Episode
#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
2:25:14
Published: Fri Mar 15 2019
Description
“All these things you’re sure are true — what if they weren’t?”— Safi BahcallSafi Bahcall (@SafiBahcall) is the author of Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas that Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries. Loonshots describes what an idea from physics tells us about the behavior of groups and how teams, companies, and nations can use that to innovate faster and better. It has been selected for The Washington Post‘s 10 Leadership Books to Watch for in 2019, Inc.‘s 10 Business Books You Need to Read in 2019, and Business Insider‘s 14 Books Everyone Will Be Reading in 2019.Safi received his PhD in physics from Stanford and his undergrad degree from Harvard. After working as a consultant for McKinsey, Safi co-founded a biotechnology company specializing in developing new drugs for cancer. He led its IPO and served as its CEO for 13 years. In 2008, Safi was named Ernst and Young’s New England Biotechnology Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2011, he worked with President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology on the future of national research.Click here for the show notes for this episode.This podcast is brought to you by Uber. Uber makes getting around town easier than ever before, and now Uber is introducing Uber Rewards, a new rewards program that helps keep modern life going. With Uber Rewards, you can earn points on Rides and Uber Eats and unlock rewards such as Uber Cash for your next Uber ride or your next Uber Eats order. You can unlock new benefits at every membership level, such as flexible cancellations with Gold, price protection with Platinum, complimentary surprise upgrades with Diamond, and more. For terms and to learn more about all the ways you can earn Uber Rewards, go to Uber.com/Rewards.This podcast is also brought to you by Peloton, which has become a staple of my daily routine. I picked up this bike after seeing the success of my friend Kevin Rose, and I’ve been enjoying it more than I ever imagined. Peloton is an indoor cycling bike that brings live studio classes right to your home. No worrying about fitting classes into your busy schedule or making it to a studio with a crazy commute.New classes are added every day, and this includes options led by elite NYC instructors in your own living room. You can even live stream studio classes taught by the world’s best instructors, or find your favorite class on demand.Peloton is offering listeners to this show a special offer. Visit onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM at checkout to receive $100 off accessories with your Peloton bike purchase. This is a great way to get in your workouts, or an incredible gift. Again, that’s onepeloton.com and enter the code TIM.***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? Please fill out the form at tim.blog/sponsor.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
The Tim Ferriss Show introduces the new Uber Rewards Program, where you can earn points on rides and Uber Eats and gain access to priority support, pickup at airports, and highly-rated drivers.
00:00 - 02:42 (02:42)
Summary
The Tim Ferriss Show introduces the new Uber Rewards Program, where you can earn points on rides and Uber Eats and gain access to priority support, pickup at airports, and highly-rated drivers. Users can unlock different levels of membership benefit as they earn points.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
On this podcast episode, author Safi Bahcall discusses his book Loon Shots and how to nurture crazy ideas that can transform industries, as well as his personal experience using Peloton for daily exercise.
02:42 - 07:31 (04:49)
Summary
On this podcast episode, author Safi Bahcall discusses his book Loon Shots and how to nurture crazy ideas that can transform industries, as well as his personal experience using Peloton for daily exercise.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker talks about how making small adjustments in various areas of life can result in a significant improvement from a 2 to a 6 or 7, using swimming as a metaphor for learning and breaking down bad habits.
07:31 - 10:58 (03:26)
Summary
The speaker talks about how making small adjustments in various areas of life can result in a significant improvement from a 2 to a 6 or 7, using swimming as a metaphor for learning and breaking down bad habits.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, whether it's in swimming or in daily life.
10:58 - 15:31 (04:33)
Summary
This episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, whether it's in swimming or in daily life. It also discusses how Daniel Kahneman transformed the field of economics by introducing the idea that humans operate on heuristics rather than just NPV calculations.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Theoretical physicist, Steven Dubner explains how he derived energy from the slope of learning and the term 'coupling to derivatives' by learning an enormous amount in one specific area of theoretical physics.
15:31 - 23:35 (08:03)
Summary
Theoretical physicist, Steven Dubner explains how he derived energy from the slope of learning and the term 'coupling to derivatives' by learning an enormous amount in one specific area of theoretical physics.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Using active voice in storytelling helps to avoid distracting the reader with irrelevant information, while passive voice can still be used effectively by accomplished writers.
23:35 - 31:14 (07:39)
Summary
Using active voice in storytelling helps to avoid distracting the reader with irrelevant information, while passive voice can still be used effectively by accomplished writers. The satisfaction of helping someone in need through your writing is also discussed.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The transcript discusses a writer's training for improving their writing skills, which involves breaking down paragraphs from consistent books and analyzing the decisions of writers.
31:14 - 38:03 (06:49)
Summary
The transcript discusses a writer's training for improving their writing skills, which involves breaking down paragraphs from consistent books and analyzing the decisions of writers.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Chess master Garry Kasparov's key to success was analyzing his process in making decisions rather than just the outcome.
38:03 - 44:48 (06:44)
Summary
Chess master Garry Kasparov's key to success was analyzing his process in making decisions rather than just the outcome. By identifying weaknesses in his decision-making process, he was able to tweak and improve it for better results, a lesson that can be applied to both personal and business decisions.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Decision-making processes in both business and personal aspects can greatly benefit from examining the incentives, communication, and information presented to those involved in the decision.
44:48 - 50:04 (05:16)
Summary
Decision-making processes in both business and personal aspects can greatly benefit from examining the incentives, communication, and information presented to those involved in the decision. It is important to analyze and potentially alter the decision-making process to ensure that good outcomes are a result of good decision-making, not just luck.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares his experience of dating in Manhattan in his early days, describing it as "junk dating" where there was a high on the first date, but he never stepped back to evaluate the situation.
50:04 - 56:11 (06:07)
Summary
The speaker shares his experience of dating in Manhattan in his early days, describing it as "junk dating" where there was a high on the first date, but he never stepped back to evaluate the situation.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A man discusses his decision making process while dating to find a potential life partner, which includes prioritizing mental health and finding someone he enjoys spending time with.
56:11 - 1:01:11 (05:00)
Summary
A man discusses his decision making process while dating to find a potential life partner, which includes prioritizing mental health and finding someone he enjoys spending time with.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares his experience of how he started to prioritize intellectual compatibility in his dating life and how it positively impacted his experiences.
1:01:11 - 1:08:47 (07:35)
Summary
The speaker shares his experience of how he started to prioritize intellectual compatibility in his dating life and how it positively impacted his experiences.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This podcast discusses FBR, standing for Right, Fast, Bad, and Wrong, and the importance of this method when starting to write pieces of work.
1:08:47 - 1:16:47 (07:59)
Summary
This podcast discusses FBR, standing for Right, Fast, Bad, and Wrong, and the importance of this method when starting to write pieces of work. It also highlights the negative effects of backtracking and losing the creative flow while writing.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Explaining a technical idea is important, but connecting to people through storytelling is even better.
1:16:49 - 1:24:34 (07:45)
Summary
Explaining a technical idea is important, but connecting to people through storytelling is even better. When it comes to reading, one can read for the art and skill of writing or simply for the story content, but understanding how to structure thinking and stress test ideas is essential for writers.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this episode, the guest talks about the process of hunting for structures and making sure that the arc of the story is well laid out.
1:24:35 - 1:33:50 (09:14)
Summary
In this episode, the guest talks about the process of hunting for structures and making sure that the arc of the story is well laid out. She shares some of her tips on how to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
False failures happen when an experiment fails not because of the idea but because of a flaw in the experiment.
1:33:50 - 1:45:25 (11:35)
Summary
False failures happen when an experiment fails not because of the idea but because of a flaw in the experiment. In the context of innovation, people tend to give up on ideas that encounter false failures, leading to missed opportunities.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Loon shots, a term coined by Safi Bahcall, refer to breakthrough innovations that were initially dismissed as unworkable, but later become revolutionary products or strategies.
1:45:25 - 1:51:00 (05:34)
Summary
Loon shots, a term coined by Safi Bahcall, refer to breakthrough innovations that were initially dismissed as unworkable, but later become revolutionary products or strategies. Such breakthroughs typically face multiple failures before finally succeeding and transforming entire industries.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The author of the article is a former astronaut.
1:51:00 - 1:58:14 (07:14)
Summary
The author of the article is a former astronaut.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The structures, financing, and dynamics of the film industry are similar to the biotech industry.
1:58:14 - 2:05:03 (06:49)
Summary
The structures, financing, and dynamics of the film industry are similar to the biotech industry. There are many commonalities between what a biotech CEO does and what a film producer does.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast episode, the guest and the host discuss the importance of systematizing idea generation, vetting, and execution on both individual and organizational levels.
2:05:03 - 2:16:24 (11:20)
Summary
In this podcast episode, the guest and the host discuss the importance of systematizing idea generation, vetting, and execution on both individual and organizational levels. They highlight the importance of segmenting tasks and roles, incentives, and metrics for success.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This episode features Safi Bahcall, a physicist, entrepreneur, and author of the book, Loonshots.
2:16:26 - 2:23:16 (06:49)
Summary
This episode features Safi Bahcall, a physicist, entrepreneur, and author of the book, Loonshots. Bahcall discusses a number of topics in this conversation, including the importance of thinking big, how to manage diverse groups of people, why some innovative ideas fail, and how to build successful organizations.
Episode#364: Safi Bahcall — On Thinking Big, Curing Cancer, and Transforming Industries
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Uber has launched Uber Rewards, a program that allows users to earn points on both rides and Uber Eats orders.
2:23:16 - 2:25:04 (01:47)
Summary
Uber has launched Uber Rewards, a program that allows users to earn points on both rides and Uber Eats orders. These points can unlock rewards such as Uber Cash or flexible cancellations, and users can climb different reward levels to receive even more benefits.