Organoid intelligence (OI) is a revolutionary new field of biocomputing, where lab-grown brain organoids serve as biological hardware. Scientists believe that this technology could launch a new era of computing, providing unprecedented advances in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency and storage capabilities, while also being more energy efficient than our current silicon-based computers. A recent study by one of the authors has already shown that normal, flat brain cell cultures can learn to play the video game Pong, proving that OI may soon become a reality. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
