What might we learn next?
Scientific explanations, longer lives, technology, and possible futures.
Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West offer tools for spotting misleading claims, especially claims dressed in data. Notes on checking sources and comparisons, using evidence carefully and responding with both clarity and charity.
Knowledge changes, and beliefs need to change with it. Samuel Arbesman explores discovery and scientific error in a useful framework for updating what we know, though some complex ideas deserve more nuance.
Richard Dawkins explains evolution through genes, ancestry, natural selection and complexity. Clear explanations that answer creationism by showing how evolution works.
A short, positive note on Tyson’s introduction to the universe, its elements and cosmic scale. Looking beyond Earth offers a welcome wider perspective on human life.
A collection of possible futures for human biology, moving from present research into speculative scenarios. Human choice and caution about unintended consequences appeal, though some proposals raise questions.
Research notes and links on autophagy, Alzheimer’s vaccine research, resveratrol, rapamycin, NMN, and DNA repair. The collection mixes study summaries with early claims and commentary, without drawing them together into a settled conclusion.
An explainer distinguishing laboratory studies in cells or molecules from studies in living organisms, with computer simulations as a third approach. It emphasises that findings may not translate across methods or species, using drug absorption as an example.
Why investigate longer, healthier lives? This 2020 essay traces Floris’s interest in longevity through curiosity, potential impact, and the field’s connections to biology, AI, entrepreneurship, and ethics.
An early notebook from Floris’s 2020 investigation of ageing. It makes the case for paying attention to age-related disease and sets out his first questions about understanding the processes behind it.
An early, explicitly incomplete directory of longevity research groups, companies, nonprofits, websites, and blogs. Short descriptions cover work ranging from funding and reporting to drug development, data, and public advocacy.
Sinclair argues that science may extend lifespan and healthspan. An appealing prospect of healthier, longer lives, though the book’s speculative predictions are difficult to assess.
Sagan considers the evolution of intelligence through anthropology, biology and psychology, making room for both intuition and reason. An enjoyable book, though parts of its account of intelligence and brain evolution are dated.
A brief reflection on Sagan’s look at other planets and what studying them can teach us, alongside human uniqueness and a comparison with David Deutsch.
Deutsch connects quantum theory, evolution, epistemology and computation through the growth of explanations. Notes on counterintuitive ideas about the multiverse, time, life and computation in the book’s broad account of reality.
A brief response to Sagan’s journey through the universe, from its beginnings to black holes. A sense of awe, with reflections on the book’s continuing appeal despite its age.
Russell explains how AI can satisfy a stated objective while missing what people want and considers ways to address that problem. A layperson’s overview with doubts that the then-current systems would lead to general intelligence.
A notebook connecting the arrow of time and thermodynamic disorder with information through everyday analogies. Floris then extends the idea into a personal reflection on how frameworks give information meaning.
The Feynman Technique becomes a test of understanding: choose a concept, explain it simply, find gaps, use an analogy, and simplify again. The article suggests applying the process while studying or explaining ideas to other people.