Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/machines-meaning Machines & Meaning examines artificial intelligence through the lens of different philosophers to understand how AI technology shapes human experience. Created for curious, thoughtful people who want to move beyond simplistic "AI is good" or "AI is bad" narratives, each episode takes a key concept from a philosopher and uses it to examine a specific aspect of AI technology and its impact on human life. While the show assumes listeners are familiar with current AI developments, it doesn't require technical knowledge. The series aims to help listeners develop a deeper understanding of how these technologies are changing how we think, behave, and relate to one another by bringing philosophical insights into conversation with modern AI developments. © 2024 Angel Evan cd0cc57f-7baf-583a-a701-7be36e6b2853 yes en Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:13 -0700 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:02:00 -0700 http://machinesandmeaning.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/aLQBbVtQx3Lq22_BijDIqVMxnSZHer8ZCW3bEl9GCoY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kNjhj/ZThlMzIyODU1ZjBm/YjY0MDA4MWUyMzdh/OTM0NC5wbmc.jpg http://machinesandmeaning.com episodic Angel Evan Machines & Meaning examines artificial intelligence through the lens of different philosophers to understand how AI technology shapes human experience. Created for curious, thoughtful people who want to move beyond simplistic "AI is good" or "AI is bad" narratives, each episode takes a key concept from a philosopher and uses it to examine a specific aspect of AI technology and its impact on human life. While the show assumes listeners are familiar with current AI developments, it doesn't require technical knowledge. The series aims to help listeners develop a deeper understanding of how these technologies are changing how we think, behave, and relate to one another by bringing philosophical insights into conversation with modern AI developments. Machines & Meaning examines artificial intelligence through the lens of different philosophers to understand how AI technology shapes human experience. AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology Angel Evan No No 2 2 1 1 Ayn Rand and the Dark Side of AI Efficiency full 7eef41d6-90f6-4072-a4df-47fdbc7b2d6b https://share.transistor.fm/s/0025eada Using Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, we examine how AI’s efficiency gains are made possible by ignoring the quiet awareness of claiming skills we don’t fully possess.

]]> Using Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, we examine how AI’s efficiency gains are made possible by ignoring the quiet awareness of claiming skills we don’t fully possess.

]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 975 Using Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, we examine how AI’s efficiency gains are made possible by ignoring the quiet awareness of claiming skills we don’t fully possess.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 12 12 Ibn Khaldun’s Warning: When Tools Become Purposes full b8cfa9f8-93c0-4f7e-89cf-1895561acb02 https://share.transistor.fm/s/99df61d6 Episode Description: Using Ibn Khaldun’s concept of asabiyyah (ah-sa-BEE-yah), a word derived from Arabic that roughly translates to tribal solidarity or social cohesion, we examine how AI is being rhetorically elevated to the status of collective purpose.

]]> Episode Description: Using Ibn Khaldun’s concept of asabiyyah (ah-sa-BEE-yah), a word derived from Arabic that roughly translates to tribal solidarity or social cohesion, we examine how AI is being rhetorically elevated to the status of collective purpose.

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:23:40 -0800 Angel Evan Angel Evan 721 Episode Description: Using Ibn Khaldun’s concept of asabiyyah (ah-sa-BEE-yah), a word derived from Arabic that roughly translates to tribal solidarity or social cohesion, we examine how AI is being rhetorically elevated to the status of collective purpose.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 11 11 Credibility Deficits: Miranda Fricker and the Illusion of AI Literacy full a1145738-5b0a-4c44-af5e-85a29c9f9fef https://share.transistor.fm/s/2af52ddf Using Miranda Fricker’s concept of testimonial injustice, we examine how AI creates new hierarchies of who gets taken seriously and how the credibility we assign (or don’t) affect people’s lives.

]]> Using Miranda Fricker’s concept of testimonial injustice, we examine how AI creates new hierarchies of who gets taken seriously and how the credibility we assign (or don’t) affect people’s lives.

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:21:17 -0800 Angel Evan Angel Evan 911 Using Miranda Fricker’s concept of testimonial injustice, we examine how AI creates new hierarchies of who gets taken seriously and how the credibility we assign (or don’t) affect people’s lives.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 10 10 AI’s Aesthetic Trap: Søren Kierkegaard’s Three Spheres of Existence full 242e215a-06a4-4451-b183-475b1e3abe8d https://share.transistor.fm/s/8399497b Exploring how Kierkegaard’s three spheres of existence reveal why AI might be creating the most sophisticated trap for authentic human development by appearing to create fulfillment while preventing genuine growth.

]]> Exploring how Kierkegaard’s three spheres of existence reveal why AI might be creating the most sophisticated trap for authentic human development by appearing to create fulfillment while preventing genuine growth.

]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 923 Exploring how Kierkegaard’s three spheres of existence reveal why AI might be creating the most sophisticated trap for authentic human development by appearing to create fulfillment while preventing genuine growth.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 9 9 Hannah Arendt and AI’s Collective Thoughtlessness full ae6a9581-664f-42cc-82f2-82ad84712df6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a22d0fb3 Exploring how Hannah Arendt’s concept of “thoughtlessness” reveals why AI systems create the perfect conditions for systematic harm that emerge from widespread non-engagement with consequences.

]]> Exploring how Hannah Arendt’s concept of “thoughtlessness” reveals why AI systems create the perfect conditions for systematic harm that emerge from widespread non-engagement with consequences.

]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 777 Exploring how Hannah Arendt’s concept of “thoughtlessness” reveals why AI systems create the perfect conditions for systematic harm that emerge from widespread non-engagement with consequences.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 8 8 Aristotle’s Phronesis and the Wisdom to Judge Ourselves full d418d3d8-f317-4cb8-9023-852c277fd0e0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bf1ce83e Exploring how Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom reveals the meta-cognitive skills professionals will need to remain valuable in an age when AI can perform most technical tasks.

]]> Exploring how Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom reveals the meta-cognitive skills professionals will need to remain valuable in an age when AI can perform most technical tasks.

]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 868 Exploring how Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom reveals the meta-cognitive skills professionals will need to remain valuable in an age when AI can perform most technical tasks.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 7 7 Permanent Intermediates: Martin Heidegger and AI’s Erosion of Mastery full c95ab5d0-a89f-4472-936e-5f931ead6fb5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6b843850 Exploring how artificial intelligence systematically undermines the conditions necessary for developing human expertise, creating what we might call “permanent intermediates,” people who achieve functional competence but never develop true mastery.

]]> Exploring how artificial intelligence systematically undermines the conditions necessary for developing human expertise, creating what we might call “permanent intermediates,” people who achieve functional competence but never develop true mastery.

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 772 Exploring how artificial intelligence systematically undermines the conditions necessary for developing human expertise, creating what we might call “permanent intermediates,” people who achieve functional competence but never develop true mastery.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 6 6 The Accountability Threshold: Thomas Aquinas’ Doctrine of Double Effect. full 1b2b2214-1207-4e2d-aff6-05e3b488a1de https://share.transistor.fm/s/b49258df Exploring how Thomas Aquinas’ Doctrine of Double Effect helps us understand our complex relationship with AI’s unintended consequences. 

]]> Exploring how Thomas Aquinas’ Doctrine of Double Effect helps us understand our complex relationship with AI’s unintended consequences. 

]]> Sun, 01 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 863 Exploring how Thomas Aquinas’ Doctrine of Double Effect helps us understand our complex relationship with AI’s unintended consequences. 

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 5 5 Universal Laws: Kant’s Categorical Imperative and AI’s Immutable Rules full eac7decb-bfbc-42e2-81b5-7592fc16603b https://share.transistor.fm/s/5f25a84a Exploring how Immanuel Kant’s concept of the categorical imperative parallels our current challenge of creating immutable ethical rules for artificial intelligence.

]]> Exploring how Immanuel Kant’s concept of the categorical imperative parallels our current challenge of creating immutable ethical rules for artificial intelligence.

]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 945 Exploring how Immanuel Kant’s concept of the categorical imperative parallels our current challenge of creating immutable ethical rules for artificial intelligence.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 4 4 The Detriment of Constructs: Simone de Beauvoir and Our AI Categories full 8d2a9f64-21da-4fff-9663-e545e36fd077 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a0460b67 Using Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophical framework on categorization, we examine how rigid binary thinking and over-compartmentalization limit our ability to understand and govern A.I.

]]> Using Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophical framework on categorization, we examine how rigid binary thinking and over-compartmentalization limit our ability to understand and govern A.I.

]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0700 Angel Evan Angel Evan 898 Using Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophical framework on categorization, we examine how rigid binary thinking and over-compartmentalization limit our ability to understand and govern A.I.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 3 3 The Calculation Default: What René Descartes Teaches Us About Reasoning Models full 2ca77c6d-aae0-4980-95b8-4f45f9d84ea1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/12f9b519 Using Descartes’ framework for how we acquire knowledge, we examine what happens when AI reasoning models confront problems where mathematical certainty isn’t enough.

]]> Using Descartes’ framework for how we acquire knowledge, we examine what happens when AI reasoning models confront problems where mathematical certainty isn’t enough.

]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2025 19:32:21 -0800 Angel Evan Angel Evan 917 Using Descartes’ framework for how we acquire knowledge, we examine what happens when AI reasoning models confront problems where mathematical certainty isn’t enough.

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 2 2 Who’s Adapting to Whom? Lewis Mumford’s Warning for Technics. full 70adc20c-49f1-4457-a1c5-f4da63f94993 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d0536ab1 We explore Lewis Mumford’s concept of ‘technics’ to answer an essential question in AI: are we creating technologies that adapt to serve human needs, or are we increasingly adapting ourselves to serve theirs?

]]> We explore Lewis Mumford’s concept of ‘technics’ to answer an essential question in AI: are we creating technologies that adapt to serve human needs, or are we increasingly adapting ourselves to serve theirs?

]]> Sun, 02 Feb 2025 17:51:25 -0800 Angel Evan Angel Evan 719 We explore Lewis Mumford’s concept of ‘technics’ to answer an essential question in AI: are we creating technologies that adapt to serve human needs, or are we increasingly adapting ourselves to serve theirs?

]]> AI, Ethics, Philosophy, Technology No 1 1 1 1 The Narrative Machine: LLMs Through the Eyes of Alasdair MacIntyre full 00ca54d4-ad00-4406-9a28-3bb332bc26ac https://share.transistor.fm/s/427a0da0 We explore Alisdair MacIntyre’s concept of narrative fragmentation and whether large language models (LLMs) contribute to it through their underlying architecture. 

]]> We explore Alisdair MacIntyre’s concept of narrative fragmentation and whether large language models (LLMs) contribute to it through their underlying architecture. 

]]> Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:02:44 -0800 Angel Evan Angel Evan 735 We explore Alisdair MacIntyre’s concept of narrative fragmentation and whether large language models (LLMs) contribute to it through their underlying architecture. 

]]> LLM, large language models, Alasdair MacIntyre, Ethics, AI, Philosophy, culture No