Samuel Arbesman on Future-Proofing Your Knowledge [The Knowledge Project Ep. #15]

Samuel Arbesman (@arbesman) is a complexity scientist focusing on the changing nature of science and technology. We discuss learning, reading, and how to optimize both to get the best outcome.

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Samuel Arbesman (@arbesman) is a complexity scientist whose work focuses on the nature of scientific and technological change. Sam’s also written two books that I love, The Half-Life of Facts and Overcomplicated.

In this episode, Sam and I discuss:

• Our relationship with technology and how it has shifted the way we consume and retain information
• What “mesofacts” are and how to keep our mental databases updated in a world that’s constantly changing
• Whether art or science is more fundamental to a thriving, successful society
• The metrics Sam uses to define success for himself
• The difference between physics thinking and biological thinking and why it matters
• The phrase Sam’s father repeated to him every time he left the house that helped shape who he is today
• The books that had the most profound impact on Sam’s life/li>
• How to prioritize our learning so we’re spending time on information with the highest return on our investment

And much, much more!

If you love learning, but feel like it’s impossible to keep up with the endless flow of information in the world, then Sam’s your guy.

Enjoy this fascinating interview below.

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Transcript

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Books mentioned:

• The Guide to the Good Life
• Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization
• The Foundation Trilogy
• Childhood’s End
• Cryptonomicon
• The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future
• Algorithms to Live By
• The Age of Em

If you liked this, check out other episodes of the knowledge project.