Author Archives: Lex Fridman

#249 – Albert Bourla: Pfizer CEO

Albert Bourla is the Chairman and CEO of Pfizer. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Notion: https://notion.com/startups to get up to $1000 off team plan
– Calm: https://calm.com/lex to get 40% off
– Hunter Douglas: https://www.hunterdouglas.com/lex to get a free design guide
– LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack
– Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium

EPISODE LINKS:
Albert’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlbertBourla
Pfizer’s Website: https://www.pfizer.com/

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(10:08) – Clinical trials
(26:12) – Trust
(45:59) – Safety
(56:16) – Booster shots
(59:09) – Mandates
(1:05:39) – Antivirals
(1:10:38) – Hope for future

#248 – Norman Naimark: Genocide, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, and Absolute Power

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Norman Naimark is a historian at Stanford, specializing in the history of genocide. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Coinbase: https://coinbase.com/lex to get $5 in free Bitcoin
– Quip: https://getquip.com/lex to get first refill free
– Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings
– NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
– ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free

EPISODE LINKS:
Norman’s Website: https://history.stanford.edu/people/norman-naimark
Stalin’s Genocides (book): https://amzn.to/3oO0Hzb
Stalin and the Fate of Europe (book): https://amzn.to/3pLbWrk
Books & resources mentioned:
The Origins of Totalitarianism (book): https://amzn.to/3oNDSvA
Man’s Search for Meaning (book): https://amzn.to/3pMzs7d
Radio Majdanek (Research Paper): https://bit.ly/3GxPEAb

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:08) – Stalin and absolute power
(21:05) – Dictators and genocide
(45:31) – What is genocide
(55:38) – Human nature and suffering
(1:25:23) – Mao’s Great Leap Forward
(1:32:37) – North Korea
(1:36:30) – Our role in fighting against atrocities
(1:45:26) – China
(1:49:35) – Hopes for the future and technology
(2:04:28) – Advice for young people
(2:07:15) – Love and tragedy

#247 – Jamie Metzl: Lab Leak Theory

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Jamie Metzl is an author specializing in topics of genetic engineering, biotechnology, and geopolitics. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off
– NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives
– GiveDirectly: https://givedirectly.org/lex to get gift matched up to $300
– Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
– Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium

EPISODE LINKS:
Jamie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamieMetzl
Jamie’s Website: https://jamiemetzl.com/
Jamie’s lab leak blog post: https://jamiemetzl.com/origins-of-sars-cov-2/
Hacking Darwin (book): https://amzn.to/3lLqLsM

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:44) – Lab leak
(1:06:18) – Gain-of-function research
(1:15:49) – Anthony Fauci
(1:25:31) – Francis Collins
(1:30:13) – Joe Rogan, Brett Weinstein, and Sam Harris
(2:00:10) – Xi Jinping
(2:14:41) – Patient Zero
(2:27:55) – WHO
(2:51:45) – Government transparency
(3:13:45) – Likelihood of a cover-up
(3:15:34) – Future of reproduction
(3:51:12) – Jon Stewart
(3:56:31) – Joe Rogan and Sanjay Gupta
(4:21:36) – Ultramarathons
(4:31:38) – Chocolate
(4:39:51) – One Shared World
(4:54:54) – Hope for the future

#246 – Peter Woit: Theories of Everything and Why String Theory is Not Even Wrong

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Peter Woit is a theoretical physicist, mathematician, critic of string theory, and author of the popular science blog Not Even Wrong. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– The Prisoner Wine Company: https://theprisonerwine.com/lex to get 20% off & free shipping
– Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit
– Sunbasket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off
– BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off
– SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera

EPISODE LINKS:
Peter’s website: http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/
Peter’s blog: https://bit.ly/3xCwm9F
Not Even Wrong (book): https://amzn.to/3peDzZs
Quantum Theory, Groups, and Representations (book): https://amzn.to/316iAjf
Love and Math (book): https://amzn.to/3If7B8m
The Second Creation (book): https://amzn.to/3rlWzIu

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:22) – Physics vs mathematics
(21:51) – Beauty of mathematics
(43:42) – String theory
(1:12:15) – Theory of everything
(1:32:23) – Twistor theory and spinors
(1:48:50) – Nobel Prize likelihood for theory of everything
(1:52:36) – Simulating physics
(1:56:07) – Sci-Fi, aliens and space
(2:05:19) – Responsibility of scientists

#245 – Tom Brands: Iowa Wrestling

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Tom Brands is an Olympic and World Champion in freestyle wrestling and the head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– FightCamp: https://joinfightcamp.com/lex to get free shipping
– InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off
– ROKA: https://roka.com/ and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order
– Theragun: https://therabody.com/lex to get 30 day trial
– GiveWell: https://www.givewell.org/ and use code LEX to get donation matched up to $1k

EPISODE LINKS:
Tom’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombrandshawk
Hawkeyes’ Website: https://hawkeyesports.com/

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(10:08) – Motivation
(24:08) – Mental toughness
(28:36) – Weight cutting
(30:24) – Olympic dreams
(35:20) – 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
(38:24) – Brother
(43:36) – Champion mindset
(49:36) – Beyond limits
(54:37) – Faith
(56:06) – Family
(1:00:11) – Brands vs Brands

#244 – Robert Crews: Afghanistan, Taliban, Bin Laden, and War in the Middle East

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Robert Crews is a historian at Stanford, specializing in Afghanistan, Russia, Islam, Central Asia, and South Asia. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– MUD\WTR: https://mudwtr.com/lex and use code LEX to get 5% off
– Ten Thousand: https://www.tenthousand.cc/ and use code LEX to get 15% off
– Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off
– Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off
– Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off

EPISODE LINKS:
Robert’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertCrews22
Robert’s Stanford page: https://profiles.stanford.edu/robert-crews
Afghan Modern (book): https://amzn.to/3nYL5rX

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(06:42) – U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
(21:30) – September 11
(39:05) – Bin Laden
(1:14:35) – Withdrawal of U.S. troops
(2:06:47) – War
(2:18:01) – Leadership
(2:34:11) – Afghan people
(2:43:40) – Rumi

#243 – Kevin Systrom: Instagram

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Kevin Systrom is the co-founder and former CEO of Instagram. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Theragun: https://therabody.com/lex to get 30 day trial
– NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives
– GiveWell: https://www.givewell.org/ and use code LEX to get donation matched up to $1k
– Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium
– Fundrise: https://fundrise.com/lex

EPISODE LINKS:
Kevin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin/
Kevin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevin
Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsystrom

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:26) – Origin of Instagram
(50:33) – New social networks
(1:09:38) – Selling Instagram to Facebook
(1:32:40) – Features
(1:36:47) – Facebook
(2:13:28) – Whistleblower
(2:24:47) – Machine learning
(2:34:45) – Advice for startups
(2:40:37) – Money
(2:46:37) – Love
(2:48:54) – Meaning of life

#242 – Ben Askren: Wrestling and MMA

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Ben Askren is a wrestler and MMA fighter, former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and four-time finalist. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Notion: https://notion.com/startups to get up to $1000 off team plan
– NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives
– Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off
– Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings
– NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour

EPISODE LINKS:
Ben’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Benaskren
Ben’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benaskren/
Ben’s Website: https://www.benaskren.com/
Ben’s Wrestling Academy: https://awawisconsin.com/

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(06:59) – Woodley vs Jake Paul boxing match
(10:48) – Askren vs Jake Paul boxing match
(13:23) – Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake
(24:37) – Askren vs Burroughs charity match
(29:21) – Champion mentality and handling losses
(43:40) – Future interest in competition
(53:09) – Askren’s early career
(1:03:58) – Robots wrestling
(1:18:39) – Olympics
(1:24:46) – Dagestan wrestling
(1:30:51) – Askren Wrestling Academy
(1:46:32) – Khabib Nurmagomedov
(1:53:08) – 2020 Olympics
(1:54:49) – Wrestling dominance in MMA

#241 – Boris Sofman: Waymo, Cozmo, Self-Driving Cars, and the Future of Robotics

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Boris Sofman is the Senior Director Of Engineering and Head of Trucking at Waymo, formerly the Google Self-Driving Car project. He was also the CEO and co-founder of Anki, a home robotics company. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack
– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
– ROKA: https://roka.com/ and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order
– Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
– BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off

EPISODE LINKS:
Boris’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/bsofman
Boris’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsofman
Waymo’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/waymo
Waymo’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/waymo
Waymo’s Website: https://waymo.com/

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:32) – Robots in science fiction
(13:13) – Cozmo
(38:28) – AI companions
(45:23) – Anki
(1:10:56) – Waymo Via
(1:42:34) – Sensor suites for long haul trucking
(1:52:30) – Machine learning
(2:10:26) – Waymo vs Tesla
(2:21:02) – Safety and risk management
(2:30:06) – Societal effects of automation
(2:41:11) – Amazon Astro
(2:45:35) – Challenges of the robotics industry
(2:50:03) – Humanoid robotics
(2:57:06) – Advice for getting a PhD in robotics
(3:04:37) – Advice for robotics startups
(3:15:43) – Advice for students

#240 – Neal Stephenson: Sci-Fi, Space, Aliens, AI, VR & the Future of Humanity

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Neal Stephenson is a sci-fi writer (Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, and new book Termination Shock), former Chief Futurist at Magic Leap and first employee of Blue Origin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off
– InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off
– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
– Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium
– ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free

EPISODE LINKS:
Neal’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nealstephenson
Neal’s Website: https://www.nealstephenson.com/
Termination Shock (book): https://amzn.to/3HhmDKi
Snow Crash (book): https://amzn.to/3H7yFFW
Cryptonomicon (book): https://amzn.to/3C01HDF
The Diamond Age (book): https://amzn.to/3wxUF83
Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/3kkhveg
The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1 (book): https://amzn.to/3koMW7n
Innovation Starvation (article): https://bit.ly/3mYLSJ2

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:34) – WWII and human nature
(17:20) – Search engine morality
(21:58) – Space exploration
(38:59) – Aliens and UFOs
(47:21) – SpaceX and Blue Origin
(54:43) – Social media
(59:11) – Climate change
(1:11:00) – Consequences of big ideas
(1:15:42) – Virtual reality
(1:38:50) – Artificial intelligence
(1:53:49) – Cryptocurrency
(2:06:26) – Writing, storytelling, and books
(2:29:05) – Martial arts
(2:38:23) – Final thoughts