Tim Urban: Elon Musk, Neuralink, AI, Aliens, and the Future of Humanity | Lex Fridman Podcast

[@lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - Audible: audible.com/lex to get $9.95 a month for 6 months - Paperspace: gradient.run/lex to get $15 credit - Coinbase: coinbase.com/lex to get $5 in free Bitcoin - InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off - NetSuite: netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour 0:38 - The big and the small 8:28 - Aliens 16:42 - The pencil problem 23:27 - Food abundance 25:31 - Extinction of human civilization 30:49 - Future politics of Mars 37:49 - SpaceX 43:49 - Elon Musk 1:09:17 - Nuclear power 1:13:43 - The higher mind 1:18:27 - Echo chambers and idea labs 1:21:39 - How our brain processes film and music 1:24:53 - Neuralink 1:33:07 - Future of physical interactions 1:37:18 - AI 1:44:38 - Free speech 1:48:41 - How to read more 1:55:23 - Spaced repetition 1:59:26 - Procrastination 2:26:18 - Goals for the future 2:31:36 - Meaning of life

[@monkeysezbegood]

Do a deep dive on climate. Would be great. Serious stuff.

[@Hashishin13]

Get Alex Epstein on to hear the opposing side of climate change and the pro fossil fuels argument, please.

[@CmacKw]

If you do a Deep Dive on Climate Change, research Dendro and Ice Core-based Paleoclimatic Reconstructions. Also research the causality for the LIA, MCA, Late Antique IA/Late Roman Cold Period, the LBA Collapse, Collapse of the Egyptian Old Kingdom, and Ur 3rd Dynasty. Also, research Bond Event triggers and theory associated with Long term Postglacial cyclical climatic oscillation. Also look at the links between long-term cyclical climatic oscillation and volcanism/extensive tectonic plate destabilization. This will provide a good data set to compare with theory associated with Climatic predictive modeling.

[@FightCollective]

If Elon REALY wanted to impress me then he'd challenge social media and develop a truly open platform... space isn't really for humans. Even if I see a colon on Mars in my life time, it'll be nothing much more than the equivalent of a camp site in a desert (yes I understand the difficulties in doing that). Space is for drones and technology... that's the only way we are going to explore and experience space.

[@Ratigerable]

29:00 This guy dont know shit about mining 😂 Cmon man, people mined for gold, coper and iron without electricity, wtf. After this part i started doubting everything else he said.

[@SolvingTheMoneyProblem]

Great convo. Tim is a legend.

[@serradojapi]

TSLA to Mars! How is the Prison Island? Any plans on moving? Have a good one!

[@moihawk666]

a legend of one of the dumbest people on earth ... "how does a bike work?" ohhhh god it took a whole society? nope just one dude.....

[@rocksparadox]

@@moihawk666 ''"how does a bike work?" ohhhh god it took a whole society? nope just one dude.....'' Was it one person who optimized metallurgy, invented the chain, functional gears, the lightbulb and the rubber tire?

[@existentialwealth8025]

@@moihawk666 Don't quit your day job

[@firstnamelastname59]

@Nuaz Revotlip nerrrd child.

[@kwameowusu8351]

This is honestly God’s work. I’m 26, I don’t really come across people who listen to these podcasts (JRE, JBP etc.) the way I do but I strongly feel that they are around. There’s gonna be some time in the future when my generation takes over and there’s gonna be a powerful section of that generation that grew up and cemented their identities on the content that you guys put out. You are already having a huge impact right now but a few years from now I think you’d have changed the world beyond your wildest dreams. We know you don’t always get everything right but we admire the courageous way you guys chase your dreams, careful not to lose yourself but actually grow in the process. Thank you for being you :)

[@Jordiinii]

Right there with ya

[@letuinchi]

Im 28 so I was also 26 when you posted this comment. I could not agree more and often wish I was surrounded by more of the people out there listening. Maybe I should have gone to college lol.

[@TheExodusLost]

@@letuinchicurrently 28, was 26 when you posted this. You got a friend in me!

[@LOVETOWNROCKET]

I’ve known of Tim’s work much longer than Lex’s. Both are world class thinkers. It’s so great to have them sit together to trade ideas.

[@supernitroexpress]

Tim is new to me now, but I’m already a fan. Good to be here

[@aamody]

Thanks!

[@dva_kompota]

Спасибо! Тим один из моих самых любимых современных писателей - посмотрел ваш диалог с огромным удовольствием!

[@adin8217]

@du²8💋🤏 what

[@jakedevries1455]

@@adin8217 lol

[@2LazySnake]

Приятно видеть русскоязычный комментарий

[@jasenq6986]

hail stalin

[@Vlow52]

@@2LazySnake а видеть два комментария приятно вдвойне

[@woawjack]

"The fact you can somehow have a system that brings bananas to you - it's magic" -Lex Fridman His humble appreciation is really enlightening.

[@diggydowdiggydow]

Oh heck yes. This guy's website has always been so fun. So good at explaining things + making it fun - a natural teacher.

[@CtrlAltJ]

Tim and Lex have been 2 of my favorite sources of thoughtful information on the internet. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. It was also refreshing to hear about how both men experience the same struggles that most of us experience in the pursuit of becoming our best selves.

[@shelly_cali_girl3594]

Well said & 100% agree

[@harinivasp5414]

I love the way he's curious about simple things and how he looks at things differently! ❤

[@anypercentdeathless]

Very banal, actually.

[@collinvine]

Appreciate your work & the guests you bring on.

[@HassanWorld]

This is an amazing episode. Tim is very good at simplifying information to “mindblown” thoughts.

[@xmathmanx]

@@abdulg4762 if Tim can explain geometric unity so that I can understand it then you have a point

[@sahelt19]

The Best!!!

[@Maxatrillion08]

Great conversation, however I find that Tim is so naively excited about the future without ever considering how the folks who will first benefit the most from AI is the rich. And this point is rarely addressed by lex, Elon and now Tim. Neural link, space travel, ai technology is exciting but seems the rich and elite will use it to only better themselves and their families while the rest of us breath shity air and fight each other over petty differences.

[@xmathmanx]

@@Maxatrillion08 It's true that rich people will be the first to get the new toys, so to speak, but genuine AI will be much more than that, and has the potential to take us beyond the idea that toys are even of any importance, this is my hope.

[@Maxatrillion08]

@@xmathmanx can you elaborate on what you mean by 'beyond the the ideas that toys are any importance'? Furthermore I think calling technology 'toys' is reductionistic. These technologies are tools. I'm not sure those in our lifetime will truly be able to benefit from the utopian vision these technologies propose. Capitalism and the tools inherent in that system are already very oppressive, what makes you think these new 'toys' won't be just as oppressive?

[@andreasvalentin8836]

@Lex you are so very very good at listening to people. I feel inspired by simply watching your skill of listening. I will try to improve my own skills of listening. You will serve as a lighthouse-standard of what I'm aiming at. Thank you for all your time and effort in bringing exciting conversations to millions of people. You are a very big inspiration for a lot of us.

[@MrChaluliss]

It is always a bit of a trip when you encounter someone who shares many paths of reason with yourself. So many of Tim's conceptions around productivity, procrastination, and living a balanced life are so similar to my own that I just can't help but love the guy. Knowing other have struggled in similar ways, and found similar solutions is a special thing.

[@DorinVancea]

Thanks

[@ArryOtter]

Thank you for the conversation on procrastination!

[@alexcharlton9010]

Gawd damn, this was a fantastic episode! Thank you to the both of you, highly enjoyed this, and learnt a lot.

[@patriciagraham6123]

I love Tim. I'd also love to see a movie about his life and the developments of his theories starring Jeff Goldlum 💛🙏😉

[@topdog5252]

Why not starring Tim Urban?

[@glennmorris25]

Digital Goldblum, Oldblum would be a disservice to Tim's youth and vitality

[@Cmonbilly]

Love Jeff Goldblum. Totally agree lol

[@devine_noise]

I love the Wait But Why newsletter. Great interview Lex.

[@Tuseneldawolfenpickle]

Thanks for valuing objective truth.

[@TamarZiri]

this conversation is a dream come true for me, thank you!!

[@Dalamain]

I first heard of Tim when I saw his TED talk on procrastination, love this guy!!

[@christophertaylor9847]

The Zimbabwe 1994 UFO encounter is still something I can't wrap my mind around!

[@formernavyspook]

Westall school, Melbourne, Australia 1966.

[@wildone1976]

I do listen to your podcasts more than ones Lex. There is so much to grasp that I need to go over and over so to catch all details… and I love it Thank you 🙏🏼 Happy Valentine’s day @everyone✨🤍✨

[@cutza7]

Thank you Lex! I am so glad you got to sit down with Tim, he's a remarkable person!

[@LHSlash]

He got no introduction, which is very strange. Doesn't strike me as an especial smart guy (maybe I'm wrong). What makes him special?

[@nabormendonca5742]

That commentary says a lot about you. And nothing about Tim. Read Tim’s amazing mind-blowing blog and try again. You won’t regret it. 😏

[@LHSlash]

@@nabormendonca5742 Cool. Maybe he just can't move between mediums. That happens with some writers. He studied in Harvard and completed an A.B. in government. Not exactly a PhD, but Harvard is Harvard... - he must be one of the only bloggers out there with an Harvard degree.

[@Robohtgaming]

Amazing episode with such stimulating conversation, thanks Lex!

[@elvisdog5314]

Speaking of podcasts I will watch over and over… this was amazing🙌

[@englishiguana4304]

Thank you lex and tim for such an amazing chat! So much good food for thought in this one, i gotta start tuning in more to this channel!

[@laizerwoolf]

Tim's Thought experiment on humanity rebuilding society from 0 to make an Iphone is basically the plot of Dr.Stone.

[@VeritableVagabond]

Is Dr. Stone worth watching? Like is it in the tier of full metal alchemist or attack on titan?

[@laizerwoolf]

@@VeritableVagabond It's not exactly the same genre as those titles. But do give it a try if you love the science and survivalist genre.

[@kod4062]

@@VeritableVagabond Yeah it's geared towards a slightly younger audience but like most shonen I'm sure the themes will mature over time. And there's a decent amount of actual chemisty/ tech recipes that they cover

[@Dumanoid]

I was hoping someone already mentioned it

[@alohadave13]

I agree. It was an incredible conversation. Thank you

[@ggvilleman1]

I can't put into words how much I value Lex Fridman podcasts! My Continued gain in perspective and insight I would have no other way obtained, is really stunning to think about. The legacy he is weaving with his catalouge of work is nothing short of revolutionary!

[@BiffTannenBTTF]

The conversation at 22:35 is amazing and I think about this often. We take everything for granted.

[@barely-thinking]

I have never clicked so fast on a notification. Tim's articles about Neuralink and AI have made me more mindblown than anything I have ever seen or heard. This is gonna be good

[@vibrato]

Thanks for getting Tim on your podcast Lex!

[@pablowasserman]

wow what a crossover! will have to listen to this one. long time big fan of waitbutwhy, way before all of the elon stuff... cheers from Argentina!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Words to live by: "Get a little done every day" -- Time Urban

[@MarkTuchinsky]

Been waiting for this one. This guy introduced me to the concept of AGI and ASI.

[@tubejay1]

Another thoughtful human being. This interview was fantastic. We need more voices like this rising to the top. Fair minded, clear thinking, and inquisitive. What a great guest.

[@beaumershon3066]

Thank you Lex! Love watching from Costa Rica.

[@redsix3530]

Lex you're killing it right now ! these guests are great :)

[@marinjuranic9019]

this was long expected and if I now get back to work - perfectly timed. Love to both of you, and thank you for the Lextimcon.

[@floopybits8037]

I am addicted to his blog OMG its amaazing

[@Sockpoppet]

I ❤ your podcasts Lex. The ideas shared by you and your guests never fail to 🧠💥🤯

[@ДмитрийАндреев-с4н]

Спасибо, Лекс! Блог Тима очень вдохновляет

[@FranAbenza]

My favorite Wait but why reads: * Religion for not religious * Neuralink * The cook and the chef What am I missing and why?

[@TamarZiri]

You gotta check out the one about colonizing mars! And there's an audio version! It's in the waitbutwhy archive and it's just so great! I love Tim's narration and i wish he will finally make the podcast :D

[@SamirPatnaik]

AI Revolution: Road to Superintelligence

[@FranAbenza]

@@SamirPatnaik this one was a revolution in my head, and if I look at it with retrospective I can say that it was an influential read on my career direction. The reason I didn't choose it is because now it feels more like common wisdom even though not everyone gets it yet

[@Aesthetic_Champ]

Really enjoyed all topics here, thank you Lex

[@Oscar-zp6io]

The part about the witch casting a spell where all material things made by mankind disappear is basically the story of the anime dr. Stone. In dr stone every person on the plant suddenly turns to stone. A few million years later a few people wake up and the exact scenario happens as Tim Urban described. Some trying to rebuild the civilization to once again have all the technology we have today. And the others trying to fight off technology in fear of going down the same path as we have now and destroying the earth once more

[@benshapiro8506]

vive la difference

[@VeritableVagabond]

Is Dr. Stone worth watching? Like is it in the tier of Full Metal A or Attack on Titan?

[@Oscar-zp6io]

@@VeritableVagabond definitely not as good as those. Only 2 seasons have aired so far, but is quite a good watch. But imo they focus a bit too much on the technology, opposed to how stories etc influence a culture

[@VeritableVagabond]

@@Oscar-zp6io awesome; thanks for the review!

[@xmathmanx]

Also basically the same as any zombie movie, the problem is that most humans have ideas which will make things much worse for the other humans.

[@kunal6155]

we need audiobooks for all the waitbutwhy posts

[@Ribcut]

1:21:39 because the average song is 2-3 minutes and the average film is 1-2 hours. If the average song were 1-2 hours, this example would be inversed. Time is the most important variable here. I would hardly ever listen to the same song twice if it lasted multiple hours.

[@movement2contact]

Yeah, I've rewatched too many movies and shows too many times...

[@palehorse6493]

Time is an illusion

[@Ribcut]

@@palehorse6493 I would say our perception of time is definitely an illusion, but time itself is very real.

[@theearlyfew5284]

You can truly hear the care for humanity that Lex holds. I believe Lex is one of the few making the world a better place.

[@goku3223]

You rock Lex! Thanks for helping my mind continue to grow.

[@NaturalEntertainer85]

Fantastic conversation, thx

[@unibeastbeats]

I hope one day I see Robert Greene as a guest with Lex Fridman. These two could talk about hours and hours about human nature and where are we going.

[@heyiamsra5207]

I really love listening to this conversation

[@hofmeister15]

The part about procrastinating when you are your own boss and feeling like it's one small fix away from changing and being able to truly relax if you have gotten a lot done the clean fun time, that whole part of the segment, rang so true to me like they were describing my life. I guess we all struggle with similar problems and when I say we all I mean similar personality types.

[@go9256]

I get it. Believe procrastination is symptom of adhd... problem with executive function

[@tropicalnofruit1419]

You know those times when your completely bored because your sorta depressed, and nothing will grip your attention? 5 minutes into this video and my mind is finally captivated on something. Thanks Lex🙏

[@TamarZiri]

was hoping for this conversation for a very long time! so happy this happened!

[@topdog5252]

Thank you for being around Tim Urban

[@ReadeMilner]

These kinds of interviews prove to me that curiosity is more valuable than education (formal). Tim is not a highly educated person (by traditional standards), but his intense curiosity has made him extremely intelligent.

[@aidenmurphy9924]

How do you value the writer that gathers educated materials above the education that enables the materials to exist? That's like valuing the waiter that brings you food above the cook that prepares the food

[@ReadeMilner]

@@aidenmurphy9924 I would say that a better analogy is valuing the self-taught chef who continuously improves his craft (out of a "hunger" to improve) over the chef who went to culinary school but never improved after graduation. Make sense?

[@aidenmurphy9924]

@@ReadeMilner That analogy doesn't make sense, because this writer gets all his info from doctors and formally educated people. He's not performing experiments or doing statistical analysis His "research" is just looking up what actual scientists are doing

[@ReadeMilner]

@@aidenmurphy9924 ok man. you're right. the formal education system is working great and self-education has no value.

[@duarteconchinhas]

Your sound system is so clean! Really love it

[@UsernameNULL755]

omg no SHIT you invited this guy, i fucking love his blog since ages ago, mad legend

[@dankindcom]

0:48:55 List of Elon Startups from Spark to Implementation 0:51:50 Reasoning from First Principles vs Reasoning by Analogy 1:02:00 Collective Consciousness currently is steering a canoe 1:03:44 How do you steer the canoe? 1:10:42 Fear mongering 1:13:33 Sacred Scripture 1:16:30 Collective Consciousness mind is drunk at the wheel right now 1:19:10 In front of that sister you, DON'T bring up politics

[@youngsleezyb1196]

From 2:20:00 until the end felt like Tim was taking the thoughts right out of my head. Very well spoken

[@KgakgamatsoCasandra]

I really like his take on aliens, if they were really that advanced and super intelligent, they would have tried so many things to ensure effective communication.

[@jla5404]

Telepathy, vibrations. We just haven't decipher what their saying because we don't recognize their way of communication.

[@sunte91]

@@jla5404 I think she means that super intelligent beings would likely figured out what we can decipher and send that type of signal

[@tailittle2284]

I agree about the idea that they could try but would they want to? We are always fighting each other, what would we do to a completely different species.

[@KgakgamatsoCasandra]

@@sunte91 Yes

[@4E-P]

Procrastination is perfectionism. You are afraid to do the work wrong, what we need to remember is we can always redo or improve what we are working on.

[@kalewintermute28]

I like Lex and watch his content, obviously, but sometimes the length of his rambling questions does my head in.

[@felipepalmerola]

I could listen to these two for weeks, awesome podcast Lex!

[@alokbisani]

17:15 @Tim an interesting spin on this question, how long will it take to completely manufacture the iPhone 13 on Mars with current human civilisation? A serious question. I would say 20-30 years?

[@icaropereira3218]

We would need a chip making machine, and those had problems with water shortage in Taiwan, imagine on Mars, but it could be made, then all the tech to make the chip making machine

[@ripeapple350]

At 1:56:24, Lex mentions that Tim has talked about "opening a trillion tabs" as a research style before. Does anyone know where Tim has discussed this before, since I cannot find it online.

[@polymakegames]

This guy would be an amazing teacher. His passion is infectious

[@ashutoshpadhi2782]

some other guy also said he is a natural teacher..

[@missshroom5512]

I appreciate his honesty…unfortunately I have some of these issues as well..procrastination with no deadline 😔

[@jeremiahwise668]

I identify with Tim.

[@ChillGuy511]

Especially the procrastination part 😢

[@DataCymru1701]

Love your conversations, they get me through the day, I'll give audio books a go!

[@nc4125]

20:00 We would need senku from dr. Stone

[@Timre23.1]

Hahahahahahah

[@znyo0217]

I miss this guy, I never saw this guy again since his Procrastination ted talk xD

[@icaropereira3218]

Try his website, Wait But Why, it is awesome, smart, funny, deep.

[@Xm3rcyX]

Always love these types of interviews. Thank you both.

[@jessicamullins7327]

I am such a fan of Tim Urban. I just opened his app last night. I open it from time to time to wonder.

[@sambrown6212]

This conversation between two people that I relate most with on the internet surely did not disappoint! Great episode, Lex!

[@prasadt772]

Ohh, so this is what some called "enlightenment" looks like. I bet, when some of the enlightened mind from the past also saw this and really thought about it eliminating all the noise. One of the most brain opening podcast. Great job Lex ❤️

[@junkaccount7449]

this is one of those episodes I see myself coming back to time and time again

[@seanmcgrady8688]

His hands are like satellites capturing radio waves from his head.

[@jadenearl5312]

Underrated comment

[@Ankur3108]

Lex's love is very infectious

[@navjotnanda3502]

Okay well this is kinda spooky, Few months ago I was wondering what other guests I would absolutely love to see in this podcast with lex and three names popped in my head.. Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Urban and Hank Green Then few days ago read your tweet about podcast planned with Zuckerberg And now saw the notification for this one Absolutely delighted! And now looking forward to one with Hank Green too 😁

[@sunte91]

I would love an episode with Hank Green

[@tbone5816]

awesome convo!

[@SayStats]

What a legend! This is the guy who introduced me to Elon Musk and many other cool stuff on our planet through his blog! I enjoyed this conversation thoroughly!

[@samc270]

One of my favourite podcasts ever! Please do a deep dive on climate change. We all want to know more.

[@gusfring96]

The worst thing about this video is that the procrastination section is the longest. Lex should have cut it down to chunks so that we lazy people could bring ourselves to watch it.

[@USmetallist]

😂....in this same video was the topic of SOCIETAL PENALTY of Free speech

[@a__duck]

Fantastic episode. we live in interesting times.

[@dorisjohnson4338]

*After a successful investment you have nothing to worry about, whether the rise and fall of economy or anything won't affect you, make your future brighter, by making good investment! Wondering if viewer's here are familiar with Julia's trading strategy?*

[@richardjefferson3688]

All good investors are conversant with expert Julia. She's in the field just got to keep her instructions and you excel

[@litradanniella7650]

Expert Mrs Julia has an intellectual strategy that cuts down losses, I have the best investing with the aid of Julia, she is very friendly and so easy to get along with in terms of signal and investing tips

[@George-vf8yv]

An extraordinary is the right word for expert Mrs Julia , she's very experiences as a trader and so unique

[@theophilusmc2341]

Forex trading is hard in the measure of commitment, dedication, patience and persistence. More you work with dedication for the long term, less hard become the forex trading.

[@isahfaizat3719]

I guess some of you saw her winning stripes last week it was really blast and mind blowing up success

[@AliG-mu4qn]

Your Intention is your communication. No language, just intention.

[@GeorgeStephenConnor]

Hi there,👋 Your December and January was probably lit and maybe you spent a lot of time outside, but party is over now so how are your finances doing? 🌚 Do you look forward to getting your hands wet in achieving your investment goals or Are you in the red and wondering how you will get through the rest of this month? Well you don’t have to worry about that as our system can get you covered.

[@bennithgregory899]

Yeah

[@NathanHale253]

Excellent conversation 👌 👏 👍

[@DrBussanich]

Having given it a lot of thought, our political problem is all related to inequality. We are broadsided with prosperity messages, record profits, massive gains. Both the left and the right are feeling left behind. Everyone is angry at authority figures, often the opposition’s leaders, for being part of the the problem. “Make America Great Again” is one version of messaging that connects with people feeling left behind by prosperity. They feel it. But the left has it’s version as well. It is a thing that repeats itself constantly in history and often or even always leaves to some type of rebellion. But what is different now is that our elite are not in government. They are in the shadows, not fully realized by the general public. So we attack politicians, because clearly they are the reason why. The anger is spilling into many categories that are not the main issue, just version of outrage.

[@THERECOVERY90]

I relate so much to Tim’s struggles. Tim, you are a TITAN!! Thanks for sharing

[@jaywray4834]

The birth of transhumanism is going to be the death of humanity. Humanum ad Machina.

[@tieuthanhliem]

So great conversation, shouldn't miss it

[@MMISize]

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - Agent K. (MIB 1997)

[@pranjaltiwari1663]

One of the most interesting Lex Fridman Podcasts of all time

[@lucasbentley3589]

Isn’t this the procrastination Ted Talk guy

[@BrendanMetcalfe]

Great conversation!