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Enter the cult of extreme productivity | Mark Adams | TEDxHSG


thank you guys

thank you guys I’m very hungover and I have a hundred

I’m very hungover and I have a hundred

I’m very hungover and I have a hundred slides so this probably won’t work in

slides so this probably won’t work in

slides so this probably won’t work in about I’ve been told that in 18 minutes

about I’ve been told that in 18 minutes

about I’ve been told that in 18 minutes a red dot will appear on my forehead and

a red dot will appear on my forehead and

a red dot will appear on my forehead and there’ll be a gunshot and my body will

there’ll be a gunshot and my body will

there’ll be a gunshot and my body will fall into this stage and so that would

fall into this stage and so that would

fall into this stage and so that would be the end of it in the meantime let’s

be the end of it in the meantime let’s

be the end of it in the meantime let’s try and learn some stuff so I’ve noticed

try and learn some stuff so I’ve noticed

try and learn some stuff so I’ve noticed from chatting to people today there’s

from chatting to people today there’s

from chatting to people today there’s there’s some really interesting people

there’s some really interesting people

there’s some really interesting people in this like families here there’s

in this like families here there’s

in this like families here there’s people who support each other you guys

people who support each other you guys

people who support each other you guys were telling me at dinner yesterday how

were telling me at dinner yesterday how

were telling me at dinner yesterday how there’s this real community to the to

there’s this real community to the to

there’s this real community to the to the whole you know the whole st. Gallen

the whole you know the whole st. Gallen

the whole you know the whole st. Gallen University so I want you to look at the

University so I want you to look at the

University so I want you to look at the people that you know in this room and

people that you know in this room and

people that you know in this room and kind of just kind of send them a psychic

kind of just kind of send them a psychic

kind of just kind of send them a psychic message of thanks for all the support

message of thanks for all the support

message of thanks for all the support and all the things they’ve done to kind

and all the things they’ve done to kind

and all the things they’ve done to kind of help you be the best version of

of help you be the best version of

of help you be the best version of yourself thank you this is good and then

yourself thank you this is good and then

yourself thank you this is good and then while you’re doing that I want you to

while you’re doing that I want you to

while you’re doing that I want you to realize that according to statistics

realize that according to statistics

realize that according to statistics global statistics you’re looking at the

global statistics you’re looking at the

global statistics you’re looking at the people most likely to murder you and the

people most likely to murder you and the

people most likely to murder you and the reason I say this it’s a trap right

reason I say this it’s a trap right

reason I say this it’s a trap right you know those motivational talks and

you know those motivational talks and

you know those motivational talks and those are cause you read on LinkedIn

those are cause you read on LinkedIn

those are cause you read on LinkedIn about productivity and all those things

about productivity and all those things

about productivity and all those things this is the satanic inversion of all of

this is the satanic inversion of all of

this is the satanic inversion of all of that okay so please forgive me for

that okay so please forgive me for

that okay so please forgive me for what’s to come

what’s to come

what’s to come so basically I have done a TED talk

so basically I have done a TED talk

so basically I have done a TED talk before and it was banned it was not

before and it was banned it was not

before and it was banned it was not allowed to be shown they didn’t put up

allowed to be shown they didn’t put up

allowed to be shown they didn’t put up on the internet they said that the ideas

on the internet they said that the ideas

on the internet they said that the ideas in it were dangerous so let me present

in it were dangerous so let me present

in it were dangerous so let me present to you the most dangerous group in the

to you the most dangerous group in the

to you the most dangerous group in the world this is the most dangerous TED

world this is the most dangerous TED

world this is the most dangerous TED talk in the world apparently okay so

talk in the world apparently okay so

talk in the world apparently okay so let’s see what we can do with it so me

let’s see what we can do with it so me

let’s see what we can do with it so me and my brother yes sorry about the hair

and my brother yes sorry about the hair

and my brother yes sorry about the hair and my brother and I will have always

and my brother and I will have always

and my brother and I will have always been complete losers and basically the

been complete losers and basically the

been complete losers and basically the one thing that my dad would always say

one thing that my dad would always say

one thing that my dad would always say to us was he’s Scottish so he sounds a

to us was he’s Scottish so he sounds a

to us was he’s Scottish so he sounds a bit like Shrek you say boys even when he

bit like Shrek you say boys even when he

bit like Shrek you say boys even when he loved us we just felt cold you know it

loved us we just felt cold you know it

loved us we just felt cold you know it doesn’t feel like you love us with him

doesn’t feel like you love us with him

doesn’t feel like you love us with him and so he’d say yeah boys remember a

and so he’d say yeah boys remember a

and so he’d say yeah boys remember a joke it’s only a joke if both people

joke it’s only a joke if both people

joke it’s only a joke if both people think it’s funny

and honestly I’m in my 30s now and I

and honestly I’m in my 30s now and I still fundamentally disagree with that I

still fundamentally disagree with that I

still fundamentally disagree with that I think it’s much funnier if one person

think it’s much funnier if one person

think it’s much funnier if one person thinks it’s funny and the other one

thinks it’s funny and the other one

thinks it’s funny and the other one doesn’t so all we would do me and my

doesn’t so all we would do me and my

doesn’t so all we would do me and my brother was play pranks and practical

brother was play pranks and practical

brother was play pranks and practical jokes on each other constantly so this

jokes on each other constantly so this

jokes on each other constantly so this is all we had the only skill we had was

is all we had the only skill we had was

is all we had the only skill we had was this and we lived in situations like

this and we lived in situations like

this and we lived in situations like this at University as we unleash er you

this at University as we unleash er you

this at University as we unleash er you guys know this feeling and why is he at

guys know this feeling and why is he at

guys know this feeling and why is he at a certain phase of our lives we think

a certain phase of our lives we think

a certain phase of our lives we think it’s really awesome to collect a cone

it’s really awesome to collect a cone

it’s really awesome to collect a cone and take it home I don’t I don’t

and take it home I don’t I don’t

and take it home I don’t I don’t understand that and so strange

yeah I really resonated right and so you

yeah I really resonated right and so you know we lived in hell basically right

know we lived in hell basically right

know we lived in hell basically right this was our house we lived in absolute

this was our house we lived in absolute

this was our house we lived in absolute hell we were complete losers in every

hell we were complete losers in every

hell we were complete losers in every possible way

possible way

possible way our procrastination meters were through

our procrastination meters were through

our procrastination meters were through the roof we didn’t do any workout sites

the roof we didn’t do any workout sites

the roof we didn’t do any workout sites either you’re resonating with all this

either you’re resonating with all this

either you’re resonating with all this stuff and what’s interesting is now my

stuff and what’s interesting is now my

stuff and what’s interesting is now my job as you just heard is I have to teach

job as you just heard is I have to teach

job as you just heard is I have to teach innovation right so it’s an amazing

innovation right so it’s an amazing

innovation right so it’s an amazing situation I don’t know how this happened

situation I don’t know how this happened

situation I don’t know how this happened well basically this complete loser is

well basically this complete loser is

well basically this complete loser is now the guy that’s supposed to go and

now the guy that’s supposed to go and

now the guy that’s supposed to go and tell you no and I’ve worked with the

tell you no and I’ve worked with the

tell you no and I’ve worked with the biggest celebrities in the world the

biggest celebrities in the world the

biggest celebrities in the world the biggest CEOs in the world and basically

biggest CEOs in the world and basically

biggest CEOs in the world and basically I’ve realized that innovation is kind of

I’ve realized that innovation is kind of

I’ve realized that innovation is kind of BS unless it comes down to change and

BS unless it comes down to change and

BS unless it comes down to change and what’s interesting is if I can change

what’s interesting is if I can change

what’s interesting is if I can change anybody on this planet can change okay

anybody on this planet can change okay

anybody on this planet can change okay and so what my current job is now is

and so what my current job is now is

and so what my current job is now is basically I go and meet with leaders you

basically I go and meet with leaders you

basically I go and meet with leaders you know I’ve met with some of them you know

know I’ve met with some of them you know

know I’ve met with some of them you know like I said some of the biggest CEOs and

like I said some of the biggest CEOs and

like I said some of the biggest CEOs and the biggest celebrities in the world and

the biggest celebrities in the world and

the biggest celebrities in the world and governments and politicians and I

governments and politicians and I

governments and politicians and I basically go in and I they say can you

basically go in and I they say can you

basically go in and I they say can you please change this person who just does

please change this person who just does

please change this person who just does not want to change and but what’s

not want to change and but what’s

not want to change and but what’s interesting and this is the kind of

interesting and this is the kind of

interesting and this is the kind of serious point is that technology as Lulu

serious point is that technology as Lulu

serious point is that technology as Lulu was saying a bit earlier technology is

was saying a bit earlier technology is

was saying a bit earlier technology is growing at such a rate because of

growing at such a rate because of

growing at such a rate because of Moore’s law and another another

Moore’s law and another another

Moore’s law and another another incredibly exit you know extremely extra

incredibly exit you know extremely extra

incredibly exit you know extremely extra thermic reactions to the way the world

thermic reactions to the way the world

thermic reactions to the way the world is changing our human adaptability our

is changing our human adaptability our

is changing our human adaptability our ability to change isn’t able to keep up

ability to change isn’t able to keep up

ability to change isn’t able to keep up so this is actually why I think this

so this is actually why I think this

so this is actually why I think this information I’m about to give you is

information I’m about to give you is

information I’m about to give you is actually really really powerful and

actually really really powerful and

actually really really powerful and important

important

important because literally at this point in

because literally at this point in

because literally at this point in history we cannot keep up with the rate

history we cannot keep up with the rate

history we cannot keep up with the rate of change and it’s going to get faster

of change and it’s going to get faster

of change and it’s going to get faster and faster and faster

and faster and faster

and faster and faster now obviously this is worrying for you

now obviously this is worrying for you

now obviously this is worrying for you know the mr. Burns’s and the CEOs of the

know the mr. Burns’s and the CEOs of the

know the mr. Burns’s and the CEOs of the world but much more importantly it’s

world but much more importantly it’s

world but much more importantly it’s worrying for every single business on

worrying for every single business on

worrying for every single business on the planet and for every single human

the planet and for every single human

the planet and for every single human being on the planet you guys are

being on the planet you guys are

being on the planet you guys are probably training to do things that may

probably training to do things that may

probably training to do things that may not exist in 15 years time I I do a job

not exist in 15 years time I I do a job

not exist in 15 years time I I do a job now that you know my careers advisor

now that you know my careers advisor

now that you know my careers advisor didn’t there was no such thing as being

didn’t there was no such thing as being

didn’t there was no such thing as being the head of innovation anyway so it’s an

the head of innovation anyway so it’s an

the head of innovation anyway so it’s an incredible moment but what we need to

incredible moment but what we need to

incredible moment but what we need to think is how do we update our human

think is how do we update our human

think is how do we update our human operating systems so that the rate of

operating systems so that the rate of

operating systems so that the rate of change isn’t going to get ahead of us

change isn’t going to get ahead of us

change isn’t going to get ahead of us ahead of us ahead of us and leave us in

ahead of us ahead of us and leave us in

ahead of us ahead of us and leave us in a really bad situation so the common way

a really bad situation so the common way

a really bad situation so the common way to do this and because it’s nearly

to do this and because it’s nearly

to do this and because it’s nearly January is this right you know this one

January is this right you know this one

January is this right you know this one don’t you

don’t you

don’t you everyone’s like oh yeah that thing and

everyone’s like oh yeah that thing and

everyone’s like oh yeah that thing and you sit down around January the first

you sit down around January the first

you sit down around January the first you like this year it’ll be different

you like this year it’ll be different

you like this year it’ll be different you get rid of the cone right no I don’t

you get rid of the cone right no I don’t

you get rid of the cone right no I don’t need that anymore I’m growing out of

need that anymore I’m growing out of

need that anymore I’m growing out of that and you write down all these goals

that and you write down all these goals

that and you write down all these goals and all these things you want to achieve

and all these things you want to achieve

and all these things you want to achieve right and then you’re told will power

right and then you’re told will power

right and then you’re told will power will power will get you there and then

will power will get you there and then

will power will get you there and then you say my name is will power for like

you say my name is will power for like

you say my name is will power for like three days you are will power and you’re

three days you are will power and you’re

three days you are will power and you’re walking around and whatever that thing

walking around and whatever that thing

walking around and whatever that thing that you’re supposed to do is you did it

that you’re supposed to do is you did it

that you’re supposed to do is you did it and the thing you’re not supposed to do

and the thing you’re not supposed to do

and the thing you’re not supposed to do you don’t do and then suddenly you go ah

you don’t do and then suddenly you go ah

you don’t do and then suddenly you go ah I’m gonna read some books and so you get

I’m gonna read some books and so you get

I’m gonna read some books and so you get what the kind of success literature in

what the kind of success literature in

what the kind of success literature in you go on LinkedIn and five productivity

you go on LinkedIn and five productivity

you go on LinkedIn and five productivity hacks of Elon Musk and you go yeah

hacks of Elon Musk and you go yeah

hacks of Elon Musk and you go yeah amazing it’s amazing

amazing it’s amazing

amazing it’s amazing I’m absolutely killing life right and

I’m absolutely killing life right and

I’m absolutely killing life right and then you get into this hacker mentality

then you get into this hacker mentality

then you get into this hacker mentality and everyone is you know you read

and everyone is you know you read

and everyone is you know you read Silicon Valley stuff you start eating

Silicon Valley stuff you start eating

Silicon Valley stuff you start eating food that they grow on the moon and

food that they grow on the moon and

food that they grow on the moon and anyway I’ve you can tell I was drinking

anyway I’ve you can tell I was drinking

anyway I’ve you can tell I was drinking last night

last night

last night and and then life comes along and just

and and then life comes along and just

and and then life comes along and just goes bang because everybody has a plan

goes bang because everybody has a plan

goes bang because everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face right

until they get punched in the face right

until they get punched in the face right and so what we realize is you know this

and so what we realize is you know this

and so what we realize is you know this is my contention I read every one of

is my contention I read every one of

is my contention I read every one of those books I did everything apart from

those books I did everything apart from

those books I did everything apart from eat the food from the moon because that

eat the food from the moon because that

eat the food from the moon because that doesn’t even exist and it just honestly

doesn’t even exist and it just honestly

doesn’t even exist and it just honestly does not work right it’s time to take a

does not work right it’s time to take a

does not work right it’s time to take a breath and accept

breath and accept

breath and accept but it is another trap this whole

but it is another trap this whole

but it is another trap this whole billion dollar success literature

billion dollar success literature

billion dollar success literature industry the whole I have to say 95% of

industry the whole I have to say 95% of

industry the whole I have to say 95% of TED Talks everything about hacking and

TED Talks everything about hacking and

TED Talks everything about hacking and changing and trying to alter yourself

changing and trying to alter yourself

changing and trying to alter yourself from the inside it doesn’t work okay

from the inside it doesn’t work okay

from the inside it doesn’t work okay sorry to bear this news and you can see

sorry to bear this news and you can see

sorry to bear this news and you can see why Ted have not decided to publish

why Ted have not decided to publish

why Ted have not decided to publish previous TED Talks

previous TED Talks

previous TED Talks and and you know why it’s a function of

and and you know why it’s a function of

and and you know why it’s a function of time in the film interstellar there’s a

time in the film interstellar there’s a

time in the film interstellar there’s a great line where you notice the old the

great line where you notice the old the

great line where you notice the old the old scientist has asked you know who’s

old scientist has asked you know who’s

old scientist has asked you know who’s your enemy essentially what you afraid

your enemy essentially what you afraid

your enemy essentially what you afraid of me says I’m afraid of time this is

of me says I’m afraid of time this is

of me says I’m afraid of time this is going to get a little bit conceptual but

going to get a little bit conceptual but

going to get a little bit conceptual but we constantly think that this person

we constantly think that this person

we constantly think that this person that it’s going to do all these things

that it’s going to do all these things

that it’s going to do all these things that the five productivity hacks that we

that the five productivity hacks that we

that the five productivity hacks that we read on LinkedIn said to do is to get

read on LinkedIn said to do is to get

read on LinkedIn said to do is to get this person that we’re going to be

this person that we’re going to be

this person that we’re going to be tomorrow right

tomorrow right

tomorrow right but tomorrow is this place this

but tomorrow is this place this

but tomorrow is this place this fictional land where 99% of all human

fictional land where 99% of all human

fictional land where 99% of all human productivity happens but when it

productivity happens but when it

productivity happens but when it actually comes it’s just the now again

actually comes it’s just the now again

actually comes it’s just the now again and we’re the same person

and we’re the same person

and we’re the same person so this version of ourselves

so this version of ourselves

so this version of ourselves so we set ourselves up with like I’m

so we set ourselves up with like I’m

so we set ourselves up with like I’m going to be this person I’m going to go

going to be this person I’m going to go

going to be this person I’m going to go to the gym I’m going to stop collecting

to the gym I’m going to stop collecting

to the gym I’m going to stop collecting cones I’m gonna do whatever it is right

cones I’m gonna do whatever it is right

cones I’m gonna do whatever it is right but when that moment comes it’s for now

but when that moment comes it’s for now

but when that moment comes it’s for now and we’re the same person

and we’re the same person

and we’re the same person so we think with this guy but we’re this

so we think with this guy but we’re this

so we think with this guy but we’re this guy and what’s really interesting is

guy and what’s really interesting is

guy and what’s really interesting is we’ve been told you know this is the

we’ve been told you know this is the

we’ve been told you know this is the information age we’ve been told that

information age we’ve been told that

information age we’ve been told that more information can solve this problem

more information can solve this problem

more information can solve this problem so we read more and we think I’m going

so we read more and we think I’m going

so we read more and we think I’m going to download more audiobooks and then

to download more audiobooks and then

to download more audiobooks and then I’ve got friends that listen to

I’ve got friends that listen to

I’ve got friends that listen to audiobooks at like three times the speed

audiobooks at like three times the speed

audiobooks at like three times the speed so they can consume more information so

so they can consume more information so

so they can consume more information so they can learn more so they can change

they can learn more so they can change

they can learn more so they can change but that doesn’t create change as

but that doesn’t create change as

but that doesn’t create change as someone just went yeah it’s one guy dad

anyway so we’re really in this and I

anyway so we’re really in this and I fundamentally believe it’s a trap and I

fundamentally believe it’s a trap and I

fundamentally believe it’s a trap and I think it’s a very profitable trap for a

think it’s a very profitable trap for a

think it’s a very profitable trap for a lot of people so we’re told if you

lot of people so we’re told if you

lot of people so we’re told if you consume more information if you read

consume more information if you read

consume more information if you read that other book I’ll have you read then

that other book I’ll have you read then

that other book I’ll have you read then you stop oh yeah well if you read the

you stop oh yeah well if you read the

you stop oh yeah well if you read the other one the long long tail I don’t

other one the long long tail I don’t

other one the long long tail I don’t know you

know you

know you you’ve got to read this one well and I’m

you’ve got to read this one well and I’m

you’ve got to read this one well and I’m not saying don’t read I mean I’ve never

not saying don’t read I mean I’ve never

not saying don’t read I mean I’ve never done any reading number doing me any

done any reading number doing me any

done any reading number doing me any harm but whatever but the point is it’s

harm but whatever but the point is it’s

harm but whatever but the point is it’s a fundamental situation when we have to

a fundamental situation when we have to

a fundamental situation when we have to accept that we don’t need any more

accept that we don’t need any more

accept that we don’t need any more information I’ve learnt from teaching

information I’ve learnt from teaching

information I’ve learnt from teaching celebrities CEOs governments you know

celebrities CEOs governments you know

celebrities CEOs governments you know even politicians how to change and how

even politicians how to change and how

even politicians how to change and how to move with technology is they don’t

to move with technology is they don’t

to move with technology is they don’t need me to come in and tell them more

need me to come in and tell them more

need me to come in and tell them more stuff they know what they’ve got to do

stuff they know what they’ve got to do

stuff they know what they’ve got to do like you all know what you need to do to

like you all know what you need to do to

like you all know what you need to do to pass through exams and all the things

pass through exams and all the things

pass through exams and all the things you need to do to do the be the people

you need to do to do the be the people

you need to do to do the be the people you are the question is will you do them

you are the question is will you do them

you are the question is will you do them so at certain point you’ve got to kind

so at certain point you’ve got to kind

so at certain point you’ve got to kind of fess up to this it’s you versus you

of fess up to this it’s you versus you

of fess up to this it’s you versus you and I’m not certain that the version of

and I’m not certain that the version of

and I’m not certain that the version of you that you think you want to be and

you that you think you want to be and

you that you think you want to be and the version of you that acts in the way

the version of you that acts in the way

the version of you that acts in the way that you’re not so happy with I’m not

that you’re not so happy with I’m not

that you’re not so happy with I’m not sure that those two can honestly be said

sure that those two can honestly be said

sure that those two can honestly be said to be the same continuous self over time

to be the same continuous self over time

to be the same continuous self over time it’s more actually I think we might be

it’s more actually I think we might be

it’s more actually I think we might be modelling this wrong and I think

modelling this wrong and I think

modelling this wrong and I think economics the economic paradigm has

economics the economic paradigm has

economics the economic paradigm has given us this Homo economicus kind of

given us this Homo economicus kind of

given us this Homo economicus kind of you know transient preference all doing

you know transient preference all doing

you know transient preference all doing they call it it’s basically the same

they call it it’s basically the same

they call it it’s basically the same person now as we will be at 2 o’clock in

person now as we will be at 2 o’clock in

person now as we will be at 2 o’clock in the morning you’ll see at 2 o’clock in

the morning you’ll see at 2 o’clock in

the morning you’ll see at 2 o’clock in the morning at the after party I will

the morning at the after party I will

the morning at the after party I will not be the same person so I’m just going

not be the same person so I’m just going

not be the same person so I’m just going to be totally honest with you I went

to be totally honest with you I went

to be totally honest with you I went through a period where I was very very

through a period where I was very very

through a period where I was very very very affected by this I was reading

very affected by this I was reading

very affected by this I was reading everything there was to read I was

everything there was to read I was

everything there was to read I was really getting into all this stuff and

really getting into all this stuff and

really getting into all this stuff and it wasn’t working for me I was my

it wasn’t working for me I was my

it wasn’t working for me I was my procrastination me it was through the

procrastination me it was through the

procrastination me it was through the roof roof as I said and I really

roof roof as I said and I really

roof roof as I said and I really honestly began to sell flows I thought I

honestly began to sell flows I thought I

honestly began to sell flows I thought I knew I could and I knew what I needed to

knew I could and I knew what I needed to

knew I could and I knew what I needed to do but I just wasn’t doing any of it and

do but I just wasn’t doing any of it and

do but I just wasn’t doing any of it and instead of doing it I would read more

instead of doing it I would read more

instead of doing it I would read more and so actually I started to get to the

and so actually I started to get to the

and so actually I started to get to the point what I was suffering from

point what I was suffering from

point what I was suffering from unbelievable anxiety and and panic

unbelievable anxiety and and panic

unbelievable anxiety and and panic attacks and I’d be sitting there and it

attacks and I’d be sitting there and it

attacks and I’d be sitting there and it was basically because I literally

was basically because I literally

was basically because I literally chronically was building up this

chronically was building up this

chronically was building up this expectation of who I was supposed to be

expectation of who I was supposed to be

expectation of who I was supposed to be or what I was supposed to do and

or what I was supposed to do and

or what I was supposed to do and never ever delivering on that

never ever delivering on that

never ever delivering on that expectation and I hope this is therapy

expectation and I hope this is therapy

expectation and I hope this is therapy because I think we never talked about

because I think we never talked about

because I think we never talked about this we’re told that we’re supposed to

this we’re told that we’re supposed to

this we’re told that we’re supposed to always feel like yeah we’re moving

always feel like yeah we’re moving

always feel like yeah we’re moving forward and the BS that we tell each

forward and the BS that we tell each

forward and the BS that we tell each other was yeah you know it’s not going

other was yeah you know it’s not going

other was yeah you know it’s not going well actually but I think that we’re

well actually but I think that we’re

well actually but I think that we’re building this anxiety and the moment

building this anxiety and the moment

building this anxiety and the moment that it really kind of changed for me

that it really kind of changed for me

that it really kind of changed for me was my Nana you can see in the middle

was my Nana you can see in the middle

was my Nana you can see in the middle here and you can see my brother and me

here and you can see my brother and me

here and you can see my brother and me and my family running around this is my

and my family running around this is my

and my family running around this is my family so you can see kind of where I’m

family so you can see kind of where I’m

family so you can see kind of where I’m coming from really and my Nana was

coming from really and my Nana was

coming from really and my Nana was diagnosed with cancer and I’ll never

diagnosed with cancer and I’ll never

diagnosed with cancer and I’ll never forget this my mum I’m a Nana had a chat

forget this my mum I’m a Nana had a chat

forget this my mum I’m a Nana had a chat and the Nana said she would love when

and the Nana said she would love when

and the Nana said she would love when she’s in the hospital to have a little

she’s in the hospital to have a little

she’s in the hospital to have a little tape back in the day of music so you

tape back in the day of music so you

tape back in the day of music so you know she couldn’t use iTunes doing this

know she couldn’t use iTunes doing this

know she couldn’t use iTunes doing this stuff so my brother and I said we will

stuff so my brother and I said we will

stuff so my brother and I said we will make you this tape and we will get it to

make you this tape and we will get it to

make you this tape and we will get it to you in your hospital bed and my mum

you in your hospital bed and my mum

you in your hospital bed and my mum phoned of a couple of tensions at Nana’s

phoned of a couple of tensions at Nana’s

phoned of a couple of tensions at Nana’s really looking forward to that tape it’s

really looking forward to that tape it’s

really looking forward to that tape it’s gonna be great like can you can you can

gonna be great like can you can you can

gonna be great like can you can you can you hurry up though because you know

you hurry up though because you know

you hurry up though because you know she’s not well and we said yeah yeah

she’s not well and we said yeah yeah

she’s not well and we said yeah yeah went out on another night out got Conan

went out on another night out got Conan

went out on another night out got Conan Doyle at home and went crazy and did

Doyle at home and went crazy and did

Doyle at home and went crazy and did other things and kept procrastinating

other things and kept procrastinating

other things and kept procrastinating kept the crass name kept putting it off

kept the crass name kept putting it off

kept the crass name kept putting it off kept putting it off

kept putting it off

kept putting it off remember Nana sent him on the phone

remember Nana sent him on the phone

remember Nana sent him on the phone loved that tape I’m literally in this

loved that tape I’m literally in this

loved that tape I’m literally in this hospital room all on my own all the time

hospital room all on my own all the time

hospital room all on my own all the time is you know really appreciate that tape

is you know really appreciate that tape

is you know really appreciate that tape yeah sure we’ll definitely do it

yeah sure we’ll definitely do it

yeah sure we’ll definitely do it tomorrow

tomorrow

tomorrow absolutely you know what’s gonna happen

absolutely you know what’s gonna happen

absolutely you know what’s gonna happen right one day

right one day

right one day mum called and said Nana’s gone no don’t

mum called and said Nana’s gone no don’t

mum called and said Nana’s gone no don’t worry about the tape and that was the

worry about the tape and that was the

worry about the tape and that was the final straw me and my brother just went

final straw me and my brother just went

final straw me and my brother just went this is it we have procrastinated our

this is it we have procrastinated our

this is it we have procrastinated our way through 95% of our life we’ve sucked

way through 95% of our life we’ve sucked

way through 95% of our life we’ve sucked both suffering from crippling anxiety

both suffering from crippling anxiety

both suffering from crippling anxiety and now the one person that we

and now the one person that we

and now the one person that we absolutely loved that we owed something

absolutely loved that we owed something

absolutely loved that we owed something – we didn’t do because we were caught in

– we didn’t do because we were caught in

– we didn’t do because we were caught in the in the moment and it was going to be

the in the moment and it was going to be

the in the moment and it was going to be this future self that was going to do it

this future self that was going to do it

this future self that was going to do it that never arrived

that never arrived

that never arrived so this mixtape really changed things

so this mixtape really changed things

so this mixtape really changed things and we really tore apart in the middle

and we really tore apart in the middle

and we really tore apart in the middle and said write never again

and said write never again

and said write never again and we basically found through research

and we basically found through research

and we basically found through research research this global subculture of

research this global subculture of

research this global subculture of people who actually this was back in the

people who actually this was back in the

people who actually this was back in the days of the dark web and you could get

days of the dark web and you could get

days of the dark web and you could get on there quite easily and do sorts of

on there quite easily and do sorts of

on there quite easily and do sorts of things and anyway that’s enough now and

things and anyway that’s enough now and

things and anyway that’s enough now and I’ll submit to am and and what we

I’ll submit to am and and what we

I’ll submit to am and and what we realized was that from Silicon Valley to

realized was that from Silicon Valley to

realized was that from Silicon Valley to Shanghai there are people with a system

Shanghai there are people with a system

Shanghai there are people with a system that doesn’t run anything like the

that doesn’t run anything like the

that doesn’t run anything like the system we talked about just a min ago

system we talked about just a min ago

system we talked about just a min ago and this system is called locking and I

and this system is called locking and I

and this system is called locking and I want to give you this this is a

want to give you this this is a

want to give you this this is a dangerous idea okay this is this is the

dangerous idea okay this is this is the

dangerous idea okay this is this is the dangerous bit lock-in is one of those

dangerous bit lock-in is one of those

dangerous bit lock-in is one of those things where if you want to go down the

things where if you want to go down the

things where if you want to go down the rabbit hole you can go all the way down

rabbit hole you can go all the way down

rabbit hole you can go all the way down so this is kind of cover your ears if

so this is kind of cover your ears if

so this is kind of cover your ears if you don’t hear anymore

you don’t hear anymore

you don’t hear anymore lock-in takes the idea that we are not

lock-in takes the idea that we are not

lock-in takes the idea that we are not the same person over time very very

the same person over time very very

the same person over time very very seriously and it basically says that the

seriously and it basically says that the

seriously and it basically says that the person you are at time a is a very

person you are at time a is a very

person you are at time a is a very fundamentally different person that you

fundamentally different person that you

fundamentally different person that you could be at time be because of your

could be at time be because of your

could be at time be because of your preferences and the way that you’re set

preferences and the way that you’re set

preferences and the way that you’re set up and basically those as I said you

up and basically those as I said you

up and basically those as I said you know you have a critical self a self

know you have a critical self a self

know you have a critical self a self knows you’ve got to make that tape for

knows you’ve got to make that tape for

knows you’ve got to make that tape for your Nana and knows you’ve got to do

your Nana and knows you’ve got to do

your Nana and knows you’ve got to do that work knows you’ve got to do your

that work knows you’ve got to do your

that work knows you’ve got to do your TED talk tomorrow and not go out on the

TED talk tomorrow and not go out on the

TED talk tomorrow and not go out on the night before like I did and an

night before like I did and an

night before like I did and an experienced yourself that wants to live

experienced yourself that wants to live

experienced yourself that wants to live in the now

in the now

in the now so this future self this critical self

so this future self this critical self

so this future self this critical self that knows what it needs to do and

that knows what it needs to do and

that knows what it needs to do and consists consider time and this myopic

consists consider time and this myopic

consists consider time and this myopic experience yourself that wants to

experience yourself that wants to

experience yourself that wants to maximize in the present moment and they

maximize in the present moment and they

maximize in the present moment and they as I said are not friends this is a very

as I said are not friends this is a very

as I said are not friends this is a very famous footballer George best you can

famous footballer George best you can

famous footballer George best you can see him having his experience himself on

see him having his experience himself on

see him having his experience himself on the left-hand side here and his critical

the left-hand side here and his critical

the left-hand side here and his critical self was the one that paid so you have

self was the one that paid so you have

self was the one that paid so you have this moment where you have something

this moment where you have something

this moment where you have something that’s what we call in law a

that’s what we call in law a

that’s what we call in law a distributional issue of justice over

distributional issue of justice over

distributional issue of justice over time well that basically means is that

time well that basically means is that

time well that basically means is that you maximize so much at one moment that

you maximize so much at one moment that

you maximize so much at one moment that you completely take from the futures

you completely take from the futures

you completely take from the futures that and the person you take from is

that and the person you take from is

that and the person you take from is yourself in the future so smoking

yourself in the future so smoking

yourself in the future so smoking drinking all these things they

drinking all these things they

drinking all these things they essentially take from someone but that

essentially take from someone but that

essentially take from someone but that someone is someone that you don’t have

someone is someone that you don’t have

someone is someone that you don’t have any relationship with yet but it’s you

any relationship with yet but it’s you

any relationship with yet but it’s you so this becomes this really metaphysical

so this becomes this really metaphysical

so this becomes this really metaphysical thing and it was really interesting when

thing and it was really interesting when

thing and it was really interesting when George Best’s died he you know he

George Best’s died he you know he

George Best’s died he you know he literally wrote this this this thing

literally wrote this this this thing

literally wrote this this this thing saying don’t do this and so we started

saying don’t do this and so we started

saying don’t do this and so we started researching this and going really deep

researching this and going really deep

researching this and going really deep into this and there’s actually this

into this and there’s actually this

into this and there’s actually this thing in demonology where in in Judaism

thing in demonology where in in Judaism

thing in demonology where in in Judaism is this demon called the yet sir

is this demon called the yet sir

is this demon called the yet sir and the yet sir basically pulls you away

and the yet sir basically pulls you away

and the yet sir basically pulls you away from the self that you could be into

from the self that you could be into

from the self that you could be into this this this more this this far lower

this this this more this this far lower

this this this more this this far lower self that actually tears your life apart

self that actually tears your life apart

self that actually tears your life apart so actually we started to take this idea

so actually we started to take this idea

so actually we started to take this idea really really seriously and if you look

really really seriously and if you look

really really seriously and if you look at it personal decisions are now the

at it personal decisions are now the

at it personal decisions are now the leading cause of death and you have this

leading cause of death and you have this

leading cause of death and you have this situation where whatever it is that

situation where whatever it is that

situation where whatever it is that there was this distributional issue of

there was this distributional issue of

there was this distributional issue of justice that we have to deal with it’s

justice that we have to deal with it’s

justice that we have to deal with it’s causing so much angst so much pain and

causing so much angst so much pain and

causing so much angst so much pain and now with the economy changing so fast if

now with the economy changing so fast if

now with the economy changing so fast if we can’t find a way to upgrade ourselves

we can’t find a way to upgrade ourselves

we can’t find a way to upgrade ourselves we’re in deep deep deep trouble so

we’re in deep deep deep trouble so

we’re in deep deep deep trouble so that’s what I thought now is the time to

that’s what I thought now is the time to

that’s what I thought now is the time to bring this idea out and it makes sense

bring this idea out and it makes sense

bring this idea out and it makes sense because we’re foraging animals right we

because we’re foraging animals right we

because we’re foraging animals right we literally maximizing the moment because

literally maximizing the moment because

literally maximizing the moment because of our evolutionary psychology and like

of our evolutionary psychology and like

of our evolutionary psychology and like you know the classic example of this is

you know the classic example of this is

you know the classic example of this is Adam and Eve Adam and Eve got chucked

Adam and Eve Adam and Eve got chucked

Adam and Eve Adam and Eve got chucked out the Garden of Eden they got chucked

out the Garden of Eden they got chucked

out the Garden of Eden they got chucked out of paradise for an apple I mean

out of paradise for an apple I mean

out of paradise for an apple I mean maybe there’s a metaphor there which I

maybe there’s a metaphor there which I

maybe there’s a metaphor there which I haven’t got but you know there’s an

haven’t got but you know there’s an

haven’t got but you know there’s an Apple right and look they look like they

Apple right and look they look like they

Apple right and look they look like they fell out mom dad I’ll come on like but

fell out mom dad I’ll come on like but

fell out mom dad I’ll come on like but so what you end up is is it is this

so what you end up is is it is this

so what you end up is is it is this moment wait we forage we take what we

moment wait we forage we take what we

moment wait we forage we take what we can eat drink and be merry for tomorrow

can eat drink and be merry for tomorrow

can eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die so we’re constantly

we may die so we’re constantly

we may die so we’re constantly maximizing the present moment so how do

maximizing the present moment so how do

maximizing the present moment so how do you escape this demonic trap you’ve got

you escape this demonic trap you’ve got

you escape this demonic trap you’ve got to find a way to lock in your critical

to find a way to lock in your critical

to find a way to lock in your critical self yourself that knows what time what

self yourself that knows what time what

self yourself that knows what time what time is gonna is gonna require of it and

time is gonna is gonna require of it and

time is gonna is gonna require of it and lock in so when that werewolf self

lock in so when that werewolf self

lock in so when that werewolf self starts to come out you can’t let it

starts to come out you can’t let it

starts to come out you can’t let it control you and Ulysses is the classic

control you and Ulysses is the classic

control you and Ulysses is the classic example of this so Odysseus knew that

example of this so Odysseus knew that

example of this so Odysseus knew that the sirens were going to be calling him

the sirens were going to be calling him

the sirens were going to be calling him and he tied himself to the mast and told

and he tied himself to the mast and told

and he tied himself to the mast and told his men to completely ignore everything

his men to completely ignore everything

his men to completely ignore everything he said and this is this is game theory

he said and this is this is game theory

he said and this is this is game theory so in game through it’s all about mutual

so in game through it’s all about mutual

so in game through it’s all about mutual assured destruction it’s all about

assured destruction it’s all about

assured destruction it’s all about changing the payoff matrix so you’ve got

changing the payoff matrix so you’ve got

changing the payoff matrix so you’ve got to make it really expensive really

to make it really expensive really

to make it really expensive really painful and massively consequential if

painful and massively consequential if

painful and massively consequential if you don’t do what you know you must do

you don’t do what you know you must do

you don’t do what you know you must do so these things don’t work these things

so these things don’t work these things

so these things don’t work these things do and we built the world on contracts

do and we built the world on contracts

do and we built the world on contracts we built the commercial world that we

we built the commercial world that we

we built the commercial world that we live in on contracts I can contract with

live in on contracts I can contract with

live in on contracts I can contract with you about sorry about this but I can

you about sorry about this but I can

you about sorry about this but I can contract with you about anything almost

contract with you about anything almost

contract with you about anything almost right and we accept that there are

right and we accept that there are

right and we accept that there are penalties and punishments and

penalties and punishments and

penalties and punishments and enforceability to that contract

enforceability to that contract

enforceability to that contract consequences if I don’t come through

consequences if I don’t come through

consequences if I don’t come through with what I’m supposed to do but there’s

with what I’m supposed to do but there’s

with what I’m supposed to do but there’s no such thing as that with promises that

no such thing as that with promises that

no such thing as that with promises that you make to yourself so we started to

you make to yourself so we started to

you make to yourself so we started to say what if we support each other what

say what if we support each other what

say what if we support each other what if my brother makes a promise and I

if my brother makes a promise and I

if my brother makes a promise and I enforce it because promises without the

enforce it because promises without the

enforce it because promises without the sword are nothing but words and so this

sword are nothing but words and so this

sword are nothing but words and so this is the kind of Apocalypse Now if you’ve

is the kind of Apocalypse Now if you’ve

is the kind of Apocalypse Now if you’ve got to make fear your friend

got to make fear your friend

got to make fear your friend so you’ve got to be so afraid of not

so you’ve got to be so afraid of not

so you’ve got to be so afraid of not achieving that the cortes when he

achieving that the cortes when he

achieving that the cortes when he arrived in south america burnt all the

arrived in south america burnt all the

arrived in south america burnt all the ships so there was no way back for the

ships so there was no way back for the

ships so there was no way back for the men he made fear their friend there’s

men he made fear their friend there’s

men he made fear their friend there’s now ways of self excluding yourself from

now ways of self excluding yourself from

now ways of self excluding yourself from casinos so the you literally can’t get

casinos so the you literally can’t get

casinos so the you literally can’t get in and what will happen is this other

in and what will happen is this other

in and what will happen is this other version of yourself will try and fight

version of yourself will try and fight

version of yourself will try and fight back it’ll be like an exorcism right but

back it’ll be like an exorcism right but

back it’ll be like an exorcism right but eventually it’s gonna finish with this

eventually it’s gonna finish with this

eventually it’s gonna finish with this if you embrace the fact that it’s more

if you embrace the fact that it’s more

if you embrace the fact that it’s more terrifying to fail than it is to succeed

terrifying to fail than it is to succeed

terrifying to fail than it is to succeed you will achieve insane things and this

you will achieve insane things and this

you will achieve insane things and this was me at buckingham palace collecting

was me at buckingham palace collecting

was me at buckingham palace collecting an award this is my brother don’t to

an award this is my brother don’t to

an award this is my brother don’t to Harvard and and we only achieve this

Harvard and and we only achieve this

Harvard and and we only achieve this stuff through this and I just want to

stuff through this and I just want to

stuff through this and I just want to say if we can achieve anything and

say if we can achieve anything and

say if we can achieve anything and update the human operating system that

update the human operating system that

update the human operating system that fast

fast

fast I think there’s something in this for

I think there’s something in this for

I think there’s something in this for everyone and hopefully we can use this

everyone and hopefully we can use this

everyone and hopefully we can use this get a bit more specific about it and

get a bit more specific about it and

get a bit more specific about it and build into a system and actually try and

build into a system and actually try and

build into a system and actually try and try and update ourselves as far as

try and update ourselves as far as

try and update ourselves as far as technology is having us to update

technology is having us to update

technology is having us to update ourselves thanks so much guys Cheers

ourselves thanks so much guys Cheers

ourselves thanks so much guys Cheers [Applause]

”

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