Exponential Wisdom

In Episode 27: Evidence of Abundance, Peter and Dan discussed the 6 D’s framework and how this model is a road map to contextualize exponential technologies. In this episode, they dig deeper into the first step, Digitization, and why spending energy early on will ultimately lead to an enormous amount of time saved. In this episode: Peter and Dan each give examples of digitizing processes in everyday life: for example, governments using Global Entry to digitize the analog customs process, ultimately saving time and energy. What are the three most important digital improvements you can make 90 days from now, and what’s the first step you’re going to take? Dan asks three questions that make this process easily applicable to entrepreneurs in their current business. Peter discusses the fallacy of “waiting to get it right” in the analog world, and why acting early, getting feedback from your audience, and then iterating rapidly and experimenting is the mechanism for success in today’s world.

Peter and Dan discuss setting boundaries for kids and their gadgets. They explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of kids using technology and growing up in a world where every toy contains exponential technology. In this episode: Peter discusses his belief that kids who are technologically literate often have a self-driven exploration that allows them to seek their passions. Dan believes during this technological revolution it is extremely difficult to make predictions 10 or 20 years into the future, whereas 50 years ago, teachers had a pretty accurate idea of what the world would be like in the future. Peter gives examples of toys and tools like YouTube Kids, and LEGOs that teach kids to be insanely curious, to have grit and don’t give up up until the task is completed.

Peter and Dan explore the history of innovation over centuries and the “adjacent possible,” a concept developed by Steven Johnson in his book “How We Got to Now.”     In this episode: Dan outlines how many entrepreneurs get caught up in future possibilities that aren’t immediately actionable, and analyzes the impact of this negative thinking pattern. Peter discusses why the pace of innovation is picking up and how exponential tools like artificial intelligence, nanotech and brain-computer interfaces are quickly becoming resources available to the masses. Dan talks about using a tool he developed at Strategic Coach for getting people in touch with what is truly possible and in their control.

Peter and Dan discuss the massive change coming to the energy industry -- in particular, the switch to an all-electric economy in the next 20 years. With governments and large corporations relying on oil and gas, they discuss how this disruption will impact society.   In this episode: Peter gives a brief history of the energy economy and how humanity has transitioned from firepower to solar. Dan discusses his belief that technology is not replaced by another technology unless there is at least a 10X improvement. Peter discusses his belief that car ownership is going to be dead by 2025, which means we no longer own a car, but instead own a “car as a service.”

Peter and Dan discuss the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to make predictions far better than humans, given the explosion in the amount of data in recent years.     In this episode: Peter discusses how MogIA, an AI system developed by an Indian startup, correctly predicted the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, basing its analysis on 20 million data points from platforms such as Google, Twitter and YouTube. Dan talks about another implication of predictive AI in sports betting. One company Unanimous AI runs a program called UNU using swarm AI, which correctly predicted the 2016 MLB playoffs and the Chicago Cubs as the World Series winner. Peter and Dan discuss how we will find out the true meaning of “being a human” in the next few years as AI’s start becoming more and more capable.

Peter and Dan discuss awarding the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, which involved designing a portable wireless device that can monitor and diagnose health conditions from the palm of your hand. The prize concept originated during a lunch with Qualcomm’s Executive Chairman Paul Jacobs, a fellow Star Trek fan, when they decided the Tricorder medical device should exist. In this episode: Peter describes the power of incentive prizes with examples dating back to 1714, including the invention of canned food. Considering the vast amounts of data in the healthcare field, Dan and Peter explain why AI will have a major role in democratizing healthcare, and how an AI diagnosis will ultimately be better than the best human experts in the world. Peter describes the process of awarding a XPRIZE and the roadmap needed to bring technology to market.

Dan and Peter discuss their common desire to live a long and healthy life, and takeaways from Peter’s recent visit to a cutting-edge stem cell clinic in Panama.     In this episode: Peter discusses his belief that if we’re able to stay alive for the next 50 years, we will have access to converging technologies that can keep us alive indefinitely -- what Ray Kurzweil calls reaching “longevity escape velocity” Peter explains what stem cells are and why they have the ability to rejuvenate the body.  Watch this short animation for more information: https://youtu.be/y0R4iaVOswk Peter and Dan discuss the Young Blood experiments at Stanford University and what this research means for rejuvenating the human body.

Dan and Peter discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity and the conversations happening around the world on this disruptive, exponentially growing technology.     In this episode: Peter explains his belief that AI will be one of the most important inventions the human race will ever create, in its ability to serve us. Dan discusses his belief that the greatest breakthroughs in any technological developments happen because of three things: toys, warfare and pornography. Peter mentions companies working on connecting the human brain to the cloud and how this evolution of a new species of humans will change our society.

In Episode 22, Dan explained his model of stabilizers and accelerators, and his belief that you can predict the major events in the news. This episode, Peter and Dan discuss how technology is changing the political process around the world, and what this means for entrepreneurs. In this episode: Dan and Peter discuss the work of Deb Roy, who runs the Laboratory for Social Machines at MIT and his deep data experiment with the 2016 U.S. election.
 Dan outlines his “Stabilizers and Accelerators” framework. To download the tool, click here. Dan concludes that he believes that in the short term, government will become more personal and local government will become more important.

The word “moonshot” is a term that comes from X (formerly Google X) and, as used here, simply means a daring, seemingly impossible mission. When most of the world is trying to go 10% bigger, a moonshot is something that is 10X bigger. Peter and Dan discuss a new tool Peter developed to help you take moonshots. In this episode: Dan tells the story of Peter’s first moonshot when achieving suborbital flight with the Ansari XPRIZE in 2004. Peter discusses his 5 Year Moonshot Planner and why all progress begins with telling yourself the truth. To download the tool, click here. Peter and Dan break down Peter’s 5-year moonshot for XPRIZE and how “chunking” a massive initiative into smaller, immediate actions is the best way to think about moonshots.