Author Archives: Lex Fridman

#199 – Roger Reaves: Smuggling Drugs for Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel

Roger Reaves is one of the most prolific drug smugglers in history. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Noom: https://trynoom.com/lex
Allform: https://allform.com/lex to get 20% off
ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off
Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings

EPISODE LINKS:
Smuggler (book): https://amzn.to/3xydszD

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
(09:56) – Money
(12:17) – Pablo Escobar
(19:30) – Jorge Ochoa
(27:05) – First time
(31:51) – Landing an airplane on the highway
(34:41) – Barry Seal
(45:05) – Mena, Arkansas
(49:58) – Assassination of Barry Seal
(1:03:10) – American Made
(1:07:22) – Blow
(1:09:28) – Story of torture in a Mexican prison
(1:14:08) – Getting shot down
(1:27:51) – Prison
(1:41:34) – Reflections on a life of crime
(1:46:51) – Advice for young people
(1:49:49) – Love
(2:03:09) – Death
(2:05:55) – Meaning of life
(2:09:58) – Poem

#198 – Sara Walker: The Origin of Life on Earth and Alien Worlds

Sara Walker is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist interested in the origin of life. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium
Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off

EPISODE LINKS:
Sara’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sara_Imari
Sara’s Website: http://emergence.asu.edu/

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
(07:44) – Origin of life
(15:38) – Did aliens seed life on Earth?
(20:48) – What is life?
(32:27) – Cellular automata
(36:56) – The laws of physics may change with time
(46:41) – Nobel Prize for the origin of life
(52:01) – Is consciousness fundamental to the universe?
(1:03:19) – Life is the most deterministic part of physics
(1:05:54) – Free will
(1:14:11) – How to detect alien life
(1:28:48) – How many alien civilization are out there?
(1:35:32) – Shadow biosphere
(1:41:59) – UFO sightings
(1:45:35) – Exponential population growth of AI lifeforms
(1:52:42) – The role of death in life
(1:56:45) – Advice for young people
(2:02:31) – Meaning of life

#197 – Jocko Willink: War, Leadership, and Discipline

Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL, co-author of Extreme Ownership, and host of Jocko Podcast. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit
Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera
Ground News: https://ground.news/lex

EPISODE LINKS:
Jocko’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jockowillink
Jocko’s Website: https://jocko.com/
Jocko’s Podcast: https://jockopodcast.com/
Extreme Ownership (book): https://amzn.to/3qYmcgh
Discipline Equals Freedom (book): https://amzn.to/3hFXOMa
The Dichotomy of Leadership (book): https://amzn.to/36ehH7C

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
(09:01) – The beauty and tragedy of war
(14:35) – Soviet Union in World War II
(20:54) – What makes a just war?
(34:30) – Jordan Peterson
(37:42) – Fear of death
(41:53) – Autonomous weapons systems
(53:28) – What makes a great leader?
(56:15) – Elon Musk – a leadership case study
(1:10:03) – Steve Jobs – a leadership case study
(1:20:16) – Sundar Pichai – a leadership case study
(1:27:15) – Young Jamie
(1:31:23) – Discipline
(1:34:15) – A day in the life of Jocko
(1:40:30) – Jiu Jitsu
(1:56:18) – Books

#196 – Yeonmi Park: North Korea

Yeonmi Park is a North Korean defector, human rights activist, and author of the book In Order to Live. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Belcampo: https://belcampo.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off first order
Gala Games: https://gala.games/lex
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off
Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings

EPISODE LINKS:
Yeonmi’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/YeonmiParkNK
Yeonmi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialyeonmipark
Yeonmi’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YeonmiParkOfficial
In Order to Live (book): https://amzn.to/3wdtKfL

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
(09:20) – Growing up in North Korea
(14:45) – Animal Farm
(21:00) – Search for meaning
(25:48) – Love
(28:05) – Language
(32:28) – Yeonmi’s dad
(34:30) – Escaping North Korea
(39:47) – The world is ignoring the genocide in North Korea
(51:49) – Evil
(54:40) – Nuclear war
(55:30) – Marxist origins of North Korea
(1:00:43) – Famine
(1:05:30) – Kim Jong-un is pure evil
(1:12:06) – Freedom
(1:15:18) – Michael Malice
(1:18:57) – Diversity
(1:26:18) – Political correctness
(1:35:50) – Jordan Peterson
(1:40:01) – Michael Malice book on North Korea
(1:45:31) – Advice for young people
(1:48:33) – Facing assassination
(1:58:47) – Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
(2:01:20) – Meaning of life

#195 – Clara Sousa-Silva: Searching for Signs of Life on Venus and Other Planets

Clara Sousa-Silva is a quantum astrochemist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off
Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium
Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium
Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit

EPISODE LINKS:
Clara’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/drphosphine
Clara’s Website: https://clarasousasilva.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
(07:57) – Discovery of phosphine on Venus
(20:34) – Phosphine gas
(30:47) – Searching for molecular fingerprints
(41:44) – What does a quantum astrochemist do?
(56:48) – Spectroscopic networks
(1:01:13) – Biosignature gases
(1:04:06) – UFOs and aliens
(1:17:24) – Alien civilizations
(1:34:59) – Programming
(1:42:15) – Why science is beautiful
(1:46:07) – How to be productive
(1:56:27) – Books
(1:57:59) – Meaning of life

#194 – Bret Weinstein: Truth, Science, and Censorship in the Time of a Pandemic

Bret Weinstein is and evolutionary biologist, author, and co-host of the DarkHorse Podcast. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
The Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.youtube.com/thejordanharbingershow
ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off
Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off

EPISODE LINKS:
Bret’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BretWeinstein
Bret’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BretWeinsteinDarkHorse
Bret’s Website: https://bretweinstein.net/
Bret’s Book: https://amzn.to/3dhVWrv

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
(09:04) – Why biology is beautiful
(16:38) – Boston Dynamics
(20:02) – Being self-critical
(30:09) – Theory of close calls
(38:46) – Lab leak hypothesis
(1:12:41) – Joe Rogan
(1:21:50) – Censorship
(1:58:40) – Vaccines
(2:12:26) – The paper on mice with long telomeres
(2:40:09) – Martyrdom
(2:48:54) – Eric Weinstein
(2:58:13) – Monogamy
(3:10:31) – Advice for young people
(3:17:16) – Meaning of life

#193 – Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks

Rob Reid is an author and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
Belcampo: https://belcampo.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off first order
Fundrise: https://fundrise.com/lex
NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour

EPISODE LINKS:
Rob’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rob_reid
After On Podcast: https://after-on.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
(08:33) – The most entertaining outcome is the most likely
(14:52) – Meme theory
(18:12) – Writing process
(24:59) – Engineered viruses as a threat to human civilization
(32:45) – Gain-of-function research on viruses
(44:54) – Did COVID leak from a lab?
(52:15) – Virus detection
(1:00:04) – Failure of institutions
(1:07:48) – Using AI to engineer viruses
(1:12:07) – Evil and competence
(1:21:26) – Where are the aliens?
(1:25:19) – Backing up human consciousness by colonizing space
(1:34:48) – Superintelligence and consciousness
(1:46:12) – Meditation
(1:54:20) – Fasting
(2:00:20) – Greatest song of all time
(2:05:46) – Early days of music streaming
(2:17:39) – Startup advice
(2:30:50) – Podcasting
(2:46:12) – Advice for young people
(2:55:15) – Mortality
(3:00:41) – Meaning of life

#192 – Charles Hoskinson: Cardano

Charles Hoskinson is the founder of Cardano, co-founder of Ethereum, a mathematician, and a farmer. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Gala Games: https://gala.games/lex
Allform: https://allform.com/lex to get 20% off
Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings

EPISODE LINKS:
Charles’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IOHK_Charles
Charles’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/charleshoskinson
Cardano Website: https://cardano.org/
IOHK Website: https://iohk.io/

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
(09:12) – What programming language is the simulation written in?
(14:17) – Favorite philosophers
(23:18) – Theory vs engineering in cryptocurrency
(34:27) – What programming languages should everyone learn
(42:42) – Haskell and beyond
(46:26) – Plutus: Cardano’s smart contract platform based on Haskell
(50:53) – What is a blockchain?
(55:05) – Hybrid smart contracts
(1:00:55) – Proof of work vs proof of stake
(1:09:42) – Cardano’s proof of stake consensus algorithm
(1:20:14) – What is Cardano?
(1:28:55) – Cardano vs Ethereum vs Bitcoin
(1:38:50) – The problem with Bitcoin
(1:48:24) – Bitcoin Conference
(1:52:05) – Ergo and Alex Chepurnoy
(1:59:15) – Cardano’s Extended UTXO Model
(2:06:27) – Chainlink and Oracle Networks
(2:13:40) – Cardano and Wolfram Alpha
(2:18:35) – The future of video games
(2:27:10) – Smart contracts timeline for Cardano
(2:34:40) – Decentralized exchanges
(2:40:21) – Jack Dorsey and Bitcoin
(2:46:33) – Elon Musk and Tesla: Cardano, Ethereum, Bitcoin
(2:49:50) – Dogecoin and Elon Musk
(3:01:11) – Hydra vs Lightning Network
(3:08:45) – Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work (NIPoPoWs)
(3:12:39) – Cardano failure modes
(3:21:00) – Cardano vs Polkadot
(3:26:05) – Vitalik Buterin
(3:34:16) – Corrupting nature of power
(3:44:26) – Satoshi Nakamoto
(3:50:37) – Cardano’s vision for decentralized governance
(4:03:31) – Cardano in Ethiopia
(4:07:33) – El Salvador and Bitcoin
(4:13:50) – Cryptocurrency will inject capitalism with long-term incentives
(4:23:42) – Day in the life of Charles Hoskinson
(4:30:59) – Mushrooms
(4:37:07) – Joe Rogan
(4:42:00) – Video games
(4:54:14) – Advice for young people
(4:57:23) – Meaning of life

#191 – Daniel Schmachtenberger: Steering Civilization Away from Self-Destruction

Daniel Schmachtenberger is a philosopher interested understanding the rise and fall of societies and individuals. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Ground News: https://ground.news/lex
NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
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
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off

EPISODE LINKS:
Daniel’s Website: https://civilizationemerging.com/
The Consilience Project: https://consilienceproject.org/

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
(08:05) – Aliens and UFOs
(26:50) – Collective intelligence of human civilization
(34:46) – Consciousness
(46:08) – How much computation does the human brain perform?
(49:47) – Humans vs ants
(57:04) – Humans are apex predators
(1:04:08) – Girard’s Mimetic Theory of Desire
(1:24:05) – We can never completely understand reality
(1:27:29) – Self-terminating systems
(1:37:52) – Catastrophic risk
(2:08:04) – Adding more love to the world
(2:35:29) – How to build a better world
(2:52:41) – Meaning of life
(3:00:23) – Death
(3:06:04) – The role of government in society
(3:23:29) – Exponential growth of technology
(4:09:10) – Lessons from my father
(4:14:46) – Even suffering is filled with beauty

#190 – Jordan Ellenberg: Mathematics of High-Dimensional Shapes and Geometries

Jordan Ellenberg is a mathematician and author of Shape and How Not to Be Wrong. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Secret Sauce: https://wondery.com/shows/secret-sauce/
ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium
Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit

EPISODE LINKS:
Jordan’s Website: http://www.jordanellenberg.com
Jordan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSEllenberg

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
(06:44) – Mathematical thinking
(10:21) – Geometry
(14:58) – Symmetry
(25:29) – Math and science in the Soviet Union
(33:09) – Topology
(47:57) – Do we live in many more than 4 dimensions?
(52:28) – How many holes does a straw have
(1:01:53) – 3Blue1Brown
(1:07:40) – Will AI ever win a Fields Medal?
(1:16:05) – Fermat’s last theorem
(1:33:23) – Reality cannot be explained simply
(1:39:08) – Prime numbers
(2:00:37) – John Conway’s Game of Life
(2:12:29) – Group theory
(2:15:45) – Gauge theory
(2:23:47) – Grigori Perelman and the Poincare Conjecture
(2:33:59) – How to learn math
(2:41:08) – Advice for young people
(2:43:13) – Meaning of life