Episode
#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
2:13:34
Published: Sat Dec 24 2016
Description
A.J. Jacobs (@ajjacobs) is a kindred guinea pig of self-experimentation who chronicles his shenanigans in books that seem to keep winding up as New York Times best sellers. The Know-It-All was about his quest to learn everything in the world. In The Year of Living Biblically, he tried to follow all the rules of the Bible as literally as possible. Drop Dead Healthy followed his well- (and ill-) advised experiments to become the healthiest person alive. My Life as an Experiment is about exactly what it sounds like, and It's All Relative -- which will be out in 2017 -- will aim to connect all of humanity in one family tree. A.J. is also the host of the new podcast Twice Removed, which takes a celebrity guest and introduces them to a surprise cousin they didn't know they had. It could be one of their heroes, an old friend, a teacher, etc. In this episode, we talk about: What A.J.'s learned from his experiments His creative process His writing process Tipping points in his life How he learned to love marketing And much, much more. I think you'll have a blast with this one -- I know I did. Please enjoy! Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.fourhourworkweek.com/podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple and world-famous investors. It has exploded in popularity in the last 2 years and now has more than $2.5B under management. In fact, some of my good investor friends in Silicon Valley have millions of their own money in Wealthfront. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it's all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams. Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they'll show you for free exactly the portfolio they'd put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Or, as I would, you can set it and forget it. Well worth a few minutes: wealthfront.com/tim. This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world's largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs. I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body, and I've also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you're happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run. ***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
In this episode, Tim Ferriss discusses the concept of optimal minimalism, doing the opposite of what others do, and being an efficient learner.
00:00 - 01:03 (01:03)
Summary
In this episode, Tim Ferriss discusses the concept of optimal minimalism, doing the opposite of what others do, and being an efficient learner. He also briefly advertises his email newsletter, Five Bullet Friday, which provides subscribers with his favorite finds of the week in a short and concise format.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss interviews someone about their creative process and how they became a good person.
01:03 - 07:13 (06:10)
Summary
Tim Ferriss interviews someone about their creative process and how they became a good person. The podcast also includes an advertisement for Athletic Greens.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The first half hour of writing a book probably won't be good.
07:14 - 11:30 (04:16)
Summary
The first half hour of writing a book probably won't be good. The author discusses this and more about his writing process.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The concept of acting as if you possess certain traits or qualities can lead to an eventual acquisition of said traits, as exemplified through cognitive behavioral psychology.
11:30 - 15:17 (03:46)
Summary
The concept of acting as if you possess certain traits or qualities can lead to an eventual acquisition of said traits, as exemplified through cognitive behavioral psychology. It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than think your way into a new way of acting.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker tried various unorthodox productivity tips such as reading the Ten Commandments, not shaving the corners of his beard, buying a present for his wife every day, and standing up while writing.
15:17 - 23:03 (07:46)
Summary
The speaker tried various unorthodox productivity tips such as reading the Ten Commandments, not shaving the corners of his beard, buying a present for his wife every day, and standing up while writing.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Justin Long talks about his fashion choices, shaving his beard, and finding small stones.
23:03 - 28:24 (05:21)
Summary
Justin Long talks about his fashion choices, shaving his beard, and finding small stones.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker analyzes his arguments with his wife and reflects on the commonality of miscommunication.
28:24 - 31:48 (03:24)
Summary
The speaker analyzes his arguments with his wife and reflects on the commonality of miscommunication.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The importance of accepting the mundane moments in our lives and how honesty plays a role in this is discussed, with the suggestion to embrace radical sustainable honesty.
31:48 - 39:47 (07:59)
Summary
The importance of accepting the mundane moments in our lives and how honesty plays a role in this is discussed, with the suggestion to embrace radical sustainable honesty.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A conversation about maintaining friendships through moderate honesty, and how to handle being overwhelmed with social commitments in a busy city like New York.
39:47 - 43:35 (03:48)
Summary
A conversation about maintaining friendships through moderate honesty, and how to handle being overwhelmed with social commitments in a busy city like New York.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses their motivation techniques, including utilizing friends to hold them accountable, and how they balance their intensity level when observing their surroundings.
43:35 - 50:19 (06:44)
Summary
The speaker discusses their motivation techniques, including utilizing friends to hold them accountable, and how they balance their intensity level when observing their surroundings.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The concept of positive reinforcement and good-natured sticks can be helpful in behavioral change, but negative reinforcement like shame and humiliation can also be effective if understood and used properly.
50:19 - 59:33 (09:13)
Summary
The concept of positive reinforcement and good-natured sticks can be helpful in behavioral change, but negative reinforcement like shame and humiliation can also be effective if understood and used properly. Additionally, the idea that spouses often overestimate their contributions to a marriage can cause problems in the relationship.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The degree of masculinity or femininity in a person’s attributes determines to whom they might be most attracted, with people often seeking out partners who balance their own levels of masculinity and femininity.
59:33 - 1:06:29 (06:56)
Summary
The degree of masculinity or femininity in a person’s attributes determines to whom they might be most attracted, with people often seeking out partners who balance their own levels of masculinity and femininity. Androgyny, in which an individual has an equal balance of masculine and feminine attributes, can be seen as the “perfect” middle ground on the spectrum of attraction.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A tech futurist discusses his belief that sharing ideas with others has more pros than cons, as it allows for interesting connections and collaborations.
1:06:29 - 1:12:05 (05:36)
Summary
A tech futurist discusses his belief that sharing ideas with others has more pros than cons, as it allows for interesting connections and collaborations. He also talks about his methods for determining which of his many ideas to pursue, including consulting with the Amish on technology adoption.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Comedian Patton Oswald mocks the hipster trend of home births while acknowledging the evolution of childbirth for the better with the introduction of anesthesia.
1:12:05 - 1:16:29 (04:24)
Summary
Comedian Patton Oswald mocks the hipster trend of home births while acknowledging the evolution of childbirth for the better with the introduction of anesthesia.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker enjoys the idea of taking concepts to their logical extremes, finding humor in them.
1:16:29 - 1:21:37 (05:08)
Summary
The speaker enjoys the idea of taking concepts to their logical extremes, finding humor in them. Regarding writing, he mentions that he feels a little dopamine rush when he writes something humorous.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The hosts discuss the unintended outcomes of fan requests such as stalking and how it can cause some individuals to not want to engage with their fans.
1:21:37 - 1:25:32 (03:55)
Summary
The hosts discuss the unintended outcomes of fan requests such as stalking and how it can cause some individuals to not want to engage with their fans. They also share a story about an attempt to get an interview with someone's chief of staff.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The Start Up podcast is about starting a podcast company and reframing marketing as something that could be creative in its own right.
1:25:33 - 1:34:07 (08:34)
Summary
The Start Up podcast is about starting a podcast company and reframing marketing as something that could be creative in its own right. The episode also talks about an art installation consisting of ten thousand orange arches in Central Park.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Author and podcast host Tim Ferriss discusses his latest book "Tribal Mentors" and the impact it has had on himself and his guests, including B.J.
1:34:07 - 1:38:36 (04:28)
Summary
Author and podcast host Tim Ferriss discusses his latest book "Tribal Mentors" and the impact it has had on himself and his guests, including B.J. Miller, a palliative care physician who has helped over 1,000 people die. In his enthusiasm, Ferriss has taken the advice of his guests to heart and put it into action, such as erecting over 80 billboards throughout NYC with guest's answers to the question "What would you put on a billboard if you could put anything on a billboard to get a message out to millions of people?"
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss discusses the benefits of experimenting on your own life, even if you're not writing a book, and how framing something as an experiment can allow for trying something unusual or uncommon without fear of judgment.
1:38:36 - 1:45:06 (06:30)
Summary
Tim Ferriss discusses the benefits of experimenting on your own life, even if you're not writing a book, and how framing something as an experiment can allow for trying something unusual or uncommon without fear of judgment.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The host reflects on the benefits of experimenting and being vulnerable on radio, while also sharing a humorous final experience with a previous guest.
1:45:06 - 1:48:41 (03:35)
Summary
The host reflects on the benefits of experimenting and being vulnerable on radio, while also sharing a humorous final experience with a previous guest.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker comments on the outdated technology of lace shoelaces and the potential absurdities of alternate universes, including eating burgers named after celebrities and body parts.
1:48:41 - 1:55:30 (06:48)
Summary
The speaker comments on the outdated technology of lace shoelaces and the potential absurdities of alternate universes, including eating burgers named after celebrities and body parts. The speaker is known for taking things to ridiculous extremes.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The obsession with discovering oneself must be balanced with the act of creating oneself.
1:55:30 - 2:02:45 (07:15)
Summary
The obsession with discovering oneself must be balanced with the act of creating oneself. This approach can offer an alternative perspective on the persistent self or "I".
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The podcast discusses society's obsession with strongly held beliefs and how having the courage to change those beliefs can be empowering.
2:02:45 - 2:07:34 (04:49)
Summary
The podcast discusses society's obsession with strongly held beliefs and how having the courage to change those beliefs can be empowering. It also touches on rejection and the importance of experience.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The saying "act your way into a new way of thinking" holds true as it's easier to change behavior first before changing one's mindset.
2:07:34 - 2:11:49 (04:15)
Summary
The saying "act your way into a new way of thinking" holds true as it's easier to change behavior first before changing one's mindset. Admittedly, it's often better to experience something before mentally judging it as it assists in a more accurate assessment of one's preferences.
Episode#211: A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim goes over the concept of “five bullet Friday” and shares the interesting things he’s come across during the past week before diving into the Five Minute Favor concept.
2:11:49 - 2:13:32 (01:43)
Summary
Tim goes over the concept of “five bullet Friday” and shares the interesting things he’s come across during the past week before diving into the Five Minute Favor concept.