Kanye 'Ye' West Interview | Lex Fridman Podcast #332 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this podcast conversation, Kanye West, also known as Yay, discusses his perspective on engineering, the role of history, and his experiences in the music industry, including controversies related to his remarks about Jewish media control.

Key Insights

• 🔍 Engineering Perspective: Kanye West emphasizes the importance of engineering in creating successful products and believes it should be the primary focus in education. He credits his success in the entertainment industry to having a deep understanding of engineering principles.
• 🙌 Leadership Shift: Kanye believes that the influence of leaders like Elon Musk and himself surpasses that of presidents, and he sees a changing of the guard in terms of leadership. He sees himself as a cultural engineer, shaping the emotions and thoughts of society.
• 🏛️ Limited Usefulness of History: Kanye is critical of the teaching of history, arguing that it is subjective and often written by the victors. He believes that teaching engineering should take precedence over subjective subjects, as it is objective and practical.
• 💡 Impact and Collective Intelligence: Kanye values impact and the collective intelligence of our species over subjective measures of greatness such as wealth or status. He believes that the impact we have on society and the world is what truly matters.
• 💔 Pain Points in the Music Industry: Kanye criticizes the music industry for its mistreatment of artists and the control exerted by Jewish business people. He calls for greater accountability and transparency in the industry, and he plans to take action by hiring more black engineers for his own tech companies.
• 🗣️ Free Speech and Censorship: Kanye expresses frustration with the censorship and control of his voice, particularly by figures like Howard Stern and George Soros. He believes that people should be able to speak their truths freely without fear of retribution or cancel culture.
• 🗺️ Vision for the Future: Kanye envisions creating a new record label that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and supports black artists. He seeks to create a community rather than just consumers and aims to promote unity and innovation within the industry.
• 💔 Healing and Moving Forward: Kanye recognizes the pain and divisions caused by historical injustices but also believes in the need to move on and focus on opportunities for growth and unity. He calls for a shift in mindset and a recognition that we are all on the same side, working towards a better future.

Transcript

the following is a conversation with yay the legendary artist producer and designer formerly known as Kanye West on this The Lex Friedman podcast based off of our connection and just you being a friend I need to show you my two tech companies and get your perspective on it because now I have friends that can give a perspective like when I would wor... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Did Kanye West express regret for his past controversial remarks about Jewish media control in this conversation?

Yes, during the conversation, Kanye West acknowledged that his previous remarks about Jewish media control were wrong and expressed a desire to take a different approach by calling out specific individuals rather than making generalized statements.

Q: How does Kanye West plan to address the mistreatment he experienced in the music industry?

Kanye West discussed his plans to build a new record label where he can ensure that black engineers are hired and not separated from their culture, addressing the mistreatment by creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for artists.

Q: Did Kanye West discuss the impact of history on society and education?

Yes, Kanye West expressed his belief that the teaching of history in schools should be minimized and instead focused on engineering and objective knowledge. He argued that subjective and subjective information often weakens and indoctrinates society.

Q: How does Kanye West view himself in relation to other influential leaders such as Elon Musk and Steve Jobs?

Kanye West sees himself as one of the top leaders and influencers alongside figures like Elon Musk, emphasizing the need for social engineering and the impact of emotions on society. He believes that his influence extends beyond politics and that he is uniquely positioned to create change and promote innovation.

Summary

This conversation is a deep and wide-ranging discussion between Lex Friedman and yay, formerly known as Kanye West, touching on topics such as engineering, history, race, media, and personal experiences. yay emphasizes the importance of engineering and criticizes schools for not teaching it enough. They discuss the subjectivity of history and the need to focus on the present. yay also delves into his vision of creating new living cells and his mission to promote families and make their existence easier. The conversation covers sensitive topics like Jewish media and abortion within the black community, prompting yay to call for a change in the music industry and more accountability. The discussion concludes with both parties agreeing that a healthy conversation and engineering solutions can lead to progress.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does yay believe should be taught in schools?

yay believes that engineering should be the primary focus of school education. He feels that subjective subjects like history only weaken and indoctrinate people, while engineering provides practical and useful skills.

Q: How does yay view history and the interpretation of it?

yay is skeptical of the interpretation of history, arguing that history is often written by the victors and therefore may not accurately reflect the truth. He prefers to focus on the present, as it is the only thing everyone can agree upon.

Q: How does yay define greatness?

For yay, greatness lies in the impact and influence a person has on society. He believes that the metrics of greatness should be based on the influence one has had on areas such as language, products, and emotions.

Q: How does yay view the role of engineers in society?

yay greatly respects engineers and believes they play a crucial role in shaping society. He sees them as the ones who truly understand how to engineer products and bring ideas to life.

Q: How does yay view the relationship between Elon Musk, himself, and the concept of leadership?

yay sees himself and Elon Musk as leaders who have more influence than presidents. He believes that the leadership in society is changing and that they are part of this change.

Q: According to yay, what is the hardest engineering challenge in front of him?

yay sees the hardest engineering challenge in front of him as being human. He believes that human beings are beings with engineering opportunities and challenges to overcome.

Q: How does yay describe his vision for new living cells?

yay envisions the creation of new living cells, represented by a drawing he shares. These cells would be sustainable and allow the flow of natural light, air, and water. They are part of his goal to create a water city and promote regenerative living.

Q: What is the motivation behind yay's vision?

The motivation behind yay's vision is the idea of happiness and the creation of heaven on Earth. He sees family as the promised land and wants to make family existence easier for everyone.

Q: How does yay define greatness and its relationship to subjective and objective elements?

yay believes that greatness should be measured by impact and influence rather than subjective factors. While objective measures like financial success and achievements matter, he sees the impact on society and collective intelligence as the true measure of greatness.

Q: How does yay view the pain and suffering associated with history and how does he propose moving forward?

yay believes that holding onto the pain and suffering of history does not serve progress. He suggests focusing on the present and engineering solutions to societal issues, rather than being bogged down by past traumas.

Takeaways

The conversation with yay delves into various thought-provoking topics, including the importance of engineering, the subjectivity of history, and the need for accountability in the music industry. yay emphasizes the power of healthy conversations and engineering solutions to drive progress. He highlights the impact and influence individuals can have on society and the potential for greatness in shaping the world. The conversation serves as a reminder to focus on the present, let go of past pain, and work towards constructive change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kanye West emphasizes the importance of engineering and the need for a focus on the subject in schools.

• He discusses his experiences in the music industry, including being mistreated and controlled by individuals in positions of power.

• Yay shares his thoughts on history, believing that it is often written by the winners and thus should not be the focus of education, and that a stronger emphasis should be placed on engineering and objective knowledge.