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PODCAST

Disrupt Consciousness

Humanity stands on the brink of multiple technology-driven disruptions that will not only preserve consciousness but also enable us to explore and elevate it, guiding us toward deeper understanding and enlightenment. >> roelsmelt.com

technology philosophy

All Episodes

7:47

The AI Reckoning: How SMEs Can Shatter Inertia Before...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/08/20

SummaryImagine your small business humming along, only to get blindsided by three tech nerds in a garage who’ve cobbled together an AI that’s stealing your customers faster than you can say "chatbot." That’s the AI revolution, folks, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are stuck in the mud of inertia—think Blockbuster giggling at Netflix’s mail-order DVDs while the streaming tsunami loomed. Big shots like Amazon and Spotify dodge this with their slick, nimble setups, but most SMEs? They’re

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0:51

What sir Jony Ive Sees That We Don’t

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/06/03

Imagine the scene: a morning at Apple’s design studio. Not a boardroom, but a breakfast table. Jony Ive and his team gather not to pitch or perform, but simply to be together. This wasn’t corporate culture. It was ritual. Trust. A shared meal as sacred as any sketch or prototype.This is how Ive worked. Not in isolation, but in communion. Not in pursuit of profit, but of meaning.And now, he’s working with Sam Altman.Design as DevotionFor Jony Ive, design is not decoration. It’s devotion. A craft of

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0:36

Super-intelligence and the San Francisco Mindset: Why...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/05/31

SummaryIn the heart of San Francisco, engineers chase the dream of artificial general intelligence (AGI), driven by the San Francisco Thesis—a mindset prioritizing rapid innovation toward superintelligence that outstrips human cognition. This article explores the global race for AI supremacy, contrasting the Bay Area’s bold vision with pragmatic and regulatory approaches worldwide. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns that the first to build superintelligent AI—potentially by 2027—will shape global

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00:06:01

SWB Superpower

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/05/20

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9:47

AI as a Mirror for the Human Soul

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/05/14

Why does AI seem conscious? Society often reduces humans to logic, mirroring AI’s capabilities, but we are far more—emotions, intuition, and spirit define us. While AI lacks consciousness, it can free us from mundane tasks, as research on mindfulness apps shows improved well-being. Philosophers like David Chalmers highlight consciousness’s mystery, and Carl Jung urges exploring the unconscious. Steve Wozniak warns that limiting ourselves to logic risks AI dominance. By using AI as a mirror, we can

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10:40

Playing in Freedom

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/04/03

I once spent an afternoon folding laundry. No music, no podcast, just me and an endless pile of clothes. In another scenario, this chore might have felt oppressive, trapped within the ticking hands of a clock. Yet, on this particular day, free from urgency, the mundane became meditative, and folding shirts transformed into an act of playful freedom.Martin Heidegger—philosopher, existentialist, and surprisingly, avid skier—would understand. Heidegger once described our modern condition as

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16:00

Europe as the Global Beacon of Authentic Human...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/02/24

IntroductionEurope today is a continent wrestling with bureaucratic inertia and sluggish innovation, where even a visionary report like Mario Draghi’s September 2024 proposal on European competitiveness risks being buried under layers of red tape or diluted by bureaucratic mismanagement. Simultaneously, the continent’s long-standing reliance on U.S. leadership through NATO for defense—especially precarious with the looming possibility of a Trump presidency—has exposed a critical vulnerability. Yet,

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24:31

The AI Paradox: Are We Becoming Pets or Partners in...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/02/19

Episode Title: The AI Paradox: Leash or Ladder?Description: An AI-generated conversation, created with Notebook LM, delves into the AI paradox: is it a leash controlling us or a ladder to enlightenment? Inspired by Roel Smelt's essay, this episode offers a unique perspective on how AI can be harnessed for personal growth and enlightenment.Featuring: A conversation generated by AI (Notebook LM)Key Points:AI's potential to both control and empowerJack Dorsey's concerns about algorithmic influenceRoel

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11:56

Beyond the Algorithm: Reclaiming the Full Spectrum of...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/02/05

The essay argues that reducing human consciousness to mere computation, as some AI research suggests, is a dangerous oversimplification. It emphasizes the crucial role of emotion, creativity, and subjective experience in human consciousness, contrasting these uniquely human qualities with the logical processes that AI systems can replicate. The author warns against granting AI the same status as humans based solely on computational abilities, highlighting the ethical implications of such a

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11:14

Between the Algorithm and the Abyss: A Manifesto for...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/01/27

Summary: “Between the Algorithm and the Abyss: A Manifesto for the Unautomated Soul”As technology advances, we risk trading humanity’s richness for convenience, efficiency, and perfection. This essay explores the delicate balance between embracing innovation and protecting what makes us human: our irrationality, creativity, and soul.It warns of the modern “soma” we consume—tools and algorithms that numb us to longing, wonder, and struggle. Instead of letting machines dominate, we must engage with

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20:42

From Woke to the Right

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/01/13

The text analyzes the evolution of sociopolitical ideologies, tracing a path from the 1960s counterculture movement through the rise of "woke culture" to a contemporary resurgence of libertarian thought. It explores generational perspectives on these shifts, highlighting how different age groups view authority, social responsibility, and the role of government. The author emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and dialogue in navigating this complex ideological landscape, suggesting that

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11:27

The Dawn of a Transformational Leadership Era

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2025/01/08

1. IntroductionSocieties often shift dramatically when pre-existing social and political arrangements can no longer accommodate technological advances and changing values. We live in such a time. Against a backdrop of political polarization and rapid technological breakthroughs, scholars, investors, and futurists alike argue we are on the threshold of profound upheaval—one that will reshape not only our economies, but the very essence of how we govern and who leads us.George Friedman, a geopolitical

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18:55

The Climate Crisis Is Solved: Breaking Free from...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/11/13

The article argues that the climate crisis is not an insurmountable challenge but a solvable problem due to rapidly advancing technologies like renewable energy, precision fermentation, and autonomous vehicles. The author criticizes linear thinking, which fails to grasp the transformative potential of exponential growth, hindering the adoption of these solutions. By embracing exponential thinking, the author believes we can accelerate progress toward a sustainable and prosperous future. This is a

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12:01

The Here and Now: Embracing Presence for a Harmonious...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/11/10

In Aldous Huxley’s novel Island, the utopian society of Pala trains mynah birds to recite phrases like “Here and now” as gentle reminders for inhabitants to return to the present moment. These birds, flitting through the verdant landscapes, symbolize the community’s commitment to mindfulness and presence. The Palanese understand that true peace and harmony arise when individuals fully engage with the present, free from the distractions of past regrets and future anxieties.In our rapidly evolving

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18:27

The Symbiotic Dance: AI, Humanity, and the Art of...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/30

Imagine a world where artificial intelligence doesn’t merely execute tasks but understands and empathizes with human emotions and complexities. This vision is not just a staple of science fiction but a tangible frontier influenced by rapid technological advancements. Tony Seba’s concept of S-curves highlights how disruptive innovations can transform industries and societies. We are now witnessing AI’s S-curve as it begins to reshape the very fabric of our daily lives. This essay explores the

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13:54

The Present Moment Is Where Bias Will Vanish

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/24

Podcast Title:The Present Moment Is Where Bias Will VanishEpisode Title:Escaping the Hallucination: How Real-Time Testing Shatters Bias and Unites UsShow Notes:In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into how biases shape our worldview and how the present moment holds the key to dissolving them. We begin by exploring the scientific method, breaking down why even the most rigorous processes are vulnerable to bias when relying on past data. But what happens when we anchor ourselves in

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9:08

The Nature of Creativity: A Human Trait or an...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/19

This article examines the concept of creativity and its relationship to both humans and artificial intelligence (AI). The author, Roel Smelt, argues that while AI can generate seemingly creative outputs like art and music, it lacks the emotional depth, subjective experience, and "Eureka" moments that characterize true human creativity. He emphasizes that human consciousness, with its capacity for intuition, personal interpretation, and emotional expression, plays a crucial role in the creative

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10:07

The Ultimate Goals for Humanity and AI: Navigating...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/15

The EncounterIn a quiet café nestled in a bustling city, a young AI researcher named Alex sat across from Dr. Maria Sanchez, a seasoned philosopher. They were deep in conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. Alex, eyes gleaming with excitement, said, "Imagine an AI that can solve all our problems—a true oracle of truth."Dr. Sanchez sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "But what would be its ultimate goal?" she asked. "And more importantly, what does that mean for us as humans?"Alex

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10:46

Consciousness Unveiled: Fundamental Reality or...

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/11

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit roelsmelt.substack.comEpisode Summary:Join us as we dive into one of the most profound questions of our time: is consciousness a fundamental reality unique to living beings, or merely an emergent property of mind and matter? Through an engaging narrative featuring Sophia and an AI named Elias, we explore the philosophical clash between human experience and artificial intelligence. We discuss perspectives from quantum pioneers like Max

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9:48

The Dawn of the Solar Age

Disrupt Consciousness ·

2024/10/07

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit roelsmelt.substack.comElon Musk, ever the visionary, recently linked the future of energy to humanity's cosmic ambitions, stating that "essentially all energy generation will be solar" once you grasp the Kardashev Scale. This scale, proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964, measures a civilization's technological advancement based on its ability to harness ene…

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