Conversation Starter Readings:
Suggested readings for this week are these summaries. These readings are optional, but if you do them, think about what you find interesting, surprising, useful, questionable, vexing, or exciting.  

1) Collapse of civilization (summaries of The collapse of complex civilizations)

Philosophical Disquisitions: The Collapse of Complex Societies: A Primer on Tainter's Theory

https://philosophicaldisquisitions.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-collapse-of-complex-societies_1.html

SSC Book review of the same book.

Your Book Review: The Collapse Of Complex Societies

https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/your-book-review-the-collapse-of

The Vulnerable world hypothesis by Nick Bostrom

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N__ClbxiRg2UCztuUJ1vEhNrR6kffGbl/view?usp=sharing

2) The nature of consciousness

Consciousness and the brain book reviews.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/x4n4jcoDP7xh5LWLq/book-summary-consciousness-and-the-brain#:~:text=Consciousness%20involves%20a%20neural%20signal,that%20this%20theory%20would%20predict [LW · GW].


https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/your-book-review-consciousness-and

 

Audio Version

https://sscpodcast.libsyn.com/your-book-review-consciousness-and-the-brain

ACXLW Meetup in the park this Saturday Sept 17 2022

Hello folks! 

I am glad to announce the Fifth of a continuing series of Orange County ACX/LW meetups. Meeting this Saturday and most Saturdays. The first few meetings were great (approximately 8 to 10 people), and I hope to see many of you at this one. Snacks will be available.

Saturday, 9/10/22, 2 pm

1900 Port Carlow Place, Newport Beach, 92660

The Picnic tables outside the community clubhouse

33.6173166789459, -117.85885652037152

https://goo.gl/maps/WmzxQhBM2vdpJvz39

Plus code 8554J48R+WFJ

Contact me, Michael, at michaelmichalchik+acxlw@gmail.com with questions or requests.

Activities (all activities are optional)

A) Two conversation starter topics this week will be. (readings at the end)

1) Collapse of Societies

2) The nature of consciousness

B) We will also have the card game Predictably Irrational. Feel free to bring your own favorite games or distractions. This is a pet-friendly park and meeting.

C) There will be opportunities to go for a walk and talk about an hour after the meeting starts and use some gas barbeques if anyone wants to grill something. There are two easy-access mini-malls nearby with takeout hot food available. Search for Gelson's or Pavilions in the zipcode 92660. I will provide some snacks and water.

D) Share a surprise! Tell the group about something that happened that was unexpected or changed the way you look at the universe.

E) Make a prediction and give a probability and end condition.

F) Contribute ideas to the future direction of the group. Topics, types of meetings, activities, etc.