Jimmy Carr: "I Was Laughing & Crying When He Died"!

Intro (00:00:00)

• Jimmy Carr remembers the day he heard about the death of a comedian and felt a mix of laughter and sadness.
• He expresses his appreciation for the audience and introduces himself as a respected and beloved comedian.
• Carr highlights the benefits of learning comedy, including developing original thoughts, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning from failures.
• He reflects on his career and questions whether he should pursue a different path, like becoming a DJ, but concludes that he loves what he does.
• Carr shares a tip for effective communication: speaking at a rhythm of 92 beats per minute.
• He mentions the release of his Netflix special and anticipates potential backlash, expressing his plan to respond positively to criticism.
• Carr encourages listeners to subscribe to his channel and hit the subscribe button to support the channel's growth and attract bigger guests.

How Are You, Jimmy? (00:02:01)

• Jimmy Carr expresses his excitement to be back on the show and acknowledges that he was nervous about returning due to the show's popularity and his enjoyment of listening to it.
• He has been reflecting on gratitude as the mother of all virtues and suggests that people would give up all their material possessions in 25 years to be as healthy and young as they are now.
• Carr encourages listeners to take a moment to appreciate their current state of health and well-being.

Every Single Person Has Life Dysmorphia (00:03:07)

• Gratitude is a virtue that can help reframe one's perspective on life.
• Despite improvements in living conditions, subjective happiness is declining, as evidenced by rising rates of mental health issues.
• The pursuit of an easy life may not lead to true fulfillment; challenges and struggles can contribute to personal growth and a more meaningful existence.
• Religion can motivate individuals to work hard in the present for a better future.
• Chris Williamson and Jimmy Carr emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and setting long-term goals while focusing on daily actions and systems to achieve them.
• Jimmy Carr believes in giving yourself gifts in the future by making small, consistent efforts in the present.
• Despite his success, Jimmy Carr acknowledges his humble beginnings and the hard work he put in to reach where he is today.

What Is the Point of All This Work? (00:08:59)

• Jimmy Carr reflects on the purpose of his work as a stand-up comedian.
• He acknowledges that he is standing on the shoulders of giants in the comedy industry and does not consider himself to be at the peak of his profession.
• Carr explains that he tries to be stoic and focus on doing less but better, honing his craft as a stand-up comedian.
• He finds joy in the immediate feedback loop of comedy, where he can test and refine his jokes directly with the audience.
• Carr mentions his new Netflix special, "Natural Born Killer," and expresses satisfaction in creating irrefutable proof of his comedic abilities.
• He discusses his desire to write longer, more well-rounded comedy bits and views the process of creating new material as enjoyable and rewarding.
• Carr emphasizes that self-esteem comes from the consistent effort and dedication to his craft, rather than external achievements like a six-pack or a Netflix special.

What Is Our End Goal? (00:12:35)

• Jimmy Carr reflects on his career and questions his motivations.
• He acknowledges that he has achieved material success and could retire, but he continues to challenge himself.
• Carr compares his journey to a mythological hero's quest, seeking purpose and fulfillment.
• He criticizes the idea of perpetual leisure and argues that humans need challenges to thrive.
• Carr uses the example of holidays, which are enjoyable but ultimately unsatisfying after two weeks.
• He suggests that striving for the top of one's profession provides a sense of purpose and direction.
• Even when someone reaches the top, there will always be something bigger to aim for, such as radio being bigger than podcasts.
• Carr emphasizes the importance of setting goals, even if they are artificial, to give life direction.

People Crave the Success Not the Journey (00:14:08)

• People often defer their happiness by constantly wanting something in the future, leading to discontent in the present.
• Enjoying the present moment and the journey is important, not just the end goal.
• Jealousy is common, but people tend to envy the results, not the hard work and sacrifices behind them.
• Imposter syndrome can be a positive force, indicating growth and the need to push oneself further.
• Even successful individuals like Lou Reed experience imposter syndrome, showing that it's a common feeling.
• Brandon Flowers shared a story about filming a music video with Lou Reed.
• While backstage, Lou Reed was seen checking himself out in a mirror and expressing a sense of imposter syndrome.
• Despite being a legendary rock star, Lou Reed still felt like he didn't belong.

You Should Be Feeling Imposter Syndrome (00:16:47)

• Jimmy Carr discusses the concept of imposter syndrome and suggests that people who haven't felt it in the last 12-18 months may not be pushing themselves hard enough.
• He acknowledges that different people have different work-life preferences and that not everyone needs to push themselves in the same way.
• Carr highlights his own incredibly successful work ethic, performing around 300 shows a year, and suggests that for him, work feels like play.
• He emphasizes the importance of creating memories and experiences in life rather than simply living longer.

I Entertained My Sick Mother (00:18:45)

• Jimmy Carr agrees with the suggestion that comedians may have a low-level mental health issue that they can turn into a career.
• He finds it strange that people would want to stand on stage and tell jokes, but for him, it is very fun.
• Carr attributes his interest in comedy to his childhood and his close relationship with his mother.
• His mother suffered from depression, and he aimed to make her laugh, especially when she was feeling down.

The Unmeasurable Stuff Is the Important One (00:19:54)

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing immeasurable aspects of life over measurable metrics such as achievements and financial success.
• George Mack's theory suggests that in life, people trade measurable things for immeasurable ones, such as time with loved ones.
• The speaker highlights the significance of finding a balance between work and personal life, particularly in the context of parenting.
• Warren Farrell's story about a successful businessman who sacrificed his career to spend time with his son is shared as an example of prioritizing immeasurable experiences.
• The speaker draws attention to the brevity of life and the importance of not postponing meaningful experiences.
• The Muslim phrase for death, emphasizing the certainty of mortality, is mentioned.
• Mark Twain's quote about not being alive for billions of years before birth and not being inconvenienced by it is shared to illustrate the significance of the present moment.

Depression (00:24:29)

• Depression is a disease that can lead to suicide.
• Depression is different from sadness, which is circumstantial and can be changed.
• Depression may be caused by a serotonin imbalance in the brain.

Men's Mental Health (00:25:46)

• There is a crisis of mental health among young men.
• Suicidality has increased among young men.
• New masculine influencers, like Andrew Tate, are appealing to young men.
• Andrew Tate is a poor representation of masculinity and is filling a vacuum left by the absence of traditional elders.
• Jimmy Carr's new Netflix show shines a light on the difficulties young men are facing and provides advice on how to be with a woman, including the importance of consent.

What Is It to Be a Man (00:27:30)

• Modern society's overemphasis on individual self-expression and lack of opportunities for freedom and risk-taking have led young men to substitute real-life experiences with video games and online porn.
• The loss of religious faith has created a void in people's lives, which they attempt to fill with substitutes like sports or environmentalism.
• Religion provided a sense of community and purpose through ceremonies and rituals, which are now missing in modern society.
• Jimmy Carr suggests that in modern culture, fame and fortune have replaced the idea of Heaven as the ultimate goal or source of fulfillment.
• Carr believes in reincarnation rather than an afterlife and emphasizes that starting a family and embarking on a new chapter in life can bring about significant changes and a different perspective on one's existence.

Losing My Religion (00:33:25)

• Jimmy Carr misses religion but feels burdened by the responsibility and individualism that came with losing it.
• He compares losing religion to the feeling of having a backpack full of weights.
• He sees the loss of religion as a moment of realization that he needs to make the most of his life.

How Do You Deal with Grief in Your Life? (00:33:52)

• Jimmy Carr's mother died when he was 28, which had a profound impact on him.
• He also recently lost his dog, which was another significant loss for him.
• Carr believes that grief is cumulative and that losing someone or something can trigger thoughts about mortality and the meaning of life.
• He emphasizes the importance of considering what people will say at one's eulogy as a measure of what truly matters in life.
• Carr describes grief as something that comes in waves and can hit unexpectedly.

The Passing of Sean Lock (00:35:19)

• Jimmy Carr was very upset when Sean Lock died.
• He found it difficult to process his grief and coped by immersing himself in work and laughter.
• Social media helped him grieve as people shared funny clips of Sean, which brought him joy amidst his sadness.
• Sean's death reminded him of the importance of enjoying life and spending time with loved ones.
• Facing mortality can teach us valuable lessons about our priorities, but often we learn these lessons when it's too late.
• Losing someone close can send a powerful message about priorities, life, gratitude, and how we should live our lives.

Business Is Life (00:38:27)

• Jimmy Carr believes that business and life are the same thing.
• Communication, mental health, striving, progress, people, and relationships are all part of business.
• He hasn't talked about business on his podcast for a long time, but it's still a relevant topic.

The Issue Is Young People Are Not Given Enough Agency (00:39:12)

• Entrepreneurs are often older individuals, like Steve Jobs, who embody the spirit of the hippie movement.
• Young people, especially men, are facing a crisis with high suicide rates due to a lack of agency and control over their lives.
• Serial entrepreneurs demonstrate the importance of perseverance and self-reliance, which are valuable traits that should be taught to young people.
• The current education system is not effectively teaching young people how to be self-starters and take control of their lives.
• Comedy is a relatively new medium compared to music and film, with its modern form emerging in the early 1970s with pioneers like George Carlin and Richard Pryor.
• Unlike music, comedy lacks a well-defined language or structure, leading to a reliance on magical thinking and intuition in joke writing.
• Jimmy Carr believes that learning how jokes work and systematizing the process of joke writing can be beneficial.
• Carr has been working on a book with Amanda Baker to teach comedy, aiming to provide a structured approach to understanding and creating jokes.
• Learning comedy can be as valuable as learning music in schools.
• Comedy teaches individuals to find their voice, communicate their ideas effectively, and order and write down their thoughts.
• Comedy helps people develop valuable communication skills that can be applied in various aspects of life.
• The greatest tragedy in life is that many people never get to express their true selves and hear their own voices.

How Comedy Teaches You to Be a Good Communicator (00:41:52)

• Jimmy Carr discusses the importance of communication and public speaking.
• He mentions a conversation with Julian Treasure, who gave a popular Ted Talk on communication.
• Carr highlights the significance of rhythm in public speaking and suggests listening to a playlist of songs with a tempo of 92 beats per minute before going on stage.
• He praises Donald Trump's public speaking skills, emphasizing Trump's ability to connect with the audience through storytelling and emotion rather than facts and figures.
• Carr speculates that Trump's decision to run for president may have been influenced by his desire to increase his relevance after learning that Gwen Stefani was earning more than him on a singing show.
• Carr notes that Trump's initial intention may have been to gain attention for a few months and then drop out of the race, but the positive response he received at his first rally led him to pursue the presidency seriously.

The Importance of Taking Risks (00:45:06)

• Jimmy Carr discusses "No Man's Land," a period of uncertainty and risk-taking when individuals leave their current identity or profession to pursue a new path, often resulting in a loss of network, resources, and reputation.
• In stand-up comedy, embracing failure is crucial as it teaches comedians to accept that not everything will work out and helps them develop a healthier relationship with rejection.
• Building competence and providing tangible evidence of one's abilities is more important than relying solely on self-esteem or confidence without proof of skill.
• Kindness should be directed towards a person's potential rather than their immediate desires.
• Gratitude is the antidote to resentment, which arises when someone feels their life has been ruined by another person.
• Entitlement is the belief that one deserves something without putting in the necessary effort.
• Success in a chosen field requires full commitment and focus, rather than dividing one's efforts among multiple pursuits.
• Specialization is key to achieving the highest level of success in a chosen field.

How To Deal with Rejection (00:52:38)

• The speaker reflects on a previous conversation about the world not needing more mediocre people in physics.
• Meeting Richard Branson in New York taught the speaker the importance of delegation and focusing on one's strengths.
• Knowing who you are and being honest about your abilities is crucial.
• Rushing people to discover their purpose may not be beneficial.
• Finding the stream that carries you along, where things feel easy, is a sign of being in the right path.
• The speaker questions whether they should pursue other interests like DJing or musical theater.
• The speaker advises against turning everything into a business and suggests enjoying hobbies without the pressure of monetization.
• Some people find flow states in work, while others find it in hobbies.
• The speaker finds joy in playing tennis as a hobby and acknowledges that they won't become a professional tennis player.
• The speaker acknowledges that the person they are speaking to might have hidden talents, but advises them to focus on what they are currently doing.
• The speaker emphasizes that the person they are speaking to has interesting conversations with various people, and that should be enough fulfillment.

Knowing Who You Are & What You Want to Do (00:55:31)

• Knowing what you want to do in life is crucial.
• Your passion and interests indicate your ideal career path.
• Quitting a job to pursue your passion requires sacrifices and trade-offs.
• Success in any field demands dedication and focus.
• Sticking to what you do best often pays off in the long run.
• Distractions can hinder progress and success.
• Hard work and dedication are essential for creating high-quality work.
• People tend to attribute success to innate motivation or luck.
• Luck is often perceived differently for men and women.
• Successful individuals often possess both talent and a strong work ethic.
• Talent, work ethic, and even pathological tendencies can be inherited.
• Luck can be influenced by seemingly insignificant events, such as someone's holiday plans.
• The concept of the butterfly effect highlights the interconnectedness of events and the potential impact of small actions.
• Personal responsibility involves recognizing one's agency and striving for a locus of control within oneself.
• Self-esteem should be largely based on character rather than reputation, as reputation can be subject to fluctuations.

Being Cancelled (01:02:14)

• Jimmy Carr discusses the concept of cancel culture and compares it to book burning.
• He believes that cancel culture is a form of censorship and that it stifles free speech.
• Carr argues that comedians are often the first to be targeted by cancel culture because they push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.
• He also points out that cancel culture can have a negative impact on people's careers and livelihoods.
• Carr reflects on his own experiences with being canceled and how it has helped him to identify his true friends.
• He emphasizes the importance of friendship and how it has been a source of support during difficult times.
• Carr believes that comedy thrives in the current climate because it provides a space for authenticity and vulnerability, which are often lacking in public discourse.
• He suggests that the gap between public and private discourse has contributed to the rise of cancel culture.

Would You Erase Your Worst Moments? (01:06:12)

• Jimmy Carr discusses the importance of not erasing difficult moments in life as they contribute to character development.
• He suggests managing anxiety by engaging in physical activity and problem-solving to alleviate anxious thoughts.
• Carr believes that nuclear energy is the future and proposes a radical plan to build nuclear reactors in every city and town in Britain, providing free energy after 20 years.
• He acknowledges the potential return of Donald Trump to power in the US but expresses confidence in America's resilience regardless of who is in office.
• Mexico is expected to double its industrial base due to deglobalization, presenting a significant opportunity for the United States, particularly in artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence (01:15:26)

• AI lacks true originality and genuine consciousness, limiting its ability to generate truly original jokes.
• Podcasting demonstrates technological progress and creates new job opportunities.
• Comedians can provide valuable insights into adapting to changing landscapes.
• Podcasts filled a void for human connection and conversations, with authentic individuals like Joe Rogan and the Diary of a CEO podcast gaining popularity.
• Successful content creation involves embracing change, adapting to evolving preferences, and following one's curiosity and interests.
• Jimmy Carr discusses the pressure to change with more viewers and requests to interview "normal people," emphasizing the importance of free speech and comedy's role in expanding societal boundaries.
• Carr finds it rewarding when comedy sparks meaningful conversations among the audience.

Self Expression (01:26:37)

• Jimmy Carr discusses the recent trend of censorship and cancel culture, arguing that free speech is essential for progress.
• He emphasizes the importance of listening to all sides of an argument and engaging in open dialogue, even with those who hold controversial or unpopular views.
• Carr criticizes the idea that certain people or groups are beyond the pale and should not be engaged with, arguing that this approach stifles progress and prevents meaningful change.
• He cites the example of Hillary Clinton's "deplorables" comment as an instance where dismissing a group of people as unworthy of conversation can have negative consequences.
• Carr stresses the need to listen to and understand the concerns of all people, regardless of their political or social立場.

Jimmy's Eating Disorder (01:30:51)

• Jimmy Carr emphasizes the significance of embracing diverse perspectives and engaging in challenging conversations, rather than seeking validation from like-minded individuals.
• Carr acknowledges the prevalence of body image issues among men, particularly in the context of social media, and reveals his own efforts to maintain a healthy weight and appearance.
• Carr shares his personal experience with drugs and alcohol, highlighting the detrimental effects of marijuana on ambition and agency, especially for young individuals.
• Carr proposes a "prohibition" approach to marijuana for young people, arguing that it hinders their raw ambition and the advantages of their youth.
• Carr suggests that marijuana might be beneficial for workaholics in their 50s and 60s, but cautions against its use by young people.
• Carr emphasizes the unique advantages that people in their 20s possess in the workplace due to their high energy levels.

Advice to Younger People (01:35:31)

• Stay out of the sun to prevent sun damage and aging.
• Think about the gifts you want to give yourself in the future, such as physical fitness, a happy family, and a successful career.
• Focus on your own happiness and well-being, rather than relying on others to make you happy.
• Be open to speaking to everyone and keep the lines of communication open in a divided world.

Why You Should Sweat the Small Stuff (01:38:25)

• Jimmy Carr tried a new approach to writing jokes by writing new material every day during his tour in Australia.
• He found that this method helped him improve his writing and become more productive.
• Carr believes that focusing on the small details and routines is important for success.
• He cites examples of successful people like Steve Jobs and Chris Eubank Jr. who pay attention to even the smallest details.
• Carr emphasizes the importance of keeping promises to oneself and building trust in one's own abilities.
• He suggests that people should choose where to suffer and focus on what matters most to them.
• Steve Jobs insisted on making the circuit board inside the iPhone look beautiful, even though it would not be visible to users.
• This demonstrates Jobs' commitment to quality and attention to detail.
• Carr relates this to the concept of our self-story and how everything we do contributes to the story we tell ourselves about who we are.
• He uses the example of Chris Eubank Jr. who pushes himself to complete his workouts even when no one is watching.
• Carr emphasizes the importance of keeping promises to oneself and building trust in one's own abilities.

Having Confidence (01:42:45)

• Confidence is a culmination of commitments kept to oneself and what one proves to oneself about oneself.
• Building character involves making promises to oneself and fulfilling them.
• New Year resolutions are not a good idea as letting oneself down can be damaging.

Netflix Special (01:43:40)

• Jimmy Carr discusses his upcoming Netflix special, which includes a 20-minute segment on being a dad.
• He aims to maintain his edge while discussing fatherhood and presents a brutal but funny perspective.
• Chris Rock is Jimmy Carr's favorite comedian of all time.
• Carr admires Rock's rhythm, cadence, and ability to set up material and deliver punchlines.
• He acknowledges Rock's legendary status and continued hard work in the industry for over 30 years.
• Jimmy Carr expresses shock and admiration for Chris Rock's composure after being slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars.
• He views Will Smith as a great actor who pretended to be a different person for 40 years, but the incident revealed a different side of him.
• Carr emphasizes Rock's incredible composure despite being slapped in the face.

Dave Chapelle Attack (01:46:09)

• Jimmy Carr witnessed Dave Chappelle being attacked on stage.
• The attacker had a fake gun that looked like a knife.
• Chappelle was shaken but philosophical about the incident.
• Carr has not been physically attacked on stage, but he has been threatened.
• Carr's new Netflix special, "Natural Born Killer," has a different style from his previous work.
• Carr is excited to share his new material with his audience.
• Carr believes that his special has an underlying important message for society.
• Carr uses humor to get his message across to young men.

What Would You Tell Your Kids? (01:50:38)

• Jimmy Carr believes he would have told his 20-year-old self to enjoy life more and be present rather than overly focused on results.
• He views university education as a luxury signaling status rather than providing intrinsic value and advocates for making STEM subjects free in the UK and granting British passports to international STEM graduates.
• Carr emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams while being realistic about career choices and wants his son to have a grounding in critical thinking and be happy.
• He praises a previous conversation with the podcaster for teaching him that people are more than what they appear to be and expresses gratitude for sharing a personal side of himself.