The Mind Machines: Finding Focus in the Age of AI
While our human attention spans fracture, a new, sharper kind of mind is emerging on the planet.
Well before large language models burst onto the scene, the limits of the human brain were becoming clear. In an age of constant digital distraction, even the most clear-headed among us have found it hard to do the kind of deep thinking our species was once famous for. Now, as artificial brains grow more powerful by the day, the prospect of offloading much of our thinking no longer feels like science fiction. The real question is whether these new minds will sharpen our own—or replace them.
This Week on the Next Big Idea Podcast
Where does intelligence come from?
Today's AI runs on neural networks, a design originally inspired by the human brain. As these systems grow more sophisticated, they're raising a profound question: Even if they don't work exactly like our brains, could something resembling a "mind" eventually emerge from the machines we're building? Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Book Bite of the Week
How to find focus and fight distraction
If you’re like me, focussing for extended periods of time has gotten to be an uphill battle. Well, try paying attention for about 10 minutes to these 5 big ideas from our 2023 NBIC winner Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness, and Productivity by
, which recently came out in paperback. Gloria is a professor in the Department of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and in her book she offers a new framework to help explain how our brains function in the digital world. Incorporating decades of research about how our attention and our minds have changed in the digital age, Gloria offers a new approach to help readers rediscover their ability to pay attention. Pick up a copy of the book on Amazon or check out Gloria’s summary here on the Next Big Idea app.This week, Book of the Day is brought to you by national bestseller Mission Driven: The Path to a Life of Purpose. Former Navy SEAL commander, White House Fellow, and nonprofit and business leader Mike Hayes offers an inspiring playbook for understanding and achieving your most rewarding and purposeful life. All profits go to support Gold Star Families. Click here to support Gold Star families directly, or order your copy of Mission Driven today.
First Look Club
Get free books before they’re published, and share your opinions.
For over 10 years, the Next Big Idea Club has connected curious minds with the most exciting new books and authors. Now, the First Look Club takes that mission even further — putting advance copies of upcoming books in the hands of the people who can help them shine before they hit the shelves.
If you’re willing to share your honest opinions on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, or your own social channels, we’ll send you free advance copies of exciting new books.
Whether you’re a passionate reader or a fellow author, your voice can help launch the next big idea into the world.
Happy Pub Week!
We’ve got a new batch of must-reads that hit stores this week, from authors like Mary Roach (Replaceable You), Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares (If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies), David Gardner (Rule Breaker Investing), Jim Ferrell (You and We), Tony Wagner & Ulrik Juul Christensen (Mastery), Dr. Zelana Montminy (Finding Focus), Tim Higgins (iWar), Diane Button (What Matters Most), Scott D. Anthony (Epic Disruptions), and Marc Brackett (Dealing With Feeling).