In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Autumn and Gabriel dive deep into the complex relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness. They explore historical perspectives, engage in philosophical debates, and examine the ethical implications of creating conscious machines. Topics include the evolution of AI, challenges in defining and testing consciousness, and the potential rights of AI beings. The episode also touches on the Turing Test, strong AI vs. weak AI, and concepts like personhood and integrated information theory. Join us as we reflect on the nature of consciousness, AI ethics, and the responsibilities tied to advanced AI technology.

Keywords: AI, consciousness, Turing test, strong AI, weak AI, ethics, philosophy, personhood, integrated information theory, neural networks

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In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Autumn and Gabriel take a deep dive into the paper “Towards Equilibrium Molecular Conformation Generation with GFlowNets” by Volokova et al., published in the Digital Discovery Journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry. They explore the cutting-edge intersection of molecular conformations and machine learning, comparing traditional methods like molecular dynamics and cheminformatics with the innovative approach of Generative Flow Networks (GFlowNets) for molecular conformation generation.

The episode covers empirical results that showcase the effectiveness of GFlowNets in computational chemistry, their scalability, and the role of energy estimators in advancing fields like drug discovery. Tune in to learn how machine learning is transforming the way we understand molecular structures and driving breakthroughs in chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Keywords: molecular conformations, machine learning, GFlowNets, computational chemistry, drug discovery, molecular dynamics, cheminformatics, energy estimators, empirical results, scalability, math, mathematics, physics, AI

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You can find the paper “Towards equilibrium molecular conformation generation with GFlowNets” by Volokova et al in Digital Discovery Journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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In this episode of Breaking Math, host Autumn sits down with authors Christophe Gole and Nancy Pick to explore the fascinating world of mathematical patterns in plants, inspired by their new book Do Plants Know Math?. Dive into the intersection of mathematics and biology, as they discuss the historical context of plant mathematics and how concepts like the Fibonacci sequence, the golden ratio, and spiral formations reveal nature's inherent mathematical beauty. The conversation uncovers the optimization of plant structures, the significance of women in mathematics, and includes insightful recommendations for further reading.

Tune in to learn how math in nature plays a pivotal role in shaping the world around us, from phyllotaxis to fractals, and the broader implications for AI, physics, and topology.

Keywords: mathematics, biology, plant math, Fibonacci, phylotaxis, spirals, golden ratio, fractals, nature, science, women in math,topology, ai, physics, math, plants, gardening

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You can connect with Christophe Gole and Nancy Pick on LinkedIn, and find their Book “Do Plants Know Math?” on Amazon.

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In this episode of Breaking Math, host Autumn speaks with Dr. Paula Rowinska, delving into her fascinating journey from earning a PhD in mathematics to writing about math and cartography. Together, they explore the intersection of these two fields, debunking common misconceptions about map-making and discussing the historical development of map projections. Key mathematical concepts such as the coastline paradox, gerrymandering, and the traveling salesman problem are examined, highlighting their real-world implications in areas like crime analysis and geopolitics.

The conversation also celebrates the contributions of underrepresented women in mathematics and underscores the importance of math in everyday life. Tune in to discover how mathematics shapes our understanding of the world through cartography, topology, and even AI.

Keywords: mathematics, cartography, map projections, coastline paradox, gerrymandering, women in math, traveling salesman problem, crime analysis, topology, metric map, ai, physics, math

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Follow Dr. Paula Rowinska at paulinarowinska.com and @PaulaRowinska on Twitter. You can also find her book Mapmatics on Amazon.

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In this conversation, Gabriel and Autumn interview Jeff Perry, a career coach and author of the book 'The Intentional Engineer'. They discuss the importance of being intentional in one's career, understanding one's passions and skills, and building a strong professional network. Jeff shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming an engineer coach and offers advice on how to navigate career transitions. They also explore the concept of 'genius zones' and how to identify and leverage one's unique strengths and talents. In this conversation, Jeff discusses the concept of the zone of incompetence, competence, excellence, and genius. They share personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate these zones and emphasize the importance of self-awareness and collaboration. They also touch on the role of mindset in driving behavior and results, particularly in the context of engineering and tech careers. Jeff offers coaching and resources for individuals looking to make intentional career shifts or upgrades.

Keywords: career, intentionality, engineering, skills, passions, network, genius zones, strengths, talents, zone of incompetence, zone of competence, zone of excellence, zone of genius, self-awareness, collaboration, mindset, engineering, tech careers, intentional career shifts

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Follow Jeff Perry on LinkedIn or learn more at jeff-perry.com. You can also find his book The Intentional Engineer, on Amazon.

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In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts dive into the intersection of math and language with guest Ben Orlin, author of Math for English Majors and Math with Bad Drawings. They explore the distinct skill sets required for math and creativity, how math education is organized, and ways to make math more accessible to diverse audiences. Ben emphasizes the importance of quantification and how mathematical thinking empowers individuals across various fields, including literature and the arts.

The conversation also highlights the role of women in math history, discussing the impact of Einstein’s wife on his work. Ben shares his writing process, the challenges of making math accessible, and how math can deepen one’s appreciation for literature by offering new ways to understand the world. Tune in to discover how math and creativity intersect and how both fields can enrich one another.

Keywords: math, language, skill sets, math education, accessibility, quantification, power of math, women in math, Einstein's wife, math, literature, book, writing, perspective, abstraction, relationships

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Follow Ben Orlin on Twitter, and on his websites mathwithbaddrawings.com and mathgameswithbaddrawings.com and find his book “Math for English Majors” on Amazon

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In this episode Autumn and Dr. Jonathan Schwabish discuss the importance of strategic thinking in data visualization and the key elements of good data. He emphasizes the need to understand the data and how it was collected, as well as the importance of starting bar charts at zero. He also highlights common mistakes in data visualization, such as distorting or lying with visuals, and the potential impact of data visualization on policy decisions. Looking to the future, he discusses the role of AI in data visualization, the integration of AI into visualization tools, and the potential of augmented reality and virtual reality in data visualization. Jon Schwabish discusses the different data visualization tools he uses, including Excel, R, Tableau, Datawrapper, and Flourish. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool for the specific use case and audience. He also highlights the need for policymakers and individuals to be trained in interpreting and using data visualizations effectively. Schwabish discusses the ethical considerations in data visualization, such as using inclusive language and considering accessibility.

Keywords: data visualization, strategic thinking, good data, common mistakes, impact on policy decisions, AI, augmented reality, virtual reality, data visualization tools, Excel, R, Tableau, Datawrapper, Flourish, policymakers, data interpretation, ethical considerations, inclusive language, accessibility

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Follow Jon Schwabish on Twitter and on YouTube. Also go give PolicyViz Podcast a follow

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In this episode, Gabriel and Autumn interview mathematician, comedian, and author Matt Parker about his latest book, "Love Triangle." They discuss the unique page numbering system in the book, which is based on the sine function, and how it adds an extra layer of discovery for readers. They also explore the use of triangles and quads in 3D modeling, the concept of Perlin noise, and the perception of randomness. The conversation touches on the intersection of mathematics and creativity, as well as the practical applications of mathematical concepts in various fields. The conversation explores various topics related to mathematics, including the analysis of the Mona Lisa, the use of math in playing pool, the discovery of new shapes, and the application of math in various fields. The speakers discuss the motivation behind exploring these topics and the interplay between math and art. They also provide advice for science and math content creators on YouTube.

Keywords: mathematics, book, Love Triangle, page numbering, sine function, triangles, quads, 3D modeling, Perlin noise, randomness, creativity, practical applications, mathematics, Mona Lisa, parallax, pool, shapes, Fourier analysis, YouTube, physics, AI, machine learning

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Follow Matt Parker on Twitter and on YouTube at @StandUpMaths and find his book "Love Triangle" on Amazon

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