Mike Krieger, from Instagram to Anthropic

Mike Krieger, co-founder of Instagram and Artifact and current CPO of Anthropic, explores pivotal moments that shaped his career choices. Growing up in Brazil, Krieger's early interest in computers led him to Stanford, where he studied Symbolic Systems. He discusses his time at Meebo and building side projects, which ultimately led to co-founding Instagram with Kevin Systrom. Krieger reflects on the decision to pivot from Bourbon to Instagram, the importance of rapid iteration, and the challenges of scaling Instagram after its acquisition by Facebook. He also shares insights into leaving Instagram, co-founding Artifact, and his current role at Anthropic, emphasizing the value of building with smart people and embracing new opportunities.

Outlines

Part 1: Early Life, Education, and Foundations

Part 2: Career Planning and the Birth of Instagram

Part 3: Product Philosophy and Technical Execution

Part 4: Scaling Instagram and the Facebook Acquisition

Part 5: Departure and the Search for Identity

Part 6: The Artifact Journey and AI Exploration

Part 7: Anthropic and Future Outlook

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Part 1: Early Life, Education, and Foundations

00:07Introduction to the Minus One Podcast and Guest Mike Krieger

Introduction to the Minus One Podcast and Guest Mike Krieger

00:27Mike Krieger's Early Interest in Computers and Web Development in Brazil

Mike Krieger's Early Interest in Computers and Web Development in Brazil

02:44Expressing Personal Passions Through Early Web Development

Expressing Personal Passions Through Early Web Development

05:01Choosing Stanford and Symbolic Systems for Interdisciplinary Study

Choosing Stanford and Symbolic Systems for Interdisciplinary Study

06:31The Value of Combining Creativity and Technical Skills

The Value of Combining Creativity and Technical Skills

Part 2: Career Planning and the Birth of Instagram

07:49Navigating Visa Requirements and Planning a Career Path as an Immigrant

Navigating Visa Requirements and Planning a Career Path as an Immigrant

08:41Learning from Meebo and Prototyping iPhone Apps

Learning from Meebo and Prototyping iPhone Apps

10:21Meeting Kevin Systrom and Starting Bourbon

Meeting Kevin Systrom and Starting Bourbon

11:45The Importance of Producing Something in the Minus One Stage

The Importance of Producing Something in the Minus One Stage

13:13Validating Ideas Through Building and Real-World Contact

Validating Ideas Through Building and Real-World Contact

Part 3: Product Philosophy and Technical Execution

14:43Optimizing Performance for the Diseased iPhone 3GS

Optimizing Performance for the Diseased iPhone 3GS

16:20The Easiest Time to Throw Away an Idea is in the Beginning

The Easiest Time to Throw Away an Idea is in the Beginning

17:41Open Sourcing Side Projects and the Nostalgia for Bad Developer Experiences

Open Sourcing Side Projects and the Nostalgia for Bad Developer Experiences

19:38Stopping Bourbon at Negative 0.5 and Avoiding the Good Idea Trap

Stopping Bourbon at Negative 0.5 and Avoiding the Good Idea Trap

20:45Recognizing Too Many Conjunctions in a Product Pitch

Recognizing Too Many Conjunctions in a Product Pitch

22:32The Investor Write-Off and the Urgency of First-Time Entrepreneurs

The Investor Write-Off and the Urgency of First-Time Entrepreneurs

Part 4: Scaling Instagram and the Facebook Acquisition

23:54Quickly Building Instagram After Stopping Bourbon

Quickly Building Instagram After Stopping Bourbon

25:30The Importance of Not Being Confused and Picking a Direction

The Importance of Not Being Confused and Picking a Direction

26:16Hedging Patterns in Careers and Life Decisions

Hedging Patterns in Careers and Life Decisions

27:21The Executive Hire Euphoria and Trough of Despair

The Executive Hire Euphoria and Trough of Despair

28:03Technical Achievements in the Early Days of Instagram

Technical Achievements in the Early Days of Instagram

29:36Investing in Dev Velocity and Monitoring Network Health

Investing in Dev Velocity and Monitoring Network Health

31:33Being Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven

Being Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven

31:59Joining Facebook and Scaling Up Quickly

Joining Facebook and Scaling Up Quickly

Part 5: Departure and the Search for Identity

34:18Leaving Instagram and the Fear of Losing Identity

Leaving Instagram and the Fear of Losing Identity

35:37The Interpersonal and Reputational Challenges of Leaving a Successful Company

The Interpersonal and Reputational Challenges of Leaving a Successful Company

37:37Missing Identity, People, and the Lack of a Playbook

Missing Identity, People, and the Lack of a Playbook

39:08Deferring Unmooring and Finding Inspiration in El Bulli's Reboot

Deferring Unmooring and Finding Inspiration in El Bulli's Reboot

40:57Making Lists and Exploring New Interests

Making Lists and Exploring New Interests

42:24The Year of Learning and the Allure of Building

The Year of Learning and the Allure of Building

44:45The Messy Middle and the Importance of an Incubation Space

The Messy Middle and the Importance of an Incubation Space

Part 6: The Artifact Journey and AI Exploration

46:14Angel Investing and Missing Building

Angel Investing and Missing Building

47:30COVID-Specific Projects and Reconnecting with Front-End Engineering

COVID-Specific Projects and Reconnecting with Front-End Engineering

49:21Converging on Machine Learning and News

Converging on Machine Learning and News

50:37Forming a Company and Hiring People

Forming a Company and Hiring People

51:01The Fear of a Second Act and the Importance of Day-to-Day Enjoyment

The Fear of a Second Act and the Importance of Day-to-Day Enjoyment