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deepfake AIs explained, small steps are exponential, passing down generational wealth, untold secrets of processed foods & going carnivore
Deepfake AIs explained
In the world of technology, there's this thing called Deepfake AI. It's a type of computer smarts that can make fake pictures, sounds, and videos that look real. The name comes from mixing "deep learning" and "fake."
These Deepfakes often take real stuff, like a video of someone, and change it so that it looks like someone else is doing or saying things they never really did. This can be a big problem because people might believe the fake stuff, thinking it's from someone they trust.
One example happened in 2022 when a fake video of the president of Ukraine telling his soldiers to give up was released. This made people worried about how these fakes could mess with important stuff like elections.
But, not all Deepfakes are bad. Some are used for fun, like in video games or entertainment. They can even be used for helpful things like customer service.
So, how do these Deepfakes work? Well, there are two main parts: the generator and the discriminator. The generator makes the fake content, and the discriminator checks if it looks real. They keep going back and forth, getting better at their jobs.
Deepfake videos can be made in different ways. They might use a real video of someone, making them say things they never said. Or, they could switch one person's face with another's, like a face swap.
Making these Deepfakes involves cool-sounding tech like GANs, CNNs, and autoencoders. They're like the wizards behind the scenes, using patterns and learning to create the fakes.
Now, why do people make Deepfakes? Well, there are good reasons, like in art or entertainment. But there are also bad reasons, like trying to trick or harm someone. They can even be used to spread lies, mess with stocks, or fake evidence in legal cases.
The tricky part is figuring out if something is a Deepfake. Sometimes, the fakes have clues, like weird facial movements or unnatural colors. In text, you might see misspelled words or sentences that sound strange.
To fight against these fakes, companies are using technology to spot them. They're developing tools that can check if a video or picture is real or fake. Some even use blockchain to make sure the source is trustworthy.
But here's the twist: Deepfakes aren't always against the law. They're only illegal if they break other laws, like showing illegal stuff or hurting someone's reputation. Only a few places have specific rules about them.
So, while Deepfakes can be pretty cool for fun stuff, they also bring some not-so-cool problems. It's like a high-tech game where we need to stay alert to tell what's real and what's just a digital puppet show.
Should families avoid passing along generational wealth?
In the given excerpt, the discussion centers around the philanthropic perspectives and financial planning of very ultra-high net worth individuals. Tim Ferriss prompts Morgan Housel with observations on the reluctance of some wealthy individuals to contribute significantly to philanthropy, often citing concerns about compounding more wealth into Rockefeller fortunes, with the implicit intention of passing it on to their children.
Housel, in response to hypothetical scenarios, shares his personal approach if he had a billion dollars, stating that he has two children. He outlines his plans, emphasizing a focus on providing the best education, healthcare, family vacations, and possibly funding a house for his kids if he were a billionaire. Interestingly, Housel mentions the book "Die with Zero," advocating for giving money to children when they need it in their thirties and forties rather than waiting until old age.
Morgan Housel intends to provide a small amount of money to his children during their thirties and forties when they may need it the most, rather than leaving a substantial death inheritance. The conversation explores the considerations and strategies of handling wealth, philanthropy, and financial planning in the context of high net worth individuals.
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show - Morgan Housel
Small steps are exponential
Once you've taken that first step, you've looked the beast in the face, and you'll start progressing not linearly, but exponentially in speed. So what's cool is that it doesn't really matter how small that first step is because it'll start doubling. Anything that doubles grows unbelievably quickly, and that's a very useful thing to know too.
This principle holds true when you're learning anything new. You'll feel like an imposter, and you'll think, "I'll never get there." The destination might look very distant, but if you take a sufficiently small first step and get the ball rolling, you can be cruising along at a pretty good rate—generally faster than you'll think.
In one's psychology, there is the building evidence of your own capabilities and capacity. When you expose people to small but challenging tasks, it does two things. First, it makes them more skilled as they deal with the problem, acquiring new perceptions and behaviors that are mastery. They expand their domain of conceptual structures and actions. Secondly, they see themselves as the actors that can change the direction of their life.
Jordan Peterson shares insights from exposure therapy, particularly with people who have agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is a condition where people become so terrified of life that they can't go outside their house. Exposure therapy involves confronting their fears gradually, like starting with looking at pictures of elevators.
For example, if someone is afraid of elevators, you begin by having them look at pictures from a distance. You find a threshold where their confidence matches the size of the apparent "dragon" they're facing. It's about dancing on the edge, moving forward step by step. By doing this, you're building evidence of their capabilities and capacity.
This approach applies to any problem, no matter how daunting. Break it down, break it down, break it down—take a small dose. It's a process similar to encouraging a young child on the edge, step by step. As a clinician, Jordan Peterson found gratification in putting someone on the edge and encouraging them. It's about breaking problems into manageable steps and letting individuals confront their challenges at a pace that builds their confidence.
Source: Diary of a CEO Steve Barlett & Jordan Peterson
Untold secrets of processed foods & going carnivore
Dr. Shawn Baker on the Joe Rogan podcast emphasized that processed foods, which are often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives, are linked to various health issues. These issues include obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic conditions.
Financial ties in unhealthy foods
He also suggests that there are financial incentives for large corporations to produce and market processed foods. Corporations may benefit from creating products that are addictive and contribute to health problems, as this cycle generates profits for both the processed food and pharmaceutical industries.
Correlation Between Processed Foods and Pharmaceuticals: The conversation explores the idea that certain investment groups, such as BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, own significant shares in both processed food companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers. This dual ownership implies a potential financial interest in a cycle where processed foods contribute to health issues, leading to increased pharmaceutical sales.
Profit from Disease: The notion is raised that there could be a financial incentive for corporations to profit from the illnesses caused by unhealthy diets. This profit-driven approach is criticized for potentially prioritizing financial gains over the well-being of the population.
Cut the B.S
Importance of Eliminating Processed Foods: There is a shared belief that cutting out processed foods from the diet is crucial for improving health. The conversation suggests that the negative health impacts of processed foods go beyond individual choices and may involve larger systemic issues related to the food industry and corporate interests.
Role in Dietary Improvement: Regardless of the specific diet one follows, the conversation emphasizes that removing processed foods can lead to health benefits. This aligns with a more general consensus in nutritional science that reducing the consumption of highly processed and ultra-processed foods is a positive step for overall health.
Dr. Shawn Baker on going carnivore
Numerous anecdotal stories were highlighted, where individuals experienced relief from various health conditions. These conditions included chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and skin issues such as eczema. Individuals reported that traditional medications were ineffective, but upon adopting a carnivore diet, their health problems diminished or disappeared.
Dr. Baker emphasizes that the positive impact of the carnivore diet is not limited to a specific region. People from different parts of the world, including Germany, Greece, China, Japan, and Africa, have reported improvements in health conditions after adopting the carnivore diet.
Dr. Baker refers to a study conducted at Harvard University by David Ludwig. The study involved 2,000 people on a carnivore diet and reported significant improvements in approximately 95% of participants across various health parameters. Notably, diabetic participants showed a high percentage (92%) discontinuing insulin, suggesting potential benefits for managing type 2 diabetes.
The carnivore diet is presented as a potentially effective therapeutic tool. Dr. Baker acknowledges that while the anecdotal evidence is not the most rigorous scientific proof, the sheer number of positive stories and improvements observed cannot be ignored.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT HEALTH ADVICE, SIMPLY SOMETHING I SAW ON A PODCAST.
Source: The Joe Rogan Podcast Episode #2069 Dr. Shawn Baker