Tim Urban, the insightful author of Wait But Why and What's Our Problem?, dives deep into the complexities of social justice, tribalism, and political ideologies. He humorously addresses the contrasts between liberal social justice and its more radical counterparts, while also dissecting the psychological impacts of disgust and xenophobia on societal attitudes. Urban emphasizes the need for open dialogue in a polarized world and reflects on the journey of writing, capturing both the challenges of procrastination and the importance of accountability in the creative process.

Tim Urban, the author of 'Wait But Why,' shares his journey from dread to delight in writing, boasting over 600,000 newsletter subscribers. He discusses the balance between personal expression and engaging ideas, revealing how authenticity and humor can transform complex thoughts into relatable stories. Urban also dives into the challenges of procrastination, the importance of creativity without pressure, and the art of authentic writing. Plus, he draws fascinating parallels between writing and music composition, emphasizing originality and personal style.

Tim Urban, the mind behind ‘Wait But Why,’ dives into an array of fascinating topics. He explores the existential question of alien life and the philosophical implications of humanity's collective existence versus individualism. The discussion also touches on the concept of food abundance, comparing today’s options to the scarcity of the Soviet era. Urban shares insights on how technology, especially Neuralink, may revolutionize human connection and communication, while also advocating for the importance of reading and self-improvement.

Tim Urban, author of "What's Our Problem?", dives into profound societal issues and the intricacies of human thought. He shares his seven-year writing journey, tackling procrastination and the demands of deep thinking. Urban breaks down political polarization, advocating for nuanced discourse and the significance of intellectual honesty. He critiques the balance of social justice and free speech while exploring leadership's vital role in navigating crises. And he addresses the responsibilities of creators in the age of AI, urging thoughtful dialogue on its implications.

Tim Urban, a renowned writer and illustrator known for his blog Wait But Why and his viral TED Talk on procrastination, dives deep into the complexities of self-improvement and creativity. He shares captivating analogies about procrastination, emphasizing the importance of slow, steady progress. Urban discusses the struggle between perfectionism and productivity, highlighting how manageable goals can lead to meaningful change. He also encourages embracing creativity while navigating societal expectations, advocating for independent thought and resilience in the face of challenges.

Tim Urban, the mind behind Wait But Why, chats about navigating modern complexities with humor and insight. He discusses the perils of unfettered tribalism and 'idea prisons', urging self-reflection in political beliefs. The impact of AI on society's information landscape is also a hot topic, highlighting both democratization and division. Additionally, Tim shares personal insights on the joys and trials of new parenthood, showcasing the balancing act of family life and creative endeavors. It's a thought-provoking blend of depth and wit!

Tim Urban, the witty founder of Wait But Why, dives into how people misinterpret their past and future decisions. He argues that genuine change is possible, countering the belief that our paths are locked. Discover his thoughts on Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, the pitfalls of leisure time, and why marrying the wrong person can be disastrous. Urban also shares clever strategies for overcoming procrastination and navigating modern romance, emphasizing the importance of honest friendships for personal growth.

Tim Urban, writer and illustrator of 'Wait But Why', shares his insightful perspectives on AI's potential and pitfalls. He explores the Fermi Paradox and reasons for humanity's cultural stagnation despite technological progress. Urban emphasizes the importance of responsible management of AI to avoid existential threats. He also unpacks the impact of tribalism on society, urging for a balance between open inquiry and ideological conformity. With a unique blend of humor and depth, he navigates the challenges of modern belief systems and futures in space exploration.

Read the full transcript here. What's wrong with society? And what can we do to fix it? Centuries ago, a person's grandparents lived in a world that was basically identical to that person's world; but what are the implications of living in a time when the rate of technological change is such that our grandparents' world was almost nothing like ours, and ours will be almost nothing like our grandchildren's? How do Tim's concepts of the "primitive mind" and the "higher mind" map onto System 1 and System 2 thinking types? What thinking styles exist along the spectrum from primitive mind to higher mind? Why are there either lots of Nazis or virtually none at all? Are there more "golems" or "genies" in the world right now? Are the American political left and right wings just equal but opposite groups, or are there significant asymmetries between them? How does social justice activism differ from "wokeness"? What is "idea supremacy"? Does liberalism need to be destroyed and rebuilt from scratch (perhaps as something else entirely) or merely repaired and revamped? Is illiberalism the biggest threat facing the world right now — bigger even than AI, climate change, etc.?Tim Urban is the writer/illustrator and co-founder of Wait But Why, a long-form, stick-figure-illustrated website with over 600,000 subscribers and a monthly average of half a million visitors. He has produced dozens of viral articles on a wide range of topics, from artificial intelligence to social anxiety to humans becoming a multi-planetary species. Tim's 2016 TED main stage talk is the third most-watched TED talk in history with 67 million views. In 2023, Tim published his bestselling book What's Our Problem? A Self Help Book for Societies. StaffSpencer Greenberg — Host / DirectorJosh Castle — ProducerRyan Kessler — Audio EngineerUri Bram — FactotumWeAmplify — TranscriptionistsMiles Kestran — MarketingMusicBroke for FreeJosh WoodwardLee RosevereQuiet Music for Tiny Robotswowamusiczapsplat.comAffiliatesClearer ThinkingGuidedTrackMind EasePositlyUpLift[Read more]

We discuss how storytelling supercharges speech and writing, and its impact on cancel culture.