Before You WASTE Your Life Away, WATCH THIS! | Robert Greene

Introduction

In this section, Tom introduces Robert Greene and the topic of discussion.

Introducing Robert Greene

• Tom introduces Robert Greene as a best-selling author who has written many books.

• He mentions that Robert's work revolves around power, seduction, war, and the underlying nature of humanity.

• Tom expresses his excitement to have a conversation with Robert about the current culture of BS and the need for reality.

The Primitive Nature of Our Brains

In this section, Robert talks about how our brains are primitive in nature and how emotions tend to govern our thinking.

The Evolutionary Development of Our Brains

• Our brains haven't changed much over hundreds of thousands of years despite an exponential explosion in knowledge.

• The brain is structured hierarchically with primitive layers at the bottom and more evolved layers on top.

• We have the ability to think beyond our immediate circumstances but are still trapped in a primitive model due to evolution.

Emotions Governing Our Decisions

• Emotions tend to govern so much of our thinking because they're more powerful than signals from the frontal cortex.

• People in marketing know deeply how much emotions affect our decisions when we buy things. They call it the effective heuristic.

• We walk around thinking that we're making rational decisions when we're actually infected very deeply with emotions. This lack of awareness is dangerous.

Magical Thinking and a Culture of BS

In this section, Robert explains what he means by magical thinking and a culture of BS.

What is Magical Thinking?

• Humans are gifted with consciousness that allows us to contemplate possibilities beyond immediate circumstances.

• However, we don't know how to use our brains effectively due to their primitive nature.

• We feel emotions that tend to govern our thinking, and we're not aware of how deeply they affect our decisions.

The Culture of BS

• Robert refers to the current culture as a culture of BS where people are not honest with themselves or others.

• People tend to believe in things that aren't true because it's easier than facing reality.

• We need a nice slap of reality to wake us up from this culture of BS.

The Laws of Human Nature

In this section, Robert talks about his book "The Laws of Human Nature" and how it relates to the topic at hand.

The Laws of Human Nature

• "The Laws of Human Nature" is about how emotions govern our decisions and how we're not aware of it.

• We walk around thinking that we're making rational decisions when we're actually infected very deeply with emotions.

• The book aims to make people more aware of their emotional states so they can make better decisions.

Conclusion

In this section, Tom and Robert wrap up the conversation.

Wrapping Up

• Tom thanks Robert for coming on the show and sharing his insights.

• They briefly discuss some takeaways from the conversation, such as the importance of being aware of our emotional states.

The Importance of Emotions in Decision Making

In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of emotions in decision making and how they are essential to the rational process. They also talk about how people with brain damage that blocks their emotions cannot make decisions.

Emotions Trigger Rational Responses

• A study was done on a man who had no short-term memory due to brain damage. When he shook hands with a doctor who put a pin in his hand, he jerked back because it caused pain. Later, when the doctor tried to shake his hand again, he refused because he retained the fact that it caused pain.

• Our minds work rapidly to deliver socially acceptable reasons for why we're doing something when in reality, it's not why we're doing something.

• Emotions trigger dangerous responses like fear or excitement which is why we have them.

Importance of Analyzing Emotions

• People whose brains get damaged and no longer have access to their emotions cannot make decisions because they rely on an embodied feeling of one option being better than another.

• The ability to step back and analyze your emotions is key. You need distance from your emotions so you can tell yourself why you're feeling a certain way and whether it's proportional to the threat or opportunity.

Don't Repress Your Emotions

• Rationality is not about repressing your emotions but rather using them as triggers for rational responses.

• You don't try and repress your emotions because you can't write a book, start a business or make decisions without them.

Developing the Ability to Think Before Reacting

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of being able to think before reacting and how it can be developed through practice.

Practicing Self-Awareness

• Being aware of the source of your problem is crucial in developing self-awareness.

• Painful experiences in social situations are often psychological and can cause emotional reactions.

• Understanding that emotional reactions can lead to bad decisions and havoc motivates individuals to tackle their problems.

Techniques for Developing Self-Awareness

• Meditation is a powerful tool for developing self-awareness. It allows individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions from a distance.

• Journaling is another technique that helps individuals analyze themselves.

• The main thing is to train yourself by practicing self-awareness throughout the day.

Steps for Practicing Self-Awareness

• When something triggers an emotional response, step back and ask yourself what you're feeling, why you're feeling it, and what the roots of that emotion are.

• Analyze whether your emotions are real or just contagious from others' anger or frustration.

Understanding Yourself: Nuance in Emotional Responses

In this section, the speaker discusses how people can differentiate between past experiences and media influences when analyzing their emotional responses.

Differentiating Between Past Experiences and Media Influences

• Most people do not have a layer of nuance when it comes to understanding themselves emotionally.

• People should differentiate between past experiences that trigger emotions versus media influences that may be contagious.

Conclusion

The ability to think before reacting is a powerful tool that can be developed through practice. Practicing self-awareness and differentiating between past experiences and media influences are key steps in understanding oneself emotionally.

The Challenge of Self-Understanding

In this section, the speaker discusses the challenge of self-understanding in a world where information is coming at us so quickly.

The Impact of Information Overload

• Information overload makes it difficult to have self-understanding.

• There are many things that could be influencing us that we may be totally blind to.

• It's hard to discern all the different things that could be influencing us due to the amount of data coming at us so fast.

The Role of Conditioning

• Through meditation, the speaker realizes how deeply they have been conditioned by other people, what they hear, read and their environment.

• None of our thoughts totally come from ourselves as we inherit language and are conditioned by our parents and culture.

• Despite being conditioned, there is something that can be said is "me" - who you are, your needs and experience.

Social Media as a Prisoner

• Social media blasts us with information at incredible speeds filling our brains with junk and opinions that aren't necessarily ours.

• If we can't take breath breaks from social media then we're prisoners of it.

• Social media companies manipulate users through marketing tactics such as using controversial topics or certain colors/sounds to grab attention.

Taking Control

• To control social media, one must first turn off distractions and realize they've been conditioned by it.

• Instead of posting for attention or baiting rage, post about an actual idea that's been rationally thought out.

• By doing so, one can use social media for their own purposes and be in control of it.

Unwinding Conditioning for a Fulfilling Life

In this section, Robert Greene discusses the process of unwinding conditioning and how it can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Process of Unwinding Conditioning

• The key to unwinding conditioning is awareness.

• Analyzing instead of reacting is an enjoyable mental exercise that helps in recognizing and taking control of the conditioning process.

• Social media and media, in general, are designed to hit anger buttons. Being aware of this fact can help in analyzing reactions and avoiding getting sucked into pointless arguments.

• Analyzing reactions is exciting and self-empowering.

Enjoying Understanding Why People Do What They Do

In this section, Robert Greene talks about his enjoyment in understanding why people do what they do.

Enjoyment in Understanding Human Behavior

• Robert Greene enjoys understanding why people do what they do.

Understanding Power and Goals

In this section, Robert Greene discusses the concept of power and how it relates to achieving one's goals.

The Importance of Power

• Power is not a dirty word; it is the ability to have control over oneself and one's emotions in order to achieve goals.

• Humans naturally want power because we want control over our lives. Without power, we can become miserable and depressed.

• Power is knowledge, ideas, and understanding how to navigate a dangerous and competitive world.

Wasting Your Potential

• Wasting time on the internet or being affected by other people's emotions can erode your own power.

• Your power comes from realizing what makes you unique and different. Don't waste your potential by conforming to others' expectations.

• Tom has a unique idea for creating a new kind of empire that comes from within him. This uniqueness is his source of power.

Conclusion

• Spending time getting angry about things that don't matter corrodes your uniqueness and makes you conform like everyone else.

The Power of Uniqueness

In this section, the speaker talks about how being unique is a source of power and fulfillment.

Being Unique

• Being unique is what makes people successful.

• People who are successful are one of a kind and there's nobody else like them.

Don't Waste Your Time on Rage

In this section, the speaker advises against wasting time on rage and being manipulated.

Time Management

• Getting enraged and being manipulated wastes time.

• Life is shorter than you think.

Using Anger as a Tool

In this section, the speaker discusses how anger can be used as a tool to achieve goals.

Animus

• Having an animus can help to turn anger into something usable.

• Holding onto your anger enough to turn it into something usable can be powerful.

Reconciling Anger as Both Wasting Time and a Tool

In this section, the speaker discusses how anger can both waste time and be used as a tool.

Rage Management

• Anger can cause you to waste your life but also be a tool.

• Fanning the flames of anger towards something that makes sense can be useful.

Hypocrisy in Hollywood Propelled Speaker's Success

In this section, the speaker talks about his experiences in Hollywood and how they propelled him to success.

Experiences in Hollywood

• Worked in Hollywood from late 80s to mid 90s.

• Saw manipulative people and hypocrisy where it was all about power.

• Pissed off by hypocrisy which propelled him to success.

Sensitivity to Hypocrisy

In this section, the speaker talks about his sensitivity to people's hypocrisy.

Sensitivity

• Has always been sensitive to people's hypocrisy since he was a child.

• Irritated by people pretending to be something they're not.

• Knew from early on of his own flaws.

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Being Strategic with Your Dark Side

In this section, the speaker discusses how to be strategic when dealing with manipulative people and how to integrate one's dark side in a productive way.

Dealing with Manipulators

• The speaker suggests being strategic when dealing with manipulative people.

• Instead of simply reacting, one should consider the long-term repercussions of their actions and say something that will either show the manipulator what they're being like or take some kind of action that will thwart them.

• The speaker recommends asking questions about the manipulator's goals or expressing confusion about why they are upset as a way to diffuse the situation.

Integrating One's Dark Side

• The speaker explains that they use their dark side as energy when alone, such as thinking about people who want them to fail and using that anger to motivate themselves.

• The speaker emphasizes that it is important not to use one's dark side for destructive purposes but rather channel it into something productive.

• For example, if someone doubts you, you can use that doubt as motivation to achieve your goals.

• The speaker notes that they do not advocate hurting people and instead focus on making themselves feel good about who they are in an exchange.

Using Dark Energy to Create Something Productive

In this section, the speaker talks about how people can channel their negative emotions into something productive and create social movements. He also discusses how repressed emotions can be used to create art and attract people.

Channeling Negative Emotions

• People should use their negative emotions to start a movement instead of just venting on social media.

• Dark energy can be channeled into something productive and motivating.

• Don't be afraid of your dark side, but use it to motivate you.

Repressed Emotions in Art

• People are too worried about political correctness and offending others.

• Expressing repressed emotion in art is attractive and charismatic.

• There are cycles of conformism throughout history, but periods of looseness as well.

The Impact of PC Culture on Creativity

In this section, the speaker discusses whether or not PC culture is crushing creativity. He talks about his belief in cycles throughout history and his optimism that we will turn around from this moment.

PC Culture's Impact on Creativity

• Is PC culture crushing creativity?

• This moment is unlike anything seen before, but there have been moments like this throughout history.

• Humans always have codes and conventions for behavior, but there are moments of incredible looseness as well.

Optimism for the Future

• The speaker believes that our love for freedom will lead us out of this moment.

• Our brains have incredible capacity to think anything, which is a benefit of our human brain.

Hope for a Revolution

In this section, the speaker discusses the possibility of a revolution against identity politics and tribalism. He also talks about how political and cultural revolutions can have both positive and negative effects.

Possibility of Revolution

• The speaker believes that there will be an incredible reaction against identity politics and tribalism.

• He thinks that people will eventually get tired of it because it is repressive.

• The speaker acknowledges that political revolutions can happen for a reason when politics no longer serve people's interests.

• He also mentions that cultural revolutions are possible.

Positive and Negative Effects of Revolutions

• Political revolutions can have positive effects in the long run, but they can also be negative.

• The speaker encourages older generations to give young people space to create a new world without imposing their own values and judgments.

Generational Dynamics

In this section, the speaker talks about generational dynamics and how different generations move in predictable cycles. He also discusses the revolutionary generation and how millennials and Gen Z fit into this cycle.

Generational Cycles

• Preceding every crisis generation is the revolutionary generation.

• Millennials are often called the crisis generation, while Gen Z is seen as the natural torchbearers for the revolutionary generation.

Types of Revolution

• The speaker clarifies that revolution could mean literal overthrow of government or cultural revolution like what happened from 50's to 60's.

The Positive Nature of Change

In this section, the speaker discusses how change is positive and necessary for growth and innovation.

Change on a Cultural Level

• Gen Z could be a revolutionary generation that brings about change on a cultural level.

• The speaker believes that our politics are static and do not relate well to people's realities, so some political change would be healthy.

Agitating Spirit for Change

• The speaker talks about feeling uncomfortable with their parents' values and wanting something more personal.

• Change is always positive in nature and culture, even if it feels wrong or painful in the moment.

• Machiavelli's philosophy on change resonates with the speaker as they believe that change is extremely healthy.

Change for the Betterment of Humanity

• While there may be negative changes, overall, change is always positive because it drives innovation and progress throughout human evolution.

• The speaker believes that holding onto past values can be good but doesn't like black-and-white thinking where it's either change or holding onto the past.

Eternal Life vs. Constant Iteration

In this section, the speaker discusses their thoughts on eternal life versus constant iteration.

Nature Favors Adaptability to Change

• The speaker talks about how they used to want to live forever but started thinking about why nature hasn't favored one thing living forever.

• Jellyfish are an example of creatures that are truly eternal by collapsing back into an embryonic mush before growing back again.

• The speaker wonders if the reason nature hasn't favored eternal life is that it stagnates and doesn't allow for fresh takes.

Change as an Entity

• The speaker believes that change as an entity must always exist to prevent things from calcifying into dogma or ossifying.

• They are equally terrified of chaos and ossification, so finding the balance between the two is important.

• Change on a higher level is always positive and necessary for growth and innovation.

Positive Aspects of the Past

In this section, the speaker discusses how there are positive aspects of the past worth holding onto.

Political Change

• The speaker talks about how they don't rush towards a bloody political revolution but do like friction.

• They believe that one thing America needs politically is a return to past values.

Fluidity in Change

• There are no bullet points with timestamps in this section.

• The speaker mentions that they don't like black-and-white thinking where it's either change or holding onto the past, but rather there should be fluidity in change.

The Need for Change

In this section, Robert Greene discusses the need for change and how it is essential to have a culture that is dynamic and constantly evolving.

The Importance of Adolescence

• Adolescence is an essential phase in any young person's life as it allows them to establish their own identity by reacting against their parents.

• Although some reactions may seem foolish or stupid, they are valuable because they help carve out who one wants to be.

• Young people reacting against the world of the boomers and wanting something politically or culturally different might strike some as anarchic, but it is necessary for change.

The Need for Constant Circulation

• Culturally, constant circulation is necessary. A culture that is dynamic with the ability to change and recycle ideas is healthy.

• This idea of constant circulation can be seen in Athens, which was a creative and dynamic culture that allowed for change. In contrast, Sparta was rigid and militaristic, avoiding any kind of system change.

The Golden Age of Athens

In this section, Robert Greene talks about why Athens was considered a golden age despite its short-lived existence.

Athenian Democracy

• Athens was the first true democratic culture in history. It took a brave step towards democracy despite the dangers involved.

• Pericles played a significant role in shaping Athenian democracy by addressing the issues of people taking advantage of the system.

The Renaissance

• The Renaissance was another short-lived period that had a significant impact on history. It was a time of great creativity and change.

• Fleeting moments like these are often the richest in history, despite their short duration.

Athens vs. Sparta

• Athens was a creative and dynamic culture that allowed for change, while Sparta was rigid and militaristic, avoiding any kind of system change.

• Athens had all the arts, merchants, and made money. In contrast, Sparta wanted to avoid change at all costs.

Conclusion

In this section, Robert Greene concludes his discussion on the need for change and how it is essential to have a culture that is dynamic and constantly evolving.

The Importance of Change

• There are vested interests and powers that have much more power than the single voter in today's representative democracy.

• A return to the past can be revolutionary if it means returning to values that were good and human.

• We need new ideas constantly because stagnation leads to unhealthy environments.

The Rise of Athens

This section discusses the rise of Athens as a seafaring power and its ability to embrace risk-taking.

Athenians as Risk Takers

• Athenians were natural risk-takers due to their seafaring nature.

• They built a merchant commercial empire in the early 5th century BC, which made other cultures fear them.

• Despite being outnumbered, they defeated the Persians twice, leading to a rush of patriotism and an explosion of culture.

Athenian Democracy

• Instead of becoming conservative after their victory, they doubled down on their democratic roots.

• Power was constantly changing hands in Athens, creating an incredibly dynamic culture that embraced change and risk-taking.

• The people had an incredible amount of power in Athens through mechanisms like ostracism.

Downfall of Athens

• Pericles came up with a strategy for defeating Sparta by using their navy instead of fighting on land. However, he died from the plague before it could be executed.

• After Pericles' death, the Athenians became arrogant and hubristic. They invaded Syracuse on the island of Sicily, which was a major ally of Sparta. This led to their downfall.

Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War and the Rise and Fall of Athens

In this section, Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War is discussed as one of the greatest books ever written. The rise and fall of Athens is also explored, with a focus on how hubris led to their downfall.

Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War

• Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War is considered one of the greatest books ever written.

• It chronicles the rise and fall of Athens in a very iconic way.

• The key insight from Thucydides was that hubris led to Athens' downfall.

• Generations of demagogues and populists rose to power, perverting Athen's values and leading to its destruction.

Anarchy: Positive Elements

This section explores anarchy as a positive force for change. The French Revolution is used as an example to illustrate how what seems anarchic and ugly in the moment can end up serving a higher purpose.

Anarchy: Positive Elements

• Anarchy can be seen as change rather than pure chaos.

• The French Revolution is an example where anarchy led to positive change in Europe by breaking up rigid systems that were strangling it culturally, economically, and politically.

• Although bloody at times, it ultimately had a positive impact by showing people there was another way to live beyond incredibly rigid cultures.

• What seems anarchic and ugly in the moment can end up serving a higher purpose because we need dynamism and change in our culture.

Mao, Bolshevik Revolution, and Change for its Own Sake

In this section, Robert Greene discusses the dangers of change for its own sake and provides examples from history to illustrate his point.

Mao and the Bolshevik Revolution

• Mao's regime was characterized by a culture of constant clapping where people could get ostracized or killed if they were considered the first one to stop clapping.

• The Bolshevik revolution was not a revolutionary movement but rather a conservative movement about amassing power for Lenin and Stalin. It was a very repressive machine from the beginning.

• The Chinese revolution began with Mao's idea of a permanent revolution but turned into an incredibly rigid conservative ossified culture during the Cultural Revolution in the 60s.

Change for Its Own Sake

• Change for its own sake can lead to something very destructive as seen in China after the Cultural Revolution.

• From above, cultures that are rigid, ossified, that cannot change are more worrying than those that have constant churning of waters. This applies not only to culture or politics but also business and technology.

• Social media started as a great thing with freedom of communication but has turned into a rigid megalith where nothing else can thrive.

• PC culture and cancel culture are moving us closer to something like "you better not stop clapping."

America's Rugged Individualism and Rags-to-Riches Myth

In this section, Robert Greene talks about America's pioneer spirit and how it has evolved over time.

Pioneer Spirit

• America started off with a pioneer spirit where people could be different and express who they were.

• Even in the 19th century, there was incredible freedom going on when you look at some of the weird cults that were forming, utopian societies, and some of the writers and things that were going on.

• The business environment was very cutthroat with robber barons but it was an incredibly dynamic period of time where we celebrated the entrepreneur.

Rags-to-Riches Myth

• The rags-to-riches myth is not a false myth but rather part of American culture.

The Pioneer Spirit and Cancel Culture

In this section, Joe Rogan and Matthew McConaughey discuss the importance of the pioneer spirit in American culture and how cancel culture is a threat to it. They also touch on the idea of rugged individualism and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

The Importance of Pioneer Spirit

• Kennedy launched the New Frontier to get back to the pioneer spirit that was dying out.

• The space race generated a lot of technological innovation that powers everything nowadays.

• Cancel culture runs counter to some of the spirit of our country.

Rugged Individualism

• Change can be extraordinarily good, but group identity over everything worries Joe Rogan.

• A group is only strong when individuals are focused on becoming strong themselves.

• Pursuing personal fulfillment leads to strong mental health.

Mortality and The Law of Sublime

In this section, Joe Rogan asks Matthew McConaughey about his upcoming book titled "The Law of Sublime" which explores how mortality ties into beauty and pain.

The Law of Sublime

• The sublime is a mix of pain and pleasure that makes it powerful.

• Mortality has the ability to sharpen our senses and appreciation for life.

• Pain and pleasure always go together underneath an ecstatic feeling.

The Mix of Emotions in the Sublime

In this section, the speaker discusses how every element of the sublime has a mix of emotions and why neurologically that is such a powerful thing to us. He talks about how people who have had ecstatic experiences have experienced what Maslow called peak experiences.

Climbing a Mountain as an Example

• Climbing a mountain is an example of the mix of emotions in the sublime.

• People who climb Mount Everest or have mountaineering experiences experience pain and excitement at the same time.

• They test their human endurance against the forces of nature and reach their limits.

• When they reach the top, they have an insane view.

Bringing Sublime to Everyday Life

• The goal is to bring sublime to everyday consciousness.

• People are missing awe and enchantment about the world around them.

• The world is so unlikely that people are not aware of its awesomeness.

• The first chapter of his book was about cosmos, big bang, universe, origin of stars, moon's collision with Earth 4.5 billion years ago.

Insane Beauty in Everyday Life

• People are wrapped up in banality and not aware of insane beauty in everyday life.

• The world we live in is insanely beautiful and sublime but people are not aware of it.

• You can time travel through art and experience what it was like five thousand years ago or one million years ago.

• Internet is the most sublime thing ever invented.

Reconnecting with Joy and Wonderment

• Knowing that he had a stroke, was in a coma, struggled with healing made reconnecting with joy and wonderment more powerful for him.

• Turning towards beauty and sublime is probably what's keeping him alive right now.

The Sublime Book

In this section, Robert Greene talks about his upcoming book on the concept of the sublime. He explains how he originally planned to travel around the world and experience different landscapes to write about them but is now limited due to circumstances. However, he sees this as an advantage and wants to make the book relatable for people who feel trapped or limited.

Writing About Sublime Landscapes

• Robert Greene had an idea for a book on the sublime 15 years ago.

• Originally, he planned to travel around the world and experience different landscapes such as Argentina and Antarctica.

• Due to current limitations, he has to use his own brain to experience it.

• He wants people who feel trapped or limited in their lives to be able to explore through his writing.

Turning Limitations into Advantages

• Robert Greene sees his current limitations as an advantage.

• He believes that framing is everything when it comes to writing a book like this.

Engaging with Robert Greene

• Robert Greene's old website is powerseductionandwar.com where you can find links to all his other books and social media accounts.

• He also has a YouTube channel where he does podcasts.

• He plans on having a more modern social media presence in the future.

Conclusion

In this section, Tom Bilyeu concludes the interview by thanking Robert Greene for joining him. He encourages viewers to check out Robert's books and previous episodes they have done together.

Final Thoughts

• Tom Bilyeu thanks Robert Greene for joining him.

• He encourages viewers to check out Robert's books and previous episodes they have done together.