In this deeply philosophical episode of Unblocked Creators, Jesse James Boyes explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity against the backdrop of his transformative journey through the Mojave Desert.

Jesse weaves together seemingly disparate threads—from ancient Chinese divination systems to modern computing fundamentals, from quantum physics to consciousness theory—to address a profound question: In a world where AGI might soon perform most tasks we currently call jobs, what makes human creativity uniquely valuable?

The episode traces the fascinating historical connections between the 3,000-year-old Yi Jing (I Ching) and Leibniz's development of binary mathematics that forms the foundation of all modern computing. Jesse unpacks complex philosophical thought experiments like John Searle's Chinese Room, examining whether machines can truly "think" or merely simulate intelligence.

Beyond the philosophical ponderings, Jesse shares his real-world desert adventure where serendipity led to meaningful connections, including a chance meeting with digital creator Dan Koe. Their mountain-top conversation about consciousness, creativity, and finding meaning in an increasingly automated world forms the emotional core of the episode.

Through vivid storytelling of sleeping in a tent beside Sagauro cacti, following coyote tracks to hidden vistas, and making art in the beating sunshine, Jesse makes a compelling case for human relevance that transcends automation anxiety: our capacity to create meaning through direct experience, to jump between layers of abstraction, and to share moments of profound connection.

This episode offers both intellectual depth and practical inspiration for creators wondering about their place in an AI-driven future.

About our sponsors:

Oakmoss - Jesse's handcrafted wood art celebrates the beauty of natural materials and human creativity. Each piece tells a unique story through intricate carving that no algorithm could replicate. Explore his work at http://www.oakmoss.ca

Evernia Design - The Internet for Humans: http://www.EverniaDesign.com

Unblocked Creators with Jesse James Boyes explores the intersection of creativity, technology, philosophy, and meaningful work. New episodes weekly. Guest episodes every other week.

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In Unblocked Creators episode 4, Jesse shares a personal journey of creating wood art for his mother through her cancer battle and a global pandemic.

This experience, fused with Eastern philosophy, reveals how suffering ('Dukkha') and creative blocks can become fuel for artistic breakthroughs and spiritual freedom.

Discover how to see obstacles not as barriers, but as "uncarved blocks" of potential, and transform them into doorways for new insights.

Oakmoss wooden wallets can be purchased here: https://stan.store/oakmoss

The Oakmoss website and gallery is here: https://www.oakmoss.ca/

Donna May Paints gallery: https://donnamaypaints.ca/

The Creative Wayfinder initiation: https://stan.store/oakmoss/p/the-creative-wayfinder

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Need a website designed? Here's a showcase of what I do: https://www.everniadesign.com/

Mention you found me through the podcast - I like to support creators, and if I want to work with someone, I'll charge them a lot less.

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Ty Martens and I sit down at Open Space Gallery in Abbotsford, BC. where his show "Aptera" is on display until June 6, 2025, to discuss his artistic process.

Check out Ty's work on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/tymartensart/

Read his wild shenanigans here:

https://tymartens.substack.com/

Support the Unblocked Creators by purchasing an Oakmoss Hardwood Wallet:

https://stan.store/oakmoss

Support the show

Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here:

https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver