Infinite Loops

Happy Holidays! We're taking a short break from new episodes this week so you can focus on finishing that Christmas dinner. We'll be back next Thursday with something new. In the meantime, why not tuck into this conversation with Guy Spier from January 2024, which remains one of my favorites. Enjoy! _________________ Guy Spier runs the Aquamarine Fund, an "investment partnership closely modeled on the original Buffet Partnerships." He is also a podcast host, YouTube creator, author of T he Education of a Value Investor and the host of the annual investment gathering VALUEx. He describes his life's project as "a quest for wealth, wisdom and enlightenment." Guy joins the show to discuss the differences between Switzerland and the US, how to unlock the British class system, what he learned from Warren Buffett, and MUCH more! Important Links: Guy's Website Guy's Twitter Guy's YouTube Channel 3Blue1Brown (YouTube Channel) Numberphile (YouTube Channel) Show Notes: The Differences Between New York, Switzerland & Paris Exploring the Dark Underbelly of New York Nightlife Psychedelics, Guns & Regulation The Advantages of Swiss Democracy Don't Short the United States The Branding Skill of the Royal Family Unlocking the Rules of the Class System Life Paths & Premeditation Luck, Opportunity & Non-Canonical Science Jim's Music Taste Mathematical Shenanigans Guy as Emperor of the World MORE! Books Mentioned: How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence; by Michael Pollan The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (a Little) Craziness and (a Lot Of) Success in America; by John Gartner Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want and Getting It; by Henriette Anne Klauser Invest Like The Best; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Outside, the Sky is Blue: The story of a family told with searing honesty, humour and love; by Christina Patterson

What if the invention that truly made us human wasn't the wheel, language, or even agriculture — but art? In this episode of Infinite Loops, we sit down with internationally renowned artist Vik Muniz to explore a radical and deeply human idea: that art — the ability to represent the world — may be humanity's most important invention after fire. Born in São Paulo and now collected by major museums around the world, Muniz reflects on his own life journey — from growing up in a Brazilian favela to redefining what art can be — and explains why the artwork is only ever half complete. The viewer finishes it. #Art #Creativity #VicMuniz #Perception #Photography #Innovation #Documentary #Mindset #VisualArt #InfiniteLoops Important links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Vik's website: https://vikmuniz.net/

Artist Marc Dennis joins Jim O'Shaughnessy to explore the intersection of hyper-realism, humor, and the "meta-narrative." Marc shares his incredible non-linear journey—from accidentally starting a forest fire at age seven to becoming a tenured professor and eventually betting it all to become a full-time artist with no plan B. They discuss why the "key to failure" is trying to please everyone, how humor acts as a survival mechanism, and the crucial difference between perception and reality. Marc also offers a masterclass on intention, explaining why he plants hidden stories within his paintings and sharing the profound realization that you cannot love others until you love yourself. This conversation is a deep dive into the creative mind, offering insights on resilience, identity, and the art of betting on yourself. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack. #Art #Creativity #Hyperrealism #Philosophy #MentalModels #Resilience #Humor #Psychology Important Links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Marc's Website: http://www.marcdennis.com/ Marc's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcmennis/ Books mentioned: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

Professional art advisor Ariel Meyerowitz joins Jim O'Shaughnessy to demystify the complex world of art. Ariel provides an essential guide for aspiring collectors, explaining where to begin, how to develop your eye, and why buying what you love is the most important first step. They explore the inner workings of galleries, auctions, and art fairs, contrasting the emotional value of art with the often-fickle investment market. Ariel also shares her philosophy on patronage, the psychology of collecting, and the profound, stress-reducing impact of living with art. This conversation is a perfect starting point for anyone looking to break into the art world, offering a clear path from intimidation to appreciation. #Art #ArtCollecting #Investing #Culture #Creativity #MentalModels #Innovation #Design #Psychology #Philosophy Important Links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Ariel's Website: https://www.arielmeyerowitz.com/ Books mentioned: The Painted Word by Tom Wolfe

Adam Moskowitz is the King of Cheese—but his path to the throne was anything but straight. In this delicious episode of Infinite Loops, Adam shares his wild journey from a failed rap career and a battle with addiction to becoming one of the most influential figures in cheese and the host of A Cheese Course . Whether you are a foodie, a creator battling gatekeepers, or just someone who loves a good comeback story, this episode will remind you to bet on yourself—and maybe eat some better cheese while you're at it. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Show Notes: The "Cheese Quake" origin story and the failed rap career Why "Creamy" is a texture, not a flavor The Artisan Cheese Illuminati Creating a documentary when gatekeepers said "No" The "Olive Garden" insult that fueled a fire Is the "Banana on the Wall" actually art? Cognitive diversity and why echo chambers kill creativity The "Time Horizon is Infinite" philosophy Leaders Lead & Lead with Love Books & Ideas Mentioned: My Dinner with Andre (Movie) Candide by Voltaire (Dr. Pangloss) Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Claude Shannon (Information Theory)

From a 0.9 GPA in rural Utah to the faculty of Harvard, Todd Rose's life is a testament to the idea that the "standard path" is a myth. In this return appearance on Infinite Loops, Todd opens up about the gritty, unvarnished reality of his origin story—a journey that includes ten minimum wage jobs, a stint administering enemas for a living, and the life-changing intervention of a department secretary named Marilyn Diamond. We dive deep into the "Dark Horse" mindset and why the pursuit of fulfillment, rather than the pursuit of excellence, is actually the most reliable driver of success. We also bond over our mutual disdain for Frederick Taylor, explore the devastating impact of "average-based" thinking on human potential, and discuss why dignity is the bedrock of a free society—illustrated by a heartbreaking personal encounter with a jar of chunky peanut butter. If you've ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or if you're looking for a roadmap to navigate the coming cultural shifts in the age of AI, this conversation is essential listening. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack. Show Notes: The 0.9 GPA and the "Correct Answer Machine" Ten minimum wage jobs and the advice to "get longer gloves" Marilyn Diamond: The improbable mentor who saved Todd's education The "No Average Brain" discovery in neuroscience Why we both despise Frederick Taylor and Scientific Management Dark Horses: Ignoring the destination to find the path Degrees of Freedom: How Todd hacked the GRE The "Chunky Peanut Butter" story and the importance of dignity Resentment, trust, and the future of AI The "Rainy Day Club" and how paradigms actually shift Books Mentioned: Collective Illusions; Todd Rose The End of Average; Todd Rose Dark Horse; Todd Rose Improbable Mentors; Mike Perry The Principles of Scientific Management; Frederick Taylor The Structure of Scientific Revolutions; Thomas Kuhn The Wealth of Nations; Adam Smith Man's Search for Meaning; Viktor Frankl Dignity; Chris Arnade Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy; Joseph Schumpeter

Hello everyone, Jim here. We're taking a brief break from new episodes to spotlight a golden oldie from the Infinite Loops archive. This conversation from December 2023 remains one of my favorites. Fresh episodes return next week, but first, enjoy this conversation with the inimitable George Mack. _________________ Writer, marketer, entrepreneur, and master of mental models, George Mack returns to discuss the top 0.1% of ideas he's ever come across, from treating life as a video game to spotting high-agency individuals. Important Links: George's Twitter The Lindy Library Roy: A Life Well Lived (Rick and Morty) How to Spot High Agency People The Mack Meditation What is ignored by the media — but will be studied by historians? The Early-Late Razor Show Notes: Treating Life as a Video Game Finding the Important Metrics Embrace Momentum; Embrace Constraints How to Spot High Agency People How to Increase Your Agency The Mack Meditation & Silence as Alpha Why Pessimism vs Optimism is the Wrong Debate The Future of Media What is Ignored by the Media but will be Studied by Historians? The Reddit to Facebook Continuum George's Most Midwit Opinion Randomness & Feeding the Algorithm How to Retain Curiosity George as Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (a Little) Craziness and (a Lot Of) Success in America; by John Gartner Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine; by Derren Brown What Works on Wall Street; by Jim O'Shaughnessy The Secret; by Rhonda Byrne Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid; by Douglas Hofstadter The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations that Transform the World; by David Deutsch

What happens when a shy farm kid from rural Wisconsin who never dreamed of being a writer becomes one of America's most beloved storytellers? Michael Perry joins Infinite Loops to share his remarkable journey from cleaning calf pens to pitching scripts at Universal Studios, all while maintaining his day job as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in his hometown. This conversation is a masterclass in authentic storytelling, practical wisdom, and the power of staying true to your roots while navigating an industry that often values credentials over character. Perry shares unforgettable stories about turning down Oprah (yes, really), why he sells hundreds of books to "people who don't read" at firefighter conventions, and how his nursing background taught him the most important skill for any writer: human assessment. We explore his philosophy of "kindness is not weakness," the difference between cash and cachet, and why sometimes the best career move is knowing when not to move at all. Whether you're a writer, entrepreneur, or simply someone who believes in the power of authentic storytelling, this episode will remind you that sometimes the best way forward is to embrace your own improbable path and never stand behind a sneezing cow. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Michael Perry's website Substack - Michael Perry's Voice Mail Michael's X / Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Michael Perry's Mailing List Show Notes: Connections with Mark Twain The NFL Friend & First Investment Mark Twain's European Fame & American Diplomacy Blue Collar vs. Capital 'A' Art Flying Under the Radar Midwestern Wisdom & Family Stories Charity, Humility, & Fundamentalist Upbringing The Positive Side of Imposter Syndrome Happy Tangents vs. Detailed Blueprints Publishing Industry Frustrations EMT Requires Pulse & Driver's License The Oprah Story First Mover Disadvantage Brothers, Guns, & Material Sources Mortality & Perspective The Gimlet-Eyed Drive Visiting Tom The Reality of Writing Today Pragmatism & Adaptation Voltaire & Historical Perspective Mike as Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: A Tale of Two Cities ; Charles Dickens Mark Twain ; Ron Chernow Improbable Mentors and Happy Tangents; Michael Perry Population: 485; Michael Perry Visiting Tom; Michael Perry Truck: A Love Story; Michael Perry Million Billion; Michael Perry 40 Acres Deep; Michael Perry Montaigne in Barn Boots; Michael Perry The Peter Principle; Laurence J. Peter What Works on Wall Street; Jim O'Shaughnessy Invest Like the Best; Jim O'Shaughnessy How to Retire Rich; Jim O'Shaughnessy Greatness Cannot Be Planned; Ken Stanley The Bible All Quiet on the Western Front; Erich Maria Remarque Tao Te Ching; Laozi Gone With the Wind; Margaret Mitchell Serpico; Peter Maas Candide ; Voltaire

Ken Stanley – AI researcher and author of "Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned" – joins me to explore why ambitious objectives can blind us to the stepping stones that make breakthroughs possible. Ken is the inventor of the novelty search algorithm and co-creator of Picbreeder, a crowdsourced evolutionary art experiment that has led to important insights about our objective-obsessed culture. This conversation covers everything from why vacuum tubes had to come before computers, how the path you take to success matters more than the success itself, the "fractured entangled representation" hypothesis, why grant applications kill innovation, how education beats the playground mentality out of children, and why "interesting" is the opposite of random. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Personal Website X / Twitter LinkedIn Google Scholar Wikipedia Book: Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned Show Notes: Are We Deterministic Thinkers Living in a Probabilistic World? Evolving Complexity and the NEAT Algorithm The Origins of Picbreeder The Power of Novelty Search The Cultural Impact of Non-Objective Thinking Why Pursuing Interestingness is Not the Same as Being Random Mechanizing Serendipity via Stepping Stones The Allure of the Security Blanket The Omni-culture of NSF Funding What Makes an Innovator? The Fractured Entangled Representation Hypothesis What does it say about LLMs if They Are Fractured and Entangled? Path Dependency and Careers Ken as Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned; by Kenneth Stanley (and Joel Lehman) The God Problem; by Howard Bloom The Lucifer Principle; by Howard Bloom Global Brain; by Howard Bloom The Beginning of Infinity; by David Deutsch Invest Like the Best; by Jim O'Shaughnessy A Mind At Play; by Jimmy Soni

Writer, editor, and founder of The Elysian , Elle Griffin joins me on Infinite Loops to discuss her vision for participatory capitalism, a world where ownership, reputation, and creativity are shared more broadly across society. We explore the evolution of capitalism from the industrial era to the networked age, how broad-based ownership could rebuild the middle class, why optimism is revolutionary, and how storytelling shapes our collective imagination. We also discuss how reputation is becoming a new form of capital and how writers can become architects of meaning in a world reshaped by AI and automation. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!," check out our Substack . Important Links: The Elysian Elle Griffin on X (Twitter) LinkedIn Website Elle's Novel Obscurity Show Notes: The New GI Bill for Stock Ownership Rethinking ESOPs, RSUs, and Equity for All The Founder's Dilemma: Risk, Ownership & Exit Tax Incentives for Employee Ownership A Tale of Two Experiments The Ownership Czar for the Day The Future of Work The State with Baby Bonds The Problem with Worth and Deserving The Power of Utopian Fiction The Currency of Belief and Reputation Empress of the World Question Books and References Mentioned: Obscurity ; by Elle Griffin The Elysian ; by Elle Griffin The Beginning of Infinity ; by David Deutsch The Lessons of History ; by Will & Ariel Durant The History of Civilization ; by Will & Ariel Durant Why Greatness Can't Be Planned ; by Kenneth O. Stanley Looking Backward ; by Edward Bellamy Herland ; by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Les Misérables ; by Victor Hugo Frankenstein ; by Mary Shelley The Republic ; by Plato Das Kapital ; by Karl Marx The Count of Monte Cristo ; by Alexandre Dumas 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ; by Jules Verne A Tale of Two Cities ; by Charles Dickens White Mirror Stories ; by Infinite Books

What if the biggest barrier between you and your dreams isn't talent, connections, or luck— but simply the belief that you need permission to act? Jay Yang joins Infinite Loops to challenge one of the most limiting assumptions of our time: that opportunities must be handed to us rather than created by us. At just 16, Jay cold-emailed the CEO of Beehiiv with a concrete plan that led to an internship. At 17, he sent Noah Kagan a 19-page audit of his email funnel with ready-to-ship assets, ultimately becoming head of content and helping put "Million Dollar Weekend" on the New York Times bestseller list. His secret? Understanding that preparation beats bravado, that most doors don't even have locks, and that the fastest way to get what you want is to do the work upfront and make saying "yes" a no-brainer for others. This conversation dives deep into Jay's philosophy of permissionless action, exploring why most people accept the "standard pace" when there's actually no speed limit, how to reprogram limiting beliefs through small wins, and why high agency people focus on outputs while low agency people get trapped tracking inputs. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Jay Yang's website Jay Yang's X Jay Yang's Instagram Jay Yang's Book, You Can Just Do Things Jay Yang's LinkedIn Show Notes: The Philosophy of Permissionless Action Breaking Free from Era-Defining Ideas Overcoming Limiting Beliefs Starting Small: Building Confidence Through Micro-Actions Inner vs. Outer Orientation Inputs vs. Outputs: The Agency Divide Failure as Feedback The Power of Persistence Curiosity and Cognitive Diversity AI and the Future of Work The Busy-ness Trap Signal vs. Noise in the AI Era People You Learn From Don't Have Huge Following The TAG Method Explained The New Way of Hiring Learning from the Greats Motivation vs. Clarity Jay's North Star and Anti-Goals Viktor Frankl and Finding Your Why Working in Public The Second Book Preview The Emperor Question Closing & Contact Information Books Mentioned: You Can Just Do Things: The Power of Permissionless Actions (Jay Yang) Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan The Tao of Kobe (forthcoming 2026, Jimmy Soni) Greatness Cannot Be Planned (Ken Stanley) Man's Search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl)

Jeff Bussgang — entrepreneur, venture capitalist, Harvard Business School professor, and co-founder of Flybridge Capital — joins Infinite Loops to explore how AI is transforming the operating systems of startups. We dive into Jeff's framework from his new book The Experimentation Machine , why AI compresses the cost and time of learning, how to distinguish 10X founders and 10X joiners, and why execution velocity matters more than tech moats in the age of AI. One of the most important things Jeff and I discuss is why discernment and taste may be the most valuable human skills of the future. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!," check out our Substack. Important Links: Flybridge Jeff's Wikipedia Profile Jeff's Website Jeff on LinkedIn Jeff's Twitter Show Notes: AI and the Rise of the 10X Founder The HUNCH Framework for Product-Market Fit Hair-on-Fire Value Props vs. Vanity Metrics Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground The Kill Criteria The 3Ts That VCs Look For Creating Win-Win Outcomes: MongoDB What Makes a 10X Founder The Human Edge in the Age of AI Everybody is in Sales Who is a 10X Joiner? Emperor of the World: Jeff's Two Rules for Humanity

Dan Wang, author of "Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future," joins me to explore why China builds while America blocks, how lawyers strangled U.S. infrastructure, and why Connecticut trains run slower than they did in 1914. Dan lived through China's trade war, Zero COVID, and the exodus of 15,000+ Chinese millionaires, giving him unique insight into both superpowers' pathologies. This conversation covers everything from why ribbon-cutting ceremonies matter for societal optimism to how lawyers morphed from deal-makers to obstructionists after the 1960s. We explore California's high-speed rail fiasco, the rebellion against NIMBYism, and Dan's prescription: America needs 20% more engineering, China needs 50% more lawyerly protections. Plus we discuss cognitive diversity, the Death Star versus the Rebel Alliance, and why we need synthesis. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Personal Website X / Twitter LinkedIn Profile at the Hoover Institution Show Notes: The Engineering State vs. the Lawyerly Society America's Lost Building Culture China's Gilded Age & America's Progressive Era Solutions for America's Building Crisis An Oncoming Battle of Elites Becoming Pro Development A Vision for a New Housing Fund China's Challenges Who Has a Better Shot At Change? Rickover: The Grand American Builder Dan's Uncertain Forecast of China Looking Ahead to 2035 Dan As Emperor of the World

It's Alex Danco's landmark 10th appearance on Infinite Loops! He joins the show to discuss his move from Shopify to a16z (where he'll be building out their editorial operations), the power dynamics between VCs and founders (the kings and priests of our era), communication theory and the power of speechwriting, Reagan's rhetorical genius, authentic weirdos, America's hypomanic DNA, the unexpected similarities between American and Chinese culture, and why listeners who haven't read any recommended books after 10 episodes are wasting their time. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Website Twitter Newsletter Show Notes: Alex's New Gig A Civil War Between Elites The Citizen Kane Test for CEOs Communication is the Founder's Job VCs as Legitimacy Banks & Magic-Makers The Lost Art of Speechwriting Reagan's Genius & The American Dream The Hypomanic Edge Mystery, Respect, and Cultural Power Marketing Ideas to the Right Audience The New Internet Economy Maritime Laws for AI Agents The Goth Index and Authenticity Substack's Identity Crisis & The Role of Podcasts Alex as Emperor of the World (Again) Books Mentioned: What Works on Wall Street; by Jim O'Shaughnessy How Music Works; by David Byrne Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future; by Dan Wang The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America; John D. Gartner The Language of Magic; by Toby Chapel Underwriters of the United States: How Insurance Shaped the American Founding; by Hannah Farber

Sangeet Paul Choudary, bestselling author of Platform Revolution and Reshuffle , and senior fellow at UC Berkeley, joins the show to challenge the conventional wisdom about AI's impact on our economy. We explore why knowledge workers risk falling "below the algorithm," how curiosity and judgment become luxury goods in a world of cheap answers, and why our educational and career structures need complete reinvention rather than incremental reform. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy (Amazon) Website Twitter Substack LinkedIn Show Notes: Sangeet's Core Thesis Technology's Second Order Effects Coordination Without Consensus Resistance to Innovation The Bottlenecks of Changing Systems Staying Above The Algorithm An Impending Cognitive Chasm The Limitations of Reskilling Redesigning Hiring for the AI Era The Human Touch Fallacy The End of Linear Career Paths Collective Sense-making in Uncertainty Sangeet as Emperor of the Day Books Mentioned: Platform Revolution ; by Geoffrey G Parker, Marshall W Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary Reshuffle ; by Sangeet Paul Choudary The Hound of the Baskervilles ; by Arthur Conan Doyle Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned ; by Kenneth Stanley and Joel Lehman

Michael Dean — architect-turned-writer, O'Shaughnessy Fellow, and creator of Essay Architecture — joins the show to explore the hidden structures beneath nonfiction and why essays, like buildings, can be designed with patterns rather than left to inspiration. We discuss the origins of Essay Architecture, Michael's 27-pattern framework that maps essays across Idea, Form, and Voice, and how to make craft teachable and AI feedback useful without replacing the writer. Along the way, we dive into architecture school critiques, why publishable doesn't mean perfect, how editing rewires thinking, and the cultural risks if we keep treating writing as vibes instead of patterns. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Michael's Website Substack X/Twitter Profile Show Notes: The Architecture of Essays: from Design School to Writing Frameworks The Pattern Language: Idea, Form, and Voice Local Nuance vs Global Stylekits Fundamentals before Breaking Rules: Joyce, Picasso, the Beatles Quality Without a Name Leveling the College Playing Field The Two Sandboxes of Fundamentals and Amplification Gamification, Play and Motivation Beyond the Five-paragraph Essay: Emerson and AI in Education Scoring Great Essays: Why David Foster Wallace takes Three Top Spots How Writing Colonized the brain Editing as Belief-rewiring: Why Writers Avoid It and Why Math Helps The King of Biases: Confirmation Bias Michael as Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: Works on Wall Street ; Jim O'Shaughnessy Essay Architecture (in progress) ; by Michael Dean A Pattern Language ; by Christopher Alexander The Best American Essays 2024 Anthology ; by Wesley Morris and Kim Dana Kupperman Consider the Lobster ; by David Foster Wallace The White Album ; by Joan Didion Shooting an Elephant ; by George Orwell Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man ; by James Joyce Finnegan's Wake ; by James Joyce Towards a Golden Age ; Paul Graham The Limits of Scientific Reasoning ; by David Faust The WEIRDest People in the World ; by Joseph Henrich

Hello everyone, Jim here. We're taking a brief two-week break from new episodes to spotlight a couple of golden oldies from the Infinite Loops archive. Years later, these remain some of my favorite conversations. We'll be back soon with fresh episodes, but in the meantime, enjoy this trip back to November 2023, when we welcomed the one and only Roon. _________________ AI researcher, memelord extraordinaire, and techno-optimist Roon joins the show to discuss coming up with the shape rotator vs. wordcel meme, what an AGI world could become, and why Tenet is Christopher Nolan's best movie. Important Links: Roon's Twitter Roon's Substack AGI Futures Show Notes: Shape Rotators Vs. Wordcels Why AGI is Possible AI in Science Fiction AGI Future #1: Neuralink Third Impact AGI Future #2: Simulation Theory AGI Future #3: Dumb Matter AGI Future #4: Balrog Awakened AGI Future #5: Ultra Kessler Syndrome AGI Future #6: The Tragedy of Taiwan AGI Future #7: For Dust Thou Art AGI Future #8: CEV Super Intelligence Why Tenet is Christopher Nolan's Best Movie Roon as Emperor of the World MORE! Books Mentioned: The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History; by Howard Bloom The Genius of the Beast: A Radical Re-Vision of Capitalism; by Howard Bloom The God Problem: How a Godless Cosmos Creates; by Howard Bloom William Blake vs the World; by John Higgs The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; by Douglas Adams

Hello everyone, Jim here. We're taking a brief two-week break from new episodes to spotlight a couple of golden oldies from the Infinite Loops archive. Years later, these remain some of my favorite conversations. We'll be back soon with fresh episodes, but in the meantime, enjoy this trip back to August 2024, when we welcomed the one and only Gurwinder Bhogal. _________________ "We have created for ourselves a world that we didn't evolve for." Gurwinder Bhogal is, for my money, one of the most independent, original and insightful thinkers you'll find in our corner of the internet. He returns to discuss how willpower and good old-fashioned human agency can help us reclaim our mental sovereignty and escape the " constant avalanche of concerns that are being vomited over us through our laptop screens, our phones, our TV screens, and in conversations." For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other stuff designed to make you go, " Hmm, that's interesting!" check out our Substack . Important Links: Gurwinder's Substack Gurwinder's Twitter Gurwinder's previous Infinite Loops appearance Show Notes: "We have created for ourselves a world we didn't evolve for" The dogged persistence of our stubborn beliefs Gamification; generational differences in agency The societal impact of the education system's changing priorities How to zombify a population Skin in the game: Gurwinder's guide to reclaiming agency LLMs, bullshit, and the atomization of culture How to play better games Willpower is the bottleneck Gurwinder as emperor of the world MORE! Books Mentioned: Why Everything is Becoming a Game ; by Gurwinder Bhogal Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know; by Adam Grant The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play It; by Will Storr The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements; by Eric Hoffer Why the Mental Health of Liberal Girls Sank First and Fastest ; by Jonathan Haidt ( After Babel ) America's Colleges Are Reaping What They Sowed ; by Tyler Austin Harper (T he Atlantic ) Joe Biden and the Common Knowledge Game ; by Ben Hunt ( Epsilon Theory) The Emperor's New Clothes; by Hans Christian Andersen Futarchy Details ; by Robin Hanson ( Overcoming Bias ) The Enlightenment Trilogy; by Jed McKenna The Weirdest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous; by Joseph Henrich

What happens when a self-described "not very good" venture capitalist discovers he has an extraordinary gift for coaching the world's most successful CEOs? Joe Hudson joins Infinite Loops to share his unconventional journey from Alaska fishing boats to Hollywood directing to Silicon Valley boardrooms, ultimately finding his calling in helping high-performers unlock their deepest potential. This conversation dives deep into Joe's revolutionary three-center approach to human development—working with the head, heart, and nervous system simultaneously to create lasting transformation, and MORE! I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Sign up for a complimentary transformation guide: artofaccomplishment.com Listen to the Art of Accomplishment Podcast on Spotify Listen to the Art of Accomplishment Podcast on YouTube Joe Hudson's Twitter Joe Hudson's LinkedIn Show Notes: Opening Joe's Unconventional Coaching Philosophy The Artist in the Art The "Should" Trap & The Trash Can Experiment Game Rules & Emotional Decision-Making The Curiosity Override The Big Five & CEO Personality Patterns The Three-Center System The Disinterested Observer & Emotional Suppression John Sarno & The Mind-Body Connection Fear & Gratitude Escaping the Logic Box Invest in Great Entrepreneurs The Tennis Ball & Quarter Analogy Micro Expressions & Unconditional Love Buddhist Monks & The last Taboo Trustafarians & Multi-Generational Wealth AI, Wandering & The Rat Park Joe as Emperor of the World Authors & Books Mentioned: Prometheus Rising; by Robert Anton Wilson Quantum Psychology; by Robert Anton Wilson Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; by Robert Pirsig Mind Over Back Pain; by John Sarno Molecules of Emotion; by Candace Pert Adventures of a Bystander; by Peter Drucker The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock; by T.S. Eliot The Enlightened Brain; by Andrew Newberg

Michael Gibson and Danielle Strachman, co-founders of 1517 Fund, join the show to discuss their rebellion against higher education, why universities stifle creativity, why IQ doesn't correlate with innovation, and how betting on "misfit toys" is the way to go—plus we explore Girardian mimesis, the perishable nature of creativity, the laziness of pessimistic storytelling and MORE! I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: 1517 Fund Michael's Twitter Danielle's Twitter 1517 Substack Show Notes: Why 1517 Fund Rebels Against Higher Education Giving Individuals a Shot "It's cool to be building stuff, it's not cool to be a Thiel Fellow" The 'ATM Founder' and 'Rich Too Early' Syndrome The Power of Predictive Character Traits Flipping Credentialist Thinking "How do we become Spielberg? How do we do something truly great?" Simple Memes and Powerful Narratives Avoiding a Monoculture of Misfits The Incestuous Universities Scene Choosing Your Own Path People Contain Multitudes Michael and Danielle as World Emperor and Empress Books & Essays Mentioned: A Mind at Play: How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age; by Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions; by Todd Rose "A Gift for My Daughter"; by Harry Browne ( Full text available here ) Paper Belt on Fire; by Michael Gibson The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation; by Jon Gertner The Right Stuff; by Tom Wolfe The Status Game; by Will Storr The Two Cultures; by C.P. Snow What Works on Wall Street; by Jim O'Shaughnessy White Mirror: Stories; by Tinkered Thinking Zero to One; by Peter Thiel The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley; by Jimmy Soni Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar; by Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World; by Harry Browne

Ed Latimore: boxer, physicist, and author of Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business makes his third appearance on the show to discuss hard-won wisdom about impulse control, self-forgiveness, the challenges of modern parenting and why being discerning (not judgmental) about your social circle might be the simplest rule for a better life. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Ed's Twitter Ed's Website Ed's Substack Ed's Previous Appearances: #1 , #2 Show Notes: Punctuality and Impulse Control Ed's Parenting Philosophy The Dilemmas of Raising Kids Having Socratic Dialogues with Six Year Olds Exposure to Different Realities The Journey to Getting Sober Learning from Experience How Stories Transmit Values Justice and Forgiveness Self-Talk and Internal Narratives Race, Merit, and Cultural Double Standards Falsifiability and Rational Thinking Ed as World Emperor Books Mentioned: The Triple Package; by Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business; by Edward Latimore What Works on Wall Street; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Boxing and the Art of Life; by Edward Latimore

Sam Arbesman, complexity scientist, author of "The Magic of Code," and scientist in residence at Lux Capital, joins me for a wide-ranging exploration of how we navigate an increasingly complex world that often exceeds human comprehension. We dive into the oral traditions that preserve crucial scientific knowledge, why cognitive diversity trumps demographic diversity, the forgotten innovations hiding in technological history, and Sam's vision for "Maxis 2.0". This conversation had everything—from science fiction's cultural impact to the philosophy of intellectual humility. Sam and I discovered we're remarkably simpatico on how to think about complex systems, the importance of historical context, and why saying "I don't know" is the foundation of genuine learning. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, " Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Personal Website Book Page: The Magic of Code Sam's X Profile Show Notes: Sam's Sci-fi Origins The Oral Tradition in Science and Technology Cultivating the Unexpected Open-Endedness and Large Language Models "All Models Are Wrong, but Some Are Useful" Culture's Role in Shaping Everything Patching Bugs in HumanOS Tech History and Forgotten Innovations A Tech Archaeology Fellowship Humility and Knowledge Learning Via Negativa The Complexity of Our World Sam's Current Obsessions in Science and Gaming Sam As Emperor of the World Books Mentioned: Dune ; by Frank Herbert Foundation trilogy ; by Isaac Asimov Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension ; by Sam Arbesman The Half-Life of Facts ; by Sam Arbesman When We Cease to Understand the World ; by Benjamín Labatut White Mirror ; by Tinkered Thinking Nonzero ; by Robert Wright The Evolution of God ; by Robert Wright God and Golem, Inc. ; by Norbert Wiener The Road ; by Cormac McCarthy The Guide for the Perplexed ; by Moses Maimonides The Story of Civilization ; by Will and Ariel Durant Mistakes Were Made, and Yes, by Me ; by Jim O'Shaughnessy

Nick Maggiulli, data scientist turned financial writer and COO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, joins me to discuss his latest book, The Wealth Ladder , which presents a six-level framework for building and managing wealth. Warning: this episode will upend what you think you know about money. We explore why atypical results require atypical actions, how income and not budgeting is the real unlock for wealth mobility, and how many financial myths persist simply because they feel good. Nick also shares the personal rules he lives by, how wealth changes meaning, and why being rich doesn't guarantee happiness. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack . Important Links: Of Dollars and Data Nick's Twitter Nick's LinkedIn Nick's Instagram Ritholz Wealth Management Show Notes: Money May Magnify Happiness But Can't Manufacture It Atypical Results Require Atypical Actions The Risk of Financial Generalization The Loneliness Tax Some Legacies Can Be Built Without Capital The Plateau Between Wealthy and Wealthier When the Job Becomes a Side Hustle The Spending Myth The Baby Bond Idea The Universal Basic Income Debate Markets Evolve Faster Than Us Kindness is Rare and Needed. Books and Papers Mentioned: What Works on Wall Street ; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Just Keep Buying ; by Nick Maggiulli The Wealth Ladder ; by Nick Maggiulli Portfolios of the Poor ; by Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, and Orlanda Ruthven Invest like the Best ; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Experienced well-being rises with income, even above $75,000 per year; by Matthew A. Killingsworth, Daniel Kahneman, and Barbara Mellers

Lawrence Yeo — writer, illustrator and author of "The Inner Compass" — joins the show to discuss the power of intuition in an uncertain world. We explore why embracing uncertainty leads to greater curiosity, how social conditioning pulls us away from our true north, why doing things for their own sake builds authentic conviction and how journaling the "whys" rather than the "whats" can transform your self-awareness. This conversation flowed so naturally we jumped right in without a formal introduction! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!," check out our Substack. Important Links: Lawrence's Website Twitter The Inner Compass Show Notes: The Co-Creator Mentality Writing a Letter to Your Child The Root of All Suffering The Proximity of Envy The Inevitability of Social Conditioning How to Hone Your Intuition Escaping the Illusion of Certainty What Looks Like a Leap is Actually a Series of Small Steps Mistakes Are Portals of Discovery Can You Learn Self-Confidence? If Everyone Says Your Book is Great, Something is Wrong Journals > Diaries Lawrence as World Emperor Books & Articles Mentioned: The Inner Compass: Cultivating the Courage to Trust Yourself; by Lawrence Yeo Two Thoughts: a Timeless Collection of Infinite Wisdom; by Jim O'Shaughnessy and Vatsal Kaushik A Letter to my Newborn Daughter ; by Lawrence Yeo Mistakes were Made. (And, Yes, by Me.) ; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing); by Lao Tzu Death ; by Thomas Nagel

Hello everyone, Jim here. We're taking a brief two-week break from new episodes to spotlight a couple of golden oldies from the archive. Years later, these remain some of my favorite conversations. We'll be back soon with fresh episodes, but in the meantime, here's my September 2022 chat with the always interesting Will Storr. _________________ Will Storr is an award winning journalist and author. His book 'The Status Game' transforms our understanding of human nature by demonstrating how our unconscious desire for status ultimately drives our behaviour. Important Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/wstorr?s=21&t=ZdtIqP9eE3_a5qZocDjEXQ Website: https://willstorr.com The Science of Storytelling: https://www.thescienceofstorytelling.com Show Notes: Will's origin story The strange case of David Irving The fundamental nature of status games The Stanford prison experiment and dominance games The status games played by cults Luxury beliefs Why we are all moral hypocrites The importance of being funny Social status and socioeconomic status Human OS and the education system How status seeking leads to the "very best of human nature" The murderous nature of reputation destruction The post WW1 humiliation of Germany Loaded magazine Finding the true reason behind seemingly crazy beliefs The value of religion Trading status Spreading humility Why we could be wrong about our closest beliefs Books Mentioned: The Unpersuadables: Adventures with the Enemies of Science; by Will Storr The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History; by Howard Bloom The Genius of the Beast: A Radical Re-Vision of Capitalism; by Howard Bloom The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous; by Joseph Henrich The Science of Storytelling; by Will Storr Slaughterhouse-Five; by Kurt Vonnegut Selfie: How We Became so Self-Obsessed and What It's Doing to Us; by Will Storr The Status Game: On Social Position and How We Use It; by Will Storr