People I (Mostly) Admire 6. Nathan Myhrvold: “I Am Interested in Lots of Things, and That's Actually a Bad Strategy”
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Oct 31, 2020 
In this engaging conversation, Nathan Myhrvold, a polymath who graduated high school at 14 and co-founded Intellectual Ventures, shares his remarkable journey from physics to technology. He discusses innovative projects like the Salter Sink to combat hurricanes and new nuclear reactor designs that minimize waste. Myhrvold expresses the challenges of being a diverse thinker while also emphasizing the importance of focused innovation. He reflects on the balance needed in nurturing giftedness and the fulfilling yet frustrating path of invention.
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Early Graduation
- Nathan Myhrvold skipped four grades, graduating high school at 14.
- He found school boring and doesn't regret his decision.
Working with Hawking
- Myhrvold worked with Stephen Hawking at 23, finding his humor remarkable given his condition.
- Hawking saw his condition as an advantage, freeing him from committee meetings and forcing simplification in physics.
Physics and Empirical Data
- Stephen Hawking's later work was hindered by a lack of new empirical data in physics.
- Theoretical progress is difficult without new clues to guide research, similar to the current state of fundamental physics.