Infinite Loops

Annie Duke — former professional poker player, decision strategist, and bestselling author — joins us for a deep conversation about why smart people so often make bad decisions. Annie explains why misinterpretation is more dangerous than misinformation, why data is often true but misleading, and how our brains are wired for certainty in a probabilistic world. From real-world media examples to investing, health decisions, and AI-generated insights, this episode explores how explanations feel satisfying — even when they're wrong.   Important links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Annie's website: https://www.annieduke.com/  

Jimmy Soni, CEO and editor in chief of Infinite Books, is back on Infinite Loops. We discuss what's broken in traditional publishing and how we're fixing it. We also dig into Jimmy's forthcoming book on Kobe Bryant, why the world needs more "problem authors," and why our goal is to make our authors millionaires. We explore why most industries optimize for prestige instead of outcomes, how digital distribution has reshaped attention, and why authors — and creators more broadly — have more leverage than they realize. Important Links: Infinite Books: https://www.infinitebooks.com/ Jimmy's X: https://x.com/jimmyasoni Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/   Books Mentioned: The Founders by Jimmy Soni A Mind at Play by Jimmy Soni The Dao of Kobe by Jimmy Soni (Upcoming) What Works on Wall Street by Jim O'Shaughnessy Invest Like the Best by Jim O'Shaughnessy How to Retire Rich by Jim O'Shaughnessy The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss The Almanac of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson (transcribed as "Naval Akan") Dispatches from Grief (Upcoming) Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant Slow Horses by Mick Herron The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

Happy Holidays! We're taking a short break from new episodes this week so you can focus on finishing that Christmas dinner. We'll be back next Thursday with something new. In the meantime, why not tuck into this conversation with Guy Spier from January 2024, which remains one of my favorites. Enjoy! _________________ Guy Spier runs the Aquamarine Fund, an "investment partnership closely modeled on the original Buffet Partnerships." He is also a podcast host, YouTube creator, author of The Education of a Value Investor and the host of the annual investment gathering VALUEx. He describes his life's project as "a quest for wealth, wisdom and enlightenment." Guy joins the show to discuss the differences between Switzerland and the US, how to unlock the British class system, what he learned from Warren Buffett, and MUCH more! Important Links: Guy's Website Guy's Twitter Guy's YouTube Channel 3Blue1Brown (YouTube Channel) Numberphile (YouTube Channel) Show Notes: The Differences Between New York, Switzerland & Paris Exploring the Dark Underbelly of New York Nightlife Psychedelics, Guns & Regulation The Advantages of Swiss Democracy Don't Short the United States The Branding Skill of the Royal Family Unlocking the Rules of the Class System Life Paths & Premeditation Luck, Opportunity & Non-Canonical Science Jim's Music Taste Mathematical Shenanigans Guy as Emperor of the World MORE! Books Mentioned: How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence; by Michael Pollan The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (a Little) Craziness and (a Lot Of) Success in America; by John Gartner Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want and Getting It; by Henriette Anne Klauser Invest Like The Best; by Jim O'Shaughnessy Outside, the Sky is Blue: The story of a family told with searing honesty, humour and love; by Christina Patterson

What if the invention that truly made us human wasn't the wheel, language, or even agriculture — but art? In this episode of Infinite Loops, we sit down with internationally renowned artist Vik Muniz to explore a radical and deeply human idea: that art — the ability to represent the world — may be humanity's most important invention after fire. Born in São Paulo and now collected by major museums around the world, Muniz reflects on his own life journey — from growing up in a Brazilian favela to redefining what art can be — and explains why the artwork is only ever half complete. The viewer finishes it.   #Art #Creativity #VicMuniz #Perception #Photography #Innovation #Documentary #Mindset #VisualArt #InfiniteLoops   Important links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Vik's website: https://vikmuniz.net/  

Artist Marc Dennis joins Jim O'Shaughnessy to explore the intersection of hyper-realism, humor, and the "meta-narrative." Marc shares his incredible non-linear journey—from accidentally starting a forest fire at age seven to becoming a tenured professor and eventually betting it all to become a full-time artist with no plan B. They discuss why the "key to failure" is trying to please everyone, how humor acts as a survival mechanism, and the crucial difference between perception and reality. Marc also offers a masterclass on intention, explaining why he plants hidden stories within his paintings and sharing the profound realization that you cannot love others until you love yourself. This conversation is a deep dive into the creative mind, offering insights on resilience, identity, and the art of betting on yourself. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack.   #Art #Creativity #Hyperrealism #Philosophy #MentalModels #Resilience #Humor #Psychology   Important Links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Marc's Website: http://www.marcdennis.com/ Marc's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcmennis/ Books mentioned: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius