Added: Jul 31, 2023
In this podcast episode, musician and entrepreneur Will.i.am discusses his experiences with guilt, depression, creativity, and ADHD. He shares insights into his upbringing in East Los Angeles, where his mother encouraged his creativity and instilled in him a sense of self-belief and fearlessness. Will.i.am attributes his success to his creativity, which he views as his currency.One of the key points Will.i.am emphasizes is the importance of competition, being analytical, and having a fierce, predatory mindset in order to be hyper-creative. He believes that humility, curiosity, and magnetism are also essential qualities for a creative person. He acknowledges that hard work is relative and depends on the individual and their environment. Will.i.am challenges the notion that failure is something to be feared, suggesting that it is a necessary part of the creative process. He believes that the goal of creativity is to make sense of the world and contribute to progress, both for oneself and others. He emphasizes the importance of passing on knowledge and gifts to future generations. The conversation then shifts to Will.i.am's struggle with being in his head and constantly analyzing everything. He acknowledges that this can be overwhelming and unhealthy, but he sees it as an inherent part of his creative nature. He believes that finding the right balance between being present and living in the future is crucial for a creative person. Will.i.am also opens up about his desire to be a father and have a family. He reflects on his past mindset of waiting to achieve ultimate success before starting a family, but now realizes that he can be a full-time dad while still pursuing his creative endeavors. He acknowledges that he no longer needs to do everything himself and can assemble and fund teams to support his vision. Another important topic discussed is Will.i.am's experience with depression and the importance of mental health. He describes a dark period in his life when he felt a sense of distortion and dis-ease. He attributes this to chemical imbalances and the shame and guilt he felt for hurting his mother. He emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and seeking support. Will.i.am also talks about anxiety and its connection to creativity. He explains that anxiety often comes with having a hyperactive imagination and constantly thinking about future scenarios. However, he emphasizes that living in the future does not mean living in anxiety. Once one becomes aware of their tendency to think ahead and feel emotions about future events, they can separate themselves from those emotions. The conversation then turns to the topic of FYI, a new app that Will.i.am is involved with. He explains that FYI is a platform designed to help creators organize, collaborate, and communicate in one place. He discusses the challenges of using multiple communication channels and digital assets and how FYI aims to solve these problems. Will.i.am also raises concerns about data privacy and ownership. He questions why individuals do not have ownership of their own digital assets, such as their face and voice, and why encryption and security measures are not applied to personal data in the same way they are to NFTs and cryptocurrencies. He expresses his desire for people to have control over their own data and for AI to be used in a way that benefits individuals rather than exploiting them. The conversation then delves into the topic of AI and its impact on society. Will.i.am acknowledges that AI can be both exciting and terrifying. He believes that AI has the potential to push humanity to be better and to love more, but he also acknowledges the risks associated with creating an intelligence that is much smarter than humans. He references the story of Oppenheimer and the creation of the nuclear bomb as an example of the potential dangers of creating something that has the power to destroy humanity. Will.i.am concludes by discussing his vision for the future and the role of creativity in shaping it. He believes that creativity is essential for preparing for the future and solving the problems of marginalized communities. He encourages young people, especially those in underserved communities, to embrace AI as a tool for empowerment and to use it to create a better world. Overall, Will.i.am's conversation touches on various topics, including guilt, depression, creativity, ADHD, distortion, anxiety, data privacy, AI, and the future. He offers insights into his personal experiences and perspectives, highlighting the potential of AI as a tool for positive change while acknowledging the risks and challenges it presents.
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