Robert Green: Finding Purpose and Individuality

Theo discusses finding purpose with bestselling author Robert Green, emphasizing the uniqueness of every individual's purpose and the importance of self-discovery.

### Robert Greene: Finding Purpose and Individuality in a World of Distractions
* 🎟 Robert Greene announces new tour dates and urges fans to **find their tickets on his website**.
* 📚 Greene discusses the concept of purpose, emphasizing that **everyone has a unique purpose** based on their DNA and upbringing.
* 🧠 He believes that those who find and pursue their uniqueness will have a **sense of purpose in life**.
* 👶 Greene suggests that childhood interests and inclinations can be clues to **one's purpose**.
* 🛤 Finding one's purpose is a journey that requires **self-reflection** and **listening to one's inner voice**.
* 🌍 Greene highlights the **rarity and uniqueness of human existence**, using the Cambrian explosion and other historical events to illustrate the **improbability of each individual's existence**.
* 🍄 He shares his positive experiences with psychedelics like peyote and mushrooms, noting their potential to **open the mind and alter perception**.
* 📱 Greene expresses concerns about the **loss of individuality** in today's society, attributing it to factors like **social media**.

### Robert Greene: The Journey to Self-Discovery, Mastery, and Power
* 📜 Robert Greene's journey to self-discovery and finding his calling began after realizing he couldn't continue living a life that didn't align with his **true desires**.
* 🎭 "I was very poor at the time. I had a very low-level job and it wasn't connecting to me. I felt like **something was wrong**."
* 💥 The creation of "The 48 Laws of Power" was fueled by Greene's experiences with **terrible bosses** and his anger towards people **pretending to be something they're not**.
* 🌐 Social media and technology have become incredibly powerful forces, with Greene believing they hold **more sway over society than the government**.
* 🎥 In Hollywood, money is the primary driving force behind the industry, with the pretense of **creating art or supporting causes** often serving as a facade for **profit**.
* 🧠 Greene's books, such as "The 48 Laws of Power," serve as a guide to understanding the **often hidden dynamics of power and influence** in various aspects of life.
* 📚 Greene emphasizes the importance of **self-discovery and the desire to know oneself** as a crucial step towards achieving mastery and **unlocking one's full potential**.
* 💡 "You have to have a level of **disgust**. You have to hit **bottom**, yeah. You have to go, '**I don't want to be like this anymore**. **I want to find out who I am**'."

### Robert Greene: Exploring the $5 Million Barrier in Filmmaking, the Influence of "The Art of Seduction," and Confronting Mortality
* 🎥 The cost of making a film has significantly increased, with the barrier to entry now at least **$5 million**.
* 📜 "The Art of Seduction" by Robert Greene is the **second most banned book in prisons**, as it is perceived as a **tool for manipulation**.
* 🧠 Greene's new book delves into the concept of the **sublime**, exploring experiences that **expand the mind** and make life **more intense**.
* 🩺 Greene recently had a stroke and considers the **near-death experience to be a manifestation of the sublime**.
* 🐘 Animals have consciousness, with octopuses being particularly fascinating due to their **distributed neural network**.
* 🌌 Greene emphasizes the importance of **marveling at the universe and one's own existence**.
* 👁 Greene suggests that looking up at the sky or the universe can evoke a **different feeling**.
* 💬 "I'm sometimes amazed how few times I look up at the sky or up at the universe that created me and even just **let it see my face**."

Robert Greene | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #503

Comedian. Life Survivor. Recovering white person.  Muppet.

Theo Von

New Tour Dates and a Conversation with Robert Greene

Additional tour dates have been added in London, Belfast, Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

The conversation with Robert Greene covers the topic of finding purpose in life through cultivating one's uniqueness and individuality.

Greene explains that everyone has the potential for a unique purpose, but only a few people fully cultivate it to achieve success and fame.

Everyone has a unique purpose, but not everyone embraces it.

Some people are able to hear a voice inside them that guides them towards their purpose, which can be recognized from a young age.

To find one's purpose, it's important to look inward, cut out external influences, and reconnect with the childhood excitement for certain things.

The Power of Desire in Finding One's Purpose

Having a strong desire to break out of a shell and find a purpose can drive individuals, even those facing difficult circumstances, to pursue their passions.

Temple Grandin's deep connection to animals and desire for humane treatment led her to make a significant impact in animal behavior science.

In challenging situations, identifying a childhood passion and taking small steps towards it, such as learning new skills or getting an education, can create a path towards a more fulfilling life.

The Power of Laughter and Finding Contentment

The speaker recalls the profound impact of laughter in their youth and how it has the power to transform emotions.

They also describe the happiest day of their life, which was spent at a children's home in India.

The conversation touches on the importance of finding contentment in life and the challenges of achieving it when feeling lost or off track.

Overcoming Pornography Addiction and the Uniqueness of Human Existence

Watching pornography can lead to shame and is often used to numb emotional pain.

Valor Recovery offers a program to help men overcome porn abuse with the support of coaches in long-term recovery.

The existence of each individual is incredibly rare, considering the unlikely chain of events, from the evolution of life to the chance of one's parents meeting.

The Importance of Individuality and Psychedelics

Psychedelics, like peyote and mushrooms, have had a profound impact on the speaker, providing powerful spiritual experiences and a new perception on life.

He believes that these drugs can be used for positive purposes, such as gaining a different perspective on relationships and business.

The speaker also emphasizes the importance of individuality, expressing concern that it is being lost in today's society, partly due to the influence of social media.

Peyote has a long history among Native Americans and Mexicans, being used for religious purposes and viewed as a medicine for healing.

Its modern-day use is compared to the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca.

The conversation also explores the impact of modern technology and social media on self-discovery, expressing concerns about the loss of individuality and hope.

The dialogue ends with a discussion about the potential for a future rebellion against the lifeless nature of modern society.

Self-discovery is crucial for individuals to find a sense of identity and purpose, especially in today's mechanical culture.

Journaling and exploring childhood memories and dreams can be powerful tools in the self-discovery process.

Revisiting adolescence and the strong emotions and rebelliousness during that time can provide valuable insights into one's individuality and development.

Early Musical Influences and the Path to Self-Discovery

The speaker's first memorable song was "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles, which had a profound impact on them.

They went through a period of struggle and self-discovery, trying different jobs and traveling through Europe in search of inspiration.

The turning point came when their girlfriend encouraged them to pursue their passion for writing and theater, leading to a shift towards following their own excitement and creativity.

The Transformation from Failure to Success Through Writing

After a series of strange plays in Los Angeles, the opportunity to write a non-fiction book led to a life-changing moment for the author.

The writing process for the book "48 Laws of Power" was driven by desperation and determination, following a "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" mentality.

The author's intense focus and commitment to the book were supported by a change in his writing environment, including a solution to keep his cat from interrupting his work.

Unlikely Success: The Story of the 48 Laws of Power

The author's book, "The 48 Laws of Power," had a surprising and unconventional path to success, starting with a sudden invitation to Italy for a book tour.

The book's influence spread to the hip-hop world, leading to the author providing advice to influential figures and even joining the Board of Directors for American Apparel.

The author reflects on the unlikely series of events and encounters that led to the book's success, acknowledging the role of luck and fate in the process.

Pitching Book Ideas and the Inspiration Behind the 48 Laws of Power

The author pitched book ideas about the psychology of Louis the 14th's court and the power of nonsense, which were not well-received.

His experiences working in a detective agency in Los Angeles, particularly as a skip tracer, inspired some of the 48 Laws of Power.

The 48 Laws of Power were written with a sense of vengeance and aimed to make people aware of the power dynamics at play in the world, rather than just instructing them on how to behave.

Recognizing and Understanding Cult Behavior

Cults create an "Us Versus Them" dynamic to trap people and emphasize a sense of belonging.

They also use hierarchical structures and numbers to control and manipulate their members.

The conversation also touches on the increasing power of the media and its merging with the government, as well as the influential role of Hollywood and the movie industry driven primarily by financial motives.

The Financial Pressure and Creative Impact of Modern Filmmaking

Marvel movies prioritize international sales and big profits, shaping their production choices.

The current film industry requires much higher budgets, making it difficult for independent filmmakers to succeed.

Hollywood studios are increasingly risk-averse, prioritizing safe bets over supporting innovative but lower-budget films, contributing to a crisis in the industry.

The Decline of Risk-Taking and Creativity in America

Risk-taking is dwindling in America across all fields, leading to a loss of individuality and a decline in new ideas and innovation.

The impact is particularly notable in the film and music industries, where nepotism and fear of taking creative risks are stifling the emergence of fresh talent and original content.

The overabundance of entertainment options and the reluctance to rely on imagination are further contributing to the decline of creativity in modern society.

The Power of Imagination and Its Impact on Relationships

Creating a miniature town sparked creativity and imagination in the speaker's youth.

The easy access to online pornographic content is criticized for degrading social and seduction skills, leading to a fear of real-life interactions.

The speaker reflects on the negative impact this had on his own relationships and longs for the days of genuine, in-the-moment experiences.

The Charisma of Eduardo and the Art of Seduction

Eduardo's undefensive and confident demeanor made him charming to women, without being focused on impressing them.

The fascination with his ability with women continued into his later years, showing that his charm was timeless.

The key to being fearless with women, according to the conversation, is genuine interest and connection, which brings out the best in a person.

The Impact of a Book on Prisoners and the Author's Literary Influences

The book is feared in prisons for its potential to reveal and challenge the manipulative power dynamics and control systems.

The author's literary influences include John Irving, Carlos Castaneda, and Herman Hess, whose radical and subversive works resonated with him.

The conversation also touches on the use of hallucinogens and the impact of literature on the author's life.

The interviewee discusses their near-death experience after suffering a stroke while driving in LA, highlighting the dramatic impact it had on their life.

They also talk about the concept of the "sublime" and how it relates to intense experiences, including drug use and confronting mortality.

The interviewee aims to explore the expansion of the mind through their book, encouraging readers to contemplate the meaning of life.

The Profound Connection Between Humans and Animals

Animals have consciousness, as proven by neuroscientists, challenging the idea of human superiority.

Various animals have senses beyond the human's five senses, such as the ability to sense heat, electromagnetic waves, and vibrations.

The unique consciousness and senses of animals, like octopuses with neurons in their arms, provide a new perspective on life and our place in the universe.