#049 - John Coogan on AI, Ozempic for Risk Taking, Tech Media, & Curiosity
Jan 10, 2024
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John Coogan, co-founder of Soylent and Lucy, talks about AI, solving problems, risk-taking, curiosity, techno optimism, YouTube, podcasting, and his next venture. Topics include benevolent AI, wireheading, making something people want, Ozempic for risk taking, satisfying curiosity, techno optimism, capitalism 2.0, YouTube and podcasting, transitioning from video essays to documentaries, and creating high-quality content.
Embracing discomfort and curiosity is crucial for personal growth and innovation.
There is a need for more risk-takers in society to drive meaningful experiences and avoid stagnation.
Solving problems that personally resonate and align with one's values is essential in building successful startups.
Deep dives
The Importance of Risk-Taking and Curiosity
This podcast episode explores the significance of risk-taking and curiosity in entrepreneurship and personal growth. The speaker emphasizes the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing the unknown to avoid stagnation and pursue meaningful experiences. They discuss how curiosity fuels innovation and how it can be prioritized over monetary or societal success. The episode also highlights the need for more risk-takers in society and the potential dangers of excessive comfort and wire-heading technologies.
Potential AI Dooms Scenarios
The podcast delves into AI dooms scenarios that go beyond the common debates of a dystopian future or utopia. The focus is on the concept of a benevolent AI that satisfies all human desires and needs, leading individuals to become wire-headed in a virtual world. The episode raises questions about the consequences of wire-heading technology, the potential impact on society, and the choices individuals might make between virtual fulfillment and real-world exploration. It also touches on the importance of aligning cultural values and narratives to promote positive visions of the future.
Problem Discovery, Entrepreneurship, and Building Startups
The podcast episode discusses problem discovery and experimentation in the early stages of building startups, particularly in the context of participating in accelerators like Y Combinator. The speaker highlights the significance of solving problems that personally resonate with the entrepreneur and shares insights from their own experiences. They emphasize the value of building something that one can use oneself and solving a problem that one genuinely cares about. The episode also touches on the challenges of finding the right problem to solve and provides guidelines for problem discovery and experimentation.
Price Discrimination and Building for an Audience
One key insight is the importance of finding a business model that benefits everyone in an audience while enabling price discrimination. This means designing a product or service that caters to both high-value customers and those with lower budgets. The example of Cars and Bids, an online car auction site, demonstrates this concept as it allows both wealthy individuals like Jerry Seinfeld and average car enthusiasts to participate, with prices varying accordingly. Implementing price discrimination can maximize revenue and engagement from different segments within an audience. This strategy proves effective for creators seeking to monetize their content and build a sustainable business.
Nurturing Curiosity and Embracing Discomfort
John emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the need to embrace discomfort. He shares his preference for being in challenging situations that fuel his curiosity and drive growth. John sees discomfort as an agent for personal development and innovation. He describes how comfort can lead to depression and stifled progress. By actively seeking out uncomfortable experiences and learning from them, individuals can unlock new insights and capabilities. John values curiosity above all else and believes that satisfying one's curiosity takes precedence over financial gain or comfort.
John Coogan is the co-founder of Soylent and Lucy, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Founders Fund, and a YouTuber and podcaster. We talk about AI, pioneering vs. wire-heading, identifying problems to solve, the need for more risk takers, satisfying curiosity, techno optimism, YouTube and podcasting, and his next venture.
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(00:53) “Benevolent murdering” AI, wire heads vs. pioneers
(06:06) Interest in starting his own “pioneering” company
(08:37) Make something people want, solve problems for yourself
(12:51) Solve the biggest problem in your area of competency
(14:49) Authenticity; know the story you’re telling & believe it
(21:39) Ozempic for risk tasking
(25:09) Take the easy roads off the table, redirect entrepreneurial energy
(31:41) Comfort is uncomfortable
(34:33) Must satisfy curiosity
(38:12) Techno optimism, painting a more positive future
(46:13) Capitalism 2.0
(47:58) YouTube, profiles, & podcasting
(57:36) Going from video essay to documentary
(59:39) His new venture
(01:05:31) What do you actually want?
