Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova - What’s the Optimal Personality for AI?

This week Nate and Maria discuss the release of GPT-5, the latest model from OpenAI. This model promises to be faster, smarter, and more useful while also reducing hallucinations and sycophancy. It also lets users choose among different AI “personalities.” What do Nate and Maria think so far?

Then, they turn to the newly inked Nvidia trade deal, which notably includes a 15% cut of sales to China for the US government

Further Reading:

Ethical Issues In Advanced Artificial Intelligence by Nick Bostrom, 2003

SuperIntelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom, 2014

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The Leap from Maria Konnikova

Silver Bulletin from Nate Silver

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It Could Happen Here - Tariffs and the Corruption State

Mia gives an update on the recent round of tariffs and what they say about the American state under Trump.

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/economy/tariff-more-expensive

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-hikes-india-tariffs-50-percent-buying-russian-oil-rcna223374

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nvidia-amd-chip-sales-china-15-percent-h20-mi308/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/business/tariffs-switzerland-trump.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-come-into-effect-hitting-dozens-of-us-trading-partners.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/8/12/trump-extends-china-tariff-deadline-for-the-second-time-what-does-it-mean

https://www.tradecomplianceresourcehub.com/2025/08/12/trump-2-0-tariff-tracker/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/business/trade-exemptions-tariffs-trump

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7jjkvzmkxo

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25#cme17o5l400003b6ns7mwdwnv

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-tariffs-latest-round-takes-effect-thursday-august-7-2025-rcna223461

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-administration-tells-foreign-military-junta-wants-hear-raising-e-rcna221569

https://restofworld.org/2023/foxconn-iphone-factory-china/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/i-wont-humiliate-myself-brazils-president-sees-no-point-tariff-talks-with-trump-2025-08-06/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - The Conspiracy of “Cool”

What makes a person "cool"? We don't mean physical temperature -- instead, we're asking about the swag, the aura, the almost indescribable vibe with a thousand names across time and culture. For most of human history, the concept of what we call "cool" has been a mystery -- perhaps, that is, until now. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange story of how science may have finally cracked the code on coolness. Could you use this knowledge to make yourself cooler? More importantly... is it cool to want to?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Global News Podcast - European leaders hopeful after Trump call before Putin summit

European leaders appeared cautiously optimistic after holding a virtual meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday, before he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. He reportedly said his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. We also take a look at the strange history of Alaska. Plus: we report on the devastating hunger crisis in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher; the plusses and minuses of artificial intelligence -- enabling your glasses to help you hear better, but perhaps also leading doctors to being de-skilled; why hundreds of Peruvian military and police officers are being pardoned; Iran tries to help its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon; and why the British foreign secretary is in a spot of hot water over a fishing trip with the vice-president of the United States.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

CBS News Roundup - 08/13/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition

President Trump holds what he says was "a very good call" with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and other European leaders ahead of Trump's meeting with Russian President Putin on Friday. At least four people killed in flash flooding in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Damage assessments in Juneau, Alaska following glacial flooding. CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World News Roundup.

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PBS News Hour - World - Ahead of summit, Trump says Russia will face consequences if Putin won’t end Ukraine war

President Trump issued a new threat to punish Russia if it doesn't end the war in Ukraine. It comes two days before a high-stakes summit in Alaska with Vladimir Putin. The president also spoke with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who said that Trump agreed to their principles on the best way to try and end the war. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Samuel Charap of RAND. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

PBS News Hour - World - News Wrap: At least 25 people seeking help killed at Gaza aid sites

Gaza's health ministry says Israeli gunfire killed at least 25 people seeking aid across three separate sites, wildfires have killed at least three people across Albania, Spain and Turkey, three died in Tennessee after downpours flooded parts of the state and President Trump announced the first class of Kennedy Center honorees since he took over as chairman. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders