Extracted Wisdom: Riva Tez vs. David Perell

ExWis is a project that Extracts Wisdom from textual content, whether
that’s a podcast conversation, an interview, a presentation, an essay, an
article—basically whatever.

The project takes the input and turns it into a list of things I would
have captured if I had 2-3 hours to watch it slowly and take meticulous
notes.

—

SUMMARY: 

The conversation involves David Perell and Riva Tez discussing various
topics related to technology, AI, free-thinking, reading historical texts,
and authenticity in writing. They delve into the importance of questioning
conventional wisdom, exploring new ideas, and finding meaning in a world
full of technology.

IDEAS:

1. Free thinking is a valuable tool in navigating a world filled with
technology and AI.

2. Reading historical texts can provide valuable insights into current
societal and technological trends.

3. Authenticity in writing resonates more deeply with readers than
manufactured narratives.

4. The current societal obsession with optimization can stifle creativity
and free thinking.

5. The ability to ask unconventional questions is a crucial skill in
exploring new ideas.

6. Understanding the past can provide a framework for understanding present
phenomena.

7. The value of deep reading extends beyond mere acquisition of knowledge to
a deeper understanding of concepts.

8. The concept of consciousness is still largely unexplored and
misunderstood despite advancements in technology.

9. The current trend towards specialization in education neglects the
importance of holistic learning.

10. The importance of humility in acknowledging that we do not have all the
answers, especially in complex fields like AI and consciousness.

11. The role of technology in shaping human culture and societal norms.

12. The influence of historical texts on contemporary thought processes and
societal structures.

13. The potential of technology, especially AI, to redefine what it means to
be human.

14. The importance of introspection and per

sonal reflection in understanding oneself and the world.

15. The influence of societal structures and norms on individual thought
processes and creativity.

16. The potential dangers of an over-reliance on technology and AI in
shaping our understanding of reality.

17. The importance of questioning and challenging societal norms and
conventional wisdom.

18. The role of philosophy in shaping our understanding of life and
existence.

19. The potential for technology to either enhance or diminish human
fulfillment and thriving.

20. The value of diverse experiences and perspectives in enriching our
understanding of the world.

QUOTES:

1. “Part of her brilliance is the way she combines her love for Rilke’s
poetry with an interest in philosophy, theology, and consciousness.”

2. “In a world of people who are obsessed with optimization, Riva is
passionately unoptimized.”

3. “I’ll start watching Netflix when I’ve read the whole of human history.”

4. “If you’re an ecstatic person, then yes.”

5. “I think we’ve had this conversation previously, which is that I’ve
probably read Atlas Frye, like every two years, but like 15 years.”

6. “I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster.”

7. “I’m like, cool. I’ll start watching Netflix when I’ve read the whole of
human history.”

8. “If you lived forever, you wouldn’t have one job, right?”

9. “It’s like, there’s no such thing. We don’t want to have superiority.”

10. “It’s like, all observable reality is 5 percent of what we can see.”

OPINIONS:

1. Riva Tez believes that free thinking is a crucial skill in a world
dominated by technology and AI.

2. David Perell agrees with Riva’s view on the importance of reading
historical texts to gain a deeper understanding of current societal and
technological trends.

3. Riva opines that authenticity in writing is more impactful than
manufactured narratives.

4. Both Riva and David believe that the societal obsession with optimization
can stifle creativity and free thinking.

5. Riva holds the opinion that the ability to ask unconventional questions
is a crucial skill in exploring new ideas.

INFLUENCES:

1. Rilke’s poetry has had a profound influence on Riva Tez, inspiring her to
question dogma and explore under-explored ideas.

2. The teachings of philosophers like Descartes and Nietzsche have shaped
Riva’s approach to questioning societal norms and exploring new ideas.

3. The writings of Ayn Rand have influenced Riva’s views on individualism
and the importance of questioning consensus.

4. The works of Euripides, Homer, and other classical Greek writers have
influenced Riva’s appreciation for historical texts and their relevance to
contemporary issues.

5. The writings of C.P. Snow, William of Ockham, and other thinkers have
shaped David’s understanding of the divide between humanities and STEM
fields.

HABITS:

1. Riva Tez habitually immerses herself in deep reading, often revisiting
books that have moved her in the past to uncover new insights.

2. David Perell practices deep reading daily, focusing on understanding the
Bible at a deeper level.

3. Riva has a habit of spending hours each day just thinking, creating a
mental space for ideas to come to her.

4. David practices journaling daily, using it as a tool to reflect on his
readings and understand how they apply to his life.

5. Riva makes it a point to spend time alone and in nature, which she finds
helps her get into a different state where new thoughts and ideas can
emerge.

FACTS:

1. The oldest complete New Testament manuscript, Codex Sinaiticus, is
believed to have been written in the fourth century.

2. The Ottoman Empire was a historical empire that spanned three continents,
lasting from the 14th to the early 20th century.

3. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by Alexander
Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution.

4. The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was a
continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late
Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

5. The term “Occam’s Razor” is derived from the philosophical principle
proposed by William of Ockham, which states that simpler explanations should
be preferred over more complex ones.

RESOURCES:

1. Book: “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand – A novel that explores themes of
individualism and questioning consensus.

2. Book: “Alan” by Alan Harrington – A book that explores the concept of
immortality and how it could impact society.

3. Book: “The Immortalists” by Alan Harrington – A book that discusses the
possibility of achieving physical immortality through scientific means.

4. Book: “The Federalist Papers” – A collection of essays written by
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification
of the U.S. Constitution.

5. Podcast: “Fallof Civilizations” – A podcast that explores the collapse of
different civilizations throughout history.

NUGGETS:

1. Free thinking is a valuable tool in navigating a world filled with
technology and AI.

2. Reading historical texts can provide valuable insights into current
societal and technological trends.

3. Authenticity in writing resonates more deeply with readers than
manufactured narratives.

4. The current societal obsession with optimization can stifle creativity
and free thinking.

5. The ability to ask unconventional questions is a crucial skill in
exploring new ideas.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Cultivate the habit of free thinking and questioning conventional wisdom.

2. Read historical texts to gain a deeper understanding of current societal
and technological trends.

3. Aim for authenticity in writing to create a deeper connection with
readers.

4. Resist the societal obsession with optimization to foster creativity and
free thinking.

5. Develop the skill of asking unconventional questions to explore new
ideas.

SCORE:

CSR (Consume Slowly Rating) — As Soon as Possible (This Week)

– The content is filled with high-quality insights that align well with the
interests provided.

– The conversation covers a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive
look at various aspects of technology, AI, free-thinking, reading historical
texts, and authenticity in writing.

– The insights are not only insightful but also thought-provoking,
stimulating further exploration and discussion on the topics covered.

– The content provides a unique perspective on these topics, offering a
fresh take that is not commonly found in other sources.

– Despite the length of the content, it remains engaging throughout, making
it worth consuming in its entirety.

NOTES

1. This is AI-generated, so there is a potential for things to be
   incorrect. Don’t use this as authoritative. Rather, use it as an
   onramp to the source material.