Episode 41

What is the best pathway to knowledge? with David Deutsch - The Shape of Dialogue #41

https://www.daviddeutsch.org.uk/

David Deutsch is a renowned University of Oxford physicist, philosopher, and the "father" of quantum computation. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, and his work includes fundamental issues in physics, particularly the quantum theory of computation and information, and the new field of constructor theory. In 1985, he proposed a universal quantum computer and went on to make some of the most significant advances in the field, including the discovery of the first quantum algorithms.

He is renowned for his theoretical advances, including the theory of quantum logic gates and quantum computational networks, as well as several fundamental quantum universality results. His work set the agenda for subsequent international research efforts in quantum computation.

David was awarded the Paul Dirac Prize and Medal by the Institute of Physics in 1998 and he won the Edge of Computation Science Prize in 2005.

His books are highly influential. The Fabric of Reality explores the synthesis of ideas uniting Quantum Theory, and the theories of Computation, Knowledge and Evolution. The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavour. 

He has published many articles and research papers and has presented three TED talks.

The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0143121359?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au

The Fabric of Reality: Towards a Theory of Everything

https://www.amazon.com.au/Fabric-Reality-Towards-Everything-Penguin-ebook/dp/B004YB9HVY?ref_=ast_author_dp

Music: Bach B Minor Mass

Performed by

The Monteverdi ChoirThe English Baroque SoloistsJohn Eliot Gardiner

https://music.apple.com/nz/album/j-s-bach-mass-in-b-minor-bwv-232/1053521016

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Michael Goldwater

Michael Goldwater is a New Zealand podcaster and host of The Shape of Dialogue, a podcast exploring the foundational principles underpinning well-functioning societies.

Michael's prominent international and New Zealand guests discuss important issues of the day, illuminating what societies require to function effectively and cohesively.

In 2023, Richard Dawkins (the world's most famous scientist) personally asked Michael to host and interview him for his New Zealand speaking tour.

Michael has also interviewed other significant world-renowned thinkers, including Steven Pinker (twice), James Flynn, Lawrence Krauss (twice), Jerry Coyne, Jonathan Rauch, Helen Joyce, Peter Boghossian, Toby Young, Sall Grover, James Lindsay and numerous international and New Zealand scientists and thought leaders.

Michael's interviews are characterised by civil discourse and a genuine curiosity about a diverse range of topics. His podcasts serve as forums for thoughtful explorations of complex societal issues, aiming to inspire listeners to engage in meaningful conversations, consider more than one viewpoint to bridge ideological divides and take a fresh look at subjects that sometimes are not seeing the light of day in other media.

Michael's esteemed guests have discussed a wide range of engaging topics, including science, Indigenous knowledge, education, human rights, women's rights, philosophy, the classics, liberty, free speech, communism, epistemology, trans-ideology, censorship, language and rhetoric. 

Michael is also a musician, educator, businessman and an accomplished photographer. His art photography can be viewed at www.michaelgoldwater.photography

In 2015, Michael founded and led Stop Stealing Our Harbour, an environmental advocacy group dedicated to protecting Auckland's beautiful Waitematā Harbour from continued industrial reclamation. He has been a prominent voice in the national conversation around this issue and has successfully campaigned to stop thousands of tons of concrete from being poured into Auckland's famous harbour.