Exponential Wisdom

Peter and Dan discuss the past few years’ shifts in global supply chains and how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a major flaw in the system, as many companies moved operations from China to other parts of the world. Peter explores an intriguing flip, as companies increasingly move workforces off-shore yet transition key aspects of their supply chains on-shore. In this episode: Dan talks about how many manufacturing operations were shut down during the global pandemic, and explains why North America will become a major manufacturing hub in the next decade.  Peter examines the implications of hiring people from all over the world. Increasingly enabled by core ‘metaverse’ technologies, experiences in AR and VR are evolving to allow remote workforces to interact in extraordinary, life-like ways.  Peter and Dan agree that the most successful companies are those working to onshore their supply chains, hire top talent outside national borders, and globalize their consumer bases.

Peter and Dan discuss the growing role that technologies like AI, neural nets and supercomputers will play in increasing global wisdom over the coming years.  In this episode: Peter explains that while humans have historically gained wisdom by observing the consequences of their actions, AI provides the unique capability to simulate millions of scenarios, over and over again, thereby helping us better predict probable failure points and second-order ramifications. He further illustrates how we might use such simulations and gain wisdom from their insights. Dan breaks down the differences between data, information, knowledge and wisdom, and shows how these definitions are increasingly changing as technology reshapes the world and our understanding of it. Peter and Dan agree that making mistakes can be beneficial in terms of lessons learned, but that making the same mistake twice should never happen. Taking this a step further, they offer examples of how AI and deep learning can help us avoid repeated errors and gain wisdom.

One of Dan’s key quotes, also a foundational coaching concept in Strategic Coach, is “your ears only hear and your eyes only see what you’re looking for,” meaning that we only notice breakthroughs when we search for them. In this episode, Peter and Dan discuss the many business examples and industries in which this applies. In this episode: Peter talks about longevity technologies and one of his latest companies, Fountain Life, which uses advanced diagnostics to measure every aspect of your health. The company is solely focused on collecting patient data, making it understandable, and providing actionable insights for lifestyle changes.  Dan discusses the impact of mindset on longevity, offering myriad examples of friends and relatives whose failure to cultivate a longevity mindset has led to health problems. Peter touches on the need for an improved health insurance system, one focused on technological breakthroughs and proactive extension of the healthy human lifespan.

Peter and Dan discuss a process used for disruptive thinking, a way to brainstorm new business models that could grow your company and create novel opportunities. Their conversation provides an accessible methodology for generating unexpected ideas unconstrained by the company’s past that also work to advance its mission. In this episode: Peter recounts a brainstorming session he had with a CEO running a sizable company, wherein they strategized with key people outside the business’s industry and thereby were able to land on several fresh ideas that hadn’t yet emerged within the firm’s internal leadership team. Dan discusses the value of using KOLBE scores to determine who is involved in brainstorming meetings, often favoring ‘Quick Starts’ and fewer ‘Fact Finders’ or ‘Follow-Throughs’ when strictly brainstorming.  Peter elaborates on another method of disruptive thinking: using a Black Ops entrepreneurial team of young people to help find potential disruption opportunities within your business, and giving them the needed resources and behind-the-scenes visibility to execute.

Peter and Dan discuss today’s reinvention of the manufacturing industry, and how emerging technologies -- from 3D printing to generative design -- are enabling faster and more automated production at scale. Touching on one company, Re:Build Manufacturing, they demonstrate how local, just-in-time manufacturing and tech-driven lean processes are beginning to disrupt the global supply chain. In this episode: Dan talks about the history of the global supply chain after WWII, and what incentives emerged after the war’s conclusion for the world to begin trading internationally.  Peter and Dan agree that the best way to continue progress is to automate the routine and humanize the exceptional, such that we can leverage robots to increasingly perform jobs that are dull, dangerous and dirty.  Peter frames the conversation by illustrating a future in which we could use technology to rearrange atoms to create the ultimate manufacturing machines.

Peter and Dan discuss preventive, predictive, and personalized health care. Showcasing this phenomenon, they delve into a new health care company, Fountain Life, which uses data-driven methodologies and thorough diagnostics to identify disease early and enhance members’ physical and mental performance. In this episode: Peter explains why and how he sees healthcare evolving into a new model, one around which Fountain Life was founded to deliver emerging, best-in-class therapeutics and ground-breaking diagnostics in novel ways to enhance healthspan, performance and vitality. Dan discusses a compelling platform whereby patients can identify new medical therapies and technologies and send corresponding articles or medical papers to Fountain Life’s medical advisory board, by which they can be vetted to determine their viability for the company’s offerings.  Peter expresses that while testing is critical, the most important things we can prioritize are still the basics: sleep, diet and exercise. Peter and Dan give their tips for increasing quality sleep, including a temperature-controlled mattress pad, skipping TV at night, and using audiobooks to help you wind down.

Peter and Dan discuss first principles thinking, demonstrating why the world’s best entrepreneurs use this methodology to set massive goals. Elon Musk is perhaps the foremost example of entrepreneurial success as a direct result of his mindset, problem-solving strategies, and intelligence. In this episode: Peter shares his takeaways from his conversation with Elon Musk, which kicked off their launch of the largest incentive competition in history, the $100M XPRIZE for Carbon Removal. Dan gives insights about the education system and its flaws, and why he believes outliers are rewarded for audacious thinking.  Peter talks about the early days of SpaceX and stories from 2001, when Elon dedicated the entirety of his payout from PayPal’s acquisition to starting the now-skyrocketing (no pun intended) space company.

Peter and Dan talk about the extraordinary progress in human teamwork, how technologies like AI, networks, sensors, allow humans to communicate faster and easier. In this episode: Dan discusses increasing collaboration within his company, starting with focusing on each individual before any teamwork can happen.  Peter talks about the XPRIZE crowdsourced prize designs that happened during the beginning of the pandemic and the speed of the teamwork was amazing. Peter and Dan give examples of how they run their team meetings on zoom including best practices and timing.

Peter and Dan discuss the wide-ranging implications of today’s biotech and longevity breakthroughs, now adding years to the human healthspan. In this episode: Peter mentions the significance of Dr. David Sinclair’s latest cover-featured publication in Nature, which offers groundbreaking evidence for reversal of age-related decline in mice-- an advancement now being tested and validated in in vitro human cells. Dan talks about the importance of nurturing friendships with those younger than you, a key step in nurturing a youthful mindset. Peter further shows how such relationships can contribute to a healthier mentality about taking risks. Peter discusses the implications of adding 30 healthy years to one’s life. For one: by the time you are 60 years old, you have accumulated the majority of your wealth, whether in terms of capital, relationships, or intelligence. By extending our healthy years, this vantage point provides a major advantage when starting new companies and sustaining a prosperous life.

Peter and Dan discuss the abundance of capital available to entrepreneurs today, exploring the reasons for a historically unparalleled surge in funding and its accessibility. In 2019, aggregate global crowdfunding -- inclusive of peer-to-peer lending -- reached $14 billion, with over 2,000 platforms offering access to funding. But as is the case with many digital platforms, this too is experiencing double-digit growth. Experts now project that crowdfunding will reach $30 billion by 2025. In this episode:  Peter explains how today’s speed of computation is helping drive an abundance of available capital across industries globally. Between crowdfunding sites, venture funding, ICOs, and SPACs, there is no capital-related excuse to put off pursuing your MTP and Moonshot. Dan discusses the geo-political ramifications of the pandemic and how entrepreneurs have used the last eighteen months to their advantage.  Peter talks about the benefits of Bitcoin and why cryptocurrencies will transform economies for the better.