Lex Fridman Podcast

#485 – David Kirtley: Nuclear Fusion, Plasma Physics, and the Future of Energy

David Kirtley is a nuclear fusion engineer and CEO of Helion Energy, a company working on building the world’s first commercial fusion power plant by 2028. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep485-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep485-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/david-kirtley-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/david-kirtley-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: David’s X: https://x.com/dekirtley [https://x.com/dekirtley] David’s LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4qX0KXp [https://bit.ly/4qX0KXp] Helion: https://www.helionenergy.com/ [https://www.helionenergy.com/] Helion’s YouTube: https://youtube.com/HelionEnergy [https://youtube.com/HelionEnergy] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep485-sc] Fin: AI agent for customer service. Go to https://fin.ai/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/fin-ep485-sc] Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform. Go to https://miro.com/ [https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep485-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep485-sc] BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/betterhelp-ep485-sc] Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep485-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (03:00) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (11:35) – Nuclear fission vs fusion (21:35) – Physics of E=mc^2 (26:50) – Is nuclear fusion safe? (32:11) – Chernobyl (38:38) – Geopolitics (40:33) – Extreme scenarios (47:28) – How nuclear fusion works (1:20:20) – Extreme temperatures (1:25:21) – Fusion control and simulation (1:37:15) – Electricity from fusion (2:11:20) – First fusion power plant in 2028 (2:18:13) – Energy needs of GPU clusters (2:28:38) – Kardashev scale (2:36:33) – Fermi Paradox PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast [https://lexfridman.com/podcast] – Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr [https://apple.co/2lwqZIr] – Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 [https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8] – RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ [https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/] – Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4] – Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips [https://www.youtube.com/lexclips]

#484 – Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming

Dan Houser is co-founder of Rockstar Games and is a legendary creative mind behind Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption series of video games. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: Absurd Adventures: https://absurdventures.com [https://absurdventures.com] A Better Paradise: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0FCYSK8VD [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0FCYSK8VD] American Caper: https://absurdventures.com/americancaper [https://absurdventures.com/americancaper] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Box: Intelligent content management platform. Go to https://box.com/ai [https://lexfridman.com/s/box-ep484-sc] UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep484-sc] CodeRabbit: AI-powered code reviews. Go to https://coderabbit.ai/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/coderabbit-ep484-sc] Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform. Go to https://miro.com/ [https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep484-sc] Lindy: No-code AI agent builder. Go to https://go.lindy.ai/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lindy-ep484-sc] Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep484-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep484-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (01:29) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (11:32) – Greatest films of all time (23:45) – Making video games (26:36) – GTA 3 (29:55) – Open world video games (32:42) – Character creation (36:09) – Superintelligent AI in A Better Paradise (45:21) – Can LLMs write video games? (49:41) – Creating GTA 4 and GTA 5 (1:01:16) – Hard work and Rockstar’s culture of excellence (1:04:56) – GTA 6 (1:21:46) – Red Dead Redemption 2 (2:01:39) – DLCs for GTA and Red Dead Redemption (2:07:58) – Leaving Rockstar Games (2:17:22) – Greatest game of all time (2:22:10) – Life lessons from father (2:24:29) – Mortality (2:41:47) – Advice for young people (2:47:49) – Future of video games PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast [https://lexfridman.com/podcast] – Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr [https://apple.co/2lwqZIr] – Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 [https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8] – RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ [https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/] – Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4] – Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips [https://www.youtube.com/lexclips]

#483 – Julia Shaw: Criminal Psychology of Murder, Serial Killers, Memory & Sex

Julia Shaw is a criminal psychologist and author who in her books explores human nature, including psychopathy, violent crime, the psychology of evil, police interrogation, false memory manipulation, deception detection, and human sexuality. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep483-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep483-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/julia-shaw-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/julia-shaw-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: Julia’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjuliashaw [https://instagram.com/drjuliashaw] Julia’s Website: https://www.drjuliashaw.com/ [https://www.drjuliashaw.com/] Julia’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw [https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw] Julia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliashaw/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliashaw/] Julia’s Books: https://amzn.to/4mQBnTV [https://amzn.to/4mQBnTV] Green Crime (US Book): https://amzn.to/4nLfSVE [https://amzn.to/4nLfSVE] Green Crime (Canadian Book): https://amzn.to/47lBAdc [https://amzn.to/47lBAdc] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep483-sc] BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/betterhelp-ep483-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep483-sc] AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drink. Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep483-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (01:00) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (08:16) – Dark Tetrad – Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism (29:23) – Serial killers (43:59) – Murder (51:51) – Lies and scams (56:38) – Jealousy (1:00:07) – Monogamy (1:05:20) – Sexuality (1:20:21) – Sexual fetishes (1:35:56) – Criminal psychology (1:39:04) – False memories (2:25:01) – Criminals destroying the planet (2:40:24) – Hope PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast [https://lexfridman.com/podcast] – Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr [https://apple.co/2lwqZIr] – Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 [https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8] – RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ [https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/] – Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4] – Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips [https://www.youtube.com/lexclips]

#482 – Pavel Durov: Telegram, Freedom, Censorship, Money, Power & Human Nature

Pavel Durov is the founder and CEO of Telegram. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep482-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep482-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/pavel-durov-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/pavel-durov-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: Pavel’s Telegram: https://t.me/durov [https://t.me/durov] Pavel’s X: https://x.com/durov [https://x.com/durov] Telegram: https://telegram.org/ [https://telegram.org/] Telegram Contests: https://contest.com/ [https://contest.com/] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform. Go to https://miro.com/ [https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep482-sc] UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep482-sc] Fin: AI agent for customer service. Go to https://fin.ai/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/fin-ep482-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep482-sc] Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep482-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (02:46) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (11:29) – Philosophy of freedom (14:37) – No alcohol (22:42) – No phone (28:38) – Discipline (49:50) – Telegram: Lean philosophy, privacy, and geopolitics (1:05:12) – Arrest in France (1:21:23) – Romanian elections (1:32:18) – Power and corruption (1:41:50) – Intense education (1:53:51) – Nikolai Durov (1:58:19) – Programming and video games (2:02:33) – VK origins & engineering (2:19:46) – Hiring a great team (2:29:02) – Telegram engineering & design (2:48:04) – Encryption (2:53:01) – Open source (2:57:48) – Edward Snowden (3:00:20) – Intelligence agencies (3:01:32) – Iran and Russia government pressure (3:04:41) – Apple (3:11:38) – Poisoning (3:43:53) – Money (3:52:45) – TON (4:02:35) – Bitcoin (4:05:34) – Two chairs dilemma (4:12:14) – Children (4:23:24) – Father (4:27:55) – Quantum immortality (4:34:27) – Kafka PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast [https://lexfridman.com/podcast] – Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr [https://apple.co/2lwqZIr] – Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 [https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8] – RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ [https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/] – Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4] – Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips [https://www.youtube.com/lexclips]

#481 – Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA

Norman Ohler is a historian and author of “Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich,” a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw and Antony Beevor give very high praise for its depth of research. Norman also wrote “Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age”, and he is working on a new book “Stoned Sapiens” looking at the history of human civilization through the lens of drugs. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc [https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep481-sc] See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript [https://lexfridman.com/norman-ohler-transcript] CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey [https://lexfridman.com/survey] AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama [https://lexfridman.com/ama] Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring [https://lexfridman.com/hiring] Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact [https://lexfridman.com/contact] EPISODE LINKS: Stoned Sapiens Substack: https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens [https://substack.com/@stonedsapiens] Norman’s X: https://x.com/normanohler [https://x.com/normanohler] Norman’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normanohler [https://www.instagram.com/normanohler] Norman’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler [https://www.youtube.com/@Norman-Ohler] Norman’s Website: https://www.normanohler.de [https://www.normanohler.de] Norman’s books: https://amzn.to/46uNS18 [https://amzn.to/46uNS18] Blitzed: https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC [https://amzn.to/4mmY2XC] The Bohemians: https://amzn.to/3KubPhK [https://amzn.to/3KubPhK] Tripped: https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX [https://amzn.to/4nEy7eX] SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep481-sc] Fin: AI agent for customer service. Go to https://fin.ai/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/fin-ep481-sc] Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep481-sc] LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep481-sc] Hampton: Community for high-growth founders and CEOs. Go to https://joinhampton.com/lex [https://lexfridman.com/s/hampton-ep481-sc] OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (01:09) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (09:00) – Drugs in post-WWI Germany (19:18) – Nazi rise to power (23:45) – Hitler’s drug use (29:37) – Response to historian criticism (46:16) – Pervitin (1:00:15) – Blitzkrieg and meth (1:18:52) – Erwin Rommel (Crystal Fox) (1:23:02) – Dunkirk (1:31:06) – Hitler’s drug addiction (1:47:03) – Methamphetamine (1:48:57) – Invasion of Soviet Union (2:07:54) – Cocaine (2:16:49) – Hitler’s last days (2:36:48) – German resistance against Nazis (2:58:59) – Totalitarianism (3:04:09) – Stoned Sapiens – Drugs in human history (3:19:20) – Religion (3:30:09) – LSD, CIA, and MKUltra (3:55:39) – Writing on drugs (4:08:40) – Berlin night clubs (4:19:14) – Greatest book ever written