Episode

#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
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1:57:43
Published: Fri Aug 05 2022
Description

Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence | Brought to you by Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, Eight Sleep’s Pod Pro Cover sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, and Pique premium pu’er tea crystals. More on all three below.Russ Roberts (@EconTalker) is the President of Shalem College in Jerusalem and the John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Roberts is interested in making complicated ideas understandable. He founded and hosts the award-winning weekly podcast EconTalk: Conversations for the Curious—with more than 800 episodes available in the archives. Past guests include Christopher Hitchens, Martha Nussbaum, Michael Lewis, Angela Duckworth, and Nassim Nicholas Taleb. His two rap videos on the ideas of John Maynard Keynes and F.A. Hayek have more than thirteen million views on YouTube. His latest book, Wild Problems: A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us, explores the challenges of using rationality when facing big life decisions. He is also the author of Gambling With Other People’s Money,How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, The Price of Everything, The Invisible Heart, and The Choice.Please enjoy!*This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep! Eight Sleep’s Pod Pro Cover is the easiest and fastest way to sleep at the perfect temperature. It pairs dynamic cooling and heating with biometric tracking to offer the most advanced (and user-friendly) solution on the market. Simply add the Pod Pro Cover to your current mattress and start sleeping as cool as 55°F or as hot as 110°F. It also splits your bed in half, so your partner can choose a totally different temperature.And now, my dear listeners—that’s you—can get $250 off the Pod Pro Cover. Simply go to EightSleep.com/Tim or use code TIM at checkout. *This episode is also brought to you by Pique! I first learned about Pique through my friends Dr. Peter Attia and Kevin Rose, and now Pique’s fermented pu’er tea crystals have become my daily go-to. I often kickstart my mornings with their Pu’er Green Tea and Pu’er Black Tea, and I alternate between the two. This rare type of naturally fermented tea is more concentrated in polyphenol antioxidants than any other tea—it supports focus and mental clarity, healthy digestion, metabolism, and a healthy immune system. Their crystals are cold extracted, using only wild-harvested leaves from 250-year-old tea trees. Plus, they triple toxin screen for heavy metals, pesticides, and toxic mold—contaminants commonly found in tea. I also use the crystals for iced tea, which saves a ton of time and hassle. Pique is offering up to 20% off of their pu’er teas, exclusively to my listeners. To sweeten the deal even more, you'll get a free sampler pack with 6 of their best-selling teas. Simply visit PiqueLife.com/Tim, and the discount will be automatically applied. They also offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so your purchase is completely risk-free. Just go to PiqueLife.com/Tim to learn more.*This episode is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1 by Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system. Right now, Athletic Greens is offering you their Vitamin D Liquid Formula free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit AthleticGreens.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive the free Vitamin D Liquid Formula (and five free travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive all-in-one daily greens product.*[06:36] How Russ’ father chose to cultivate fatherhood.[10:45] Does quality time demand quantity time?[12:31] What does Shalem mean?[14:10] What’s wrong with scientism?[20:56] The curious task of economics, according to F.A. Hayek.[23:18] What is a Hayekian?[25:09] What prompted Russ to write Wild Problems?[29:05] How Russ’ ideas about data have changed over the years.[33:04] Making decisions: Charles Darwin vs. Homer vs. Russ.[43:30] What makes people ideal life partners?[52:19] Marriage as a form of growing up.[56:53] Life lessons from Bill Belichick.[1:02:04] Why Russ and his wife decided to move to Israel.[1:07:45] Impressions of Jerusalem since making the move.[1:13:34] The role of religion in Russ’ life.[1:22:00] Life lessons from Nassim Nicholas Taleb.[1:29:16] Thoughts on The Talmud, reading, and spending time in a finite life.[1:35:14] You don’t have to be religious to have transcendent experiences.[1:41:31] Tips for staying humble.[1:48:48] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/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
The host emphasizes the importance of gut health in overall performance and shares their personal experience with physical experimentation and travels.
00:00 - 00:20 (00:20)
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Health
The speaker promotes Peak Teas, emphasizing its effectiveness on enhancing sleep, and offering a discount plus a sampler pack of six best-selling teas for a limited time.
00:20 - 04:16 (03:56)
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Peak Teas
The speaker reflects on how his father could have been a well-known writer or poet if he didn't prioritize spending time with his family, but cherishes the memories of his father's love for storytelling.
04:16 - 11:03 (06:46)
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Family
Summary

The speaker reflects on how his father could have been a well-known writer or poet if he didn't prioritize spending time with his family, but cherishes the memories of his father's love for storytelling.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This podcast episode delves into the perspective of quality time requiring quantity time in parenting and educational experiences, and how modern times have turned college into a pre-professional experience rather than a leisurely learning experience.
11:03 - 15:24 (04:20)
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Parenting
Summary

This podcast episode delves into the perspective of quality time requiring quantity time in parenting and educational experiences, and how modern times have turned college into a pre-professional experience rather than a leisurely learning experience.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Economists attempt to build models of the economy that can predict outcomes and inform policy decisions.
15:24 - 19:25 (04:01)
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Econometrics
Summary

Economists attempt to build models of the economy that can predict outcomes and inform policy decisions. However, the vast amount of data needed to create an accurate model and the complexity of human behavior make this task incredibly difficult.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Economist Friedrich Hayek argues that the task of economics is to show people how little they actually know about what they think they can design.
19:25 - 24:30 (05:05)
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Economics
Summary

Economist Friedrich Hayek argues that the task of economics is to show people how little they actually know about what they think they can design. He cautions against people with grand theories of how the world works, comparing them to chess players who move people around without considering their individual autonomy.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses cost-benefit analysis in having children and reflects on contrasting views on setting initial conditions by Hayek and Keynes, as prompted by two rap videos featuring talented actors.
24:30 - 28:49 (04:18)
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Economics
Summary

The speaker discusses cost-benefit analysis in having children and reflects on contrasting views on setting initial conditions by Hayek and Keynes, as prompted by two rap videos featuring talented actors. The speaker also shares his observation that people have children not necessarily for the fun or better days they bring, as most married couples appear unhappy from an outsider's perspective.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The power of economic models in personal decision-making is questioned and the limitations of expertise are highlighted.
28:49 - 36:12 (07:23)
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Personal Decisions
Summary

The power of economic models in personal decision-making is questioned and the limitations of expertise are highlighted. An observation is made that a notable figure lacks understanding of marriage while emphasizing the importance of nutrient-dense formulas.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Making decisions based on pure rationality can be challenging, especially when faced with a large group of options.
36:12 - 40:49 (04:37)
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decision-making
Summary

Making decisions based on pure rationality can be challenging, especially when faced with a large group of options. To find the best candidate out of a group of 108 people, the speaker suggests assessing the first 37 individuals, then choosing the first person who is better than the best of the first 37.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The decision-making process of finding a partner shouldn't be based solely on checkboxes of qualities that they possess, but rather on the feeling you have when you are with them.
40:50 - 45:45 (04:55)
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Relationships
Summary

The decision-making process of finding a partner shouldn't be based solely on checkboxes of qualities that they possess, but rather on the feeling you have when you are with them. This approach is similar to finding the best job.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The expectation of finding happiness in one person and having them check every box is making people miserable.
45:45 - 50:06 (04:21)
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Relationships
Summary

The expectation of finding happiness in one person and having them check every box is making people miserable. It is ridiculous to marry someone just to receive a discount on a prime membership at Costco.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The idea of having to work at a marriage can be a frustrating concept.
50:06 - 56:15 (06:08)
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Marriage
The author argues that Bill Belichick trades away a draft choice to have more draft choices later in the draft in order to increase the denominator, a good lesson in life.
56:15 - 59:48 (03:33)
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Bill Belichick
Summary

The author argues that Bill Belichick trades away a draft choice to have more draft choices later in the draft in order to increase the denominator, a good lesson in life. The author also talks about moving to Israel and venture capital.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The author argues that even though we can't always anticipate what experiences are going to be like, trying lots of things is key to figuring out what we like.
59:48 - 1:06:04 (06:16)
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Life Experiences
A communal living environment in Jerusalem that was half Jewish and half Muslim offered the chance to contribute and connect with a long history of religious significance.
1:06:04 - 1:12:26 (06:22)
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Communal Living
The podcast host wonders how religion has aided people living in war-torn countries where death is omnipresent and the future is uncertain.
1:12:26 - 1:18:43 (06:17)
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Religion
Summary

The podcast host wonders how religion has aided people living in war-torn countries where death is omnipresent and the future is uncertain. He acknowledges that it's difficult to think about death and wonders if religion has implications for regulating aspects of everyday life.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses how a religious life is not necessarily free of doubt and how fulfillment can also come from experiences outside of religious or spiritual practices.
1:18:43 - 1:23:24 (04:41)
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Religion
This podcast discusses the idea that profit and loss encourage prudent risk-taking, not reckless risk-taking, while also exploring the concept of "you're not free to desist from it".
1:23:24 - 1:31:01 (07:36)
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Economics
Summary

This podcast discusses the idea that profit and loss encourage prudent risk-taking, not reckless risk-taking, while also exploring the concept of "you're not free to desist from it". The guest speaker provides insight into the importance of weeding out losing strategies and taking into account the effect of economic decisions.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading books, stating that it is a way to learn and retain information even from less interesting texts.
1:31:01 - 1:34:05 (03:04)
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Books
The podcast host and guest discuss the transcendent and imminent aspects of prayer and what it means for individuals who struggle with prayer, including those who do not consider themselves religious.
1:34:05 - 1:41:46 (07:41)
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Prayer
Summary

The podcast host and guest discuss the transcendent and imminent aspects of prayer and what it means for individuals who struggle with prayer, including those who do not consider themselves religious.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Interviewing exceptional people highlights how little they understand to any extent, and the difficulty of acknowledging our limitations.
1:41:46 - 1:47:45 (05:59)
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self-improvement
Summary

Interviewing exceptional people highlights how little they understand to any extent, and the difficulty of acknowledging our limitations. However, broadcasting mistakes and failures could help us see things from different perspectives.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The negev desert provides an unexplainable feeling or experience that is hard to put into words, and people should explore it.
1:47:45 - 1:55:44 (07:58)
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Transcendent experience, Negev desert, Sleep enhancement, 8 Sleep
Summary

The negev desert provides an unexplainable feeling or experience that is hard to put into words, and people should explore it. Additionally, 8 Sleep is a favorite tool for enhancing sleep as it offers up to 32% faster falling asleep, reduces sleep interruptions up to 40%, and promotes more restful sleep overall, according to social media polls.

Episode
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Learn about Peak's Pu-Erh green and black teas and their fermentation process.
1:55:44 - 1:57:35 (01:50)
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Peak, Pu-Erh Tea