About this episode
A conversation with Prof. Mike Frank about Symbolic Systems, the connectedness between things, language learning, the limits of logic, and more.Find me at cristian@ccb.lifeAbout the Guest: Michael C. Frank is Benjamin Scott Crocker Professor of Human Biology in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University and Director of the Symbolic Systems Program. He received his PhD from MIT in Brain and Cognitive Sciences in 2010. He studies children's language learning and development, with a focus on the use of large-scale datasets to understand the variability and consistency of learning across cultures. He is a founder of the ManyBabies Consortium, and has led open-data projects including Wordbank and the ongoing LEVANTE project. He has received awards including the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences and the FABBS Early Career Impact award. He served as President of the Cognitive Science Society, has edited for journals including Cognition and Child Development, and is current co-Editor in Chief of the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science.References: - Douglas Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid (book): https://amzn.to/3TYPbASSet Up: - Camera: https://amzn.to/3PZVscb (don't laugh) - Microphone: https://amzn.to/46f3pB5 - Teleprompter Stand: https://amzn.to/3tgS98y - Telepromter App: https://amzn.to/46jdH31 - Teleprompter Screen: https://amzn.to/3PNfKFI (yup) - Headphones: https://amzn.to/46gMSwoTimestamps: 00:16 Introduction and Guest Background 01:08 Exploring Symbolic Systems 01:48 Guest's Journey into Symbolic Systems 04:00 The Role of Symbolic Systems in Society 04:33 Balancing Interests in Symbolic Systems 05:30 The Evolution of Symbolic Systems 06:13 The Role of Language in Symbolic Systems 08:10 Defining Symbolic Systems 12:00 The Impact of Symbolic Systems on Careers 14:26 The Culture of Symbolic Systems 17:49 The Beauty of Ideas in Symbolic Systems 23:25 Comparing Child Language Learning and AI Learning 26:46 Exploring the Complexity of Simulated Evolutionary Training 27:50 Challenges and Strengths of Leading an AI Program 28:14 Maintaining Cohesion and Community in a Growing Program 29:23 The Importance of Connectedness in Education 32:39 The Role of Research in Undergraduate and Master's Programs 35:47 The Potential for a Graduate Degree in Symbolic Systems 39:49 The Challenges of Managing Multiple Roles in Academia 41:42 The Excitement of New Research Projects 44:17 The Importance of Open Science and Data Sharing 46:40 The Promise of the Open Encyclopedia Project 51:51 Final Thoughts: Finding Connectedness in Deep Commitment
