Dwarkesh Podcast

Tyler Cowen - Talent, Collapse, & Pessimism of Sex

Sep 28, 2022

In this engaging conversation with Tyler Cowen, a renowned economist and author, he shares fascinating insights from his latest book on talent. He explores why he believes society might face permanent collapse and examines the often pessimistic nature of discussions around sex. Cowen questions the conventional views on humility, intelligence, and ambition, diving deep into how we spot talent and deceit. Their discussion spans existential risks, the evolution of talent understanding, and the unpredictability of societal change, offering listeners a thought-provoking perspective.

01:34:39

Creator website

Episode guests

Tyler Cowen

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

What Price Fame

02:30

True Arrogance vs. Feigned Humility

01:16

The Anesthetizing Effects of Podcasts

01:22

The Convexity of Returns to Intelligence

01:03

Intro

2min

Traveling Through Time: History Beyond Books

4min

The Dynamics of Talent and Ambition

8min

Exploring Perceptions of Arrogance Across Generations

2min

Professionalism, Education, and Personal Growth

9min

The Art and Science of Talent Scouting

13min

The Nuances of Writing and Intelligence

7min

Understanding Talent Through Culinary Analogies

2min

Navigating Talent in a Globalized World

8min

10.

The Evolving Perception of Talent

9min

11.

Navigating Complexity: Risks and Reflections

10min

12.

The Power of Biographies and Public Discourse

15min

13.

Navigating Human Progress: Optimism and Pessimism

6min

14.

The Role of Podcasts in Intellectual Engagement vs. Entertainment

2min

It was my great pleasure to speak once again to Tyler Cowen. His most recent book is Talent, How to Find Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Across the World.

We discuss:

- how sex is more pessimistic than he is,

- why he expects society to collapse permanently,

- why humility, stimulants, & intelligence are overrated,

- how he identifies talent, deceit, & ambition,

- & much much much more!

Watch on YouTube. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast platform. Read the full transcript here.

Follow me on Twitter for updates on future episodes.

You may also enjoy my interviews of Bryan Caplan (about mental illness, discrimination, and poverty), David Deutsch (about AI and the problems with America’s constitution), and Steve Hsu (about intelligence and embryo selection).

Timestamps

(0:00) -Did Caplan Change On Education?

(1:17) - Travel vs. History

(3:10) - Do Institutions Become Left Wing Over Time?

(6:02) - What Does Talent Correlate With?

(13:00) - Humility, Mental Illness, Caffeine, and Suits

(19:20) - How does Education affect Talent?

(24:34) - Scouting Talent

(33:39) - Money, Deceit, and Emergent Ventures

(37:16) - Building Writing Stamina

(39:41) - When Does Intelligence Start to Matter?

(43:51) - Spotting Talent (Counter)signals

(53:30) - Will Reading Cowen’s Book Help You Win Emergent Ventures?

(1:02:15) - Existential risks and the Longterm

(1:10:41) - Cultivating Young Talent

(1:16:58) - The Lifespans of Public Intellectuals

(1:24:36) - Is Stagnation Inevitable?

(1:30:30) - What are Podcasts for?

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