Written by Rufus

Rufus waxes lyrical again about some of the prospects machine learning is likely to open up.

Then we dive into the eighteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Mica’s Kitchen, in which Saskia explains to Mica how a neural net works.

Referenced in Rufus’ commentary were:

— a blog post by Noah Smith

— ChatGPT tutoring Sal Kahn’s child in trig

— a fascinating interview with Reid Hoffman

— Grant Sanderson’s lovely introduction to neural nets

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus describes the genesis of Roshambo Careens Off Script, his second novel.

Then we dive into the seventeenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Roshambo , in which the Saskia’s grapple with who should get the date with Mica.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus talks about plot holes and where they fit into the reader-author relationship.

Then we dive into the sixteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Stop It , in which Saskia calls Mica out for telling Hugo about time travel.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus describes the connection between friends and time travel, and waxes lyrical about water.

Then we dive into the fifteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Cheat , in which one of the Saskia’s answers the knock at the front door.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus describes his greatest hope for AI.

Then we dive into the fourteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Emergent Phenomena , in which Saskia returns to the present, and a disconcerting surprise.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus muses on the different potential outcomes of a system, given different starting points.

Then we dive into the thirteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Other Winner , in which Mica meets an unpleasant fellow.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus describes the importance of faith in art.

Then we dive into the twelfth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Monk , in which Saskia slips back into her distant past.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus talks about his weekly sign-off.

Then we dive into the eleventh chapter of The Curve of Time, Back To The Beginning , in which Saskia returns to the beginning to find a familiar stranger.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus confesses to being nervous.

Then we dive into the tenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Seeing is Not Believing , in which Mica is surprised to find Saskia at their table.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

Rufus examines the adage “writing is re-writing” in the context of Buddhist philosophy and time travel.

Then we dive into the ninth chapter of The Curve of Time, Restaurant Restroom, Five Minutes Earlier, in which Saskia takes a second run at showing Mica time travel.

Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.