1 00:00:03,274 --> 00:00:05,294 [music] 2 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:20,160 Welcome everybody. This is the absolute 3 00:00:17,279 --> 00:00:23,359 first episode of Pale Blue Nexus and I'm 4 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:25,600 uh honored to have a longtime sort of 5 00:00:23,359 --> 00:00:29,199 like corresponder in my email, uh Jim 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:32,079 Rogers. Jim, we've been corresponding 7 00:00:29,199 --> 00:00:34,239 for since uh 2009. I just checked my 8 00:00:32,079 --> 00:00:36,960 records. Uh you were a bit younger then, 9 00:00:34,239 --> 00:00:39,955 huh? And so was I. 10 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:40,399 >> Guess everybody was. 11 00:00:39,955 --> 00:00:42,640 [laughter] 12 00:00:40,399 --> 00:00:45,920 >> We were talking about something that was 13 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:47,840 a little bit uh close to my heart back 14 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:51,280 then. And and you were big on the gold 15 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:54,559 scene back then. Um what what has 16 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:56,160 changed since 2009? And maybe we can 17 00:00:54,559 --> 00:00:58,640 just talk about like the macro 18 00:00:56,160 --> 00:01:01,039 environment first before we get into 19 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,960 specifics. 20 00:01:01,039 --> 00:01:06,320 >> Well, Johan, a lot of things have 21 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:09,119 changed since 2009. You know, I'm older, 22 00:01:06,320 --> 00:01:12,240 you're older, everybody's older. I hope 23 00:01:09,119 --> 00:01:14,560 we're all richer. Um, hope we're all 24 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:16,720 happier. 25 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:19,200 Happy New Year. 26 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:21,439 >> Yes. Chinese New Year. So, you're you're 27 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:24,000 out in Singapore. How is that going? 28 00:01:21,439 --> 00:01:25,680 Singapore and we have Chinese New Year 29 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,600 here. 30 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:29,759 >> And And how do you feel about the year 31 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:32,720 of the firehorse? 32 00:01:29,759 --> 00:01:34,640 >> Hooray. Hooray. I actually was born in 33 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:36,960 the year of the horse, so I good. I hope 34 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:39,200 it's good news. 35 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:42,479 >> Oh, that's interesting cuz uh so was I. 36 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:44,000 Do you know what your element is? 37 00:01:42,479 --> 00:01:47,040 >> I don't know. I didn't know I had an 38 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,880 element, so I guess I don't know. 39 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:51,360 >> Yeah, you'll have to look that up. I'm a 40 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:53,840 earth horse. And uh this here is the 41 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:56,240 fire horse. So you may be a water horse 42 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,680 or a a gold horse. You might be a gold 43 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,840 horse. 44 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,920 >> Look, gold. I'd like to be a gold horse. 45 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:04,799 Yes. [laughter] 46 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:07,360 >> So tell me, Jib, how has it been out in 47 00:02:04,799 --> 00:02:09,200 the Asian nations since you've moved 48 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:11,920 there? 49 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:14,720 >> Well, whether we like it or not, Asia is 50 00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:17,520 the future. I mean, 51 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:20,480 the population is here and the 52 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:22,160 prosperity is here. though I mean I 53 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,800 don't particularly like it since I'm an 54 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:27,840 American but America is the largest 55 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:29,760 devil in the history of the world. Asia 56 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:32,319 has lots of prosperity and lots of 57 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:34,160 money. I'm quite happy in Asia. We live 58 00:02:32,319 --> 00:02:39,239 in Singapore which has been a very 59 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:39,239 successful country. So we're delighted. 60 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:45,760 >> Very nice. And how has been the uh 61 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:48,720 transition for your family? 62 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:51,760 Well, my family, one of my daughters was 63 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:54,720 actually born here. Uh, both of I mean, 64 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:57,200 my dad, my older daughter has just 65 00:02:54,720 --> 00:03:00,400 graduated from university in Columbia, 66 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:02,879 New York. So, she's now working. She's a 67 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:05,440 got a real job and the other one is 68 00:03:02,879 --> 00:03:08,239 going to university next year. They're 69 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:09,920 growing up. 70 00:03:08,239 --> 00:03:12,400 >> Yeah. You must be a lucky guy to have 71 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:14,640 two daughters. I have one myself and uh 72 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:18,959 they're certainly a blessing. 73 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:21,599 Well, I my my parents had five sons, so 74 00:03:18,959 --> 00:03:24,000 I know the girls are better than boys. 75 00:03:21,599 --> 00:03:26,959 Quite happy to have girls. 76 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,640 >> That's cool. Um, you know, one of the 77 00:03:26,959 --> 00:03:32,720 things that we talked about on over 78 00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:35,920 email was like education. Um, my mom was 79 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:38,400 big on that and I figure I don't know 80 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:40,959 how influenced you were by your parents, 81 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:44,080 but I knew you went to Yale and Oxford 82 00:03:40,959 --> 00:03:46,879 and times have changed since then. 83 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:49,280 Um there just recently my colleague 84 00:03:46,879 --> 00:03:51,840 commented about 85 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:54,879 it sounds a little crazy to spend 100k 86 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:57,040 on education for their uh newly 87 00:03:54,879 --> 00:03:59,760 18year-old or 19year-old is thinking 88 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:02,480 about going to college. What do you 89 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:04,159 think about that tradeoff this this time 90 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:07,840 with the world the way it is with the 91 00:04:04,159 --> 00:04:09,680 way AI is? Um yeah what do you think 92 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:12,080 your thoughts? 93 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:15,280 Well, I do know that university is good 94 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:18,079 for people. Uh, it helps you grow up. It 95 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:20,720 teaches you a bit about the world. Uh, 96 00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:22,720 yes, you do learn some things. You could 97 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:26,720 learn those things going to the library, 98 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:30,560 too. But the university exposes you to 99 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:32,320 new people, new experiences, new ideas. 100 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:35,040 I guess that's the best part of a 101 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:37,040 university education is you meet new 102 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:39,360 people, new ideas. you have new 103 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:42,800 experiences, things that never would 104 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:45,759 have happened to you at home. So that I 105 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:48,000 am quite keen on university. I went to a 106 00:04:45,759 --> 00:04:50,160 couple of nice universities and I 107 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:52,160 suggest that everybody should do it. 108 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:54,880 It's the experience more than anything 109 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:57,600 else. You can read all those books 110 00:04:54,880 --> 00:05:00,400 wherever you are, whenever you are, but 111 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:03,280 it's the experiences of meeting new 112 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:06,080 people, having new experiences. That's 113 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:08,960 the best part. 114 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:12,240 Yeah, I guess it was always about that. 115 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:15,120 It just became more about that. And it's 116 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:17,120 uh even more important these days to 117 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:19,919 surround yourself with uh the right 118 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:22,639 people. It's uh it's just interesting. 119 00:05:19,919 --> 00:05:25,280 Do you think a high pre a high Ivy 120 00:05:22,639 --> 00:05:29,440 League highost Ivy League education is 121 00:05:25,280 --> 00:05:32,160 is uh is is the same as maybe a 122 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:34,160 lesser school with a lesser cost? 123 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:36,800 Well, I mean, you can go to the state 124 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:39,840 university in Mississippi or to 125 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:41,919 Princeton. Uh, both will be good 126 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:44,400 experiences for you, extremely good 127 00:05:41,919 --> 00:05:46,240 experiences for you. It's the 128 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:48,639 experiences you have that are better 129 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,400 than anything. Now, I don't know if the 130 00:05:48,639 --> 00:05:52,800 people at Princeton are better than the 131 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:55,120 people at the University of Mississippi, 132 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:58,320 but I certainly had a lot of fun at 133 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:59,919 Yale, had a lot of fun at Oxford. 134 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,240 Maybe I would have been I should have 135 00:05:59,919 --> 00:06:05,440 gone to University of Mississippi. It's 136 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:08,960 the It's the experiences and the new the 137 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:10,639 new life that's the best part of it. 138 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,639 >> Would you share a couple of fun 139 00:06:10,639 --> 00:06:14,960 experiences that you had at Yale? I'm 140 00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:17,360 I'm curious. 141 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:20,080 >> Oh. Oh, you know, when I went to Yale, I 142 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:24,160 was from the backwoods of Alabama. I 143 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:27,039 didn't know anything. I I my phone 144 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:30,160 number when I went to Yale was five. 145 00:06:27,039 --> 00:06:32,880 That's not a typo. Five. I didn't even 146 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,800 know how to use dial telephones. So 147 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:38,240 going to Yale, I learned how to use f 148 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:41,039 telephones if nothing else. You know, it 149 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:43,759 was a very good experience. Nobody had 150 00:06:41,039 --> 00:06:46,720 ever heard of me or Alabama where I was 151 00:06:43,759 --> 00:06:50,000 from. Nobody knew much of anything. But 152 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:53,280 that was a great experience. Likewise at 153 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:56,080 Oxford. I met new people and learned new 154 00:06:53,280 --> 00:06:58,560 new things. I learned new things just 155 00:06:56,080 --> 00:07:00,960 because they were new and different and 156 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:03,360 they would they had different ideas 157 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:05,919 about the world and that's the best part 158 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:08,560 of it. 159 00:07:05,919 --> 00:07:10,560 And what do you foresee as like some 160 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:14,000 things that have stayed the same from 161 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:17,039 back then versus today 162 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:19,120 in today's world? I I don't know. uh you 163 00:07:17,039 --> 00:07:24,000 must be keeping up with the rapid pace 164 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:27,919 of AI and the use of it and people seem 165 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:30,639 to be uh very concerned that their 166 00:07:27,919 --> 00:07:34,000 intelligence is being taken over by 167 00:07:30,639 --> 00:07:36,720 artificial means and uh it's concerning 168 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:39,120 to them certain people anyways and some 169 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:42,400 are not but uh what do you think has 170 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:45,039 changed since that those times 171 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:47,360 >> you that's been going on throughout 172 00:07:45,039 --> 00:07:49,120 history I I mean, there was a time when 173 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:52,000 the railroads 174 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:55,199 caused great excitement and hysteria and 175 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:57,440 terror. Electricity. Oh my gosh, 176 00:07:55,199 --> 00:07:59,199 electricity. You know, there was a time 177 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:03,120 when people were terrified of 178 00:07:59,199 --> 00:08:05,440 electricity, telephones, everything. 179 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:07,360 We'll see many new inventures, new I 180 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:10,319 mean, I can remember when computers came 181 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:12,720 along. We were all wildly excited. If 182 00:08:10,319 --> 00:08:15,360 you had a if you had a company and you 183 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:18,000 had computer in your name and you were 184 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:20,639 on Wall Street, your stock went up. Just 185 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:22,879 because it said computer, nobody quite 186 00:08:20,639 --> 00:08:24,879 knew what you did 187 00:08:22,879 --> 00:08:27,680 matter because your stock was going 188 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:30,879 straight up. So, it's always something 189 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:35,839 new, something exciting. Right now, it's 190 00:08:30,879 --> 00:08:38,640 AI. And we're excited about AI. But I 191 00:08:35,839 --> 00:08:40,800 repeat, this has all happened before. 192 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:45,760 And I hope we live long enough to see 193 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:47,839 many many many more new exciting things. 194 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:51,920 >> That is such just a refreshing 195 00:08:47,839 --> 00:08:55,120 perspective. Um I think I I remember 196 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:58,720 during the 998 times when the web first 197 00:08:55,120 --> 00:09:01,600 came out and uh you're right any company 198 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:05,040 that had the word web or search or 199 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:08,000 anything web related was just uh like 200 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:10,320 that. and it seems like it's the same 201 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:12,959 thing today. But for some of the younger 202 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:18,880 people who don't have that perspective, 203 00:09:12,959 --> 00:09:21,040 uh it may be um new to them. And um 204 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:24,000 I guess you're you're absolutely right 205 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,920 about that and maybe you can uh give a 206 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:29,519 little bit more perspective about the 207 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:32,720 trends that you see today like uh 208 00:09:29,519 --> 00:09:36,399 investment wise uh how do you feel about 209 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:41,040 the space and uh where do you see some 210 00:09:36,399 --> 00:09:43,519 of the the shifts happening? 211 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:46,000 >> Well, and I've been investing for a long 212 00:09:43,519 --> 00:09:48,959 time. I mean I have to pay my bills. 213 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:50,480 Well, once I learned about investing, I 214 00:09:48,959 --> 00:09:52,640 thought it was very wonderful. It was 215 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:54,480 great. I didn't know anything about them 216 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:57,040 when I went to Wall Street the first 217 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:59,680 time, but it very exciting for me. And 218 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:02,560 it still is, you know, it's a place 219 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:04,880 where you have to know about the world. 220 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:06,959 And I came to realize that that was my 221 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:09,279 passion in life is knowing what was 222 00:10:06,959 --> 00:10:12,080 happening in the world. So, for me, it's 223 00:10:09,279 --> 00:10:14,399 been a wonderful place. And they pay me. 224 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,079 Oh my gosh, they pay me. you know, if 225 00:10:14,399 --> 00:10:18,640 you do it well, they pay you a lot of 226 00:10:16,079 --> 00:10:22,880 money. So, for me, investing is a 227 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:25,600 wonderful way to spend your time. Um, 228 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:27,360 when I was a student, I thought I was 229 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:29,920 going to go to law school and medical 230 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:33,200 school and everything. I was a confused 231 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:35,040 kid like many other people. I discovered 232 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,800 Wall Street and thank goodness I 233 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:38,560 discovered it because otherwise I might 234 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:41,279 be a lawyer in Atlanta or something 235 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:43,200 right now. [laughter] 236 00:10:41,279 --> 00:10:44,959 >> Yeah, we wouldn't want that, would we? 237 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:47,040 And you would certainly wouldn't. 238 00:10:44,959 --> 00:10:48,399 >> No. No. 239 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:51,440 >> And you wouldn't have made that 240 00:10:48,399 --> 00:10:54,000 one-of-a-kind Mercedes. Uh I took a look 241 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:57,760 at it and um Did you choose the color 242 00:10:54,000 --> 00:11:01,760 yellow or was that uh your partner? 243 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:04,320 >> No, no. I I they got it yellow and I 244 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:06,880 specifically got yellow because part of 245 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:08,800 the plan was to drive around the world 246 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:12,079 and I knew that there were very few 247 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:14,640 yellow cars in the world and I knew that 248 00:11:12,079 --> 00:11:17,600 they would be distinctive and it might 249 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:20,640 save my life, you know, because I knew 250 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:23,360 that wherever I was, people would say, 251 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:25,440 "Look at that yellow car." And that 252 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:29,040 means, you know, if the bandits were 253 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:31,279 coming, everybody would be watching. So, 254 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:34,240 I hoped it would save my life. I'm still 255 00:11:31,279 --> 00:11:36,399 alive, so maybe it did. 256 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:39,279 And I mean, what were you thinking on 257 00:11:36,399 --> 00:11:43,839 that day in n I I believe it was 1999 258 00:11:39,279 --> 00:11:45,920 that you you took off um you guys and in 259 00:11:43,839 --> 00:11:48,160 in that car with the little trailer on 260 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:51,600 the back. How what was the feeling like 261 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:53,040 that day? And um I guess did you think 262 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:58,399 that you would have made it all the way 263 00:11:53,040 --> 00:12:01,680 through 116 countries and uh I countless 264 00:11:58,399 --> 00:12:05,120 number of miles. 265 00:12:01,680 --> 00:12:07,839 >> Well, you know I am lucky to be alive. 266 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:10,000 You know many people set off to drive I 267 00:12:07,839 --> 00:12:13,279 mean many people set off to drive to the 268 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:16,560 cap and they get killed. So I am lucky 269 00:12:13,279 --> 00:12:20,399 to be alive. I'm delighted to be alive. 270 00:12:16,560 --> 00:12:22,399 I I when I set off, I was excited 271 00:12:20,399 --> 00:12:26,560 because I was hoping for a great 272 00:12:22,399 --> 00:12:30,079 adventure. I knew I might not make it. 273 00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:32,880 I'm happy I made it, but I was 274 00:12:30,079 --> 00:12:36,240 apprehensive, but I was also very 275 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,839 excited because I knew that if I did it, 276 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:42,639 it was going to be an exciting 277 00:12:37,839 --> 00:12:44,480 adventure. And I hoped I had survived. 278 00:12:42,639 --> 00:12:47,200 >> So, how did it start? It went from 279 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:49,279 Iceland and then you went across Russia. 280 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:54,240 Was that the start? 281 00:12:49,279 --> 00:12:57,760 >> Well, I Yeah, I drove from Iceland to 282 00:12:54,240 --> 00:13:01,440 Ireland to England to 283 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:04,000 Russia to through China and then I and 284 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:07,760 Japan and then I came back through 285 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:12,320 Siberia through Russia went back to 286 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:15,680 Ireland. So I crossed Eurasia twice and 287 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:19,839 then I went down through Africa and we 288 00:13:15,680 --> 00:13:23,519 did all around Africa. I think 50 289 00:13:19,839 --> 00:13:26,639 countries in a 35 countries in Africa 290 00:13:23,519 --> 00:13:29,920 then Australia, New Zealand down to the 291 00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:32,720 tip of South America and up to Alaska. 292 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:35,920 And many of us hoay had a lot of fun and 293 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:38,800 I'm delighted to be alive. I'm lucky to 294 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:40,160 be alive. How many tires did you change 295 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:43,279 on that trip? 296 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:45,279 >> More than once. We did have flat tires. 297 00:13:43,279 --> 00:13:48,480 >> Okay. 298 00:13:45,279 --> 00:13:52,079 Yeah, it uh it's it's a it's a trip of a 299 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:53,760 lifetime, I'd say. And um 300 00:13:52,079 --> 00:13:56,160 where did you stay? What was the one of 301 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:57,760 the most fun places that you stayed? And 302 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,279 what were some of the places that you 303 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:02,160 said, "Yeah, you know what? I'm going to 304 00:13:59,279 --> 00:14:05,199 try and speed through this place." 305 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:07,839 Well, I mean, we we all I always wanted 306 00:14:05,199 --> 00:14:11,839 to stay in a hotel. I mean, sometimes 307 00:14:07,839 --> 00:14:14,560 the best hotel in town was a a shed. It 308 00:14:11,839 --> 00:14:17,040 was not always very nice, but you know, 309 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:20,959 we sometimes had to camp in the Sahara 310 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:25,360 Desert. There no hotels, so we slept in 311 00:14:20,959 --> 00:14:28,160 the in the sand. You know, the stars at 312 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:30,560 night in the Sahara Desert are glorious. 313 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:33,440 If you're ever there, be sure to spend 314 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:36,160 the night. that started at night and it 315 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:39,279 saw like nothing else. But everything I 316 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:41,839 mean you know no matter where I was it 317 00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:44,480 didn't matter whether it was Tokyo or 318 00:14:41,839 --> 00:14:47,199 London everything was exciting and new 319 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:49,600 and different for me and I was from a 320 00:14:47,199 --> 00:14:52,880 small town in Alabama so everything was 321 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:56,079 exciting to me. 322 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:58,880 Yeah, it uh that that must have been 323 00:14:56,079 --> 00:15:02,560 opened up your eyes to the world and you 324 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:06,480 wrote books after that and some even 325 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:09,680 before that. Um the book my gift to my 326 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:12,399 children I actually read uh as a young 327 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:14,720 man and I actually gave that to my 328 00:15:12,399 --> 00:15:17,440 daughter when she turned just around 329 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:20,480 nine or 10. Um 330 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:24,000 >> talk about talk about that book. what 331 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:27,920 inspired you to write it and also what 332 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:32,075 you would change for today's world? 333 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:32,639 >> Well, I I wrote the book because 334 00:15:32,075 --> 00:15:35,680 [sighs] 335 00:15:32,639 --> 00:15:38,639 I had never been a father before and I 336 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:41,839 knew that I wanted there were things I 337 00:15:38,639 --> 00:15:45,680 wanted to try to tell my children, teach 338 00:15:41,839 --> 00:15:48,800 my children. Uh the problem is no matter 339 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:51,839 what you teach your children, you know, 340 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:54,240 you know, if every parent alive knows 341 00:15:51,839 --> 00:15:56,320 that their children are very smart kids, 342 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:58,959 they think they're very smart, but 343 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:03,519 anything you can teach them is good 344 00:15:58,959 --> 00:16:05,680 experience, especially as experience. So 345 00:16:03,519 --> 00:16:08,720 I had the idea that I was going to try 346 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:10,560 to teach my kids as much about life as I 347 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:13,839 could. 348 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:15,759 But as I have learned, you can never 349 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:18,639 teach your children as much about life 350 00:16:15,759 --> 00:16:21,279 as you. They need to know because they 351 00:16:18,639 --> 00:16:24,720 have to learn it on their own. They have 352 00:16:21,279 --> 00:16:27,360 to make their own mistakes. 353 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:29,680 >> Yep. It's it's it's it's something 354 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:32,399 coming from the dad. You may have you 355 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:34,160 may have more success uh for your 356 00:16:32,399 --> 00:16:36,560 children reading that book if you wrote 357 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:38,231 it under a pseudonym and told them it 358 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,199 was from somebody else. Right. 359 00:16:38,231 --> 00:16:42,079 [laughter] 360 00:16:39,199 --> 00:16:44,079 Well, I will tell you, Johan, when I was 361 00:16:42,079 --> 00:16:46,639 18 or whatever, I was the smartest 362 00:16:44,079 --> 00:16:48,959 18year-old in the world and everything I 363 00:16:46,639 --> 00:16:50,959 thought was wrong. I was totally wrong 364 00:16:48,959 --> 00:16:53,440 about everything, about myself, about 365 00:16:50,959 --> 00:16:56,399 the world, about life. 366 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:59,680 I learned that the hard way, the easy 367 00:16:56,399 --> 00:17:02,079 way, the best way by experience and 368 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:05,199 life. 369 00:17:02,079 --> 00:17:08,799 >> Yep. We certainly do have to make our 370 00:17:05,199 --> 00:17:13,120 own mistakes and live life our own way. 371 00:17:08,799 --> 00:17:17,760 Um it's uh it's not something that we 372 00:17:13,120 --> 00:17:20,480 can be told but also 373 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:23,679 if we want to there's certain people who 374 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:28,240 can learn by reading a book or uh seeing 375 00:17:23,679 --> 00:17:31,679 other people uh fail. But uh for me 376 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:33,360 myself, I'm a I'm a doer and I learn by 377 00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:34,640 experience. I don't know how it is for 378 00:17:33,360 --> 00:17:37,919 you. 379 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:41,679 >> Well, I I'm not the first one to know 380 00:17:37,919 --> 00:17:44,320 that experience is the best teacher. I 381 00:17:41,679 --> 00:17:47,120 mean, you know, whether you're a fool or 382 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:50,320 a genius, experience is the best teacher 383 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:52,080 that anybody can have. And that's how 384 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:54,080 you learn 385 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:57,679 about people, about life, about 386 00:17:54,080 --> 00:18:00,400 everything. success, failure, it all was 387 00:17:57,679 --> 00:18:03,679 there. 388 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:06,960 >> Do you still feel and I know that after 389 00:18:03,679 --> 00:18:10,960 you traveled the world uh you decided to 390 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:12,640 move to Asia, move to Singapore. Um do 391 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:16,000 you feel 392 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:18,799 that the eastern 393 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:22,160 countries in the world they have a 394 00:18:18,799 --> 00:18:25,440 different mindset when it comes to hard 395 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:26,960 work and discipline? Uh I think that was 396 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:30,799 something that we talked about and you 397 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:33,440 talked about back in uh in 2009. 398 00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:37,600 Do you feel it's the same today? Do you 399 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:41,520 feel uh the society is just as creative 400 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:42,400 as American society? Um yeah, comment on 401 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,919 those things. 402 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:50,080 >> Well, Johan, history is pretty clear. If 403 00:18:45,919 --> 00:18:54,240 you're in country X in 1500 or country Y 404 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:56,880 in 1900, they're different countries, 405 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:59,440 but the people learn. 406 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:02,240 Ambitious people and smart people learn. 407 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:04,080 They have to work hard. They have to do 408 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:06,799 the right thing if they're going to be 409 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:09,200 successful. Everybody learns that. It 410 00:19:06,799 --> 00:19:11,919 doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't 411 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:15,440 matter how old you are, but everybody 412 00:19:11,919 --> 00:19:17,919 eventually learns that. And that was the 413 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:20,160 that's what distinguishes 414 00:19:17,919 --> 00:19:23,760 successful people from unsuccessful 415 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:26,240 people. I wish it were easy. I wish all 416 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:28,799 I had to do was read a book. I wish all 417 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:31,520 I had to do was go to school. Doesn't 418 00:19:28,799 --> 00:19:33,679 work that way. 419 00:19:31,520 --> 00:19:36,720 >> Yeah. I guess there's a certain point in 420 00:19:33,679 --> 00:19:38,480 a person's life where they they realize 421 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:42,320 that 422 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:46,240 they're they're they are their own best 423 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:49,679 chance at being successful. 424 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:51,520 Yes, many people never quite get that, 425 00:19:49,679 --> 00:19:53,679 but 426 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:56,080 the pretty successful people of course 427 00:19:53,679 --> 00:19:58,320 figure that out. Doesn't matter whether 428 00:19:56,080 --> 00:20:00,240 they're whatever it is, if they're an 429 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:02,960 entrepreneur or an academic, whatever 430 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:05,840 they are, they realize they have to do 431 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:08,559 it themselves and they get on with it. I 432 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:12,640 wish it were easy. I wish all I had to 433 00:20:08,559 --> 00:20:14,640 do was read a book or take a course. 434 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:17,360 My experience is it doesn't work that 435 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:20,320 way. 436 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:23,520 having traveled to all those countries 437 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:25,039 and seeing and I don't know if you keep 438 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,200 up to date with things. You probably 439 00:20:25,039 --> 00:20:29,440 have better things to do with your time. 440 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:33,919 Uh you may not but you and you may be 441 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:36,240 totally plugged in. Um how have the 442 00:20:33,919 --> 00:20:38,640 demographics changed and if you were to 443 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:41,039 do that trip 444 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:43,600 um what would you think it would teach 445 00:20:41,039 --> 00:20:46,080 you and where would you go? 446 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:48,720 >> Where would I go? Go around the world. 447 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:50,320 Doesn't matter where I would go, Johan. 448 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:54,400 You're going to learn something. Whether 449 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:55,919 you drive through Siberia or Africa or 450 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,919 Germany, you're going to learn 451 00:20:55,919 --> 00:21:02,559 something. You know, it doesn't matter 452 00:20:57,919 --> 00:21:04,240 what you do, where you are if you if you 453 00:21:02,559 --> 00:21:06,240 do it. 454 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:08,960 Beauty of traveling on around the world 455 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:11,679 is you're close to the ground and so you 456 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:14,000 have to have lots of experiences and 457 00:21:11,679 --> 00:21:16,640 that's going to teach you a lot. Maybe 458 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,919 you've never drank beer before, but if 459 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,200 you're in Germany, you're going to learn 460 00:21:17,919 --> 00:21:23,360 to drink beer and you're going to meet a 461 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:26,080 lot of Germans and you're going to learn 462 00:21:23,360 --> 00:21:27,840 something. But that doesn't it could 463 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:29,679 that could be China. I could say that 464 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:31,520 about Brazil. I could say that about 465 00:21:29,679 --> 00:21:34,640 many places. 466 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:38,159 The experience of meeting people, being 467 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:41,200 with people, learning how they think, 468 00:21:38,159 --> 00:21:43,360 and you're going to realize, oh my gosh, 469 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:45,039 that's very different. 470 00:21:43,360 --> 00:21:48,400 For them, it's not different. It's just 471 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:51,200 cuz you you came from a small town 472 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:55,120 nowhere. So, you never saw a Chinese 473 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:58,000 before. So, all of this is educational, 474 00:21:55,120 --> 00:22:02,520 eyeopening, and but it'll certainly 475 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:02,520 teach you, taught me. Anyway, 476 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:10,159 >> there's a news story going around now. 477 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:13,200 Uh I'm based in Canada and you're from 478 00:22:10,159 --> 00:22:16,960 Alabama and the news headline the other 479 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:20,480 day on one of the papers was that uh 480 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:23,280 Canada has realized that it's just as 481 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:28,080 just as poor or even worse off than 482 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:30,720 Alabama. I think that that comes from a 483 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:35,280 data point that showed that the GDP per 484 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:37,360 capita is on par with uh Alabama, the 485 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,640 entire country of Canada. What do you 486 00:22:37,360 --> 00:22:42,720 think about that? What does that say 487 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:44,380 about us here? 488 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,039 >> Well, 489 00:22:44,380 --> 00:22:47,039 [sighs and gasps] 490 00:22:45,039 --> 00:22:49,840 I've been to Canada often. I've driven 491 00:22:47,039 --> 00:22:52,000 across Canada a few times. I've always 492 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:54,720 been impressed. 493 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:58,080 I've always had fun in Canada. There 494 00:22:54,720 --> 00:23:00,799 always new experiences, new people. I 495 00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:04,559 don't know if it's the same GVP as 496 00:23:00,799 --> 00:23:08,000 Alabama or Germany. Doesn't matter. But 497 00:23:04,559 --> 00:23:11,679 Canada is an extremely interesting. I 498 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:13,919 mean, you're lucky in some ways to be 499 00:23:11,679 --> 00:23:16,080 from Canada because it's going to teach 500 00:23:13,919 --> 00:23:18,720 you a lot about the world. Going to 501 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:20,000 teach you a lot about North America. 502 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:22,559 going to teach you a lot about the 503 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:24,080 United States if you're from Canada 504 00:23:22,559 --> 00:23:27,440 because you can see it through different 505 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:30,000 eyes. No, Canada has a great history, 506 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:32,799 great story, and I presume a great 507 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:34,799 future. 508 00:23:32,799 --> 00:23:36,880 Nice. That's a that's a that's a 509 00:23:34,799 --> 00:23:40,559 wonderful perspective. I I I really like 510 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:42,000 that a lot. Um, 511 00:23:40,559 --> 00:23:43,919 what do you see as some of the 512 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:49,039 opportunities 513 00:23:43,919 --> 00:23:52,159 today for young people to capitalize on 514 00:23:49,039 --> 00:23:55,440 in general? 515 00:23:52,159 --> 00:23:58,400 >> The main opportunity for everybody is 516 00:23:55,440 --> 00:24:00,400 what they love. I mean, I can sit here 517 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:02,880 and tell you, "Oh my gosh, you should be 518 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:06,880 a baseball player." But if you don't 519 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:09,440 like baseball, don't don't don't listen 520 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:11,919 to me or anybody else. The most 521 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:15,039 important thing to learn is what you 522 00:24:11,919 --> 00:24:18,080 love. And it's hard sometime to figure 523 00:24:15,039 --> 00:24:20,159 out what you love the most. But young 524 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:23,279 people should figure out what they love 525 00:24:20,159 --> 00:24:26,159 the most. And they should pursue that. 526 00:24:23,279 --> 00:24:28,720 And it doesn't matter what it is. If you 527 00:24:26,159 --> 00:24:30,320 want to be a farmer, be a farmer. I 528 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:33,200 mean, if that's what you love, you're 529 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:36,559 going to be successful and excited and 530 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:38,880 have a good life. If I tell you to be a 531 00:24:36,559 --> 00:24:43,760 lawyer and you really want to be a 532 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:46,080 farmer, please be a farmer cuz that will 533 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:48,320 be exact. And even if you're not rich 534 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:50,480 and famous, doesn't matter because 535 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:53,360 you'll be happy. Doesn't matter if 536 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:56,640 you're rich or famous, you'll be happy. 537 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:58,960 And that's the most important. 538 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:01,760 >> I believe I heard a world leader few 539 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:04,480 weeks ago say something similar. 540 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:05,919 More people need to find their vocation. 541 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:08,960 Does that resonate with the same 542 00:25:05,919 --> 00:25:12,000 message? Like a vocation is something 543 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:16,480 that you love. I believe um I looked it 544 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:18,640 up and it it sounds like the same thing. 545 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:21,360 Well, I don't know who you heard, but 546 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:23,600 I'm telling you the most important thing 547 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:26,720 that anybody can do is to figure out 548 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:29,520 what they love and pursue it. It does 549 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:31,360 not matter what it is. If your parents 550 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:34,400 say, "Oh my god, I don't want you to be 551 00:25:31,360 --> 00:25:37,279 a gardener, but you love gardening." 552 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:38,960 Please be a gardener. Be a gardener. 553 00:25:37,279 --> 00:25:41,760 You'll be the most successful gardener 554 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:43,279 in town and happy even if you're not 555 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:45,600 successful. 556 00:25:43,279 --> 00:25:48,480 The most important thing, young, and I 557 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:50,400 want to say it over and over, the most 558 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:54,080 important thing is to figure out what 559 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:56,400 you really love. And please pursue that. 560 00:25:54,080 --> 00:26:00,000 Don't listen to me or other people. 561 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:02,960 Pursue what you really love. 562 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:05,760 Some people grow up a little confused. 563 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:08,480 Some people grow up a little misguided. 564 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:11,200 How does one what are some strategies to 565 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:15,760 figure out what you love from 566 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:18,568 from early on? Um, I think you know what 567 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:19,360 I mean here, but also 568 00:26:18,568 --> 00:26:21,440 [clears throat] 569 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:23,039 what do you feel about maybe the 570 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,600 experience of going to school would help 571 00:26:23,039 --> 00:26:27,919 with that. 572 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:30,799 >> Well, I wish I could tell you how to 573 00:26:27,919 --> 00:26:33,039 figure out what you love. I found it by 574 00:26:30,799 --> 00:26:34,559 accident. You know, I thought I was 575 00:26:33,039 --> 00:26:37,760 going to go to law school and be a 576 00:26:34,559 --> 00:26:39,919 lawyer. Thank goodness I stumbled onto 577 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:42,400 Wall Street, but it was purely an 578 00:26:39,919 --> 00:26:44,960 accident. I got a summer job there 579 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:46,720 because I happened to like the guy and 580 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:48,960 fell in love with Wall Street because it 581 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:51,679 was a place they would pay me to know 582 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:53,279 what was going on in the world. But I, 583 00:26:51,679 --> 00:26:55,679 like many young people, didn't know 584 00:26:53,279 --> 00:26:58,880 enough about myself or the world to know 585 00:26:55,679 --> 00:27:01,600 what to do. So I I don't know how to 586 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:04,320 tell people to figure it out or to learn 587 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,720 it, but the most important thing to 588 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:09,919 anybody is to figure out what you love 589 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:12,480 the most. And please pursue it. Pursue 590 00:27:09,919 --> 00:27:14,559 it. Pursue it. And if you want to be a 591 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:16,880 gardener, don't listen to people tell 592 00:27:14,559 --> 00:27:19,200 you not to be a gardener. For goodness 593 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:23,120 sakes, be a gardener. You're going to be 594 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:23,679 successful and you're going to be happy. 595 00:27:23,120 --> 00:27:25,679 >> Yeah. 596 00:27:23,679 --> 00:27:29,600 >> And which 597 00:27:25,679 --> 00:27:32,400 Yeah. There you go. What's the um So, 598 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:34,880 speaking about doing things you love, uh 599 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:37,200 I observe my daughter sometimes and and 600 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:38,720 what she spends her time on and I tell 601 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,720 her to do more of it because she's 602 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:44,720 clearly, 603 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:49,200 I guess, infatuated with the the process 604 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:51,760 of building up a large house in Roblox, 605 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:53,919 a large property, and then demolishing 606 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:55,760 it and starting it up again and 607 00:27:53,919 --> 00:27:57,279 demolishing it and starting it up again. 608 00:27:55,760 --> 00:28:00,240 So, I'm like I think to myself, I'm 609 00:27:57,279 --> 00:28:04,240 like, "You must love architecture and 610 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:09,200 designing and uh decorating, and it's 611 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:11,360 it's totally right down her alley." 612 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:13,679 >> Well, you and I I don't know your 613 00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:17,440 daughter, but I'm delighted to hear you 614 00:28:13,679 --> 00:28:19,360 are encouraging her to do what she loves 615 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:20,880 because I do know that's extremely 616 00:28:19,360 --> 00:28:23,360 important. 617 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:25,360 Many people tell their children, "Oh, 618 00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:28,320 no, no, you should be a lawyer." blah 619 00:28:25,360 --> 00:28:30,799 blah blah. No, if you want to be a 620 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:32,960 gardener, be a gardener. That's going to 621 00:28:30,799 --> 00:28:36,159 be the best for you and you're going to 622 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:38,880 be a very successful gardener. So, don't 623 00:28:36,159 --> 00:28:41,919 listen to me. Don't listen to others. 624 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:44,559 And it's not easy. And many people never 625 00:28:41,919 --> 00:28:47,120 find out or they're afraid to do what 626 00:28:44,559 --> 00:28:49,760 they really love. But that's the best 627 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:52,080 advice I can give any person old or 628 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:54,320 young. 629 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:56,159 >> Sounds good. And what's the what do you 630 00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:59,360 love these days, Jim? Like what's the I 631 00:28:56,159 --> 00:29:02,320 I I could only imagine that uh being a 632 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:05,440 dad myself and you're a dad that uh we 633 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:08,000 obviously are in love with just raising 634 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:09,600 our kids and and making sure that uh 635 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:14,399 you're there for them when they need it 636 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:16,399 and guiding them. Uh but like how was 637 00:29:14,399 --> 00:29:18,000 how were how was the process of being a 638 00:29:16,399 --> 00:29:20,480 dad? 639 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:23,120 >> Well, I would tell you all my life I was 640 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:26,399 against having children. I felt sorry 641 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:30,640 for my friends who had children. I had 642 00:29:26,399 --> 00:29:34,559 one I had my first child when I was 60 6 643 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:36,399 >> and I my second child when I was 65 and 644 00:29:34,559 --> 00:29:39,679 I would say to Johan it's been 645 00:29:36,399 --> 00:29:41,520 astonishing exciting wonderful for me. 646 00:29:39,679 --> 00:29:44,080 You know I want to say it's one of the 647 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:46,799 best things I ever did. Now, if I'd had 648 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:48,880 a child when I was 23, it would have 649 00:29:46,799 --> 00:29:52,399 been a mistake for the child and for me 650 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:54,720 and for the mother and for everybody. 651 00:29:52,399 --> 00:29:56,880 But there came a time I now realized 652 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:59,520 when I was ready, I had done many 653 00:29:56,880 --> 00:30:02,960 things. So, for me, the most exciting 654 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:06,480 thing I have done now is to be a father. 655 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:10,559 And I have two of them. They're great. 656 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:13,279 >> Wonderful. And uh I guess no better time 657 00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:15,760 to do it. And I'm and and and have that 658 00:30:13,279 --> 00:30:18,480 experience as well. Like you said, some 659 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:21,200 people have the kids too early and uh 660 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:23,039 they they don't uh appreciate the the 661 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:24,559 process and you were probably in a 662 00:30:23,039 --> 00:30:26,320 position where you appreciated the 663 00:30:24,559 --> 00:30:28,240 process a lot more. 664 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:31,039 >> Well, I don't know if I got it right or 665 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:34,399 not, but I'm certainly very very pleased 666 00:30:31,039 --> 00:30:36,480 and happy and excited with what I did. I 667 00:30:34,399 --> 00:30:41,120 think I did it at a very good time for 668 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:44,480 me. So, we'll see. Can ask me 40 years. 669 00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:47,840 >> Yeah. And uh if you if you had to write 670 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:51,279 that book again, A gift to my children, 671 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:54,320 would you add any chapters? 672 00:30:51,279 --> 00:30:58,559 >> No. I just The one thing I would 673 00:30:54,320 --> 00:31:01,919 emphasize over and over for everybody is 674 00:30:58,559 --> 00:31:03,840 please figure out a way to find out what 675 00:31:01,919 --> 00:31:07,039 you love the most. 676 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:09,679 And many people never find it or even if 677 00:31:07,039 --> 00:31:11,520 they find it, they're afraid to do it. 678 00:31:09,679 --> 00:31:14,559 But the most important thing is to 679 00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:17,279 figure out what you love and do it. 680 00:31:14,559 --> 00:31:19,216 Pursue it. Do it. Pursue it. Pursue it. 681 00:31:17,279 --> 00:31:20,159 Pursue it. 682 00:31:19,216 --> 00:31:24,399 [sighs and gasps] It's the most 683 00:31:20,159 --> 00:31:27,520 important advice I can give anybody. 684 00:31:24,399 --> 00:31:29,200 >> Wonderful advice. And uh yeah, you've 685 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:32,720 you've said it uh quite a number of 686 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:34,720 times and I and I think that comes from 687 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:38,240 uh more happy people. It would result in 688 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:43,039 more happy people, a better world, and 689 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:45,279 uh just a place that uh is 690 00:31:43,039 --> 00:31:46,799 fun to be around when you have people 691 00:31:45,279 --> 00:31:48,000 that love what they're doing. And I 692 00:31:46,799 --> 00:31:51,200 think that's what what you're getting 693 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:52,480 at. What excites you these days, Jim? 694 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:55,120 >> What is what these days? 695 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:58,720 >> What excites you these days? 696 00:31:55,120 --> 00:32:02,720 my kids more than anything else. But no, 697 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:05,919 I still am very keen on the world. I 698 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:09,200 love going new places. I love going old 699 00:32:05,919 --> 00:32:11,919 places. I mean, you know, I'm going to 700 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:14,320 England again next month. I've been to 701 00:32:11,919 --> 00:32:17,440 England many times, but it's still 702 00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:20,880 exciting and interesting. 703 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:24,480 Seeing the world is for me the best way 704 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:26,880 to live. Now, maybe that's cuz I'm from 705 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:29,679 a small town where my phone number was 706 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:32,320 five. Maybe that's it, you know. But 707 00:32:29,679 --> 00:32:36,159 what for whatever reason, seeing the 708 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:39,039 world for me is still the best thrill. 709 00:32:36,159 --> 00:32:41,120 Even if I'd been there before, seeing it 710 00:32:39,039 --> 00:32:43,440 again, whatever [clears throat] it is, 711 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:46,559 is a thrill. 712 00:32:43,440 --> 00:32:50,240 >> That's amazing, Jim. And uh are you 713 00:32:46,559 --> 00:32:51,679 having any public events uh soon uh that 714 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:54,399 you want to let us know about? Are you 715 00:32:51,679 --> 00:32:57,200 working on anything publicly? 716 00:32:54,399 --> 00:32:59,600 >> Well, I usually am. I cannot remember 717 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,840 right now. I mean, people still 718 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:04,559 periodically invite me to speak and I 719 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:07,519 love doing it. So, I'm sure that thing 720 00:33:04,559 --> 00:33:10,640 is coming up. I'm sure my assistant will 721 00:33:07,519 --> 00:33:13,200 put them on the website. But the answer, 722 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:16,720 the main answer to your question is I 723 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:18,559 don't know, Johan. I don't know. But 724 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:20,159 there's always something to do and I 725 00:33:18,559 --> 00:33:22,720 like doing it. 726 00:33:20,159 --> 00:33:25,440 I like new people and new countries, new 727 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:29,120 experiences. 728 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:32,960 >> I it's it's been a great pleasure to 729 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:36,080 have you on the show today as especially 730 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:41,039 as my first guest. My whole concept 731 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:44,559 behind this show is to bring 732 00:33:41,039 --> 00:33:47,120 the conversation between humans 733 00:33:44,559 --> 00:33:48,880 uh back to the forefront. A lot of 734 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:52,640 people are talking about tech. A lot of 735 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:55,200 people are talking about AI and I think 736 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:59,600 like in this world we're just trying to 737 00:33:55,200 --> 00:34:02,799 make sense of the world today and uh I'm 738 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:06,880 glad we could do it from this point here 739 00:34:02,799 --> 00:34:09,119 and uh I appreciate you coming on. 740 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:11,760 >> Well, Johan, I hope you're going to help 741 00:34:09,119 --> 00:34:14,720 all of us learn what's happening and 742 00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:17,119 what's going on in the world. We all 743 00:34:14,720 --> 00:34:20,079 need to know about the world. We all 744 00:34:17,119 --> 00:34:22,720 need to know about reality. That's the 745 00:34:20,079 --> 00:34:25,280 most important thing. We can read the 746 00:34:22,720 --> 00:34:27,280 newspaper or watch the TV or something, 747 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:30,000 but the most important thing is to know 748 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:31,520 what's really happening and what it 749 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:33,440 means. 750 00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:36,800 Not just what's happening, but what it 751 00:34:33,440 --> 00:34:40,879 means. And that's the hard part. I hope 752 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:43,040 you can help educate all of us. 753 00:34:40,879 --> 00:34:46,720 And before we go, do you have any 754 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:49,280 insights on into where you would keep an 755 00:34:46,720 --> 00:34:51,599 eye out for signals so that maybe some 756 00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:54,399 of my listeners can say, "Hey, you know, 757 00:34:51,599 --> 00:34:57,334 uh, these are some signals." 758 00:34:54,399 --> 00:34:59,520 >> Well, let's listen to Johan's show, 759 00:34:57,334 --> 00:35:01,680 [laughter] you know, see what he's 760 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:04,400 coming up with. 761 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:07,599 The best thing is to have new 762 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:10,720 experiences, meet new people, different 763 00:35:07,599 --> 00:35:13,280 places, whatever it is. 764 00:35:10,720 --> 00:35:15,520 because there's always something 765 00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:18,320 happening in the world. There's always 766 00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:20,640 something we don't know about. And for 767 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:23,040 me, the best thing is to try to find 768 00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:26,400 those things and figure out what they 769 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:28,160 are. And I never know what they are. 770 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:31,440 That's why it's always so interesting 771 00:35:28,160 --> 00:35:34,320 when I can find something new. 772 00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:38,160 >> Awesome. Well, I appreciate your time 773 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:40,640 today, sir, and I thank you for uh your 774 00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:43,280 candid thoughts on things that if we 775 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:45,200 really listen to, uh there's a lot of 776 00:35:43,280 --> 00:35:48,240 wisdom in there, and I appreciate you 777 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:50,720 sharing that with my my audience and uh 778 00:35:48,240 --> 00:35:53,280 kicking off the new show. So, thanks, 779 00:35:50,720 --> 00:35:55,839 Jim. Uh would you mind staying on just 780 00:35:53,280 --> 00:35:57,839 for a minute after and then we could uh 781 00:35:55,839 --> 00:35:59,520 I could let you go. 782 00:35:57,839 --> 00:36:02,320 >> Well, thank you. Thank you. It was my 783 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:05,800 pleasure. Good luck to you and happy new 784 00:36:02,320 --> 00:36:05,800 year to everybody.