Intellectually Curious
Intellectually Curious is a podcast by Mike Breault featuring over 1,800 AI-powered explorations across science, mathematics, philosophy, and personal growth. Each short-form episode is generated, refined, and published with the help of large language models—turning curiosity into an ongoing audio encyclopedia. Designed for anyone who loves learning, it offers quick dives into everything from combinatorics and cryptography to systems thinking and psychology.
Inspiration for this podcast:
"Muad'Dib learned rapidly because his first training was in how to learn. And the first lesson of all was the basic trust that he could learn. It's shocking to find how many people do not believe they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult. Muad'Dib knew that every experience carries its lesson."
― Frank Herbert, Dune
Note: These podcasts were made with NotebookLM. AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.
Intellectually Curious
Good Enough: The Case for Aspiration-Based AI
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Aspiration-based reinforcement learning, a specialized approach to AI that prioritizes satisficing over the traditional goal of maximization. Rather than ruthlessly seeking the highest possible reward, these agents operate based on internal benchmarks and only change their behavior when results fall below their expectations. This model mirrors human psychology by allowing aspiration levels to adapt based on success or failure, creating more stable and predictable habits. When placed in social simulations, these "good enough" agents are more likely to engage in cooperation rather than betrayal, especially when influenced by a nudging agent that sets a positive example. Ultimately, this suggests that designing AI to seek satisfaction instead of pure efficiency may foster more harmonious digital and social environments.
Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.
Sponsored by Embersilk LLC