This week, I look at the key takeaways from day 3 of a recent A.I. Summit, and give some practical steps and hack to take to start to not only get to grips with the new generation of A.I. apps but begin to apply them. Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/301b5e66-3040-4c67-824e-7b8939742083

Continuing on from last week, we move away from the foundational concepts for practical use of modern A.I. and into real-life uses for business owners, entrepreneurs and organisations looking to implement A.I. This episode considers the approach, the specific apps and how you can get the A.I. to actually help you ask the A.I. better questions! There will be some sample prompts and real-life answers (for my business and radio station) AND you can join in the discussion, at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/d34be94b-1fbb-4cc1-ab89-3d8d7df4...

At a recent A.I. conference, a stark warning was issued: A.I. won't replace you, but someone who uses A.I. more effectively than you might. Over the next 3 episodes I'm going to explore some of the key concepts and strategies and give practical usage tips on how you can use A.I. to make your business and personal life easier, more productive and create real value.  Join in the discussion and explore some of the activities mentioned in this episode at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/3ff3e886-a865-4576-84f4-3036c3b4b236

In 1905 and in 1915, Einstein revolutionised scientific understanding of the forces that govern the universe and this episode seeks to unpick both Special & General Relativity, explaining the what, why and how, and examines the massive contributions they made not just to the scientific communities, but also to you in your day to day life. Join in the fun at  https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/bfc8a50d-0927-48b6-973b-5f38c53cd05f and ask questions, give your own examples of how relativity is used in modern life or ways that relativity can be explained!  

From my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', comes a new Principle, and the story of how the chapter and Principle came into being IS the best example of how the Principle works! The book is out on December 1st but you can have a sneak peek at this idea and strategy now. 

Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/7d18ec01-70dc-48c7-ba05-72d9fe805884  and share your examples of AHA moments and successes from failures.

This episode discusses my 'big idea', namely how we should set up a self-sustaining 'Utopia Village' (c) of businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, learning centres, community groups, social enterprises and local service providers, why they can help with impoverished areas and towns, and how they can be used to raise the aspirations of communities who are feeling left behind. 

There will be an accompanying white paper in the connected Forum post at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/5f449ede-62b4-4cc7-95e6-c2df744b5e30

* Note, the word true is used advisedly due to the deep rabbit hole you could go down discussing the Human Fly!

From my new book, 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', comes this discussion on Principle 12: The Round Table Principle! In it we look at what the Principle entails, how and why it both a cultural and technological process, and what benefits it can bring to any organisation, large or small. 

Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/cf66f126-76d9-436a-a916-1818b73f85b5 

Based on a chapter in my new book You 2.0: Build Yourself Better (out November 1st), this episode discusses why it is important to never blindly follow the opinions of experts, and instead you should also conduct your own research so you at least know the basics about the area you need to make a decision in. 

You can also join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/6c4559b1-24a7-454f-9d8b-70a5d9e60115

Please note there is an occasional pop in the first couple of minutes of t...

Concluding our two part look at how technology is changing the face of education, we look at the increasing role of science and technology to help level up learning opportunities around the world.

Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/06d4d518-3791-45cc-b567-19031c6b6615

With rapid advances in A.I., Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality solutions, Western world countries are poised to reap the benefits of bringing the future into classrooms. We look at some of the major schemes, policies, advantages and disadvantages of rolling out these technology into the classroom, but also look at the limiting effects of a narrow curriculum focus on students once they leave the educational years.

There will be a follow up to this episode soon looking at the roll out of technology in other regions of the world, but for now, you can join in the...

They were 'the NEW House of Ideas' who burst on the scene in 1975 with a full range of colour comics, black & white magazines and supporting merchandise. They challenged the status quo, changed the rules and... imploded within a year. Join guest Chris Dingsdale and I as we reminisce and discuss the launch, the titles, the fun, the chaos, the reasons for failure and the legacy of the company that is about to relaunch with a new range of titles, movies and merchandise! 

Join in the discussion and see some of the covers at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2...

Time to nerd out with a look at three ground-breaking consoles/home entertainment systems that failed to engage despite being backed by major companies. What were they? Why did they fail? What is their legacy? Find out as we discuss the fate of the 3Do, the CDTV and the CD-i whilst also sharing personal experiences of the platforms. Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/838bf239-a676-4269-94fb-34835fa30ac9 and tell us your experiences with them and your views on why they didn't succeed.

PS The Atlas Comics at 50 will...

In our concluding look at the impact of social media, we examine how it has changed societal and behavioural norms, and wonders what can we do to bring social media technology back to what it was originally intended to do without stifling debate and activism (a question which will need further consideration at a later date). 

In the meantime, join in the discussion about social media with your own suggestions of how we boost the positive benefits of social media whilst negating the serious downsides social media platforms have propagated in the last decade. You can do this a...

In this episode we look at the impact of social media on mental health and give some little hacks to help protect yourself or people you know, from the constant attentions that social media platforms seem to demand of their users.

Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/8bec9001-a30d-414e-8e97-dde4896e0eeb

This week we take a look at social media and the impact it has had on communication, privacy and safety. Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/ebd6967d-6b69-4756-935c-1c7a7842e6b2

Please forgive the scratchy voice, I was under the weather when I recorded it.

We've discussed consciousness as part of our Philosophy 101 episodes, but we've specifically referred to 'the hard question of consciousness' in our recent episodes on panpsychism and Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, so this delves into what the question is, why consciousness is proving so hard to define as a process, and what are the important thought experiments that can help us at least define the question. Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/42369516-ab07-4f08-8f81-cf6c1a081ed1

After a few heavy subjects, it's now time for a total nerdfest episode as I journey through adventures with Atari computers, look at how the company began, give my assessments as to why Atari failed, and explain why I still have and use my STe, Mega STe, TT and Falcon computers to this day! And all without rubbishing the Amiga! You probably won't have a clue as to why that last bit is important (well, not unless you give this episode a listen), so let's just say I did warn both Atari and Commodore, and their fans, that things needed...

Reality is not certain. Actions and events have consequences that may create a universe for every possible outcome. And you exist in many of these realities all at once. This is the conclusion that Hugh Everett III made in the mid 1950s and faced so much scorn and resistance that he left the field. Today, the idea of MWI is taken as plainly self-evident. Why? What is MWI really and how does it challenge our notions of reality and identity? This is what we discuss in this mind-blowing episode of ThinkWORKS!

Come and join the discussion at https...

We all think we understand what time is, but both Relativity and Quantum Mechanics suggest that our understanding of Time may need to be more flexible! This episode considers the nature of time, asks is it possible to travel through it and if so how, and looks at how theories from Einstein and Hawking challenge what we perceive is reality.

Come and join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/72d95e7d-709b-4547-9418-4026c7010735

Warning: this episode can seriously mess with your mind! In the 1999 movie 'The Mummy' Imhotep says 'Death is only the beginning!' and a new paper in Psychology Today seems to agree with him! Death, it seems, may just be a transition from one conscious reality to another and so this episode discusses the reasoning behind this bold claim and explains some of the principles behind it.

Join the the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/23d90a64-2b52-4af1-9047-21246e25b025

From my forthcoming book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', I discuss the Gaia Principle, the idea that we are part of a virtual eco-system, and whether in work, professional, personal or community life, we should try to break free of silo-thinking to deliver greater benefits whilst minimising the negative effects of change.

Join the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/afab3e08-9a94-4b8f-b23d-6b7525c471c5

Panpsychism is a philosophical theory that suggests that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. According to this view, all matter, regardless of its complexity, possesses some form of consciousness or experiential quality. This means that even the smallest particles, like atoms or subatomic particles, have a form of consciousness.  This idea challenges the traditional dualistic view that separates mind and matter, proposing instead that mind is a fundamental aspect of reality and is a fascinating concept that has gained attention in recent years as a potential way to bridge the gap between the physical and mental a...

This episode we talk about some of the developments and concepts being put forward that could improve transportation, reduce congestion and the environmental impact of transportation, but also considers the potential negative impacts of these developments. And stay tuned for an anecdotal discussion of a possible futuristic technology that might be here sooner than you think...

Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/8484f4f5-d40f-49a4-b0e8-99728359931c

In another of our 'Unexplained Mysteries' series, we take a look at the field of cryptozoology, and consider the existence or not of such creatures as Bigfoot, the Yeti, the Chupacabra and the Loch Ness Monster as we discuss why humans are still fascinated with the whole idea of monsters out there in the wild. 

Join in the discussion at  https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/be9f1988-4e28-4166-9fb1-46a351acd3b9 and tell us your favourite unknown creatures and theories!

The Unexpected Guest is the 13th Principle in my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better' and is all about how you must ask on a regular basis a simple but powerful question: What event, no matter how unlikely, should it occur destroy my professional or private life (or product or service or business or community and so on) literally overnight? Think Nokia and Apple, Tran-Pennsylvania Rail and the Ford Truck, the Vinyl Industry and the CD. These weren't incremental or even huge improvements in their respective industries, but a brand new way of doing things that literally changed the rules...

This week we discuss one of the Principles from my new book, 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', namely Principle 5: The Kill All Monsters Principle! In other words, don't wait for the monstrous looking egg to turn into a Godzilla-size monstrosity that stamps all over your life or business! Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/9c3e7b1b-ee25-4c21-997f-f796c81878a7

Few areas of the planet create a feeling of dread and hold a fascination of the mysterious, as much as an area of sea known as 'The Bermuda Triangle', a place where ships and planes noted for generations strange occurrences, fires in the sky and  disappearances that left no wreckage or survivors. This episode, part of our series within a series, looks at the Unexplained Mystery surrounding this seemingly deadly area of sea. talks about some of the more famous disappearances, discusses the various theories out forward, and attempts to try and make sense of it all.

Come o...

As we conclude our look at Indian & Eastern philosophy, we discuss discourses and thought experiments around consciousness & awareness, and bring the whole field to the modern world and how these ideas apply to AI and the growing search to create Artificial Consciousness.

Comment at Discussion - 2: ThinkWorks & VoiceWorks | darreninform with you own thoughts on this subject!

Many people think that Einstein was just a simple scientist who went about formulating the laws that govern the Universe, but he was so much more than that. Apart from being the man who had the greatest single impact on the advancement of our understanding of the laws that govern the physical universe, Einstein was also a philosopher king! From my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', we look at how some of his sayings can be powerfully applied to your life. 

Join in the discussion at Comment Here For ThinkWORKS 59 The Einstein Principle! | darreninform

We continue our mini-series on Eastern & Indian philosophies and consider the nature of reality in Hindu, Buddhist & Taoist teachings, and how they are both similar to and differ from Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 58 Indian & Eastern Philosophy 101 Part 5 The Nature of Reality | darreninform

Few mysteries have captured the American psyche more than that of the mysterious disappearance of a whole colony of English settlers in 1590, leaving behind only one word, Croatoan, which was carved into a log within the deserted colony. It was only natural therefore, that your hosts, Darren Smithson & Steve Lowe, discuss the story behind the colony, possible causes of its disappearance, and the way that the very words Roanoke and Croatoan have become synonymous with mysterious and sinister events.

Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 57 Presents Unexplained Mysteries 2 The Colony That Vanished | darreninform

Continuing our series on Eastern & Indian philosophies, this edition of ThinkWORKS examines the Hindu & Buddhist discourses on the nature of identity and continuity, which offer both complimentary AND competing visions on the nature of self in a reality that is either permanently fixed OR constantly changing. Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 56 Indian & Eastern Philosophy Part 4 Identity & Continuity | darreninform 

The Buddhist beliefs about the 4 Noble Truths and the 8-fold Noble Path form the foundation of a deeply profound philosophical doctrine with parallels and connections to other Asian philosophies. This episode explains what the Noble Truths are and how they can be achieved by following the 8-fold Noble Path. Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 55 Eastern & Indian Philosophy Part 3 The 4 Noble Truths and The 8-fold Noble Path! | darreninform and apply some of the thinking to your own life.

Continuing our introduction on the principle themes of Indian and Eastern philosophy, this episodes discusses some more of the considerations we need to have before we delve properly into their key philosophical discourses on the nature of reality, truth and enlightenment.

Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 54 Eastern & Indian Philosophy An Introduction Part 2 | darreninform

At last, we pick up the threads of our Philosophy 101 by looking at the traditions put forward in Indian and Eastern philosophy. Part 1 discusses the main tracts of their philosophies and compares and contrasts them with the themes put forward in modern Western philosophies, all by way of introducing this new series of episodes.

Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 53 Eastern Philosophy 101 Part 1. | darreninform   and let us know which philosophical tracts from the East you would like us to discuss. 

His gruesome murders have gripped the psyche of humanity for generations, with detectives both professional and amateur spending tens of years trying to discover just who was Jack The Ripper. Join ThinkWORKS host Darren Smithson and regular contributor Steve Lowe as they present the first in a 'series within a series', as ThinkWORKS becomes 'Unexplained Mysteries' to discuss the horror of this infamous murderous rampage, present some of the key suspects, and look at the tragic lives of the victims.

Give us your opinions on the identity of The Ripper, suggest his possible motives and also put forward...

If we accept that science and technology will continue to develop new frontiers across all aspects of our life and work, what ethical frameworks should we insist are developed to protect and serve the wider humanity? This episode picks up from episode 50s discussion of the near future. Add you own view to Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 51 The 50 Year Horizon: An Epilogue! | darreninform

Looking to the edge of what is predictable before accuracy starts to fall away, this episode discusses the idea of 'the 50 year horizon', the impact of Arthur C Clarke, the visionary who really give this concept traction, and attempts to make some predictions about scientific and technological advances over the coming 50 years.

Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 50: The 50 Year Horizon! | darreninform

A plan without the strategies needed to achieve the goal of the plan, is a document without a purpose! This episode discusses one of the ideas in my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', and explains how best to employ necessary strategies for managing you work, personal life or projects. 

Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 49 Strategy Wins Every Time! | darreninform