Living On The Edge of Chaos

203: Readocracy - Redefining Credentials in a Connected World With Mario Vasilescu

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Living on the Edge of Chaos podcast, I interview Mario Vasilescu, CEO and co-founder of Readocracy. They discuss the problems with credentials, verifiability, and status signaling in education and society. Mario explains how the current system of recognizing learning and competence is narrow and leaves many people behind. He proposes a more flexible and transparent approach to credentials that includes the expertise and affiliations of the content creators. They also explore the concept of democracy through Socrates' eyes and the importance of considering different perspectives and ideas in society. In this conversation, Mario Vasilescu discusses the influence of malformation and propaganda, the need to rethink how we value learning, and the creation of a new infrastructure for society. He emphasizes the economic value of intellectual data and the importance of proof of human knowledge. The conversation concludes with a reading of the forward from the book 'Amusing Ourselves to Death.'

Episode Notes

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Takeaways

• The current system of recognizing learning and competence is narrow and leaves many people behind.
• Credentials should include the expertise and affiliations of the content creators to provide more transparent and meaningful signaling.
• Considering different perspectives and ideas is crucial for a healthy democracy and society. Malformation and propaganda can distort the way facts are used and understood.
• The current information infrastructure, driven by the attention economy, shapes behavior and power dynamics in society.
• There is a need to create a new infrastructure that values the quality of attention and knowledge.
• Education should be valued beyond its immediate application in work and school.
• The economic value of intellectual data should be recognized and protected.
• Proof of human knowledge is essential in a world where fabrication and misinformation are prevalent.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:47 The Problems with Credentials, Verifiability, and Status Signaling
14:39 Reflecting on a Recent Shift in Perspective: Democracy through Socrates' Eyes
34:20 Rethinking How We Value Learning
37:34 Creating a New Infrastructure for Society
44:19 The Economic Value of Intellectual Data
48:49 Proof of Human Knowledge
55:06 The Forward from 'Amusing Ourselves to Death'

Resources

• The Readocracy Manifesto
• A humble proposal to turn the internet upside down
• Intros to Infobesity and Information Wellness
• Browse Mario knowledge profile: www.readocracy.com/mario
• Neil Postman Amusing Ourselves To Death book
• Cal Newport Slow Productivity book