Lex Fridman: Advice for young people

Lex Clips

5 Sept 202405:36

Summary

TLDRThe speaker addresses a 27-year-old's anxiety about pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, acknowledging his delayed graduation and the five-year commitment it entails. Drawing from personal experience, the speaker encourages embracing anxiety and pursuing passion, sharing his own non-traditional educational path and extracurricular explorations. He advises focusing on what one loves, even if it's unconventional, and recommends reading Kipling's 'If—' for guidance on perseverance and character. The message is one of encouragement to chase dreams with dedication and to strive for personal growth.

Takeaways

🎓 The individual is 27, recently graduated with a bachelor's degree, and is considering pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering, despite the anxiety about the age he would be when completing it.
🔬 He has a strong internal drive to be a scientist, which is a crucial aspect of his identity and passion.
🏫 The speaker shares a personal story of taking a non-traditional path in education, including engaging in various activities outside of their academic field.
🤸‍♂️ The speaker pursued interests like martial arts, writing, and music, which were not directly related to their academic or career goals.
📚 They took courses and conducted research out of pure curiosity and the joy of learning, even if it didn't contribute directly to their formal education.
💼 The speaker faced external pressures to hurry up and focus on a more traditional career path due to financial constraints and societal expectations.
😟 Despite the pressures and anxieties, the speaker suggests embracing the anxiety and using it as motivation to pursue one's passions.
🌟 The advice given is to pursue the desire to be a scientist wholeheartedly, find a good graduate school, and work with a good advisor to achieve great things.
📖 The speaker recommends reading 'If' by Rudyard Kipling for guidance on maintaining personal integrity and perseverance in the face of adversity.
💪 The message concludes with encouragement to strive for excellence in one's pursuits and to maintain a strong moral compass, regardless of external circumstances.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the 27-year-old gentleman in the audio message?
-The main concern is his anxiety about the future, particularly regarding the decision to pursue a graduate degree in biomedical engineering and the age he would be by the time he completes his PhD.
How old will the gentleman be when he finishes his PhD if he decides to pursue it?
-He would be 32 years old by the time he finishes his PhD.
What does the narrator suggest is the most important part of the gentleman's message?
-The narrator suggests that the most important part is the gentleman's inner feeling that he is a scientist.
What was the narrator's educational journey like, as mentioned in the script?
-The narrator attended Drex University for his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, and he took a non-standard path, including training in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, writing, and taking courses in literature and philosophy.
What advice does the narrator give to the gentleman regarding his anxiety?
-The narrator advises the gentleman not to run away from his anxiety but to lean into it and channel it into pursuing his passion for being a scientist.
What personal experiences does the narrator share to relate to the gentleman's situation?
-The narrator shares his own experiences of taking a long, non-traditional path in education and life, including pursuing hobbies and interests that were not directly related to his career.
What poem does the narrator recommend to the gentleman for guidance?
-The narrator recommends reading 'If' by Rudyard Kipling for guidance when feeling lost.
What is the overall message the narrator conveys to the gentleman about pursuing his dreams?
-The overall message is to pursue his dreams with unwavering dedication, to be a good person, and to embrace the unexpected chapters in life.
How does the narrator describe his own feelings of anxiety?
-The narrator admits to still feeling anxiety to this day, suggesting it is a common and ongoing part of life that should not deter one from pursuing their goals.
What is the significance of the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling in the context of the script?
-The poem 'If' is significant as it provides a set of virtues and behaviors that can guide one in times of uncertainty and when striving to be a better person, which aligns with the narrator's advice to the gentleman.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Pursuing Passion Amidst Anxiety

The speaker addresses a 27-year-old's anxiety about pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering after a delayed bachelor's degree completion. The individual is 32 by the time of graduation, which raises concerns about the investment. The speaker empathizes with the anxiety, sharing their own non-traditional educational path involving extracurricular activities and a diverse set of interests. They encourage the individual to embrace their passion for science, suggesting that following one's heart and pursuing a Ph.D. with dedication will lead to personal fulfillment, despite potential challenges. The speaker also recommends reading 'If' by Rudyard Kipling for guidance on perseverance and maintaining integrity.

05:01

🌍 Embracing Life's Fullness

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker summarizes the advice given, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's dreams and goals with unwavering dedication. They suggest that life may take unexpected turns, but as long as one is committed to their aspirations, positive outcomes will follow. The speaker also stresses the importance of being a good person, hinting at the timeless wisdom found in Kipling's poem 'If,' which serves as a guide for personal conduct and resilience. The paragraph ends with a note of gratitude for the listener's attention and an anticipation for the next encounter.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. In the context of the video, the caller expresses anxiety about pursuing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering due to the time and financial investment involved. The video's theme revolves around dealing with such anxiety by embracing one's passion and the pursuit of personal goals.

💡Grad School

Grad school refers to graduate school, an institution that offers advanced academic degrees beyond a bachelor's degree. The caller is considering attending grad school for a specialized field, which is a significant decision that contributes to the anxiety discussed in the video. The host encourages the caller to lean into their passion for science and consider grad school as part of that journey.

💡Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes. It is the specific field the caller is considering for further study. The video underscores the importance of following one's passion, which in this case is biomedical engineering, as a guiding principle for career decisions.

💡Investment

In the video, investment refers to the time, effort, and money required to pursue a graduate degree. The caller is concerned about the significant investment needed to complete a PhD, especially considering their age. The concept is used to highlight the potential risks and rewards associated with the pursuit of higher education and career goals.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion or feeling that compels one to do something. The caller identifies as a scientist at heart, indicating a deep-seated passion for the field. The video's message emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passion, suggesting that it can lead to personal fulfillment and success.

💡Non-Standard Path

A non-standard path refers to an unconventional or less traditional route to achieving one's goals. The host shares their own non-standard path, which included pursuing interests outside of their academic field and taking a longer time to complete their degrees. This concept is used to encourage the caller and viewers to embrace their unique journey, even if it diverges from the norm.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is the desire to learn or know more about something. The host mentions following their curiosity as a driving force behind their academic and personal pursuits. This keyword is tied to the video's theme of exploring one's interests and passions, even if they don't directly contribute to a specific career goal.

💡Dedication

Dedication is the commitment to a task or purpose. The video encourages unwavering dedication to one's dreams and goals, suggesting that this level of commitment can lead to success and personal growth. It is presented as a key factor in overcoming anxiety and achieving one's aspirations.

💡Unexpected Chapters

Unexpected chapters refer to unforeseen or surprising events and experiences in one's life. The host suggests that life may have unexpected chapters, but as long as one is dedicated to their dreams, good outcomes can result. This concept is used to reassure the caller that even if their path diverges from what they initially planned, it can still lead to a fulfilling life.

💡Being a Good Person

Being a good person implies having moral integrity, treating others with respect, and making positive contributions to society. The video concludes with a suggestion to strive to be a good person, indicating that personal character and ethics are important alongside professional achievements.

💡If by Roger Kipling

If by Roger Kipling is a poem that offers guidance on how to live a fulfilling life with integrity and resilience. The host recommends this poem as a source of inspiration and direction, particularly when facing challenges or feeling lost. It is used to encourage the caller to maintain their resolve and character in the pursuit of their goals.

Highlights

A 27-year-old man expresses anxiety about pursuing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering.

He mentions graduating late and the potential age of 32 upon completing a Ph.D.

Despite anxiety, he feels a strong inner calling to be a scientist.

The host shares a personal story of a non-traditional educational path.

Engaging in various activities like Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and writing poetry.

Taking non-required courses in literature, philosophy, and theoretical computer science.

The host's pursuit of curiosity and joy in exploring various fields.

Anxiety and the pressure to conform to a 'reasonable career' path.

Advice to lean into anxiety and channel it towards one's passions.

Encouragement to pursue a graduate degree and find a good adviser.

The possibility of life having unexpected chapters when following one's dreams.

The importance of being a good person in addition to professional pursuits.

Recommendation to read 'If' by Rudyard Kipling for guidance.

Quoting 'If' to illustrate the qualities of resilience and virtue.

The poem 'If' as a source of inspiration for maintaining integrity and perseverance.

Closing thoughts on the value of holding on and maintaining willpower.

A parting message of gratitude and a promise to continue the conversation next time.