Quantum theory is the great foundation for nearly all of modern physics. Since its discovery in 1925, it has never met a single experimental failure, and without it we could kiss our technological society goodbye. Without quantum theory, there would be no transistors, no lasers, no smart phones — we might as well be living in 1910. But this foundation, for all it is worth, sits on some pretty shifty metaphysical sands. Some physicists look into quantum theory and see evidence that the universe is a vast web of instantaneous connections, making a laughingstock of the idea that any two events in the universe are really independent. Some physicists look into quantum theory and see not one universe, but a continuum of parallel worlds, each disconnected from the others except for having the same physical laws. Still other physicists — a tiny minority — look into quantum theory and see an overpowering message that the theory’s terms have not so much to do with nature itself, but with our place in nature. Metaphorically, the physicist is like a tiny paramecium caught up in nature’s stream, and quantum theory is his best tool yet for navigating the course. This is the foundational stance of QBism. (Q is for quantum, but what of the B? For that you will have to come to the lecture.) In QBism, the singular role of quantum theory is to aid in making better decisions and better gambles as we confront nature. But this is not to say that we might not learn a lot about nature itself by studying the tool’s design. To great surprise, that study does take us back to 1910, but now in a good way, to a nearly-forgotten philosophy called “American pragmatism”. Crucial to pragmatism is the idea that our world is always on the make; the big bang is not just something remote and at the beginning of time, but intimate and all around us. The philosopher William James once asked, “How can new being come in local spots and patches which add themselves or stay away independently of the rest?” That it can be so is QBism’s research program and the subject of this lecture.