Humankind: A Hopeful History challenges the idea that humans are inherently selfish by presenting evidence of our altruistic behavior throughout history. The book takes a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from history, economics, psychology, biology, anthropology, and archaeology to argue that humans are more peaceful and friendly than commonly believed. Bregman sides with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's view of human nature in the state of nature debate, opposing Thomas Hobbes' more pessimistic outlook. He also discusses the concept of 'domestication syndrome' and how humans may have self-domesticated, leading to a more cooperative and empathetic species.
Excellent Advice for Living is a compilation of Kevin Kelly's life wisdom, initially written for his young adult children on his 68th birthday. The book features 450 aphorisms that cover a wide range of topics, from setting ambitious goals and optimizing generosity to cultivating compassion and practical advice on career, relationships, parenting, and finances. Kelly's advice is designed to be accessible and applicable to all ages, emphasizing the importance of kindness, decency, and generosity of spirit. The book is praised for its straightforward and memorable guidance, making it an ideal companion for anyone seeking to navigate life with grace and creativity.
In 'The Secrets of Happy Families,' Bruce Feiler presents a comprehensive guide to enhancing family life. The book is the result of a three-year research project where Feiler consulted with experts from various fields, including Silicon Valley, the military, and top negotiators. It offers practical advice on improving family dynamics, such as holding weekly family meetings based on agile principles, involving children in decision-making, and leveraging the positive influence of grandmothers. The book covers topics like family meals, conflict resolution, and creating a family mission statement. Feiler's approach emphasizes adaptability, empowerment of children, and the importance of family history and values in fostering a happier and more cohesive family environment.
My guest today is Kevin Kelly. Kevin co-founded Wired magazine and has published a number of seminal books and essays on technology over the past three decades. I have devoured everything Kevin has put out into the world and many of his ideas shape the way I live today. Our conversation explores media, family, money, his concept of the Technium, AI, and more but the central theme of this episode is that we should be as generous and unique as possible. You will hear us refer to his latest book, Excellent Advice for Living, throughout and I highly recommend reading it if you haven’t already. Please enjoy this great conversation with Kevin Kelly.
Founders Podcast
Founders Episode 136 - Estee Lauder
Founders Episode 288 - Ralph Lauren
For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.
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Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
Past guests include Tobi Lutke, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger, John Collison, Kat Cole, Marc Andreessen, Matthew Ball, Bill Gurley, Anu Hariharan, Ben Thompson, and many more.
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Show Notes
(00:03:05) - (First question) - Excellent Advice for Living - a journey towards authenticity
(00:05:05) - Uncovering the essence of oneself is a lifelong journey of self-reflection
(00:06:47) - What he would have done differently at 30 had he internalized this concept earlier
(00:08:51) - The highest form of self-expression is being authentically unique and redefining success
(00:11:05) - Conforming to others' definition of success and societal biases hinders progress
(00:13:07) - Surrender and collaboration are both essential in becoming your authentic self
(00:14:38) - Prototype your life to embrace imperfections and make ideas tangible
(00:17:34) - Mastering cultural photography in Asia and developing a keen ability to spot trends
(00:19:59) - Energy signatures reveal depth, breadth, discovery, and momentum in events
(00:22:02) - The reward for good work is more work
(00:23:42) - Money is a tool for doing things, but beware its imprisoning burden
(00:28:35) - Imagination can be cultivated and improved, often by challenging expectations
(00:31:38) - Imaginative individuals include lateral thinkers who challenge norms
(00:34:41) - Rites of passage and rituals provide stability and identity for children
(00:38:15) - Mealtime without screens, family traditions, and cultivating a family identity
(00:41:44) - An overview of “The three gates”
(00:43:02) - Humans are naturally kind
(00:47:23) - The Technium: an evolving ecosystem of interdependent tech and their tendencies
(00:52:01) - Thoughts on AI
(00:55:55) - Overestimating the existential threat of AI
(00:57:38) - Idiosyncratic expression of creators
(00:59:48) - Lessons learned about media
(01:01:34) - Be the only, not the best.
(01:05:09) - The kindest thing anyone has ever done for him
Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy 
