Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X and author of "Solve for Happy," shares his journey from grief to discovering the 'happiness equation.' He emphasizes the importance of perspective, showing how trauma can guide personal growth and resilience. Gawdat explores the complexities of happiness, urging listeners to cultivate joy through gratitude and mindfulness. He also delves into the urgent ethical discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, positing that technology can lead us to a brighter future if we engage responsibly.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Mo Gawdat's Early Depression
Mo Gawdat achieved external success at a young age but was clinically depressed.
He had everything society told him would make him happy but found no joy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Ali's Wisdom and Passing
Mo Gawdat consulted with his son, Ali, about happiness, leading to the development of a happiness model.
After Ali's death, Mo decided to write about what Ali taught him to share it with the world.
insights INSIGHT
The Happiness Equation
Happiness is not solely determined by external events, but by our perception of those events relative to our expectations.
It's the comparison between what happens and our beliefs about how life should be.
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I do not have enough information to provide a long description of this book.
Solve for happy
Mo Gawdat
In 'Solve for Happy,' Mo Gawdat applies his engineering mindset to the problem of happiness. He argues that happiness is a thought process and can be achieved by aligning our perceptions with our expectations. The book introduces the 6-7-5 Model, which involves dispelling six grand illusions, removing seven blind spots, and embracing five ultimate truths. Gawdat shares practical strategies such as cultivating awareness, accepting change, and practicing unconditional love. His approach is grounded in mindfulness and positive psychology, offering readers a roadmap to individual happiness despite life's challenges[2][3][5].
Scary Smart
The Future of Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World
Mo Gawdat
In 'Scary Smart', Mo Gawdat explores the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence, its potential risks, and how humans can maintain control over their collective future. With his extensive background in technology, particularly as the former Chief Business Officer of Google [X], Gawdat provides a clear and accessible blueprint for creating a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. The book emphasizes the importance of human agency and responsible development of AI to safeguard humanity and the planet.
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel that follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to fulfill his Personal Legend. The story blends elements of fantasy and realism, exploring themes of self-discovery, following one's dreams, and listening to one's intuition. Along his journey, Santiago encounters various characters and challenges that teach him valuable lessons about life and the importance of perseverance. The book's simple yet profound message has resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their passions and embrace the journey. The Alchemist is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's dreams.
It’s hard to know where to begin describing such an incredible person as Mo Gawdat. He’s co-founded over 20 businesses, he’s the author of the ground-breaking ‘Solve for Happy’ and he was chief business officer of the pioneering wing of google, Google X, the ‘moonshot factory’ where they work on all the latest technologies like self-driving cars and robots.
But most importantly, Mo has learnt perspective about life. When his son died, this sent him on an incredible journey to look within himself and find the ‘happiness equation’, a simple technique that can help us all reduce our unhappiness and appreciate life, and ourselves, more.
Mo’s new book is all about Artificial Intelligence. Mo has always been focused on the future and what’s coming next. And for the first time, working on A.I., he was scared. But what Mo found, and what he shares with us, is that the next technological age that’s coming can be a Utopia, if we choose to make it.
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