Steve Jobs Secrets of Life

Summary

The speaker asserts that we're often told the world is fixed, but in fact everything comprising our lives was created by people no smarter than us, so we can mold and improve reality. Once realizing we can poke life and spur change, we can't see things the same. Though life feels set in place, it's erroneous to believe we're just here to live inside it without changing things. We can build, influence, lead impactful lives. Life is messed up in many ways, so once recognizing its malleability, we'll feel compelled to better it rather than passively exist.

Takeaways

• 😲 The world and your life are not fixed, they were created by people no smarter than you
• 😎 You have the power to influence and change the world around you
• 👷‍♂️ You can build things that others can use to change the world
• 🔨 If you try to change life, something will happen as a result
• 🌟 Life is messed up in many ways, so you should try to improve it
• 💡 Once you realize you can change the world, you will never see things the same way again
• 🎯 Your goal should be to embrace life, change it, improve it, and make your mark on it
• 😕 The notion that you just have to live inside the world as it is is wrong
• 🚀 You have immense potential to mold and shape the world around you
• 🌈 Discovering that you can change the world opens up new and exciting possibilities in life

Q & A

What does the speaker mean when he says 'the world is the way it is'?

The speaker is referring to the common belief that the world, including societal structures and norms, is fixed and unchangeable.

What does the speaker mean when he says to not 'bash into the walls too much'?

The speaker means that people tend to accept the world's limitations without trying to push beyond or change them.

Why does the speaker advocate for making your 'mark' on life instead of just living in it?

The speaker believes that life can be molded and shaped through human will and imagination, so we should seek to actively influence and improve the world instead of passively accepting it.

What is the 'simple fact' the speaker refers to?

The simple fact is that the world and societal structures were created by people no smarter than oneself, so one has the power to change and reshape them.

What wall is the speaker referring to when he says to not bash into them too much?

The 'walls' represent the limitations and widely-accepted norms that people tend to not question or try to change.

What does the speaker mean when he says you can 'poke life' and get something to 'pop out the other side'?

This figurative language means that by questioning, researching, and experimenting, you can gain new insights and possibilities beyond the status quo.

Why does the speaker seem to have a negative view of traditional life paths like having a family?

The speaker isn't necessarily criticizing traditional family life, but rather advocating that there are many more possibilities in life beyond convention if one recognizes their agency.

What capabilities come with the realization that you can change life?

The capabilities that come with this realization include influencing societal norms, innovating new systems and technology, reforming organizations and structures, and generally shaping the world.

Why does the speaker think this realization can make life 'kind of messed up'?

By recognizing the malleability of societal constructs, one also recognizes their arbitrary and imperfect nature, which can make life seem more complex.

Why do you think the speaker says you'll 'never be the same again' once you have this realization?

The speaker emphasizes the profoundly life-altering nature of recognizing one's agency to change the world - it fundamentally shifts one's worldview and sense of possibility.