Dwarkesh Podcast Robin Hanson - The Long View
18 snips
Aug 31, 2020 
Robin Hanson, a George Mason University economics professor and author of "The Elephant in the Brain," dives into the complexities of long-term planning in an unpredictable world. He critiques modern practices like meditation, discussing how they may not foster true self-awareness. The conversation explores the importance of social norms in shaping behavior and the traits that define successful startup founders. Hanson also touches on the evolving dynamics of remote work and the intricacies of organizational decision-making, highlighting the need for fresh governance models.
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Long-Term Optimization
- People often deviate from optimal long-term thinking due to high discount rates.
- Resources are generally useful regardless of future events, so collecting them indicates long-term interest.
Organizational Long-Term View
- Organizations haven't effectively taken the long view because individuals prioritize their own and their genes' interests.
- Law also prevents organizations from accumulating resources for the future, hindering long-term planning.
Long-Term Goal
- Promoting economic growth is the best long-term strategy if you prioritize a large future regardless of its constituents.
- However, competition favors entities that prioritize their own growth and continuity.
