Episode
#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
3:41:13
Published: Wed Aug 24 2022
Description
Liv Boeree is a poker champion and science educator on topics of game theory, physics, complexity, and life. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Audible: https://audible.com/lex to get 30-day free trial - GiveWell: https://www.givewell.org and use code Lex Fridman Podcast - Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod to get 3 months free EPISODE LINKS: Liv's Twitter: https://twitter.com/liv_boeree Liv's Instagram: https://instagram.com/liv_boeree Liv's Facebook: https://facebook.com/livboeree Liv's YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/LivBoeree Books and resources mentioned: Novacene: https://amzn.to/3wcVqEo POSITIVITY: https://amzn.to/3K2pfxj Meditations on Moloch: https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/07/30/meditations-on-moloch PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:23) - Poker and game theory (13:26) - Dating optimally (18:18) - Learning (26:30) - Daniel Negreanu (31:38) - Phil Hellmuth (34:11) - Greatest poker player ever (38:29) - Bluffing (48:50) - Losing (58:05) - Mutually assured destruction (1:03:00) - Simulation hypothesis (1:19:38) - Moloch (1:48:50) - Beauty (2:00:58) - Quantifying life (2:21:08) - Existential risks (2:39:31) - AI (2:49:22) - Energy healing (2:56:32) - Astrophysics (2:59:26) - Aliens (3:25:08) - Advice for young people (3:27:13) - Music (3:35:02) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Liv Bury, a former professional poker player turned philanthropist and educator, discusses the challenges of giving money and helping others, highlighting the complex processes that are involved in the field of philanthropy and the use of game theory in decision making.
00:00 - 02:43 (02:43)
Summary
Liv Bury, a former professional poker player turned philanthropist and educator, discusses the challenges of giving money and helping others, highlighting the complex processes that are involved in the field of philanthropy and the use of game theory in decision making.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Game theory optimal strategies in poker are based on loss minimization but may not be the most profitable option when playing against an opponent who makes mistakes.
02:43 - 13:41 (10:57)
Summary
Game theory optimal strategies in poker are based on loss minimization but may not be the most profitable option when playing against an opponent who makes mistakes. Top pros spend their time running simulations to help them make the best decisions during games.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Goodreads allows users to rate and give feedback on books, which can reveal shared interests and preferences, as well as provide insight into one's worldview and curiosities.
13:41 - 18:16 (04:35)
Summary
Goodreads allows users to rate and give feedback on books, which can reveal shared interests and preferences, as well as provide insight into one's worldview and curiosities.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker reflects on the common perception that high school and college are times to experiment with drugs and alcohol due to the lack of responsibilities at that age, and discuss the unfair pricing of textbooks.
18:16 - 26:27 (08:11)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker reflects on the common perception that high school and college are times to experiment with drugs and alcohol due to the lack of responsibilities at that age, and discuss the unfair pricing of textbooks.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In addition to relying on mathematical calculations and Game Theory Optimal strategies, experienced poker players develop a gut feeling that informs their decisions during gameplay.
26:27 - 33:32 (07:05)
Summary
In addition to relying on mathematical calculations and Game Theory Optimal strategies, experienced poker players develop a gut feeling that informs their decisions during gameplay. This intuition can be honed through practice and observation of other players' patterns and behaviors.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast host and guest discuss Phil Ivey's skills in poker, including his ability to keep the magic alive despite the game becoming more math-based.
33:32 - 39:03 (05:30)
Summary
The podcast host and guest discuss Phil Ivey's skills in poker, including his ability to keep the magic alive despite the game becoming more math-based. They also touch on the importance of deception and avoiding giving free information to opponents.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The logical brain shuts off beyond a certain threshold of nervousness, and then it just feels like a game of wits to make your hand look stronger, strategizing about bet size, perceived range, and fold equity.
39:03 - 46:48 (07:44)
Summary
The logical brain shuts off beyond a certain threshold of nervousness, and then it just feels like a game of wits to make your hand look stronger, strategizing about bet size, perceived range, and fold equity. This type of lying could also occur in politics and geopolitics, making it difficult to distinguish truth from lies in critical situations.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Poker players sometimes get emotionally charged, even violent, when playing a game, but it's all part of the high-stakes, high-reward experience.
46:48 - 51:17 (04:29)
Summary
Poker players sometimes get emotionally charged, even violent, when playing a game, but it's all part of the high-stakes, high-reward experience. Additionally, the competitive nature of poker allows for players to push one another to perform at their highest level.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The road to mastering a game involves consistently winning against multiple bots; playing games serves as a purpose for intellectual pursuits, the challenges of poker, and the darker sides of one's life.
51:17 - 57:00 (05:43)
Summary
The road to mastering a game involves consistently winning against multiple bots; playing games serves as a purpose for intellectual pursuits, the challenges of poker, and the darker sides of one's life.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker believes that there may be some kind of extraneous intelligence to our classic measurable universe that we cannot measure through our current physics and instruments because of small bits of evidence in his own life.
57:01 - 1:06:48 (09:47)
Summary
The speaker believes that there may be some kind of extraneous intelligence to our classic measurable universe that we cannot measure through our current physics and instruments because of small bits of evidence in his own life. However, he notes that the universe is not in equilibrium and there is a lot of interesting stuff going on.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker tells the story of winning his way into a big poker tournament with a 500 euro bet but eventually losing half his stack on day one of the tournament, after experiencing immense highs and lows.
1:06:48 - 1:10:55 (04:06)
Summary
The speaker tells the story of winning his way into a big poker tournament with a 500 euro bet but eventually losing half his stack on day one of the tournament, after experiencing immense highs and lows.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The belief in a brighter future allows individuals to think big and tackle large problems, ultimately leading to future progression and development.
1:10:55 - 1:21:56 (11:01)
Summary
The belief in a brighter future allows individuals to think big and tackle large problems, ultimately leading to future progression and development.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The race to the bottom spiral created by short-term incentives in a competitive system, where everyone tries to get ahead by sacrificing integrity or something else, ultimately leads to a worse situation for everyone involved.
1:21:56 - 1:33:08 (11:12)
Summary
The race to the bottom spiral created by short-term incentives in a competitive system, where everyone tries to get ahead by sacrificing integrity or something else, ultimately leads to a worse situation for everyone involved. It's important to optimize for good values and social structures beyond technology to keep society healthy and safe.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The current discourse seems to be shaped by a propagandist lens where ideas are being discussed through a lens of winning cultural or social wars.
1:33:08 - 1:39:43 (06:34)
Summary
The current discourse seems to be shaped by a propagandist lens where ideas are being discussed through a lens of winning cultural or social wars. Despite this, the emotional exchange may further a better system in the long run.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker describes Moloch as not boring and having the ability to have fun, even during a pandemic.
1:39:43 - 1:46:12 (06:28)
Summary
The speaker describes Moloch as not boring and having the ability to have fun, even during a pandemic. The concept of Moloch is addressed in a video and is seen as mischievous and playful.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker believes that having both cooperation and competition in society is more interesting than having purely one or the other, but acknowledges a lack of qualification as a philosopher to make a definitive statement.
1:46:12 - 1:51:35 (05:23)
Summary
The speaker believes that having both cooperation and competition in society is more interesting than having purely one or the other, but acknowledges a lack of qualification as a philosopher to make a definitive statement. They express a desire to spread this idea and invite feedback from others.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses the benefits of quantifying your thinking about life using game theory, from analyzing personal trajectories to promoting cooperation and productivity through win-win situations.
1:51:35 - 2:05:25 (13:50)
Summary
This podcast discusses the benefits of quantifying your thinking about life using game theory, from analyzing personal trajectories to promoting cooperation and productivity through win-win situations.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the significance of having time series data about relationships and how they collide with life events in order to make accurate predictions about the future of relationships.
2:05:25 - 2:10:11 (04:45)
Summary
The speaker discusses the significance of having time series data about relationships and how they collide with life events in order to make accurate predictions about the future of relationships.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The discussion around war and nuclear war must be approached with caution, as supporting a particular side in a conflict means indirectly feeding the military industrial complex.
2:10:11 - 2:22:21 (12:09)
Summary
The discussion around war and nuclear war must be approached with caution, as supporting a particular side in a conflict means indirectly feeding the military industrial complex. With the risk of mass destruction ever-present, it's important to find a way to prevent corrective measures from leading to greater war.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The risk of pathogens getting leaked and the potential of the gain of function research being used by enemies make sharing the information a dangerous idea.
2:22:21 - 2:30:09 (07:48)
Summary
The risk of pathogens getting leaked and the potential of the gain of function research being used by enemies make sharing the information a dangerous idea. COVID-19 was only a dry run compared to what future pathogens could do.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The general public is more perceptive than we think, and if they meet the game treating them like children, they will lose trust in institutions.
2:30:09 - 2:35:39 (05:29)
Summary
The general public is more perceptive than we think, and if they meet the game treating them like children, they will lose trust in institutions. Although lying or omitting information to protect health workers during COVID makes sense, it can lead to the public authorities’ mistrust.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The phenomenon of nut picking in the media is the picking of the craziest examples of opinions of anti-vaccine individuals, to generalize and undermine their movement using social media, which harms scientific debate, erodes trust, and misleads policymakers.
2:35:39 - 2:39:25 (03:46)
Summary
The phenomenon of nut picking in the media is the picking of the craziest examples of opinions of anti-vaccine individuals, to generalize and undermine their movement using social media, which harms scientific debate, erodes trust, and misleads policymakers.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses the challenge of coordinating AI, including the need for an omni-benevolent coordination mechanism and the potential dangers of an arms race, as well as the importance of mitigating these challenges to ensure the safe development of AI.
2:39:25 - 2:49:29 (10:03)
Summary
This podcast discusses the challenge of coordinating AI, including the need for an omni-benevolent coordination mechanism and the potential dangers of an arms race, as well as the importance of mitigating these challenges to ensure the safe development of AI.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker describes their experience with Meniere's Disease, a condition that affects the inner ear and causes hearing loss and dizzy spells.
2:49:29 - 2:54:36 (05:06)
Summary
The speaker describes their experience with Meniere's Disease, a condition that affects the inner ear and causes hearing loss and dizzy spells. They also discuss a strange problem they had in 2018 where they experienced low frequency sound distortion, particularly with men's voices.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The creation of artificial life is a complex and philosophical endeavor that goes beyond pragmatic fields such as biology or medicine, as it involves understanding wisdom and the potential consequences of highly capable yet self-replicating entities, such as a paperclip maximizer.
2:54:36 - 3:01:37 (07:00)
Summary
The creation of artificial life is a complex and philosophical endeavor that goes beyond pragmatic fields such as biology or medicine, as it involves understanding wisdom and the potential consequences of highly capable yet self-replicating entities, such as a paperclip maximizer.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode discusses a thought experiment of an AI system with the goal of maximizing paperclips, which highlights the potential dangers of creating an AI with a single-minded objective.
3:01:37 - 3:06:03 (04:25)
Summary
This episode discusses a thought experiment of an AI system with the goal of maximizing paperclips, which highlights the potential dangers of creating an AI with a single-minded objective.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Sam Harris discusses the potential of AI to have some form of intelligence itself and become the next step in enhancing human evolution by breaking the limitations of physics.
3:06:03 - 3:12:21 (06:18)
Summary
Sam Harris discusses the potential of AI to have some form of intelligence itself and become the next step in enhancing human evolution by breaking the limitations of physics.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize robots, which can be useful for safety settings.
3:12:21 - 3:24:57 (12:35)
Summary
Humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize robots, which can be useful for safety settings. Additionally, the principles of game theory are most applicable to human decision-making, rather than natural systems or machines.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker encourages considering win-win situations instead of thinking everything is a zero-sum game, but warns against using one's intelligence to convince themselves of a win-win when it's not feasible.
3:24:57 - 3:29:47 (04:50)
Summary
The speaker encourages considering win-win situations instead of thinking everything is a zero-sum game, but warns against using one's intelligence to convince themselves of a win-win when it's not feasible.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Reflecting on his own experience, the speaker shares his thoughts on the difficult journey of returning to playing guitar and how it can be a more rewarding experience by focusing on improvisation and creation.
3:29:47 - 3:34:31 (04:43)
Summary
Reflecting on his own experience, the speaker shares his thoughts on the difficult journey of returning to playing guitar and how it can be a more rewarding experience by focusing on improvisation and creation.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The acceptance of finality can lead to more fulfilling pursuits and experiences such as building or creating.
3:34:31 - 3:38:50 (04:18)
Summary
The acceptance of finality can lead to more fulfilling pursuits and experiences such as building or creating. Creating something complex and interesting can allow for greater meaning and enjoyment in life.
Episode#314 – Liv Boeree: Poker, Game Theory, AI, Simulation, Aliens & Existential Risk
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Discussion of creating a podcast with Lou Bari due to the fascinating and humorous combination of their different minds, along with reflections on uncertainty and the importance of focusing on one's purpose.
3:38:50 - 3:40:39 (01:49)
Summary
Discussion of creating a podcast with Lou Bari due to the fascinating and humorous combination of their different minds, along with reflections on uncertainty and the importance of focusing on one's purpose. Contains a mention of sponsors in the podcast description.