The Life Changing Magic of The Experimental Mindset - AJ Jacobs

AJ is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, editor at Esquire Magazine, and maybe one of the most interesting people on the planet today.
His books include: “A Year of Living Biblically”' which documents his attempt to follow every single rule from the Bible as literally as possible, including stoning adulterers, not shaving his beard, and only wearing white; “The Know it All”, which is about reading the Encyclopedia from start to finish; as well as: “My Life as an Experiment”; “The Puzzler”, and “Drop Dead Healthy”.
In this conversation, we explore:
- What AJ learned from 2 months of radical honesty
- The value of boldness and the time AJ accused Oprah Winfrey of farting on set
- The puzzler mindset and the importance of replacing motivated reasoning with curiosity
- AJ’s thoughts on what it takes to write a good book.
And more.
You can learn more about AJ’s work and books by going to: ajjacobs.com. His latest book is: The Year of Living Constitutionally and it’s released in May of this year.
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A.J. Jacobs, acclaimed author, journalist, and lecturer, known for his humorous yet insightful writing style, has penned four New York Times bestsellers melding memoir, science, and self-help. He serves as editor at large at Esquire, a commentator on NPR, and a columnist for Mental Floss. Jacobs is renowned for his unique experiments, from reading the Encyclopedia Britannica to living by the Bible's rules, chronicled in his bestselling books. His latest work explores the global family tree's impact on society. A sought-after speaker, Jacobs has appeared on major media outlets and delivered TED talks. He resides in New York City with his family.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Puzzles to Perspectives
03:34 - Pushing Boundaries
14:37 - Gratitude & Goals
21:58 - Bold Risk-Taking
29:11 - Radical Honesty & Gratitude
39:30 - Overcoming Procrastination
42:52 - Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
47:56 - Rethinking Challenges
52:54 - Writing with Purpose
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Interview Links:
- AJ’s website - ajjacobs.com
- AJ's books - amzn.to/49Kf7oC

[@Andre-qo5ek]

regarding cousins... Tennessee wants to propose legalizing marrying first cousins... be careful out there.....

[@Abc-rx6tj]

Experiment is not philosophy

[@ryue65]

A thought provoking statement. My limited experience of Heidegger is that Experience ( and thus Experiment ) is central to his Dassein concept.
I asked Chat GPT to : critique / enhance / accept / rebut your statement. Thanks for the prompt:
Critique:
The statement “Experiment is not a philosophy” could be critiqued by arguing that experimentation often serves as a foundational principle within various philosophical frameworks. Philosophers such as Karl Popper emphasized the importance of experimentation in the scientific method, viewing it as a means of testing hypotheses and refining theories. Additionally, pragmatist philosophers like John Dewey and William James incorporated experimental inquiry into their philosophical methodologies, advocating for the empirical investigation of concepts and ideas. Therefore, to dismiss experimentation as separate from philosophy overlooks its integral role in shaping philosophical discourse and understanding.
Accept:
While it’s true that experimentation and philosophy are distinct domains, one could accept the statement by acknowledging that they serve different purposes and employ different methodologies. Philosophy often involves conceptual analysis, logical reasoning, and reflection on fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and values, whereas experimentation typically involves empirical observation, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. However, it’s essential to recognize that there can be significant overlap between the two disciplines, particularly in areas such as philosophy of science and experimental philosophy, where philosophical inquiry intersects with empirical research methods.
Enhance:
To enhance the statement, one could emphasize the complementary relationship between experimentation and philosophy. Rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive, they can enrich each other when integrated effectively. For instance, philosophical reflection can guide the design and interpretation of experiments by helping researchers clarify conceptual frameworks, identify relevant variables, and interpret findings within broader theoretical contexts. Likewise, experimental data can inform philosophical inquiry by providing empirical evidence to support or challenge philosophical claims and arguments. By embracing this synergy, practitioners can achieve a deeper understanding of both empirical phenomena and philosophical concepts.
Rebut:
A rebuttal to the statement could argue that experimentation embodies philosophical principles and is inseparable from philosophical inquiry. The scientific method, which relies heavily on experimentation, is grounded in philosophical assumptions about the nature of reality, the role of evidence, and the pursuit of knowledge. Moreover, philosophers throughout history, from Aristotle to Descartes to Kant, have engaged in empirical investigation and experimentation as part of their philosophical endeavors. Therefore, to assert that experiment is not a philosophy overlooks the philosophical underpinnings of empirical inquiry and its essential role in advancing philosophical understanding.

[@ryue65]

35:03 Wonder if this is the ‘Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test’ Book?