Re: Martin
Going to see Martin tomorrow. Will encourage him to think bold.
Too easy for people to get soft. Life is short. Spend it doing extraordinary things.
Too much rehash of agape old pub discussiins
I know- game theory in general has been stuck since 1985.
evolutionary advantage to be self aware. and what does that mean? a new notation for biology, . we use mathematics to describe a process. that like music , does not lend itself to mathematics. it seems.
distributions of traits. the focus on the fitness of individuals seems limited, social animals are groups . . time scales of life. . do we only see things as living that fit into a narrow band of time. ie is the forest alive.?
can you think of a tough problem that he should try to solve?
good.
Texting back and forth with Deepak earlier today. He and I are both interested in exploring paths to higher awareness. At IAS, I am working with Piet Hut on expanded awareness - we spend 2 hours each week walking in the woods there, reflecting on how humans can stand on the shoulders of groups of giants (or use machines and new concepts) to "see further" or probe more deeply. It you are interested too, perhaps we host something with a bunch of people on this subject? How about a day or two at your island?? or at Harvard/MIT? or Princeton IAS? Perhaps January or early spring?
monday
Ok, I will do a quick sketch of what a meeting could look like, what the questions are, who is engaged, etc.
has jarecki given you any money/ ?
when are you back in NYC?
On another matter- not sure if it will work, but are your free either before of after lunch on Wednesday to see Watson? I will see Watson for lunch that day, with Jarecki (they are friends). I'm organizing, but a private meeting with Watson is probably better for us...
no $ from Jarecki, but he will sponsor things for those individuals who are willing to be outspoken on unpopular issues, and this could be useful.
re: $$$, I am putting together some philanthropy funds, at $100MM each- I will charge a management fee there; it makes financial sense to do so. My hope is that the funds will provide a bridge to those who want to place large amounts ($500MM+) without having to fund a private foundation and all of the dead wood and decision-by-committee that it always creates. For the USA, I plan to use DAFs, which allow for tax advantage and don't tie hands. Philanthropy needs a new path, and this is a way to do it.