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The Power of Intentional Naivety | Max Younger | TEDxUMKC


good afternoon the power of Unknowing

good afternoon the power of Unknowing what does that mean

so one of my favorite quotes is by Coco

so one of my favorite quotes is by Coco Chanel it’s only those with no memory

Chanel it’s only those with no memory

Chanel it’s only those with no memory insist on their own originality

seemingly simple in the world of

seemingly simple in the world of innovation and product design it seems

innovation and product design it seems

innovation and product design it seems counterintuitive but I was originally

counterintuitive but I was originally

counterintuitive but I was originally told this by one of my art professors

told this by one of my art professors

told this by one of my art professors back in our history class and it

back in our history class and it

back in our history class and it essentially was talking about how

essentially was talking about how

essentially was talking about how artists often are inspired by other

artists often are inspired by other

artists often are inspired by other artists work other things around them

artists work other things around them

artists work other things around them the context in which they live for Coco

the context in which they live for Coco

the context in which they live for Coco Chanel is very much a belief of hers

Chanel is very much a belief of hers

Chanel is very much a belief of hers that originality was not something that

that originality was not something that

that originality was not something that she would be creating it was more of

she would be creating it was more of

she would be creating it was more of mixing of fashions mixing of ideas and

mixing of fashions mixing of ideas and

mixing of fashions mixing of ideas and colors and textures to create something

colors and textures to create something

colors and textures to create something that was new versus original you know

that was new versus original you know

that was new versus original you know for me originality is very much that

for me originality is very much that

for me originality is very much that statement was very much about how I took

statement was very much about how I took

statement was very much about how I took it very literally in that I have to kind

it very literally in that I have to kind

it very literally in that I have to kind of intentionally forget about things to

of intentionally forget about things to

of intentionally forget about things to try to create something new and here’s

try to create something new and here’s

try to create something new and here’s an example of something very new

an example of something very new

an example of something very new artificial intelligence Bob even Alice

artificial intelligence Bob even Alice

artificial intelligence Bob even Alice how many of you guys have ever heard of

how many of you guys have ever heard of

how many of you guys have ever heard of show hands Bobby even Alice I see one

show hands Bobby even Alice I see one

show hands Bobby even Alice I see one too

too

too okay there’s not a lot of you I hadn’t

okay there’s not a lot of you I hadn’t

okay there’s not a lot of you I hadn’t heard about it until recently but Bob

heard about it until recently but Bob

heard about it until recently but Bob even Alice RA artificial neural network

even Alice RA artificial neural network

even Alice RA artificial neural network created by Google’s deep brain team and

created by Google’s deep brain team and

created by Google’s deep brain team and this is a really really interesting

this is a really really interesting

this is a really really interesting thing and one of our speakers earlier

thing and one of our speakers earlier

thing and one of our speakers earlier today talked about AI a little bit it’s

today talked about AI a little bit it’s

today talked about AI a little bit it’s in that they they originally and it

in that they they originally and it

in that they they originally and it actually kind of proves the point of my

actually kind of proves the point of my

actually kind of proves the point of my talk a little bit

talk a little bit

talk a little bit they started out kind of programming all

they started out kind of programming all

they started out kind of programming all the code for this artificial

the code for this artificial

the code for this artificial intelligence like you got to you know

intelligence like you got to you know

intelligence like you got to you know put everything you can possibly think of

put everything you can possibly think of

put everything you can possibly think of and try to problem-solve with this code

and try to problem-solve with this code

and try to problem-solve with this code for these you know three artificial

for these you know three artificial

for these you know three artificial networks to be able to send information

networks to be able to send information

networks to be able to send information back and forth between each other and

back and forth between each other and

back and forth between each other and one one said an encrypted message and

one one said an encrypted message and

one one said an encrypted message and the other one would get the encrypted

the other one would get the encrypted

the other one would get the encrypted message and try to decrypt it but they

message and try to decrypt it but they

message and try to decrypt it but they wouldn’t have the code to decrypt it so

wouldn’t have the code to decrypt it so

wouldn’t have the code to decrypt it so it was just teaching itself right but in

it was just teaching itself right but in

it was just teaching itself right but in the beginning all the code was based on

the beginning all the code was based on

the beginning all the code was based on you know kind of a rudimentary way of

you know kind of a rudimentary way of

you know kind of a rudimentary way of building intelligence where you kind of

building intelligence where you kind of

building intelligence where you kind of like an adult brain right versus and it

like an adult brain right versus and it

like an adult brain right versus and it didn’t work for them like it wasn’t

didn’t work for them like it wasn’t

didn’t work for them like it wasn’t working they couldn’t solve this problem

working they couldn’t solve this problem

working they couldn’t solve this problem so they switched the code to be much

so they switched the code to be much

so they switched the code to be much more like the brain of a toddler and the

more like the brain of a toddler and the

more like the brain of a toddler and the brain of a toddler is is in not

brain of a toddler is is in not

brain of a toddler is is in not intentionally but naively kind of

intentionally but naively kind of

intentionally but naively kind of approaching the world because they they

approaching the world because they they

approaching the world because they they have a blank slate right they have the

have a blank slate right they have the

have a blank slate right they have the ability to go and play and experience

ability to go and play and experience

ability to go and play and experience and learn through play and trial and

and learn through play and trial and

and learn through play and trial and error to be able to learn the world

error to be able to learn the world

error to be able to learn the world around them to learn what works and what

around them to learn what works and what

around them to learn what works and what doesn’t they don’t have all those

doesn’t they don’t have all those

doesn’t they don’t have all those preconceived ideas that we have in our

preconceived ideas that we have in our

preconceived ideas that we have in our brains on why something can or cannot

brains on why something can or cannot

brains on why something can or cannot work right so for me I became a diabetic

work right so for me I became a diabetic

work right so for me I became a diabetic actually so we had another speaker just

actually so we had another speaker just

actually so we had another speaker just talk about insulin I’m an insulin

talk about insulin I’m an insulin

talk about insulin I’m an insulin dependent diabetic type one and that

dependent diabetic type one and that

dependent diabetic type one and that happened when I was six years old I was

happened when I was six years old I was

happened when I was six years old I was at that time that I started rocking this

at that time that I started rocking this

at that time that I started rocking this awesome fanny pack right and that was

awesome fanny pack right and that was

awesome fanny pack right and that was really to carry all the things I needed

really to carry all the things I needed

really to carry all the things I needed to keep me alive so I had a gameboy

to keep me alive so I had a gameboy

to keep me alive so I had a gameboy sized blood machine inside of it which

sized blood machine inside of it which

sized blood machine inside of it which you can see here on the slide and that

you can see here on the slide and that

you can see here on the slide and that was something that allowed me to test my

was something that allowed me to test my

was something that allowed me to test my blood understand my glucose levels I

blood understand my glucose levels I

blood understand my glucose levels I also had you know insulin and a syringe

also had you know insulin and a syringe

also had you know insulin and a syringe and all these other things like juice

and all these other things like juice

and all these other things like juice boxes and raisins to keep me going and

boxes and raisins to keep me going and

boxes and raisins to keep me going and as I aged all this technology got better

as I aged all this technology got better

as I aged all this technology got better and better and better and so things got

and better and better and so things got

and better and better and so things got smaller instead of a syringe now I had

smaller instead of a syringe now I had

smaller instead of a syringe now I had an insulin pen so it’s all combined is

an insulin pen so it’s all combined is

an insulin pen so it’s all combined is really cool I could show my friends and

really cool I could show my friends and

really cool I could show my friends and then the you know the technology got

then the you know the technology got

then the you know the technology got smaller and smaller and eventually now

smaller and smaller and eventually now

smaller and smaller and eventually now I’m on something called an insulin pump

I’m on something called an insulin pump

I’m on something called an insulin pump which is amazing right so Dean came in

which is amazing right so Dean came in

which is amazing right so Dean came in but you can see a photo of one of the

but you can see a photo of one of the

but you can see a photo of one of the original insulin pumps on the far left

original insulin pumps on the far left

original insulin pumps on the far left Dean came in who invented the Segway

Dean came in who invented the Segway

Dean came in who invented the Segway also invented insulin pumps he you know

also invented insulin pumps he you know

also invented insulin pumps he you know changed my life and it was at that point

changed my life and it was at that point

changed my life and it was at that point in time like very early in my life I

in time like very early in my life I

in time like very early in my life I started to realize that people are out

started to realize that people are out

started to realize that people are out there that I didn’t even know they were

there that I didn’t even know they were

there that I didn’t even know they were solving problems for me when people like

solving problems for me when people like

solving problems for me when people like me and it was that among many other

me and it was that among many other

me and it was that among many other things it inspired me to want to do very

things it inspired me to want to do very

things it inspired me to want to do very much the same thing and solve problems

much the same thing and solve problems

much the same thing and solve problems for people so what do I do today so I’m

for people so what do I do today so I’m

for people so what do I do today so I’m a I guess title and co-founder of a

a I guess title and co-founder of a

a I guess title and co-founder of a company called mobility designed we

company called mobility designed we

company called mobility designed we we design mobility solutions and and you

we design mobility solutions and and you

we design mobility solutions and and you know I create things like many products

know I create things like many products

know I create things like many products and inventions for various large and

and inventions for various large and

and inventions for various large and small scale companies upper right hand

small scale companies upper right hand

small scale companies upper right hand corner you can see what was in it say

corner you can see what was in it say

corner you can see what was in it say it’s a cord reel so it winds up power

it’s a cord reel so it winds up power

it’s a cord reel so it winds up power cords I’m sure many of you have had it

cords I’m sure many of you have had it

cords I’m sure many of you have had it not in power cord in your life and this

not in power cord in your life and this

not in power cord in your life and this was a way to easily keep your stuff

was a way to easily keep your stuff

was a way to easily keep your stuff organized it was inspired by a salad

organized it was inspired by a salad

organized it was inspired by a salad shooter so like the same thing that you

shooter so like the same thing that you

shooter so like the same thing that you would use to dry off your salad so this

would use to dry off your salad so this

would use to dry off your salad so this idea is you put it on the ground you

idea is you put it on the ground you

idea is you put it on the ground you step on it right you wind up a power

step on it right you wind up a power

step on it right you wind up a power cord it works that’s great so different

cord it works that’s great so different

cord it works that’s great so different things like that along with on the

things like that along with on the

things like that along with on the left-hand side you can see some of the

left-hand side you can see some of the

left-hand side you can see some of the ideation around a set of crutches that

ideation around a set of crutches that

ideation around a set of crutches that we designed that use your elbows instead

we designed that use your elbows instead

we designed that use your elbows instead of your armpits to support your weight

of your armpits to support your weight

of your armpits to support your weight so when I was first asked to do this

so when I was first asked to do this

so when I was first asked to do this talk and they’re asking me like you know

talk and they’re asking me like you know

talk and they’re asking me like you know how do you how do you problem solve and

how do you how do you problem solve and

how do you how do you problem solve and you know I really hadn’t really ever

you know I really hadn’t really ever

you know I really hadn’t really ever thought about it before how do I solve

thought about it before how do I solve

thought about it before how do I solve issues where did it come from the

issues where did it come from the

issues where did it come from the solutions to these issues and it kind of

solutions to these issues and it kind of

solutions to these issues and it kind of goes down to something I call

goes down to something I call

goes down to something I call intentional naivety and it’s it sounds

intentional naivety and it’s it sounds

intentional naivety and it’s it sounds like why would you ever intentionally go

like why would you ever intentionally go

like why would you ever intentionally go into a situation that’s naive well going

into a situation that’s naive well going

into a situation that’s naive well going back to like Google where you have to

back to like Google where you have to

back to like Google where you have to sometimes approach you know problems

sometimes approach you know problems

sometimes approach you know problems like specific things you’re trying to

like specific things you’re trying to

like specific things you’re trying to solve that are challenging with a kind

solve that are challenging with a kind

solve that are challenging with a kind of a more blank slate right you have all

of a more blank slate right you have all

of a more blank slate right you have all the solutions in your brain on ways

the solutions in your brain on ways

the solutions in your brain on ways maybe that somebody had already solved

maybe that somebody had already solved

maybe that somebody had already solved that problem or thought of that problem

that problem or thought of that problem

that problem or thought of that problem for solutions but you don’t necessarily

for solutions but you don’t necessarily

for solutions but you don’t necessarily know how to get rid of those and get

know how to get rid of those and get

know how to get rid of those and get them out of your head and for me I

them out of your head and for me I

them out of your head and for me I intentionally don’t go out when I’m

intentionally don’t go out when I’m

intentionally don’t go out when I’m trying to solve something and research

trying to solve something and research

trying to solve something and research the solutions their existing like I I

the solutions their existing like I I

the solutions their existing like I I push that off you know I go out and do

push that off you know I go out and do

push that off you know I go out and do other things which I’ll share a few of

other things which I’ll share a few of

other things which I’ll share a few of those with you in a little bit so

those with you in a little bit so

those with you in a little bit so University of British Columbia this is a

University of British Columbia this is a

University of British Columbia this is a really cool project they’re working on

really cool project they’re working on

really cool project they’re working on and it’s a great example of intentional

and it’s a great example of intentional

and it’s a great example of intentional naivety they have a a project that

naivety they have a a project that

naivety they have a a project that they’re creating called it’s a space

they’re creating called it’s a space

they’re creating called it’s a space elevator so it wouldn’t be great if you

elevator so it wouldn’t be great if you

elevator so it wouldn’t be great if you could take an elevator to space super

could take an elevator to space super

could take an elevator to space super efficient a lot less fire than a rocket

efficient a lot less fire than a rocket

efficient a lot less fire than a rocket right safer pretty cool stuff and they

right safer pretty cool stuff and they

right safer pretty cool stuff and they they use

they use

they use you know solar panels and lasers and

you know solar panels and lasers and

you know solar panels and lasers and various other things to power these

various other things to power these

various other things to power these devices and they’re not the only people

devices and they’re not the only people

devices and they’re not the only people that are working on this and and the

that are working on this and and the

that are working on this and and the people that are working on this are

people that are working on this are

people that are working on this are doing it with an intentional naivety

doing it with an intentional naivety

doing it with an intentional naivety because they know the technology does

because they know the technology does

because they know the technology does not exist right now to create the

not exist right now to create the

not exist right now to create the solution the ribbon that allows this

solution the ribbon that allows this

solution the ribbon that allows this cabling so thousands and thousands of

cabling so thousands and thousands of

cabling so thousands and thousands of miles long this ribbon that holds this

miles long this ribbon that holds this

miles long this ribbon that holds this centrifugal force item away from you

centrifugal force item away from you

centrifugal force item away from you know our globe right so it’s pulling on

know our globe right so it’s pulling on

know our globe right so it’s pulling on the earth and it climbs that ribbon

the earth and it climbs that ribbon

the earth and it climbs that ribbon well that ribbon technology does not

well that ribbon technology does not

well that ribbon technology does not exist yet right now we use carbon

exist yet right now we use carbon

exist yet right now we use carbon nanotube films essentially that you know

nanotube films essentially that you know

nanotube films essentially that you know they they latch on to this belt so to

they they latch on to this belt so to

they they latch on to this belt so to speak but it’s still not strong enough

speak but it’s still not strong enough

speak but it’s still not strong enough it’s still not lightweight enough for us

it’s still not lightweight enough for us

it’s still not lightweight enough for us to be able to do it but yet they’re

to be able to do it but yet they’re

to be able to do it but yet they’re doing it anyway right they’re going at

doing it anyway right they’re going at

doing it anyway right they’re going at it because someday you know material

it because someday you know material

it because someday you know material scientists will be out there and they’ll

scientists will be out there and they’ll

scientists will be out there and they’ll create a solution it does solve this

create a solution it does solve this

create a solution it does solve this problem and they’ll be ready for it or

problem and they’ll be ready for it or

problem and they’ll be ready for it or they’ll do it themselves here’s an

they’ll do it themselves here’s an

they’ll do it themselves here’s an example of where you know it’s kind of

example of where you know it’s kind of

example of where you know it’s kind of like intentional naivety maybe wasn’t

like intentional naivety maybe wasn’t

like intentional naivety maybe wasn’t used and solutions that exist right now

used and solutions that exist right now

used and solutions that exist right now are mediocre at best

are mediocre at best

are mediocre at best so this is the same you know axillary

so this is the same you know axillary

so this is the same you know axillary crutches have them have used them it’s

crutches have them have used them it’s

crutches have them have used them it’s the same technology we’ve had for ever

the same technology we’ve had for ever

the same technology we’ve had for ever since the civil war right solution on

since the civil war right solution on

since the civil war right solution on the far right is today’s solution it’s

the far right is today’s solution it’s

the far right is today’s solution it’s same same design same organ onyx same

same same design same organ onyx same

same same design same organ onyx same style but it’s better materials it’s

style but it’s better materials it’s

style but it’s better materials it’s cheaper to make you know we’ve been very

cheaper to make you know we’ve been very

cheaper to make you know we’ve been very efficient in our manufacturing processes

so how do you do this thing called

so how do you do this thing called unknowing how do you forget what you

unknowing how do you forget what you

unknowing how do you forget what you know it’s really sounds simple that’s

know it’s really sounds simple that’s

know it’s really sounds simple that’s not right it’s it’s not as actually easy

not right it’s it’s not as actually easy

not right it’s it’s not as actually easy as you think one of the things here’s a

as you think one of the things here’s a

as you think one of the things here’s a few techniques I’ve got to show you guys

few techniques I’ve got to show you guys

few techniques I’ve got to show you guys is it’s really important when you’re in

is it’s really important when you’re in

is it’s really important when you’re in brainstorms I’m sure many of you in

brainstorms I’m sure many of you in

brainstorms I’m sure many of you in classes or your your work life I’ve been

classes or your your work life I’ve been

classes or your your work life I’ve been in brain storms with people or your

in brain storms with people or your

in brain storms with people or your problem-solving with others just suspend

problem-solving with others just suspend

problem-solving with others just suspend disbelief and and I can’t tell you how

disbelief and and I can’t tell you how

disbelief and and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go into a

many times I’ve had to go into a

many times I’ve had to go into a brainstorm beforehand and say this out

brainstorm beforehand and say this out

brainstorm beforehand and say this out loud and then reaffirm what I meant by

loud and then reaffirm what I meant by

loud and then reaffirm what I meant by saying it out loud later on in the talk

saying it out loud later on in the talk

saying it out loud later on in the talk but essentially we are very good at

but essentially we are very good at

but essentially we are very good at telling people when something’s not

telling people when something’s not

telling people when something’s not going to work or for what reason it’s

going to work or for what reason it’s

going to work or for what reason it’s not going to

not going to

not going to and when somebody has an idea instead of

and when somebody has an idea instead of

and when somebody has an idea instead of saying like oh you know like that’s not

saying like oh you know like that’s not

saying like oh you know like that’s not going to work but maybe this other thing

going to work but maybe this other thing

going to work but maybe this other thing will work instead of doing something

will work instead of doing something

will work instead of doing something that puts the idea down which really

that puts the idea down which really

that puts the idea down which really stifles creativity and stifles diverse

stifles creativity and stifles diverse

stifles creativity and stifles diverse thinking do something like building it

thinking do something like building it

thinking do something like building it up so you take the idea that they might

up so you take the idea that they might

up so you take the idea that they might have said and then you build on it right

have said and then you build on it right

have said and then you build on it right so you take it and you make it a little

so you take it and you make it a little

so you take it and you make it a little bit different a little bit better as a

bit different a little bit better as a

bit different a little bit better as a way to keep things going and when you’re

way to keep things going and when you’re

way to keep things going and when you’re doing divergent thinking it’s really

doing divergent thinking it’s really

doing divergent thinking it’s really important to do something like that but

important to do something like that but

important to do something like that but again filter at the end so you’re not

again filter at the end so you’re not

again filter at the end so you’re not trying to filter during the

trying to filter during the

trying to filter during the brainstorming process you’re trying to

brainstorming process you’re trying to

brainstorming process you’re trying to filter afterward and it’s really

filter afterward and it’s really

filter afterward and it’s really important to filter because you can’t do

important to filter because you can’t do

important to filter because you can’t do everything

everything

everything kids are very very good at that right so

kids are very very good at that right so

kids are very very good at that right so they do it automatically you haven’t

they do it automatically you haven’t

they do it automatically you haven’t been told the camp another technique

been told the camp another technique

been told the camp another technique that I use it’s kind of strange so you

that I use it’s kind of strange so you

that I use it’s kind of strange so you have to bear with me I don’t know if you

have to bear with me I don’t know if you

have to bear with me I don’t know if you all do this or not but I call it you

all do this or not but I call it you

all do this or not but I call it you know blurring your mind’s eye and it’s

know blurring your mind’s eye and it’s

know blurring your mind’s eye and it’s something kind of I went to art school

something kind of I went to art school

something kind of I went to art school it’s something you’re trained to do when

it’s something you’re trained to do when

it’s something you’re trained to do when you’re like drawing and you kind of blur

you’re like drawing and you kind of blur

you’re like drawing and you kind of blur your eye and you look at it and you see

your eye and you look at it and you see

your eye and you look at it and you see if the you know the image is balanced if

if the you know the image is balanced if

if the you know the image is balanced if a golden mean is there and for me you

a golden mean is there and for me you

a golden mean is there and for me you know when I’m trying to imagine

know when I’m trying to imagine

know when I’m trying to imagine something I it helps me to blur my

something I it helps me to blur my

something I it helps me to blur my vision so that I’m not focusing on a

vision so that I’m not focusing on a

vision so that I’m not focusing on a particular part of something so if I’m

particular part of something so if I’m

particular part of something so if I’m looking at an object in front of me I’m

looking at an object in front of me I’m

looking at an object in front of me I’m thinking about a system or whatever I

thinking about a system or whatever I

thinking about a system or whatever I allow my imagination to play a part in

allow my imagination to play a part in

allow my imagination to play a part in that by blurring my vision which kind of

that by blurring my vision which kind of

that by blurring my vision which kind of allows for that object to go in and out

allows for that object to go in and out

allows for that object to go in and out of my imagination and allow for things

of my imagination and allow for things

of my imagination and allow for things to be plugged in if I want to change a

to be plugged in if I want to change a

to be plugged in if I want to change a mechanism or add this thing or change

mechanism or add this thing or change

mechanism or add this thing or change the shape it’s just something I do for

the shape it’s just something I do for

the shape it’s just something I do for kind of creatively imagining things and

kind of creatively imagining things and

kind of creatively imagining things and 3d and also in your head at the same

3d and also in your head at the same

3d and also in your head at the same time so try it next time you’re trying

time so try it next time you’re trying

time so try it next time you’re trying to solve a problem people will think

to solve a problem people will think

to solve a problem people will think you’re a little strange so this is

you’re a little strange so this is

you’re a little strange so this is something you guys do here during this

something you guys do here during this

something you guys do here during this talk automatically it’s something that

talk automatically it’s something that

talk automatically it’s something that is a technique that was taught to me by

is a technique that was taught to me by

is a technique that was taught to me by Doug Hall at Eureka ranch he would use

Doug Hall at Eureka ranch he would use

Doug Hall at Eureka ranch he would use this and larger group settings kind of

this and larger group settings kind of

this and larger group settings kind of like this where the audience members in

like this where the audience members in

like this where the audience members in you know and participating in a

you know and participating in a

you know and participating in a brainstorm might get up and talk about

brainstorm might get up and talk about

brainstorm might get up and talk about an idea that they had written down on a

an idea that they had written down on a

an idea that they had written down on a sheet so who’s the user what are they

sheet so who’s the user what are they

sheet so who’s the user what are they trying to solve the problem for what’s

trying to solve the problem for what’s

trying to solve the problem for what’s the solution that kind of

the solution that kind of

the solution that kind of right and the reason why he would tell

right and the reason why he would tell

right and the reason why he would tell everybody after after the idea of what

everybody after after the idea of what

everybody after after the idea of what you’re gonna do is applaud like

you’re gonna do is applaud like

you’re gonna do is applaud like everybody in the group applauds for that

everybody in the group applauds for that

everybody in the group applauds for that person and it sounds cheesy and when you

person and it sounds cheesy and when you

person and it sounds cheesy and when you do it the first couple times it’s like

do it the first couple times it’s like

do it the first couple times it’s like yeah yeah like applaud I get it but what

yeah yeah like applaud I get it but what

yeah yeah like applaud I get it but what happens is it allows for those a little

happens is it allows for those a little

happens is it allows for those a little bit crazy ideas that you know probably

bit crazy ideas that you know probably

bit crazy ideas that you know probably aren’t going to work to get expressed

aren’t going to work to get expressed

aren’t going to work to get expressed where they’re not afraid to talk about

where they’re not afraid to talk about

where they’re not afraid to talk about them and some people have an easier time

them and some people have an easier time

them and some people have an easier time saying things that are crazy in others

saying things that are crazy in others

saying things that are crazy in others but it really helps those those ideas

but it really helps those those ideas

but it really helps those those ideas get out there which someone else can

get out there which someone else can

get out there which someone else can build on and then make into something

build on and then make into something

build on and then make into something that might work right so it’s like yeah

that might work right so it’s like yeah

that might work right so it’s like yeah I see that and maybe how do we make that

I see that and maybe how do we make that

I see that and maybe how do we make that work and it really does help something

work and it really does help something

work and it really does help something else I like to do is it’s flipping it so

else I like to do is it’s flipping it so

else I like to do is it’s flipping it so it’s kind of like whatever you say say

it’s kind of like whatever you say say

it’s kind of like whatever you say say the opposite many of you may have

the opposite many of you may have

the opposite many of you may have experienced cassette tapes some of you

experienced cassette tapes some of you

experienced cassette tapes some of you students may have not they were

students may have not they were

students may have not they were wonderful

wonderful

wonderful I had a few I think they but to get from

I had a few I think they but to get from

I had a few I think they but to get from song like number two

song like number two

song like number two – like song number 12 get it fast

– like song number 12 get it fast

– like song number 12 get it fast forward right there was no like select

forward right there was no like select

forward right there was no like select to the next song at least in my cars and

to the next song at least in my cars and

to the next song at least in my cars and various Walkmans and so when CDs came

various Walkmans and so when CDs came

various Walkmans and so when CDs came along it was glorious right you could

along it was glorious right you could

along it was glorious right you could you could flip to the right song that

you could flip to the right song that

you could flip to the right song that was your song that was your favorite

was your song that was your favorite

was your song that was your favorite song and then you know experience it it

song and then you know experience it it

song and then you know experience it it was like 12 songs 16 songs but when CDs

was like 12 songs 16 songs but when CDs

was like 12 songs 16 songs but when CDs became like mp3 CDs all of a sudden you

became like mp3 CDs all of a sudden you

became like mp3 CDs all of a sudden you had 200 songs you know on the CD and I

had 200 songs you know on the CD and I

had 200 songs you know on the CD and I remember sitting in cars and you know

remember sitting in cars and you know

remember sitting in cars and you know his radio that I might have installed

his radio that I might have installed

his radio that I might have installed and this mp3 CD player was great but

and this mp3 CD player was great but

and this mp3 CD player was great but then like to get to song number 150

then like to get to song number 150

then like to get to song number 150 you’re just like I think which one was

you’re just like I think which one was

you’re just like I think which one was it 142 anyway so it’s it’s silly but the

it 142 anyway so it’s it’s silly but the

it 142 anyway so it’s it’s silly but the with technology as technology change the

with technology as technology change the

with technology as technology change the interaction also had to be reassessed so

interaction also had to be reassessed so

interaction also had to be reassessed so there’s companies out there that did

there’s companies out there that did

there’s companies out there that did this really well and instead of having a

this really well and instead of having a

this really well and instead of having a linear button-pushing process from song

linear button-pushing process from song

linear button-pushing process from song number one 150 going through all of them

number one 150 going through all of them

number one 150 going through all of them some companies took to it in a circular

some companies took to it in a circular

some companies took to it in a circular way right so you may recognize this

way right so you may recognize this

way right so you may recognize this device but it’s a different kind of an

device but it’s a different kind of an

device but it’s a different kind of an interaction that allows you to easily

interaction that allows you to easily

interaction that allows you to easily navigate through thousands of songs like

navigate through thousands of songs like

navigate through thousands of songs like all of your library of songs in your

all of your library of songs in your

all of your library of songs in your hand

hand

hand it revolutionized the music industry and

it revolutionized the music industry and

it revolutionized the music industry and our mobile devices through the different

our mobile devices through the different

our mobile devices through the different type of interaction just one of the

type of interaction just one of the

type of interaction just one of the other techniques that we use is called

other techniques that we use is called

other techniques that we use is called contextual increase and a professor my

contextual increase and a professor my

contextual increase and a professor my name John Kolko originally brought this

name John Kolko originally brought this

name John Kolko originally brought this to my attention and and kind of

to my attention and and kind of

to my attention and and kind of instilled in our in our interaction

instilled in our in our interaction

instilled in our in our interaction design groups and it was pioneered by

design groups and it was pioneered by

design groups and it was pioneered by Hugh Byers and Karen Holtz flat really

Hugh Byers and Karen Holtz flat really

Hugh Byers and Karen Holtz flat really for the digital app and not apps but it

for the digital app and not apps but it

for the digital app and not apps but it was it was computer interface industry

was it was computer interface industry

was it was computer interface industry back when that was becoming a big deal

back when that was becoming a big deal

back when that was becoming a big deal we the idea was to basically go out into

we the idea was to basically go out into

we the idea was to basically go out into context and study the people you’re

context and study the people you’re

context and study the people you’re trying to design things for in the

trying to design things for in the

trying to design things for in the context that they’re using the objects

context that they’re using the objects

context that they’re using the objects and systems so that you can really

and systems so that you can really

and systems so that you can really understand what it is that’s affecting

understand what it is that’s affecting

understand what it is that’s affecting all the variables that might be in any

all the variables that might be in any

all the variables that might be in any given system and for me it’s it’s one of

given system and for me it’s it’s one of

given system and for me it’s it’s one of the most critical things because that’s

the most critical things because that’s

the most critical things because that’s where the nuggets come from you start to

where the nuggets come from you start to

where the nuggets come from you start to realize that you know crutches they

realize that you know crutches they

realize that you know crutches they don’t work really well on ice you know

don’t work really well on ice you know

don’t work really well on ice you know if you watch somebody walk at the zoo on

if you watch somebody walk at the zoo on

if you watch somebody walk at the zoo on crutches it’s pretty rare because it’s a

crutches it’s pretty rare because it’s a

crutches it’s pretty rare because it’s a pretty long distance and it’s painful

pretty long distance and it’s painful

pretty long distance and it’s painful right it it just doesn’t happen

right it it just doesn’t happen

right it it just doesn’t happen but if you if you do watch somebody it’s

but if you if you do watch somebody it’s

but if you if you do watch somebody it’s it’s you start to understand the pain

it’s you start to understand the pain

it’s you start to understand the pain that they’re going through and you can

that they’re going through and you can

that they’re going through and you can you know conduct ethnographies and

you know conduct ethnographies and

you know conduct ethnographies and whatnot to empathize with them to solve

whatnot to empathize with them to solve

whatnot to empathize with them to solve these problems to find nuggets to focus

these problems to find nuggets to focus

these problems to find nuggets to focus on create solutions for so this one’s

on create solutions for so this one’s

on create solutions for so this one’s probably the most important of all the

probably the most important of all the

probably the most important of all the different things that we talk about

different things that we talk about

different things that we talk about today but don’t be afraid to fail and

today but don’t be afraid to fail and

today but don’t be afraid to fail and this is a really good example of one of

this is a really good example of one of

this is a really good example of one of the times where I my may be intentional

the times where I my may be intentional

the times where I my may be intentional naivety didn’t work out but it was a

naivety didn’t work out but it was a

naivety didn’t work out but it was a great learning experience nonetheless so

great learning experience nonetheless so

great learning experience nonetheless so you know Kansas City sometimes we have

you know Kansas City sometimes we have

you know Kansas City sometimes we have snow here and we I don’t necessarily

snow here and we I don’t necessarily

snow here and we I don’t necessarily like shoveling snow all the time it’s

like shoveling snow all the time it’s

like shoveling snow all the time it’s fun sometimes but I decided in this

fun sometimes but I decided in this

fun sometimes but I decided in this instance to try to create a plow that

instance to try to create a plow that

instance to try to create a plow that would work on any type of car that has a

would work on any type of car that has a

would work on any type of car that has a rack on the back right you could just

rack on the back right you could just

rack on the back right you could just hook it on and push the go pedal and you

hook it on and push the go pedal and you

hook it on and push the go pedal and you would you would plow your driveway in

would you would plow your driveway in

would you would plow your driveway in like seconds right back up to your

like seconds right back up to your

like seconds right back up to your garage door I put the plow down and

garage door I put the plow down and

garage door I put the plow down and scoop out your driveway so

scoop out your driveway so

scoop out your driveway so well I built one and took a couple hours

well I built one and took a couple hours

well I built one and took a couple hours not a big deal but the you know my

not a big deal but the you know my

not a big deal but the you know my father-in-law was gracious enough to be

father-in-law was gracious enough to be

father-in-law was gracious enough to be at the back end of this system trying to

at the back end of this system trying to

at the back end of this system trying to hold on to it and we you know we started

hold on to it and we you know we started

hold on to it and we you know we started pulling the snow and what happened was

pulling the snow and what happened was

pulling the snow and what happened was the plow just like hopped up in the air

the plow just like hopped up in the air

the plow just like hopped up in the air right and it rode on top of the snow so

right and it rode on top of the snow so

right and it rode on top of the snow so he like you know got on top of the thing

he like you know got on top of the thing

he like you know got on top of the thing and I’m pulling em he’s trying to

and I’m pulling em he’s trying to

and I’m pulling em he’s trying to balance and I realize I’m like this

balance and I realize I’m like this

balance and I realize I’m like this isn’t working like this is you know like

isn’t working like this is you know like

isn’t working like this is you know like no snow has been plowed here so we kind

no snow has been plowed here so we kind

no snow has been plowed here so we kind of looked at it and I thought for a

of looked at it and I thought for a

of looked at it and I thought for a second I just I realize why snowplows

second I just I realize why snowplows

second I just I realize why snowplows are on the front or on you know attached

are on the front or on you know attached

are on the front or on you know attached to really big heavy things it’s because

to really big heavy things it’s because

to really big heavy things it’s because they and now I know they they pushed

they and now I know they they pushed

they and now I know they they pushed down right and it puts puts the plow

down right and it puts puts the plow

down right and it puts puts the plow close to the ground and keeps it there

close to the ground and keeps it there

close to the ground and keeps it there whereas in this instance it cannot so

whereas in this instance it cannot so

whereas in this instance it cannot so one of the challenges that I took in and

one of the challenges that I took in and

one of the challenges that I took in and did have a success at was reimagining

did have a success at was reimagining

did have a success at was reimagining what the crutch was and a lot of people

what the crutch was and a lot of people

what the crutch was and a lot of people have done things for crutches as we

have done things for crutches as we

have done things for crutches as we talked about earlier puppies for your

talked about earlier puppies for your

talked about earlier puppies for your armpits right so it’s armpits are

armpits right so it’s armpits are

armpits right so it’s armpits are painful and crutches right so why not

painful and crutches right so why not

painful and crutches right so why not put puppies there they’re not really

put puppies there they’re not really

put puppies there they’re not really rethinking the problem the problem is

rethinking the problem the problem is

rethinking the problem the problem is that you’re you know stuffing something

that you’re you know stuffing something

that you’re you know stuffing something into a soft tissue area with axillary

into a soft tissue area with axillary

into a soft tissue area with axillary nerve bundles right so we knew we did

nerve bundles right so we knew we did

nerve bundles right so we knew we did not want to focus on either those red

not want to focus on either those red

not want to focus on either those red areas nothing where your weight had to

areas nothing where your weight had to

areas nothing where your weight had to be supported by your hands nothing where

be supported by your hands nothing where

be supported by your hands nothing where your weight had to be supported by your

your weight had to be supported by your

your weight had to be supported by your armpits just like why I even have that

armpits just like why I even have that

armpits just like why I even have that as an option so we didn’t so we created

as an option so we didn’t so we created

as an option so we didn’t so we created you know hundreds and hundreds of

you know hundreds and hundreds of

you know hundreds and hundreds of hundreds of ideas and eventually came to

hundreds of ideas and eventually came to

hundreds of ideas and eventually came to an idea where it uses your elbows in

an idea where it uses your elbows in

an idea where it uses your elbows in your forearms to support your weight

your forearms to support your weight

your forearms to support your weight like in the picture you can see on the

like in the picture you can see on the

like in the picture you can see on the far right and that allowed us the

far right and that allowed us the

far right and that allowed us the freedom to try to make it to make a

freedom to try to make it to make a

freedom to try to make it to make a crutch that didn’t have the pain that

crutch that didn’t have the pain that

crutch that didn’t have the pain that accelerate crutches had so this is

accelerate crutches had so this is

accelerate crutches had so this is called the MD crutch this is our company

called the MD crutch this is our company

called the MD crutch this is our company and we created this it as I said it

and we created this it as I said it

and we created this it as I said it supports your weight elbows and forearms

supports your weight elbows and forearms

supports your weight elbows and forearms it has a cradle that unlocks to allow

it has a cradle that unlocks to allow

it has a cradle that unlocks to allow you just like context you got to know

you just like context you got to know

you just like context you got to know what people are gonna be doing and they

what people are gonna be doing and they

what people are gonna be doing and they these phones all the time it’s crazy so

these phones all the time it’s crazy so

these phones all the time it’s crazy so like getting to your phone using your

like getting to your phone using your

like getting to your phone using your phone so cradle it unlocks allow you to

phone so cradle it unlocks allow you to

phone so cradle it unlocks allow you to reach up and talk to somebody or you

reach up and talk to somebody or you

reach up and talk to somebody or you know brush your hair out of your face

know brush your hair out of your face

know brush your hair out of your face silly things like that grab a glass off

silly things like that grab a glass off

silly things like that grab a glass off of the off of a shelf and originally we

of the off of a shelf and originally we

of the off of a shelf and originally we designed this thing without an unlocking

designed this thing without an unlocking

designed this thing without an unlocking cradle and you realized very quickly

cradle and you realized very quickly

cradle and you realized very quickly when you start testing it it doesn’t

when you start testing it it doesn’t

when you start testing it it doesn’t work that way like people need to move

work that way like people need to move

work that way like people need to move their arms it’s important so handles

their arms it’s important so handles

their arms it’s important so handles that rotate out of the way for

that rotate out of the way for

that rotate out of the way for hands-free mode so you can shake a hand

hands-free mode so you can shake a hand

hands-free mode so you can shake a hand or open a doorknob feet they’re

or open a doorknob feet they’re

or open a doorknob feet they’re interchangeable for various weather

interchangeable for various weather

interchangeable for various weather conditions like snow and ice so to

conditions like snow and ice so to

conditions like snow and ice so to conclude here’s a quick story from a few

conclude here’s a quick story from a few

conclude here’s a quick story from a few weeks ago where my my son and I he’s

weeks ago where my my son and I he’s

weeks ago where my my son and I he’s three years old he was sitting across

three years old he was sitting across

three years old he was sitting across the counter for me and we were having

the counter for me and we were having

the counter for me and we were having breakfast before he was gonna go to

breakfast before he was gonna go to

breakfast before he was gonna go to school and he was eating his Cheerios

school and he was eating his Cheerios

school and he was eating his Cheerios eyes even my Cheerios and we’re sitting

eyes even my Cheerios and we’re sitting

eyes even my Cheerios and we’re sitting on these stools and we have this

on these stools and we have this

on these stools and we have this wireless speaker over on the counter and

wireless speaker over on the counter and

wireless speaker over on the counter and I thought you know be nice to play a

I thought you know be nice to play a

I thought you know be nice to play a little music and I say hey do you want

little music and I say hey do you want

little music and I say hey do you want to listen to some music and he what the

to listen to some music and he what the

to listen to some music and he what the mouthful of sugar it was like mm-hm and

mouthful of sugar it was like mm-hm and

mouthful of sugar it was like mm-hm and so I said okay all right you stay right

so I said okay all right you stay right

so I said okay all right you stay right there he’s three and he’s notorious for

there he’s three and he’s notorious for

there he’s three and he’s notorious for like falling off of things

like falling off of things

like falling off of things so I said do not move on that stool I’m

so I said do not move on that stool I’m

so I said do not move on that stool I’m gonna go upstairs I’m gonna get my phone

gonna go upstairs I’m gonna get my phone

gonna go upstairs I’m gonna get my phone I’ll be right back and in my head I

I’ll be right back and in my head I

I’ll be right back and in my head I needed to go get my phone so I can make

needed to go get my phone so I can make

needed to go get my phone so I can make sure that Pandora was connected to make

sure that Pandora was connected to make

sure that Pandora was connected to make sure my phone was in range too you know

sure my phone was in range too you know

sure my phone was in range too you know like the Bluetooth was you know paired

like the Bluetooth was you know paired

like the Bluetooth was you know paired all those things that you know as an

all those things that you know as an

all those things that you know as an adult like you have to do to make this

adult like you have to do to make this

adult like you have to do to make this wireless thing work so my son looks up

wireless thing work so my son looks up

wireless thing work so my son looks up at me and he’s like what why do you need

at me and he’s like what why do you need

at me and he’s like what why do you need your phone in his head and then he says

your phone in his head and then he says

your phone in his head and then he says to me

to me

to me dad just push the button and I’m like

dad just push the button and I’m like

dad just push the button and I’m like that’s not gonna work and I’m thinking

that’s not gonna work and I’m thinking

that’s not gonna work and I’m thinking he’s my kid

he’s my kid

he’s my kid so then I start to walk upstairs and I’m

so then I start to walk upstairs and I’m

so then I start to walk upstairs and I’m realizing myself like ah my talk like my

realizing myself like ah my talk like my

realizing myself like ah my talk like my what I’m what I’m talking about is like

what I’m what I’m talking about is like

what I’m what I’m talking about is like intentional naivety like approaching the

intentional naivety like approaching the

intentional naivety like approaching the world that way which he is doing and I’m

world that way which he is doing and I’m

world that way which he is doing and I’m not living it so I go back and I reach

not living it so I go back and I reach

not living it so I go back and I reach over you know and I push the button

over you know and I push the button

over you know and I push the button music plays

I’m thinking this three-year-old is

I’m thinking this three-year-old is smarter than I am which is awesome you

smarter than I am which is awesome you

smarter than I am which is awesome you know it’s like a perfect example I mean

know it’s like a perfect example I mean

know it’s like a perfect example I mean kids do this all the time with

kids do this all the time with

kids do this all the time with technology may amaze their parents so

technology may amaze their parents so

technology may amaze their parents so with that I want to say is you guys go

with that I want to say is you guys go

with that I want to say is you guys go out there and approach these problems

out there and approach these problems

out there and approach these problems push the button

push the button

push the button thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

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