UnknownKnowns
UnknownKnowns
Jiyen Northan
I started this podcast in High School as an endeavor to take myself, those I talk with, and you deep into the realm of what is just within our grasp. In each episode, I present a subject, theory, or viewpoint that aims to provide a new angle on something you may have taken for granted. As we explore new paradigms and ideas, I only ask that you keep an open mind.
Framework For Human Truth
If something is true for you, is it true for everyone else? Why can two otherwise reasonable people arrive at very different conclusions? In my senior year of high school I produced an original philosophical framework for analyzing "the Truth." I believe that to move beyond petty disagreement and into meaningful resolution we need to have a better, more realistic way of understanding what exactly it means for something to be "True." Links: Essay & Bibliography Music Credit: "In The Altitude," Kirk Osamayo, FMA, CC-BY "Ambient - Realization," Kirk Osamayo, ⁠FMA⁠, CC-BY Special thanks to JC Wright, James Hahn, and Dr. Kyle Broom for the support and inspiration while writing the essay.
Sep 18, 2023
11 min
The Elephant in the Classroom
In the current moment it feels like every field is being disrupted by AI, and that includes even the most stubborn of institutions. In the field of education, we are at an inflection point: adopt or reject? In this episode, I argue for the embrace of machine learning tools by educators and the education system at large, and I explain how the two actually go together much better than you might think. Sources/See Also: here. Instagram: unknown._.knowns Music Credit: "In The Altitude," Kirk Osamayo, FMA, CC-BY "Homeroad," Kai Engel, FMA, CC-BY
Aug 30, 2023
13 min
Futureproofing Humanity: Future
To conclude this series on how humans will have to adapt to survive the future, I wanted to further examine my ambitious idea for a technology which connects us in an even deeper way than ever before. To do this, I will try to resolve five essential obstacles to implementing something like this. Music Credit: "(Ambient) Realization", Kirk Osamayo, FMA, CC-BY. "In The Altitude," Kirk Osamayo, FMA, CC-BY.
Aug 2, 2023
19 min
Futureproofing Humanity: The Present
The present day sees humans more capable of changing ourselves and our environment than ever before. So, what can we do to change for the better? In this episode, I speculate on the adoption of a powerful new communication tool and social ethos which could create this positive change.   *Note* I accidentally chose a background song with a voice that plays periodically.    Music Credit & Sources
Sep 2, 2022
22 min
Futureproofing Humanity: The Past
Nukes, Bioweapons, and logistics collapse: these are just three threats that incredibly powerful human technologies have spawned. How must we as humans change our behaviors, society, or biology to use the power we attain through technology for good? Over three episodes, I will look at what makes for a humanity that can safeguard against our own destructive abilities, and what the future of our species might look like. Music Credit & Sources
Aug 10, 2022
19 min
Morality: Evolved
In this episode I build from my previous episode titled "Question of the Century: Is there Morality Without Religion?" With the goal of establishing a secular basis for religion and morality, I walk through the Ten Commandments from a practical,  evolutionary, standpoint and answer the question of "What or Who creates human morals?" Sources: shorturl.at/knC89 Music Credit (CC-BY): Axletree "Goldfinch: Flight to the North," Kai Engel "Remedy for Melancholy"
Apr 2, 2022
16 min
Hitler and Putin: How History Repeats Itself
In this episode, I cover the similarities between Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler in how they undermined democracy and utilized brinksmanship to rise to power, use ideology to justify their means and ends, and pursue a larger strategy. I also look at the differences in the way the rest of the world stood up to them.   Sources: https://bit.ly/3CGygs7    Music Credit (CC-BY): EXETEXE "Ronin," Kai Engel "Homeroad"
Mar 12, 2022
22 min
The Ghost in the Voting Machine
What if an advanced algorithm could vote for you? Humans are limited by time and attention, but machines? Not so much. If a computer could learn exactly how you behave, it could help you vote on every little matter without you noticing. In this episode, I imagine a world where this is the case. Sources here. Music Credit (CC-BY): EXETEXE "Ronin," Kai Engel "Homeroad"
Mar 12, 2022
15 min
Digital Luxury - A New Age of Consumerism
In this episode, I argue that humanity should emphasize buying luxury goods which exist only online rather than physical products, which pollute. To better understand how this might work, I interviewed my expert friend Kai.   Sources: [1] [2]   Music: Axeltree "The Silent Grove," Jim Hall "Wanderlust," Kai Engel "Homeroad" All songs licensed CC BY
Nov 19, 2021
26 min
Death: What would it Feel Like?
Given the biological and neurological processes which happen to an individual right before death, I speculate on how the conscious self and the body would feel in the very moments before death. This episode's intent is to walk through my model and reasoning and is not a complete argument. Think of it as a primer to have you think about this yourself.   Music: Meydn "Pure Water," Kai Engel "Homeroad" All songs licensed CC BY
Sep 7, 2021
12 min
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