In this episode:
In this episode of This is Beauty Podcast we sit down with writer and editor Kevin Kelly, to talk about his new book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier. We discuss the inspiration behind the book and explore how Kevin's love for proverbs and wisdom led him to share this advice with his children and ultimately, the world. Join us for this lively conversation as we hit some of the book’s highlights, touching on everything from optimism and imagination to beauty, art, YouTube, hot dogs and the future of A.I.
Kevin Kelly:
Kevin Kelly (@Kevin2Kelly) is a distinguished figure in the world of technology and journalism and holds the esteemed position of Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. As a co-founder of Wired in 1993, he served as its Executive Editor during the publication's formative years, guiding the magazine to its current prominence.
Kelly's most recent work, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier, offers a thoughtful compilation of 450 modern proverbs for a life of mindfulness and fulfillment. In addition to his literary accomplishments, he serves as co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, a membership organization dedicated to fostering long-term thinking and responsible stewardship for future generations.
Show notes:
On "Being the Only":
"Don't aim to be the best. Aim to be the only, to do something that only you can do, to have a job that's hard to describe to your mom." (00:03:23)
On Mortality:
"Attend as many funerals as you can bear and listen to what people say about the departed...they mostly talk about what kind of person that person was, their character, while they were achieving." (00:05:07)
On Parenting and Discipline:
“Let your children choose their punishments; they'll often be tougher on themselves than you would be. “(00:08:39).
On Remaining Youthful:
The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished.(00:11:07)
On the Power of YouTube:
The quantity, quality, and accessibility of information on YouTube is transformative. (Examples include brain surgeons learning new techniques from their colleagues and people learning how to fix things. (00:11:57)
On Waiting in Line for Experiences (00:15:14)
On Imagination and Fear:
Fear is fueled by a lack of imagination. (00:16:58)
On The Evolution of Humanity:
Humanity is evolving physically and biologically faster than ever before. (00:20:50)
On The Future of AI:
There will be no singularity. Humans are not the center of the galaxy but and edge case. Our type of thinking is specific to this planet, and other artificially created alien species will have specific minds suited to specific tasks. (00:24:52)
On Exploration vs. Optimization: Do you optimize what you know will sell or explore with something new? (00:39:58)
On Finding Your Purpose in Life:
Your purpose is to discover your purpose. This is not a paradox. This is the way. (00:47:27)
On Beauty:
Anything beautiful probably has a lot of what we call evolution or learning behind it. Beauty, even though it may look simple, is like an egg. It can contain a lot of complexity. (00:46:13)
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Guest Bio & Links:
Kevin Kelly on Twitter (@Kevin2Kelly) is a distinguished figure in the world of technology and journalism and holds the esteemed position of Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. As a co-founder of Wired in 1993, he served as its Executive Editor during the publication's formative years, guiding the magazine to its current prominence.
Kelly's most recent work, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier, offers a thoughtful compilation of 450 modern proverbs for a life of mindfulness and fulfillment. In addition to his literary accomplishments, he serves as co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, a membership organization dedicated to fostering long-term thinking and responsible stewardship for future generations.
He is also the founder of the influential Cool Tools website, which has been meticulously reviewing and recommending tools for the past 20 years. Kelly's earlier editorial pursuits include his tenure as publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review from 1984 to 1990, a journal known for its unconventional and innovative concepts. He was also instrumental in the founding of the ongoing Hackers' Conference and the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service established in 1985.
Kelly's diverse portfolio of work includes several other noteworthy books: The Inevitable, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller; Out of Control, his 1994 classic on decentralized emergent systems; The Silver Cord, a thought-provoking graphic novel about robots and angels; What Technology Wants, a comprehensive theory of technology; and Vanishing Asia, his ambitious 50-year project to document the disappearing cultures of Asia.
Renowned for his radical optimism about the future, Kevin Kelly has written for esteemed publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Residing in Pacifica, California, Kelly's ongoing contributions to technology and culture continue to inspire and inform audiences worldwide.
More Interesting Links
Futurism, Cool Tools & Archives
Kevin Kelly: "Shoulda Been Dead" - This American Life
Kevin's Ted Talks
