The Innovation Show

• The Magic of Code with Sam Arbesman | The Innovation Show (Thinkers50 Award-Winning Podcast)

  In this thought-provoking episode, Aidan McCullen — Thinkers50 Innovation Award Winner, author of Undisruptable, and host of The Innovation Show — welcomes Samuel Arbesman, scientist, author, and polymath, for the grand finale of their trilogy. Together, they explore The Magic of Code: How Digital Language Created and Connects Our World, diving deep into how code shapes our understanding of reality — from biology and evolution to artificial intelligence and the simulation hypothesis.  Discover how code is the new DNA, the universal language linking art, philosophy, and technology, and why rekindling curiosity, humility, and wonder is essential in our age of machines. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:18 The Power and Mystery of Code 01:33 Guest Introduction: Samuel Arbesman 02:26 The Magic of Code: Themes and Inspirations 03:53 Rekindling Wonder in Computing 11:01 Biology and Computation: A Deep Dive 14:43 Artificial Life and Evolution in Computing 24:17 Emergent Behavior and Evolutionary Contingency 28:28 Simulation Hypothesis: Reality as a Program 29:30 The Complexity of Digital Simulations 30:35 Weather Prediction and Simplified Models 32:00 The Physicality of Computing 33:17 The Simulation Hypothesis 39:05 The Role of Language in AI 44:09 Humanity and Technology 47:39 The Future of Technology and Society 57:00 Final Thoughts on Humility and Curiosity In This Episode The connection between code, language, and human creativity How biology and computation mirror one another Artificial life, evolution, and digital ecosystems The simulation hypothesis: Are we living in code? The importance of humility, restraint, and curiosity in an AI-driven world Guest: Samuel Arbesman — Author of The Magic of Code, The Half-Life of Facts, and Overcomplicated 🔗 Find Sam: https://arbesman.net Host: Aidan McCullen — Thinkers50 Innovation Award Winner, international thought leader on change and reinvention, author of Undisruptable, and host of The Innovation Show, a globally acclaimed and Thinkers50-recognised podcast inspiring leaders to thrive through change. A former international rugby player, Aidan now helps organisations and leaders adapt and evolve in an age of exponential transformation.   Get Sam's Book: https://amzn.to/3Xb8abN Find the Innovation show: https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

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• Understanding the Complexity of Modern Technology with Samuel Arbesman | Overcomplicated

  In this episode, we explore the intricate world of modern technology with Samuel Arbesman, author of Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension. Why did the New York Stock Exchange shut down in 2015? What caused Toyota vehicles to accelerate without warning? Samuel reveals how technological "accretion" and interconnected systems create outcomes that even developers, engineers, and executives can't predict. We discuss: Why technology often evolves beyond human comprehension How "spaghetti code" and legacy systems create systemic risk The biological limits of human understanding Generalists vs. specialists in innovation The balance between intellectual humility and progress How we can better live with—and design—overcomplicated systems   This is a must-listen for leaders, technologists, and innovators navigating today's complex digital ecosystem. 🎙 Hosted by Aidan McCullen, keynote speaker on change and innovation. 💡 Sponsored by Kyndryl Episode Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:19 Unsolved Mysteries in Technology 01:18 Guest Introduction: Samuel Arbesman 01:57 Overview of 'Overcomplicated' 03:25 Case Studies: Stock Exchange and Toyota 07:53 The Concept of Accretion 15:48 Complexity vs. Complication 26:49 Interoperability and Trade-offs 29:29 Systemic Failures and Interoperability 29:53 Open Source Software and Maintenance Challenges 32:00 Biological Limits of Human Comprehension 34:51 The Role of Technology in Understanding Complex Systems 40:52 The Burden of Knowledge and the Need for Generalists 50:53 Physics vs. Biological Thinking in Innovation 55:49 Final Thoughts on Humility and Understanding   Find Samuel Arbesman: https://arbesman.net   [Aidan McCullen is a internationally Thinkers50 recognised thought leader on change and innovation. He is the author of Undisruptable and host of the globally acclaimed Innovation Show. A former international rugby player, Aidan now helps leaders and organisations thrive in an age of constant reinvention.]

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• The Half-Life of Facts with Samuel Arbesman: Why Knowledge Keeps Changing

  Facts change — and that's a good thing. In this episode, Samuel Arbesman, complexity scientist and author of The Half-Life of Facts, joins Aidan McCullen to explore how what we know — and believe to be true — constantly evolves. Together, they unpack how facts have a "half-life," why collaboration matters in a changing world, and how exponential knowledge growth reshapes science, strategy, and society. In this episode:   Why facts and truths decay over time How science self-corrects — from the Brontosaurus myth to the spinach iron story The concept of "meso-facts" — slowly changing knowledge How exponential growth drives innovation and discovery Why curiosity, humility, and adaptability are essential for leaders   📚 Guest: Samuel Arbesman — author of The Half-Life of Facts, Overcomplicated, and The Magic of Code. 🌐 https://arbesman.net | https://arbesman.substack.com   🎙️ Hosted by Aidan McCullen — international keynote speaker on change, transformation, and innovation, author of Undisruptable, and host of The Innovation Show.     💼 Brought to you by Kyndryl – helping leaders harness the power of technology for smarter decisions and faster innovation. 👉 https://www.kyndryl.com/ie/en/institute   📘 Connect with Aidan McCullen: 🌐 https://theinnovationshow.io 📰 Substack: https://thethursdaythought.substack.com 📕 Book: Undisruptable 🎤 Speaking: https://aidanmccullen.com

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• The Great Reshuffle Why Adobe Couldnt Beat Figma Howard Yu Sangeet Paul Choudary

  Why couldn't Adobe—with all its resources—stop Figma? In this power-packed episode of The Innovation Show X, Aidan McCullen dives deep into disruption, transformation, and the future of work with Howard Yu (Leap) and Sangeet Paul Choudary (Reshuffle, Platform Revolution).   You'll learn why Adobe's shift to the cloud was just Act 2, and why surviving in the new economy requires mastering Act 3—orchestration, data flows, and multiplayer collaboration.   💡 Topics include:   Why collaboration isn't just a feature—it's a business model How AI is reshaping the architecture of value creation What John Deere, Shein, and Tesla can teach legacy companies The hidden difference between execution and orchestration How to make your business future-ready     📚 Books discussed: Leap by Howard Yu and Reshuffle by Sangeet Paul Choudary 🔗 Follow the guests: Howard Yu – Substack: One Inch Ahead https://howardyu.substack.com Sangeet Paul Choudary – Substack: Platforms https://platforms.substack.com Aidan McCullen https://thethursdaythought.substack.com 🎙 Hosted by Aidan McCullen | Sponsored by Kyndryl   #InnovationShow #AdobeVsFigma #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #AI #PlatformEconomy

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• The Power of Productive Failure with Manu Kapur (Part 3 Finale)

  In this final part of our compelling trilogy, Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, returns to uncover the psychology behind effective learning. Discover why failing first can drive deeper understanding, greater retention, and lasting mastery. Hosted by Aidan McCullen, this episode explores real-world strategies rooted in research—from the Zeigarnik Effect to motivational boosts like loss aversion, endowed progress, and goal gradients. Whether you're an educator, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers tools to rethink failure as a powerful ally in personal growth and innovation. What You'll Learn: Why failure can enhance memory and understanding The science of loss aversion and how to hack it for learning Endowed progress and goal gradient theory in practice How to spark curiosity and mastery in children and adults Building learning resilience and overcoming imposter syndrome A practical model for designing learning for yourself and others Resources & Links: 🧠 Manu Kapur's Book: Productive Failure – https://amzn.to/3WzFuZD 🌐 Manu Kapur's Website: www.manukapur.com 🔗 Kyndryl Institute: www.kyndryl.com/institute 🎙️ Host: Aidan McCullen – www.TheInnovationshow.io Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:38 Welcoming the Guest: Manu Kaur 01:15 Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect 04:00 Affective Boost Levels: Loss Aversion and Endowed Progress 08:16 Goal Gradient and Personal Motivation 12:44 Growth Mindset and Effort 16:46 Children, Uncertainty, and Learning 21:51 Achievement Goals vs. Mastery Goals 26:27 Phenomenological Primitives and Learning 29:01 Understanding the Role of Context in Learning 31:49 The Power of Comparison and Contrast 34:34 Learning Through Metaphors and Case Studies 38:58 Addressing Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Challenges 41:14 Productive Failure in Learning and Growth 45:17 Designing Effective Learning Tasks 49:44 The Importance of Affective Draw in Mastery 56:13 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

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