Riding the Leopard
The article presents a talk exploring the purpose of human existence in an age of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence. As machines take over more tasks and reduce scarcity, the central challenge shifts from survival to finding meaning and purpose. The speaker argues that embracing unique human experiences and perspectives is essential in a world where productivity is no longer the primary measure of value.
- ▪The talk was delivered at an event called The Mountain on May 6, 2026, and reflects on the role of meaning in a technologically advanced world.
- ▪Recent developments in AI, such as major funding rounds for companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, highlight the accelerating pace of technological progress.
- ▪A reader with Stage IV cancer analyzed over 200 sci-fi books and found that 59% focused on the search for meaning in post-scarcity societies.
- ▪The speaker draws on philosophical and ancient texts, including the Bhagavad Gita, to frame a personal philosophy centered on experience and creation.
- ▪Viktor Frankl's work on meaning, particularly from 'The Unheard Cry for Meaning,' is referenced as a foundation for understanding the modern meaning crisis.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Riding the LeopardYou are here to experience, or: why differentiation is a moral obligation.May 13, 2026∙ Paid2451333ShareWelcome to the 1,481 newly Not Boring people who have joined us since our last essay! Join 265,556 smart, curious folks by subscribing here: SubscribeHi friends 👋 , Happy Wednesday! Last week, I went out to LA to give a talk at my friend Grant Gittlin’s event, The Mountain. He asked me to do something different and weird, and I took the opportunity to pull a bunch of the ideas I’ve written in essays like Means and Meaning, The Company as a Machine for Doing Stuff, The Return of Magic, Most Human Wins, and others into one cohesive ~philosophy. It was a good excuse to think about the meaning of life.This is the talk.
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