Hidden Forces

Trends in Technology, Media, and Business with Silicon Alley's Entrepreneurs

The Fed's Great Unwind, Uber Gossip and a Bubble in Bitcoin

In Episode 11, Demetri Kofinas speaks with philosopher Ray Monk about the philosophical foundations of mathematics. Where did this system of knowledge come from? What are Euclid’s axioms? What are Plato’s forms? How did our notions of mathematics evolve from the time of the enlightenment to the present day? And what are the implications of our findings for the existence of God? Follow us at @hiddenforcespod

Week in Review with Demetri Kofinas and Ash Bennington

In Episode 10, Demetri Kofinas speaks with diplomat Carne Ross about the limits of modern diplomacy and how national politics constrain our capacity for addressing global problems. How much are politicians, technocrats, and global elites responsible for the populism and outrage on display in countries like France, Britain, and the United States? Is there a better way forward, and what can history teach us about the possibilities for new forms of self-governance and organization in the 21st century?

In Episode 9, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s biographer, Sebastian Mallaby. The chairmanship of Alan Greenspan lasted from the crisis of 1987 to the peak of the American housing market in 2006. How responsible was he for the prosperity of the 1990s? How much is he to blame for the catastrophic, financial meltdown of 2008? Most importantly, what can the story of Alan Greenspan teach us about the limits and dangers of human intervention, foresight, and power?

In this special episode, Demetri Kofinas plays a documentary created about him by CBC Radio One’s “The Current.” Demetri is the very fortunate survivor of a brain tumor for which he underwent both surgery, as well as radiation therapy. Demetri lived with his tumor for four years before developing serious symptoms, most notably, dementia and anterograde amnesia. After his surgery in June of 2013, Demetri experienced an unprecedented reacquisition of memories previously thought to have been lost forever

In Episode 8 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with cybersecurity expert Josh Corman about the risks to our hospitals, medical devices, and industrial control systems from a cyberattack. What are the vulnerabilities in our connected devices, cars, and aviation & emergency response infrastructure? Cyberterrorism and cybercrime are no longer fringe concerns. They are features of our increasingly interconnected, exposed, and vulnerable society. The question is, what do we do about them?

In Episode 7, Demetri Kofinas speaks with one of the pioneers in complexity science, W. Brian Arthur. The two explore the interdisciplinary history of complexity theory. This is a history replete with the work of mathematicians, physicists, philosophers, ecologists, and biologists. It is a field bound together, not by its adherence to perfection, but by the imperfections of the natural world. Follow us at @hiddenforcespod

In Episode 6, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Joan Freese, professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College about the prospects of war in space. The militarization of space with its ASAT’s, Kinetic Orbital Strikes, and Kinetic Kill Vehicles, represents an underappreciated threat to humanity. Yet, the public is largely unaware of the dangers orbiting right above our heads. It’s high time we take notice. Follow us at @hiddenforcespod

In Episode 5 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with fund manager Christopher Cole about the unprecedented levels of mean reversion we have seen in financial volatility in recent years. The concepts discussed in this episode may appear complicated at first, but all one needs to remember is that volatility is just change. Volatility is uncertainty. This episode is about learning how to embrace that uncertainty. It is about embracing change and learning how to profit from it in the process.

In Episode 4 of Hidden Forces, host Demetri Kofinas speaks with historian of television culture Gary Edgerton, about the way in which television fundamentally transformed American society and culture from the end of World War II, until the very early part of the 21st century. They examine the unique technological properties of television that made it such a powerful medium, as well as the business models that enabled this revolution in storytelling and narrative. Follow us at @hiddenforcespod

In Episode 3 of Hidden Forces, host Demetri Kofinas speaks with philosopher and theologian Mark C. Taylor about postmodernism, exploring topics ranging from religion, to finance, to art, to technology. They delve into non-linearity, information networks, and complexity theory. Technology for all its benefits still leaves something to be desired. What is it all for? What does it all mean? Where are we going, and why the great hurry? Join the conversation at @hiddenforcespod

In Episode 2 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Jim Rickards, as the two explore the history of finance and the deregulation of financial markets. They address one of economics professions' greatest weaknesses, namely, the desperate need for better modeling. How can new economic theories help improve or replace our broken models? Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @hiddenforcespod.

In Episode 1 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with David Kirkpatrick about some of the most pressing challenges in artificial intelligence, surveillance, and cybersecurity. They cover blockchain technology, black box algorithms and the future of work. Demetri also asks David Kirkpatrick if we are living in a simulation and if technology can help us live forever. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @hiddenforcespod