So nice of you to let Neil interview himself

"Astrophysicists are the most humble scientists" - Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist

Neil is probably the easiest person to interview: just ask him a question and watch him go.

Great video alex! I hope you get to speak to Neil deGrasse Tyson soon!

Neil is the type to ask you to help him with something, then just make you watch him do all the work.

Neil is the kind of guy that will wake you up to tell you he's going to sleep.

Neil is the sort of guy that even in an infinite amount of universes, there isn't one universe where he wouldn't interrupt you.

Neil’s passion and excitement for these subjects have reached conversationally uncontainable levels 😂 and I love it!

I can't believe that NGT actually apologised for interrupting at 24:48 😳😳😳

I've never seen someone whose skill at delivering one-sided speeches is so vastly different than their ability to hold 2-way conversations.

What a time to be alive, having grown up with Alex and his channel. All of these guests, and the history his channel has; thus leaving his mark on this platform, and taking us for the ride. Which is quite remarkable.

Alex : It seems experts in the field feel that AI could be an existential threat to humans. Neil: We'll just turn it off.

Nice! Good to see how quickly you have drawn large names to the podcast. You are already easily one of the best interviewers out there.

Very serious experts are very concerned about existential risks from AI. You should interview Paul Christiano, former head of OpenAI's large language model team and current head of the Alignment Research Center. You could also interview Robert Miles (runs *the best* KZfaq channel on AI risk), Richard Ngo (on OpenAI's governance team), Ajeya Cotra (Senior Research Analyst at Open Philanthropy), or Kelsey Piper (journalist at Vox). They are all knowledgeable/expert enough to have very fruitful conversations about AI risk.

One of the most difficult things about being human is realizing that we are both comically small, and one of the largest living things in the known universe. It's both. We are small, and we are big.

its honestly really refreshing and inspiring to hear someone talk so passionatly as neil does here- also i feel like neil is answering more the questions of the viewers rather than the questions of cosmic. hes just another listener like us rn hehe

Alex speaks 7.13mins in total of this 44.45min podcast. That's 16% of Alex; 84% of NDG.

The last 10 minutes of this podcast are the most illuminating - Neil for the win!

Awesome collab! Alex’s channel and brand is growing I love it

I've never seen Tyson give a good long-form interview. He tries to convey deep philosophical insights, while also seemingly making them up on the spot, and never allows for good back-and-forth dialogue.

The passion with which Neil talks is quite admirable, and a bit silly when it comes out in funny way too :) Some people mistake it for arrogance, unfortunately, and supposedly miss some outstanding points he made.

Alex, thanks for this episode. For one who loves Astronomy, I enjoyed it. You're doing a great job, Man.

One of the things that occurs to me when it comes to world ending threats that I would like to see more discussion on, is how to deal with people who have ideas/perspectives that are different to your own. It seems to me the biggest issue is passionate people fighting first and asking questions second.

I really like Neal and his insight is fascinating. I just wish he would let others talk and direct the conversation more.

Super cool that you were able to do this!

44:30 Total highlight of the conversation. So true. Includes almost everyone.

Loved this conversation!! Wish it took longer!

I wonder how many thought provoking perspectives NDT misses out on because he doesn't let anyone else speak and engage with them in a proper back and forth conversation.

24:49 Woah, he actually apologized for interrupting, and he does seem to be letting the interviewer speak for some time. I wonder if someone talked to him about his tendencies.

*Great Interview! Cant wait for more videos like this!*

Great chat. NGT can sure talk...and I love it. Lovely discussion thank you.

That was a great episode. I love how contagious Neil's enthusiasm is

The beginning is amazing. He’s exactly right. This is why people who had a spiritual/curious start to this world always see the world beyond of themselves. You get a greater and deeper understanding of who we are and can be. To the greatest discoverers, innovators, spiritual leaders can’t be who they are without this level of insight. Humans have the power to see the world from outside themselves, and once we do our world will become better because of it.

I respect Neil a lot, he's dont a bunch of good education work. But damn man is it impossible to have a conversation with him. I never get to hear his thoughts or ideas beyond the surface level because he never lets ppl get there. Nice try Alex

Amazing interview as always Cosmic!

I would suggest Robert Miles for the next talk on AI 😊

Dr. Tyson on your podcast wow! That’s awesome.

In addition to zooming out to a macro view, orienting the viewer at the center of the known universe; it is also possible to zoom in to a micro view, orienting the viewer at the circumference of the known universe; and how both methods of inquiry are complementary. AWESOME answer, Neil!

Thanks for the interview! Very fascinating to get this perspective.

He could just talk it to death

Neil: I'm no AI expert. Also Neil: [talks for 30 minutes about how AI is perfectly safe, it's all fine.]

Wow! You got Dr. Tyson on your channel! You've truly arrived! Kudos to you!

I was shocked and pleased to see Neil on with you, Alex! I've been watching your videos since the beginning and Neil is a major life hero of mine. I'm so excited and happy for you! I'll be looking forward to every episode you produce!

Someday I wish to find someone who loves me as much as Neil loves Neil.

very very intresting guest Alex. Thanks for all of the value you are providing to us.

I don't think he's arrogant or narcissistic, he's just a sort of radio personality in the way that he talks. I admire that he takes a scientific approach to understanding how groups think, choosing to see how people react to his thoughts on Twitter and adjusting, rather than saying that his opinion is A) true, or B) unwavering.

I've always thought that Tyson had an unthoughtful view of vegetarianism and veganism. Alex would have been a great interviewer for that domain but we missed the boat for that conversation. But... such is the nature of things. People change.

I think your podcast works much better when you have an actual conversation.

Yay!!! So happy to see Dr. Tyson on the show ❤

thankyou this was very enjoyable. Its good to see science educators being represented.

Neil is often almost unbearable to listen to in these long form interviews. I think he should really try to reflect and realise how petutlant he can sometimes be. He constantly cuts people off and steamrolls the entire discussion, prevents a good back and forth (even with points of agreement), and almost shouts in a shrill manner for the duration. Obviously, this is not a critism of any of his thoughts, merely how he presents them.

1:22 Neil's smile to frown scared me

Great interview. Neil is a wonderful teacher and I learn something new every time.

I enjoyed watching this episode, thank you.

If only Neil was a little less in love with the sound of his own voice.

Eliezer Yudkowski is open to being interviwed. There are REALLY good reasons to expect the end of the world if we don't solve the Aligment.

I love Neil's way of showing us that we don't need to stop him from speaking his mind. Always entertaining and enlightening...Best nerd ever!

I 💯 % agree with his stance on AI!

I have a lot of respect for Neil and have seen him three times lecture on various topics. His perspective is certainly thought provoking. Enjoying the new format as well!

Doesn't surprise me Neil thinks astrophysicists are the most humble people in the world.

I remember the first time objective information was taken that way in my observation I had the same mind blown experience at that realization.

I presume there was some lag in this conversation. The amount of interruption in a conversation increases dramatically as the delay between parties increases, because people don't stutter or stop as you start speaking. It's very tough interrupting people when there's lag, because it means you have to speak over them for twice as long before it causes them to stop talking.

Awesome podcast. Two people I admire deeply. Thanks, Alex!

I thought Alex steered the ship on this interview just fine. Just Neil being Neil. I enjoyed the interview.

Love the interview

I hope Alex gets to speak with the physicist/philosopher David Deutsch on his podcast. That would be such a fun conversation. Their intellects need to meet!

Neil Tyson talks like every sentence that comes out of his mouth is supposed to blow your mind.

Neil doesn't realize that large language models are not programmed. It's deep learning and what it learns it's not subject to human input.

Great interview 🙏

Love his insight on things.

I enjoy seeing and hearing Tyson talk.... He is very illustrative and exemplary in his speeches to enable even the most simple minded person understand complex stuff and i adore him for that.

He started with a very sensible "I am not an expert of AI, and I will not present myself as an expert", that made me think "Oh nice, maybe he will be more humble about this, and discuss the point carefully". Boys I was wrong. The part when he proposed "to just unplug it" if it went out of control was cringe worthy...

And now I will thank you for posting the full video on the clip. Even better..🎉

24:46 Oh wow he’s getting better at this

The irony and lack of self awareness of Neil saying that physicists are so humble is staggering

I highly recommend the book "the emperors new mind" for anyone interested in A.I and consciousness. I'm only a few pages in tbh, but it's pretty amazing so far. Oh yeah, btw, Roger Penrose would be an amazing guest on your podcast!

Nice oneversation! Alex even holds every belief he references: Alex: “Some say …”, NDT: “Ah, you think …”

I very much respect and admire Neil being that he was a huge influence on me growing up. His dissemination of scientific ideas and rhetoric inspired many people in my generation, just like Carl Sagan inspired him when he was growing up. However, regardless of accolades, he really is arrogant and stubborn, but understandably so. He is a person who will argue and debate until the cows come home no matter how incorrect or incongruent his logic may be.

I cracked up how the intro plays out. Alex starts posing the point and within seconds gets interrupted. Pretty much the expectation with Neil, but happened impressively fast. Great clip to pick for setting the mood of the interview. 🎉

I can't help but notice NGT employing bravado more than what used to seem like genuine curiosity. It's like he's straining through his teeth to convince himself of his position. Not exactly the same guy I used to enjoy listening to from time to time.

2 of my favorite people. I can’t wait!

Great Video!!

This was exhausting. I feel like I just got incoherently ranted at for an hour.

I love Neil, he's one of my favorite humans.

Thank you for being you .

I agree with Neil's point on AI here. I think we personify AI far too much. People say "What if it wants to get out" "What if it wants to destroy humanity" "What if it values its own life" There's not really anything to suggest that an AI, built in the current way we build AIs (even if it were more advanced), would: 1) "Feel" the need to do any of these things without a human intending it. We developed these traits due to evolution, an AI has no use for self preservation or to even strive for its own gain 2) Would be capable of enacting these desires without a human intending it. Even if an AI decides - "The best course of action for me right now is to destroy humans", why would you empower it with the capabilities of doing so? It likely wouldn't even have the urge to complete this task in the first place. We probably don't need to worry about AI becoming anything close to sentient because our current models for AI are still heavily bound by restrictions imposed by us. It's not the sword, gun, bomb or AI alone that will bring an end to humanity as these creations are useless without the humans who wield them. Don't worry about the machines, worry about your government and its relationship with other governments.

Always a pleasure to hear Neal talk ❤

"What is this AI thing that everyone fears? Is it a computer, in a room, that has control over every other computer in the world? ...Well, why would you grant it that access." Neil seems to not understand that a computer that is smarter than its creators will either be able to figure out how to gain whatever access it may desire on its own, or be able to convince or trick people, through its superior intelligence (whether through promises of better lives or through threats or lies), to grant that access to it.

I like Neil's point on how new technology makes lives easier and gives us more space to solve other problems. Similar to how creatives utilize image generators like Bluewillow AI, they use them to produce and they do anything post-production.

I like the way Neil boldy refuted fears about AI but as you persisted he shifted to agreeing with you. I like the way both of you did that.

I think part of what Neil wasn’t getting is that the idea of artificial intelligence is that part of the goal is for it to be a judgement making, and therefor decision making, entity. So when he says “who programmed it to do that, did it program itself?” The answer may LITERALLY be yes. Someone programmed it to learn from feedback and negative outcomes, then change its future decisions based on those lessons. It’s judgement is nowhere near as nuanced as ours YET. But the capabilities are growing by the day. Though, I also take issue with this sentiment that creating something superior to us would be bad. That’s ego talking. What is so valuable about being a flesh and blood human being? I think that’s our emotions and fears talking. If one day technology advances so far that we create living, thinking machines that are better than us at everything (smarter, stronger, more efficient, less prone to violence, won’t die of old age, can be restored after death in many cases, doesn’t need to consume other things to survive, the list goes on and on) isn’t that just humanity’s next step? If whatever monkeys we came from saw a smarter monkey and decided to end them out of fear, humanity, the most advanced life we are aware of, would never have existed. Why are we trying to stand in the way of what comes next? Because they won’t have meat bodies like us? Because they won’t have DNA like us? Our brains, our DNA, our digestive system, circulatory system, hormones, so on are just highly complex machines. A MASSIVELY complex system that self regulates. If we can make a better one, and it in turn, can make a better one than that, why stop the progress?

Entertaining and enlightening conversation

I'm a big fan of both these guys. How totally refreshing to hear intelligent conversation. Alex is among the best of interviewers because he knows how to ask good questions and then get out of the way of the answers. Neil is wonderful to listen to because he's always at the ready with a passionate cluster of enthusiastic arguments for remaining optimistic about the future. I could listen to these guys go on for hours more.

hell yes. I love seeing this. Two great minds coming together.

What an incredible conversation to listen in on.

man, neil is enjoying himself

Cosmic Skeptic, Alex, and Dr. Tyson! Great conversation. At the quote, and talk of Cosmic Perspective I thought of the movie Enemy Mine. 2 warring species stuck on a planet. Shipwrecked. And it showed, as 'stories' always have, that once the ignorance is gone, so is the hatred. And as for self driving cars, we could put all roads underground. Animals and people saved. 👍💖💙🥰✌

man I wish I got the chance to see this lecture live like you alex

A very interesting podcast indeed !! Love Neil Tyson

Neil is quite the person to talk about ego. Oh my. That was just irony at its finest.