FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagram

Dr. Zachary Stein on AI, Education, and the Meta-Crisis at Smart Funny Tortured Podcast – Video & Audio

For Audio Versions of This Podcast, Click Here

The Smart Funny Tortured Podcast

Paul Chamberlain sits down with some of the most interesting people he knows to talk about what it was like when they broke down and what was their breakthrough. What tools, supports, and practices did they use and still use, to get back on track and carry on?

The podcast will also allow you to get to know Paul. What started as a well-produced podcast, turned into a life-changing cathartic confessional that could have only happened via his amazing guests and the support of those around him.

Through these shared stories, his hope is we all get a little more comfortable with being smart, funny and (a little less) tortured.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

0:01 – Envisioning an Educational Renaissance Through AI and Human Connection

2:18 – Technological Elites and the Redesign of Society

7:39 – BF Skinner’s Influence on Societal Engineering to Prevent Existential Risks

9:22 – Manipulation Through Digital Reinforcement and Surveillance

11:58 – Technocracy’s Struggle With Value and Control

13:45 – Confronting Nihilism and Meaning in Education

15:48 – Transforming American Education for Cold War Supremacy

18:35 – Decoding the Shift in American Education and Economy

21:59 – Debating AI’s Role in Transforming Education

25:03 – AI Socialization Threatens Millennia-Old Human Connections

26:46 – The Ethical Dilemmas of Humanoid AI Development

32:43 – Debating the Nature of Value and the Good Life

34:12 – The Dual Use Dilemma of AI in Modern Technology

35:57 – AI’s Impact on Military, Finance, and Pop Culture

39:09 – Educational Crisis and National Defense Perspectives

43:36 – Envisioning a Renaissance in Education Through AI and Community

48:57 – Revitalizing Education Through Community Engagement and Guild Structures

51:06 – Distinguishing Education from Propaganda and Coercion

55:19 – Coercion and Thought-Terminating Cliches in Social Media

1:00:26 – Confronting Propaganda with Educational Innovation

1:03:49 – Metacrisis Dynamics: Oscillating Between Chaos and Oppression

1:07:04 – Redefining Civilization Within Planetary Boundaries

1:10:37 – Rethinking Value Systems and Worldviews for Ecological Preservation

Dr. Zachary Stein is a Co-Founder of the Civilization Research Institute and the Center for World Philosophy and Religion. He was trained at the interface of philosophy, psychology, and education and now works in fields related to the mitigation of global catastrophic risk. He is a widely sought-after and award-winning speaker and a leading authority on the future of education and contemporary issues in human development.

Zak is the author of dozens of published papers and two influential books. His first book, Social Justice and Educational Measurement, traces the history of standardized testing and its ethical implications. His most recent book, Education in a Time Between Worlds, grapples with the dangers posed by a profound learning and capacity deficit in a time of civilization-wide transformation. In this work, Zak argues that educational systems must be transformed beyond recognition if humanity is to survive the planetary crises currently underway, from climate change to geopolitical instability.

Zak sees education, in a deeply philosophical sense, as fundamental to the sustainability of civilization, with implications for each component of the “metacrisis” – the complex, interrelated global challenges and existential threats facing humanity. In Zak’s view, whoever drives the technology stack of education will shape the future of civilization itself. His mission is to empower younger generations with the capacity to comprehend and respond appropriately to the unique challenges of our time.

For Audio Versions of This Podcast, Click Here
Dr. Zachary Stein on AI, Education, and the Meta-Crisis at Smart Funny Tortured Podcast – Video & Audio2024-12-04T03:06:20-08:00

Value in the Metacrisis with Zak Stein

Enjoy this podcast with Dr. Zak Stein featured on the Life from Plato’s Cave podcast. 

Dr. Zachary Stein is the co-president of the Center for World Philosophy and Religion. He was trained at the interface of philosophy, psychology, and education, and now works in fields related to the mitigation of global catastrophic risk. He is a widely sought after and award winning speaker, and a leading authority on the future of education and contemporary issues in human development. Zak is the author of several books, such as Education in a Time Between Worlds. In this conversation we primarily discuss the new book he contributed to, together with Marc Gafni and Ken Wilber. It’s called First Principles and First Values: Forty-Two Propositions on CosmoErotic Humanism, the Meta-Crisis, and the World to Come.

Value in the Metacrisis with Zak Stein2024-08-31T09:48:58-07:00

Navigating the Mind, Body, and Heart Connection with Dr. Marc Gafni and Aaron Alexander

In this episode of the Align podcast, Marc Gafni talks about the mind, body, and heart connection. He covers the different ways tension manifests in the body, and the ways we can communicate with music. He also dives deep into the importance of our psychological self, mystical self, and future self, as ways to view our past, present, and future. We end the conversation with an exploration of love and compassion, and methods to be more mindful in day-to-day life.

Listen to this podcast here
Navigating the Mind, Body, and Heart Connection with Dr. Marc Gafni and Aaron Alexander2023-12-11T07:44:06-08:00

Richard Schwartz & Marc Gafni: Unique Self and the Internal Family Systems Model

In this exciting dialogue from 2013, Dr. Gafni and Dr. Schwartz discuss the exciting potential integration of the Unique Self teaching and Internal Family Systems.

You can find an earlier dialogue between them here from 2012 where they explore the contribution of Unique Self to family therapy and other aspects of psychology. This is what Marc Gafni wrote after this wonderful dialogue:

In a long discussion with my friend and colleague Richard Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems Theory, I shared with him my perspective on the relation of Ego and Unique Self and the larger set of core distinctions that comprise Unique Self teaching. Dick excitedly concurred and added important empirical validation from his clinical perspective and sent me this written communication after our conversation:

Many spiritual traditions make the mistake of viewing ‘the ego’ as the problem. At worst it vilified as greedy, anxious, clinging, needy, focused on wounds from the past or fear in the future, full of limiting or false beliefs about you, the source of all suffering, and something one must evolve beyond in order to taste enlightenment. At best it is seen as a confused and childish — to be treated with patience and acceptance but not to be taken seriously or listened to. My 30 years of experience exploring internal worlds has led to very different conclusions regarding the ego. What is called the ego or false self in these spiritualities is a collection of sub-personalities I call ‘parts.’ When you first become aware of them, these parts manifest all the negative qualities described above, so I understand why this mistake is so widespread.

As you get to know them from a place of curiosity and compassion, however, you learn that they are not what they seem. Instead, they are spiritual beings themselves who, because of being hurt by events in your life, are forced into roles that are far from their natures, and carry extreme beliefs and emotions that drive their limiting or suffering perspectives. Once they are able to release those beliefs and emotions (what I call burdens) they immediately transform into their natural, enlightened states and can join your evolution toward increasing embodiment of your true nature, what Marc Gafni importantly refers to as correctly, your Unique Self.

Thus, if instead of trying to ignore or transcend an annoying ego, you relate to even the apparent worst of your parts with love and open curiosity you will find that, just like you, they long for the liberating realization of their connection with the divine and provide delightful and sage company on your journey toward enlightenment. In this way you will be relating to these inner entities in the same way that Jesus and Buddha taught us to relate to suffering, exiled people.

The dialogue here is about a possible integration of Unique Self into psychotherapy and especially the IFS Model.

Richard Schwartz is a leading expert in the field of psychotherapy and recognized as the founding developer of Internal Family Systems Theory, an influential therapeutical model which combines systems thinking with an integrative view of the mind and its discrete qualities.

Stream the audio here:

Richard Schwartz & Marc Gafni: Unique Self and the Internal Family Systems Model2023-09-12T09:58:10-07:00

Standing Ovations at Exeter Assembly 2012

Kathy Brownback, Board Member of CIW and academic teacher in the religion and philosophy department at Phillips Exeter Academy:

Dr. Marc Gafni flew into Boston on his way back from Holland in early June 2012, and came up to Exeter an hour north to meet with us (Phillips Exeter is an independent boarding school for students with strong academic promise from around the United States and the world). Students in the mysticism class in the religion department, who were nearly all seniors just about to graduate, had read and really liked Marc’s unique self teaching and were thrilled to hear that he was coming. When eros is named and separated from the solely sex-shop connotation of “erotic,” they all know what it is and they understand why it is important to expand and reclaim the word.

Marc linked it directly to the electrical thread of uniqueness in their own lives and to their obligation to find and follow it. It means a lot to them not to have this framed as a “head vs. heart” or “mind vs. body” conundrum—in his teaching the two are inseparable and give access to each other. Marc’s work speaks to students in a remarkable way—they often seem to have an almost instinctive feel for and response to what he is saying, which does give the sense of an evolutionary process unfolding. I have written about his impact in this class before and will do so again.

Read more…

Listen to Marc Gafni’s Keynote Address to Exeter students and faculty.

Stream the audio here:

Standing Ovations at Exeter Assembly 20122023-09-12T09:59:49-07:00

Standing Ovations at Exeter Assembly 2014

This was Marc’s fifth visit to the campus and was deeply received by students and faculty alike. We are delighted that a new course was recently approved at Exeter which will directly draw on Unique Self theory. We are confident this will be part of larger movement to evolve secondary school education with the principles of Unique Self theory. It was simply outstanding to witness the great teaching work and the depth of conversation with the Exeter faculty and students. Take a moment and enjoy the recording of the Assembly (some 1300 students and faculty were present).

Stream the audio here:

Standing Ovations at Exeter Assembly 20142023-09-12T09:59:49-07:00

Prof. Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D. in Dialogue with Dr. Marc Gafni

In the following 2-part dialogue (see the playlist below), Dr. Richard C. Schwartz and Marc Gafni explore the contribution of Unique Self to family therapy and other aspects of psychology. Following their discussion, Richard sent Marc this written communication:

Many spiritual traditions make the mistake of viewing ‘the ego’ as the problem. At worst it vilified as greedy, anxious, clinging, needy, focused on wounds from the past or fear in the future, full of limiting or false beliefs about you, the source of all suffering, and something one must evolve beyond in order to taste enlightenment. At best it is seen as a confused and childish — to be treated with patience and acceptance but not to be taken seriously or listened to. My 30 years of experience exploring internal worlds has led to very different conclusions regarding the ego. What is called the ego or false self in these spiritualities is a collection of sub-personalities I call ‘parts.’ When you first become aware of them, these parts manifest all the negative qualities described above, so I understand why this mistake is so widespread.

As you get to know them from a place of curiosity and compassion, however, you learn that they are not what they seem. Instead, they are spiritual beings themselves who, because of being hurt by events in your life, are forced into roles that are far from their natures, and carry extreme beliefs and emotions that drive their limiting or suffering perspectives. Once they are able to release those beliefs and emotions (what I call burdens) they immediately transform into their natural, enlightened states and can join your evolution toward increasing embodiment of your true nature, what Marc Gafni importantly refers to as correctly, your Unique Self.

Thus, if instead of trying to ignore or transcend an annoying ego, you relate to even the apparent worst of your parts with love and open curiosity you will find that, just like you, they long for the liberating realization of their connection with the divine and provide delightful and sage company on your journey toward enlightenment. In this way you will be relating to these inner entities in the same way that Jesus and Buddha taught us to relate to suffering, exiled people.

Richard Schwartz is a leading expert in the field of psychotherapy and recognized as the founding developer of Internal Family Systems Theory, an influential therapeutical model which combines systems thinking with an integrative view of the mind and its discrete qualities.

Prof. Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D. in Dialogue with Dr. Marc Gafni2023-06-21T10:28:03-07:00
This website uses cookies and third party services. Ok
Go to Top