Podcast Summary: Nathan Myhrvold: Tech’s Renaissance Man

On with Kara Swisher
Host: Kara Swisher
Guest: Nathan Myhrvold
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Publication: Vox Media Podcast Network

I. Introduction to Nathan Myhrvold

In this episode of On with Kara Swisher, Kara welcomes Nathan Myhrvold, a multifaceted innovator known for his roles as Microsoft’s former Chief Technology Officer, founder of Intellectual Ventures, and creator of Modernist Cuisine. Recognized as a genius and a true polymath, Nathan's diverse interests span from deep scientific research to revolutionary culinary arts.

Kara Swisher:
"He's a genius and a true polymath who has done fascinating research into everything from asteroids to dinosaur bones." (02:02)

II. Current Interests and Deep Science Projects

A. Room Temperature Superconductors

Nathan discusses his primary focus on ambitious scientific endeavors, particularly the quest for room temperature superconductors. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures. Achieving superconductivity at room temperature could revolutionize various industries by making electrical systems vastly more efficient and less costly to maintain.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"There’s no fundamental physics reason why you couldn’t deploy superconductors up to room temperature." (07:11)

III. Dinosaur Research

Nathan’s passion for paleontology is evident as he delves into his recent research on dinosaurs, specifically the Spinosaurus. He challenges previous theories that Spinosaurus was semi-aquatic, presenting evidence that its massive sail made swimming impractical due to balance issues.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"Spinosaurus has a huge sail on the back of its back... we showed that it really couldn’t have swum." (07:53)

IV. TerraPower and Innovations in Cancer Treatment

As vice chairman of TerraPower, a nuclear power venture co-founded with Bill Gates, Nathan highlights groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment. TerraPower's development of targeted alpha therapy utilizes radioactive materials to precisely target and kill cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue—a significant improvement over traditional radiation therapy.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"In the cases where they have tried it, it has been an almost miraculous cure for late-stage metastatic cancer." (11:02)

V. Intellectual Ventures and Patent Commercialization

Nathan reflects on his role at Intellectual Ventures, transitioning from its origins as a patent fund to focusing on commercializing radical ideas like room temperature superconductivity and improving chip lithography. He emphasizes the importance of innovating beyond current technological bottlenecks to sustain advancements in industries reliant on high-performance chips.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"We really need to revitalize [Moore’s Law]. So we’ve got a bunch of ideas about that now." (15:00)

VI. Tech Industry and Politics

The conversation shifts to the increasing entanglement of the tech industry with politics. Nathan observes that as technology becomes more integral to national competitiveness and defense, government attention—both positive and negative—becomes inevitable. He critiques how some tech leaders have shifted focus towards political influence, often without substantive solutions.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"Most people who are successful in the technology industry love innovation and rolling out new products... but it has to be involved in tech for a variety of reasons." (18:08)

VII. Artificial Intelligence and the Current AI Landscape

Nathan provides a nuanced perspective on AI, acknowledging both its transformative potential and the challenges it presents. He credits OpenAI for advancing language-based AI through large data corpora, contrasting it with earlier attempts like chess programs that didn't generalize well. He advocates for continued research and thoughtful regulation, emphasizing cybersecurity as a more immediate concern than AI itself.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"If I had been on the Nobel Prize committee, I would have given OpenAI the Nobel Prize because the discovery that with enough effort, now, of course, people say, well, they didn’t do it alone." (26:28)

VIII. Climate Change, Energy Needs, and Nuclear Power

Nathan addresses the critical issue of climate change and the urgent need for scalable energy solutions. He advocates for nuclear power as a reliable source to meet future energy demands, especially given the limitations of renewable sources like solar and wind. He underscores the necessity of geoengineering research to mitigate potential catastrophic climate impacts.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"You’re going to need more right now in the United States... nuclear is absolutely part of the mix." (41:21)

IX. Microsoft’s Strategy in AI

Discussing Microsoft's strategic investment in AI, Nathan praises CEO Satya Nadella for his bold partnership with OpenAI. He likens this move to Microsoft's early bet on graphical user interfaces, which paid off despite initial industry skepticism. Nathan believes Microsoft's commitment to AI will continue to drive innovation and maintain its competitive edge.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"Satya’s bet is already working and will continue to work." (38:59)

X. Food Innovation and Culinary Science

Transitioning to a lighter topic, Nathan and Kara explore Nathan’s revolutionary work in the culinary world through Modernist Cuisine. Nathan explains how cultural shifts towards valuing gourmet food have transformed the American food scene, paralleling the evolution seen in other industries like sports.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"If you care about food, you demand better food... America was more about convenience with fast food." (59:07)

XI. Final Thoughts on Curiosity and Multi-disciplinary Approach

Concluding the episode, Nathan emphasizes the importance of curiosity and a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving. He critiquizes the narrow specialization prevalent in today’s world, advocating for a broader exploration of interests to foster innovation and challenge accepted truths.

Nathan Myhrvold:
"Curiosity is what’s been lost in a lot of people." (68:37)

Notable Quotes

• Room Temperature Superconductors:
  "There’s no fundamental physics reason why you couldn’t deploy superconductors up to room temperature." (07:11)

• Dinosaur Swimming Capability:
  "We showed that it really couldn’t have swum." (07:53)

• AI and OpenAI's Contribution:
  "If I had been on the Nobel Prize committee, I would have given OpenAI the Nobel Prize because the discovery that with enough effort, now... it worked." (26:28)

• Energy and Climate Change:
  "Nuclear is absolutely part of the mix." (41:21)

• Curiosity and Innovation:
  "Curiosity is what’s been lost in a lot of people." (68:37)

Conclusion

In this engaging and insightful episode, Kara Swisher and Nathan Myhrvold navigate through a vast array of topics, from cutting-edge scientific research and AI advancements to the cultural evolution of food. Nathan's optimistic outlook and multidisciplinary approach underscore the potential for innovation to address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Note: Timestamps correlate to the provided transcript and indicate where each quoted section appears within the episode.