The Orthogonal Bet

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Welcome to The Orthogonal Bet, a podcast by Lux Capital that explores the unconventional ideas and delightful patterns that shape our world. Hosted by Samuel Arbesman Produced by Christopher Gates

9 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	77	Founded	a year ago
Category	Science

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Latest Episodes

Paul Rony on Lessons from Computer History

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Rony. Paul is the founder and CEO of Kosmik, a tech startup based in France. Paul is also deeply knowledgeable about the history of computing and the ideas that animate it, and S... more

8 Apr 2026 • 51 min

Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock on the Recurse Center

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock. Nick is the cofounder and CEO of the Recurse Center, a kind of retreat for programmers and community for people to work at what they term the edge of their ... more

1 Apr 2026 • 49 min

Corey Maley on the philosophy of science and computation

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Corey Maley. Corey is an associate professor of philosophy at Purdue University who explores the philosophy of science and computation, focusing on cognitive science, the nature of co... more

26 Mar 2026 • 51 min

Joel Simon on "Beyond Slop"

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman had the pleasure of speaking with Joel Simon. Joel is a fascinating creator who works at the intersection of art and computational research, particularly in the realm of AI and creativity. He is the creator of Artbree... more

18 Mar 2026 • 40 min

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Recent Guests

Paul Rony

Founder and CEO of Kosmik

Kosmik

Episode: Paul Rony on Lessons from Computer History

Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock

Co-founder and CEO of the Recurse Center

Recurse Center

Episode: Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock on the Recurse Center

Corey Maley

Associate Professor of Philosophy at Purdue University

Purdue University

Episode: Corey Maley on the philosophy of science and computation

Joel Simon

Artist, toolmaker, and researcher working at Artbreeder/Morphogen; currently affiliated with Open-endedness Lab at Lila

Artbreeder / Morphogen / Lila Open-Endedness Lab

Episode: Joel Simon on "Beyond Slop"

Stephen Webb

Physicist and author

Author of If the Universe is Teeming with Aliens, Where is Everybody?

Episode: Stephen Webb on 75 Answers to the Fermi Paradox

David Edmonds

Biographer of Derek Parfit, co-host of Philosophy Bites

Author/Biographer

Episode: David Edmonds on "Parfit"

Lori Emerson

Professor of Media Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and founding director of the Media Archaeology Lab.

University of Colorado Boulder

Episode: Lori Emerson on the Media Archaeology Lab

Brendan Schlagel

Co-founder of Hyperlink and Leaflet, obsessed with learning and community.

Episode: Brendan Schlagel on Learning Communities

Gordon Brander

Technologist and researcher working on AI tools for scenario planning.

Deep Future

Episode: Gordon Brander on Scenario Planning

Host

Samuel Arbesman

Host of The Orthogonal Bet; explores unconventional ideas and patterns in science and technology; often features guests from science, philosophy, and creative fields

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 9 ratings

I like the variety of guests, from science fiction authors to people working and writing about new scientific discoveries and the technology world. This podcast is very entertaining and interesting to me. I learn something new everytime I listen. and the range is broad, if you don't like one, you may love the next. Often it is something so new to me I have never even thought about it. So I look forward to listening often and suggest it to family and friends. Worth checking out if you are cu... more
Podchaser
5
Jan Fulwiler
a year ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The Orthogonal Bet often features guests who connect science, technology, and culture in novel ways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts

#74

Hong Kong/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock on the Recurse Center

Q: How has RC maintained its core ethos while expanding in scale and duration?

RC preserved the core values of curiosity, self-direction, and collaboration, while adding scalable structures like alumni networks, on-site space, and internal tools. The batch-based cadence (inspired by YC) provides a repeatable, time-bounded format that preserves the culture even as the community grows.

Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock on the Recurse Center

Q: What inspired the shift from the original 'okay cupid for jobs' idea to Recurse Center as a self-directed learning community?

The founders pivoted from a marketplace concept to directly experiencing the recruiting process themselves, which revealed that the real bottleneck was finding great people and the breadth of talent, not a missing software solution. This hands-on learning shaped RC into a model focused on self-direction, community, and continuous recruiting.

David Edmonds on "Parfit"

Q: How did your personal connection to Janet and Derek shape the biography, and what unique access did that give you?

My personal connections—being supervised by Derek in Oxford and later interacting with Janet—gave me a rare, inside view of their dynamic. Janet's frank, clear-eyed perspectives were invaluable, and this closeness allowed me to present both Derek's intellectual trajectory and their relationship with honesty and depth.

David Edmonds on "Parfit"

Q: What compelled you to write this biography, given Parfit's complex life and ideas?

I was looking for a project during COVID and had already written for Prospect; the idea of profiling Parfit and his wife Janet felt like a rich story to tell, blending his personal life with his profound philosophical work, and I found many stories and connections that deserved a larger audience.

Stephen Webb on 75 Answers to the Fermi Paradox

Q: How has science changed our thinking about the paradox over time?

Advances in exoplanet discovery, observational capabilities, and understanding of physics and biology have both expanded where life might exist and sharpened the paradox by revealing more constraints and possibilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Orthogonal Bet

What is The Orthogonal Bet about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show tends to blend science, technology, and big ideas with thoughtful storytelling and interdisciplinary context. Episodes frequently center on cutting-edge concepts like AI-driven creativity, open-ended systems, and the cultural and philosophical implications of new technologies, often framed through interviews with researchers, writers, and makers who explore how technology reshapes society, art, and the future. A recurring strength is translating niche academic or speculative topics into accessible conversations that connect historical context, practical tools, and imaginative futurism—sometimes venturing into education, media history, or design to illuminate complex ideas. Notable hooks include open-ended AI exploration, critiques ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Orthogonal Bet:

1. The Daily

How many episodes of The Orthogonal Bet are there?

The Orthogonal Bet launched a year ago and published 77 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Orthogonal Bet?

Recent guests on The Orthogonal Bet include:

1. Paul Rony
2. Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock
3. Corey Maley
4. Joel Simon
5. Stephen Webb
6. David Edmonds
7. Lori Emerson
8. Brendan Schlagel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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