#827: Pablos Holman — One of The Scariest Hackers I’ve Ever Met
In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, hacker Pablos Holman explains how hackers approach problem-solving by pushing technology beyond its intended limits. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Alaska and teaching himself computing, Holman shares examples of hacker thinking, from manipulating Google Maps traffic data to developing brain surgery tools and mosquito-killing lasers at Intellectual Ventures Lab.
The discussion covers the challenges of bringing deep tech innovations to market, including regulatory hurdles and funding complexities. Holman outlines his criteria for investing in deep tech startups, which includes looking for technologies that can deliver tenfold improvements over existing solutions within a decade. He also explains how combining technical expertise with business acumen can help overcome the obstacles facing transformative technologies in traditional industries.
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1-Page Summary
The Hacker Mindset and Approach to Problem-Solving
Known hacker Pablos Holman describes the hacker mindset as one driven by curiosity and the desire to push technology beyond its intended limits. Like magicians devoted to their craft, hackers are drawn to puzzles and reverse engineering, constantly asking not what technology is meant to do, but what it could do. Holman demonstrates this through various examples, from hacking voicemail systems to manipulating Google Maps traffic data, showing how hackers consistently find unconventional solutions to complex problems.
Holman's Diverse Technical Projects and Experiences
Growing up in Alaska, Holman taught himself computing and hacking on an Apple II computer. His self-taught expertise led to various innovative projects, including the "HackerBot," a robot designed to expose Wi-Fi security vulnerabilities. His career spans impressive technical achievements, from contributing to Blue Origin's space travel initiatives to developing brain surgery tools and mosquito-killing lasers at Intellectual Ventures Lab. Holman describes himself as a T-shaped professional, combining deep computer expertise with broad knowledge that allows him to bridge different disciplines effectively.
Challenges and Opportunities Of Commercializing Impactful New Technologies
Deep tech innovations face significant hurdles in commercialization, as Holman explains through examples like nuclear reactors and autonomous cargo ships. These challenges include regulatory issues, technical risks, and funding complexities. To overcome these obstacles, Holman advocates for assembling multidisciplinary teams that combine technical expertise with business acumen. He points to promising developments, such as new nuclear reactor designs and fusion reactor innovations by companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
Holman's Criteria For Investing In Deep Tech Startups
When investing in deep tech startups, Holman looks for technologies that offer 10x improvements over existing solutions and can be realized within a 10-year timeframe. He focuses on connecting technical experts with entrepreneurs, particularly in traditional industries often overlooked by Silicon Valley. Holman believes significant opportunities exist in these entrenched sectors, where transformative technologies can generate substantial returns.
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Clarifications
- A T-shaped professional is someone with both deep expertise in a specific field (the vertical part of the "T") and a broad understanding across various disciplines (the horizontal part of the "T"). This combination allows them to collaborate effectively with specialists in other areas and solve complex problems that require interdisciplinary approaches. The vertical bar represents the depth of expertise in one particular domain, while the horizontal bar symbolizes the ability to work across different disciplines. This model emphasizes the importance of having a balance between specialized knowledge and a broader skill set.
- Blue Origin is a private aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. The company focuses on developing technologies for space travel, including reusable rocket systems. Blue Origin aims to make space more accessible through initiatives like suborbital space tourism and plans for orbital and lunar missions. The company is known for its New Shepard suborbital rocket and is working on projects like the New Glenn orbital rocket and the Blue Moon lunar lander.
- Intellectual Ventures Lab is a research facility associated with Intellectual Ventures, a company focused on intellectual property development and licensing. The lab engages in prototyping and research activities, including projects related to global issues like climate change and humanitarian efforts. Intellectual Ventures Lab was established in 2009 as part of Intellectual Ventures' broader initiatives in innovation and technology. The lab has been involved in various projects that aim to address global challenges and advance technology for social good.
- Autonomous cargo ships are crewless vessels that transport goods over water with minimal human intervention. They utilize various levels of autonomy, from remote monitoring to AI-driven decision-making. Several countries and companies have been developing and testing autonomous cargo ship technology in recent years. These vessels have the potential to revolutionize the shipping industry by increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is a fusion power company founded in 2018 as a spin-off from MIT, aiming to develop a small fusion power plant based on the ARC tokamak design. It has received significant funding from various sources, including Eni, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and others. CFS has made notable progress in fusion technology, such as developing high-temperature superconducting cables and magnets for their projects. The company is focused on advancing fusion energy as a clean and sustainable power source for the future.
Counterarguments
- While curiosity is a key aspect of the hacker mindset, excessive curiosity without ethical boundaries can lead to privacy violations and illegal activities.
- Pushing technology beyond its limits can sometimes result in unintended negative consequences, such as security vulnerabilities or ethical dilemmas.
- Focusing on what technology could do rather than its intended purpose might sometimes ignore important safety and ethical considerations.
- Self-taught expertise, while valuable, may lack the rigor and breadth of formal education, potentially leading to gaps in knowledge or understanding.
- The creation of tools like "HackerBot" could be criticized for potentially enabling malicious hacking if such tools are misused or fall into the wrong hands.
- Working on a wide range of technical projects can be seen as a lack of focus, which might dilute expertise and impact in specific areas.
- Being a T-shaped professional is beneficial, but it may also mean that one is not as deeply specialized in certain necessary areas compared to those with more focused expertise.
- Multidisciplinary teams are important, but they can also struggle with communication and integration of different perspectives, which can slow down innovation.
- The focus on 10x improvements within a 10-year timeframe might overlook smaller, incremental innovations that can also be significant and sometimes more achievable.
- Concentrating on traditional industries might miss out on cutting-edge developments in emerging fields that could also offer substantial returns.
- The emphasis on transformative technologies in entrenched sectors may underestimate the resistance to change and the complexity of disrupting established industries.
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The Hacker Mindset and Approach to Problem-Solving
The hacker mindset is characterized by a unique approach to problem-solving, where technology is not just a tool for its intended use but a playground for innovation and pushing boundaries.
Hackers View Technology As a Tool to Be Reimagined and Pushed Beyond Its Limits
Hackers Are Drawn To Puzzles, Driven to Explore By Reverse-Engineering Technology
Pablos Holman, a known hacker, illustrates the hacker mindset perfectly by his fascination with puzzles and computer security. Holman sees the endless possibilities within puzzles, leading him to delve deep into reverse engineering. This involves dismantling things to understand their function, which aids in learning and discovering new possibilities. Holman compares hackers to magicians in their devotion to exploring subjects that intrigue them, which in turn nurtures their ability to reverse-engineer technology.
Hackers Embrace an Explorative Mindset, Unconstrained by Conventional Wisdom
Hackers Explore Unconventional Methods for Novel Solutions
Holman showcases the hackers' explorative mentality, unconstrained by traditional wisdom or the expected uses of technology. Rather than asking what technology is intended to do, Holman asks, "What can I make this do?" This mindset opens possibilities to repurpose technology in inventive ways.
For example, Holman demonstrated on stage various hacking techniques that reveal vulnerabilities in typically trusted security mechanisms like voicemail, door locks, and web browsers. Using caller ID spoofing, he hacked into an AT&T voicemail system, and he displayed how simple tools like a filed-down key and a mallet can open Schlage locks. Moreover, Holman manipulated cnnmoney.com with JavaScript, showing a subtle yet powerful exercise in website tampering.
Holman's drive to reimagine technology led him to try unconventional methods in his explorations. For instance, he purchased a merchant card reader on eBay to extract credit card information from RFID enabled cards when other methods to break encryption failed. Similarly, Sammy, another hacker, manipulated Google Maps traffics data to ease his commute, thereby demonstrating an inventive use of the platform beyond its conventional purpose.
Holman emphasizes that it's not about learning through structured or choreographed means; it's about experimentation. He appli ...
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The Hacker Mindset and Approach to Problem-Solving
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Counterarguments
- While hackers often push technology beyond its intended limits, this can sometimes lead to ethical and legal issues, as not all hacking is done with permission or for constructive purposes.
- The fascination with puzzles and reverse engineering, while beneficial for understanding and innovation, can also lead to security and privacy violations if not done within the bounds of the law.
- An explorative mindset unconstrained by conventional wisdom is valuable, but it must be balanced with an understanding of the potential consequences of one's actions, especially in terms of cybersecurity.
- Exploring unconventional methods for novel solutions can be groundbreaking, but it can also inadvertently create new vulnerabilities or be used for malicious purposes.
- The question "What can I make this do?" is a powerful driver of innovation, but it also raises concerns about responsible use and the potential for creating tools that could be misused.
- Techniques like caller ID spoofing, while demonstrating vulnerabilities, can also be used for fraudulent activities, which is a legitimate concern for individuals and organizations.
- Manipulating websites, even as a demonstration, can cross ethical boundaries and potentially violate terms of service or laws against unauthorized access.
- Extracting credit card information from RFID cards, even if for educational purposes, can be seen as promoting or enabling identity theft and financial fraud.
- Manipulating Google Maps traffic data for personal benefit can ...
Actionables
- You can foster a hacker's mindset by starting a 'technology book club' with friends where you dissect and discuss the inner workings of everyday gadgets. Instead of just reading about technology, get hands-on with old phones, computers, or other devices. Take them apart, identify the components, and discuss how they work together. This practice encourages curiosity and a deeper understanding of the technology that surrounds us.
- Try personalizing your tech experience by using open-source software to customize programs you use daily. Open-source projects like Linux for operating systems or GIMP for image editing allow you to tweak and change the software to better fit your needs. This hands-on approach can give you a taste of the hacker ethos of pushing technology beyond its intended use.
- Engage in creative problem-solving exercises, such as ...
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Holman's Diverse Technical Projects and Experiences
Pablos Holman’s journey through the technological landscape merges an Alaskan childhood filled with hacking and reverse engineering with groundbreaking contributions to projects ranging from space travel to public health.
Holman's Alaskan Childhood Computing and Technology Reverse-Engineering Drive
Holman's Self-Taught Hacking and "Hackerbot" Wi-fi Security Work
Holman’s technological pursuits began with a secret quest to understand his Apple II computer in the isolation of Alaska. With no local knowledge base to draw from, he taught himself, driven by creativity similar to Rodney Mullen's skateboard inventing in rural Florida. Holman convinced others of his computer’s potential and later in life, applied this self-taught hacking spirit to create the “HackerBot.” This robot, designed to drive around and reveal Wi-Fi users' passwords on a screen, was seen as endearing despite its troublesome capabilities. This project raised awareness about Wi-Fi security vulnerabilities in a mediagenic way when few would listen to hackers.
Holman's Technical Innovations: Spaceships, Brain Surgery Tools, Hurricane Suppression, Mosquito-Killing Lasers
Holman’s spectrum of technical innovation is broad, touching industries from aerospace to public health. He worked on cryptocurrency in 1998 before being introduced to Neal Stephenson and joining a lab that led to the origin of Blue Origin, where they explored unconventional space travel methods like beaming power to payloads. He was part of the design of a vertical-flight craft with jet engines, a precursor to the quadcopters we know today.
Not stopping at space exploration, Holman played a role at Intellectual Ventures Lab, where he contributed to inventions such as a brain surgery tool, a machine to sup ...
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Holman's Diverse Technical Projects and Experiences
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Clarifications
- Rodney Mullen is a legendary skateboarder known for his innovative tricks and contributions to modern street skateboarding. Growing up in Florida, Mullen's creativity and technical skill revolutionized the sport, pioneering many foundational tricks like the kickflip and heelflip. His influence on skateboarding culture and progression is widely recognized and celebrated within the skateboarding community.
- Blue Origin, a private aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, is known for its innovative approach to space exploration. One of the unconventional methods they have explored is beaming power to payloads, which involves transmitting energy wirelessly to spacecraft or equipment in space. This technology could potentially revolutionize how spacecraft are powered and operated in the future.
- A "T-shaped person" is someone with deep expertise in one specific area (the vertical bar of the T) and the ability to collaborate and work effectively across different disciplines (the horizontal bar of the T). This metaphor is often used in job recruitment to describe individuals who can bring specialized knowledge while also being versatile and adaptable in diverse team settings. The vertical bar represents specialized skills, while the horizontal bar symbolizes the ability to communicate and work with experts from various fields. The concept emphasizes the importance of both depth and breadth in skills for effective teamwork and problem-solving.
- 3D food printers are devices that use additive manufacturing techniques to create food products layer by layer. They can customize food in terms of shape, color, texture, flavor, and nutrition. These printers have pre-loaded recipes and can also allow users to design their food remotely. The technology is utilized in various fields like space exploration and healthcare.
- Intellectual Ventures Lab is a research facility associated with Intellectual Ventures, focusing on innovation and prototyping. It collaborates on various projects, including humanitarian initiatives through its Global Good program. The lab gained attention for its work on diverse technological solutions and ideas, s ...
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Challenges and Opportunities Of Commercializing Impactful New Technologies
The commercialization of new, potentially impactful technologies comes with both unique hurdles and the promise of significant advances. Investors and innovators like Tim Ferriss and Pablos Holman offer insights into navigating these challenges.
Risks In Developing Deep Tech Innovations
Deep tech innovations face a multitude of challenges and delays, particularly when introducing transformative technologies such as nuclear reactors and autonomous cargo ships to the market.
Challenges and Delays In Launching Transformative Technologies Like Nuclear Reactors and Autonomous Cargo Ships
Tim Ferriss recounts his experience with the commercialization of inhalable [restricted term] where he faced regulatory issues and other obstacles. Pablos Holman, on the other hand, discusses the immense technical risk involved with his investment projects such as building nuclear reactors or launching solar panels into space. The complexity and the Silicon Valley funding environment add to the difficulty of getting groundbreaking technologies like nuclear reactors off the ground.
Similarly, advanced nuclear reactors have faced setbacks from regulatory agencies like the NRC, but there's a new push from the Department of Energy to expedite their deployment. For instance, a new type of nuclear reactor that's small and can be buried deep underground has faced approval delays despite its safety and simplicity. Now, there's hope for a quicker deployment by July instead of the original 2029 timeline.
Holman faces similar challenges with autonomous cargo ships. His team is focusing on developing these ships to have sailing capabilities and an electric backup for dead zones. Unfortunately, companies capable of such innovation, like shipping companies, have not taken the initiative, similar to how taxi companies failed to respond to Uber's rise.
Assemble Teams to Manage Technology Scaling and Commercialization Complexities
Deep Tech Innovations: Outsized Impacts Amid Hurdles
To overcome complex hurdles in commercializing deep tech, assembling a multidisciplinary team is vital, as Pablos Holman advocates. Founders should not attempt to handle both technical and business elements alone to avoid burnout. Instead, a team with diverse skill sets, including ...
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Challenges and Opportunities Of Commercializing Impactful New Technologies
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Deep tech innovations involve the development of cutting-edge technologies that often require significant scientific and engineering expertise. These innovations face challenges such as regulatory hurdles, technical risks, and funding complexities due to their disruptive nature. Examples include nuclear reactors and autonomous cargo ships, which require overcoming various obstacles before reaching commercial viability. Assembling diverse teams with technical and business skills is crucial for successfully navigating the complexities of commercializing deep tech innovations.
- Regulatory agencies like the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) oversee the safety and security of nuclear activities in the United States. They set and enforce regulations to ensure that nuclear technologies, such as nuclear reactors, meet strict safety standards and operate in a manner that protects public health and the environment. The NRC plays a crucial role in licensing and regulating nuclear facilities, including approving new technologies and overseeing their deployment to ensure compliance with safety protocols. Their oversight helps to mitigate risks associated with nuclear technologies and ensures that they are developed and operated responsibly.
- Autonomous cargo ships with sailing capabilities are vessels equipped with autonomous technology to navigate and operate without human intervention. The addition of sailing capabilities allows these ships to harness wind power for propulsion, reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources and enhancing sustainability. This innovation aims to revolutionize the shipping industry by increasing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact. By combining autonomous systems with sailing technology, these vessels represent a cutting-edge approach to maritime transportation.
- Venture funds typically operate on a timeline of around 10 years for their investments. This timeline aligns with the development and growth stages of many technology projects. Investors expect significant milestones or returns within this ...
Counterarguments
- While regulatory issues are a significant hurdle, it's also possible that the market readiness and consumer acceptance of products like inhalable [restricted term] could be equally challenging.
- Technical risks are inherent in any innovative project, but focusing solely on these risks can overshadow the potential for iterative progress and unforeseen breakthroughs that can mitigate these risks.
- The Silicon Valley funding environment is often criticized for being difficult, but it also has a track record of successfully funding and scaling innovative technologies, suggesting that the issue may be more nuanced.
- Setbacks from regulatory agencies may sometimes stem from a lack of understanding or outdated regulations, but they can also serve as important checks to ensure public safety and reliability of new technologies.
- The push for quicker deployment of new nuclear reactors by the Department of Energy is positive, but it's important to balance speed with thorough safety evaluations, given the potential risks associated with nuclear technology.
- The challenges faced by Holman's team in developing autonomous cargo ships could be indicative of broader industry hesitance, but it might also reflect a prudent wait-and-see approach given the nascent stage of the technology and potential regulatory and safety concerns.
- While shipping companies have not taken the initiative in developing autonomous cargo ships, this could be due to valid concerns about the current technological limitations, safety, and economic viability rather than a simple lack of initiative.
- Assembling a multidisciplinary team is important, but it's also critical to ensure that the team dynamics foster collaboration and innovation rather than conflict and bureaucracy.
- Founders often have a unique vision and passion that can be diluted when too many managers or specialists are involved, suggesting that a balan ...
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Holman's Criteria For Investing In Deep Tech Startups
Holman’s investment strategy in deep tech startups is characterized by his search for transformative technologies with big ambition and long-term relevance.
Holman's Focus on Technologies With Potential For 10x Improvements, However Far-fetched
Holman's Commitment To Investing In Ambitious Solutions and Providing Long-Term Support to Founders
Holman signals his intent by investing in advanced technologies like nuclear reactors, indicating a focus on large-scale improvements or ambitious solutions. He becomes involved with technology when he perceives it to be ten times better than what is currently available, emphasizing groundbreaking efficiency, cost, or functionality improvements over incremental advancements. Holman invests in breakthrough technologies and assists in transitioning them from concept to startup. He prefers deep tech that can vastly alter industries, with potential markets worth trillions, and he contemplates their long-term transformative ability. He assesses whether these significant transformative projects can come to fruition within a 10-year window, aligning with the timing of venture funds and career spans. Holman's investment methodology shows a willingness to support ambitious deep tech projects from their inception and indicates his understanding of the need for long-term support for founders.
Holman's Drive to Connect Technical Experts and Inventors With Entrepreneurs for Successful Business Ventures
Holman's View: The Biggest Opportunities Are in Entrenched Industries Overlooked by Silicon Valley Software
Holman shows enthusiasm for pairing strong technology with savvy entrepreneurs, effectively combining inventions and intellectual property with business acumen. He encourages entrepreneurs, regardless of their backgrounds, t ...
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Holman's Criteria For Investing In Deep Tech Startups
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Counterarguments
- Holman's focus on 10x improvements may overlook viable startups with more modest but still significant advancements.
- Long-term relevance is difficult to predict, and Holman's strategy may miss out on shorter-term opportunities that could also provide substantial returns.
- Investing in far-fetched technologies carries a high risk of failure, which could lead to a lower success rate for his investment portfolio.
- The emphasis on large-scale improvements like nuclear reactors may not account for the regulatory and societal challenges that can impede the adoption of such technologies.
- A 10-year window for assessing transformative ability may not align with the actual development timelines of deep tech, which can be unpredictable and extend beyond a decade.
- The focus on industries with potential markets worth trillions might lead to overlooking niche markets that offer less competition and faster growth potential.
- The strategy of supporting ambitious deep tech projects from inception could result in a higher burn rate and longer periods without returns, which might not be sustainable for all investors.
- The approach of connecting technical experts with entrepreneurs assumes that a good match will lead to success, but it may not account for other critical factors like market timing and execution.
- Encouraging entrepreneurs from various backgrounds to enter deep tech could lead to a dilution of expertise if not paire ...
Actionables
- You can explore emerging technologies by attending local university tech fairs or open days to understand what's being developed and identify potential 10x improvements. Universities often showcase cutting-edge research and prototypes that could be the next big thing. By engaging with students and professors, you'll get a sense of which technologies have the potential to revolutionize industries.
- Start a hobbyist investment club with friends or community members focusing on deep tech trends to learn and potentially support early-stage innovations. Even small-scale, informal investments can help you understand the process and challenges of funding transformative technologies. This club could pool resources to back a promising project, providing you with firsthand experience in the investment world. ...
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