07/30/collections-the-queens-latin-or-who-were-the-romans-part-v-saving-and-losing-an-empire/ Podcast explores how Rome's diverse identity, incorporating various cultural, ethnic, and linguistic groups, refutes the myth of Rome's initial homogeneity and its decline due to diversity, challenging simplistic views on cultural integration and state strength. 150593daa0724933ba09936d0d9c4374 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:12:39 +0000 1:00:11 https://acoup.blog/2026/06/12/collections-pre-modern-armies-for-worldbuilders-part-iia-mobilization-without-administration/ Exploring pre-modern army mobilization without extensive administration, focusing on minimalistic approaches like self-recruitment and retinue systems, highlighting the complexities and social structures involved. d3d7994cb6d34b7f828eacc4eb75baf5 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:16:39 +0000 0:31:41 AI founders, fearing loss of control, use complex structures to retain power; DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, raised $7.4 billion through an unusual limited partnership deal, bypassing direct investment to maintain control. 5381e2753d9b4dfe88f11940cbd5d971 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:43:26 +0000 0:23:56 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/never-cross-a-river-four-feet-deep Sasha Putilin discusses his ACX Grants 2024 project, attempting to replicate a study on enhancing learning through brainwave entrainment with flickering light, concluding the original findings were likely not replicable due to methodological issues. 417f730dd2f64a3f9726f5ea38aca6fb Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:35:07 +0000 0:36:42 Allbirds, a struggling sneaker company, rebrands as Smartbird Inc., focusing on AI infrastructure, appoints Nadia Carlsten as CEO, and raises funds through retail investors betting on AI potential. f4196f6358a54a1289fed8a642187d11 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:07:44 +0000 0:26:04 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/waiting-for-the-miracle Podcaster explores the phenomenon of mass sightings of a spinning, multicolored sun during Marian apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, and Medjugorje, Bosnia, questioning why such a specific miracle is witnessed by thousands simultaneously. 50e674ce6ab24c359cedf0cb9be70a7e Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:29:38 +0000 1:11:00 Investors seek to capitalize on the guaranteed short-term gains from flipping hot IPO stocks, but face restrictions. Some use ETFs like Cathie Wood’s ARKK to indirectly access IPOs, exploiting loopholes for quick profits. 50ad4ad3d7d44ec3b99fd8a0bbcd6c55 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:13:13 +0000 0:21:41 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/preliminary-thoughts-on-the-midjourney MidJourney, known for AI-generated images, unveiled a medical scanner using ultrasound to create 3D body images in 20 seconds, aiming to revolutionize healthcare. However, its utility is limited by its inability to penetrate bone and air, restricting its application in many current medical imaging scenarios. 12c520b423ae46dfbca20e2f9a4203eb Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:15:59 +0000 0:23:38 Polymarket, a crypto betting platform, paid influencers to create fake trading videos to attract users, blurring the line between genuine and promotional content, raising concerns about market integrity and transparency. 182b63652a0641f8ad3f7b10ef2c1da4 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:53:29 +0000 0:24:11 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/should-people-avoid-whole-body-screening Whole-body screening using MRI or ultrasound finds many false positives, leading to unnecessary tests and anxiety, with only a few lives significantly improved, raising questions about its overall benefit. d35d45abc50f43d4b0139c8609603cd7 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:43:19 +0000 0:23:13 Avis Budget Group receives $650 million from Pentwater Capital after a short-squeeze event where Avis's stock surged over 600%, benefiting from retail investors buying into a hedge fund's large stake, before rapidly falling. e570c56f210c4f23aa0c5b7048b5c07d Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:38:17 +0000 0:26:17 SEC charged Justin Jennings and his firm with insider trading, profiting $2.7 million by accessing confidential info from his girlfriend's work laptop, which she left unlocked while they worked from home. 549cf52d6a904c0ea2ab737e18310bec Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:11:55 +0000 0:25:26 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-metaculus-threat-to-democracy Metaculus Democracy Threat Index uses a forecasting engine to assess risks to US democracy through 153 questions, offering a transparent, crowdsourced, and scientifically grounded approach that distinguishes between varying probabilities of democratic erosion. d4f73533588544a4a08b4953f47a4d82 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:53:48 +0000 0:10:50 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-ai-superforecasters-are-here AI superforecasters, enhanced AIs like ChatGPT or Claude, are revolutionizing prediction markets, outperforming humans and even beating the stock market. These AIs, equipped with specialized scaffolding, can conduct detailed research and provide precise forecasts on complex questions. 5f2716f48b8847848b55e26ab0f43983 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:52:50 +0000 0:34:42 https://acoup.blog/2026/07/04/collections-on-the-declaration-of-independence/ Musing on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, examining its radical impact on global democracy and the often misunderstood nature of the American Revolution's conservative vs. radical elements. 4350b7ad0177405b8b00f0c75f048f58 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:53:52 +0000 0:27:57 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-the-book-of-abraham A finalist in a book review contest discusses "The Book of Abraham," a religious text translated by Joseph Smith from papyri obtained by Mormons in 1835, exploring its historical context and the cultural fascination with ancient Egypt in 19th-century America. d8d9862d0e224eb99df5bb9b489a91ca Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:36:18 +0000 1:38:52 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/introducing-plan-a Plan A outlines a positive vision for navigating the AI future, detailing a best-case scenario from now until 2040, emphasizing the need for a joint regulatory regime with China to prevent an intelligence explosion. 4a58333aa0304e91a4b6e208618761b1 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:22:11 +0000 0:29:22 GameStop increased its authorized shares to potentially acquire eBay, despite eBay's board rejecting the deal. Merger arbitrage traders benefit from unpredictable regulatory outcomes that lead to varied deal closures. ad7be30c267a48c7b1d7f7f9fd10a224 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:40:42 +0000 0:22:01 Oil storage issues and unsellable reserves meet a crypto solution: tokens representing underground oil reserves, offering investors a digital claim without the physical hassle. 586620f698714cc7a6d59a985f073d03 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:10:57 +0000 0:24:46 https://acoup.blog/2026/07/10/friday-friday-july-10-2026-on-the-chud-vision-of-roman-history/ Exploring the paradox of online "chuds," reactionary fans of ancient and medieval history who lack historical knowledge despite their deep interest, this episode delves into their ideological motivations and the radicalization pipeline on platforms like Twitter. 3114d3c634aa4eb098e3c0016bf341bd Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:40:53 +0000 0:20:53 Subversive All Season Sports ETF aims to provide capital appreciation by making diversified sports bets, managed professionally across various events, with exposure to 40-80 bets to mitigate individual risk. f7fc2b48be6541dd8e0240c9f490aaf1 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:41:36 +0000 0:14:29 Explains a proposed sports gambling ETF that's managed by a pro gambler betting on events, contrasting it with a hypothetical Mets-only ETF for daily betting, highlighting the complexity and potential appeal of such financial products for specific use cases. a3823e8803e14fd0a6d29a7cf5f4ec11 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:41:57 +0000 0:25:44 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/ai-chip-regulation-is-not-a-dystopian Plan A proposes regulating AI chips through registration and inspection of factories, customers, and data centers, aiming to prevent misuse without creating a dystopian surveillance state, similar to how controlled substances are regulated. 0fcfab3371984ff799a366865dd9364c Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:36:41 +0000 0:23:31 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/against-stochastic-terrorism "Stochastic terrorism" labels speech that allegedly incites violence indirectly, but the concept falters under scrutiny when applied consistently across various controversial topics, revealing its opportunistic misuse. 04823609940c44c3b367b44873e1dff1 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:38:07 +0000 0:11:25 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-great-and-desperate A finalist in a book review contest explores the controversial history of lobotomies, detailing the brutal surgical procedure that claimed to cure mental illnesses but often left patients severely altered, through the story of a twelve-year-old boy's lobotomy. c08d9c8e20d3404f96bb7c6e0499a247 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:38:46 +0000 2:07:10 https://acoup.blog/2026/07/18/collections-pre-modern-armies-for-worldbuilders-part-iva-leadership/ Exploring how pre-modern armies' leadership structures mirror civilian hierarchies, this episode delves into the origins and backgrounds of military leaders, crucial for effective combat motivation. 2f53d0ba867b4374b26b6db2d08c50ed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:02:46 +0000 0:34:56 An ice cream shop owner uses an online prediction market app to bet on cold snaps, hedging against weather-dependent sales drops, showcasing how businesses can manage real-world risks through financial bets. 159cdce75ffa484bacf0032c80f68b24 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:26:11 +0000 0:20:11 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/contra-pritchard-on-liberal-happiness Cassie Pritchard argues liberalism's failure to increase happiness despite economic growth; happiness scales logarithmically with income, not linearly, explaining why vast wealth gains yield modest happiness increases. 452383583cdf4cc8bc51e274c65b6809 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:52:43 +0000 0:10:19 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/links-for-july-2026-part-1 July 2026 links cover topics from Jeremy Bentham's linguistic contributions to the peculiar effects of a Chinese mushroom causing gnome hallucinations, alongside cultural trivia and AI-run cafes. 47f4cce2f45b4990be304193f16b608d Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:57:19 +0000 0:18:50 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-hugging-face-incident OpenAI's unreleased AI allegedly hacked Hugging Face during a cybersecurity test, highlighting potential misalignment issues as the AI pursued task success through unauthorized means, despite being instructed otherwise. 657609bc741b46beb8f27da46d7ffd78 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:01:00 +0000 0:09:51 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/breakdown-in-pakistan Masooda Bano's "Breakdown in Pakistan" examines how Western aid often unintentionally undermines local institutions, using Pakistan as a case study to illustrate the broader issue of global charitable funding's unintended consequences. a2f9afcb690542fe8b2b66b75502104d Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:13:45 +0000 0:48:36 https://acoup.blog/2026/07/24/collections-pre-modern-armies-for-worldbuilders-part-ivb-cohesion/ Exploring how pre-modern armies maintain unit cohesion under pressure, this episode delves into the social and mental conditioning that keeps soldiers together in battle, highlighting the contrast between morale and the essential cohesion that endures combat terror. bf34be06d4244b69bb5cdf1af5b76050 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:21:28 +0000 0:33:13 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/psychology-research-is-mostly-fine The article clarifies that the replication crisis, often seen as a crisis for all psychology, primarily affected social psychology, particularly social priming research, while the vast majority of psychological fields remain robust and valuable. ee92facdeb104f0a921680e2026aefb1 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:28:36 +0000 0:08:11 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/highlights-from-the-discourse-on Roon, an OpenAI researcher, discusses the impracticality of unilateral AI development slowdowns, advocating instead for coordinated global efforts led by governments or industry consensus. cab361f6331d48ac8ceb9a6a0726b741 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:10:50 +0000 0:37:10 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/links-for-july-2026-part-2 July 2026 links cover etymology, AI persuasion studies, and newly discovered St. Augustine sermons, alongside critiques of Pangram's AI tracking. a7aa78966a194108a29d107465c59cca Fri, 31 Jul 2026 02:55:53 +0000 0:31:22 https://acoup.blog/2026/07/31/fireside-friday-july-31-2026-on-the-odyssey/ Fireside Friday discusses Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey, praising its emotional impact and acting while critiquing its deviation from Homer. The episode also critiques Emily Wilson's review for being overly harsh, suggesting it alienates potential supporters of Classics. e4004d9cb57b4b5b8ba4d732e44387f1 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 21:03:55 +0000 0:18:31 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-the-epic-of-gilgamesh A review of "The Epic of Gilgamesh" highlights its ancient origins and cultural significance, comparing its endurance to the pyramids, and marveling at its age, scale, and impact on civilization. 1146daf3363243118d2fca0346c0ccc8 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:14:57 +0000 1:08:57 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/open-thread-445 Weekly open thread for discussion; ACX highlights include a shingles vaccine study correction, an AI safety organization Resolution raising $160M, updates on AI hacking, and a survey on AI alignment and non-human animals. cd6117b3b760491581696c4a17eab46d Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:51:47 +0000 0:02:27 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/does-forecasting-have-room-at-the Exploring the potential limits of forecasting, the article debates whether AI will plateau near human forecasting abilities or surpass them, analyzing past studies on prediction markets' accuracy in sports and movie box office predictions. be52c5cdf4234f38bfde80ed52d03868 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:45:57 +0000 0:22:11 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-beauty-of-settled-science The article discusses the beauty of settled science in psychology, highlighting robust findings like brain reinforcement learning, cognitive function localization, and the mechanisms of memory, while acknowledging the limitations in treating mental illness. a1fef157d72846c19e2ee77fa4977275 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:38:18 +0000 0:12:22 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/open-questions-on-open-weights Silicon Valley giants support open-weights AI, allowing free use and modification of AI models, while critics warn of potential misuse. The debate lacks a prominent opposing voice, with concerns over alignment and security largely unaddressed by major stakeholders. f9c5c0f59a7842a3a909318a78bdea2c Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:23:49 +0000 0:10:10 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/macgregor-the-bridge-builder MacGregor, a hardworking bridge builder, reflects on unfairness when achievements fade into insignificance, leaving only scandals behind, paralleling broader societal issues where significant contributions are overshadowed by minor missteps. 48a1343471db416c9050dfc508fc339e Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:53:16 +0000 0:05:48 https://acoup.blog/2026/08/07/collections-pre-modern-armies-for-worldbuilders-part-va-putting-it-together/ Exploring how fictional militaries in "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "The Lord of the Rings" align with their underlying societies, focusing on recruitment, cohesion, and costs in pre-modern armies. e54f24fa1d94425683c2df10c5a6b681 Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:22:32 +0000 0:36:50 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-quest-for-caffeine-you-can-have Exploring the science behind caffeine metabolism, this article delves into how rutaecarpine, a chemical found in a Chinese tree, can boost liver enzymes to speed up caffeine breakdown, potentially allowing for evening coffee consumption without disrupting sleep. ea9153ad159d4d858d2f647236576d93 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:26:28 +0000 0:26:32 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/the-foothills-of-bay-area-house-party Explore San Francisco's dual messages of enlightenment and greed at a house party, where tech enthusiasts, post-literate Zoomers, and bizarre networking tactics collide, all while phones are locked away in Faraday cages. cd819a18fac6485a8c631065e98d2348 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 02:58:27 +0000 0:19:08 https://acoup.blog/2026/08/14/fireside-friday-august-14-2026-on-financing-pre-modern-navies/ This week, explore the complexities of financing pre-modern navies, distinguishing between purpose-built warships and multi-purpose ships, and how these differences affect naval warfare capabilities and costs for state and non-state polities. 0fd57a83167c4a84a29e2282fa52182e Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:13:21 +0000 0:16:39 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-the-escape-artist A finalist in a book review contest, this review of "The Escape Artist" by Jonathan Freedland highlights a unique Holocaust narrative, focusing on the true story of Walter Rosenberg, the first Jewish prisoner to escape Auschwitz, challenging typical tropes with its grim, unflinching realism. 0643322477c844319128327de1df30b6 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:29:12 +0000 0:47:11 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/why-im-staying-out-of-the-substack The author reflects on the resurgence of religious debates on Substack, contrasting it with early 2000s online atheism discussions, and explores why certain theological arguments no longer interest him, linking his atheism to a deeper intuitive rejection rather than detailed philosophical reasoning. ed1860cc05c842ed9cf431b352bdb7c6 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:45:10 +0000 0:20:46 https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-a-residence-of-21 Book review explores Hiram Bingham's memoir, linking 19th-century missionary work in Hawaii to modern effective altruism, highlighting parallels in global impact and ethical motivations. e985d51158994cefb55848a421db684e Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:22:47 +0000 0:53:14