"Shitty flow" is real, and most people are drowning in it | Brad Stulberg: Full Interview

The interview offers a compelling and well-articulated perspective on excellence, grounded in a blend of evolutionary biology, psychology, and philosophy. Stulberg’s central thesis—that excellence is not about achievement but about the person you become—is both insightful and actionable. He effectively deconstructs common misconceptions, such as the equation of excellence with optimization or perfectionism, and provides a clear framework for understanding the process of mastery. The discussion of ‘shitty flow’ is particularly valuable, as it highlights the danger of passive consumption and the importance of active engagement. The references to established thinkers like Robert Pirsig, Richard Sennett, and Daniel Lieberman lend credibility to his arguments. However, the interview is primarily opinion-based, and while Stulberg mentions scientific concepts like homeostatic upregulation, he does not provide empirical evidence to support his claims. The lack of concrete data or case studies may leave some viewers wanting more substantiation. Additionally, the interview could have benefited from a more critical examination of potential counterarguments or limitations of his framework. Despite these minor shortcomings, the content is intellectually stimulating and offers practical advice for anyone seeking to pursue excellence in a meaningful way. The structure is clear, and the pacing is engaging, making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Overall, this is a high-quality interview that provides valuable insights into the psychology of excellence.

The title accurately reflects the central theme of the interview, focusing on the concept of 'shitty flow' as a barrier to excellence.

8/10

The interview is based on the author's book and draws on established concepts from evolutionary biology, psychology, and philosophy. The arguments are coherent and reference credible sources (e.g., Robert Pirsig, Richard Sennett, Daniel Lieberman). However, it is primarily an expert opinion with limited empirical data presented.

• 00:00Chapter 1: What is excellence
• 02:44Values, mastery, and mattering
• 05:00The hidden biology driving our need to improve
• 08:55The four phases of competence
• 11:13What excellence is not
• 12:09Chapter 2: The barriers to excellence
• 12:43Barrier 1: Dysevolution
• 14:35Barrier 2: Optimization culture
• 17:22Barrier 3: “Shitty flow”
• 21:22Barrier 4: Zombie burnout
• 27:05Barrier 5: Happiness industrial complex
• 31:01Barrier 6: Excellence as a standard
• 32:40Chapter 3: Three key factors in the pursuit of excellence
• 33:51How to set the right goals that actually work
• 39:20Why consistency beats intensity
• 46:42The long game of patience, plateaus, and breakthroughs

• Big Think Membership — Mentioned as a way to support Big Think and access exclusive content.
• Video Transcript — Link to the full transcript of the interview.
• Big Think Media Substack — Newsletter subscription for Big Think content.
• Creative Commons License — License for image credits used in the video.
• Big Think Podcast on Spotify — Podcast version of Big Think content.
• Related Interview: Robert Waldinger on Happiness — Suggested next video related to happiness and well-being.

• The Way of Excellence (book) — Stulberg's book expands on the ideas presented in the interview.
• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance — Pirsig's concept of Quality is referenced as foundational to Stulberg's argument.
• The Craftsman — Richard Sennett's work on craftsmanship and situated cognition.

• Critique of 'excellence' as a concept — Some scholars argue that the pursuit of excellence can be elitist or exclusionary, which is not addressed in the interview.