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Throwback/Encore Presentation: Kevin Kelly on His Book, 'Excellent Advice for Living' and His Long-Held Belief That, “Over the Long Term, the Future Is Decided by Optimists.”
Note for Encore Presentation: This episode originally dropped in April of 2023 and in the time since, you’ve no doubt heard Bill quote from Kevin – and his latest book – on numerous occasions. If you heard this one when it debuted last year, I do think it’s worth another listen, and if this is your first time, we promise you’re in for a treat. The legendary Kevin Kelly shares his optimistic views on technology and our collective future. As someone who was building online communities as early as the 1980’s and helped create Wired magazine in 1993, Kevin has seen it all, and his fascinating insights and predictions on subjects including social media and artificial intelligence are based on years of hands-on experience. He and Bill also discuss some of their favorite excerpts from Kevin’s great new book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier. As Seth Godin says, “One hundred years from now, when so much of the nonsense of our age is forgotten, people will still remember Kevin Kelly and his wisdom.” Chapters: 02:28 The Power of Optimism Kevin shares his insights on why optimism is crucial for envisioning a better future, emphasizing that it is through optimism that we can imagine and create positive change. 07:17 Technology’s Double-Edged Sword The conversation shifts to the challenges posed by technology, with Kevin discussing how many of today’s problems stem from past technological solutions. 10:15 Addressing Climate Change Kevin emphasizes the need for technological solutions to tackle climate change, arguing that personal virtue alone is insufficient. 12:29 The Lifespan of Technology Kevin likens technology to babies, explaining that we can only fully understand its potential as it matures and evolves. 15:35 Social Media: An Ongoing Experiment Kevin discusses the complexities of social media’s impact, suggesting that we are still in the early stages of understanding its effects. 21:13 AI: Underhyped or Overhyped? The conversation turns to AI, with Kevin arguing that AI is currently underhyped in terms of its future potential. He explains that while current AI tools are impressive, they are just the beginning of a much larger evolution in technology. 25:09 Excellent Advice for Living Kevin introduces his latest book, Excellent Advice for Living, sharing his motivation for compiling wisdom and insights into a concise format. 34:50 The Value of True Connections This chapter underscores the importance of cultivating deep relationships over superficial ones, advocating for quality over quantity. 36:36 Old-Fashioned Values in Modern Times The discussion shifts to the Amish lifestyle, highlighting their commitment to family meals and the balance of technology in their lives. Kevin reflects on how these traditional values can inform modern living. 38:16 Dancing in the Rain The metaphor of dancing in the rain serves as a reminder to embrace life’s challenges and find joy in adversity. 40:04 The Power of Attention They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and the conscious allocation of attention in a distraction-filled world. 42:21 Embracing “Pronoia” The concept of “pronoia,” the belief that the universe is conspiring to help us, is introduced as an antidote to negativity. They discuss how gratitude and generosity can enhance our lives and relationships. 46:00 Finding Common Ground The hosts discuss the importance of identifying shared values in conversations, especially in politically charged discussions. They suggest that focusing on agreement can help bridge divides and foster understanding. 48:31 Meeting Etiquette and Respect This chapter offers advice for running effective meetings, including the value of ending them early and ensuring contributions are meaningful. 50:00 The Engine of Optimism The episode concludes with a powerful analogy comparing optimism to an
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