Bitcoin Study Sessions

#037 Peter McCormack

Lucas interviews Peter McCormack, a podcaster, football club owner, and Bitcoin enthusiast, about life, AI, and personal philosophies. Key Topics: Being authentic and true to oneself The impact of AI on jobs and society Wealth, responsibility, and inheritance The Simulation Hypothesis The importance of human connection and experiences Summary: Peter reflects on his younger days as a metalhead skateboarder and how that period instilled in him a sense of excitement and the belief that anything is possible. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and going with the flow in life, accepting both good and bad times. Peter acknowledges his dad as a hero, admiring his hard work and dedication to his family, and admits to admiring Metallica and Alice in Chains, but not considering the band members as heroes. He also appreciates his son, viewing him as a better human being due to his balanced nature and ability to handle life's challenges. Peter believes in treating everyone as equals and staying grounded, even when experiencing success. He emphasizes that success is a result of decisions and hard work rather than innate talent. He recounts his personal journey of hitting rock bottom, discovering exercise through running, and finding inspiration in Rich Roll, a successful podcaster. Peter highlights the advice Rich gave him, including being patient, persistent, and authentic. Peter expresses concerns about AI making people dumber by outsourcing thinking and productivity. He also acknowledges the inevitability of AI's growth and its potential impact on various industries. He worries about the displacement of workers in fields like copywriting, design, and computer programming due to AI's increasing capabilities. Peter talks about potential societal consequences, including wealth concentration, unemployment, civil disobedience, and boycotts of AI. He also notes that he believes it is critical that the youth should focus on critical thinking, economic theory, philosophy, and the arts to train their brains to be adaptable in an AI-driven world. Peter discusses the responsibilities that come with wealth, especially when passing it on to future generations. He emphasizes the importance of teaching his son, Connor, about altruism and the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Peter highlights the need to strike a balance between selfishness and altruism. He emphasizes that wealthy individuals should be celebrated for their contributions to society. Peter also touches on the topic of taxation, expressing his belief that the state requires some level of tax to function. Peter then contemplates on the simulation theory. Lucas and Peter touch on quantum physics and how the world appears to be built for you as you experience it. Peter describes a need to be able to share his life with someone, referencing his observations of Lucas and Connor. Peter also acknowledges how important it is to allow your kids to grow up, transition into adulthood, and eventually meet them as friends after they have come into their own. In closing, Peter discusses a myriad of things that contribute to him being able to laugh, whether it be dark humor from the stupidity of politicians or enjoying Louis C.K.. He emphasizes that it's important to not allow stress to prevent you from enjoying your time on earth. He then gives a word of dating advice and tells Lucas that he should skip the dating apps.