Town Hall Seattle Science Series

255. Blaise Agüera y Arcas: What Is Intelligence?

What intelligence really is, and how AI's emergence is a natural consequence of evolution. It has come as a shock to some AI researchers that a large neural net that predicts next words seems to produce a system with general intelligence. Yet this is consistent with a long-held view among some neuroscientists that the brain evolved precisely to predict the future—the "predictive brain" hypothesis. In What Is Intelligence?, Blaise Agüera y Arcas takes up this idea—that prediction is fundamental not only to intelligence and the brain but to life itself—and explores the wide-ranging implications. These include radical new perspectives on the computational properties of living systems, the evolutionary and social origins of intelligence, the relationship between models and reality, entropy and the nature of time, the meaning of free will, the problem of consciousness, and the ethics of machine intelligence. The book offers a unified picture of intelligence from molecules to organisms, societies, and AI, drawing from a wide array of literature in many fields, including computer science and machine learning, biology, physics, and neuroscience. It also adds recent and novel findings from the author, his research team, and colleagues. Combining technical rigor and deep up-to-the-minute knowledge about AI development, the natural sciences (especially neuroscience), and philosophical literacy, What Is Intelligence? argues—quite against the grain—that certain modern AI systems do indeed have a claim to intelligence, consciousness, and free will.Blaise Agüera y Arcas is a researcher and author focused on artificial intelligence, sociality, evolution, and software development. He is a VP and Fellow at Google, where he is the CTO of Technology & Society and founder of Paradigms of Intelligence (Pi). He is a frequent speaker at TED and has been featured in the Economist and Noēma, and has previously published the books Who Are We Now? and Ubi Sunt. https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/7u0AIzfCXaol8rECkTwp0A Buy the Book [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/7u0AIzfCXaol8rECkTwp0A] What Is Intelligence?: Lessons from AI About Evolution, Computing, and Minds [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/7u0AIzfCXaol8rECkTwp0A] Elliott Bay Book Company [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/7u0AIzfCXaol8rECkTwp0A]

254. Psychedelic Law & Nature: What Can Americans Use Legally? Perry Salzhauer, Daniel Shortt, and April Pride

Seattle's 2021 ordinance decriminalized entheogens — plants and fungi that contain psychoactive indolamines, tryptamines, or phenethylamines—such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, mescaline cacti, and iboga. This Salon weaves together two threads: the little-known plant and fungal allies often left off the psychedelic main stage, and the laws that shape how we can (and cannot) work with them today. Legal experts Perry Salzhauer and Daniel Shortt explore what this ordinance means in practice, including how it shapes access, cultivation, and community use of approved entheogenic plants and fungi. Key to this discussion is analyzing the parameters of what decriminalization allows and, more importantly, does not allow. The Salon will cover the interplay between local, state, and federal law and share insights from Perry and Daniel's work in the field. Attendees will gain practical insight into the evolving legal and cultural landscape of entheogens in Seattle and beyond. Perry Salzhauer is a corporate transactions attorney with extensive experience advising businesses in highly regulated and emerging industries, including cannabis and psychedelics. He co-founded Green Light Law Group, a boutique firm focused on cannabis and psychedelics, and has served as both outside and in-house counsel to corporations, investors, and government agencies. His background encompasses securities, environmental compliance, and corporate governance, providing clients with a strategic advantage in navigating complex regulatory frameworks. Daniel Shortt is a regulatory and corporate attorney who advises clients across cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics. His work spans federal agencies, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial startups, with expertise in transactions, compliance, and regulatory frameworks. A frequent commentator in national outlets like The Washington Post and Bloomberg, Daniel also teaches cannabis law at the University of Washington School of Law. Recognized as a Top 200 Cannabis Lawyer and a Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Daniel bridges legal intricacies with pragmatic business insight in emerging psychedelic markets. __ Psychedelic Salon: Cultivating Conscious Connections Join Seattle-based psychedelics educator and podcast host April Pride in a dynamic series co-produced with Town Hall Seattle. Psychedelic Salon explores the transformative potential of psychedelic medicines through engaging conversations, expert panels, and interactive community discussions. Rooted in scientific evidence, each event highlights unique themes—including grief, seniors, menopause, and more—emphasizing their role in mental health, spiritual growth, and personal optimization. Designed to be inclusive and insightful, this series invites attendees of all backgrounds to discover how psychedelics can foster profound connections, healing, and well-being. About April Pride April Pride is a Seattle-based creative entrepreneur and harm reduction advocate with over two decades of experience building brands at the intersection of lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, and women's health. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, and The Guardian. April is the founder of SetSet, the world's first clinician-approved woman-focused platform for safe, accessible psychedelic integration. To learn more, follow April on Substack – aprilpride.substack.com [http://aprilpride.substack.com] Presented by Town Hall Seattle and SetSet. Events are offered for informational, entertainment, and educational purposes only. Read Town Hall's Program Content Policy. [https://townhallseattle.org/policies/]

253. Therese Huston with Katy Sewall: Everyday Strategies for a Sharper Mind

https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018 [https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018]Your brain has a favorite beverage, a surprising way to add new neurons, and strong opinions about multitasking—and it's not what you think. In this engaging conversation, cognitive scientist Therese Huston and podcast host Katy Sewall unpack the small changes, many of which take 5 minutes or less, that can keep your brain sharp and your body calm. Based on Huston's new book Sharp, they'll explore topics like how to turn a scattered mind into focused energy and why switching doctors, while annoying, might be your secret weapon for your health. This is a night filled with science-backed advice for anyone who wants to think clearly and age wisely. Therese Huston is a cognitive scientist at Seattle University, where she turns good research into great practice. She's the author of four books and her latest is Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science, published with Mayo Clinic Press. She's written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and Harvard Business Review and although she has taken the stage internationally as a speaker, her favorite audiences are right here in Seattle. Katy Sewall is the host and creator of The Bittersweet Life podcast. She's a writer, podcast consultant, and a Public Radio professional frequently heard on 94.9 KUOW. She's also the former Program Director at Town Hall. https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018 Buy the Book [https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018] Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science [https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018] Third Place Books [https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9798887702018]

252. Psychedelic Salon: Psilocybin & Menopause: With Dr. Patricia Singh, Kelly McGinty, and April Pride

Menopause is often portrayed as a period of decline, but what if it could be reframed as an awakening? Join co-authors Dr. Patricia Singh, psychotherapist and psychedelic integration specialist, and Kelly McGinty, nurse practitioner specializing in hormonal and integrative wellness, for a groundbreaking exploration of menopause as a transformative threshold. This session will delve into how psychedelics, especially psilocybin, offer a radical new perspective, easing cognitive rigidity, reducing internal narratives of decline, and fostering emotional and spiritual growth. Attendees will gain fresh insights on navigating midlife with strength, clarity, and empowerment. About Mycelopause: Uncovering the Magic of Menopause with Psilocybin Co-authored by Dr. Trish Singh, PhD, LPCC and Kelly McGinty, CNP, MSN, Mycelopause is not your typical menopause guide. It's a rebellious, witty, and deeply insightful journey into the intersection of psychedelics, perimenopause, and personal transformation. Combining science, storytelling, and satirical humor, we explore how psilocybin and other holistic tools can help reframe menopause from a crisis to a rite of passage. Kelly McGinty is a nurse practitioner accredited by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, with a Master's in Nursing from Gonzaga University. After over a decade as an emergency department NP, Kelly sought holistic approaches to address pandemic-related burnout and mental health crises. Her transformative experiences with psychedelics led her to study psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Kelly integrates Reiki, herbology, and Druidic traditions to help clients—particularly first responders, end-of-life patients, and those with treatment-resistant conditions—achieve holistic wellness in mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Patricia Singh, Ph.D., LPCC, is an independently licensed mental health counselor in New Mexico and California with over 25 years of experience in behavioral health. She holds a doctorate in Mind-Body Medicine with a specialization in Integrative Mental Health and is certified in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Singh integrates Ayurvedic principles, trauma-informed care, and psychedelic preparation and integration into her clinical work, where she focuses on post-traumatic stress, addiction, and family trauma. She is the founder of A New Awakening Counseling, a progressive rehabilitation facility serving individuals reentering society after incarceration. Her current research centers on holistic weight loss strategies for menopausal women. Dr. Singh splits her time between Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Oxnard, California. Psychedelic Salon: Cultivating Conscious Connections Join Seattle-based psychedelics educator and podcast host April Pride in a dynamic series co-produced with Town Hall Seattle. Psychedelic Salon explores the transformative potential of psychedelic medicines through engaging conversations, expert panels, and interactive community discussions. Rooted in scientific evidence, each event highlights unique themes—including grief, seniors, menopause, and more—emphasizing their role in mental health, spiritual growth, and personal optimization. Designed to be inclusive and insightful, this series invites attendees of all backgrounds to discover how psychedelics can foster profound connections, healing, and well-being. About April Pride April Pride is a Seattle-based creative entrepreneur and harm reduction advocate with over two decades of experience building brands at the intersection of lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, and women's health. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, and The Guardian. April is the founder of SetSet, the world's first clinician-approved woman-focused platform for safe, accessible psychedelic integration. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and SetSet.

251. Dr. Shelley Sella with Amelia Bonow: Beyond Limits — Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care

For 20 years, Dr. Shelley Sella saw patients whose diverse backgrounds and circumstances led them to the same difficult decision: to end their pregnancies. In her new book, Beyond Limits, Sella draws from her experiences to offer a window into a typical week at her clinic, weaving together patient stories—including those of a mother navigating a devastating prenatal diagnosis, a woman confronting unexpected test results after IVF, and a parent weighing safety and stability for her existing children. Dr. Sella offers a testament to a standard of care grounded in competence, compassion, and sensitivity, as well as a call for a paradigm shift that moves beyond Dobbs, beyond Roe, beyond limits to provide care. It is a tribute to the real people whose hearts, reasons, and stories are more complex than politicized conversations about abortion lead us to believe. Dr. Shelley Sella is a board-certified OB-GYN and the first woman to openly practice third-trimester abortion care in the US, which she did for 20 years. She was prominently featured in the Emmy Award–winning documentary After Tiller. Dr. Sella served two terms on the board of the National Abortion Federation and in 2022 was awarded its highest honor, the Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award. She is retired from clinical practice and now focuses on advocacy. Amelia Bonow is the Cofounder and Executive Director of Shout Your Abortion, a nationwide organization working to normalize abortion and elevate safe paths to access, regardless of legality. Amelia is the coeditor of SYA's eponymously titled book, which sits in the recovery rooms of hundreds of abortion clinics, as well as Abortion is Everything, a new children's book about abortion. Amelia is honored to serve as the Co-chair of the Board of Directors of Abortion Care Network, the national organization that serves and represents independent abortion providers. https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/VdT28uSLKvYxu4qPakr2WA Buy the Book [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/VdT28uSLKvYxu4qPakr2WA] Beyond Limits: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/VdT28uSLKvYxu4qPakr2WA] Elliott Bay Book Company [https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/VdT28uSLKvYxu4qPakr2WA]