Ben Yeoh Chats

• Samir Varma: Free Will, Physics, Traffic, Bees, Emotions, Chaos Theory, Cricket, Finance

  Samir Varma is a physicist, investor, and author of the book: The Science of Free Will, How Determinism Affects Everything from the Future of AI to Traffic to God to Bees.' We discuss AI consciousness, the theoretical versus practical aspects of free will, and how determinism informs our understanding of human behaviour, moral philosophy, and even financial markets. “Even though there is no free will in theory, because the laws of physics are deterministic… we don’t know what we’re going to do until we’ve done it.” “The only way to find out how your life will end is to live it.”Varma delves into the physics of free will, his insights on the applicability of chaos theory, and why certain financial and societal structures might need reevaluation. The conversation touches on the evolution and mechanics of intellectual property, the intricacies of cricket, and the profound layers that make Pink Floyd's music a unique listening experience. Varma also shares his varied projects, including innovations in solar energy and traffic management. The discussion culminates with practical life advice focused on pursuing meaningful and passionate work.Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2025/4/11/samir-varma-free-will-physics-traffic-bees-emotions-chaos-theory-cricket-finance-podcastContents00:23 Will AI Gain Consciousness?02:11 The Concept of Free Will in Theory and Practice04:19 Quantum Theory and Determinism18:58 Chaos Theory and Free Will23:20 Death and the Reorganization of Atoms25:37 Animal Consciousness and Communication30:23 Implications for Society and Justice37:48 Emotions and Rationality41:08 Misunderstandings in Finance44:39 Debunking Market Value Myths47:43 The Momentum Factor Explained57:14 The Unique Appeal of Pink Floyd01:02:40 Understanding Cricket's Complexity01:09:58 Overrated or Underrated?01:19:28 Insights on Writing and Creativity01:23:11 Final Thoughts and Life Advice

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• Mary-Ann Ochota: Adventure, Resilience, Unveiling Hidden Histories, Archeology And The Ancient World

  Mary-Ann Ochota is a broadcaster, anthropologist, and writer known for her work on Time Team and books on archaeology and the British landscape. “Archaeology is ultimately about people – the stories of people in the past and how they lived their lives.”Mary-Ann discusses her visits to Chernobyl, British henges and the Australian Simpson Desert; exploring themes of resilience and environmental recovery. “One of the big misconceptions is that archaeology is just about digging things up.”She shares insights on ancient British sites and the broader implications of sustainable development and access to nature. We discuss her role as president of the Countryside Charity and her thoughts on the future of rural development are highlighted, along with her creative writing process and advice for connecting with nature.“We’re all living on top of layers of history, whether we realise it or not.”Transcript and links: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/4/4/mary-ann-ochota-adventure-resilience-unveiling-hidden-histories-archeology-and-the-ancient-world-podcastSummary Contents:00:31 Exploring Chernobyl's Impact04:59 The Resilience of Nature05:55 Adventures in the Simpson Desert13:56 Ancient Sites in the UK17:10 Access to Nature and Social Barriers31:56 The Ridgeway National Trail38:33 Exploring the Purpose of Henges39:29 Ancient Feasts and Food Waste40:15 Reevaluating Ancient Civilizations44:32 Imagination and Environmental Crisis47:53 Balancing Hope and Realism50:06 Writing Process and Creative Challenges01:04:24 Sustainable Development and Land Use01:11:32  Life Advice 

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• Rebecca Lowe: Exploring Freedom, Moral Philosophy, Technology And The Best Society

  Political philosopher Rebecca Lowe discusses her views on freedom, equality, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Currently writing a book titled 'Freedom in Utopia,' Rebecca delves into philosophical debates concerning obligations to extinct animals, the ethics of eating meat, and the future potential of lab-grown meat. On questioning norms and making choices:“Think hard about what the norms are that you follow unthinkingly. There are many ways to live a good life, and it’s for you to work that out for yourself, because you’re the only person who can have any systemic access to that.”On fiction and its philosophical role:“I feel quite strongly that people who don’t spend time reading fiction are really missing out on one of the great things about being human—the capacity to separate out from your daily life, think about other worlds, imagine.”She also touches on the moral considerations surrounding artificial wombs, the possible role of ChatGPT as a tool for philosophical inquiry, and her disillusioning experience running for political office. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of decentralization, freedom, and respect in society while also sharing her creative process and insights into leading a fulfilling life.Transcript and video available here. Contents 00:22 Reviving Extinct Animals 02:29 Moral Implications of Eating Meat 07:47 Future Moral Consensus 11:25 Consequentialism in Healthcare 19:21 ChatGPT as a Philosopher 25:28 Artificial Wombs and Ethical Questions 30:33 Rebecca's Political Journey 34:43 Creative Process and Philosophy 37:50 The Importance of Reading Fiction 41:03 Imagining the Best Possible Society 42:19 The Role of Prisons in Utopia 46:01 Education in an Ideal Society 49:05 Cultural Goods and Utopia 52:18 Healthcare and Resource Allocation 55:11 Under rated / Over rated 58:55 Final Thoughts and Advice

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• Daisy Christodoulou: Football, VAR Video Assisted Referee, Education, and the Art of Learning

  Daisy Christodoulou is an acclaimed author in the field of education. Daisy has also written a book on video assisted refereeing (VAR) in football. We discuss being a football fan, VAR's impact on the sport, and the controversial decision-making processes involved. We speak about how VAR might have improved other sports but has mixed results in football. We suggest what technology should spring to football and sport.  We debate on how this potentially reflects the limits of rationality in human endeavours.  "We need to get away from the search for perfection. Whether in education or VAR, it’s about striking the right balance between accuracy, simplicity, and consistency to avoid ending up with the worst of both worlds." "When you apply a very precise, letter-of-the-law system, it sometimes tramples over the qualities that make the game what it is. VAR has unintentionally highlighted the limits of rationalism." Transitioning to education, Daisy shares insights from her research and books on the importance of knowledge-rich curriculums, cognitive science, and the challenges of modern educational systems. The conversation delves into the history of self-education, the role of physical school environments, and strategies to enhance learning outcomes. We touch upon the relevance of English literature, fiction reading, and Daisy's innovative projects at No More Marking, utilizing AI for better educational assessments. “A written sentence is an incredibly efficient way of communicating information. It can do things that video, audio, or computer code cannot. That utility alone makes reading irreplaceable." Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/1/12/daisy-christodoulou-a-deep-dive-into-var-football-education-and-the-art-of-learning-podcast Contents: The Joys and Struggles of Supporting West Ham Controversial VAR Decisions Problems with VAR in Football Objective vs Subjective Decisions in VAR Comparing VAR Across Different Sports Proposed Solutions for VAR Issues Historical Context and Evolution of Football Rules Impact of VAR on the Spirit of the Game In-Game Experience and Fan Reactions to VAR Broader Implications of VAR and Rationalism Potential Reforms in Education Path Dependency in Education Systems Emphasis on Knowledge in Education The Myth of 'Just Look It Up' Cognitive Science and Learning Techniques The Importance of School Buildings Historical Perspectives on Self-Education Balancing Educational Trade-offs The Decline of English Literature Studies Final Thoughts and Life Advice

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• Peter Gray: Transforming Education, Play, Parenting and Self-Directed Learning

  Peter Gray is a psychologist and author of Free to Learn. For many years, he has been studying the importance of play. Gray discusses his perspective on the ideal education system, which he believes should be a bottom-up movement rather than a top-down imposition. He emphasizes the importance of self-directed education where children have the freedom to follow their curiosity and interests. Gray explains how traditional schooling stifles curiosity and playfulness, and traces the historical roots of the current education system. He also highlights the sociopolitical factors that have contributed to the decline of children's mental health, arguing against the popular notion that social media is the primary cause. Additionally, the conversation touches on the impact of economic inequality on parenting styles and child freedom. Gray shares his current projects, including initiatives aimed at encouraging more free play in schools and educating pediatricians on the importance of play, while offering practical advice for parents to support their children's independence and curiosity. Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/11/1/peter-gray-transforming-education-play-self-directed-learning-parenting-podcast "If offered the opportunity to redesign the entire educational system as a top-down thing, me being the czar of education and telling everybody else what they should do, I would decline the offer...it really has to emerge from the bottom up." "Education works best when the people being educated are in charge of it... Children are biologically designed to learn through exploration, through play." "Our school system suppresses curiosity and playfulness...the two primary biological educative drives in children." "Ask your child: 'What would you like to do that you haven’t done before that might be a little bit frightening but that you’d really like to try?' It’s how children build courage and how parents build trust." Contents 00:19 Redesigning the Education System 01:41 The Role of Curiosity and Play in Learning 05:55 Historical Context of Traditional Schooling 08:26 Children's Rights and Freedom Over Time 12:11 Cultural Shifts and Parental Concerns 15:28 Impact of Economic Inequality on Parenting 18:53 Rise of Stranger Danger and Overprotectiveness 28:14 Common Core and the Mental Health Crisis 38:28 The Evolution of Reading and Technology 41:17 Balancing Screen Time and Real Life 43:12 Reflections on 'Free to Learn' 45:07 Evolutionary Psychology and Its Impact 50:28 Advice for a Fulfilling Retirement 01:00:04 Creative Processes and Inspirations 01:05:45 Current Projects and Parenting Advice

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