Episode 10 - Resident Weirdos & Computational Curiosity with Sam Arbesman
Meet Sam Arbesman, Lux Capital's pioneering Scientist in Residence who has spent over a decade redefining what it means to be "in residence" at a venture capital firm. With a PhD in computational biology and a background spanning complex systems and network science, Sam represents a new breed of venture capitalist—one who follows curiosity rather than convention. In this fascinating conversation, Sam shares his journey from "Little Sam" in Buffalo tinkering with Commodore computers to becoming the connective tissue between cutting-edge science and frontier technology investments. Learn how his grandfather's science fiction collection shaped his worldview, why being a "weirdo" in organizations is valuable, and how he uses an undirected, curiosity-driven approach to identify breakthrough opportunities. Don't miss his upcoming book "The Magic of Code" releasing June 10th.
Chapters
[00:00:00] Cold Open - "Send Me Your Weirdos"
[00:00:41] Introduction - First Scientist in Residence
[00:02:08] Little Sam's Origins - Grandfather's Influence & Science Fiction
[00:03:36] Early Technology Exposure - Commodore VIC-20
[00:05:32] Internet Access & Academic Journey
[00:07:24] Complex Systems & Interdisciplinary Fellowship
[00:08:38] Pursuing the "Weird Thing" - Dissertation Without Biology
[00:15:10] Curiosity-Driven Exploration & Library Adventures
[00:17:58] Writing for Popular Audiences - The Half-Life of Facts
[00:21:23] Leaving Academia
[00:25:09] Becoming Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital
[00:30:53] Day-to-Day Role - Surveying Science & Technology
[00:33:41] Upstream vs Downstream Investment Work
[00:37:24] Outlier Roles in Organizations
[00:39:48] Hedgehogs vs Foxes - Different Thinking Styles
[00:43:26] Evaluating Ideas - Following Excitement
[00:46:46] Dark Night of the Soul - Career Transition
[00:51:51] Creating Outlier Roles
[00:55:18] Networks Beat Knowledge in Venture Capital
[00:56:52] Science Fiction Authors & Startups
[00:59:12] Advice for GPs - Finding Your Own Weirdos
[01:02:11] The Magic of Code - June 10th Release
[01:06:32] Book Recommendations
[01:10:50] Post-Episode Reflection
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Being the "Weirdo" [00:37:24] - Organizations need outlier roles filled by people who don't fit traditional categories. These boundary-spanners identify opportunities specialists miss.
- Follow Curiosity, Not Systems [00:37:24] - In high-dimensional search spaces, undirected exploration focused on "interestingness" yields better results than systematic approaches.
- Networks Trump Knowledge [00:55:18] - The breadth and depth of your network across different domains provides more value in venture capital than deep expertise alone.
- Create Your Own Role [00:50:24] - Non-traditional positions rarely have job postings. You must proactively craft these opportunities with organizations that understand their value.
- Think Like a Fox [00:39:48] - In rapidly changing environments, generalists who connect insights across domains outperform specialists focused on one area.
Notable Quotes
[00:49:28] "I've become this weird, hyper generalist that is so far removed from any specific expertise that I no longer have any value to any organization." - Sam Arbesman
[00:49:28] "I've become this weird, hyper generalist that is so far removed from any specific expertise that I no longer have any value to any organization." - Sam Arbesman
[00:56:43] "The real coin of the realm in venture is the depth and breadth of your network." - Sam Arbesman
[00:37:37] "If everyone becomes so busy and specialized that they don't have bandwidth for exploration, the organization might not be as resilient." - Sam Arbesman
[01:07:04] "Send me your weirdos, like just interesting people, interesting ideas, things that don't fit. This is my catnip." - Sam Arbesman
Resources Mentioned
- Lux Capital: https://www.luxcapital.com/
- Kauffman Foundation: https://www.kauffman.org/
- Santa Fe Institute: https://www.santafe.edu/
- The Half-Life of Facts by Samuel Arbesman
- Overcomplicated by Samuel Arbesman
- The Magic of Code (June 10)
- Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned by Kenneth Stanley & Joel Lehman
- Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer
- The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson
- Idea Machines podcast by Ben Reinhart
Connect with Sam Arbesman:
Connect with EIR Live:
- Terrance Orr on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/terranceorr
- Ilya Tabakh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilyatabakh
- Website: eir.live
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/eirlive
- YouTube: youtube.com/@EIRLive
- Twitter: twitter.com/EIRLive_show
- Suggest Guest
- (00:00) - Cold Open - "Send Me Your Weirdos"
- (00:41) - Introduction - First Scientist in Residence
- (02:08) - Little Sam's Origins - Grandfather's Influence & Science Fiction
- (03:36) - Early Technology Exposure - Commodore VIC-20
- (05:32) - Internet Access & Academic Journey
- (07:24) - Complex Systems & Interdisciplinary Fellowship
- (08:38) - Pursuing the "Weird Thing" - Dissertation Without Biology
- (15:10) - Curiosity-Driven Exploration & Library Adventures
- (17:58) - Writing for Popular Audiences - The Half-Life of Facts
- (21:23) - Leaving Academia
- (25:09) - Becoming Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital
- (30:53) - Day-to-Day Role - Surveying Science & Technology
- (33:41) - Upstream vs Downstream Investment Work
- (37:24) - Outlier Roles in Organizations
- (39:48) - Hedgehogs vs Foxes - Different Thinking Styles
- (43:26) - Evaluating Ideas - Following Excitement
- (46:46) - Dark Night of the Soul - Career Transition
- (51:51) - Creating Outlier Roles
- (55:18) - Networks Beat Knowledge in Venture Capital
- (56:52) - Science Fiction Authors & Startups
- (59:12) - Advice for GPs - Finding Your Own Weirdos
- (02:11) - The Magic of Code - June 10th Release
- (06:32) - Book Recommendations
- (10:50) - Post-Episode Reflection
Creators and Guests
Host
Ilya Tabakh
Infrastructure Innovation Strategist | Building the Future of AI & Energy Systems | Co-host @ EIR Live & Powering the AI Stack 🎙️
Host
Terrance Orr
EIR & Fractional Executive | Strategic Advisor | Founder-CEO Coach | Ecosystem Builder | Co-Host, EIR Live🎙️
Guest
Sam Arbesman
Sam Arbesman is Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital, where he has spent over a decade identifying breakthrough technologies at the intersection of science fiction and science fact. A computational biologist turned venture capitalist, he is the author of "The Half-Life of Facts" and "Overcomplicated," with his latest book "The Magic of Code" coming out June 10th, and pioneers a curiosity-driven approach to finding opportunities that emerge when different scientific disciplines collide.
