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Expand Your Perspective

Join Max Sklar and guests in this podcast about AI, technology, and society. Email localmaxradio@gmail.com for questions and feedback.

Show notes page on the website: www.localmaxradio.com 

localmaximum.substack.com

The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Max Sklar starts off the Local Maximum podcast. He goes over the purpose of the podcast, and the push for 10 episodes. Aaron Bell interviews Max on Bayesian vs Frequentist Statistics. Mathematical reverends, German Enigma's, and Tampered Dice. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 0 - The great beginning, and how to Update Your Beliefs

In the rest of my discussion with Aaron, we discuss the how Bayes rule can apply to news items like the Hawaii ICBM Scare, the murder of DNC Staffer Seth Rich, Medical Diagnosis, Conspiracy Theories, theology, and politics. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 1 - Bayesian Inference Applied to the Hawaii ICBM Scare

In my first interview, I speak to Google engineer Maryam Aly who worked on Foursquare's Internationalization Stack for several years. This includes making sure that the foursquare city guide and swarm apps work all around the world. Sometimes, a simple translation isn't enough - we had to deal with the quirks of each language, and puns and cultural references that don't carry through. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 2 - Maryam Aly on Building a Global User Base: Translation, Localization, and I18n

I have a discussion with Stephanie Yang about how we used machine learning and sentiment analysis to build Foursquare's critically acclaimed venue rating system. Some anecdotes and what we learn along the way. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 3 - The Perfect 10, Foursquare's rating system

IN WAS NDE BESN OF NIZES IN WAS NDE WORSN OF NIZES IN WAS NDE ACE OF WISTOZ IN WAS NDE ACE OF FOOLISDGESS IN WAS NDE EPOUD OF BELIEF IN WAS NDE EPOUD OF IGURETMLINY IN WAS NDE SEASOG OF LICDN IN WAS NDE SEASOG OF TARQGESS IN WAS NDE SPRIGC OF DOPE IN WAS NDE WIGNER OF TESPAIR WE DAT EVERYNDIGC BEFORE MS WE DAT GONDIGC BEFORE MS WE WERE ALL COIGC TIREUN NO DEAVEG WE WERE ALL COIGC TIREUN NDE ONDER WAY (I'll explain!) 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 4 - Codebreaking, Bizarro Harry Potter, and the Proper way to Gerrymander

It seems like yesterday when we had to get used to Bitcoin, and now new currencies are cropping up all the time - including the crypto-juggernaut Ethereum. To help us keep up and understand what's going on, I have Ethereum developer Christian Lundkvist from ConsenSys on the show. We talk about why Ethereum is separate from Bitcoin, and what the world-changing applications of these cryptocurrencies might be in the next few years. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 5 - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and What's a Smart Contract Anyway?

The big news right now is around an analytics company that used a dataset from Facebook - gotten by the company under false pretenses - to help the Trump campaign in 2016. Everyone is SHOCKED - but this kind of data mining was glorified and extolled as a social good when it was used for Obama in 2012. The comparison of the coverage is stark.

How are we going to get out of this? What exactly is the problem? I think that the vast centralization of data services has led to all sorts of problems, and the answer is well articulated in VC Chris Dixon's article from last month about the coming decentralized services. I summarize his article which adds to my optimism about the future. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 6 - Facebook Data and the Election, Decentralization to the Rescue

Today I talk to famed Foursquare Founder Dennis Crowley. His approach to being a tech entrepreneur has inspired us all! Just listen.

We talk about his approach to trying out new ideas, and also the current landscape for consumer technology and where we may be headed. Finally, we talk about Foursquare's recent foray into bots and beyond. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 7 - Dennis Crowley on Inspiration, Innovation, and Future Tech

Today I post-game my discussion with Dennis Crowley. I share his goal of wanting people to execute on their ideas, but what are the common blockers? I talk to Aaron about how it broke his code, and the AI couldn't do it on it's own but only with my help - all because my brain was influenced by the power of suggestion. Plus - answer to a listener question about Marsbot! 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 8 - Bad Ideas, the Power of Suggestion, and Marsbot

Today I answer the question of how I would handle moderation for Facebook and Twitter - and I break down the problems that they're facing and why. Don't hold your breath expecting them to try out my proposal!

I also discuss Lindy's Law, which is a helpful rule of thumb in technological and social forecasting. As popularized by @nntaleb, it's another tool in your toolkit for understanding the world. 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 9 - Fixing Facebook and Lindy's Law

Tech 2025's Charlie Oliver stops by the Foursquare office to discuss her approach to engaging and energizing the public with topics on emerging technology. We discuss:
- The evolving attitudes of some of the industry leaders and technical experts, and the disconnect between themselves and the people affects by their creations.
- How to engage the public on topics like Machine Learning, AI, and Blockchain without going the route of the "technical boring lecture"
- How passions and emotions can be stirred up by product creation; and can take the creators completely by surprise.

This is a packed episode. Check out tech2025.com, and enjoy! 

Get full access to The Local Maximum at localmaximum.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 40 - Charlie Oliver on Tech 2025, Open and Thought Provoking Conversations about our Near Future

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