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Lex Fridman Podcast
#360 – Tim Urban: Tribalism, Marxism, Liberalism, Social Justice, and Politics
Feb 20, 2023
03:10:58
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Quick takeaways
- Individuals throughout history can have a profound impact on the course of humanity, even as ordinary people.
- Exponential technological growth presents both opportunities and risks that must be navigated with wisdom and prudence.
- Discourse and wisdom are crucial in shaping a better future, fostering collective dialogue to make informed decisions.
- Understanding the influence of our primitive mind allows us to make more informed decisions and resist manipulation.
- Recognizing the influence of our primitive and higher minds helps engage in high-effort, high-decency disagreements.
- Creating incentives for high-run thinking and respectful disagreement fosters productive and enlightening conversations.
Deep dives
The significance of human history and the impact of individuals
The podcast episode explores the significance of human history and how individuals can have a profound impact on the course of events. It highlights that throughout history, certain individuals like Buddha, Jesus, and Genghis Khan have shaped the trajectory of humanity, even though they were just ordinary people. The discussion raises questions about the role of individuals in driving change and whether their influence can override the broader cultural forces at play.
The potential risks and rewards of technological advancement
The podcast examines the potential risks and rewards of exponential technological growth. It emphasizes that while advancements can lead to tremendous progress and a utopian future, they also bring about new challenges and dangers. The exponential growth of technology increases the power of individuals to do both good and bad, and the consequences of bad actions can outweigh the benefits of progress. The discussion raises the importance of navigating technological advancements with wisdom and prudence to ensure a positive outcome for humanity.
The role of discourse and wisdom in shaping the future
The podcast highlights the significance of discourse and wisdom in shaping a better future for humanity. It emphasizes the need for open, vigorous discussions and debates to foster wisdom, which is an emergent property of collective dialogue. By engaging in thoughtful discourse, individuals and societies can navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions that lead to positive outcomes. The discussion underscores the value of wisdom in finding common ground and advancing towards a future that aligns with the shared values and aspirations of humanity.
The Power of Primitive Mind
Our primitive mind, optimized for survival and reproduction, still influences our decisions today. For example, our love for Skittles, even though they are unhealthy, stems from our ancestors' drive to consume calorie-dense foods. Mars Inc. cleverly takes advantage of our primitive minds to sell products. Understanding the influence of our primitive mind allows us to make more informed decisions.
Primitive Mind vs Higher Mind
Humans have a primitive mind and a higher mind. The primitive mind is programmed to hold onto beliefs and conform to the tribe, while the higher mind seeks truth and is open to changing beliefs. Confirmation bias and the desire to fit in influence our thinking. Recognizing the influence of these two minds helps us engage in high-effort, high-decency disagreements and maintain a respectful environment for constructive dialogue.
Echo Chambers vs Ideal Labs
Echo chambers, characterized by conformity and mockery of opposing views, inhibit learning and intellectual growth. On the other hand, ideal labs foster collaborative high-run thinking, where respectful disagreements and constructive critiques are encouraged. In ideal labs, ideas are respected and challenged, while personal attacks are discouraged. Creating incentives for high-run thinking and respectful disagreement can lead to more productive and enlightening conversations.
The Vulnerability of Liberal Democracy
The podcast discusses the vulnerability of liberal democracies to movements that seek to undermine its core principles.
The Rise of Social Justice Fundamentalism
The podcast explores the ideology of social justice fundamentalism, which opposes liberal social justice and seeks to overthrow liberal democratic institutions.
The Need for Awareness and Courage
The podcast emphasizes the importance of awareness and courage in countering movements that threaten the principles of liberal democracy and urges individuals to stand up for their beliefs.
The Danger of Cancel Culture and the Distorted Speech Curve
The podcast episode discusses the dangers of cancel culture and how it has created an environment where people are afraid to express dissenting opinions. The speaker uses the analogy of an electric fence to explain how the fear of being canceled or facing social consequences has silenced people and distorted the speech curve. They argue that cancel culture shuts down discussion and creates a society where active communal thinking is stifled, leading to a divided society with segmented regions of approved ideas and dormant thought piles. They emphasize the importance of leaders standing up against cancel culture and defending freedom of speech as a way to encourage vibrant discussions and prevent the silencing of diverse perspectives.
Overcoming Procrastination and Creating External Pressure
The podcast episode also delves into the topic of procrastination and how to overcome it. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by procrastinators and offers strategies to combat it. The speaker shares personal experiences and suggests using external pressure, such as setting deadlines and creating consequences, to motivate action. They discuss the importance of compassion and awareness in understanding procrastination, as well as finding a balance between compassion and holding oneself accountable. The conversation also touches on the role of relationships in dealing with procrastination and the significance of having a support system that provides motivation and encouragement. Overall, the episode provides insights and practical advice for individuals struggling with procrastination.
Tim Urban is the author of the blog Wait But Why and a new book What’s Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– House of Macadamias: https://houseofmacadamias.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order
– Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex to get 1 month of fish oil
EPISODE LINKS:
Tim’s new book: https://waitbutwhy.com/whatsourproblem
Tim’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/waitbutwhy
Tim’s Website: https://waitbutwhy.com
Tim’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/timurban
Tim’s TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5C149J9C0
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman
OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(05:48) – Human history
(21:47) – Greatest people in history
(29:35) – Social media
(36:17) – Good times and bad times
(47:48) – Wisdom vs stupidity
(49:55) – Utopia
(1:04:05) – Conspiracy theories
(1:17:16) – Arguing on the Internet
(1:37:16) – Political division
(1:47:10) – Power games
(1:55:09) – Donald Trump and Republican Party
(2:12:17) – Social justice
(2:34:59) – Censorship gap
(2:42:30) – Free speech
(2:46:33) – Thinking and universities
(2:54:56) – Liv Boeree joins conversation
(3:07:15) – Hopes for the future
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