How to Use Curiosity & Focus to Create a Joyful & Meaningful Life | Dr. Bernardo Huberman

Andrew Huberman

Dec 16, 2024

Episode description

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Bernardo Huberman, Ph.D., a research physicist, expert on quantum networks, and vice president of CableLabs’ Next-Gen Systems. We discuss his journey into science, beginning in South America, how a curiosity about physics led him to the United States, and how his hunger for studying novel problems guided him into fields like physics, computer science, biology, economics, and, most recently, quantum computing. He explains relativity theory, chaos theory, fractals, and quantum internet in terms anyone can understand.

We explore how curiosity has continually guided his decisions about what to study and how to live, and how researching hard, even abstract, problems can serve as a model for staying grounded and enjoying everyday life. We also discuss meditation, spirituality, and why continually asking questions about how the world is organized can bring about an immense and lasting sense of meaning and joy.

Read the full show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/VTBQQ2V

Use Ask Huberman Lab, our chat-based tool, for summaries, clips, and insights from this episode: https://go.hubermanlab.com/Eywd4Ly

Pre-order Andrew's new book, Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com

*Thank you to our sponsors*
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*Dr. Bernardo Huberman*
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardo-huberman-39b40823
X: https://x.com/bhuberman
The Laws of the Web (book): https://amzlink.to/az0I0G65K03ya
Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=b_GVwg0AAAAJ
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bernardo-Huberman
CableLabs: https://www.cablelabs.com/blog/author/bhuberman

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. Bernardo Huberman
00:02:13 Sponsors: Helix Sleep & BetterHelp
00:05:08 Early School, Science Interest, Argentina; Soccer
00:12:29 Physics, Childhood Teacher, Family
00:20:48 Music; Dictatorship; Humanistic Education
00:29:09 Sponsor: AG1
00:30:40 US Graduate School
00:39:27 Counterculture, Peer Pressure; Graduation, Job Search
00:49:19 Xerox, Personal Computers; Risk-Takers, Tachyon
00:54:49 Sponsors: LMNT & ExpressVPN
00:57:33 Relativity Theory, Quantum Mechanics
01:05:53 Chaos Theory, Fractals, Butterfly Effect
01:17:21 Scientists, Positive Contributions & Flaws
01:26:19 Sponsor: Mateína
01:27:45 Enjoyment of Life, Meditation; Goal Pursuit
01:35:44 Changing Fields, Computers
01:43:24 Mentors, Students; Restlessness, Curiosity
01:47:41 Industry, Academia, Graduate Degrees
01:54:02 Podcast, Interviewing; Mistakes, Working with Others
02:05:48 Quantum Internet, Unbreakable Code
02:09:48 Physics & Neuroscience; AI
02:15:06 Analog vs. Digital Life, Thinking about Future
02:21:38 Worry, Meditation
02:24:22 Beliefs, God; Spiritual Experiences, Randomness
02:33:53 Thinking about Past; Nostalgia
02:39:19 Politically Incorrect; Libertarians; Cryogenics; Enjoying Life
02:46:30 Joyful; Pushing to Limits; Worry & Enjoyment, Living with Elegance
02:55:57 Etiquette, Clothing
03:04:11 Retirement, Money, Travel
03:12:00 Future Plans; Joyful Life
03:13:33 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Curiosity #Science

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Episode description

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Bernardo Huberman, Ph.D., a research physicist, expert on quantum networks, and vice president of CableLabs’ Next-Gen Systems. We discuss his journey into science, beginning in South America, how a curiosity about physics led him to the United States, and how his hunger for studying novel problems guided him into fields like physics, computer science, biology, economics, and, most recently, quantum computing. He explains relativity theory, chaos theory, fractals, and quantum internet in terms anyone can understand.

We explore how curiosity has continually guided his decisions about what to study and how to live, and how researching hard, even abstract, problems can serve as a model for staying grounded and enjoying everyday life. We also discuss meditation, spirituality, and why continually asking questions about how the world is organized can bring about an immense and lasting sense of meaning and joy.

Read the full show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/VTBQQ2V

Use Ask Huberman Lab, our chat-based tool, for summaries, clips, and insights from this episode: https://go.hubermanlab.com/Eywd4Ly

Pre-order Andrew's new book, Protocols: https://protocolsbook.com

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/huberman
Mateína: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman

*Follow Huberman Lab*
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter
Huberman Lab Premium: https://go.hubermanlab.com/premium
Huberman Lab Shop: https://go.hubermanlab.com/merch

*Dr. Bernardo Huberman*
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardo-huberman-39b40823
X: https://x.com/bhuberman
The Laws of the Web (book): https://amzlink.to/az0I0G65K03ya
Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=b_GVwg0AAAAJ
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bernardo-Huberman
CableLabs: https://www.cablelabs.com/blog/author/bhuberman

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. Bernardo Huberman
00:02:13 Sponsors: Helix Sleep & BetterHelp
00:05:08 Early School, Science Interest, Argentina; Soccer
00:12:29 Physics, Childhood Teacher, Family
00:20:48 Music; Dictatorship; Humanistic Education
00:29:09 Sponsor: AG1
00:30:40 US Graduate School
00:39:27 Counterculture, Peer Pressure; Graduation, Job Search
00:49:19 Xerox, Personal Computers; Risk-Takers, Tachyon
00:54:49 Sponsors: LMNT & ExpressVPN
00:57:33 Relativity Theory, Quantum Mechanics
01:05:53 Chaos Theory, Fractals, Butterfly Effect
01:17:21 Scientists, Positive Contributions & Flaws
01:26:19 Sponsor: Mateína
01:27:45 Enjoyment of Life, Meditation; Goal Pursuit
01:35:44 Changing Fields, Computers
01:43:24 Mentors, Students; Restlessness, Curiosity
01:47:41 Industry, Academia, Graduate Degrees
01:54:02 Podcast, Interviewing; Mistakes, Working with Others
02:05:48 Quantum Internet, Unbreakable Code
02:09:48 Physics & Neuroscience; AI
02:15:06 Analog vs. Digital Life, Thinking about Future
02:21:38 Worry, Meditation
02:24:22 Beliefs, God; Spiritual Experiences, Randomness
02:33:53 Thinking about Past; Nostalgia
02:39:19 Politically Incorrect; Libertarians; Cryogenics; Enjoying Life
02:46:30 Joyful; Pushing to Limits; Worry & Enjoyment, Living with Elegance
02:55:57 Etiquette, Clothing
03:04:11 Retirement, Money, Travel
03:12:00 Future Plans; Joyful Life
03:13:33 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Curiosity #Science

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Challenge mob behavior to uncover truth in politically incorrect views

Politically incorrect views are often right because they challenge mob behavior, and their validity can only be judged over time.

Reignite motivation by pursuing new challenges after success

After a major success, you will likely feel a drop in motivation, and the key is to go back to what inspired you and find a new problem to pursue.

Utilize meditation to combat anxiety and lower blood pressure

Meditation can be a powerful tool to overcome physical manifestations of anxiety, such as the 'white coat phenomenon' where blood pressure spikes at the doctor's office.

Pursue unique fields for impactful breakthroughs

To make a significant contribution, you should move into fields where there are few others, as the chances of a breakthrough are smaller in a crowded 'mob scene'.

Enjoy simple pleasures to enhance scientific creativity

You don't have to live like a monk to be a great scientist; enjoying the simple, beautiful things in daily life is essential and not a distraction.

Experience joy of work like a child's excitement before a birthday

The feeling of going to work as a physicist can be like the feeling a child has the night before their birthday.

Leverage quantum networks for unbreakable security

Quantum networks offer unbreakable security because the very act of observing a quantum message destroys it, a security based on the laws of physics, not complex math.

Leverage independence to forge your unique path in science

Not having mentors can be an advantage, forcing you to carve your own path and change fields based on pure curiosity rather than a set track.

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