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TECH002: Jensen Huang & NVIDIA w/ Seb Bunney - Review of The Thinking Machine by Stephen Witt

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Sep 24, 2025

Guest

Seb Bunny

Seb Bunny, author and commentator on Bitcoin and macro topics, joins the discussion to dissect 'The Thinking Machine,' revealing NVIDIA's fascinating evolution from gaming to AI powerhouse. They delve into how CUDA revolutionized GPU utilization for AI research and examine Jensen Huang's unique leadership style. The conversation also touches on the innovative training of robots in hyper-realistic environments and the significance of market creation versus competition. The episode concludes with a teaser for their next read, 'Empire of AI'.

01:07:38

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insights

INSIGHT

Parallel Processing As A Foundation

NVIDIA began as a gaming-parallel-processing company and evolved into core AI infrastructure by leveraging GPU strengths.
Jensen Huang's focus on parallelism reshaped how computation solved graphics and scientific problems.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Gamer's Wall Sparked CUDA

A gamer stitched dozens of NVIDIA cards together and realized the raw computation was enormous and asked about other uses.
That prompt helped trigger NVIDIA's move to build CUDA and target non-gaming computation.

insights

INSIGHT

CUDA Created The GPU Ecosystem

CUDA turned GPUs from niche gaming hardware into broadly usable compute platforms for researchers and developers.
The CUDA software layer created massive stickiness and blurred hardware vs. software distinctions for NVIDIA.

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Initial Reactions to The Thinking Machine

02:16 • 3min

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NVIDIA's Origins and Parallel Processing Breakthrough

05:29 • 4min

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Why CUDA Changed Everything

09:21 • 4min

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CUDA as NVIDIA's Sticky Moat

13:10 • 3min

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Transformers and the AI Leap

Close Call: NV1–NV3 and Survival

25:51 • 3min

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Cosmos and Training Robots in Simulation

28:40 • 4min

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LiDAR, 3D Mapping, and Simulation Data

32:17 • 1min

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Jensen Huang's Leadership and Culture

Visionary Strategy: Zero-to-One Markets

43:41 • 5min

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Pivoting Quickly and Organizational Speed

48:15 • 8min

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DGX Evolution and Energy Efficiency Gains

55:52 • 2min

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The Speed-of-Light Principle in Production

58:07 • 5min

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Reluctance to Discuss AI Risks

01:03:15 • 5min

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Book Recommendation and Next Read

• Mentioned in 59 episodes

Fooled by randomness

the hidden role of chance in life and in the markets

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

In 'Fooled by Randomness', Nassim Nicholas Taleb discusses the pervasive influence of chance and randomness in our lives and financial markets. The book argues that humans tend to underestimate the role of luck and overestimate the role of skill, leading to biases such as hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and the narrative fallacy. Taleb emphasizes the importance of recognizing and coping with uncertainty, and he critiques the tendency to seek deterministic explanations for random events. The book is part of Taleb's Incerto series, which also includes 'The Black Swan', 'The Bed of Procrustes', 'Antifragile', and 'Skin in the Game'.

#803

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

The talent code

Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.

Daniel Coyle

In 'The Talent Code,' Daniel Coyle delves into the science behind talent development, highlighting three key elements: Deep Practice, Ignition, and Master Coaching. Coyle draws on cutting-edge neurology and research from various talent hotbeds around the world to explain how myelin, a neural insulator, is crucial for skill development. The book provides tools for parents, teachers, coaches, and individuals to maximize their potential and that of others, emphasizing that talent is not born but grown through targeted practice and the right motivation.

#11406

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Hidden Cost of Money

Sebastian Bunney

In 'The Hidden Cost of Money,' Seb Bunney delves into the profound impact of our monetary system on society, revealing how money shapes individual interactions, environmental degradation, family dynamics, and business practices. The book challenges conventional wisdom, providing readers with a deeper understanding of money's role in our lives and how to create positive change.

#1166

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

Empire of AI

Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI

Karen Hao

#438

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

Blue Ocean Strategy

Renee Mauborgne

W. Chan Kim

Blue Ocean Strategy challenges traditional competitive strategies by advocating for the creation of new, uncontested market spaces. The authors, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, argue that companies should focus on innovation to create 'blue oceans' of new demand, rather than competing in 'red oceans' of existing markets. The book provides a systematic approach and tools for successfully formulating and executing blue ocean strategies, including the strategy canvas and the six principles of blue ocean strategy. It highlights successful examples such as Cirque du Soleil and low-cost airlines, and offers guidance on overcoming organizational hurdles and aligning value, profit, and people propositions.

#30

• Mentioned in 224 episodes

Zero to One

Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel

In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.

Preston and Seb launch their tech book review series with a deep dive into The Thinking Machine, a book about NVIDIA and its CEO Jensen Huang.

They explore NVIDIA’s transformation from a gaming hardware company to a key player in AI, discussing CUDA, leadership strategy, robotics, and the speed of innovation. The episode ends with a preview of their next review, Empire of AI.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

00:00 - Intro

05:29 – How NVIDIA transitioned from gaming GPUs to leading AI infrastructure

09:26 – Why CUDA was a turning point in GPU development for AI research

15:37 – The role of NVIDIA in enabling modern AI models, including transformers

19:55 – Jensen Huang’s leadership style and strategic market thinking

20:14 – The significance of creating new markets versus competing in existing ones

24:44 – How NVIDIA trains robots in hyper-realistic digital environments

27:47 – The impact of LiDAR and simulation on robotics advancement

38:53 – Whether Jensen's success is due to luck, skill, or strategic foresight

50:30 – The meaning behind Jensen’s "speed of light" principle

01:01:00 – What’s coming next in the book review series, starting with Empire of AI

BOOKS AND RESOURCES

Related Book: The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip.
Seb’s Website and book: The Hidden Cost of Money.
Related ⁠⁠books⁠⁠ mentioned in the podcast.
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