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

aarmau@gmail.comApril 26, 2024Uncategorized

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.’

Access The Show

All platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/

Direct Link: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/203

YouTube:

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

If you’d like to dive more into the subjects Mario talked about:
– A TED-style presentation on Credentialing Minds: how the future of the internet, education, and work converge
– The world they see in 10 years if being informed actually matters, and The Readocracy Manifesto

If you’re interested in Readocracy for your institution or organization, or learning more:
– This is their one pager for Higher Education, one pager for leading high schools, and one pager for organizations with a learning culture
– Their A.I. upskilling offering created with A.I. leaders to help anyone go from zero to expert
– If you’d like priority access to the solo version of Readocracy for yourself, mention you heard about it via this podcast in the waitlist and you’ll be fast tracked.

More reading:
– A humble proposal to turn the internet upside down
– Intros to Infobesity, Information Wellness, and Information Pollution
– A reading list and sample microcredential on Rethinking Information in Society
– A reading list on Internet Psychology
– A reading list on the impact of the ad-driven internet’s impact on society

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