#79 – Lee Smolin: Quantum Gravity and Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution

Nic Carter is a financial researcher, investor, writer, and podcaster on topics of decentralized finance. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - The Information: https://theinformation.com/lex to get 75% off first month - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium EPISODE LINKS: Nic's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nic__carter Nic's Website: https://niccarter.info/ Nic's Blog: https://medium.com/@nic__carter Nic's Podcast: https://onthebrink-podcast.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 (13:05) - Can humans fully understand reality? (15:34) - The dollar system (21:44) - Bitcoin (23:19) - Opendime (27:22) - Core values of Bitcoin (35:51) - Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? (41:39) - How Bitcoin works (50:02) - Bitcoin blocksize wars (1:02:27) - Layered scaling of Bitcoin (1:07:25) - Lightning network (1:10:25) - Schnorr/Taproot update to Bitcoin (1:15:17) - Criticisms of Bitcoin (1:25:04) - Bitcoin failure modes (1:33:07) - Bitcoin vs Ethereum (1:37:03) - Vitalik Buterin (1:39:56) - Creative destruction (1:44:51) - Future of Bitcoin (1:48:38) - Tesla, Elon Musk, and Dogecoin (1:56:44) - NFTs (2:04:00) - Bitcoin maximalism (2:10:37) - On writing (2:16:37) - Writing a book on Bitcoin (2:21:07) - Bitcoin resources (2:23:57) - Book recommendations (2:25:56) - Advice for young people (2:29:13) - Meaning of life

1 Apr 20212h 32min

Ryan Schiller is the creator of Librex, an anonymous discussion feed for college communities. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Allform: https://allform.com/lex to get 20% off - Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Brave: https://brave.com/lex EPISODE LINKS: Librex App: https://librexapp.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 (07:06) - Librex (08:59) - Deep Fakes (13:06) - Silencing of ideas (24:01) - Building Librex (33:47) - How Librex took over Dartmouth (42:13) - Anonymity (45:04) - Private vs public life (54:32) - Building a sense of community (59:14) - Refusing to sell user data (1:06:05) - Moderation (1:12:54) - Freedom of speech (1:23:45) - Scaling (1:28:02) - Yik Yak (1:35:22) - AWS and Parler (1:40:25) - Safe spaces (1:43:22) - Jeffrey Epstein (1:52:50) - Chess and poker (2:03:29) - Advice for young people (2:14:21) - Book recommendations (2:20:16) - Mortality

30 Mar 20212h 32min

Anthony Pompliano is an entrepreneur, investor, writer, and podcaster on topics of decentralized finance. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Theragun: https://theragun.com/lex to get 30 day trial - Sun Basket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Indeed: https://indeed.com/fridman to get $75 credit EPISODE LINKS: Anthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/APompliano Anthony's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyPompliano Anthony's Website: https://anthonypompliano.com/ Pomp Letter: https://pomp.substack.com/ Pomp Podcast: https://anthonypompliano.com/podcast/ 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 (08:54) - Army (16:35) - Iraq (24:14) - Will there always be war? (31:27) - Bitcoin maximalism (39:56) - Money is a belief system (42:27) - Bitcoin (46:03) - Censorship (50:35) - Bitcoin as main currency (59:27) - Scarcity creates value (1:01:08) - Money is time (1:09:34) - Eric Weinstein vs Bitcoin Community (1:23:23) - Ray Dalio (1:40:31) - Bitclout (1:43:43) - How to get Bitcoin (1:54:28) - Investing (2:05:05) - Volatility (2:18:08) - Philosophy of the meme (2:28:03) - Dogecoin (2:37:33) - NFTs (2:43:21) - Virtual reality (2:48:17) - AI (2:54:18) - Bitcoin resources (2:58:44) - Book recommendations (3:01:22) - Can money buy happiness? (3:03:16) - Meaning of life

25 Mar 20213h 8min

Ronald Sullivan is a law professor at Harvard and previously a lawyer for Harvey Weinstein and Aaron Hernandez. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Brooklinen: https://brooklinen.com and use code LEX to get $25 off + free shipping - Wine Access: https://wineaccess.com/lex to get 20% off first order - Munk Pack: https://munkpack.com and use code LEX to get 20% off - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium EPISODE LINKS: Ronald's Twitter: https://twitter.com/profronsullivan Ronald's Website: https://hls.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/10870/Sullivan Ronald's Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_S._Sullivan_Jr. Ronald's NY Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/24/opinion/harvard-ronald-sullivan.html 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 (09:48) - Harvey Weinstein (15:53) - Harvard succumbs to pressure (27:08) - Safe spaces (33:26) - Cancel culture (36:23) - Evil (40:33) - Hitler (45:09) - Criminal justice system (49:10) - Innocence (51:39) - Racism in the judicial system (1:03:41) - George Floyd (1:06:06) - The trial of Derek Chauvin (1:19:55) - O. J. Simpson (1:24:29) - Aaron Hernandez (1:36:10) - Book recommendations (1:43:45) - Advice for young people (1:45:53) - Death (1:47:59) - Meaning of life

22 Mar 20211h 51min

Ryan Hall is a martial artist, BJJ black belt, and MMA fighter undefeated in the UFC. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Indeed: https://indeed.com/fridman to get $75 credit - Audible: https://audible.com/lex to get $9.95 a month for 6 months - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack EPISODE LINKS: Ryan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanhall5050​ Ryan's Website: http://www.ryanhallmma.com/​ Ryan's School: https://www.5050bjj.com​ Ryan's Online Courses: https://ryanhallonline.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/LexFridmanPage - 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 (08:28) - First principles approach to martial arts (16:09) - Illusion of choice (19:42) - Game theory (28:04) - First fight (32:20) - Defense (41:03) - Waiting for a fight (51:11) - Free will (1:08:59) - Freedom and compassion (1:18:01) - Social media (1:24:21) - Leadership (1:30:09) - How to get good at jiu jitsu (1:50:23) - Learning how to learn (1:58:29) - Questioning the foundations of jiu jitsu (2:17:34) - Humans cannot fully comprehend reality (2:21:45) - Artificial intelligence (2:34:38) - Deadlines (2:41:29) - Tie choke (2:49:58) - Hardship (2:54:20) - Love

20 Mar 20213h

Silvio Micali is a computer scientist at MIT, Turing award winner, and founder of Algorand. 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 - The Information: https://theinformation.com/lex to get 75% off first month - Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off EPISODE LINKS: Silvio's Twitter: https://twitter.com/silviomicali Algorand's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Algorand Algorand's Website: https://www.algorand.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/LexFridmanPage - 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 (08:55) - Blockchain (11:52) - Cryptocurrency (14:42) - Money (18:56) - Scarcity (20:37) - Scalability, Security, and Decentralization (24:03) - Algorand (40:36) - Bitcoin (43:39) - Ethereum (45:10) - NFTs (48:34) - Decentralization of power (52:42) - Intelligent adaptation (55:25) - Leaders (58:31) - Freedom (1:01:31) - Privacy (1:04:15) - Bitcoin maximalism (1:08:01) - Satoshi Nakamoto (1:12:39) - One-way function (1:16:52) - Pseudorandomness (1:21:34) - Free will (1:23:39) - Will quantum computers break cryptography? (1:28:44) - Interactive proofs (1:35:38) - Mechanism design (1:43:04) - Favorite meal (1:46:18) - Book recommendations (1:53:15) - Advice for young people (1:55:48) - Fear of death (1:58:29) - Meaning of life

15 Mar 20212h

Saagar Enjeti is a DC-based political correspondent and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - The Jordan Harbinger Show: https://jordanharbinger.com/lex/ - Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings - Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off EPISODE LINKS: Saagar's Twitter: https://twitter.com/esaagar Realignment Podcast: https://linktr.ee/esaagar 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/LexFridmanPage - 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 (10:19) - Hitler (14:39) - Evil (15:58) - Donald Trump (26:29) - Teddy Roosevelt (31:51) - Nazi Germany (36:47) - The balance of power in US government (40:43) - Bureaucracy (49:17) - Money (51:32) - UFOs (55:36) - Jeffrey Epstein (1:08:57) - Left and Right (1:19:40) - How to fix politics (1:45:07) - Political predictions (1:58:21) - Journalism (2:09:16) - Joe Rogan (2:16:43) - Lyndon Johnson (2:18:02) - World War I (2:22:53) - Dan Carlin (2:29:47) - How Stalin came to power (2:35:15) - Putin (2:41:25) - Lenin and Stalin (2:44:55) - Book recommendations (2:52:23) - Antarctica and Mars (2:59:37) - Born to Run (3:02:05) - Texas

14 Mar 20213h 16min

Cal Newport is a computer scientist who also writes about productivity. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit - Sun Basket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off - SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera EPISODE LINKS: A World Without Email (book): https://amzn.to/3blXyjv Deep Work (book): https://amzn.to/3c0npMM Digital Minimalism (book): https://amzn.to/3kJPMmx Cal's Website: https://www.calnewport.com/ Deep Questions (podcast): https://www.calnewport.com/podcast/ 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/LexFridmanPage - 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 (08:24) - Deep work (13:10) - Focus (18:52) - Time blocking (25:47) - Deadlines (35:22) - Do less, do better, know why (38:04) - Clubhouse (52:07) - Burnout (58:34) - Boredom (1:06:19) - Quit social media for 30 days (1:16:13) - Social media (1:41:21) - How email destroyed our productivity at work (1:51:07) - How we fix email (1:58:09) - Over-optimization (2:02:23) - When to use email and when not to (2:10:06) - Podcasting (2:14:42) - Alan Turing proving the impossible (2:18:41) - Fragility of math in the face of randomness (2:27:30) - Neural networks (2:36:16) - What will the P=NP proof look like? (2:39:55) - Is math discovered or invented? (2:44:02) - Book publishing (2:54:09) - Love (2:57:30) - Death (3:00:26) - Meaning of life

5 Mar 20213h 9min