What does a little risk taken or effort made today do for you a week from now? How about 10 years from now? We look at life in an extended framework if we want to see it more clearly. Episode 275 is about this concept, how something can build only once it is started, and when the valuable representation of what you did will show up.
Show notes:
how a spark has to be in place for the item to light up years later
why compound gains start off disturbingly slow and pick up speed
looking at past musical artists or content creators, and how their early efforts on the internet set the stage for thousands of people who followed them
What is the damage we’re not attending to, with regards to the pandemic? How does biological and social contagion spread based on population and contact networks? How do scaling laws inform us about efficiency and person/city/network growth and change over time? Last month, researcher and professor Dr. Geoffrey West, author of Scale: The Universal Laws of Growth, Innovation, Sustainability, and the Pace of Life in Organisms, Cities, Economies, and Companies, co-wrote an article on the topic of scale in relation to the pandemic with fellow Santa Fe Institute President and researcher Dr. David Krakauer.
Dr. West is a theoretical physicist, who is distinguished and former President of the Santa Fe Institute, a scientific think-tank in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is able to combine multiple fields of research in ways that were not previously looked at. He is a leading researcher on a scientific model for cities, and is known for the metabolic theory of ecology. His B.A. in Physics is from Cambridge University, and his Ph.D. is from Stanford University.
I originally came across Dr. West’s work through his book Scale, which I summarized chapters of in some of the earliest episodes of this show, specifically 2, 9, and 11. It was informative to me to get a sense of how a population or network develops from early large paths to the smaller nodes at the end, and where there is efficiency in growth that is connected to non-linear scaling ratios. We spoke about the book, as well as a variety of topics.
Show notes:
how Dr. West progressed from his background in the UK to where he is at the current moment
his experience as a researcher and past President at the Santa Fe Institute
progressive from theoretical physics and particles to looking at cities, companies, networks, and global sustainability
fostering collaborations between scientists of different fields, and non-linear thinking as connected with risk-taking
scaling rate as it relates with food requirement for different sizes of organisms
how all organisms are network systems that follow scaling laws
the way that one’s blood vessels share these laws with roads and freeways, trees and branches, and neuron paths in the brain
whether the scaling laws relate with determinism as related to biology, and how biology differs with physics in that regard
our similarities as viewed from a long-distance perspective
the way that one city is similar to other cities, at their respective stages of development, taking into account the specific environmental and cultural variables of the region
Dr. West’s relationship with Dr. Krakauer, and the article they co-wrote
looking at the pandemic as something to focus on, while not forgetting that it is one element of a bigger picture situation humanity is part of
how one item on the planet affects something else on the planet, especially in a heavily interconnected planet
exponential gains, and the lack of understanding that has been associated with the concept
counter-intuitive responses to problems, which require looking at problems with more depth than only repairing directly what is broken at first glance
the reception of science in the public domain, and how that is affecting responses to problems or new scenarios
how higher-level education has been very prolific in its ability to serve as a backbone for society to work from
the way that feel of age can alter based on our current moment
Our time is our own to get things done, for our own form. On episode 273, it is about building your own thing, and not letting your important time slip, though the time not connected to your main projects is not as important.
Show notes:
your self-oriented time
noting the value of moments versus the value of other moments
recognizing that there are some periods of time you can’t afford to let go to any type of waste
Writing in a journal can be the way to some forms of understanding or expression. My recent writings in one contribute to the thoughts in this episode, which is #272 of the show.
Show notes:
How to propel work forward
The way that collaboration can bring out elements that were dormant
Using the “why” behind what you do versus the “how” or “what”
Having a variety of mediums to post on
Moving things around and building kindling for your fire
Imagining how you want your story to go
Little things each day turning into a larger entity
We keep it simple on this fast-paced episode, with insights coming forward in stream of consciousness form. Credit to Toby Emerson for the intro and outro music, and for supporting usage of his music from many years ago for such creative purposes.
Welcome moral and political psychologist Dr. Cory J. Clark to episode 271 of the show~. She has done research in the categories of moral judgment, punishment, free will, political bias, and motivated cognition. Looking at how bias applies in daily discourse or decision-making helps to clear out poor decisions that would have to be corrected at some future instance.
Dr. Clark got her Ph. D. from the University of California, Irvine, in Social and Personality Pyschology and Quantitative Methods, following a B.A. in psychology and philosophy. Some research papers she has contributed to include material on tribalism in different moments of societal condition, political differences in free will belief, and how bias pervades both sides of political landscapes.
Show notes:
how Dr. Clark got into the category of social and personality psychology and quantitative methods at UCI
the way that serendipity and the flow of life can lead us to the next step
connection between punishment and belief of free will, and how that connection affects how people are viewed
how to study individuals seeking out information that supports their beliefs
the better-than-average effect of self-thought in the category of self-serving biases
people bringing out certain sides of personality on social networks, and the mob effect that can apply
the short-term internet response to long-term careers
free will as it applies to the fixed nature of a specific moment in time and the moment that follows it
humans evolving to a point of looking back upon their own thinking in hefty detail
punishment and the moral judgment associated with it as related to a recent death penalty action
the collective nature of people’s actions, as with the internet
a message about perspective to take into account when seeing two-sided issues, which are very common in public discourse
I was glad to have Dr. Clark on the show. Feel free to check out her website, which has all her material well organized, including her research that is easily readable, and her content across other shows.
Welcome guest Dr. Darya Pino Rose to episode 270 of the show~. She has a neuroscience Ph. D. from UC San Francisco, wrote the book Foodist: Using Real Food and Real Science to Lose Weight Without Dieting, and has posted much content in relation to food and health on her website Summer Tomato.
In 2019, Dr. Rose gave a TEDx Talk in Salem, Oregon about the concept of becoming healthy without focusing on the dieting aspect. Changing the focus of how you respond to something is a more nuanced detail than the steps along the way, and I would always agree to look more at the root of an item than the after-effects. Dr. Rose has seen the issue with the mindset involved with short-term dieting, and the focus on countering the negative, versus reaching towards the great benefits of local produce of greens and vibrant colors. We spoke about this topic, habits, aging, broad perspective, her children, and more.
Show notes:
bringing a logical viewpoint to any decision-making in life, whether for health maintenance or weight loss
how the content we put out there can be messages to our past self
some of the simpler things people can do in relation to eating food and keeping health in good order
the way that food can taste delicious and still work in your favor
the farm-to-table movement that had picked up in the Bay Area, and exposition to a different way of taking food in
how habits are very different based on whether they are internally or externally motivated
the connection between habits, willpower, and motivation
how what is presented to us early on in life has such a large impact, and is internalized until we later look back at the time with questioning
When you think of a corporation, you think of its products and services, but in the case of Samsung, its history is connected to families, dynasties, and its tie to the economic prosperity of South Korea. In Samsung Rising: The Inside Story of the South Korean Giant That Set Out to Beat Apple and Conquer Tech, author Geoffrey Cain discusses the people involved and the path taken by the large entity known as Samsung.
Geoffrey Cain serves as a skilled foreign correspondent, author, commentator, anthropologist and scholar of East and Central Asia. He was a former correspondent at The Economist, and is a regular commentator in The Wall Street Journal, Time, and The New Republic, and a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, BBC and Bloomberg. He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Show notes:
how Samsung is connected to the country of South Korea in more ways than being a corporation
the interest behind writing this book and getting into the company structure
what it was like interviewing a variety of people inside the company
some ways that Samsung had to compete with Apple, and continues to do so, while also cooperating in some capacity
the way that Samsung is different from a large company in the US
some of the features or releases that impacted the growth of Samsung
There are a select few individuals who have gone through such a recent moment of intensity and pressure as Dr. Maryam Baqir, M.B.B.S., of Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. As Covid-19 cases quickly ramped up in the epicenter of the virus, doctors like her began to respond to an onslaught of cases that turned hospitals into treatment zones far more packed and adaptive than would be the case in calmer times.
Dr. Baqir specializes in Internal Medicine, and received her medical/surgical degrees from Aga Khan University in Pakistan. She grew up in Karachi, though she was born in Tehran, Iran (similar to myself). We met in Manhattan, along with her companion Shan of episode 258. Our discussion in this episode involved much about her recent experience, life messages we both understand and take note of, and a deeper view of what an active response to life challenges looks like. Much was shared and expressed.
Show notes:
how she got into this career path, and what it means to her at this time
what it is like to live in the area of Brooklyn, and how Dr. Baqir got there
the difference in culture between Pakistan and the US
what the response to coronavirus entailed on its initial run-through
how the hospital had to adjust in order to be able to treat all the new patients of one specific condition
processing what occurred, and what the main issues were in relation to the virus, as far as equipment/resources
the feel of the patients, and what it is/was like for them getting treatment from individuals behind masks and shields
empathy shared with patients and their families in a time of anguish
seeing trucks show up because of the out-flux of those who passed away
healthcare workers deciding whether or not to self-quarantine at their home
some of the impacts of in-hospital aerosolization of the virus
fighting for patients for an extensive period of time, and decisions a doctor has to make along the way
how procedure priorities were changed at the hospital, and how doctors were switched from their specialty to tackling the current epidemic
the influx of volunteers from around the country to Dr. Baqir’s hospital, among others, in order to meet the response requirements
connection/unity between healthcare workers on a shared mission
resilience and strength shown in various stories of the moment
how some of the responses to the pandemic were come up with on the spot, or served as an impromptu training
some of the improvements that have been arrived at through these few months of trials and understanding in relation to the virus
comparing symptoms of individuals in similar proximity, and noting differences
use or non-use of shame as a response to public hygiene/safety habits, such as the use of a mask
some of the growth felt by Dr. Baqir during these months
the value of human compassion, and the difference that makes in care
a range of emotions that you feel during an intense experience, and not holding back on showing/expressing them
the concept of not living while being alive, and accepting mortality
preparing for end-of-life care before it gets to an emergency situation
the passing of Maimonides Medical Center Chief of Medicine Dr. Stephan Kamholz due to Covid-19, and his career and impact
a closing message for all people
It was wonderful to have Dr. Baqir on the show. We were able to cover her experience and related life messages in a free-flowing and spontaneous discussion full of detail. You can follow her on Twitter at @MaryamBaqir.
We breathe our way through the day, with 25000 breaths taking place each time. How you breathe, and the ripple effects of that habit, effects much of your waking day. Author and journalist James Nestor takes us through this information in his book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.
James has written for many publications, including Scientific American, the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and many more. His previous book was titled Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves.
Show notes:
some of the differences between mouth-breathing and nasal-breathing
how the way you breathe can impact your health and well-being
changes in physiology that can result from each type of breathing
the history of breathing from long ago
and more
It was good to have James on the show. You can check out Breath on Amazon.
Physical therapist and content creator Brian Dy joins us again on episode 266 of the show. He previously took part on episode 223, and returns now with a collection of content on his YouTube channel.
Being a content creator involves a lot of editing, researching, and more.
Show notes:
finding your voice, and what that means
why collaboration with others is a good idea
thoughts on Brian and his content production plans
We live through chapters, as though we are a book. In episode 265, I talk about this concept, how we must take advantage of the key moments when we sense them, and what kind of predictive nature we live through
Our book is being written, and we write it with key parts that matter to us, and we leave out all the rest that doesn’t bring us to life.
Welcome to episode 264, with a return to our roots of the host discussing a topic or two, along with a stream of consciousness. This one involves breaking things down into parts, or phases, and what it takes to make your world bigger.
Your world is the stuff right around you, whether it be your table, or your vehicle, or the energy around you. Adjusting these items can come from a focus on them, and this concept is discussed in the episode.
There are few things more valuable than regular walking and activity in this pandemical time of 2020, and neuroscientist Professor Shane O’Mara brings us the value and basis of walking in episode 263. We discuss his latest book In Praise Of Walking: The New Science of how We Walk, and why Its Good for Us.
Professor O’Mara is Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He explores brain systems, memory, cognition, behavior, and organizations. He got his DPhil from the University of Oxford, and currently does work for the Institute of Neuroscience at Trinity. He has also written past books Why Torture Doesn’t Work, and A Brain for Business.
Show notes:
how Professor O’Mara got into the field of brain research
brain regions, and specifically the subiculum, and how each one can be relevant to the brain as a whole
the value of walking, and what it brings to the table for personal health
the way that we are walking minds, with the body connected below the brain heading the whole framework
impact on creativity that comes from walking times, whether during or after
some cities that have good walkability, and what walking value means for cities and their further development
our mental map of where we are and where we are going, through the activity of walking, or even for planning out our life
the value of journaling, and how it can put our time together into a map
how walking doesn’t lead to the same kinds of damage that regular running does
Welcome Professor Matthew Cobb of the University of Manchester, author of The Idea of the Brain: The Past and Future of Neuroscience, to episode 262 of the show. His latest book is about the history of neuroscience, and its recent roots, and how that develops the idea of the brain, while our current understanding of the brain is still very limited. Inspirations come from other researchers, as well as Danish scientist Nicolas Steno of the 17th century.
Professor Cobb is is Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester, and got his Ph.D. in Psychology and Genetics from the University of Sheffield in England. He had a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. Others books of his include The Egg & Sperm Race and Life’s Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code. He has studied animal behavior, human psychology, science history, and more.
Show notes:
how Professor Cobb got into the study of the mind, neuroscience, and fly larvae growth and processes
the way that Nicolas Steno informed the way Professor Cobb looks at the mind
the reductionist view, and how it does not allow for picking up on information regarding detailed nuance
his upcoming book on smell, and how that relates to the virus of our current pandemic, with its attachment to smell receptors
how one structure of the brain is not alone in processing information, separate from other regions of the brain
Eve Marder, and her study on the small number of neurons in the lobster’s stomach, with associated models of these neurons
research in the field done in Manchester and the UK region
fly maggots and their neurons, as well as the priorities that their narrow neural system requires
how maggots have biological clocks in the same light as humans and other animals
replacement of neurons and memories in small animals
Welcome Emma Rose Bienvenu, attorney, L.L.M., and Master of Finance and Economics, to episode 261 of the show. I came upon Emma through her article on Medium’s Marker business subsection, entitled “7 Predictions for a Post-Coronavirus World“. The article details the path that our world can take in upcoming months and years, based on the pandemic, and provides insight into elements we can all benefit from examining.
In her own work, Emma is focused on international trade, commerce, finance, and technology. She has worked in global asset management, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and international arbitration. She has an L.L.M. from U Penn Law and Wharton, a J.D. from McGill, and a Master of Economics and Finance from Sciences Po in Paris. Her experiences have taken her through many regions, including Hong Kong, London, France, and her current region of Quebec. She brings her depth and expertise to the table in our discussion.
Show notes:
Emma’s background, and some of her career accomplishments
how Emma has ended up more in the legal field, from a family of lawyers, and where she contributes in the category of law
what Emma wrote about international arbitration, which was included in a multi-page international law textbook excerpt, along with an example
places lived in by Emma, including France, Hong Kong, London, and more
her article “7 Predictions for a Post-Coronavirus World”
how e-commerce, delivery, and related services will take off following the pandemic (“bits and boxes”, as put succinctly by Emma)
where Esports will go based on the momentary push into the virtual world
the way that some work will be unable to go remote, whereas those tasks that could be done remotely will be impelled to that direction
changes to manufacturing that have room to develop
how time is being saved through the non-commute and lack of unsubstantiated work time
where seminars and online learning can go, or what the default may become
impact on supply chains globally, and how there is a balance between efficiency and resiliency
how countries benefit by relying on each other
the ways that surveillance will increase, with its publicity based on protecting people and their health
depth of cooperation between nations that can be established in coming years, as required to have a functional response
illumination of societal dynamics, and Quebec’s quick ability to unite for a common goal
relevance of placing value on experts, as opposed to those not as apt in a field
risk-taking, as associated with business in relation to government
value of being bilingual, and its connection to personality or growth
qualities that Emma finds to be valuable in colleagues, and a message to all people about their own ability
Handling the stages of grief after a loss is challenging, but grief therapist and author Claire Bidwell Smith brings her knowledge and experience to the table in this category with her latest book Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief. In it, Claire details how one can handle the anxiety that is associated with a loss. She lost her mother and father to cancer by the time she had turned 25, bringing about a level of understanding normally reserved for those at a much later time in their lives.
Claire has written multiple books, including The Rules of Inheritance and After This: When Life Is Over, Where Do We Go? As an author, speaker, and grief expert, she has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, and many more publications. She has a Master’s Degree from Antioch University.
Show notes:
how to deal with the loss of loved ones, whether from family or friends
why anxiety is one of the key stages of grief to be addressed
some of Claire’s story regarding how she got to be a grief therapist
what kinds of issues she normally helps clients with
what people are currently facing in New York and other regions due to the epidemic, and how they can better handle end-of-life management
the way to prepare for a loss prior to it being a huge issue
Welcome guest Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor-in-chief of Reason Magazine, to episode 259 of the show. I found Katherine from her article contribution about coronavirus impacts, where she discussed the changes barriers to moving our lives online.
Reason is a libertarian magazine running for nearly half a century, with over 50000 monthly readers, with the theme of “free minds and free markets”. Katherine is editor-in-chief of the magazine, has a degree in philosophy and political science from Yale, and currently resides in Washington, DC. We discussed her career, topics presented in her article about coronavirus impacts, and more.
Show notes:
how Katherine got to her current position at Reason Magazine
what it means to be a libertarian, and how the magazine suits her
the way that the coronavirus is impacting readership of Reason Magazine and other online publications
the effort required to do successful investigative journalism
a bit about a round-table that Katherine does with other co-hosts
information about the subscribers of Reason, and how they are spread out around the country
how the barriers to schooling and other industries moving online will fall or change due to this moment
what parents see as important with regards to school
how liberty is currently being impacted, and how it will look after this pandemic
the element of polarization, as it relates to Reason and its feedback
where people find the ideas that are important to them
how science fiction brings up the concept of “what if” for life scenarios
From founding Just Ads to Pencil News, technology startup founder Shan Rizvi has made his way through the entrepreneurial landscape. Like myself, he is inclined toward a variety of topics and fields, like philosophy, neuroscience, art, music, and technology. He joins on episode 258 of the show to discuss the current moment, and joins me on points related to mindset, society as a whole, his travels along his path, and more.
I originally met Shan and his wife Maryam, along with other great individuals, at a hosted gathering by Dr. Azra Raza in the great state of New York. That is where they reside, and discussion of the regional impacts due to the virus were include in this episode. There continues to be much value connected to group functions with curious and warm individuals from different backgrounds, habits, lifestyles, and perspectives.
Show notes:
Shan as a technology startup founder, and what he has worked on, including Pencil News and Just Ads
how using and performing remote work for years can lead to a smoother transition to the current moment
how we met, and how he met his wife Maryam, who is a doctor currently responding to the epidemic directly, working with patients
a way to think about how parts of the brain are experts of their own domain, mentioning the key items from their part
if meditation is connected to showcasing those elements
the value that deep breathing can bring to you
why group meetings can be very valuable for creative and curious individuals, and what Shan connects with in such meetings
countries that Shan has been to, what pulled him to them, and his progression through those various countries
the value to studying abroad, and the total transformation that took place in his self-perspective due to it
how Shan could see himself from his original region of Pakistan in the perspective of people in the new places he went to (Finland, Sweden, etc.)
noticing different customs that challenge your prior ones
Shan’s thoughts on the concept of “mental health”, and how it takes into account philosophy, self-awareness, and more, as compared with commonly related to some type of illness
the way we will get to a clearer view of what our minds do
getting to a point of seeing 10X clearer scans of our minds
a message about the current moment in time, and how we as people can think about the impacts to countries that are in a developing stage
broader-scale thinking of people
Thanks goes to Shan for coming through on the show. You can check him out on his website at ShanRizvi.com or on Twitter at @ShanRizvi.
Social psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University Dr. Peter T. Coleman joins on episode 257 of the show, bringing forth his expertise on conflicts and their peaceful and productive resolution. He has been the director of Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution for over 20 years, and is author of the 2004 book Making Conflict Work: Harnessing the Power of Disagreement, as well as upcoming 2021 book The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.
Similar to Dr. Raza of episode 249, Professor Coleman works at Columbia University in New York, and we spoke about the impacts of the pandemic in the region, as well as potential outcomes that manage future conflict related to it. He had written a message about the situation in this Politico article, and we explored that and more. Through his experience with many levels of conflict management and understanding, whether of the base form, or of a governmental size, Dr. Coleman is able to get to the meaning behind what people could be opposing each other for.
Show notes:
Dr. Coleman and his experience with conflict management and resolution
how he got into his current position, and what he does as director of the Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution
how conflicts are different at different levels of society and age
what it takes to resolve issues for people of a younger age group, such as in their 20s, and how that differs from managing the interests of older folks
an example of tensions or conflict from a time period at Columbia University
how it is relevant to allow all parties to voice their concerns in a conflict, so as to resolve it in some form for all
many examples of where Dr. Coleman has been brought in to assist
how value differences can be the source of much conflict
a relation between conflict management, and neurological frameworks of decision-making and energy conservation
how the long-term conflicts we have seen in the world are much more detailed and nuanced than Team 1 versus Team 2
a small example of conflict I bring up from the basketball courts
instrumental violence versus expressive violence
how the pandemic has led to some types of conflict in terms of how it is perceived, due to polarization
the way that times of global struggle can bring groups together which would not have prior, due to the previous battle not making sense in the time of heightened danger/risk
the quote “never let a good crisis go to waste”, which I heavily identify with
Dr. Coleman’s progression through his writing and books
the way that certain conflicts have elements which keep them in place, and what it takes to look at removing the holds on their clearance
a message about how to view conflicts
I was glad to have Professor Coleman on the show. He represents well for Columbia Unviersity, and has messages and experience to help people manage their differences better. You can check out his faculty page, Wikipedia, and his listing of books on Amazon.
Welcome to April of 2020 and episode 256 of the show, with the guest duo of Daniel James Smith and Krystall Schott, who make up the band “Untitled Social Experiment”, also known as “USE”. With songs like “Sugar Rush” and “Psycho“, this pairing has brought solid production quality into the content they put out, with messages to understand underneath.
Daniel has been making music for some years under the moniker of T.O.L.D, and brings his experience and skills to Untitled Social Experiment. Krystall has done painting, sang in choir early on, and after modeling in recent years, she made her return to music when teaming up with Daniel to form creative art. Synths and melodies and singing tones abound in the music made by USE.
Show notes:
how the group and duo originated, and who they are inspired by
the production of art in a light nature, but keeping a focus on content creation
how introductions and key moments in life can seem blurry
what it takes to get along with someone, based on similarities
some bands the group would work with or like to emulate in some form
the pandemic and quarantine, and where it leaves each person to self-process, and looking toward how it leaves society
what age the members started doing music at, and what types of instruments or singing they have done
how support at the right time in life can lead to quicker results
switching from one goal to another once it seems too readily available, versus sticking to one thing at a time
the way that the members complement one another for production
a book called “The Dao of Capital” being read at the current time, and what it represents for temporal understanding
the qualities that each band members looks for in others
other types of content being put out, whether on Tik Tok or elsewhere
periods of flow and lack of flow, and how to think about them
a couple of questions back to me about me and my show
messages from each member about life
Glad to have Daniel and Krystall on the show~. You can check out their content on Spotify and other audio platforms online, along with some of their content featured on T.O.L.D. You can also check them out on Instagram at @untitledsocialexperiment.
