Digest

Baratunde Thurston, a writer, comedian, and cultural critic, joins Adam Grant on Rethinking to discuss the art of public speaking and the power of storytelling. Thurston shares how he's learned to embrace vulnerability and share personal stories, even when they're difficult, to connect with audiences. He reflects on his own journey of self-discovery, acknowledging that he's spent much of his life focusing on resilience and strength, often at the expense of fully processing his emotions. Thurston argues that this tendency to quickly regulate emotions can hinder our ability to understand both our own experiences and those of others. He suggests that emotional shared reality can be a bridge for understanding in a world where facts are increasingly divergent. Thurston also discusses his work on the podcast "How to Citizen" and the PBS series "America Outdoors," emphasizing the importance of citizenship as a verb and the transformative power of connecting with nature. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the potential harms and benefits of AI, particularly in the realm of creativity, and the need to be mindful of the data sets that shape these technologies.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast, Rethinking, hosted by Adam Grant, and welcomes Baratunde Thurston, a writer, comedian, and cultural critic, as the guest. The episode focuses on the science of what makes us tick and explores new thoughts and new ways of thinking.

00:01:50

The Art of Public Speaking

This Chapter delves into the art of public speaking, with Adam Grant and Baratunde Thurston discussing the balance between natural talent and practice. Thurston shares his experiences with stand-up comedy and TED talks, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and sharing personal stories to connect with audiences. He emphasizes the role of mentorship and feedback in pushing speakers to go deeper and be more authentic.

00:06:29

Emotional Intelligence and Shared Reality

This Chapter explores the concept of emotional intelligence and its connection to shared reality. Thurston reflects on his own tendency to quickly regulate emotions, which can hinder his ability to fully understand his own experiences and those of others. He argues that emotional shared reality can be a bridge for understanding in a world where facts are increasingly divergent. Thurston suggests that focusing on shared feelings, rather than shared thoughts, can be a more effective way to bridge divides and build connection.

00:24:58

Lightning Round

This Chapter features a lightning round of questions and answers, where Baratunde Thurston shares his insights on citizenship, the worst advice he's ever received, a book he recommends, and a recent rethinking. He emphasizes the importance of citizenship as a verb, the limitations of the "just work harder" mentality, and the transformative power of Valerie Kaur's book "See No Stranger." Thurston also discusses his rethinking of the potential harms of AI and the need for careful consideration before embracing its rapid development.

00:30:05

The Power of Curiosity

This Chapter explores the source of Baratunde Thurston's persistent curiosity. He attributes it to the influence of curious role models, a deep fascination with ideas and people, and his commitment to teaching as a lifelong learner. Thurston emphasizes the importance of curiosity as the foundation of learning and growth.

00:31:53

AI and the Future of Creativity

This Chapter delves into Baratunde Thurston's thoughts on the potential impact of AI on creativity. He critiques the unchallenged assumption that more and faster is always better, arguing that the industrialization of creativity could lead to a narrowing of human expression. Thurston sees generative AI as a tool for human creativity, not a replacement for it, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of AI's data sets.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some key takeaways from Baratunde Thurston's discussion on public speaking?

  Thurston emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and sharing personal stories to connect with audiences. He believes that even difficult stories can be powerful tools for building connection and understanding. He also highlights the role of mentorship and feedback in pushing speakers to go deeper and be more authentic.

• How does Baratunde Thurston define emotional intelligence and why does he believe it's crucial in today's world?

  Thurston defines emotional intelligence as the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. He argues that it's crucial in today's world because it allows us to build bridges of understanding in a world where facts are increasingly divergent. He believes that focusing on shared feelings, rather than shared thoughts, can be a more effective way to bridge divides and build connection.

• What are some of Baratunde Thurston's concerns about the potential impact of AI on creativity?

  Thurston is concerned that the unchallenged assumption that more and faster is always better could lead to the industrialization of creativity, resulting in a narrowing of human expression. He believes that generative AI should be seen as a tool for human creativity, not a replacement for it, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of AI's data sets.

• What is Baratunde Thurston's perspective on citizenship and how does he encourage people to engage with it?

  Thurston believes that citizenship is a verb, not just a status. He encourages people to engage with citizenship through their daily actions, recognizing that every action contributes to our ability to live together better. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and understanding people's perspectives, even when they differ from our own.

• What are some of the key themes that emerge from Baratunde Thurston's conversation with Adam Grant?

  Key themes include the importance of vulnerability and storytelling in public speaking, the role of emotional intelligence in building shared reality, the potential impact of AI on creativity, and the importance of citizenship as a verb. The conversation also highlights the transformative power of connecting with nature and the need to embrace the full spectrum of our emotions.

• How does Baratunde Thurston's experience with stand-up comedy inform his approach to public speaking?

  Thurston's experience with stand-up comedy taught him the importance of being vulnerable and sharing personal stories to connect with audiences. He learned that even seemingly mundane experiences can be relatable and engaging when shared with authenticity.

• What is Baratunde Thurston's perspective on the role of personal stories in public speaking?

  Thurston believes that personal stories are essential for connecting with audiences. He argues that sharing our own experiences, even when they're difficult, can help us build empathy and understanding. He believes that by sharing our vulnerabilities, we can create a sense of shared humanity and connection.

• What is Baratunde Thurston's perspective on the relationship between emotional intelligence and shared reality?

  Thurston believes that emotional intelligence is essential for building shared reality. He argues that by understanding and managing our own emotions, we can better understand and connect with the emotions of others. He believes that emotional shared reality can be a bridge for understanding in a world where facts are increasingly divergent.

• What are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of generative AI, according to Baratunde Thurston?

  Thurston sees generative AI as a powerful tool for creativity, but he also warns of its potential drawbacks. He is concerned that the unchallenged assumption that more and faster is always better could lead to the industrialization of creativity, resulting in a narrowing of human expression. He believes that generative AI should be used as a tool for human creativity, not a replacement for it, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of AI's data sets.

• What is Baratunde Thurston's advice for people who are struggling to connect with others in a world where facts are increasingly divergent?

  Thurston suggests focusing on shared feelings, rather than shared thoughts. He believes that by building emotional shared reality, we can create a sense of connection and understanding, even when we disagree on facts. He emphasizes the importance of listening to others, sharing our own vulnerabilities, and recognizing the common ground that we share.

Show Notes