Nov 26 2012: Q1 Are humans irrational?
Yes, we can be.
Q2 If so, how can we build stronger institutions to compensate for human shortcomings in rationality?
I believe that human shortcomings mostly come from being below a certain point on Maslow's Pyramid.
If everyone had many if not most of their needs met then the level of irrationality of individuals and society as a whole would greatly decrease. I also believe that education on EQ would help in this area. I am sure that we can find ways to productively get the results we want. The issue is proper leadership,funding and asking the right questions.
Nov 26 2012: Since I agree with "Danger Lampost" in regards to Maslows Heirarchy of Needs.
Here's an interesting idea. Why not try to find those homeless people that are intelligent and just being completely stubborn and or irrational but, capable of finding adequate alternative basic services outside of convention. I would like to see what they do with the internet and within society though they are for the most part outside of the economic system entirely. It would be great to read more about this if anyone has done it already. Of course without basic services provided to truly homeless and incapable people, why would they ever think to participate in a democracy ?
Nov 26 2012: I would strongly guess that maybe many nations have ideas but, none have set aside funding for such an event as most politicians are always dealing with yesterday's problems and today's crisis. How often would you expect a politician to actually plan ahead for the future. Also, if you think of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs then I would suggest that if the citizens needs are truly being met and the politician has the free time and energy to focus on tomorrows possible issues then they would undoubtedly be in a nation with a high quality of life and wish to see themselves prosper in their current environment. I would say that those without the resources for yesterday and today would feel more likely to want to make a contingency plan. However, if you cannot deal with the responsibilities of past and present what makes you think that they can be responsible for tomorrow ?
Nov 26 2012: I really wish the video was not $250 on dvd. I am from the US and would have loved to see it on PBS but, I currently live and work in China and feel that the cost of the dvd is expensive.
I believe that this idea is great. It is however more than unfortunate that Intellectual Property Rights and Profit motives are in the way of sharing positive change with many people. I really believe that in the future the world will work more effectively by sharing via Creative Common and Open Source than by the current methods of sharing things of real value.
Nov 26 2012: I really enjoyed this Talk. I would love to see if there is a way for Mr. Wolfram to work with Khanacademy to enhance their current online learning platform to his suggested methodology.
May 4 2012: This was a really good talk.
I would love to see more specific data from around the world and even some more examples of what people said. Numbers and Stories together could make for an interesting documentary or book.
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A comment on Talk: Katherine Kuchenbecker: The technology of touch
Can you please rehost it ?
A comment on Talk: Colin Camerer: Neuroscience, game theory, monkeys
I personally like to see applied results of research.
Please do another talk when you have more applied information that would be useful to a non-researcher.
A comment on Talk: Kees Moeliker: How a dead duck changed my life
But, I think this humor is a little dark and disgusting.
I wonder if Kees also spends too much of his free time watching youtube videos.
I am glad it was an IG Nobel and not the real one.
I also believe that Obama didn't deserve a real one !
A comment on Conversation: Are humans irrational? If so, how can we build stronger institutions to compensate for human shortcomings in rationality?
Yes, we can be.
Q2 If so, how can we build stronger institutions to compensate for human shortcomings in rationality?
I believe that human shortcomings mostly come from being below a certain point on Maslow's Pyramid.
If everyone had many if not most of their needs met then the level of irrationality of individuals and society as a whole would greatly decrease. I also believe that education on EQ would help in this area. I am sure that we can find ways to productively get the results we want. The issue is proper leadership,funding and asking the right questions.
A comment on Conversation: How does the digital divide reflect the democratic process within a country?
Here's an interesting idea. Why not try to find those homeless people that are intelligent and just being completely stubborn and or irrational but, capable of finding adequate alternative basic services outside of convention. I would like to see what they do with the internet and within society though they are for the most part outside of the economic system entirely. It would be great to read more about this if anyone has done it already. Of course without basic services provided to truly homeless and incapable people, why would they ever think to participate in a democracy ?
A comment on Conversation: Contingency Plan
A comment on Talk: John Hunter: Teaching with the World Peace Game
I believe that this idea is great. It is however more than unfortunate that Intellectual Property Rights and Profit motives are in the way of sharing positive change with many people. I really believe that in the future the world will work more effectively by sharing via Creative Common and Open Source than by the current methods of sharing things of real value.
A comment on Talk: Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers
A comment on Talk: Michael Norton: How to buy happiness
I would love to see more specific data from around the world and even some more examples of what people said. Numbers and Stories together could make for an interesting documentary or book.
A comment on Talk: Donald Sadoway: The missing link to renewable energy
I thought he said he had seed funding from MIT, Fed Gov't and other places.
Are none considered subsidy ?