One of the most tragic aspects of the accelerating pace of change, and rapid evolution of new technologies — is that we as humanity have lost our elders. We begin to see older generations as detached from the current world of innovation, and have to discount advice and experiences gained in an age that feels so different from our own.
Whereas prior generations could count on a world pretty similar to that of their ancestors, when we look to the future, pretty much the only thing we're sure of is that it's not going to look like the past, or even the present.
But we still yearn for some sage advice, at least I know I do. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we did have someone who could help us navigate a time of tremendous, accelerating change?
That's why I was so excited to talk to Kevin Kelly.
Kevin is perhaps the closest thing Silicon Valley has to such a sage. Someone who not only witnessed the tremendous rise of digital technology, but thought about it deeply as it was happening and developed models for thinking about it.
In 1993, Kevin co-founded the groundbreaking Wired magazine, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. In 1994, he wrote Out of Control, the classic book on decentralized emergent systems. In 2010 he published What Technology Wants, a robust theory of technology and the complex, almost organic systems that drive it, and in 2017 he published The Inevitable, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller about the inevitable trends driving technology.
His latest book Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier, is an offering of 450 useful aphorisms or principles for living he's devised over his life amidst the changes.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this conversation we talk about:
- How did DIY culture shape Kevin's worldview from a young age?
- What inspired Kevin to co-found Wired magazine?
- Why does Kevin claim technology has a will of its own?
- What is his take on AI advances of today?
- Why did he decide to write a book of pithy life advice?
- What is some of Kevin's most counterintuitive advice around decision making and change?
- How can we live fully before our time is up?
My favorite piece of advice in the episode is about choosing a path of change. Without giving away the content, I'll just say I've brought it up multiple times in conversation with friends about their dilemmas, and when considering my own life decisions.
TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS
These timestaps are AI-generated and could prove inaccurate.
(Please let us know if you find any issues here: podcast@remakelabs.com )
- Early Making and DIY Culture (00:08:17 - 00:10:16)
- The Origins of Wired Magazine (00:15:18 - 00:17:30)
- Technology's Inherent Tendencies (00:19:32 - 00:22:05)
- AI as Future Partners (00:25:11 - 00:27:02)
- Truth and AI (00:28:17 - 00:31:20)
- Advice for Living Wisdom (00:32:14 - 00:36:39)
- Giving and Getting (00:36:59 - 00:38:16)
- Learning vs "Can't Do" (00:38:57 - 00:39:42)
- Choosing Change (00:40:55 - 00:41:57)
- Embodying Your Full Potential (00:42:24 - 00:44:45)
EPISODE LINKS
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.