Archives for May 2010

TechCrunch Disrupt is a conference which brings together innovators in web technologies and media and executives to discuss navigating disruption to talk about turning change into opportunity.

What does disruption mean?

Progress. As the TechCrunch team described, “change challenges us to innovate faster and reinvent smarter. In upending the way things are done, it liberates us from costs and routines.”

What did I learn at TechCrunch Disrupt?

Technology is not just about the internet, it is about mapping the human genome, collective intelligence, and changing the landscape of how business is done. More recently, the IPad has shown the power of automating social networks. This product has potential to spawn a digital revolution in schools and online records for hospitals and doctors.

What do Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, Jeff Bezos have in common?

They were all in their 20-30’s, male, college dropouts, and nerds. They didn’t have social lives but instead they chose to build a social revolution. They were missionaries not mercenaries. Missionaries seek partnership for the long run and are obsessed with culture. Mercenaries are obsessed with financial statements. It’s a difference between making meaning and making money.

TechCrunch Disrupt showcased many new disruptive technologies throughout the day (some featured below).  Maybe I’m just not a “techie,” but I struggled with this conference especially when thinking about the new generation of Steve Jobs’ of the world. This happened especially after a Twitter post I saw by Semil Shah.

RT @semilshah: So many bright minds trying to build FB/Twitter apps. So sad. http://livestream.com/disrupt

It’s true, when we think of the possibilities beyond consumer internet, it’s hard to believe how much energy is going toward applications for Facebook and Twitter. But I guess there is the power of the mass use: 12 months ago 1,000 pieces of info were exchanged every second on Facebook; today this number is 10,000.

Some featured companies:

Airbnb.com
Snacksquare.com
Stayclassy.com
Thisorthat.com
Pinterest.com
Zazuba.com
Invisiblebracelet.org

Let’s support ‘farms that aren’t worlds into themselves, farms that restore instead of deplete, farms that farm extensively, instead of intensively, farmers that are not just producers but are experts in relationship’ –Dan Barber, TEDX Cambridge, May 17, 2010

TedX Cambridge brought together chefs, psychologists, writers, designers, and engineers for an intimate look at science, art, and the future of food.

Food is not just about sustenance; food is about building community and motivating higher service that can change the world. Currently, consumers and citizens have been subjected to arbitrary food norms. With self controlled mechanisms and greater transparency, consumers can become more rational, ethical, and environmental, making choices that are better for them and for the planet.

TEDX reminded me not only about how we eat, but also how we get the food we need to eat. This inspired me to look at new parameters on how consumers eat, whether local, organic, or fair trade. I was constantly reminded to not only look at how healthy our food is, but also how ecological and ethical it is.

The day’s event also brought up many challenges facing the sustainable food movement:

• Youth: Children in schools need healthier food, while at the same time, they desire junk food due to media and social influences
• Education: The average age of a farmer is 60 years. In 20 years, their knowledge will not be passed on to the next generation. Agriculture schools are not teaching about food production anymore. They are teaching how to get jobs.
• Parents: Parents play a major role in influencing children and the next generation of consumers, but it is very difficult to change mindsets when competing on taste, convenience, and price.
• Food companies: Food companies can help change mindsets, they can build marketing campaigns that will influence consumer buying habits, but it becomes much more difficult when these initiatives hurt their bottom line.

I’d like to end this post with a thought that came from David Gracer’s TED talk.

“Why are we not eating more bugs? They can’t give us pandemics (there is no cricket flu unlike swine or avian flu) & 2) their nutrition content can compete with any other food.” Yum…

Crickets & Toast below

“First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.” –Thomas Kempis

Improvisation. What does it really mean?  Today I had the pleasure to spend the afternoon with 7 other Sloan students for an improvisation through influence workshop. We practiced improvisation in a number of settings: being an expert in uncomfortable situations, balancing emotion and reaction, and approaching difficult conversations in the workplace.

I learned that dealing with my inner critic is really about dealing with myself. Sometimes we need to just break free from our thoughts and that means striking the balance of being authentic and being assertive.

This session reminded me that improvisation is a part of daily life. Everyday we are actors in a play, a theater where we strive to live up to expectations and meet certain goals. Sometimes we may find ourselves not being true to ourselves just for the love and attention of someone else. With more awareness, we realize this gap within and need to know when its time to let go.