Shows
Today We Choose FacesThe Quest for Vulnerability: From Mage to KnightExplore a profound psychological journey from a state of numbness and defensive detachment, seeking control and predictability through intellectual pursuits within a metaphorical castle of wizardry, where the protagonist believes magic is the "foundation of the universe". This controlled world is shattered by the appearance of a dragon, revealing his established defenses and magic to be utterly useless, leaving him exposed and stunned. Told he is "born to be a knight, not a mage," his path shifts, culminating in the shocking truth that the princess needing rescue is the dragon. The heart of this transformation is the courageous embracing...2025-05-1209 min
Today We Choose FacesThe UNGIVER Saga: Breaking generational cursesThe UNGIVER SagaJourney into a world of familial betrayal and ancient curses born from past sins. Two brothers, divided by a forgotten crime and bound by a magical vow, reunite with their father, returned from presumed death, to confront their mad mother and the vengeful grandmother who controls her. A quest guided by a mysterious hermit leads them towards a necessary offering. But generational pain demands a sacrifice. Discover if confession, self-sacrifice, and divine intervention can break the spell and restore a broken bloodline.2025-05-0716 min
Today We Choose FacesThe Conqueror's Journey: Healing Trauma and Discovering Deep Love Through ChristAre you facing the challenge of healing deep trauma so you can love more deeply and help others do the same? This episode delves into a powerful metaphorical journey chronicled over twelve days, following a "Conqueror" narrative guided by an intimate connection with Jesus.The journey begins with the narrator feeling empowered and equipped by Jesus to confront "warlike, savage" islands representing brokenness and conflict. This initial appointment sets the stage for a radical transformation. The narrator evolves, becoming a tsunami disrupting false securities, a flood purifying the land and toppling idols, and an inflated cloud...2025-04-1519 min
Today We Choose FacesThe Rogue Dialogues: Inner Healing for LeadershipWelcome to The Rogue Dialogues: Inner Healing for Leadership, a unique podcast journey into the depths of the subconscious. Join Dr. Ernie as he explores his inner world through a series of raw and revealing stream-of-consciousness narratives, born during a period of unemployment and quarantine.In this teaser, get a glimpse of the intense and often explicit conversations between the rebellious Rogue and a cast of surprising inner figures, including the war god Ares and the wise goddess Athena. Witness a hairy giant in bronze armor clash with an androgynous youth in black leather...2025-03-2025 min
Today We Choose FacesMrs. Jesus: The Surprising Challenge of Marrying the DivineIntroduction:Have you ever wondered about the daily life of someone married to the divine? This episode explores the unique and often perplexing world of “Mrs. Jesus,” as chronicled in the Radically Happy blog series. We examine the intimate and cosmic dimensions of her marriage, where domesticity intertwines with the creation of the universe.Core Conflict:Inspired by the question posed in On Loving Jesus—“What is it like to be in love with Jesus? More importantly: to know that He is in love with you?”—we explore this relationship through Mrs...2025-03-1914 min
Today We Choose FacesMore Sex in the Psyche: Ohm-Coming PreviewBriefing Document: Radically Happy - Sex 408-411 AnalysisDate: November 30, 2024 Prepared For: [Intended Audience - e.g., Readers, Discussion Group] Subject: Analysis of Main Themes and Important Ideas in "Sex 408: Geni-All-OG," "Sex 409: Bar-Bie-Barians," "Sex 410: Dis-Engaged,""Sex 411: Shylock’s Home"This briefing document summarizes the key plot points, emerging themes, and significant character developments across the provided excerpts from Dr. Ernie's "Sex 400" level series, specifically focusing on the narrative arc involving Earnest, Reflection, Klein, Tube, and the two witches in their quest related to the "Geni" and the subsequent search for Shylock.Main Themes:The...2025-03-1309 min
Today We Choose FacesAvoiding Civil War: An Alternate History of the Second Great Awakening.Cafinneyated AmericaMy four-part AI-generated series imagining what might have prevented the Civil War.NotebookLM Prompt:Walk through Avoiding Civil War: An Alternate History of the Second Great Awakening. Note the key points of divergence, and wrestle with their plausibility. Explore implications of "Encommunication" for today's culture wars. 2025-02-1713 min
Today We Choose FacesSex In The Psyche: Teaser for Season FinaleJoin us for a review of Season 4 of Sex In The Psyche. This season follows The Earnest Redeemer on a philosophical journey to understand sex, love, and war. He interacts with various allegorical characters, including representations of Love, War, Time, Mother Nature, and various gods and mythical beings. Santa even shows up!The Earnest Redeemer's journey takes him to a variety of settings, from a monastery to a bee-filled meadow and a fantastical land resembling Oz.Throughout his journey, he grapples with existential questions about the purpose of life and the nature of reality.He is accompanied by...2024-11-2916 min
Today We Choose FacesTitan 11: When Family & Business CollideChapter 11 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerRockefeller seemingly was able to balance ruthlessness towards competitors with benevolence towards insiders, even former rivals, and especially his family.But this compartmentalization broke down with his fickle and feckless brother Frank.As did our podcast, when a discussion of "trust" and "failure" reopened old wounds of our own.Is it time for us to discover a grace that Rockefeller's moralistic religion could not imagine?2023-07-2836 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 10: To Compartmentalize is Human... to reconcile is Christ[WAS: Ambivalent Paternalism]St Paul versus John MarkJesus versus PeterNormal versus Exceptional moralityNatural versus Legible2023-07-2158 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 9: Boss TaxChapter 9 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerWe work best when we work together.But what is the cost of creating a sustainable shared system?Which costs are intrinsic to the benefit?Which are part of the "boss tax" necessary too keep the system itself running?FinancialPsychologicalCulturalcf. The Iron Law of Bureaucracy Compare Ernie's discussion with Cadence Hubing on YouTube.com/@datocracy 2023-07-1447 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 8: Railroading MoralityWhen does being right give you the right to impose morality on fools?What is the cost?Does the gospel demand more from us than mere religion?Perhaps Rockefeller did the best he could.Can we, with his example, do better?https://2transform.us/2023/06/25/6-25-epic-poem-christ-yield/2023-06-291h 09Today We Choose FacesTitan 7: Harmonious Family/LifeCh 7 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerIs the absence of internal conflict the key to harmonious living?Matthew 20:1-16 Is the essence of morality a heart turned towards God?When is the maturity to comprehend divergent perspectives more important than simple morality?How does compartmentalization help/hurt us?2023-06-221h 02Today We Choose FacesTitan 6: Problem of ScaleChapter 6 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerHow we scale the benefits of a new economy?Do the means justify the ends?Is even the "right" decision 100% "good"?Can something is "locally good" result in "global evil" at scale?2023-06-161h 00Today We Choose FacesTitan 5: Ambiguous MoralityChapter 5 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerPioneering a whole new approach to business in the midst of the oil boom."Not merely self-made, but self-invented"Was Rockefeller truly moral? Is there such a thing as unconscious sin? (start 18min in)Is "ethical business" merely a cultural convention? (cf. "market fraud")2023-06-0946 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 4: Unconscious IntentChapter 4 of Ron Chernow's biography of John D. RockefellerWhat are the consequences of our parenting, for good and ill? How much is intentional? In what ways does it matter? Can we even know?2023-06-0240 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 3: Father's LegacyDid Rockefeller's success transcend the sins of his father, or were his own success and failure deeply entwined with them? And did religion cure, or just compartmentalize, his father wound?Chapter 3 of Titan, Ron Chernow's biography of John D. Rockefeller2023-05-2640 minToday We Choose FacesTitan 1-2: "Father Disfigure"We explore Rockefeller's complex (and self-deceiving) relationship to his outlandish father "Big Bill", how it may have been psychologically necessary for him to succeed, and what it means for ours"Titan" by Ron Chernowhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16121.Titan2023-05-1254 minToday We Choose FacesTitan Intro: "Founding's Father" (John D. Rockefeller)Rockefeller is the grandfather of Silicon Valley entrepreneurship, and a complex study of the tension between Christian character and successful ambition. What can my father and I learn from him about the kind of legacy we want to leave, and how?https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/standard-oil-part-iihttps://www.amazon.com/Titan-Life-John-Rockefeller-Sr/dp/14000773032023-05-0549 min
Leave Better: Conversations of Impact for Business and LifeRisk and Rewards - Ernest PrabhakarWelcome to another episode of the Leave Better podcast where I interview high performers and business owners, gleaning from their wisdom, practical routines, habits, and mindsets.In episode 43, we are pleased to have Ernest Prabhakar, PhD. Ernie worked for Apple, and has great stories from that era of his life that will interest you whether you are a business owner, or you like those products.He talks about ambition, openness, risk taking, gratitude and awareness. Enjoy!The transcript of this episode.[00:00:16] Intro to Ernest[00:03:28] Asking Why...2023-04-1745 minToday We Choose FacesStartup Fiction: The BackstoryAltMBAMaven.com: Create and teach cohort-based coursesMaven Course Accelerator#KhanWorldSchool Khommunity Enrichment MallsStory: Molly's Life ThesisStartup Fiction2022-06-151h 07
Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernancePro-Social Crypto GamesThe Three Big IdeasThe best way to promote more humane, decentralized, and empowering versions of civilization Is to define a metric (eg, The Generative Governance Index) to act as a status game for social architectsThe easiest, most numerous, and most lucrative social systems to prototype this system is crypto communitiesDecentralizing both the rating with and updating of the Index is a perfect use case for crypto ($GENRUS?)ReferencesProof of HumanityOpen Source InitiativeLEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)The Cook and the Chef: Musk’s Secret Sauce (Wait But Why)The Laboratory for Complex Pr...2022-01-1337 minToday We Choose FacesRTB Finale: Human vs DivineWrapping up a book club with my father on Nevil Shute‘s novel Round the BendReligious Entrepreneurship in Nevil Shute’s Round the Bend (ihack.us)Round the Bend and Back Again (2transform.us)RTB-1: Love versus MarriageRTB-2a: Love vs ShameRTB-2b: Hypothetical NarrativesRTB-3: Absolution vs ForgivenessRTB-4: Religion vs ProgressRTB-5: Personal vs ProfessionalRTB-6: Law vs GraceRTB-7: Foolish vs WickedRTB-8: Religion vs Work vs FamilyRTB-9: Respond vs ReactRTB-10: "Work as Worship" vs "Worshipping Work"RTB-11: Defensive vs Gracious2021-12-291h 05Today We Choose FacesRTB-11: Defensive vs GraciousChapter 11 of Round the Bend by Nevil ShuteTo be continued...2021-12-2455 minToday We Choose FacesRTB-10: "Work as Worship" vs "Worshipping Work"Chapter 10 of Round the Bend by Nevil Shute2021-12-1128 minToday We Choose FacesRTB-9: Respond vs ReactChapter 9 of Round the Bend by Nevil Shute2021-11-1956 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceA Clear Path to TranscendenceAfter several videos with Tom Gilb (See https://youtu.be/8yEtL3KSfzY), the two Ernests stop to work out how and whether our current "Plan" of Datocracy is aligned with the initial vision of Smart Documents + Open Ecosystems as the building blocks of HumaneKind.Our conclusion is that "Corporate Datocracy" (as represented by ValPlan and Planguage) is a useful stepping stone. In particular, it pushes us to clearly articulate the "Value Objectives" needed to enable a "Public Datocracy," such as:Open FormatPublic ContentEase of AdoptionOur belief is that iterating on this "Datocracy 0.1" exercise will b...2021-10-301h 03Today We Choose FacesRTB-8: Religion vs Work vs FamilyChapter 8 of Round the Bend by Nevil Shute2021-10-2949 minToday We Choose FacesJRP-5: Monks with Steel Ballshttps://overwatch-archive.fandom.com/wiki/ZenyattaWhy Ultron Was Right (ScreenCrush) Monks with Steel Balls (Wisdom.app)2021-10-1625 minToday We Choose FacesRTB-7: Foolish vs WickedChapter 7 of Round the Bend by Nevil Shute2021-10-1559 minToday We Choose FacesRTB-6: Law vs GraceChapter 6 of Nevil Shute's Round the BendHistory of the British Raj (Wikipedia)2021-09-241h 12Today We Choose FacesRTB-5: Personal vs ProfessionalChapter 5 of Nevil Shute's Round the Bend2021-09-1751 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceCommunal Decision-Making w/Tom GilbFree Resources from Tom Gilb (@imtomgilb)Searchable Index of PublicationsClear Communication: Logical Language Logistics for Replies and Phrases (Book)Systems Enterprise Architecture (Book)12? (Twelve Tough Questions Booklet)QUANTeer: The Art of quantifying your value ideas (Book) (Video)PLanalysis (Booklet)Specifying Quality Requirements With Planguage (ModernAnalyst.com)PLanguage: A Software and Systems Engineering Language, for Evaluating Methods, and Managing Projects for Zero Failure, and Maximum ‘Value Efficiency’ (PDF)Value Requirements (Book) (Video)Governeering: Government Systems Engineering Planning (Book)Knowledge Education Nurture (Book)[UN] Sustainability Planning (Book) (YouTube)Other ReferencesValPlan, the ValueFirst Tool (7-day free...2021-09-171h 00Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Data-ConsciousnessThe Coherency Manifesto: Towards Communal Data PlatformsSpecial thanks to Aneesh Karve of Quilt Data for joining the Ernests in this special mini-series on Datocracy. Tune in for our wrap-up next week to discover what happens next!2021-09-111h 05Today We Choose FacesRTB-4: Religion vs ProgressReligious Entrepreneurship in Nevil Shute’s Round the BendWhat is this book about?Is it primarily about commerce, with a veneer of religion?The other way around?An exploration of the human tension between them?A hopeful vision of a future where they are reconciled?2021-09-1043 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Individuality Within CommunityNext week: how can we encode the semantics of a community's (company's) values into a syntax rich enough to enable Rational Trust?The Coherency Manifesto: Towards Communal Data PlatformsDraft 5 adds point #8: We will never do this perfectly, but the better we understand and document our decisions, learnings and failures, the more rapidly the next generation can improve on them2021-09-041h 03Today We Choose FacesRTB-3: Absolution vs ForgivenessChapter 3 of Nevil Shute's Round the Bend2021-09-031h 04Today We Choose FacesRTB-2b: Hypothetical NarrativesThe rest of Chapter 2 of Round the BendPlus a bonus Nevil Shute fan fiction vignette, by Ernie: Round the Bend and Back AgainDriving Question: What is this book about?2021-08-271h 06Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Manifesto CultureNotes from August 20th, 2021 Datocracy Podcastcf Revolutionary TransparencyHuman Intelligence Augmentation vs Artificial General IntelligenceRational as a subset of the RealThe Legal System is the execution engine of Legal Code (cf US forking from English Common Law)Trust is the irreducible element of systemsTransparent HistoryTransparent IncentivesVoice vs Exit (“take my data and go home”) eg BATNAEqual data power (despite unequal real power and resources)Datocracy is agreement on the ‘mechanism’ (protocol?) of data, with the policies being subject to debate and forking.Q: Dat...2021-08-211h 03Today We Choose FacesRTB-2a: Love vs ShameChapter 2 of Round the Bend by Nevil ShuteIronically interrupted by Ernie's mother, to ask for his help with moving the family cars2021-08-2037 minToday We Choose FacesJRP-4 Performative VulnerabilityReverse mentoring on how to perform reverse therapy2021-08-1433 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Forking CultureMemes are transmitted via imitation (mimesis/memesis)Enables/requires consumers to become producers (cf editing Wikipedia)Solves the Datocrat's Conundrum (sticky semantics)The most generative system (reproduction + diversity) winsMasnick's Impossibility Theorem: Content Moderation At Scale Is Impossible To Do WellNo more silent failures!Well-formed (syntax)Fungibility"The most reliable system [longest history] is also the most maladaptive."Cardano cryptocurrencyFor next week:Machine-assisted context reconciliation (cf reconciling schemas)Constitution as syntax: what is the constitution of Datopolis?cf RTFM: The Revolutionary Transparency Manifesto2021-08-141h 10Today We Choose FacesRTB-1: Love versus MarriageRound the Bend, by Nevil Shute (Norway)2021-08-1357 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-3: Wholly HumanIn order to preserve relationship, we must give up control (kenosis)See also: Love vs. Power (Philip Yancey via Mitch Teemley)2021-08-071h 07Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Semantics into SyntaxElinor Ostrom “non-tragedy-commons” and Governing the Commonsbitcoin-paves-a-way-for-evolution-of-the-species and neal-stephensonhistory-of-the-stock-market and history of moneyThe_Cathedral_and_the_Bazaar and richard-stallman-epstein-scandalInternational Standard (History) and List_of_technical_standard_organizationsOverview of ITU's History benefits and pitfalls to the startup model of ‘scratching your own itch’.An ordered list of Hard Things, for next week: Developing a shared semantic understanding within a local contextEncoding those semantics in a syntactic system that functions in that contextScaling that to other contexts -- especially via bottom-up voluntary adoptionHonoring the original intent without becoming limited by it2021-08-071h 18Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Test of Earnest-ness w/Aneesh Karve of Quilt DataSwitch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard (Chip Heath)Direct the Rider, Motivate the Elephant, and Shape the Path (Sources of Insight)Easily Confused (Seth's Blog)Humanekind Posts (Ernest Bruce)2021-07-311h 09Today We Choose FacesTWCF-2/10: Thesis, Anti-Thesis, Syn-ThesisWhat does it take to empathize and reconcile with the one we defined ourself as opposing?Thesis, AntiThesis, Synthesis2021-07-3035 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Meta-RealityHow to create a global culture that responsibly empowers local innovation for greater humanity2021-07-3048 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/9 Confronting My SelfReflecting on the values we inherit 2021-07-231h 27Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDatocracy: Computing SemanticsWords to marry digital precision with analog experiences2021-07-231h 10Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 6: Docu-cracyRTFM: The Revolutionary Transparency Manifesto (Radical Centrism)Datocracy (Twitter)Rohit Khare (LinkedIn)Robert Fiskin (LinkedIn)The ZigZag Project2021-07-1648 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/8 I Kill MeMr. Black VersionsProgenitor (Rev A)Missing Clone (Rev B)Winkel (Rev C)2021-07-0949 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 5: TransparentismCan reducing information asymmetry via cryptographic security cure what ails both capitalism and socialism?2021-07-091h 03Today We Choose FacesTWCF-2/7 Self-SurrenderIs "playing Christ" the antidote to "playing God"?Does every good act contain a seed of evil? And vice versa?The best human actis the conscious moral choiceto use my resourcesto create value for others– A Radical Centrist Manifesto2021-07-031h 01Today We Choose FacesJRP-3: Status Games, LayeredSelf-Surrender (TWCF-2/7)Positive-Sum Status Games (Two Ernests Forking Humanity)Tim O'Reilly (Twitter)2021-07-0344 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 4: Circling ValuesWhich "weird" ideas align with both our values and our long-term version?2021-07-0224 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 3: Weirdly Smart DocumentationWith special guest David G, Bruce brainstorms ideas for how to move the needle2021-06-2828 minToday We Choose FacesTCWF-2/6 (Ab)Use of PowerHow consistently living out our principles might turn us into "the bad guy"2021-06-2559 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 2: HumaneKind Life & Stackhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Work2021-06-2129 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/5 God, FatherAlso FeaturingJordan (v5.0)Old Lange (v7.0)Winkel (v8.6)Jenkins (v8.7)2021-06-1857 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/4 Old MemoriesPaul Kabar (v8.5) verus Pin Seven2021-06-1327 minToday We Choose FacesJRP-2 Shark Cartilage Drugshttps://seapet.com/shark-cartilage-for-dog-arthritis/2021-06-1232 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceZigZag 1: Frustrated and Hopefulhttps://blog.ted.com/the-zigzag-project-lauches-from-the-ted-audio-collective/Inspired by the massive overhaul of our lives due to COVID-19, The ZigZag Projectoffers a six-step boot camp that’s been beta-tested by listeners and features insights from luminaries who have helped Manoush Zomorodi stay the course throughout her career. The interactive experience combines audio storytelling with written exercises and a companion newsletter to align listeners’ personal values with their professional ambitions. 2021-06-1110 minToday We Choose FacesJRP-1: Transcendent MegazordMy son insisted on recording our coffee chat, so we decided to add it to his grandfather’s podcast feed2021-06-0523 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/3: Ambiguous MotivesWho is Glenda Glynn, and whose side is she on?2021-06-0424 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/2: Unwelcome CallerEngel (Angelo v8.2) vs Mr. Black2021-05-2839 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-2/1: Is Suicide Not Murder?Lange (Angelo v8.0) vs Mr. Black2021-05-2134 minToday We Choose FacesTWCF-1: Today We Choose FacesAngela di Negri vs Syler. What does it mean to be 'the good guy?"2021-05-1443 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceHODL_Boy, Crypto-CapitalistErnest Bruce on:SubstackTwitter2021-05-0831 min
Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceExNext: Mac OS X 20th Anniversary"I hadn’t fully appreciated how those times in the NeXT/Apple transition — building towards 10.0 — were so critical in our lives and perhaps in the industry’s evolution as a whole." -- Peter G.Automated TranscriptAllan NathansonAndrew MoonAndrew StoneAndy BelkBertrand SerletBlaine GarstBrett HalleEric HermansonKevin EnderbyKevin KoymJohn JamesMark DadgarPaul LambertPeter GraffagninoTed GoldsteinWilliam Parkhurst2021-03-251h 32Datocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceMinimum Viable VisionBruce reaffirms and doubles down on his commitment to develop an artistic vision that can inspire generations to pursue a more human-centered world order.Prabhakar suggests that Bruces still faces the same challenges as in building a business, except instead of Product-Market fit he needs "Vision-Community" fit. He also still needs to cross the chasm by offering something 5-10x better, even if it is competing on ideas rather than products. For example, many of those dissatisfied with capitalism are already satisfied to Marxism, and therefore would not be early adopters of anything new.Prabhakar ch...2021-01-0836 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceMake Art, Not MoneyBruce reiterates his vision of a world not controlled by profit-driven entities such as Facebook. Prabhakar counters that profit isn't the problem; Facebook succeeded in displacing the open web because it solved problems that the altruistic W3C didn't, because it lacked the incentives and empathy to solve the problems of "real-world identity" crucial to Facebook's success. In fact, Prabhakar went further and claimed that the key problem with most non-market solutions is that they tend require political acts of consensus-building (monolithic "Cathedrals") rather than enabling bottom-up experimentation (decentralized Bazaars). This isn't to glorify markets, but to poi...2020-12-1951 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDemand-Side Local ValuesBruce talks about Nerd Brawn, his high-minded vision of vertically-integrated computing infrastructure for helping local producers compete against giant multi-nationals. Prabhakar pushed him to be more specific about a) what tradeoffs he (and others) should make for the sake of local control, and b) what value proposition would entice producers to work with him before he had overwhelming scale. In particular, Prabhakar argued that if Bruce really wanted to help local retailers, he would need custom solutions for each community, rather than assuming technology itself would suffice.In that vein, Bruce suggested homelessness is an urgent issue fo...2020-12-0450 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceA Bias Toward CommunityBruce responds to last week's question by coming firmly down on the side of local communities as the primary unit of autonomy, with the proviso that individuals have the freedom to move among communities. Prabhakar concurred, and again suggested Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age as a useful starting point for imaging a world of tight-knit tribes ("phyles") embedded in a Common Economic Protocol to coordinate coexistence.This led to the question of what values Bruce would want to build his Phyle around. Bruce started with a commitment to avoid orphaning users. Ernie conceded that is a noble go...2020-11-2029 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceA Test of VirtueThe Ernests pick up the conversation about how to test whether we are living up to our values by focusing on Bruce's recent tweet about Trump. Bruce mentioned that while he tries to love everyone, he has no love for haters, and hates Trump. Prabhakar pointed out this makes him a hater, which implies he doesn't love himself!More generally, this raises an issue Prabhakar has been wrestling with on his other podcast: the tension between wanting our viewpoint to be validating and serving a higher purpose. In particular, we humans have evolved sophisticated (if imperfect) heuristics to...2020-11-1348 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceCore ValuesThis week the Ernests attempted to build up a list of which core values should guide our decisions, e.g:Universal Justice (versus Tribalism/Elitism): everyone should be subject to the same rulesAccountable AuthoritiesHealthy Trust (versus Blind Faith)Appropriate Consequences (neither Cruel nor Lax)The Truth (versus Privacy, at least for the Powerful)While it may be difficult to make these value absolutes, we generally agreed the world would be better if there was more of this and less of their opposite.Bruce then questioned how we would create "unit tests" for these values, which...2020-11-0855 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceAuthentic versus PrincipledThis week we riff on last week's acknowledgement that Bruce's desire for self-expression overwhelmed his anti-Facebook principles. Prabhakar asserted that this is a fundamental problem in the design of social systems. In the short-run, everything is simpler if people comply with pro-social principles. But in the long-run, if people aren't free to be their authentic selves, both individuals and societies become extremely unhealthy.This highlights the fact that no individual fully expresses the values we aspire towards, so we must appeal to some kind of transcendence. As well as someone we all trust to speak on behalf of...2020-10-3048 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceMother-Forking Season 2Bruce penned his article out of outrage at sexism and Trump's moves towards autocracy. The title was chosen to affirm female sexuality for pleasure and connection, rather than just procreation. It also captured his anger at people who believe in a deity, which he considers equivalent to "fake science" and complicit in the subjugation of women and the election of Trump.To avoid loaded terms like "science" and "religion", Prabhakar suggested the terms "good faith" and "bad faith" -- or "adaptive" vs "maladaptive" beliefs -- to reflect the core virtue of adapting our beliefs to address the da...2020-10-2357 min
Discipling By JesusFrom HEK to DIP: Monastic ComplexityIn his latest attempt to explain his vision of The Great Reset, Ernie lists three ways his vision differs from monastic (and by implication evangelical) spirituality:Decentralized vs HierarchicalIncarnate vs ExtractivePractice vs KnowledgeDavid was very helpful in teasing out shared definition of words, to the point where they seemed to reach at least a basic level of understanding. Is this stable enough to form a foundation for future discussions? Stay tuned to find out! ReferencesAutomated TranscriptBenedectine OrderThe Rule of Ernest the Sinner2020-10-2251 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceBeyond Moral SuperiorityOn his birthday, Prabhakar shares his attempt to found a community where moral authority doesn't require assuming moral superiority. Most societies and institutions seem to rest on the illusion that those at the top are intrinsically more "right" than those who follow, typically due to status games based on birth, wealth, education, or expertise. Surprisingly, even followers seem as dependent to the illusion as leaders, perhaps because it allows them to avoid responsibility for many choices.The alternative is to apply the same sort of "hackability" to leadership as Bruce wanted for systems, by creating a status g...2020-10-0933 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceMoral AuthorityLast week we discussed the tension between loyalty and mobility within communities. This week we talked about moral authority as the key factor in helping communities evolve, especially when facing a crisis. This is especially poignant for us, if we are trying to start a movement to live out these ideas.We identified four phases in the birth of a movement, using the American Revolution as a role model:Artists: Original thinkers who introduce inspiring ideas (Montesquieu. Thomas Paine)Men of Letters: Like-minded communities who build a shared vision of the future (Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson)M...2020-10-0229 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceMobility versus LoyaltyThis week Bruce opens the episode talking about the importance of mobility: the freedom to leave a community if the leaders start violating the original principles. Prabhakar agrees, but adds that a) too much freedom to exit discourages people from resolving conflict, and b) sometimes the original principles no longer reflect what the community needs to thrive. Bruce suggests that we should instead focus on the larger Purpose of the community (what Prabhakar calls Vision) more than the current Principles (or Values). Prabhakar likes that formulation, but suggests even more important is developing the skill of learning how to ev...2020-09-2630 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceOmni-CulturalismLast week we discussed Seth Godin's claim that "industrialism" (the drive to make everything cheaper) is the main cause of modern misery, and in fact underlies our obsession with race, caste, and class. In particular, Seth calls on us to make industry subservient to culture, rather than cheapening our culture for the sake of industry.This week Bruce builds on that to outline his vision of a "hackable and forkable" world, where everyone has the ability (at least in principle) to maintain and customize the essential systems they depend upon. Bruce adds that people should be free to...2020-09-1147 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceOut CastePeople invested in the current Caste System vote against their "selfish" interests in order to propagate the system, even if on a lower rung. Why?The risk of losing status from critiquing the systemRevolutions often failEven successful revolutions rarely improve most people's situationIs the likely benefit greater than the likely cost, especially given great uncertainty?How do we get people to view their selves and their group identity differently? Coercion? Argument? Persuasion? And how do we guard against the risk of us accidentally making things worse?Automated Transcript (TBD)IGWET (www.igwet.com)Hope and Change f...2020-09-0441 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceCaste PartyPrabhakar affirms Wilkerson's thesis that caste is a richer framework for explaining America's troubled history of racism; especially post-Civil Rights where strict pigmentation-based racism has been replaced by more nuanced forms of discrimination. However, he argues that America is actually now a dual-caste system.The original "nativist" caste system that harkens back to the Founding Fathers is alive and well. That focus on race, religion, and riches has become the backbone of the Republican Party since the days of Ronald Reagan.However, he claims the Democratic Party is just as wedded to a second "cosmopolitan" ca...2020-08-2926 min
Discipling By JesusHealing Divided Hearts with Steve FairHeartSync is a powerful ministry that helps people bring their deepest pain into a transformational encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Steve joins Ernie to discuss how he discovered HeartSync while writing his book, and how this fuels their shared passion for seeing Jesus bring unity to a fragmented world.Automated TranscriptSeven Mountains (Generals International)Renewal Christian Counseling Center (Steve Fair)Journey into the Divided Heart Book (Amazon)HeartSync Ministries (Father Andrew Miller)Morningstar Ministries (Rick Joyner)2020-08-2947 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceEarnestly Asked QuestionsLast episode, Prabhakar shared the manifesto for www.igwet.com, his new platform for transformational communities. This week Bruce asks a number of pointed questions about those bold claims...The IGWET EAQ"communities seeking positive change"what is positive change?what is negative change?who decides?"ad-hoc groups build up trust"how is trust built-up? in each persons mind?how does a community or an individual keep track of the trust it has on each trusted entity?"relational practices" -> "open source spirituality"how do shared practices reflect spirituality?how do values and ideals translate into...2020-08-2336 min
Discipling By JesusPrototypical LeadershipBill and Ernie geek about how JavaScript's prototypical style of object inheritance is more adaptive and flexible than class-based inheritance (even if ECMAScript 6 gives in on that point). What would it take to move The Great Reset, and civilization, in that same non-hierarchical direction?2020-08-1527 min
Discipling By JesusDeep RepentanceErnie shares the "inconvenient truth" he has been wrestling with: Is caste, and seeking an advantage for our children, at the root of systemic racism? Are all our Christian institutions founded on the belief that "there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval?"And if that is true, what path do we have to walk in order to bring the Body of Christ to repentance and unity? And can we do it without insisting on confession?ReferencesIt's More Than Racism: Isabel Wilkerson Explains America's 'Caste' SystemThe 9.9 Pe...2020-08-1440 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceAgainst HierarchyFor this episode, Prabhakar announces IGWET, his long-awaited website (and manifesto) that he claims will save civilization from itself. He frames this as a platform for emergent decentralized networks to outcompete the top-down hierarchies that have created -- and corrupted -- the world we live in. ReferencesAutomated TranscriptIGWET: Interconnecting Groups for Whole-Earth TransformationThe End of Bureaucracy, Again?Freedom, Permissionless Innovation, and a Successful InternetOriginal Position (John Rawls)2020-08-1439 min
Discipling By JesusChanging the World from ScratchErnie and Ted reflect on how The Great Reset is progressing against its (admittedly audacious) goal of ushering in the millennium, by prototyping new structures for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth. Can we pull off a scalable Silicon Valley miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit, and good design?ReferencesAutomated TranscriptTGR-S3E6: Re-Cognition of DiscipleshipDecentralized Networks#DecenterCivilizationPermissionless Innovation2020-08-1236 min
Discipling By JesusAccidental Circumcision with Eric C.While debriefing on Steven McGgriff's sermon on his African-American heritage, Ernie was:Struck by how much a) "white supremacy" is about cultural domination, not just race, b) when part of the dominant culture, we don't notice how much our heritage shapes our identity away from Christ, and c) class can be just as deadly a distortion as race, but (in America) is far less visible.Eric responded:As a missionary I think aspects of culture can be shared generously with other cultures; not for domination. For example: antibiotics, university education, hospitals, better nutrition and sanitation technology...2020-08-1052 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceOpen Source SpiritualityIn order to create a more humane civilization, we need people to voluntarily enroll in decentralized pro-social status games. That appears to the only way to avoid the extremes of either fragmenting into atomic tribes or being enslaved by corrupt institutions. Prabhakar notes how the nodejs package manager (npm) has enabled the JavaScript community to (mostly) avoid the "religious" wars that have plagued other open source projects. The key was to standardize on a modular interface and culture for sharing functionality, rather than a monolithic and opinionated process for delivering a final product. This focus on fine-grained pee...2020-08-0741 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceReprogramming HumanityIn an ironic twist, Prabhakar suggest that Bruce's formal specialty at Apple -- creating technical documentation -- might actually be the key to saving civilization!We have been wrestling with how to bootstrap scalable pro-social behavior (aka positive-sum status games) in the absence of a top-down authority to set and enforce standards (which often starts out well, but always ends up corrupted by self-interest, even if unconscious).Prabhakar experienced the pain of this first hand when his 7/28 pitch to The Great Reset devolved into unproductive arguments over the term "system." On the one hand, he...2020-07-3035 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernancePro-Social NetworksTo create a new system encompassing all of humanity, we need a platform that allows people to experiment with a wide range of ideologies, yet makes it easy to reward pro-social behavior (and discourage the opposite). This is even more challenging when we are trying to build a completely-open, decentralized system that anyone can participate in.The best we can hope for is design interfaces and governance that make it easier to do things that help people, and harder to do things that harm them. In particular, it requires striking a balance between, e.g.:Anonymity v...2020-07-2441 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceBootstrapping Empathy: You Say You Want a Revolution?This episode marks an inflection point. Philosophy -- "an unusually stubborn attempt to think clearly" -- is essential when contemplating a new enterprise. But at some point we must stop thinking and start doing. And the only thing worth doing, for a shift this radical, is: Revolution!In particular, every revolution starts with a small group of people inspired to work together for a better future. Prabhakar outlines four possible paths to take -- Politics, Art, Religion, Commerce (PARC) -- as well as the downsides associated with each. He also invited Bruce to a Design Review with his...2020-07-1648 minDatocracy: In Search of Generative GovernanceDemocratizing TechnologyIn our conversation around how to create a more humane civilization, we discussed the important of creating status games that promote pro-social behavior within and between communities. However, we still have to ensure people in other communities are playing fairly. We ended last episode discussing how Masnick's Impossibility Theorem implied it was impossible to have perfectly effective oversight, but better Information Technology could help us do far better.In this episode Bruce articulates his vision of how technology should serve users -- not just creators; and Prabhakar discusses his startup that attempted to do just that.2020-07-1047 min