good afternoon it’s an honor to be here among so many impressive people at TEDx
among so many impressive people at TEDx
among so many impressive people at TEDx Oxbridge and it’s very witty theme of
Oxbridge and it’s very witty theme of
Oxbridge and it’s very witty theme of bridge of why’s I thought I’d reverse
bridge of why’s I thought I’d reverse
bridge of why’s I thought I’d reverse that wording and start with the question
that wording and start with the question
that wording and start with the question why bridges it’s a perfectly useful
why bridges it’s a perfectly useful
why bridges it’s a perfectly useful metaphor but why what does it mean how
metaphor but why what does it mean how
metaphor but why what does it mean how does it work what is it a metaphor of I
think that the best way to approach this
think that the best way to approach this is by thinking about something that’s in
is by thinking about something that’s in
is by thinking about something that’s in common to all of us
common to all of us
common to all of us Oxford and Cambridge universities have
Oxford and Cambridge universities have
Oxford and Cambridge universities have since their beginning been a place for
since their beginning been a place for
since their beginning been a place for educating leaders and also a place for
educating leaders and also a place for
educating leaders and also a place for bridging gaps we bridge the gap between
bridging gaps we bridge the gap between
bridging gaps we bridge the gap between ignorance and knowledge or between those
ignorance and knowledge or between those
ignorance and knowledge or between those capable of influencing others and those
capable of influencing others and those
capable of influencing others and those less so so it’s a it’s a good metaphor
less so so it’s a it’s a good metaphor
less so so it’s a it’s a good metaphor to think about the bridges in both of
to think about the bridges in both of
to think about the bridges in both of our universities and how they’re that
our universities and how they’re that
our universities and how they’re that bridging act itself is connected to the
bridging act itself is connected to the
bridging act itself is connected to the idea of leadership Oxford and Cambridge
idea of leadership Oxford and Cambridge
idea of leadership Oxford and Cambridge have perhaps from the beginning been
have perhaps from the beginning been
have perhaps from the beginning been involved from their beginnings been
involved from their beginnings been
involved from their beginnings been involved in this mission which is now
involved in this mission which is now
involved in this mission which is now more relevant perhaps than ever before
more relevant perhaps than ever before
more relevant perhaps than ever before as we see our societies become
as we see our societies become
as we see our societies become increasingly polarized arguably our
increasingly polarized arguably our
increasingly polarized arguably our leaders both big and small are less
leaders both big and small are less
leaders both big and small are less interested in listening to people who
interested in listening to people who
interested in listening to people who disagree with them who occupy the
disagree with them who occupy the
disagree with them who occupy the extremes of those polarities in a normal
extremes of those polarities in a normal
extremes of those polarities in a normal distribution of thought and ideas
distribution of thought and ideas
distribution of thought and ideas whereas more responsible leaders think
whereas more responsible leaders think
whereas more responsible leaders think about bridging that gap rather than just
about bridging that gap rather than just
about bridging that gap rather than just shouting across from one polarity to the
shouting across from one polarity to the
shouting across from one polarity to the other now of course it’s easy to
other now of course it’s easy to
other now of course it’s easy to maintain polarities and I can do that
maintain polarities and I can do that
maintain polarities and I can do that right here if you’ll work with me I can
right here if you’ll work with me I can
right here if you’ll work with me I can ask you a question in a certain way I
ask you a question in a certain way I
ask you a question in a certain way I can lead you to answer in a certain way
can lead you to answer in a certain way
can lead you to answer in a certain way that maintains a certain polarity let’s
that maintains a certain polarity let’s
that maintains a certain polarity let’s try it let’s see if this works
try it let’s see if this works
try it let’s see if this works here’s my question for you yeah there
here’s my question for you yeah there
here’s my question for you yeah there it’s it’s a spiritual question it’s a
it’s it’s a spiritual question it’s a
it’s it’s a spiritual question it’s a spiritual question which you’re going to
spiritual question which you’re going to
spiritual question which you’re going to eventually oops here we go
eventually oops here we go
eventually oops here we go I’m bridging bridging technology and and
I’m bridging bridging technology and and
I’m bridging bridging technology and and chant
chant
chant as a results come in now obviously I set
as a results come in now obviously I set
as a results come in now obviously I set that up in a way that conditioned an
that up in a way that conditioned an
that up in a way that conditioned an answer an answer that is useful for my
answer an answer that is useful for my
answer an answer that is useful for my purposes but it doesn’t always have to
purposes but it doesn’t always have to
purposes but it doesn’t always have to be that way now we can think of Oxford
be that way now we can think of Oxford
be that way now we can think of Oxford Cambridge in a state of constant rivalry
Cambridge in a state of constant rivalry
Cambridge in a state of constant rivalry or friendly rivalry but clearly there’s
or friendly rivalry but clearly there’s
or friendly rivalry but clearly there’s much more in common between these two
much more in common between these two
much more in common between these two polarities then there is different
polarities then there is different
polarities then there is different anyone who knows both institutions might
anyone who knows both institutions might
anyone who knows both institutions might be hypersensitive to their distinctions
be hypersensitive to their distinctions
be hypersensitive to their distinctions but from outside and not very far
but from outside and not very far
but from outside and not very far outside it’s really difficult to tell
outside it’s really difficult to tell
outside it’s really difficult to tell the difference even in very superficial
the difference even in very superficial
the difference even in very superficial ways from within we can see similarities
ways from within we can see similarities
ways from within we can see similarities that are not particularly meaningful but
that are not particularly meaningful but
that are not particularly meaningful but help to actually achieve affinity
help to actually achieve affinity
help to actually achieve affinity between the two places in my own case
between the two places in my own case
between the two places in my own case for example I was a student at Cambridge
for example I was a student at Cambridge
for example I was a student at Cambridge and now I teach at Oxford and
and now I teach at Oxford and
and now I teach at Oxford and coincidentally my college at Cambridge
coincidentally my college at Cambridge
coincidentally my college at Cambridge Claire and my college at Oxford
Claire and my college at Oxford
Claire and my college at Oxford Brasenose have the same color scheme
Brasenose have the same color scheme
Brasenose have the same color scheme it’s it’s a nice coincidence but it
it’s it’s a nice coincidence but it
it’s it’s a nice coincidence but it reminds me more of the similarities
reminds me more of the similarities
reminds me more of the similarities between the two institutions than their
between the two institutions than their
between the two institutions than their differences and it affiliates me to both
differences and it affiliates me to both
differences and it affiliates me to both it bridges any gap that might have
it bridges any gap that might have
it bridges any gap that might have existed in my own sense of what each
existed in my own sense of what each
existed in my own sense of what each institution represents there are all
institution represents there are all
institution represents there are all kinds of other ways in which Oxford and
kinds of other ways in which Oxford and
kinds of other ways in which Oxford and Cambridge work together not just in my
Cambridge work together not just in my
Cambridge work together not just in my mind or in the minds of people who know
mind or in the minds of people who know
mind or in the minds of people who know both places a splendid example from a
both places a splendid example from a
both places a splendid example from a from an academic or an intellectual
from an academic or an intellectual
from an academic or an intellectual perspective is that is an extraordinary
perspective is that is an extraordinary
perspective is that is an extraordinary initiative called the Ganesa archive
initiative called the Ganesa archive
initiative called the Ganesa archive project there was an extraordinary
project there was an extraordinary
project there was an extraordinary discovery made in the early 20th century
discovery made in the early 20th century
discovery made in the early 20th century of a walled up room in Cairo full of
of a walled up room in Cairo full of
of a walled up room in Cairo full of about a thousand years worth of paper
about a thousand years worth of paper
about a thousand years worth of paper bits of paper scraps of paper and some
bits of paper scraps of paper and some
bits of paper scraps of paper and some documents but mainly fragments all had
documents but mainly fragments all had
documents but mainly fragments all had been stored in this doorless windowless
been stored in this doorless windowless
been stored in this doorless windowless room by people over about a thousand
room by people over about a thousand
room by people over about a thousand years because those bits of paper
years because those bits of paper
years because those bits of paper contained the name of God upon them and
contained the name of God upon them and
contained the name of God upon them and could not be destroyed according to the
could not be destroyed according to the
could not be destroyed according to the faith of the Judaism that obtained
faith of the Judaism that obtained
faith of the Judaism that obtained across that long period of time when
across that long period of time when
across that long period of time when this archive was discovered it was too
this archive was discovered it was too
this archive was discovered it was too complex a challenge for anyone
complex a challenge for anyone
complex a challenge for anyone universities faculty to study and so it
universities faculty to study and so it
universities faculty to study and so it was brought to the UK and housed partly
was brought to the UK and housed partly
was brought to the UK and housed partly at the Bodley and in Oxford and partly
at the Bodley and in Oxford and partly
at the Bodley and in Oxford and partly at the University of LA
at the University of LA
at the University of LA in Cambridge and to this day it’s a
in Cambridge and to this day it’s a
in Cambridge and to this day it’s a joint effort bridging the scholarly gap
joint effort bridging the scholarly gap
joint effort bridging the scholarly gap of the management challenge of
of the management challenge of
of the management challenge of understanding that archive studying it
understanding that archive studying it
understanding that archive studying it digitizing it conserving it but also the
digitizing it conserving it but also the
digitizing it conserving it but also the intellectual challenge of bridging that
intellectual challenge of bridging that
intellectual challenge of bridging that gap across time of a thousand years of
gap across time of a thousand years of
gap across time of a thousand years of the history of Judaism in Cairo that
the history of Judaism in Cairo that
the history of Judaism in Cairo that most cosmopolitan and bridging of cities
most cosmopolitan and bridging of cities
most cosmopolitan and bridging of cities with the lives and loves and and
with the lives and loves and and
with the lives and loves and and transactions of people that would
transactions of people that would
transactions of people that would otherwise never be recoverable to us now
otherwise never be recoverable to us now
otherwise never be recoverable to us now it’s interesting that it’s the context
it’s interesting that it’s the context
it’s interesting that it’s the context of Judaism and particularly medieval
of Judaism and particularly medieval
of Judaism and particularly medieval Judaism that is so well reconstructed
Judaism that is so well reconstructed
Judaism that is so well reconstructed and again is that archive partly because
and again is that archive partly because
and again is that archive partly because Judaism itself can be said to represent
Judaism itself can be said to represent
Judaism itself can be said to represent a type of connection over time not just
a type of connection over time not just
a type of connection over time not just a tribal one but diachronic Lee across
a tribal one but diachronic Lee across
a tribal one but diachronic Lee across the ages where you can think about
the ages where you can think about
the ages where you can think about cultures and the ways they interacted
cultures and the ways they interacted
cultures and the ways they interacted with each other through the lens of this
with each other through the lens of this
with each other through the lens of this particular mode of understanding there
particular mode of understanding there
particular mode of understanding there are Jewish communities in the most
are Jewish communities in the most
are Jewish communities in the most extraordinary places we don’t generally
extraordinary places we don’t generally
extraordinary places we don’t generally think of Jews in places like Kerala in
think of Jews in places like Kerala in
think of Jews in places like Kerala in the southwest of India but there they
the southwest of India but there they
the southwest of India but there they are and there they’ve been for a
are and there they’ve been for a
are and there they’ve been for a thousand years the Diaspora of Judaism
thousand years the Diaspora of Judaism
thousand years the Diaspora of Judaism represents a type of bridging that’s far
represents a type of bridging that’s far
represents a type of bridging that’s far less physical but far more powerful and
less physical but far more powerful and
less physical but far more powerful and enduring than many of the more
enduring than many of the more
enduring than many of the more architectural monuments that the
architectural monuments that the
architectural monuments that the metaphor of a bridge often suggests the
metaphor of a bridge often suggests the
metaphor of a bridge often suggests the survival of these modes of thought and
survival of these modes of thought and
survival of these modes of thought and means of transaction that is ensured by
means of transaction that is ensured by
means of transaction that is ensured by the ways in which Judaism has both
the ways in which Judaism has both
the ways in which Judaism has both spread itself and sustained itself in
spread itself and sustained itself in
spread itself and sustained itself in such a diasporic way across the world or
such a diasporic way across the world or
such a diasporic way across the world or in many ways an exemplary version of
in many ways an exemplary version of
in many ways an exemplary version of preservation of a culture and a type of
preservation of a culture and a type of
preservation of a culture and a type of very subtle leadership that is arguably
very subtle leadership that is arguably
very subtle leadership that is arguably far more successful than something more
far more successful than something more
far more successful than something more explicit anyone know where this bridge
explicit anyone know where this bridge
explicit anyone know where this bridge is I’ll give you a chance to guess so
is I’ll give you a chance to guess so
is I’ll give you a chance to guess so where is this bridge that’s not right
where is this bridge that’s not right
where is this bridge that’s not right let’s see if we can come up with some
let’s see if we can come up with some
let’s see if we can come up with some other answers that might might be closer
other answers that might might be closer
other answers that might might be closer to the mark if you’re from the states
to the mark if you’re from the states
to the mark if you’re from the states you might have an unfair advantage yes
you might have an unfair advantage yes
you might have an unfair advantage yes yes we’re getting some answers it’s
yes we’re getting some answers it’s
yes we’re getting some answers it’s definitely in our minds but also in real
definitely in our minds but also in real
definitely in our minds but also in real life it’s not New York it could have
life it’s not New York it could have
life it’s not New York it could have been it’s not Istanbul it could have
been it’s not Istanbul it could have
been it’s not Istanbul it could have been but it is the bridge between San
been but it is the bridge between San
been but it is the bridge between San Francisco and Oakland it spans the bay
Francisco and Oakland it spans the bay
Francisco and Oakland it spans the bay San Francisco Bay what’s interesting
San Francisco Bay what’s interesting
San Francisco Bay what’s interesting about this to me is the way it has
about this to me is the way it has
about this to me is the way it has connected not just to cities but in a
connected not just to cities but in a
connected not just to cities but in a way that has brought both into much
way that has brought both into much
way that has brought both into much bigger life than they might have had
bigger life than they might have had
bigger life than they might have had otherwise
otherwise
otherwise not just socially but economically
not just socially but economically
not just socially but economically Oakland is a port city that equips San
Oakland is a port city that equips San
Oakland is a port city that equips San Francisco with many of the goods that it
Francisco with many of the goods that it
Francisco with many of the goods that it otherwise would have great difficulty
otherwise would have great difficulty
otherwise would have great difficulty accessing because the nearest other port
accessing because the nearest other port
accessing because the nearest other port would have to be very far away down the
would have to be very far away down the
would have to be very far away down the peninsula but up until this bridge was
peninsula but up until this bridge was
peninsula but up until this bridge was built getting all those goods from
built getting all those goods from
built getting all those goods from Oakland over to San Francisco was
Oakland over to San Francisco was
Oakland over to San Francisco was logistically exceedingly difficult it
logistically exceedingly difficult it
logistically exceedingly difficult it occurred by ferries which is another way
occurred by ferries which is another way
occurred by ferries which is another way of conveying from one place to another
of conveying from one place to another
of conveying from one place to another but not as efficient as a bridge the
but not as efficient as a bridge the
but not as efficient as a bridge the bridge of course has practical
bridge of course has practical
bridge of course has practical advantages it’s built to communities up
advantages it’s built to communities up
advantages it’s built to communities up but it has metaphorical examples of how
but it has metaphorical examples of how
but it has metaphorical examples of how the vision to to see the value of a
the vision to to see the value of a
the vision to to see the value of a bridge the the management skill to get
bridge the the management skill to get
bridge the the management skill to get it built and the leadership to make sure
it built and the leadership to make sure
it built and the leadership to make sure that it continues to function to the
that it continues to function to the
that it continues to function to the benefit of the communities on both sides
benefit of the communities on both sides
benefit of the communities on both sides that’s a form of leadership
that’s a form of leadership
that’s a form of leadership effectiveness that again is is highly
effectiveness that again is is highly
effectiveness that again is is highly highly revealing I can see people
highly revealing I can see people
highly revealing I can see people giggling about things that I have no
giggling about things that I have no
giggling about things that I have no idea so I’ll swiftly move on to the next
idea so I’ll swiftly move on to the next
idea so I’ll swiftly move on to the next metaphorical dimension of bridges
metaphorical dimension of bridges
metaphorical dimension of bridges sometimes we see bridges spanning
sometimes we see bridges spanning
sometimes we see bridges spanning borders and this is where the metaphor
borders and this is where the metaphor
borders and this is where the metaphor can be edgier trickier because at a
can be edgier trickier because at a
can be edgier trickier because at a border you often have conflict you have
border you often have conflict you have
border you often have conflict you have dispute and in fact you can have a
dispute and in fact you can have a
dispute and in fact you can have a battle possibly one of the most
battle possibly one of the most
battle possibly one of the most substantive things connected by a bridge
substantive things connected by a bridge
substantive things connected by a bridge in military history is represented in
in military history is represented in
in military history is represented in this painting of Raphael it’s a fresco
this painting of Raphael it’s a fresco
this painting of Raphael it’s a fresco actually representing the Emperor
actually representing the Emperor
actually representing the Emperor Constantine’s
Constantine’s
Constantine’s victory over his rival claimants to the
victory over his rival claimants to the
victory over his rival claimants to the Empire of Rome
Empire of Rome
Empire of Rome Maxentius Constantine won a battle at a
Maxentius Constantine won a battle at a
Maxentius Constantine won a battle at a place called the Milvian bridge which
place called the Milvian bridge which
place called the Milvian bridge which you can just about see here doesn’t look
you can just about see here doesn’t look
you can just about see here doesn’t look at all like that never did but anyway
at all like that never did but anyway
at all like that never did but anyway that’s a bridge and the representation
that’s a bridge and the representation
that’s a bridge and the representation in Constantine’s political program of
in Constantine’s political program of
in Constantine’s political program of this victory was very much reposed on
this victory was very much reposed on
this victory was very much reposed on the fact that it happened at a bridge he
the fact that it happened at a bridge he
the fact that it happened at a bridge he himself wanted to represent the bridging
himself wanted to represent the bridging
himself wanted to represent the bridging of an old Rome and a new room and then
of an old Rome and a new room and then
of an old Rome and a new room and then most specifically a pagan Rome and a
most specifically a pagan Rome and a
most specifically a pagan Rome and a Christian Rome because he claimed to
Christian Rome because he claimed to
Christian Rome because he claimed to have seen a vision in the sky telling
have seen a vision in the sky telling
have seen a vision in the sky telling him that in the sign of the Cross he
him that in the sign of the Cross he
him that in the sign of the Cross he would win so in Greek and total Nika or
would win so in Greek and total Nika or
would win so in Greek and total Nika or in Latin in hooks signaling kiss both
in Latin in hooks signaling kiss both
in Latin in hooks signaling kiss both meaning in this sign you shall conquer
meaning in this sign you shall conquer
meaning in this sign you shall conquer but that metaphor isn’t maintained
but that metaphor isn’t maintained
but that metaphor isn’t maintained without reference to this conjunction of
without reference to this conjunction of
without reference to this conjunction of political systems religious systems and
political systems religious systems and
political systems religious systems and social systems that come to constitute
social systems that come to constitute
social systems that come to constitute late antiquity and ultimately the Europe
late antiquity and ultimately the Europe
late antiquity and ultimately the Europe that grew out of it here’s Europe what’s
that grew out of it here’s Europe what’s
that grew out of it here’s Europe what’s left of it and interestingly what’s
left of it and interestingly what’s
left of it and interestingly what’s notable about the euro note is what’s on
notable about the euro note is what’s on
notable about the euro note is what’s on the reverse of every every note have you
the reverse of every every note have you
the reverse of every every note have you noticed have you noticed their bridges
noticed have you noticed their bridges
noticed have you noticed their bridges each of the denominations all whatever
each of the denominations all whatever
each of the denominations all whatever there are eight of them has a bridge on
there are eight of them has a bridge on
there are eight of them has a bridge on the back this is the ten euro note and
the back this is the ten euro note and
the back this is the ten euro note and there’s a bridge on it
there’s a bridge on it
there’s a bridge on it all of them have bridges they all
all of them have bridges they all
all of them have bridges they all represent this idea that the European
represent this idea that the European
represent this idea that the European community its economic and its political
community its economic and its political
community its economic and its political form are meant to yoke together entities
form are meant to yoke together entities
form are meant to yoke together entities polities ideologies that had in the
polities ideologies that had in the
polities ideologies that had in the fairly recent past been polarized in an
fairly recent past been polarized in an
fairly recent past been polarized in an extreme way but the European project
extreme way but the European project
extreme way but the European project represents itself as leading out of that
represents itself as leading out of that
represents itself as leading out of that chaos leading into some sort of
chaos leading into some sort of
chaos leading into some sort of community and it’s not insignificant
community and it’s not insignificant
community and it’s not insignificant that it’s a commercial or a financial
that it’s a commercial or a financial
that it’s a commercial or a financial mechanism that first brings this sense
mechanism that first brings this sense
mechanism that first brings this sense of community about it leads these
of community about it leads these
of community about it leads these warring nations together what better
warring nations together what better
warring nations together what better motivator or interest than the financial
motivator or interest than the financial
motivator or interest than the financial interestingly interestingly though all
interestingly interestingly though all
interestingly interestingly though all of these bridges every single one of
of these bridges every single one of
of these bridges every single one of them is fictional none of them exists
them is fictional none of them exists
them is fictional none of them exists they’re all just dreamed up by the
they’re all just dreamed up by the
they’re all just dreamed up by the designers who designed the currency but
designers who designed the currency but
designers who designed the currency but even more interestingly an artist in
even more interestingly an artist in
even more interestingly an artist in Holland has recreated all of them in a
Holland has recreated all of them in a
Holland has recreated all of them in a small village in Holland if you go I
small village in Holland if you go I
small village in Holland if you go I forget the name and I wouldn’t know how
forget the name and I wouldn’t know how
forget the name and I wouldn’t know how to pronounce it anyway but you can go
to pronounce it anyway but you can go
to pronounce it anyway but you can go and see these fake bridges made real in
and see these fake bridges made real in
and see these fake bridges made real in a way that’s meant to acknowledge the
a way that’s meant to acknowledge the
a way that’s meant to acknowledge the fractures in the European project and
fractures in the European project and
fractures in the European project and also the fact that it’s now more than
also the fact that it’s now more than
also the fact that it’s now more than just a financial project more than just
just a financial project more than just
just a financial project more than just an idea of credit or connection through
an idea of credit or connection through
an idea of credit or connection through transactions and in fact more like a
transactions and in fact more like a
transactions and in fact more like a social system that is for all its
social system that is for all its
social system that is for all its complexities and difficulties
complexities and difficulties
complexities and difficulties nonetheless becoming real becoming solid
nonetheless becoming real becoming solid
nonetheless becoming real becoming solid just as the fictional bridges are
just as the fictional bridges are
just as the fictional bridges are becoming real bridges here in a place
becoming real bridges here in a place
becoming real bridges here in a place that is visible but visit able by all of
that is visible but visit able by all of
that is visible but visit able by all of us here’s the one on the 10 euro note
us here’s the one on the 10 euro note
us here’s the one on the 10 euro note looks even more real because of the
looks even more real because of the
looks even more real because of the saltpeter coming out of the stone and in
saltpeter coming out of the stone and in
saltpeter coming out of the stone and in time we’ll forget that it’s an art
time we’ll forget that it’s an art
time we’ll forget that it’s an art project and only remember it as being a
project and only remember it as being a
project and only remember it as being a symbol of connection I study this sort
symbol of connection I study this sort
symbol of connection I study this sort of thing the metaphors that allow us to
of thing the metaphors that allow us to
of thing the metaphors that allow us to connect the commercial world and the
connect the commercial world and the
connect the commercial world and the cultural world and one way that I’d do
cultural world and one way that I’d do
cultural world and one way that I’d do it is by looking at the heritage
it is by looking at the heritage
it is by looking at the heritage industry we look at how there is
industry we look at how there is
industry we look at how there is actually a lot of economic advantage
actually a lot of economic advantage
actually a lot of economic advantage economic contribution from culture in
economic contribution from culture in
economic contribution from culture in the UK particularly it’s a big engine of
the UK particularly it’s a big engine of
the UK particularly it’s a big engine of economic activity almost to the extreme
economic activity almost to the extreme
economic activity almost to the extreme of being 22 billion of the annual of the
of being 22 billion of the annual of the
of being 22 billion of the annual of the gross value add into the economy that’s
gross value add into the economy that’s
gross value add into the economy that’s two percent of the economy which is
two percent of the economy which is
two percent of the economy which is about the eighth largest sector of the
about the eighth largest sector of the
about the eighth largest sector of the whole economy it’s 20 billion of that is
whole economy it’s 20 billion of that is
whole economy it’s 20 billion of that is tourism so the large majority of it is
tourism so the large majority of it is
tourism so the large majority of it is tourism
tourism
tourism but there’s other in things like
but there’s other in things like
but there’s other in things like heritage property development if you
heritage property development if you
heritage property development if you build or renovate a heritage house the
build or renovate a heritage house the
build or renovate a heritage house the value of the whole neighborhood goes up
value of the whole neighborhood goes up
value of the whole neighborhood goes up in measurable ways and in fact it there
in measurable ways and in fact it there
in measurable ways and in fact it there are jobs and taxes that come from this
are jobs and taxes that come from this
are jobs and taxes that come from this confluence of culture and commerce that
confluence of culture and commerce that
confluence of culture and commerce that are truly not inconsiderable the people
are truly not inconsiderable the people
are truly not inconsiderable the people in this industry who’ve seen it are
in this industry who’ve seen it are
in this industry who’ve seen it are leading Britain’s ability to
leading Britain’s ability to
leading Britain’s ability to generate economic advantage from culture
generate economic advantage from culture
generate economic advantage from culture one small statistic that I just love is
one small statistic that I just love is
one small statistic that I just love is the fact that just last year the number
the fact that just last year the number
the fact that just last year the number of people visiting historic houses so
of people visiting historic houses so
of people visiting historic houses so not even towers or castles but just
not even towers or castles but just
not even towers or castles but just houses of Blenheim Palace for example 24
houses of Blenheim Palace for example 24
houses of Blenheim Palace for example 24 million its larger than the number of
million its larger than the number of
million its larger than the number of tourists visiting Japan altogether
tourists visiting Japan altogether
tourists visiting Japan altogether there’s something about the demand for
there’s something about the demand for
there’s something about the demand for culture that constitutes a connection to
culture that constitutes a connection to
culture that constitutes a connection to industrial economics that’s really worth
industrial economics that’s really worth
industrial economics that’s really worth studying we’re not doing enough of it
studying we’re not doing enough of it
studying we’re not doing enough of it and that’s that’s the way I spend most
and that’s that’s the way I spend most
and that’s that’s the way I spend most of my time I could think about it in a
of my time I could think about it in a
of my time I could think about it in a different way a polarized way for
different way a polarized way for
different way a polarized way for example a business guru like Milton
example a business guru like Milton
example a business guru like Milton Friedman who’s famous for having said
Friedman who’s famous for having said
Friedman who’s famous for having said the business of business is business
the business of business is business
the business of business is business it’s about profit it’s about
it’s about profit it’s about
it’s about profit it’s about shareholders but on the other other side
shareholders but on the other other side
shareholders but on the other other side another polarity a famous Oxford
another polarity a famous Oxford
another polarity a famous Oxford aesthetician and philosopher Walter
aesthetician and philosopher Walter
aesthetician and philosopher Walter Pater who famously remarked art for
Pater who famously remarked art for
Pater who famously remarked art for art’s sake tantalizing and nomic remark
art’s sake tantalizing and nomic remark
art’s sake tantalizing and nomic remark that’s meant to make you think but also
that’s meant to make you think but also
that’s meant to make you think but also meant to make you think only that the
meant to make you think only that the
meant to make you think only that the value of art is not to be quantified not
value of art is not to be quantified not
value of art is not to be quantified not to be considered something instrumental
to be considered something instrumental
to be considered something instrumental in the way that historic properties add
in the way that historic properties add
in the way that historic properties add economic value to a neighborhood how do
economic value to a neighborhood how do
economic value to a neighborhood how do you reconcile those two well it’s
you reconcile those two well it’s
you reconcile those two well it’s possible intellectual leadership shows
possible intellectual leadership shows
possible intellectual leadership shows that there’s a position in the middle
that there’s a position in the middle
that there’s a position in the middle for example another Oxford figure
for example another Oxford figure
for example another Oxford figure William Morris famous for his designs
William Morris famous for his designs
William Morris famous for his designs and also for his business acumen in the
and also for his business acumen in the
and also for his business acumen in the 19th century remarked that objects in
19th century remarked that objects in
19th century remarked that objects in homes ie really as close to us as we can
homes ie really as close to us as we can
homes ie really as close to us as we can get should be both beautiful and useful
get should be both beautiful and useful
get should be both beautiful and useful or we should consider them from either
or we should consider them from either
or we should consider them from either side he’s trying to think his way
side he’s trying to think his way
side he’s trying to think his way through this polarity to bridge the gap
through this polarity to bridge the gap
through this polarity to bridge the gap between them and along the way he made
between them and along the way he made
between them and along the way he made quite a lot of money and perhaps more
quite a lot of money and perhaps more
quite a lot of money and perhaps more importantly quite an enormous and
importantly quite an enormous and
importantly quite an enormous and outsized influence on British design you
outsized influence on British design you
outsized influence on British design you will have seen his wallpapers you’ll
will have seen his wallpapers you’ll
will have seen his wallpapers you’ll have seen buildings influenced by his
have seen buildings influenced by his
have seen buildings influenced by his own home and sense of style even today
own home and sense of style even today
own home and sense of style even today companies like Habitat are still
companies like Habitat are still
companies like Habitat are still peddling his designs of Sanderson’s
peddling his designs of Sanderson’s
peddling his designs of Sanderson’s interior decorators that was his company
interior decorators that was his company
interior decorators that was his company he’s everywhere William Morris he’s
he’s everywhere William Morris he’s
he’s everywhere William Morris he’s particularly vivid in Oxford though
particularly vivid in Oxford though
particularly vivid in Oxford though because he
because he
because he a lot have influenced a lot around here
a lot have influenced a lot around here
a lot have influenced a lot around here but also because of another weird
but also because of another weird
but also because of another weird coincidence the fact that there is
coincidence the fact that there is
coincidence the fact that there is another William Morris in Oxford a
another William Morris in Oxford a
another William Morris in Oxford a businessman possibly comparable to Henry
businessman possibly comparable to Henry
businessman possibly comparable to Henry Ford in UK terms William Morris Lord
Ford in UK terms William Morris Lord
Ford in UK terms William Morris Lord Nuffield who built the factory that’s
Nuffield who built the factory that’s
Nuffield who built the factory that’s now run by the BMW Group on the edges of
now run by the BMW Group on the edges of
now run by the BMW Group on the edges of Oxford where the Mini is still made and
Oxford where the Mini is still made and
Oxford where the Mini is still made and where the designs around Industrial
where the designs around Industrial
where the designs around Industrial Engineering were refined and made
Engineering were refined and made
Engineering were refined and made efficient under William Morris’s
efficient under William Morris’s
efficient under William Morris’s leadership these two men both of the
leadership these two men both of the
leadership these two men both of the same name both living in Oxford it’s a
same name both living in Oxford it’s a
same name both living in Oxford it’s a coincidence that someone who stops to
coincidence that someone who stops to
coincidence that someone who stops to think about it can draw a connection
think about it can draw a connection
think about it can draw a connection between them but it’s a connection that
between them but it’s a connection that
between them but it’s a connection that has both aesthetic and economic
has both aesthetic and economic
has both aesthetic and economic advantages when you stop to think about
advantages when you stop to think about
advantages when you stop to think about it both of them have made Oxford a
it both of them have made Oxford a
it both of them have made Oxford a wealthier place than it might have been
wealthier place than it might have been
wealthier place than it might have been otherwise and have made Britain as a
otherwise and have made Britain as a
otherwise and have made Britain as a whole more advanced and sensitive
whole more advanced and sensitive
whole more advanced and sensitive environment for all of us to live in
which do you think is the bigger lie
which do you think is the bigger lie either these polarities the business of
either these polarities the business of
either these polarities the business of businesses business or art for art’s
businesses business or art for art’s
businesses business or art for art’s sake after after hearing my thoughts I’d
sake after after hearing my thoughts I’d
sake after after hearing my thoughts I’d be curious to see whether you find it
be curious to see whether you find it
be curious to see whether you find it possible to polarize ourselves in this
possible to polarize ourselves in this
possible to polarize ourselves in this way clearly there’s much more subtlety
way clearly there’s much more subtlety
way clearly there’s much more subtlety to thinking about these extremes
to thinking about these extremes
to thinking about these extremes subtlety that comes from bridging the
subtlety that comes from bridging the
subtlety that comes from bridging the gap between them rather than thinking of
gap between them rather than thinking of
gap between them rather than thinking of either of them as true to the exclusion
either of them as true to the exclusion
either of them as true to the exclusion of the other I’m pleased to see that
of the other I’m pleased to see that
of the other I’m pleased to see that this is a debate a debate in graphical
this is a debate a debate in graphical
this is a debate a debate in graphical form to summarize what leaders do is
form to summarize what leaders do is
form to summarize what leaders do is build bridges
build bridges
build bridges there’s no good definition of leadership
there’s no good definition of leadership
there’s no good definition of leadership but it does involve all of these verbs
but it does involve all of these verbs
but it does involve all of these verbs and nouns connecting affiliating
and nouns connecting affiliating
and nouns connecting affiliating collaborating commanding and so on
collaborating commanding and so on
collaborating commanding and so on legitimating expressing and that’s what
legitimating expressing and that’s what
legitimating expressing and that’s what I hope my examples and metaphors have
I hope my examples and metaphors have
I hope my examples and metaphors have indicated that thinking about leadership
indicated that thinking about leadership
indicated that thinking about leadership as an act of bridging or thinking about
as an act of bridging or thinking about
as an act of bridging or thinking about bridges as acts of leadership allows us
bridges as acts of leadership allows us
bridges as acts of leadership allows us insights into how this is not only a
insights into how this is not only a
insights into how this is not only a metaphor but something that’s real that
metaphor but something that’s real that
metaphor but something that’s real that makes art happen that makes wealth
makes art happen that makes wealth
makes art happen that makes wealth happen
happen
happen and it makes ideas come to life and very
and it makes ideas come to life and very
and it makes ideas come to life and very vivid in useful way so let me leave you
vivid in useful way so let me leave you
vivid in useful way so let me leave you one more chance to end with your input
one more chance to end with your input
one more chance to end with your input and one more question what does the idea
and one more question what does the idea
and one more question what does the idea of a bridge mean to all of you well the
of a bridge mean to all of you well the
of a bridge mean to all of you well the words emerge let me take this
words emerge let me take this
words emerge let me take this opportunity to thank our organizers and
opportunity to thank our organizers and
opportunity to thank our organizers and heed all of you for taking 15 minutes to
heed all of you for taking 15 minutes to
heed all of you for taking 15 minutes to think about how the idea of a bridge is
think about how the idea of a bridge is
think about how the idea of a bridge is a wonderful example of leadership thank
a wonderful example of leadership thank
a wonderful example of leadership thank you very much
you very much
you very much [Applause]
”
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