Shrinking the Gap Between Sci-Fi and Sci-Fact: Josh Wolfe (Co-Founder of Lux Capital)

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Apr 15, 2025

Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, dives into futuristic innovations like genetically modified pig organs for transplantation and the groundbreaking technology allowing us to 'teleport' smells. He discusses how these advancements can reshape industries and even lead to life-saving medical solutions. Wolfe emphasizes the role of speculative risks in tech investments and shares insights on identifying market trends. Additionally, he explores the fascinating intersection of comic book lore with biotechnology, promising a thrilling glimpse into the future of science.

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INSIGHT

Sci-Fi to Sci-Fact Investing

Josh Wolfe funds ventures like gene-edited organs and digitized smells at Lux Capital.
His firm backs companies that create the future, bridging science fiction and fact.

ANECDOTE

Xenotransplantation Breakthrough

Genetically modified pig kidneys are being transplanted into humans, marking a breakthrough in xenotransplantation.
eGenesis pioneered this technology, enabling immunocompatible transplants with reduced immunosuppressants.

INSIGHT

CRISPR's Role in Xenotransplantation

CRISPR gene editing enabled the xenotransplantation breakthrough by making pig organs compatible.
Lux Capital invested heavily in eGenesis after successful surgeries proved the technology.

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Poor Charlie's Almanack

The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

Charles T. Munger

Peter D. Kaufman

Originally published in 2005, Poor Charlie's Almanack is a collection of eleven talks delivered by Charles T. Munger between 1986 and 2007. Edited by Peter D. Kaufman, this book draws on Munger's extensive knowledge across various fields to provide a framework for rational and rigorous approaches to life, learning, and decision-making. It is renowned for its sharp wit and rhetorical flair, making it an essential read for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to enhance their wisdom and critical thinking skills.

The War of the World

Niall Ferguson

Perfume

The Story of a Murderer

Patrick Süskind

In Search of Lost Time

Swann's Way

Stephane Heuet

Marcel Proust

This graphic adaptation of Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' presents the first volume, 'Swann's Way', in a compressed and visually engaging format. The adaptation, likened to a 'piano reduction of an orchestral score', retains the fundamental architecture and themes of Proust’s work, including time, art, and the elusiveness of memory. Stéphane Heuet's detailed illustrations bring to life the narrator Marcel's childhood memories in Combray, capturing the humor, wit, and memorable characters of Proust's original text. This adaptation is designed to make Proust's work more accessible while maintaining its essence and beauty[3][5][4].

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Jules Verne

The novel begins in 1866 when ships of various nationalities report sightings of a mysterious sea monster. Professor Pierre Aronnax, a French marine biologist, his servant Conseil, and Canadian harpooner Ned Land join an expedition to find and destroy the monster. They discover that the 'monster' is actually a futuristic submarine called the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo. The story follows their year-long underwater adventures as they visit various oceanic regions, including the Antarctic ice barrier, the Red Sea, and the South Pole. The novel explores themes of technological innovation, scientific discovery, and Captain Nemo's quest for revenge against terrestrial civilization[2][4][5].

Josh Wolfe is a co-founder of Lux Capital, where he funds the kinds of ventures that change everything: think gene-edited pig organs and technology that lets you “record” smells. His approach? Relentless curiosity. He reads dozens of newspapers daily to identify patterns, always staying a few steps ahead. In this episode of The Generalist, Josh shares how his firm backs companies that don’t just predict the future, but create it.

In our conversation, we explore:

• The revolutionary development of genetically modified pig organs being transplanted into humans and what this means for the future of organ transplantation.

• The recent achievement of "teleporting smell" across space and why computers that can replicate scents will open up entirely new industries.

• Why Lux is investing in the search for real-life "X-Men" — genetic outliers in isolated populations whose DNA could lead to life-saving medical advancements.

• How Josh evaluates macro trends to make smarter micro investment decisions and why ignoring the big picture is a mistake.

• The three tech sectors that Josh believes will define the geopolitical balance in the decades ahead.

• How Josh stays current on macroeconomic trends.

• Much more

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For a full transcript of the episode, please visit: https://thegeneralist.substack.com/p/shrinking-the-gap-between-sci-fi-and-sci-fact-josh-wolfe

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