77 min listen
Reid Hoffman on Systems, Levers, and Quixotic Quests
Reid Hoffman on Systems, Levers, and Quixotic Quests
ratings:
Length:
61 minutes
Released:
Jan 15, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
When Reid Hoffman creates a handle for some new network or system, his usual choice is “Quixotic.” At an early age, his love of tabletop games inspired him to think of life as a heroic journey, where people come together in order to accomplish lofty things. This framing also prompted him to consider the rules and systems that guide society—and how you might improve them by identifying key points of leverage. At first, he thought he’d become an academic and work with ideas as one of those Archimedean levers. But he ended up focusing on technology instead, helping to build PayPal, LinkedIn, and now many other ventures as an investor at Greylock Partners. But he still thinks ideas are important and tries to employ a “full toolset” when trying to shift systems. Reid joined Tyler to talk about all these leverage points and more, including the Silicon Valley cultural meme he most disagrees with, how Wittgenstein influenced the design of LinkedIn, mystical atheism, what it was like being on Firing Line, why he’s never said anything outrageous, how he and Peter Thiel interpret The Tempest differently, the most misunderstood thing about friendship, how to improve talent certification, what’s needed from science fiction, and his three new ideas for board games. In DC on Feb 17? Register for our next live show with John McWhorter here. Follow us on Twitter and IG: @cowenconvos Email: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Follow Reid on Twitter Follow Tyler on Twitter Facebook Newsletter
Released:
Jan 15, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Cass Sunstein on Judicial Minimalism, the Supreme Court, and Star Wars (Live at Mason): On Star Wars, judicial minimalism, Bob Dylan, nudging, the Supreme Court, James Joyce, Hayek, and the merits of a ‘banned products store.’ by Conversations with Tyler