#482 – Pavel Durov: Telegram, Freedom, Censorship, Money, Power & Human Nature | Lex Fridman Podcast

Lex Fridman interviews Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, discussing Durov's views on freedom, stoicism, and technology. Durov shares his personal experiences, including his upbringing in the Soviet Union and his disciplined lifestyle, which involves abstinence from addictive substances, a strict diet, and intense physical exercise. The conversation covers Telegram's engineering philosophy, its approach to user privacy, and Durov's battles with governments over censorship and data access, including a recent incident in France where he was arrested. Durov also touches on his early programming journey, the importance of competition in education, and his thoughts on Bitcoin and the future of technology, providing insights into his leadership style and the principles that guide Telegram.

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#482 – Pavel Durov: Telegram, Freedom, Censorship, Money, Power & Human Nature

Lex Fridman Podcast

00:00Introduction to Pavel Durov and the Telegram Platform

Introduction to Pavel Durov and the Telegram Platform

02:27Podcast Logistics and Sponsor Introduction

Podcast Logistics and Sponsor Introduction

11:29The Value of Freedom and Contemplation of Mortality

The Value of Freedom and Contemplation of Mortality

14:25Abstinence from Addictive Substances: Alcohol

Abstinence from Addictive Substances: Alcohol

18:13Overcoming Fear and Achieving Mastery in a Niche

Overcoming Fear and Achieving Mastery in a Niche

22:30Minimizing Distractions and Defining Personal Importance

Minimizing Distractions and Defining Personal Importance

27:29Stoicism, Emotional Regulation, and Self-Discipline

Stoicism, Emotional Regulation, and Self-Discipline

31:54Daily Workout Regimen and the Value of Banya

Daily Workout Regimen and the Value of Banya

37:58The Importance of Physical Activity and Diet

The Importance of Physical Activity and Diet

42:18Avoiding Pills and Understanding Incentives

Avoiding Pills and Understanding Incentives

47:12Restraint from Alcohol and Pornography

Restraint from Alcohol and Pornography

49:44Telegram's Lean Operations and Engineering Philosophy

Telegram's Lean Operations and Engineering Philosophy

53:32Protecting User Privacy and Resisting Government Pressure

Protecting User Privacy and Resisting Government Pressure

1:01:19The Nature of Government and the Kafkaesque Arrest in France

The Nature of Government and the Kafkaesque Arrest in France

1:05:39Absurdity of the French Legal System and Telegram's Moderation Efforts

Absurdity of the French Legal System and Telegram's Moderation Efforts

1:11:23The Ongoing Legal Battle in France and Commitment to Freedom

The Ongoing Legal Battle in France and Commitment to Freedom

1:17:45Resisting Government Demands and Maintaining Principles

Resisting Government Demands and Maintaining Principles

1:20:43The Romanian Election Saga and Political Censorship

The Romanian Election Saga and Political Censorship

1:25:06The Moldova Incident and the Slippery Slope of Censorship

The Moldova Incident and the Slippery Slope of Censorship

1:33:57The French Government and the Entrepreneurial Spirit

The French Government and the Entrepreneurial Spirit

1:39:04The French Revolution and the Misled Public

The French Revolution and the Misled Public

1:44:24Rigorous Education and the Value of Competition

Rigorous Education and the Value of Competition

1:47:41The Importance of Competition and the Education System

The Importance of Competition and the Education System

1:52:31The Influence of Nikolai Durov and the Importance of Integrity

The Influence of Nikolai Durov and the Importance of Integrity

1:57:54Programming Journey and the Creation of VK

Programming Journey and the Creation of VK

2:02:27Building VK from Scratch and Scaling Challenges

Building VK from Scratch and Scaling Challenges

2:07:43Optimizing VK and the Importance of Speed

Optimizing VK and the Importance of Speed

2:11:13Scaling Challenges and DDoS Attacks

Scaling Challenges and DDoS Attacks

2:14:24Algorithmic Scaling and the Importance of A Players

Algorithmic Scaling and the Importance of A Players

2:19:10The Demotivating Effect of B Players and the Hiring Process

The Demotivating Effect of B Players and the Hiring Process

2:24:47Telegram's Fast Rate of Innovation and Feature Development

Telegram's Fast Rate of Innovation and Feature Development

2:29:51Design Philosophy and Attention to Detail

Design Philosophy and Attention to Detail

2:34:06The Challenges of Creating a Seamless User Experience

The Challenges of Creating a Seamless User Experience

2:38:01The Importance of Care and Attention to Detail

The Importance of Care and Attention to Detail

2:41:54Vector Graphics and Animated Emoji

Vector Graphics and Animated Emoji

2:48:24End-to-End Encryption and User Choice

End-to-End Encryption and User Choice

2:53:02Open Source Reproducible Builds and Security

Open Source Reproducible Builds and Security

2:57:22Edward Snowden and the Importance of Privacy

Edward Snowden and the Importance of Privacy

3:00:20Facing Government Pressure and Maintaining Fearlessness

Facing Government Pressure and Maintaining Fearlessness