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Rick Rubin: Vibe Coding is the Punk Rock of Software
@ a16z
05/28/25
Takeaways
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The Way of Code is a book about vibe coding, blending 3,000-year-old wisdom from the Tao Te Ching with modern technology.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The term 'vibe coding' is a new concept, yet I refer to it as the timeless art of vibe coding, which is intriguing given its recent emergence.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
I wrote The Way of Code as a book, but after discussing it with Jack Clark, we decided to create a website to demonstrate vibe coding.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
All art is a form of sampling and remixing; it doesn't start from zero but builds on what has come before.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
Remixing is at the heart of all art, as seen in hip-hop, where artists reinterpret existing works to create something new.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The computer is just another tool for artists, similar to a guitar or a sampler, and it doesn't replace the artist's unique point of view.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
AI should be viewed as a tool that helps bring your ideas to life, rather than as a replacement for human creativity.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The beauty of vibe coding is that it democratizes technology, allowing those without coding skills to create and innovate.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The collective unconscious is a primal aspect of humanity, and understanding it can help those designing our future connect with ancient wisdom.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
Many people using AI seek quick answers to stop thinking about their questions rather than discovering the real answers.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
While technology can distract from finding real truth, it also provides unprecedented access to collective knowledge and creativity, allowing us to live in an era of unprecedented creativity as people tap into the collective unconscious and build on it at a much faster rate.
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Rick Rubin
05/28/25
@ a16z
The internet allows anyone to connect with others who share their interests, making it easier to learn and grow in any field.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The downside of this creativity is that individuals can become overwhelmed and lose their sense of self, getting too wrapped up in groupthink or collective movements.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
Turning off the internet and AI to spend time with ourselves is becoming increasingly rare, yet it's essential for tuning into our true selves.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The creative act is about tuning into our own experiences rather than just observing how others experience things.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The way of being doesn't come from listening to others; it comes from tuning into what's going on within ourselves.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
When everyone agrees on something, it's important to feel comfortable expressing a different perspective or preference.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The best artists create from their own experiences and emotions, which allows them to connect deeply with their audience.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The best artists are those who stay true to themselves, as their authenticity resonates with the audience.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The best work comes when artists are true to themselves, and the audience will resonate with that authenticity.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The relationship between art and audience is complex; while artists should be true to themselves, they also need to connect with their audience.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The audience is best served when they receive the real version of the artist, rather than a watered-down version to please others.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
If you compromise your true self to cater to what you think the audience wants, it often leads to failure.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
The process of creating art or technology involves serving people like yourself, as those who share your tastes will likely appreciate your work.
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a16z Cast
05/28/25
@ a16z
Taste, curiosity, and open-mindedness are becoming more important than traditional skills in the future of education.