Real Knowledge is Built from the Ground Up

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Real knowledge is built from the ground up. Understanding complex concepts is not about using fancy words and big concepts, but rather being able to explain things in simple terms. True understanding is about algorithms and understanding how things connect to each other. A mark of a genius is being able to explain complicated things in simple ways. It's important to use precise words but not to use words that your audience doesn't understand or use them to show off. Randall Munro's book, Thing Explainer, explains complicated concepts using only the thousand most common words in the English language. Similarly, the book Thinking Physics uses simple physics puzzles that can be explained to both a 12-year-old child and a physics graduate student. Brilliant thinkers understand things at a very basic, fundamental level and are clear thinkers. It is important to understand the basics well and be able to derive complicated concepts from the basics. Dealing with reality is crucial in making effective decisions.

Naval Ravikant is the CEO and co-founder of AngelList. He’s invested in more than 100 companies, including Uber, Twitter, Yammer, and many others.

It’s difficult to nail down exactly what we discuss in our conversation because I had so many questions to ask him. Naval is an incredibly deep thinker who challenges the status quo on so many things. This is an interview you’ll want to listen to, think a bit, and then listen to again.

Here are just a few of the many things we cover in this episode:

What a “typical day” looks like (not the answer I expected, and not one you’ve likely heard before)
How Naval developed his legendary reading habits and how he finds time to read no matter how busy life gets
How the internet has impacted book reading (both good and bad) and how to make sure you’re getting the best information from the most reliable sources
What popular habit advice Naval thinks is BS and why
Naval’s habit stacking technique that helped him overcome a desire for alcohol and other potentially destructive habits
How Naval’s core values give direction to his life and how those values developed over time
Naval’s thoughts on the current education system and what we can do to facilitate better learning for our children
Naval’s favorite mental models for making critical high-stakes decisions
His brilliant two-factor calendar authentication concept to keep him focused on only the most important projects
Naval’s definition for the meaning of life (buckle up for this one)
His amazing response to the investor who wanted to be just like Steve Jobs

And so, so much more.

Just a heads up, this is the longest podcast I’ve ever done. While it felt like only thirty minutes, our conversation lasted over two hours!

And although it is the longest, it’s also our most downloaded episode on the Knowledge Project, so make sure you have a pen and paper handy. There’s a lot of wisdom up for grabs here.

Enjoy this amazing conversation.

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