Christine Corbett Moran and Casey Handmer discuss a fascinating blend of parenting, productivity, and ambitious projects in this episode of Re:productivity. They delve into Casey's involvement in decoding ancient scrolls, highlighting the painstaking process of using cutting-edge AI and imaging technology to uncover lost texts. The conversation transitions into ambitious visions for addressing water scarcity in the American West through large-scale desalination projects, with dreams of terraforming new lakes and cities.

Christine shares her ongoing project to design an AI-powered hardware device for kids, blending interactive learning with innovative robotics. Reflecting on their parenting journey, they highlight the joys and surprises of raising three children, and the ways additional kids can enhance family dynamics.

The duo also explores broader themes, including the inefficiencies of bureaucracies, lessons from historical urban design, and the potential for future AI applications in parenting and societal problem-solving.

Books, blogs, podcasts, and websites discussed:

• ​Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charles T. Munger — A collection of speeches and talks by Charlie Munger, offering insights into his investment strategies and life philosophies. View on Amazon
• ​Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro — A dystopian novel exploring the lives of students at a mysterious boarding school, delving into themes of memory, identity, and the ethics of human cloning. View on Amazon
• ​Henry J. Kaiser: Western Colossus by Albert P. Heiner — A biography detailing the life of industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, known for his significant contributions to shipbuilding and construction during World War II. View on Amazon
• ​Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner — An examination of water management in the American West, discussing the environmental and political challenges associated with water scarcity. View on Amazon
• ​Acquired Podcast — A show that delves into the stories behind companies, exploring how they were built and the lessons learned along the way. Visit Acquired.fm. Episodes: IKEA, Amazon, MARS, AWS
• ​Casey’s Blog Posts — Explore Casey’s Writing
• ​Galaxy Zoo (Crowdsourced Citizen Science) — A platform that enables the public to assist in classifying galaxies, contributing to scientific research in astronomy. Explore the Zooniverse and Galaxy Zoo