Mark van de Wiel is a Professor of Biostatistics at Amsterdam UMC and the head of the “Big Statistics” research group.

An expert in high-dimensional data analysis, he specializes in solving one of the toughest problems in medical machine learning: how to make trust worthy inference when you have massive amounts of biological features (like 10,000 genes) but very few patients.

Find his blog posts at : https://blog.vvsor.nl/author/markvanderwiel/

💬 Notable Quotes

“The burden of proof is against the simpler model. And what I often see is that actually this has been reversed... If you want to apply a fancy neural network, you should show that it is worth the effort.”

“Not knowing the uncertainty is basically knowing nothing because you make very important predictions on people’s health.”

“Reading machine learning papers... it’s like duct-taped math. You take a piece of math, duct tape it here... and as long as you don’t shake it, everything’s fine.”

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In this episode, I'm joined by Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch and journalist in residence, teaching both graduate and undergraduate students, at NYU. Ivan has a wealth of experience in science journalism and is a vocal advocate for transparency in scientific publishing.

Key Topics Discussed:

* Scientific Integrity and Fraud: Exploring the challenges of maintaining integrity in science and the prevalence of fraudulent behavior in academia.

* Incentives in Science: How current metrics and incentives may encourage poor scientific practices and how they could be improved.

* Retraction Watch: The role of Retraction Watch in promoting transparency and accountability in research through its extensive database of retractions.

* Peer Review and Publication Pressure: A discussion on the limitations of the peer review process and the pressure to "publish or perish" in academia.

Resources:

Nobel Laureates on how to do great work in science.

Does Science Self-Correct? What We`ve Learned at Retraction Watch, Ivan Oransky

Ivan Oransky Co-Founder of Retraction Watch Discusses Scientific Research Integrity

Goodhart’s Law

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of human augmentation and longevity. We discuss the potential future advancements in human biology and technology, exploring how we might enhance our bodies and extend our lifespans.

Check out Elia’s Podcast : The Rational Optimization Podcast

Key Topics Discussed:

* Human Augmentation and Cyborg Technology:

* The potential for integrating technology into our bodies, including the concept of gradually replacing biological components with artificial ones.

* Longevity and Healthspan:

* Strategies to prolong life, including exercise, diet, and the potential future role of drugs and biotechnology.

* Discussion on aging research and the possibility of significantly extending human lifespans.

* Future Technologies in Health and Medicine:

* The concept of measuring and optimizing health parameters continuously through advanced technologies.

Interesting Mentions:

* Young Blood Transfusions: Discussion on the controversial and experimental practice of young blood transfusions for anti-aging purposes.

* David Sinclair's Research: Insights into the work of David Sinclair, a prominent aging researcher, and his approach to extending lifespan.

Some Questions Posed:

* How far can we push the boundaries of human performance and longevity?

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In this episode I’m joined by Dr Maryam Alimardani. Maryam is an associate professor at Tilburg University’s Department of Cognitive Science & A.I.

Find her research on her Google Scholar page

Key Topics Discussed:

* Human-Robot interaction: The potential of robots in educational settings and importance of developing effective human-robot communication.

* Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) : We delve into how they work,

the use of BCIs for medical applications, educational tools and enhancing human capabilities, including the possibilities for neuroprosthetics.

* Future directions in BCI research : We discuss future prospects for the field, the limitations and problems that need to be addressed.

Some things we mentioned:

SonzaikanRubber hand illusion Paper - Humanlike robot hands controlled by brain activity arouse illusion of ownership in operators

How do we safely study living brains ? Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

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In this episode we delve into the intersections of artificial intelligence, science, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our guest, Daniel Elton, a researcher with a background in physics who later transitioned into AI and machine learning, shares his insights on a wide array of topics, from epistemology to chemistry. We discuss the intricacies of AI development, the challenges in the field of medical imaging AI, and the potential of AI in future technological advancements. The conversation also touches on the ethical and practical aspects of AI in healthcare, including its current uses and limitations.

Check out Daniel’s Blog:

⁠https://moreisdifferent.blog/⁠

Key Topics Discussed:

* Transition from Physics to AI: Our guest shares his journey from studying physics to delving into the realms of AI and machine learning.

* AI in Medical Imaging: We explore the use of AI in medical imaging, discussing both its groundbreaking potential and the current challenges it faces, such as data labeling and integration into healthcare systems.

* AI Hype: We touch on the general weakness of current AIs (including LLMs), some of the hype and some of the noteworthy achievements. 

* The State of AI in Healthcare: The discussion provides insights into how AI is currently being utilized in healthcare, its overhyped aspects, and the realistic applications that are making a difference.

* Ethical Considerations in AI: The conversation delves into the ethical dimensions of AI development and deployment, especially in sensitive fields like healthcare and personal data handling.

* Future of AI and Technological Advancements: We discuss exciting future prospects in AI, including the development of household robots and AI's role in advancing human capabilities.

* Challenges in AI Research and Development: Daniel sheds light on the practical challenges in AI research.

* The Role of AI in Drug Discovery and Development: A look at how AI is impacting the field of drug discovery, the potential it holds, and the complexities involved in this process.

* Physics, Energy and Technology:  We talk briefly about physics, nuclear energy and technology.

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Episode Summary:

We engage in a deep and insightful conversation about the nature of truth, its pursuit, and the complexities of understanding reality. My guest, a close friend and fellow thinker, joins me in exploring these profound topics, shedding light on the nuances of rationality, the role of intuition, and the importance of setting goals in the quest for truth.

Check out his podcast : The Rational Optimization Podcast

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Concept of Truth: Delving into what truth means, its significance, and the challenges in defining and agreeing upon it.


2. Rational Decision-Making: Examining how rationality and decision-making processes influence our understanding of truth and reality.


3. The Role of Intuition: Discussing the value of intuition in understanding complex phenomena and making decisions.


4. Evolutionary Perspectives: Analyzing how evolutionary processes and natural selection contribute to our understanding of truth.


5. The Intersection of Science and Philosophy: Exploring how scientific thinking and philosophical inquiry intersect in the pursuit of truth.


6. The Impact of Goals on Truth-Seeking: Understanding how personal goals and societal objectives shape our pursuit and understanding of truth.

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This Christmas, ask : "What would generous tit-for-tat do?". Wishing you a Christmas and new year full of generous, non-envious, tit-fort-tat agents in your environment, non-zero sum games (I mistakenly say non-zero games) and the courage to stand up for yourself.

Great video on the Prisoner's Dilemma by Veritasium

The Christmas Truce

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of 'The One Deeper Podcast,' we delve into the fascinating world of food choices, exploring how our senses and emerging technologies influence our daily eating habits. Rachelle de Vries, a postdoctoral researcher at Tilburg University, joins us to share insights from their latest research.

Check out her ⁠TedX Talk.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Role of Senses in Food Choices: How does smell, sight, and even sound influence our eating habits? Anecdotes and scientific insights into sensory experiences.

Virtual Reality in Sensory Science: how VR is being used to study and understand food choices in simulated environments.

Cultural and Psychological Factors: Discussion on how cultural background and psychological aspects affect what we choose to eat.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Diet: Comparing ancestral diets to modern eating habits and understanding the evolution of human food preferences.

Technology and Eating Behavior: How technology and nudges can be leveraged to improve eating behaviours

Personal Stories: We share some personal experiences related to food choices and sensory memories.

Resources Mentioned:

Rachelle's recent publication on sensory science and food choices : Human spatial memory implicitly prioritizes high-calorie foods ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33033270/⁠

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Achalanka Dalawella is co-founder of Sach Analytics, a company dedicated to improving hospitals.

https://www.sachanalytics.com/

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Dr Paris Mavromoustakos Blom is an assistant professor in department of Cognitive Science and A.I at Tilburg University. His focus is on video games and player performance in games, amongst other things.

https://research.tilburguniversity.edu/en/persons/paris-mavromoustakos-blom

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