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The Tim Ferriss Show
#97: The Evolutionary Angel, Naval Ravikant
Aug 18, 2015
02:11:50
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Quick takeaways
- When investing in founders, look for intelligence, energy, and integrity.
- Conventional wisdom in investing can be dangerous and misleading.
- Source books and curated blogs offer valuable insights and knowledge.
- Explore complex topics without necessarily providing definitive conclusions.
- Habits shape behavior and self-awareness is crucial for personal growth.
Deep dives
Key Point 1: The importance of intelligence, energy, and integrity in founders
When investing in founders, it is important to look for intelligence, energy, and integrity. Founders need to have a deep understanding of their industry, the perseverance to overcome challenges, and a strong ethical compass. These qualities are crucial for long-term success.
Key Point 2: Challenging conventional wisdom in investing
Conventional wisdom in investing can be dangerous and misleading. Great companies often defy conventional norms and look different from previous successful companies. It is important to be open-minded and adaptable when evaluating investment opportunities, not relying on fixed formulas or biases.
Key Point 3: The value of reading source books and curated blogs
Reading source books and curated blogs can provide valuable insights and knowledge. Source books offer wisdom that has stood the test of time, while blogs from reputable authors can provide up-to-date and specialized information. It is important to filter information sources and select those that align with your values and intellectual curiosity.
Key Point 4: Balancing conclusions with exploration and uncertainty
Stoicism, rational Buddhism, and blogs like 'Melting Asphalt' aim to explore complex topics without necessarily providing definitive conclusions. It is important to balance prescriptive information with an acceptance of uncertainty and a willingness to explore different viewpoints. Sitting with unanswered questions can lead to personal growth and self-awareness.
The Power of Habits and Self-awareness
The podcast episode explores the power of habits and the importance of self-awareness. It emphasizes the role of habits in our lives and how they can be harnessed to bring positive change. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights on how habits shape our behavior, decision-making, and overall well-being. Additionally, the importance of being self-aware and understanding our own thought processes and motivations is highlighted.
Viewing Life as a Movie
The podcast discusses the idea of viewing life as a movie and the impact it can have on one's perspective and actions. Treating life as a movie allows individuals to see themselves as the hero of their story and make choices that align with their values. It encourages a positive outlook and proactive behavior, as one navigates through the challenges and opportunities of life.
The Role of Evolution and Game Theory
The podcast delves into the role of evolution and game theory in understanding human behavior. It highlights the significance of these concepts in relationships, cooperation, and decision-making. Evolutionary psychology is explored to understand how human behavior has developed over time, while game theory sheds light on social dynamics and strategic interactions. The speaker underlines the importance of understanding these factors for personal growth and successful interaction with others.
The Joy of Reading and Book Recommendations
The podcast emphasizes the joy of reading and recommends several books for different interests. It encourages the habit of reading and offers tips for making reading enjoyable. Book recommendations include 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari for a thought-provoking history of human civilization, 'Illusions' by Richard Bach for introspective and motivational insights, and 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson for an engaging science fiction experience. It also suggests exploring graphic novels such as 'V for Vendetta' and 'Watchmen', as well as spiritual books like 'Meditations' and 'Siddhartha' for enlightenment and self-reflection.
The Power of Reading Fiction to Solve Insomnia
Reading fiction before bed is a great way to solve insomnia and turn off your problem-solving brain. It is recommended as a method to relax and prepare for sleep. Examples of recommended fantasy books include 'The Name of the Wind' and 'The Lies of Locke Lamora', known for their engaging storytelling and humor.
The Importance of Learning through Reading
Reading is a powerful tool for learning and personal growth. It allows for the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, leading to success in various areas of life. The key is to find books that resonate with you and spark a deep interest. By learning how to learn, reading becomes the gateway to developing other skills and achieving personal fulfillment.
Naval Ravikant (@naval) is the CEO and a co-founder of AngelList. He previously co-founded Epinions, which went public as part of Shopping.com, and Vast.com. He is an active angel investor and has invested in more than 100 companies, including more than a few “unicorn” mega-successes. His deals include Twitter, Uber, Yammer, Postmates, Wish, Thumbtack, and OpenDNS, which Cisco just bought for $635 million in cash. You can find many more examples here, but suffice to say — he’s really, REALLY good at start-up investing. In this episodes you'll discover: How AngelList and Venture Hacks came to be What Naval looks for when deciding to invest in a founder Common "wives tales" in venture capital How to replace bad habits with good habits How to set stakes and awards And much, much more... Links, resources, and show notes from this episode can be found at http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast This episode is sponsored by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run... This podcast is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim Enjoy!
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.
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