February 2024 updates
Hi everyone,
I interviewed Dwarkesh Patel, the LBJ of podcasting.
We mostly talked about people. A bunch about events. And even managed to discuss an idea or two at some point.
Way more people than I expected told me to start doing interviews full-time after watching it and that it was totally worth breaking their "no YouTube" rule for this.
See it on -- you guessed it -- YouTube: Dwarkesh Patel explains how to achieve greatness.
Links
- Black Holes and the Intelligence Explosion (physical thinking is even more useful than one might think)
- Tyler Cowen interviews Sam Altman (2019) (a timeless classic)
- Teen Apocalypse Now: "Maybe it’s just because there’s less of a reason to believe in God when we no longer need him to to justify our anxieties. In his absence, we’re left with nothing but completely secular and atheist eschatologies."
Quote of the month
Even with her various retainers from shady military suppliers and her lavish allowance from her husband, Josephine spent money like a woman possessed. She bought nine hundred dresses a year – at her most extravagant Marie-Antoinette bought no more than 170 – and a thousand pairs of gloves. When ordered by Napoleon to investigate her finances, Bourrienne discovered a bill for thirty-eight hats in one month alone, another bill of 180 francs for feathers and another of 800 francs for perfume. The incorrigible Josephine would regularly buy new jewellery and, when Napoleon commented on it, would claim she had had it for years. As in all such cases of husbands with wives, he believed her.
Bourrienne discovered that Josephine’s total debt was 1,200,000 francs of which she admitted half. She told Bourrienne she could not face her husband’s anger if he knew the truth and asked for his help. As predicted, Napoleon flew into a rage even when informed of the reduced figure of 600,000 francs. For the sake of his prestige he ordered the sum paid. Bourrienne then persuaded the various tradesmen to accept half; he pointed out that if they sued and the affair became public, Napoleon might be forced from office and they would receive nothing. Reluctantly the duped milliners and haberdashers settled. (from McLynn's Napoleon)
Personal
- I'm spending most of my waking time thinking about physics (harmonic oscillators, hydrogen atoms, two-level systems, blackbodies...) -- as usual, let me know if you're around Boston and want to chat about this.
- I'm also writing a follow up to Omens of exceptional talent -- working title is Cursed omens of exceptional talent -- let me know if you'd like to see the draft.
- Considering visiting the Bay Area and DC soon as well.
Have a great March!
Stay lovely,
Alexey