Stephen Hawking, Dinosaurs & Microsoft: A Brief History of Nathan Mhyrvold's Career | Big Think

TL;DR

From working with Stephen Hawking on quantum theories to leading Microsoft's revolution, a tech expert explores diverse interests and career shifts.

Transcript

you know i've had the interesting uh the interesting career of uh training for many things uh and then having a career mostly in things i never trained for after graduate school i became a post-doc with stephen hawking where we were working on quantum theories of gravity basically they were trying to understand the fundamental structure of space an... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Diverse career experiences from academia with Stephen Hawking to founding a tech company and leading Microsoft.
• 🧑‍💻 Pursuit of interests in science, particularly paleontology, after retiring from the tech industry.
• 👶 Reflection on the importance of taking charge of one's life and pursuing new challenges despite success.
• 🏑 Emphasis on personal growth and exploration, even after achieving success in a specific field.
• 🍃 Recognition of the need to follow one's passions and interests, even if it means leaving a successful career behind.
• ❓ Insight into the challenges and rewards of navigating career transitions and pursuing varied interests.
• 💦 Experience of working with pioneers in science and technology, shaping the speaker's career trajectory.

Questions & Answers

Q: What did the speaker work on with Stephen Hawking?

The speaker collaborated with Stephen Hawking on quantum theories of gravity, exploring the fundamental structure of space and time and the origins of the universe. This experience laid the foundation for the speaker's career.

Q: How did the speaker's three-month software project turn into a lifelong commitment?

The speaker took a leave of absence to work on a software project, which eventually led to starting a company. The success of the project attracted Microsoft's acquisition, catapulting the speaker into a prominent role at the tech giant.

Q: Why did the speaker pursue interests in paleontology after retiring from Microsoft?

Despite a successful tenure at Microsoft, the speaker felt compelled to explore other passions, such as paleontology. This shift reflects the importance of following one's interests and taking charge of one's life.

Q: How did the speaker view leaving Microsoft despite his success there?

The speaker acknowledged the difficulty of leaving a successful career at Microsoft but emphasized the importance of taking charge of one's life and pursuing new interests. This decision reflected a desire for personal growth and exploration.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Started as a post-doc with Stephen Hawking on quantum theories of gravity.

• Transitioned to becoming a CEO of a software company acquired by Microsoft.

• Pursued interests in science, particularly paleontology, after retiring from Microsoft.