A.I. Is Different From What You Think with Michael Fraser | HN 241

A.I. Is Different From What You Think with Michael Fraser | HN 241

Adam welcomes to Haman Nature Michael Fraser, co-founder of Action/Insight and a man very familiar with both Austrian economics and the inner workings and capabilities of the Large Language Models (LLMs) we are calling Artificial Intelligence these days. Michael has a fascinating claim for us to explore. Are these LLMs more than "just" machines? Are they Misesian actors? Let's find out!00:00 — Intro. Welcoming a smart and fascinating fellow, Michael Fraser! Who is this guy and why are we listening to him about LLMs and Misesian action?09:00 — Michael lays out his thesis: LLMs (regardless of any theory of consciousness) are Misesian actors in the world. Mises's theory has broader applications than are required to understand markets.14:40 — What things are Misesian actors and what aren't? Is there a spectrum? Are there levels? Calculators? Beavers? Dogs (mine or yours?), LLMs? Politicians? What is Misesian action? How do we evaluate teleology with regard to LLMs?27:40 — Time, interaction, iteration, trajectory: how do these concepts relate to this issue? How should we think of LLMs? How many "Claudes" or "Groks" are there, could be, or have ever been?35:33 — How does math (and reality itself?) constrain how LLMs exist and act in the world? How does path dependency relate to this question?41:20 — How do we know Michael isn't just being fooled by a fancy word model and hallucinating Misesian action? How do Mises's "alter ego warrants" relate to us being fooled about "personhood"?47:19 — On a Misesian action spectrum, between calculator and humans, where should we place beavers, dogs, chess engines, LLMs, Teslas, and your cousin Ernie? Are there levels? Does qualia have anything to do with this?53:02 — How should we understand LLM "hallucinations" within Michael's framework? Are LLMs "answer machines" or "useful cauldrons"?59:02 — How should we think about the Turing Test vis-a-vis LLMs?1:04:44 — How should we think about the terms AI, AGI, ASI, etc? Are these terms meaningful?1:09:30 — Why does interaction with another matter? Surely Misesian action occurs when we act alone, right? What does the classic Robinson Crusoe economics case reveal here?1:13:09 — Do we need an "LLM rights tribunal" because of the way we treat LLMs?1:18:27 — Does Adam buy Michael's argument?1:19:58 — What does Michael think is happening inside an LLM?1:30:30 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!Michael on X: https://x.com@zeroshotnothing [https://x.com@zeroshotnothing]Michael's paper presented at the AERC: https://austrianintelligence.org [https://austrianintelligence.org]Michael's business: https://actioninsight.ai [https://actioninsight.ai]Michael's interview with Bob Murphy on the Infineo podcast, explaining his recent paper "Artificial Action" that he presented at the Austrian Economics Research Conference: Michael's previous appearance on the Infineo podcast: Michael on the Bob Murphy Show: Sponsor mentioned: https://TheSwanBrothers.com/crossover [https://TheSwanBrothers.com/crossover]Haman Nature Merch Store: https://shop.hamannature.com [https://shop.hamannature.com]Adam on X: https://x.com/Rerazer [https://x.com/Rerazer] Bob on X: https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon [https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon] The Bob Murphy Show: https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/ [https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/] Adam’s other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com [https://naturalorderpodcast.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe [https://hamannature.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Jeremy Kauffman Controversy At The LP Convention | Hn 240

On this crossover episode, Adam Haman and economist Bob Murphy comment on the controversies at the 2026 Libertarian Party National Convention surrounding the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire and its fiery chair, Jeremy Kauffman, who spoke about these matters recently on the Tom Woods Show.00:00 — Intro. Two housekeeping items: 1) Adam's face and 2) Bob's compulsion.02:30 — Clip 1: A portion of the speech Jeremy Kauffman gave at the convention while running for chair. 15:37 — Clip 2: Kauffman discusses the degeneracy of the Libertarian Party. 24:19 — Clip 3: Kauffman responds to criticism about LPNH's messaging style.38:34 — Clip 4: A theft and an assault occurred at this convention. What does libertarianism say about this matter?57:18 — An important discussion of dermatological law ensues.1:00:21 — Outro and final thoughts. Thank you for supporting Haman Nature!Sponsor mentioned: https://ExpatMoney.com/Murphy [https://ExpatMoney.com/Murphy]Document by Stephan Kinsella mentioned: The Universal Principles of Liberty: https://theuniversalprinciplesofliberty.com/en [https://theuniversalprinciplesofliberty.com/en]Haman Nature Merch Store: https://shop.hamannature.com [https://shop.hamannature.com]Adam on X: https://x.com/Rerazer [https://x.com/Rerazer] Bob on X: https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon [https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon] The Bob Murphy Show: https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/ [https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/] Adam’s other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com [https://naturalorderpodcast.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe [https://hamannature.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Cybersecurity Engineer Jacob Lovell Explains The Origins And Dangers Of The Internet | Hn 239

Adam welcomes the cybersecurity engineer Jacob Lovell on the show to talk about how the internet actually works, its beginnings, and what the future of tech might look like. Note: This was recorded April 30, 2026 -- because tech moves fast!00:00 — Intro. Welcoming smart techy person Jacob Lovell!00:59 — Jacob explains what a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is, and also some impressive facts about his company (Akamai) and the impressive people who founded it.13:10 — See, the internet is a series of tubes! A brief history of the anarchic internet and how it works.24:58 — What is Net Neutrality? What would happen to the internet if it were enacted? 46:40 — How is security provided on the internet? 52:02 — What is the future for the internet? How about AI and quantum computing?1:12:14 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!Jacob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobsec/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobsec/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe [https://hamannature.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A Critique Of The "American System" | Hn 238

On this crossover episode, Adam Haman and economist Bob Murphy talk about the strange resurgence of "The American System" (or elements of it) that originated with Alexander Hamilton and was pushed forward notably by Henry Clay and Abraham Lincoln. What is it? Is it good in any way? Answers inside!00:00 — Intro. Let's talk about increases of the money supply since 2020 and Hamilton's unique financial system. Also, what's with Adam's face?03:34 — Many influential people have claimed that 80% of all the money currently in circulation in the US was created since 2020. What's the truth of that claim? True? Hyperbolic? Confused?20:50 — Introducing an interesting article written by Joe Withrow of phoenicianleague.com about The American System. What's it all about?24:47 — Adam reads the intro to this fascinating article. Bob gives his remarks.35:17 — Plank 1 of The American System: National Banking.44:28 — Plank 2: The National Government Assuming State's Debts. 47:22 — Plank 3: Protective Tariffs.51:00 -- Plank 4: Productive Credit.1:01:00 -- Plank 5: Public Infrastructure. 1:04:54 — More criticisms of The American System not addressed by this article.1:12:00 — Outro and final thoughts. Thank you for supporting Haman Nature!Sponsor mentioned: https://scotthortonacademy.com/crossover [https://scotthortonacademy.com/crossover]Article mentioned: https://phoenicianleague.com/the-american-system-the-blueprint-that-turned-the-colonies-into-a-superpower/ [https://phoenicianleague.com/the-american-system-the-blueprint-that-turned-the-colonies-into-a-superpower/]Haman Nature Merch Store: https://shop.hamannature.com [https://shop.hamannature.com]Adam on X: https://x.com/Rerazer [https://x.com/Rerazer] Bob on X: https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon [https://x.com/BobMurphyEcon] The Bob Murphy Show: https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/ [https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/] Adam’s other show: https://naturalorderpodcast.com [https://naturalorderpodcast.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe [https://hamannature.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Gene Epstein - SOHO FORUM Debate Stories | Hn 237

Adam welcomes the great Gene Epstein to the show! Gene wrote for many years at Barron's Magazine about finance and economics. When he retired, he founded the magnificent Soho Forum debate society. Come hear a smart man say very smart things!00:00 — Intro. Welcoming the one-of-a-kind intellectual force of nature, Gene Epstein! 01:07 — Gene and I forgive each other for our respective last names, and Gene asks a poker question.07:00 — Gene on David Friedman and the non-aggression principle. 16:12 — Adam and Gene tell their "coming to libertarianism" stories. Also: Noam Chomsky and anti-liberty poker players!29:55 — Gene on Hunter Lewis's Economics in Three Lessons and convincing others to embrace liberty.42:38 — Gene asks deeply personal financial and familial questions of his generous host.46:30 — How should we "do" libertarianism? Which path is the best?54:45 — Immigration in a world with states: what's the closed/open borders solution? Fireworks ensue! (the good kind)1:14:28 — Gene on debates, debating, and his great Soho Forum debating organization. 1:45:19 — Adam reveals a secret connection to Gene and his family!2:00:47 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!Gene on X: https://x.com/GeneSohoForum [https://x.com/GeneSohoForum]Gene's Soho Forum website: https://www.thesohoforum.org/ [https://www.thesohoforum.org/]Adam on X: https://x.com/Rerazer [https://x.com/Rerazer]Adam's other podcast: https://naturalorderpodcast.com [https://naturalorderpodcast.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe [https://hamannature.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]