Cognitive Engineering

Do you prefer Rembrandt or Rothko? The Vatican or The Shard? A Georgian terrace or a 1960s housing estate? Ever wondered why we stopped building beautiful old buildings and how architectural modernism came to dominate our skylines? This week we discuss the theory of the Tartarian civilization. It claims that our most ornate buildings are the work of a lost civilization called the Tartarian Empire and attempts to explain the rise of architectural modernism. We set out the theories for and against modernism, deconstruct survivorship bias and new urbanism and discuss a famously anti-modernist town designed by Prince Charles. Nick presents a taxonomy of theories that may explain divergent tastes in architecture and we share our own architectural predilections. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Whither Tartaria? https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/whither-tartaria - Poundbury https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poundbury - Celebration, Florida https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida - Rich

With Remembrance Day occurring next week, it seems only fitting to re-release a podcast we recorded in 2018. In this podcast, we discuss Remembrance Day, what it means, why we commemorate, and how its purpose has changed over the decades. Remembrance Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website alephinsights.com or to get in touch about our podcast email podcast@alephinsights.com

You don’t see any job listings for archers, spinners or falconers on LinkedIn these days, yet these trades were once thriving professions performed by ordinary people. Many of these jobs only survive through historical reenactment at fairs and festivals, which invites the question: in hundreds of years from now, which jobs of today will be regarded as cultural heritage for future reenactors? This week, we discuss heritage jobs of the future. In typical fashion, we delve into the data and lay down hypotheses for why some jobs may be more appealing to reenact than others. We present a framework for how likely a job is to be reenacted in the future, debate which jobs of today are ripe for reenactment and ask what constitutes a classic heritage job in the first place. Finally, we reveal the jobs we would most like to reenact ourselves. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Heritage Open Days in England https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ - Kentwell Hall https://www.kentwell.co.uk/ For more informa

Feed the cat, take the bins out, listen to this podcast. From the timeless paper and pen to the more recent digital calendar or kanban board, to-do lists - whatever their form - are an attempt to remove chaos and inertia from our lives. But do they work? In this week’s podcast, we discuss the efficacy of to-do lists. We try to ascertain whether there is an optimal number of things that should go on a to-do list, delve into the great irony that to-do lists are rarely ever completed and attempt to discover if there is something fundamental about writing lists in the first place. We discuss the birth of early forms of writing, the psychological phenomenon known as the Zeigarnik effect and why studies show that producing a to-do list may bring you closer to achieving your goals. Finally, we disclose some of the things we just can’t seem to cross off our own to-do lists. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The Zeigarnik Effect https://www.psychologistworld.com/memory/zeigarnik-effect-interruptions-mem

We take for granted the speed, reliability and ubiquity of today's internet, but it wasn't ever thus. Do you remember AltaVista, the ZX Spectrum or the iconic tones of a dialup modem? What about the absurdly long wait times to download an image or to log in to an internet chat room? We indulge our nostalgia to gain insights into the evolution of one of humankind's most important inventions. In this week’s podcast, we look back on the early years of the internet. What will future historians write about the internet? What inspired its creation and who were the key figures and innovators in its design? We assess the capacities and limitations of the primitive internet, reveal where you are likely to find the next internet innovation and suggest industries and sectors that have been forever changed by its arrival. Finally, we reminisce about moments when we realised the age of the internet had finally dawned. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - I Bought a Million Dollar Piece of Internet History https

Why do some small things give us so much pleasure? Tidying up the desk, putting on new socks or changing the washing-up sponge, all seemingly insignificant and yet capable of providing us with an immense sense of joy and satisfaction. In this week’s podcast, we discuss pleasure. We ask why we routinely undervalue the things from which we derive pleasure, if we spend too much money on big things and not enough on small things, and whether the removal of pain is the same thing as the manifestation of pleasure. Nick also outlines his taxonomy of pleasure generation. Finally, we discuss the most prominent predictors of happiness and share our own memories of sheer bliss. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The Sun surveys Britons to find the top fifty ‘simple pleasures’ https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14632933/brits-reveal-simple-pleasures/ - What correlates with happiness and life satisfaction? https://ourworldindata.org/happiness-and-life-satisfaction - The World Happiness Report https://worldhappin

Greatness is a tricky subject: it is difficult to pin down yet we know it when we see it. In this week’s podcast, we mark the passing of technology pioneer and Aleph Insights hero Sir Clive Sinclair by discussing what makes greatness. We discuss objectivity versus subjectivity: can we simply call someone great or is it a title for which unspoken, yet consistent criteria exist? We also look at whether greatness is historically contingent, reliant on being in the right place at the right time, but also whether greatness can be revoked because of changing social mores and revisionary analysis. We address the inherent problem of trying to measure greatness through counterfactuals and examine formal systems that seek to institutionalise the conferment of greatness. Finally, Nick shares his brush with the late Sir Clive and we debate our personal heroes and why we regard them as great figures. - Sir Clive Sinclair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Sinclair - Nietzsche on Human Greatness https://link.springer.co

Humans have been on the move since time immemorial. But with the fabled age of discovery well and truly over are there still geographical mysteries left to uncover? Is there an innate human capacity for exploration and what drives our desire to venture into uncharted territory? In this week’s podcast, we discuss discovery. Is human exploration a metaphysical quest in search of the unknown or is it a process that simply assists technological advancement? We discuss the long history of human migration, some of the quirkier recent human discoveries and ponder the unconquerable vastness of space. We suggest where you are likely to find the next frontier of discovery and consider the daring peregrinations of our ancient ancestors. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Berkner Island https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkner_Island - Sandy Island, New Caledonia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Island,_New_Caledonia - 65% of Earth Is Unexplored https://sentientmedia.org/earth-is-unexplored/#:~:text=Stil

Does being the first to market give you a competitive edge? Is first-mover advantage still the harbinger of success that economic theory suggests? When does being the first mean you might end up finishing last? In this week’s podcast we discuss first-mover advantage. Now that Amazon have suspended their drone delivery service, will it be easier for others to succeed? We present some of the most significant inventions in recent history and assess how pivotal first-mover advantage was to their success. We evaluate the economic principles of first-mover advantage and Peter unleashes another of his eponymous typologies with the “Coghill Taxonomy of Failure”. Finally, we ask which market is ripe for disruption and Nick announces a novel plan for his own market raid. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Amazon's Drone Deliveries in Doubt https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2021/08/03/amazons-drone-deliveries-doubt-cambridge-cutbacks/ - The Slow Collapse of Amazon’s Drone Delivery Dream https://www

Why is it that public spaces, like petrol stations, shopping malls and airports, are depressing and boring? These spaces are extremely useful and functional, but why do they seem to lack any real architectural flair or soul? This podcast discusses the trade-off between the utility of a building and aesthetics. We examine what factors should influence the design of a building (e.g cost of maintenance, experience of the occupants, etc.) and whether it is possible to strike a balance between architectural style, functionality and cost. Peter also explains the eponymous 'Coghill Hierarchy of Architecture' and we provide examples of buildings that we believe are well-designed and others that should have been left on the technical drawing board. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - A History of the Elephant & Castle https://blackcablondon.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/a-history-of-the-elephant-castle-part-one/?preview_id=4256&preview_nonce=1167df0030&preview=true - The Real Concrete Island? https://web.arc

Some fashions come and go quickly, but others move in slower cycles (e.g. the bowler hat). What drives the rate at which given fashions shift, and most importantly, what does this mean for the future of facial hair? In this podcast, we delve into enduring fashions and try to understand how their cultural context, evolving meaning and basic function might contribute to their longevity. We examine the history of bowler hats, vests and beards to see whether they tell us anything important about elongated fashion life-cycles. Finally, we make our own predictions about the fashion trends of the future. Anna Wintour take note. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Every England World Cup Squad Ever: A complete run down https://www.thatsagoal.com/world-cup-2018-predictions-betting-tips/world-cup-2018-group-g/every-england-world-cup-squad-ever-a-complete-run-down - The Rise and Fall—and Rise—of Facial Hair https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-of-facial-hair/28295

As the UK continues its withdrawal from Afghanistan and the covid-19 pandemic lingers on, this week we revisit a podcast from March about the effectiveness of governments. ------------ The Covid pandemic has seen a sharp rise in government spending, and large scale testing and vaccination programmes. Some of these have been successful, while others less so. We look at whether, on balance, governments are an effective mechanism for achieving desirable outcomes. In this podcast, we explore the rationale for having governments in the first place and consider what activities it is appropriate for them to carry out. We look at what happens when the government gets it wrong and also examine what various data sources say about the relative effectiveness of the private and public sectors. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Chicago School of Economics www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chicago_school.asp - Milton Friedman – Four ways to spend money investorjunkie.com/economics/milto…ys-spend-money/ - Principl

Identifying a friend or family member from a baby photo seems like a trivial task. Conversely, showing someone a photo of a child and asking them to determine the corresponding adult can be immensely difficult. Why does matching the faces of friends and family to photos create the illusion that it is a simple and straightforward task? In this episode, we look at hindsight bias. Why do our brains present versions of the past to suit the present and is there a qualitative difference between image recognition and extrapolation? We discuss hypothesis generation, intractable computational problems, and the limits of probability distribution in analysis. Finally, we see what evolutionary insight can be gleaned from matching photos of babies to their adult selves and put our own biases to the test by interpreting family photos. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - 30 celebrity baby photos https://www.insider.com/27-celebrity-baby-photos-that-show-how-theyve-changed-over-the-years-2017-7#mandy-moore-holds

When bad luck befalls us, we often say, “wrong place, wrong time.” Rather than accepting that our daily choices continually expose us to new and ever-changing risks, we tend to view life events in terms of good and bad luck. But to what extent are we in control of our own fortunes and can we find solace in the aphorism, “you make your own luck”? In this week’s podcast, we discuss the virtues of luck and circumstance by exploring the relationship between risk and good fortune. Is the measure of one’s luck simply moderated by our appetite for risk? Why do we only bemoan our luck once we turn out to be unlucky? And are our perceptions of good and bad luck shaped by our morality and values? We learn where in the world you are most likely to be struck by lightning, ponder the validity of imposing a tax on mountain-climbers and share some of our own experiences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For more information on Aleph Insights visit our website https://alephinsights.com or to get in touch abou

What makes an idiot? Sometimes those who are meant to be the best and brightest among us say the most idiotic things. This suggests intelligence and idiocy are not mutually exclusive characteristics. Can we prevent our own stupidity from becoming manifest or are we all just idiots in waiting? In this podcast, we look at the existence of intelligence and idiocy. We unpick recent examples of utter idiocy and shed light on the biological necessity of intelligence. We attempt to distinguish between intelligence and levels of IQ, and question why people that may say idiotic things often turn out to be brilliant in other areas. Is intelligence merely a product of evolutionary biology and to what extent is it simply confidence in different clothing? Finally, we share some of our own most idiotic moments. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Lunar New Deal: Gohmert suggests altering moon's orbit to combat climate changehttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/lunar-new-deal-gop-rep-gohmert-suggests-alter

Traditionally newspapers are published daily or weekly, but what if they were only published every ten years or perhaps, even longer? How would you decide what stories to include and which ones should be left on the cutting room floor? Inspired by a chapter in Tim Harford’s new book, “How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers”, our latest podcast examines the news media. We look at how reporting has evolved over time, whether the constant influx of news is creating “news fatigue” instead of educating society, and attempt to unravel what should make an event significant or newsworthy. We try our hand at putting together our ten-year newspaper and discuss what we would include as special features and why. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Pew Research Center: All News By Topic https://www.journalism.org/2011/12/21/all-news-topic/ - Wikipedia: 2010s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010s - Wikipedia: 2nd Millennium https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_millennium -

Opposites are one of the first things we teach children: big-small, short-long, happy-sad. But how universal is the idea of opposites? What's the opposite of a banana for example? In our latest podcast, we take an in-depth look at the concept of opposites. We attempt to define opposites, exploring whether they are based on categorical or quantifiable features, or some intuitive interpretation of context. Finally, we examine how they can be used to help us navigate our environment, supporting rapid analysis and decision-making. And if you're interested in knowing what the opposite of a banana is, Nick will reveal the analytical output of his opposite-generator model. You may find the answer surprising or predictable, rigorous or widely speculative. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Concepts and Categories: A cognitive neuropsychological perspective https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908258/ - Kaggle: Countries of the World Dataset https://www.kaggle.com/fernandol/countries-of-the-wor

The word 'cheugy' has become a key weapon on the battlefield of intergenerational conflict. We might be its user, its target or utterly oblivious to its meaning. Does our relationship with the word tell us anything interesting and is the modern concept of generations a meaningful one? In this podcast, we look at intergenerational conflict and its causes. We also attempt to determine whether the use of generational categories, such as Gen X or Millennials, represent a coherent and valid framework for understanding culture and history. Finally, we try to place ourselves within the generational continuum and decide the extent to which we are products of our time. How cheugy. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - The Measurement and Evaluation of Social Attitudes in Two British Cohort Studies https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251198647_The_Measurement_and_Evaluation_of_Social_Attitudes_in_Two_British_Cohort_Studies - Generational Differences in Work-Related Attitudes: A Meta-analysis https://li

In the apocryphal story of the Hartlepool monkey, the residents of the town hang a shipwrecked monkey for being a French spy. Why do we search for scapegoats and how can we prevent ourselves from blaming the wrong person? In this podcast we examine the phenomenon of scapegoating and try to understand the human desire to find someone else to blame for our problems. We tackle the concept of blame, look at how to avoid attributing it erroneously and consider whether the monkey was in fact guilty. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Was a monkey really hanged in Hartlepool?? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-40801937#:~:text=%22There%20is%20no%20evidence%20whatsoever,retired%20teacher%20from%20the%20town - Miscarriages of Justice Registry https://evidencebasedjustice.exeter.ac.uk/miscarriages-of-justice-registry/ - Narrative Retribution and Cognitive Processing https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338233193_Narrative_Retribution_and_Cognitive_Processing - René Girard and the ‘Scapegoa

Is the internet becoming unusable? Does it have a life beyond the constant barrage of annoying pop-ups, cookies, self-playing video commercials, captchas, paywalls and requests to turn off your ad blocker? In this week's podcast, we discuss all the things we think are wrong with the World Wide Web and consider what should be done to rescue the internet, looking at ideas to make it a more informative, quality-assured and user-friendly space. A few things we mentioned in this podcast: - Spotify Removes Tens of Thousands of Indie Songs For ‘Artificial Streams’ https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/01/06/spotify-reportedly-pulls-indie-songs/ - Where Does the Majority of Internet Traffic Come From? https://www.ncta.com/whats-new/report-where-does-the-majority-of-internet-traffic-come - Kiss Your Browser Goodbye: The Radical Future of Media Beyond the Web https://www.wired.com/1997/03/ff-push/ - The Web is Dead. Long Live the Internet https://www.wired.com/2010/08/ff-webrip/ - The Appification Of Everythi