The Jordan Harbinger Show
Episode 1183: Astro Teller | How to Systematically Realize the Impossible
Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction to Astro Teller and X (Formerly Google X)

In this episode, host Jordan Harbinger welcomes Astro Teller, the Head of X, previously known as Google X. X is Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, renowned for pioneering ambitious projects aimed at solving some of the world's most pressing problems through radical innovation.

Notable Quote:
"Our job is not to solve Google's current problems. That is explicitly not our job. Our job is to go find new problems for Alphabet and in the world."
— Astro Teller [05:02]

Culture of Innovation at X

Astro Teller elaborates on X's innovative culture, emphasizing the importance of nonconformity and questioning existing rules. The office environment is designed to encourage rebellious thinking in a productive manner, fostering an atmosphere where unconventional ideas can thrive.

Notable Quote:
"Here at Alphabet's Moonshot Factory, our job is to harvest nonconformity in a productive way."
— Astro Teller [03:07]

Systematizing Moonshots

X aims to systematize radical innovation by developing "moonshots"—ambitious projects that address significant global challenges with science-fiction-like solutions. The process involves identifying a huge problem, proposing a radical solution, and leveraging breakthrough technology to test the viability of these ideas.

Notable Quote:
"We're trying to be a kind of 21st-century Bell Labs. Our job is to go find new problems for Alphabet and in the world."
— Astro Teller [04:49]

Prototyping and Iteration

Astro discusses X's approach to prototyping, which involves rapidly creating minimal viable products to test hypotheses quickly and cost-effectively. This method allows the team to gather evidence on whether an idea holds promise or needs to be abandoned.

Notable Quote:
"The goal is not to make a product. The goal is to get the first one or two pieces of evidence as fast as we can, as cheaply as we can."
— Astro Teller [07:51]

Projects and Failures

Astro shares insights into various projects undertaken at X, highlighting both successes and setbacks. Notable projects include:

• Tara (Wireless Optical Communications): A successor to the Loon balloon project, Tara utilizes lasers for high-speed data transmission on the ground, overcoming previous limitations faced by Loon.

  Notable Quote:
  "Tara is now moving more data to customers in 20 countries around the world every 15 minutes than Loon did in its entire nine-year history."
  — Astro Teller [34:01]

• Methanol Production from Seawater: A carbon-negative process aiming to convert seawater and sunlight into methanol. Despite initial success, the project was halted due to economic infeasibility.

  Notable Quote:
  "We built a system to take seawater and sunlight and turn it into methanol, but we couldn't get it cheaper than about $15 a gallon of gas equivalent."
  — Astro Teller [15:08]

Handling Regulations and Ethics

Astro emphasizes the importance of collaborating with regulators early in the development process. By engaging with regulators proactively, X ensures that new technologies are aligned with societal needs and ethical standards.

Notable Quote:
"We're trying to bring regulators into the process early, and they usually become partners with us."
— Astro Teller [16:31]

Drone Delivery via Wing

One of the standout projects discussed is Wing, X’s drone delivery service. Currently operational in several countries, Wing promises rapid, efficient deliveries with minimal environmental impact. Astro explains the challenges and triumphs in making drone noise unobtrusive and integrating the service into daily life.

Notable Quote:
"Wing is going to make people feel that it's a now thing in about 12 to 18 months."
— Astro Teller [19:15]

Dealing with Resistance to Technology

Astro acknowledges the societal resistance to new technologies, using self-driving cars as an example. He advocates for compassion and understanding, recognizing that emotional discomfort often underpins resistance to technological advancements.

Notable Quote:
"People have a hard time with trust in something we don't understand. It's uncomfortable."
— Astro Teller [48:12]

Unintended Consequences and Public Policy

Astro discusses the importance of anticipating and mitigating unintended consequences of new technologies. He distinguishes between issues developers can control and broader societal impacts, advocating for public policy interventions to address the latter.

Notable Quote:
"The technology maker has a responsibility to explain to the public policymakers what our technology is and how it's evolving."
— Astro Teller [55:29]

Programming Biology and Future Technologies

Looking ahead, Astro predicts that synthetic biology will be as transformative in the 21st century as silicon programming was in the 20th. By reprogramming biological systems, humanity could achieve unprecedented advancements in areas like medicine and environmental sustainability.

Notable Quote:
"Programming biology is going to be absolutely transformative for humanity."
— Astro Teller [59:00]

Over- and Under-Hype of Technologies

Astro warns against the common tendency to overhype technologies in the short term while underestimating their long-term impact. He encourages a balanced perspective, recognizing both the immediate challenges and the future potential of technological innovations.

Notable Quote:
"Whenever anyone brings up any subject about technology, you say, that's probably overhyped in the short term and underhyped in the long term."
— Astro Teller [61:00]

Innovation Advice and Culture

Astro critiques the simplistic notion of "failing fast," arguing that the real challenge lies in creating a culture that genuinely embraces the cessation of flawed projects. He emphasizes the need for environments that support intellectual honesty and learning from failures.

Notable Quote:
"Fail fast is true and not helpful. It's how you help people to stop doing that thing that’s wrong."
— Astro Teller [64:22]

Conclusion

Astro Teller concludes by highlighting the continuous learning process at X, where even failed projects contribute valuable knowledge. He underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and collaborative effort in driving meaningful innovation.

Notable Quote:
"We are building towards something and it just takes a certain amount of whoops to find what's really important."
— Astro Teller [34:48]

Key Takeaways:

• Structured Innovation: X's systematic approach to moonshots involves identifying significant problems, proposing radical solutions, and leveraging breakthrough technologies.

• Prototyping and Iteration: Rapid, cost-effective prototyping is crucial for testing and validating ideas quickly.

• Collaboration with Regulators: Early and ongoing engagement with regulatory bodies ensures that innovations align with societal and ethical standards.

• Handling Failures: Embracing failures as learning opportunities fosters a culture of intellectual honesty and continuous improvement.

• Future of Technology: Synthetic biology and advanced robotics hold immense potential to revolutionize various aspects of human life, provided they are developed responsibly.

This episode offers a deep dive into Astro Teller's philosophy on innovation, the workings of X, and the delicate balance between technological advancement and societal impact. It provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of technology and the processes behind groundbreaking innovations.