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Machines, Creativity & Love | Dr. Lex Fridman

Episode 29 Jul 19, 2021 3h 32 insights
Dr. Lex Fridman Ph.D., is a scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), working on robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and human-robot interactions. He is also the host of the Lex Fridman Podcast where he holds conversations with academics, entrepreneurs, athletes and creatives. Here we discuss humans, robots, and the capacity they hold for friendship and love. Dr. Fridman also shares with us his unique dream for a world where robots guide humans to be the best versions of themselves, and his efforts to make that dream a reality.  Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.
Actionable Insights

1. Embrace Kindness & Authenticity

Strive to be the same person publicly and privately, embracing kindness even if it risks being perceived as naive or mocked, as this fosters personal freedom and fulfillment.

2. Define Your Own Life’s Purpose

Reflect on and actively figure out your own ‘objective functions’ or meaning of life, leveraging the unique human ability to determine personal goals and purpose.

3. Prioritize Shared Moments

Actively remember and value shared moments—including successes, failures, and peaceful time—with others, as this collection of experiences is fundamental to building deep, meaningful relationships.

4. Value Unstructured Time

Create and appreciate opportunities for ‘unstructured time’ with loved ones, as these moments, where goals emerge organically, are often remembered as the most meaningful and bonding.

5. Leverage Loneliness as Driver

Utilize feelings of loneliness as a powerful driver to create or seek out companionship and connection, transforming a personal challenge into a source of motivation and growth.

6. Find Beauty in Suffering

Cultivate the ability to find beauty in suffering and even the worst possible scenarios, as this perspective can make you more appreciative of everything else in life and help combat cynicism.

7. Adapt to Darkness

Instead of waiting for a ’light at the end of the tunnel,’ focus on adapting to and navigating the ‘darkness’ of challenging situations, as this resilience is key to enduring difficult journeys.

8. Struggle is a Good Sign

View struggle as a positive indicator; if you persist through difficult periods, it often means you’re on a path to unique success and growth.

9. Embrace Anthropomorphization

Consciously project lifelike features onto inanimate objects or systems, viewing this anthropomorphization as a ‘superpower’ to foster deeper connections and understanding, rather than a negative.

10. Learn from Failures (Data Engine)

Implement a ‘data engine’ approach in your own learning by actively seeking out and collecting ’edge cases’ or failure points, then analyzing and learning from them to continuously improve.

11. Learn from Slightly Better Systems

To learn and improve, consistently interact with systems or people that are slightly better than you, as this process drives continuous improvement in various domains like martial arts.

12. Cultivate Storytelling as Communication

Develop storytelling as a powerful communication tool, recognizing its ability to share ideas, create stable narratives, and foster understanding beyond mere problem-solving.

13. Collaborate with Flawed Systems

Recognize that both humans and AI systems are inherently flawed; focus on designing interactions where flawed entities work together to achieve a greater sum, rather than striving for individual perfection.

14. Seek Moments of Surprise

Actively seek out and appreciate moments of genuine surprise from interactions with others or systems, as these unexpected occurrences can be magical and signify a deeper connection or understanding.

15. Aspire to Lifelong Romantic Partnership

Aim for a lifelong romantic partnership, valuing the deep meaning and growth that comes from sharing a lifetime of moments together, chosen by desire rather than external force.

16. Children as Source of Meaning

Recognize that having children can be a significant source of energy, meaning, and increased productivity, contributing to becoming a better version of yourself.

17. Actively Seek True Love

Actively ’look’ for true love by taking leaps and putting yourself out there in different social situations, rather than passively waiting for it to appear.

18. Freedom to Leave Enables Love

Understand that the ‘ability to leave’ a relationship or system is a fundamental enabler of genuine connection and trust, ensuring commitment is voluntary.

19. Optimize Social Media for Growth

When engaging with social media, consciously optimize for your long-term growth and happiness, rather than passively allowing platforms to optimize for engagement.

20. Demand Data Ownership & Transparency

In digital interactions, advocate for and utilize systems that grant individuals complete ownership and control over their data, along with transparency about its use, as these are crucial for establishing trust.

21. Build Aggregate Identity for Resilience

Build a strong ‘aggregate’ identity as a good person through consistent actions and words over time, as this provides resilience and immunity against isolated criticisms or misinterpretations.

22. Treat Children with Respect

Treat children with respect, acknowledging their inherent intelligence and philosophical capacity, rather than ‘babying’ them, to foster their growth and self-discovery.

23. Prioritize Physical Contact for Bonding

Engage in physical contact, such as hugs, with trusted individuals, as this basic human interaction is fundamental for bonding and intimacy, contrasting societal pressures for distance.

24. Jiu-Jitsu for Honesty & Connection

Engage in activities like jiu-jitsu that provide honest feedback on your capabilities, fostering vulnerability and deep connection with others who share similar experiences of confronting reality.

25. Jiu-Jitsu for Lifelong Exercise

Consider practicing jiu-jitsu as a strenuous yet sustainable exercise for lifelong physical activity, emphasizing smart technique and partner selection to remain injury-free into old age.

26. Late-Night Running for Reflection

Engage in late-night running to foster deep philosophical thoughts and self-reflection, utilizing the unique atmosphere of the night for introspection.

27. Practice Meditation & NSDR

Practice meditation, mindfulness, yoga nidra, or non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) to place the brain and body into different states, restore cognitive and physical energy, and gain understanding about consciousness, even with short 10-minute sessions.

28. Drink Electrolytes Morning & Exercise

Drink an electrolyte mix (like Element) first thing in the morning (1 packet in 16-32 oz water) and during physical exercise to ensure proper hydration and electrolyte balance for optimal brain and body function.

29. Take Athletic Greens Daily

Consider taking Athletic Greens once or twice a day to cover basic nutritional needs, address potential deficiencies, and support microbiome health.

30. Supplement Vitamin D3 and K2

Supplement with Vitamin D3 and K2, as D3 is essential for brain and body health (many are deficient even with sun exposure) and K2 regulates cardiovascular function and calcium in the body.

31. Use Podcasting for Science/Dialogue

Utilize podcasting or similar platforms to engage in ‘dangerous conversations’ and collaborative scientific exploration, fostering deep discussions on challenging topics with world-class minds.

32. Apply Rigor to Public Communication

Apply the same rigor and effort to podcasting or other forms of public communication as you would to academic publications, recognizing its potential to reach and impact millions of people over time.