Big Think

• Former Uber exec explains how to turn failure into innovation | Emil Michael

  “You’re not punished for failing, you’re punished for not trying.” Former Uber exec Emil Michael on how to truly achieve success. Looking to bring Emil Michael’s insights to leaders across your company? Great. This video is part of an 11-part expert class on emotionally intelligent leadership and it’s available to organizations that subscribe to Big Think+. Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber, believes failure is vital to success. According to him, failure played a pivotal role in the stratospheric expansion that made Uber one of the world’s fastest-growing companies. Michael points to Uber's endeavors in China, where immense opportunities clashed with daunting operational costs, including intense competition with local rival DiDi. He delves into the complex decision-making by both himself and Uber’s founder, Travis Kalanick, that ultimately led it to merge with its competitor. Michael believes a high level of business acumen is required to transform setbacks into strategic victories. He encourages anyone trying to create something to embrace failure and harness their ambition to foster exponential growth. ----------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Sex education has left autistic people—and many others—behind | Emily Nagoski

  Our one-size-fits-all approach to sex education hasn't worked for a long time. Sex educator Emily Nagoski explains what we know (and don't know) about the role neurodiversity plays in intimacy. Sex educator Emily Nagoski discusses why we need to better understand the role of sex among neurodivergent people. Are the sexual needs of neurodivergent people different from those who are neurotypical? And if they are, how can we teach about it in a way that makes an impact? Nagoski believes it is time to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach to sex education that leaves neurodivergent people behind. Factors such as sensory sensitivities, social dynamics, and behavioral patterns likely shape their experiences, as well as that of their partners.  More in-depth research will not only help sex educators provide more inclusive guidance, but also help neurodivergent people, and the people who love them, have better sex. ----------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Everything does NOT happen for a reason | Brian Klaas

  “We control nothing but influence everything.” Political scientist Brian Klaas on how every decision we make - both massive and miniscule - shapes our futures. How does your entire life change when you decide, one morning, to hit the snooze button? How did one vacation to a Japanese city prevent it from a national attack? Political scientist Brian Klass explains what is commonly known as “the butterfly effect,” the idea that tiny changes divert the trajectory of our entire lives. These “ripples” show us that while nothing happens “for a reason,” every single thing we do matters. One random choice has the power to alter the course of history. These invisible “flukes” influence our lives, societies, and the world as we know it. Chapters: 0:00 The vacation 1:33 The noise 1:57 Everything doesn’t happen for a reason 2:20 Contingency vs. Convergence 3:00 The Snooze Button effect 4:35 The interconnectedness of life 6:20 Cosmic purpose vs. Accident ----------------------------------------------- About Brian Klaas: Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He is also the author five books, including Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (2024) and Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us (2021). Klaas writes the popular The Garden of Forking Paths Substack and created the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast, which has been downloaded roughly three million times. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Generative AI is not the panacea we’ve been promised | Eric Siegel for Big Think+

  There's an illusion around generative AI. 🤖 Headlines promise it’ll revolutionize everything, solve business problems, and displace workers. But that’s hype. Generative AI is *impressive*, yes — capable of first drafts, conversations, and mimicking human language. But it isn’t magic. It's not autonomous. You still need to proofread, verify, and correct it. ✍️ Meanwhile, **predictive AI** — the older cousin — quietly delivers real, measurable value. It improves operations by making **data-driven predictions** that inform decisions: - Who to market to 🛒 - Which transaction is likely fraud 💳 - Which train wheel or building might fail 🚂🔥 - Which patient might be readmitted 🏥 These predictions help prioritize and triage at scale — fast, autonomously, and effectively. Timestamps: 0:00 - The Generative AI illusion 1:05 - Generative AI’s function 3:13 - Generative vs. Predictive 4:21 - The Predictive AI process 6:57 - Moving towards AGI? I’m Eric Siegel — CEO of Goodr AI and author of *The AI Playbook*. I’ve watched AI hype evolve since the '80s, and I believe **value lies in action**. Predictive AI is the real engine behind enterprise optimization. Take UPS, for example. 📦 They use predictive AI to forecast tomorrow’s deliveries — even before all packages arrive — allowing for optimized routes and loading. The result? $350M saved yearly, and major emissions cuts. ♻️ It’s not about perfection. It’s about probability, scale, and deployment. Generative AI is amazing to watch — but if you're chasing **Artificial General Intelligence** (AGI), you're buying into a sci-fi dream. The real power of AI today? Concrete, credible, enterprise use cases. 🚀 Forget the hype. Focus on **what improves operations now** — and deploy it. About Eric Siegel: Eric Siegel is a leading consultant and former Columbia University and UVA Darden professor. He is the founder of the long-running Machine Learning Week conference series, a frequent keynote speaker, and author of "The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment," as well as the bestselling "Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die." Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Debunking doomerism: 4 futurists on why we’re actually not f*cked | Kevin Kelly & more

  Explore the future with visionaries Kevin Kelly, Peter Schwartz, Ari Wallach, and Tyler Cowen. While each is looking into the future through a different lens, they all share a belief in the power of optimism and proactive engagement as essential tools for overcoming today's challenges. Wallach introduces "Longpath," urging long-term thinking, while Kelly advocates for "Protopia," emphasizing gradual progress. Schwartz highlights scenario planning's importance, emphasizing curiosity and collaboration. Cowen reflects on America's progress and calls for urgency. Together, they stress empathy, transgenerational thinking, and diverse futures to collectively build a better tomorrow. The message: the future is a continuous creation requiring proactive, collective action. ----------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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