Lex Fridman: Advice for young people

Summary

The 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.