\The Best of… Lex Friedman

Sam Altman: OpenAI, GPT-5, Sora, Board Saga, Elon Musk, Ilya, Power & AGI

Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind GPT-4, ChatGPT, Sora, and many other state-of-the-art AI technologies. Here he talked to the one and only Lex Friedman -here were to best bits.

• The Future of Compute and AGI:

  • Sam Altman predicts that compute will become the most valuable commodity, driving remarkable advancements in AGI by the end of this decade.

  • "I think compute is gonna be the most precious commodity in the future... By the end of this decade, we will have quite capable systems that we look at and say, wow, that's really remarkable."

• Challenges and Experiences at OpenAI:

  • Altman shares the difficulties and learning experiences from a governance crisis at OpenAI, underscoring the importance of resilience and robust governance for AGI development.

  • "That was definitely the most painful professional experience of my life... It still I think helped us build up some resilience and be ready for more challenges in the future."

• Governance and Power Dynamics:

  • He discusses the complexities of governance and power within AI organizations, advocating for balanced power and against centralized control over AGI.

  • "The road to AGI should be a giant power struggle... I don't think any one person should be in control of an AGI or this whole movement towards AGI."

• Safety, Ethics, and the Role of AI:

  • Altman emphasizes OpenAI's focus on safety and ethics, aiming to build AI that benefits humanity while addressing both immediate and long-term risks.

  • "One of the best things that OpenAI has done is this strategy and we get the world to pay attention to the progress to take AGI seriously to think about what systems, and structures, and governance we want in place."

• Collaboration and Competition in the AI Field:

  • Altman acknowledges the benefits of competition in fostering innovation but cautions against the potential for an AI development arms race.

  • "I think competition is good... But the con is that I think if we're not careful, it could lead to an increase in sort of an arms race that I'm nervous about."

• Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations:

  • Reflecting on personal growth and challenges, Altman shares his hope for the future and the role of AI in advancing scientific discovery and societal progress.

  • "I was so caught off guard that it has definitely changed... But I'm worried about just becoming less of a default trusting person."

\The Best of… 20VC

Bryan Johnson: Why Humans are No Longer Qualified to Manage Our Own Affairs

Bryan Johnson is the founder of Blueprint, the man is at war with death and is mastering longevity. Bryan is on a mission aimed at enhancing human intelligence and being respected by people in the 25th century. Before starting Blueprint, Bryan also founded Braintree (acquired by PayPal for $800M) and OS Fund – a $100M venture capital fund investing in genomics, synthetic biology, and complex systems. He talks to Harry Stebbings on 20VC. Here were the best bits:

• Human Unfitness for Managing Affairs and AI's Potential:

  • The speaker posits that humans have surpassed their ability to manage their own well-being, suggesting that AI and algorithms could better manage human life and even the planet's future.

  • "I'm fundamentally proposing that the human race is no longer qualified to manage our Affairs... I made an algorithm that takes better care of me than I can myself."

• The Role and Progress of Computational Tools:

  • Advances in computational tools now allow for the engineering of life's source code, offering unprecedented control over biological existence.

  • "We can engineer the source code for life... we have the computational tools that have exceeded our native intelligence and abilities."

• Valuing Future Generations' Respect:

  • The speaker aims for his actions and decisions to earn the respect of future generations, underscoring a long-term vision for his contributions.

  • "The game I'm trying to play in life is how to be respected by the 25th Century."

• Challenging Personal and Societal Beliefs:

  • A profound personal challenge arose when questioning the validity of the religion he was born into, highlighting the difficulty of confronting deeply ingrained beliefs.

  • "The most significant one when I was personally challenged with that the religion I was born into may not be the explanation of reality."

• The Concept of 'Don't Die' as a Fundamental Truth:

  • "Don't die" emerges as a foundational truth for the speaker, representing a shift towards prioritizing continuous existence over traditional human pursuits.

  • "Don't die is the only thing in existence that I know... it's the first moment that we've achieved that ability."

• Algorithmic Self-Care Overcoming Human Limitations:

  • An algorithm created for personal well-being exemplifies a belief in technology's potential to surpass human judgment in managing health and lifestyle choices.

  • "I made an algorithm that takes better care of me than I can myself."

• Acceptance and Skepticism Towards Universal Truths:

  • The speaker maintains a skeptical stance towards all perceived truths, advocating for a cautious approach to accepting widespread beliefs or assertions.

  • "It begins by being skeptical of all things... I enter all things with this deep skepticism of anything trying to be ultimate truth."

In this episode of the All in Podcast Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks & David Friedberg cover all things AI, Apple, and Reddit IPO. Here were the best bits:

• CRISPR-Cas9 Edited Pig Kidney Transplant:

  • A groundbreaking medical procedure involved using CRISPR-Cas9 to edit a pig's kidney, making it compatible for human transplantation. This procedure represents a significant advancement in organ transplantation and genetic editing technology.

  • "They used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit out the certain subset of the pig genes and edit in a certain useful subset of human genes, and then they transplanted that kidney into a 64-year-old man... he apparently seems to be doing well."

• Neuralink’s Chess-Playing Brain Implant:

  • Neuralink's development has reached a milestone where a quadriplegic man can play chess using a brain implant. This achievement showcases the potential for brain-computer interfaces to restore independence and improve the quality of life for individuals with severe motor impairments.

  • "He described it as he was playing chess and he said like I love playing chess and I’ve learned to use my mind to move pieces around and he said like it's like having the force."

• AI Impact on Traditional Industries:

  • The advent of AI is not only about the creation of new technology companies but also significantly impacts traditional industries. Enterprises that are quick to leverage AI innovations, particularly in automation and productivity, stand to gain considerable competitive advantages.

  • "I think that it's businesses in traditional industries that are going to be able to leverage these tools...there's an incredible set of advances that are going to be realized in things like chemical manufacturing, drugs, general manufacturing that have existing scale and infrastructure."

• Saudi Arabia’s $40 Billion AI Fund:

  • Saudi Arabia's decision to establish a $40 billion AI fund underscores the nation's ambitious plan to become a leading player in the global AI landscape. The fund aims to invest in AI startups, chip companies, and data centers, highlighting the strategic importance of AI and technology for the country's future economic development.

  • "The Saudis are planning a $40 billion AI fund...this new fund would reportedly invest in AI startups, chip companies, and data centers."

• Expanding Universe:

  • Recent observations have confirmed that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, with different rates observed in various parts of the universe. This discovery challenges existing theories about the uniform expansion following the Big Bang.

  • "Recently we saw that different types of stars that were observed with the Hubble Space Telescope had actually a different rate of expansion of the universe than what was previously thought from the supernova... it once again confirms what the original Hubble data showed, which is that the universe is expanding at different rates in different parts of the universe."

\The Best… Tim Ferris

How to Sell Millions with Self-Publishing

Hugh Howey is the New York Times bestselling author of Wool, Beacon 23, Sand, Machine Learning, Half Way Home, and more than a dozen other novels. His Silo trilogy was recently adapted by Apple TV, becoming their #1 drama of all time. He tells Tim Ferris is the story of his dream and how he got there.

• Importance of Daily Writing Habits: The speaker emphasizes the critical role of maintaining a daily writing habit in overcoming self-imposed barriers and achieving long-term goals. This practice not only facilitated the realization of his dream to write a book but also safeguarded him against the fear of reverting to a state of unproductivity.

  • "My number one bucket list thing in life is to write a book... honestly, like all I had to do was write a little bit every day, and I would write a book. That's all I ever wanted."

• Unorthodox Creative Process: The speaker highlights their unconventional approach to creativity and publishing, noting their reliance on advice from an individual they view as more unorthodox than themselves. This acknowledgment underscores the value they place on unconventional wisdom and mentorship in navigating the complexities of the publishing industry.

  • "I like to think of myself as being pretty unorthodox in my creative process and publishing, but you are the person... who I've called the most for advice."

• Self-Publishing Journey: Through the narrative of publishing the "Wool" series and the strategic decisions made around copyright and self-publishing, the speaker provides insights into the challenges and triumphs encountered in the self-publishing journey. This includes discussions on retaining rights, the impact of digital platforms, and navigating the traditional publishing landscape.

  • "I was writing in obscurity, but I... it's amazing, my first book did better than a lot of first books."

• Impact of Digital Distractions and Persistence: The discussion touches on the broader themes of digital distractions and the consistent effort required to achieve personal and creative success. The speaker reflects on the persistence needed to pursue writing, the evolution of their career, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI on creative processes.

  • "How can you get in the way of yourself that consistently? And we all do it as writers."

\The Best of… Huberman Labs

Dr. Cal Newport: How to Enhance Focus and Improve Productivity

In this episode, Andrew Huberman (recently the subject of a pointless New York Magazine hit piece) speaks to Dr. Cal Newport, Ph.D. a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and bestselling author of numerous books on focus and productivity. He talks about how to access the deepest possible layers of your cognitive abilities in order to do quality work and lead a more balanced life. These were the best bits:

• The Challenge of Knowledge Work Productivity: The podcast highlights the unique challenges of measuring and improving productivity in knowledge work, which lacks clear, quantifiable metrics akin to those in manufacturing or agriculture. Knowledge work is further complicated by its reliance on cognitive processes and creative output, which are not easily standardized or optimized.

  • "What essentially the management class came up with is pseudo productivity, which is okay in the absence of being able to be quantitative about this, we will use visible activity as a proxy for useful effort."

• Digital Distractions and Task Switching: A significant portion of the conversation focuses on how digital distractions, particularly from smartphones and social media, contribute to a fragmented attention span, making sustained focus on complex tasks more difficult. The podcast emphasizes the cost of constant task switching, not just in terms of time spent on distractions but also the cognitive load of switching contexts.

  • "It's not just the total time you're looking at let's say email or social media, it's the 15-minute window you have to add around each of those checks in which you have this cognitive disorder that really adds up."

• Strategies for Deep Work: The discussion includes strategies for achieving deep work, such as embracing boredom and scheduling time blocks for uninterrupted work. The speakers advocate for the intentional scheduling of work hours and the prioritization of tasks that align with one's professional and personal goals.

  • "I'm not a big believer in to-do lists. I like to grapple with the actual available time... Here's the actual hours of the day that are free and where they fall. Alright, what do I want to do with that time?"

• Personal Well-being and Productivity: The podcast also touches on the importance of maintaining personal well-being for sustained productivity. This includes managing sleep patterns, incorporating exercise into daily routines, and allowing for downtime or "gaps" to facilitate creativity and learning.

  • "Sleep issues really shaped the way I thought about work and put me on these much longer time scales of productivity... It was like an insomnia-compatible definition of productivity."

\The Best of… Diary of a CEO

The Childhood Trauma Doctor: Childhood Trauma Causes Parkinson’s!

Dr. Paul Conti is a general psychiatrist and expert on treating trauma, he is also the founder and CEO of Pacific Premier Group, PC. Some of his clients include Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian & Tommy Hilfiger. Here were the most interesting bits from his conversation about trauma with Steve Bartlett:

• Trauma's Generational Impact and Prevalence: Dr. Conti describes trauma as a virus that can be transmitted across generations, affecting not just those who directly experience it but also their offspring through changes in gene expression. This broad impact suggests more than half the population experiences some form of trauma.

  • "Trauma is like a virus, and it gets passed along to your children even if their children are not born until years later because trauma can change the expression of our genes."

• Physical and Mental Health Consequences: Trauma is linked to significant brain changes, accelerated aging, and a predisposition to various diseases, underlining the connection between trauma and both physical and mental health deterioration.

  • "We know trauma makes us age faster than our calendar age and we know that ultimately the root of depression, addiction, Parkinson's disease is from trauma."

• The Critical Role of Curiosity in Treatment: Dr. Conti emphasizes the importance of curiosity about one's own experiences and behaviors as a means to uncovering and addressing underlying traumas, suggesting that understanding the "why" behind our actions can lead to healing.

  • "The key to all of this is curiosity...often times addictive behavior is meant as an escape from something or even to self-punish."

• The Impact of Epigenetics: The discussion highlights how trauma can lead to changes in gene expression, potentially affecting future generations. This understanding points to the importance of addressing trauma not just for one's own health but to prevent passing on its effects.

  • "Our life experiences can change the expression of our genes...and this is a very revolutionary understanding."

• The Potential for Healing and Transformation: Despite the pervasive and deep-seated impact of trauma, Dr. Conti provides a message of hope, emphasizing that understanding and addressing trauma can lead to significant positive changes in individuals' lives.

  • "We can understand it, we can get our arms around it and...we can change trauma."

\The Best of… My First Million

How To Crush Your Goals in 2024

This in this episode of My First Million, Shaan Puri Shaan Puri teaches his framework for ruthless focus. Follow these 5 steps to crush your goals in 2024.

• Importance of Focus:

  • Shaan emphasizes the significance of having a focused and directed approach toward goals, particularly for the year 2024. They reflect on their own struggles with maintaining focus in the past and share strategies that have proven effective in enhancing concentration and achieving set objectives.

  • "I have not been great at focusing in the past... it's just this drift that I didn't like and I wanted to get better at. I'm going to show you what works for me, how do you get more focused."

• Raising the Yes Threshold:

  • A key strategy for achieving greater focus is raising one's 'yes threshold.' This involves being more selective about the commitments and projects one undertakes, ensuring that only those which truly resonate on a 'hell yes' level are pursued.

  • "The first thing you want to do... is simply acknowledge, bring your awareness to how low your yes threshold is and raise it... it needs to take your yes to a hell yes."

• Adopting a Maker Schedule:

  • Transitioning to a maker schedule, characterized by long, uninterrupted blocks of time for deep work, as opposed to a fragmented manager schedule, is recommended to boost productivity and creativity.

  • "What you want to do is switch to a maker schedule... usually in the morning you need at least two and a half hours of uninterrupted time... you're able to lock in."

• Clarity Through Asana’s Pyramid of Clarity:

  • Utilizing Asana's Pyramid of Clarity, which includes defining a mission, setting one-year goals, identifying necessary inputs (people, product, finances), and planning monthly actions, is presented as a method to achieve clear, actionable focus toward one's goals.

  • "At the top here you have your mission... then you break it down to the one-year goal... from there you break it out by month."

• Personal Commitments and Restrictions:

  • The concept of explicitly stating what one will say 'yes' to and what one will reject ('no' to) is highlighted as a crucial exercise for maintaining focus and ensuring alignment with one's overarching goals and mission.

  • "I say yes to blank and I say no to blank... it's all about self-awareness... what's against your nature and write that down."

• Focus as a Learned Skill:

  • The speaker concludes by acknowledging their ongoing journey to master focus, emphasizing it as a learnable skill that is vital for achieving success and invites others to share their own strategies for maintaining focus.

  • "Focus is a superpower people say that but they don't tell you how you focus... I'm maybe a blue belt in the game of focus... I wanted to share with you the things that I'm doing that tend to be working for me."