LF
Jeff Bezos: Amazon and Blue Origin | Lex Fridman Podcast #405
@ Lex Fridman
12/15/23
Takeaways
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I spent all my summers on my grandfather's working ranch in Texas from age four to 16, where I learned self-reliance and problem-solving skills.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
My grandfather was incredibly resourceful; he made his own veterinary tools and figured out how to solve problems with persistence and ingenuity.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The Apollo program was a technical marvel, achieving what was once thought impossible, and it deserves its place among great human achievements.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I envision a future where a trillion humans live in the solar system, leading to a flourishing of life, intelligence, and creativity.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
To support a large civilization in space, we will need giant space stations, as planetary surfaces are too small for such a population.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Space exploration is essential for preserving Earth; we need to utilize resources in space to reduce our impact on the planet.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The natural world is deteriorating, and while we have made advancements as a society, we must go to space to ensure we can continue to thrive without harming our planet.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I identify as an inventor, capable of generating many atypical solutions, with the hope that one will prove viable.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Real invention requires wandering and giving yourself permission to explore ideas without the pressure of efficiency.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
When I come up with an idea, I acknowledge that it will face objections, but I encourage collaboration to refine it into a fully formed concept.
LF
Lex Fridman Cast
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
IQ isn't a single dimension; there are many unique ways to be smart.
LF
Lex Fridman Cast
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
When someone calls me an idiot online, I remind myself there are a thousand ways to be smart.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
New Glenn is a heavy lift launch vehicle capable of carrying about 45 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
New Glenn generates about 3.9 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, which is a little more than half the thrust of the Saturn V Rocket.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The New Glenn rocket's booster is powered by seven BE-4 engines, each producing over 550,000 pounds of thrust, fueled by liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The BE-3U engines, used in the second stage of New Glenn, produce 160,000 pounds of thrust and are designed for high efficiency with liquid hydrogen as the propellant.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Hydrogen is a great propellant for upper stages due to its high specific impulse, but it's not ideal for booster stages because it requires large storage tanks.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Rockets tend to be more efficient when they are larger, as parasitic mass becomes less significant and engine efficiency improves with size.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Manufacturing large rocket structures is challenging, but small rocket components can be assembled by hand without heavy machinery.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Building launch pads requires deep pilings for structural integrity, often going 50 to 150 feet deep in sandy or swampy areas like Cape Canaveral.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The use of carbon composites in modern rocketry allows for incredibly light and strong structures that were unimaginable in the 1960s.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Friction stir welding allows for strong welds without the heat that can weaken traditional welds, making it ideal for high-pressure tanks.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The first stage of New Glenn is reusable, landing on a platform in the ocean for maintenance, while the second stage is expendable to maximize efficiency.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Reducing the cost of access to orbit is crucial for enabling a new era of space exploration and innovation.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The first launch of New Glenn is scheduled for 2024, and while I'm optimistic, I'm not certain about the payload for that mission.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Experiencing the first crewed flight of New Shepard was emotionally powerful, especially seeing the nervousness of family saying goodbye.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Zero gravity feels very natural, almost like a return to the womb.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Experiencing the overview effect from space makes you realize how fragile Earth is; if you're not an environmentalist, it will make you one.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The escape system on the New Shepard vehicle is crucial for safety; we invested significant effort into it, making it one of the hardest pieces of engineering in the entire architecture.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The escape system is automated, allowing for a faster reaction in emergencies, which is essential for the safety of tourism rockets.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I left my role as CEO of Amazon to focus on Blue Origin because it needs to move much faster; I wanted to bring energy and urgency to the company.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
At Blue Origin, we aim to become the world's most decisive company, quickly taking appropriate technology risks and making bold decisions.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Most decisions in a company should be made quickly by individuals or small teams, while one-way door decisions should be elevated to senior executives for careful consideration.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The principle of 'disagree and commit' is vital in teams; it allows for decision-making even when there are differing opinions, ensuring everyone supports the final choice.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Compromise is often a poor resolution mechanism; instead of seeking truth, it leads to low-energy agreements that don't address the real issue.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
We're developing solar-powered cryo coolers to make hydrogen a storable propellant for deep space missions, which is a game changer for lunar and outer planet exploration.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
To sustain life on the moon, we're working on using lunar resources to manufacture commodities, including solar cells and extracting oxygen from lunar regolith.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
It's unlikely that I will step foot on the moon or Mars; I believe those missions will be accomplished by future generations of professional astronauts.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Space is big, and there's room for multiple successful companies; I want Blue Origin and SpaceX to thrive, along with many others in the industry.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I don't really know Elon very well, but judging by the results, he must be a very capable leader.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Every startup company is unlikely to work, and it's helpful to be in reality about that, but that doesn't mean you can't be optimistic.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Day one thinking is about renewal and rebirth; every day you decide what you're going to do and you're not trapped by your past.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
You have to be on guard against managing to metrics that you don't really understand, as they may no longer be relevant.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
High-performing organizations must have a culture that supports truth-telling, even when it's uncomfortable.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
When the data and anecdotes disagree, the anecdotes are usually right, which means you should examine the data to ensure you're measuring the right thing.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
We call small customer experience deficiencies 'paper cuts' and have dedicated teams to fix them because they often get overlooked by teams focused on bigger issues.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The invention of 1-click shopping eliminated a lot of friction in the buying process, addressing multiple customer experience 'paper cuts'.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
It's important to spend time doing long attention span activities, like reading books, to counteract the attention-shortening effects of technology.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Generative AI and large language models, like ChatGPT, are incredibly powerful technologies that will soon become even more powerful.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Large language models are discoveries rather than inventions; they surprise us with their capabilities, unlike engineered objects like the Boeing 787, which behave predictably.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Even specialized AI can pose risks to humanity, as they can be used to create destructive weapons, highlighting the need for careful consideration of their implications.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I'm optimistic that powerful AI tools are more likely to help humanity and prevent extinction than to cause harm.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
The 10,000 year clock is a project designed to promote long-term thinking, symbolizing the need for humanity to extend its thinking horizons beyond short-term concerns.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Long-term thinking is crucial for humanity, especially as we face challenges like climate change, which are unintended consequences of our actions.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
I believe humans will still exist when the 10,000 year clock runs out, but civilizations will rise and fall over that time.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
As I've aged, my fear of death has diminished; I focus more on maintaining my health and being present for my family and friends.
JB
Jeff Bezos
12/15/23
@ Lex Fridman
Be stubborn on vision, but flexible on the details.