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Saving Curiosity | Michael Jager | TEDxMiddlebury


human beings we are these amazing

human beings we are these amazing vessels that get thrust into the world

vessels that get thrust into the world

vessels that get thrust into the world we show up here with multiple senses all

we show up here with multiple senses all

we show up here with multiple senses all gathering information and it is just

gathering information and it is just

gathering information and it is just it’s an incredibly beautiful and

it’s an incredibly beautiful and

it’s an incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring thing but one of the

awe-inspiring thing but one of the

awe-inspiring thing but one of the things that I’ve been finding

things that I’ve been finding

things that I’ve been finding interesting is that in this this moment

interesting is that in this this moment

interesting is that in this this moment in time that’s so absolutely incredible

in time that’s so absolutely incredible

in time that’s so absolutely incredible there’s sort of this devastatingly

there’s sort of this devastatingly

there’s sort of this devastatingly ironic situation I think that we’re

ironic situation I think that we’re

ironic situation I think that we’re faced with because when you look at you

faced with because when you look at you

faced with because when you look at you know the accelerated exponential growth

know the accelerated exponential growth

know the accelerated exponential growth of technology and Moore’s law just you

of technology and Moore’s law just you

of technology and Moore’s law just you know showing disruption everywhere it’s

know showing disruption everywhere it’s

know showing disruption everywhere it’s this moment where curiosity is

this moment where curiosity is

this moment where curiosity is celebrated on many many levels but at

celebrated on many many levels but at

celebrated on many many levels but at the site at the same time there’s kind

the site at the same time there’s kind

the site at the same time there’s kind of a confluence of impact that’s going

of a confluence of impact that’s going

of a confluence of impact that’s going on in our lives that is making a loss of

on in our lives that is making a loss of

on in our lives that is making a loss of curiosity very real it’s becoming very

curiosity very real it’s becoming very

curiosity very real it’s becoming very elusive for many people and community as

elusive for many people and community as

elusive for many people and community as we’re trying to connect our communities

we’re trying to connect our communities

we’re trying to connect our communities and cultures our curiosity is really

and cultures our curiosity is really

and cultures our curiosity is really being pressed down and and eliminated

being pressed down and and eliminated

being pressed down and and eliminated for many of us and that’s that’s really

for many of us and that’s that’s really

for many of us and that’s that’s really where a lot of the future is is to be

where a lot of the future is is to be

where a lot of the future is is to be had all our discoveries are found there

had all our discoveries are found there

had all our discoveries are found there so what is it that makes curiosity so

so what is it that makes curiosity so

so what is it that makes curiosity so important you know there’s a number of

important you know there’s a number of

important you know there’s a number of things of course the discovery the

things of course the discovery the

things of course the discovery the learning all of the the things that it

learning all of the the things that it

learning all of the the things that it reveals for us it really pulls us all

reveals for us it really pulls us all

reveals for us it really pulls us all forward as individuals as communities

forward as individuals as communities

forward as individuals as communities it’s companies it’s really the train

it’s companies it’s really the train

it’s companies it’s really the train that kind of pulls things ahead and our

that kind of pulls things ahead and our

that kind of pulls things ahead and our thoughts are linked and and we build on

thoughts are linked and and we build on

thoughts are linked and and we build on each other’s ideas and collaborations

each other’s ideas and collaborations

each other’s ideas and collaborations but it’s also a press you know the

but it’s also a press you know the

but it’s also a press you know the challenge that we have is it suppressed

challenge that we have is it suppressed

challenge that we have is it suppressed by too much information too fast

by too much information too fast

by too much information too fast the weight of that is actually causing a

the weight of that is actually causing a

the weight of that is actually causing a holding back of thinking vulnerability

holding back of thinking vulnerability

holding back of thinking vulnerability and empathy are being really really held

and empathy are being really really held

and empathy are being really really held back but with happiness it does have a

back but with happiness it does have a

back but with happiness it does have a role that is beyond just the discovery

role that is beyond just the discovery

role that is beyond just the discovery side of things it’s also about happiness

side of things it’s also about happiness

side of things it’s also about happiness when you’re curious and you’re learning

when you’re curious and you’re learning

when you’re curious and you’re learning and you’re in the conditions that allow

and you’re in the conditions that allow

and you’re in the conditions that allow you

you

you to discover ideas and really explore

to discover ideas and really explore

to discover ideas and really explore deeply and use all your senses you

deeply and use all your senses you

deeply and use all your senses you actually are happier dopamine flows when

actually are happier dopamine flows when

actually are happier dopamine flows when we’re happy there’s a physiological need

we’re happy there’s a physiological need

we’re happy there’s a physiological need for curiosity and if we can move forward

for curiosity and if we can move forward

for curiosity and if we can move forward with happiness as individuals that of

with happiness as individuals that of

with happiness as individuals that of course resonates into community and

course resonates into community and

course resonates into community and resonates further into cultural change

resonates further into cultural change

resonates further into cultural change but this is what we need to try to hang

but this is what we need to try to hang

but this is what we need to try to hang on to the the power of happiness and

on to the the power of happiness and

on to the the power of happiness and curiosity is a big part of what it is

curiosity is a big part of what it is

curiosity is a big part of what it is that we need to protect and that’s the

that we need to protect and that’s the

that we need to protect and that’s the challenge that I want to speak about

challenge that I want to speak about

challenge that I want to speak about today so what is it that’s killing

today so what is it that’s killing

today so what is it that’s killing curiosity exactly as a designer I’ve

curiosity exactly as a designer I’ve

curiosity exactly as a designer I’ve been able to work in a lot of different

been able to work in a lot of different

been able to work in a lot of different communities and a lot of different

communities and a lot of different

communities and a lot of different cultures and very fortunate to to be

cultures and very fortunate to to be

cultures and very fortunate to to be part of the creative process in a number

part of the creative process in a number

part of the creative process in a number of different directions but there’s a

of different directions but there’s a

of different directions but there’s a couple of things that I’ve identified

couple of things that I’ve identified

couple of things that I’ve identified that seem to be creating this this pain

that seem to be creating this this pain

that seem to be creating this this pain to curiosity and the squelching of it

to curiosity and the squelching of it

to curiosity and the squelching of it and they come in a couple of different

and they come in a couple of different

and they come in a couple of different forms the expectation syndrome has

forms the expectation syndrome has

forms the expectation syndrome has accelerated to an incredible pace as far

accelerated to an incredible pace as far

accelerated to an incredible pace as far as our expectations of how technology

as our expectations of how technology

as our expectations of how technology has developed how quickly it turns how

has developed how quickly it turns how

has developed how quickly it turns how quickly products are created and move

quickly products are created and move

quickly products are created and move forward and then that resonates into

forward and then that resonates into

forward and then that resonates into people believing that decisions within

people believing that decisions within

people believing that decisions within our communities and cultures and

our communities and cultures and

our communities and cultures and connections should accelerate equally

connections should accelerate equally

connections should accelerate equally fast so there’s an expectation that’s

fast so there’s an expectation that’s

fast so there’s an expectation that’s set in motion that is nearly impossible

set in motion that is nearly impossible

set in motion that is nearly impossible to meet and a lot of it happens further

to meet and a lot of it happens further

to meet and a lot of it happens further upstream when investment is made and

upstream when investment is made and

upstream when investment is made and return on investment is demanded that’s

return on investment is demanded that’s

return on investment is demanded that’s a big part of where these expectations

a big part of where these expectations

a big part of where these expectations come from and they’re often very

come from and they’re often very

come from and they’re often very unrealistic expectations that creates

unrealistic expectations that creates

unrealistic expectations that creates time compression so that brings

time compression so that brings

time compression so that brings everything into question curiosity is

everything into question curiosity is

everything into question curiosity is about depth of study about multi-sensory

about depth of study about multi-sensory

about depth of study about multi-sensory experience and having the room for that

experience and having the room for that

experience and having the room for that and there’s certainly a time compression

and there’s certainly a time compression

and there’s certainly a time compression that’s happening that’s really pushing

that’s happening that’s really pushing

that’s happening that’s really pushing people into situations where they’re

people into situations where they’re

people into situations where they’re making surface based decisions they’re

making surface based decisions they’re

making surface based decisions they’re not getting the chance to get as deep

not getting the chance to get as deep

not getting the chance to get as deep into issues as they need to so time

into issues as they need to so time

into issues as they need to so time compression is hurting everyone in the

compression is hurting everyone in the

compression is hurting everyone in the process as well and then finally there’s

process as well and then finally there’s

process as well and then finally there’s the digital delusion these these magic

the digital delusion these these magic

the digital delusion these these magic little black mirrors that we all carry

little black mirrors that we all carry

little black mirrors that we all carry we live in an age of wonder

we live in an age of wonder

we live in an age of wonder absolutely but there’s a surface nature

absolutely but there’s a surface nature

absolutely but there’s a surface nature to this it is not a multi-sensory

to this it is not a multi-sensory

to this it is not a multi-sensory experience it is a very surface

experience it is a very surface

experience it is a very surface experience

experience

experience that we all appreciate the fact that we

that we all appreciate the fact that we

that we all appreciate the fact that we can find the director’s name on that

can find the director’s name on that

can find the director’s name on that film we can’t think of and that’s that’s

film we can’t think of and that’s that’s

film we can’t think of and that’s that’s all really wonderful stuff and there’s

all really wonderful stuff and there’s

all really wonderful stuff and there’s incredible depth there as well but when

incredible depth there as well but when

incredible depth there as well but when we start replacing that kind of

we start replacing that kind of

we start replacing that kind of information for thinking that’s real

information for thinking that’s real

information for thinking that’s real experience that is a problem and we’re

experience that is a problem and we’re

experience that is a problem and we’re living in a there’s a delusion that

living in a there’s a delusion that

living in a there’s a delusion that we’re living and if we think that that

we’re living and if we think that that

we’re living and if we think that that actually means experience that allows

actually means experience that allows

actually means experience that allows you to empathetically connect with

you to empathetically connect with

you to empathetically connect with individuals and each other and culture

individuals and each other and culture

individuals and each other and culture to make really intelligent decisions and

to make really intelligent decisions and

to make really intelligent decisions and come up with really beautiful ideas so

come up with really beautiful ideas so

come up with really beautiful ideas so that’s that’s something that we really

that’s that’s something that we really

that’s that’s something that we really need to think about is we’re living in

need to think about is we’re living in

need to think about is we’re living in this age where there is a degree of a

this age where there is a degree of a

this age where there is a degree of a delusion and it is in fact killing

delusion and it is in fact killing

delusion and it is in fact killing curiosity so when you think about what

curiosity so when you think about what

curiosity so when you think about what it is that makes it so difficult a lot

it is that makes it so difficult a lot

it is that makes it so difficult a lot of it is just human fear you have to be

of it is just human fear you have to be

of it is just human fear you have to be vulnerable to be curious you have to be

vulnerable to be curious you have to be

vulnerable to be curious you have to be empathetic you have to actually look

empathetic you have to actually look

empathetic you have to actually look people in the eye and speak to them

people in the eye and speak to them

people in the eye and speak to them that’s how curiosity works that’s the

that’s how curiosity works that’s the

that’s how curiosity works that’s the underpinning of it and I think that’s

underpinning of it and I think that’s

underpinning of it and I think that’s that’s the greatest thing that we have

that’s the greatest thing that we have

that’s the greatest thing that we have to accept and understand if we’re gonna

to accept and understand if we’re gonna

to accept and understand if we’re gonna move our ideas for we have to realize

move our ideas for we have to realize

move our ideas for we have to realize those limitations there’s a few

those limitations there’s a few

those limitations there’s a few interesting things that I’ve seen

interesting things that I’ve seen

interesting things that I’ve seen recently that are that are really

recently that are that are really

recently that are that are really helpful in looking at this Warren Berger

helpful in looking at this Warren Berger

helpful in looking at this Warren Berger wrote a book a more beautiful question

wrote a book a more beautiful question

wrote a book a more beautiful question it’s it’s a stunningly insightful book

it’s it’s a stunningly insightful book

it’s it’s a stunningly insightful book and one of the things in in his book

and one of the things in in his book

and one of the things in in his book about questioning it’s about the

about questioning it’s about the

about questioning it’s about the importance of framing questions and the

importance of framing questions and the

importance of framing questions and the art of questioning but one of the things

art of questioning but one of the things

art of questioning but one of the things that is noted in the book is Deborah

that is noted in the book is Deborah

that is noted in the book is Deborah Deborah Myers study in the UK where they

Deborah Myers study in the UK where they

Deborah Myers study in the UK where they came up with a detail that is really

came up with a detail that is really

came up with a detail that is really mind-blowing the average four-year-old

mind-blowing the average four-year-old

mind-blowing the average four-year-old girl asks 390 questions a day young boys

girl asks 390 questions a day young boys

girl asks 390 questions a day young boys are not far behind that but that

are not far behind that but that

are not far behind that but that statistic radically drops five six seven

statistic radically drops five six seven

statistic radically drops five six seven eight years old once you enter the

eight years old once you enter the

eight years old once you enter the school system it radically drops off a

school system it radically drops off a

school system it radically drops off a lot of the reason that that happens is

lot of the reason that that happens is

lot of the reason that that happens is because of the complexity of the school

because of the complexity of the school

because of the complexity of the school systems not that there aren’t some

systems not that there aren’t some

systems not that there aren’t some amazing teachers out there but you start

amazing teachers out there but you start

amazing teachers out there but you start to get rewarded for the answers not the

to get rewarded for the answers not the

to get rewarded for the answers not the questions so people start memorizing to

questions so people start memorizing to

questions so people start memorizing to learn toward the answers and they lean

learn toward the answers and they lean

learn toward the answers and they lean into answers and all of a sudden the

into answers and all of a sudden the

into answers and all of a sudden the people that are trying to dig and

people that are trying to dig and

people that are trying to dig and discover and be vulnerable

discover and be vulnerable

discover and be vulnerable are really pushed to the side so it’s

are really pushed to the side so it’s

are really pushed to the side so it’s it’s a really powerful book and and

it’s a really powerful book and and

it’s a really powerful book and and definitely worth noting but it’s the art

definitely worth noting but it’s the art

definitely worth noting but it’s the art of being curious it’s the art of asking

of being curious it’s the art of asking

of being curious it’s the art of asking questions the other aspect is

questions the other aspect is

questions the other aspect is vulnerability and and empathy as related

vulnerability and and empathy as related

vulnerability and and empathy as related again to the digital context there’s

again to the digital context there’s

again to the digital context there’s there’s another great piece that has

there’s another great piece that has

there’s another great piece that has been done in some research that again

been done in some research that again

been done in some research that again deals with physiological change Barbara

deals with physiological change Barbara

deals with physiological change Barbara Frederickson research on our

Frederickson research on our

Frederickson research on our relationship to our phones and there’s a

relationship to our phones and there’s a

relationship to our phones and there’s a physiological shift that’s taking place

physiological shift that’s taking place

physiological shift that’s taking place there our neural pathways are there’s a

there our neural pathways are there’s a

there our neural pathways are there’s a plasticity to them and our relationship

plasticity to them and our relationship

plasticity to them and our relationship to information and how we hide in these

to information and how we hide in these

to information and how we hide in these pieces is physically changing us and

pieces is physically changing us and

pieces is physically changing us and it’s it’s disconnecting much of how we

it’s it’s disconnecting much of how we

it’s it’s disconnecting much of how we empathetically align through eye contact

empathetically align through eye contact

empathetically align through eye contact and smell insight and breathing and

and smell insight and breathing and

and smell insight and breathing and there’s so many subtle things that go on

there’s so many subtle things that go on

there’s so many subtle things that go on that you lose when this happens it’s

that you lose when this happens it’s

that you lose when this happens it’s actually effecting changes in our the

actually effecting changes in our the

actually effecting changes in our the vagal tone is is the connection point

vagal tone is is the connection point

vagal tone is is the connection point and it’s a really fascinating article

and it’s a really fascinating article

and it’s a really fascinating article but literally our neural pathways are

but literally our neural pathways are

but literally our neural pathways are changing which are compromising our

changing which are compromising our

changing which are compromising our ability to be empathetically connected

ability to be empathetically connected

ability to be empathetically connected because there’s so many subtle things

because there’s so many subtle things

because there’s so many subtle things that go on so we’re getting lost in the

that go on so we’re getting lost in the

that go on so we’re getting lost in the machine in a sense as we go forward you

machine in a sense as we go forward you

machine in a sense as we go forward you know what I think about design and what

know what I think about design and what

know what I think about design and what you know what can we learn from design

you know what can we learn from design

you know what can we learn from design and and how why is curiosity at risk and

and and how why is curiosity at risk and

and and how why is curiosity at risk and having having been fortunate enough to

having having been fortunate enough to

having having been fortunate enough to work in a number of different different

work in a number of different different

work in a number of different different scale situations and multiple

scale situations and multiple

scale situations and multiple disciplines in design I’ve been able to

disciplines in design I’ve been able to

disciplines in design I’ve been able to see inside many large scale companies as

see inside many large scale companies as

see inside many large scale companies as well as many communities and cultures

well as many communities and cultures

well as many communities and cultures around the world and how they work as

around the world and how they work as

around the world and how they work as well as the education system and part of

well as the education system and part of

well as the education system and part of the what’s what emerges is you see that

the what’s what emerges is you see that

the what’s what emerges is you see that compression of time you see poor

compression of time you see poor

compression of time you see poor decisions being made because of people

decisions being made because of people

decisions being made because of people being forced to make decisions without

being forced to make decisions without

being forced to make decisions without substantive depth

substantive depth

substantive depth you see compromises in not only the

you see compromises in not only the

you see compromises in not only the quality of the ideas but the depth and

quality of the ideas but the depth and

quality of the ideas but the depth and the risk that comes with poor thought

the risk that comes with poor thought

the risk that comes with poor thought through ideas and these aren’t just

through ideas and these aren’t just

through ideas and these aren’t just communication ideas these are product

communication ideas these are product

communication ideas these are product ideas it really runs runs through the

ideas it really runs runs through the

ideas it really runs runs through the entire bloodstream and a lot of people

entire bloodstream and a lot of people

entire bloodstream and a lot of people think well that’s a big public company

think well that’s a big public company

think well that’s a big public company problem it isn’t at all because it

problem it isn’t at all because it

problem it isn’t at all because it resonates into the private company

resonates into the private company

resonates into the private company that reservation resonates into

that reservation resonates into

that reservation resonates into education it really goes into our

education it really goes into our

education it really goes into our communities the bloodstream completely

communities the bloodstream completely

communities the bloodstream completely the whole ecosystem is affected by that

the whole ecosystem is affected by that

the whole ecosystem is affected by that compression and I’ve seen cultures where

compression and I’ve seen cultures where

compression and I’ve seen cultures where when that motivation happens toward

when that motivation happens toward

when that motivation happens toward compressing the time and fear takes over

compressing the time and fear takes over

compressing the time and fear takes over a culture I have literally seen

a culture I have literally seen

a culture I have literally seen companies in one large meeting shift

companies in one large meeting shift

companies in one large meeting shift from being a creative and innovative

from being a creative and innovative

from being a creative and innovative culture to a culture managed by fear

culture to a culture managed by fear

culture to a culture managed by fear literally in one day everything changes

literally in one day everything changes

literally in one day everything changes and it is it’s that volatile and our

and it is it’s that volatile and our

and it is it’s that volatile and our communities can be affected the same way

communities can be affected the same way

communities can be affected the same way so in thinking about that we have to

so in thinking about that we have to

so in thinking about that we have to realize there’s things to learn about

realize there’s things to learn about

realize there’s things to learn about the design process protecting the

the design process protecting the

the design process protecting the learning space be an advocate for time

learning space be an advocate for time

learning space be an advocate for time and depth and study because I’ve also

and depth and study because I’ve also

and depth and study because I’ve also seen moments of beauty where you know

seen moments of beauty where you know

seen moments of beauty where you know you can talk to an engineer as an

you can talk to an engineer as an

you can talk to an engineer as an example I’ve worked in snowboarding for

example I’ve worked in snowboarding for

example I’ve worked in snowboarding for many many years you can talk to an

many many years you can talk to an

many many years you can talk to an engineer about the engineered design of

engineer about the engineered design of

engineer about the engineered design of the wood core of a board and what it is

the wood core of a board and what it is

the wood core of a board and what it is designed to do with a side cut which is

designed to do with a side cut which is

designed to do with a side cut which is really fascinating to hear and you can

really fascinating to hear and you can

really fascinating to hear and you can understand it you can look it to science

understand it you can look it to science

understand it you can look it to science you can look at the physics but it’s not

you can look at the physics but it’s not

you can look at the physics but it’s not the same thing as being on a mountain in

the same thing as being on a mountain in

the same thing as being on a mountain in the Andes with someone like Craig Kelly

the Andes with someone like Craig Kelly

the Andes with someone like Craig Kelly and looking at him ride aboard and

and looking at him ride aboard and

and looking at him ride aboard and hearing the sound when the flex of the

hearing the sound when the flex of the

hearing the sound when the flex of the board and the torque changes its

board and the torque changes its

board and the torque changes its relationship to the terrain that he’s on

relationship to the terrain that he’s on

relationship to the terrain that he’s on that’s where you find truth and

that’s where you find truth and

that’s where you find truth and connection and emotion and every sense

connection and emotion and every sense

connection and emotion and every sense is in play how the light reflected on

is in play how the light reflected on

is in play how the light reflected on the arc of the board it’s it’s getting

the arc of the board it’s it’s getting

the arc of the board it’s it’s getting the opportunity to have those

the opportunity to have those

the opportunity to have those connections versus just reading some

connections versus just reading some

connections versus just reading some data on a screen so I’ve seen beauty in

data on a screen so I’ve seen beauty in

data on a screen so I’ve seen beauty in it but also challenges in it so one of

it but also challenges in it so one of

it but also challenges in it so one of the questions you probably have is like

the questions you probably have is like

the questions you probably have is like you know we are in such a curious time

you know we are in such a curious time

you know we are in such a curious time spycam Jake come on there’s there’s some

spycam Jake come on there’s there’s some

spycam Jake come on there’s there’s some amazing things out there and and there

amazing things out there and and there

amazing things out there and and there are you know when you look at some of

are you know when you look at some of

are you know when you look at some of the people that are out in the world you

the people that are out in the world you

the people that are out in the world you know any Leonard the executive director

know any Leonard the executive director

know any Leonard the executive director of Greenpeace she created the story of

of Greenpeace she created the story of

of Greenpeace she created the story of stuff series it’s all about curiosity

stuff series it’s all about curiosity

stuff series it’s all about curiosity absolutely brilliant Elon Musk the the

absolutely brilliant Elon Musk the the

absolutely brilliant Elon Musk the the mastermind of curiosity you know

mastermind of curiosity you know

mastermind of curiosity you know hyperlink and/or Hyperloop and

hyperlink and/or Hyperloop and

hyperlink and/or Hyperloop and everything that he’s he’s generating his

everything that he’s he’s generating his

everything that he’s he’s generating his ideas and SpaceX it’s just absolutely

ideas and SpaceX it’s just absolutely

ideas and SpaceX it’s just absolutely stunning every category

stunning every category

stunning every category Jonathan Ives and what he’s doing at

Jonathan Ives and what he’s doing at

Jonathan Ives and what he’s doing at Apple inside-out understanding

Apple inside-out understanding

Apple inside-out understanding technology at the you know the deepest

technology at the you know the deepest

technology at the you know the deepest curiosity levels you know Jane McGonigal

curiosity levels you know Jane McGonigal

curiosity levels you know Jane McGonigal it’s another when you look at her work

it’s another when you look at her work

it’s another when you look at her work in game design and how she

in game design and how she

in game design and how she recontextualized game design and

recontextualized game design and

recontextualized game design and gamification and brought it into

gamification and brought it into

gamification and brought it into education that deals with cultural

education that deals with cultural

education that deals with cultural issues and challenges another brilliant

issues and challenges another brilliant

issues and challenges another brilliant and curious mind kendrick lamar what

and curious mind kendrick lamar what

and curious mind kendrick lamar what he’s doing for social justice through

he’s doing for social justice through

he’s doing for social justice through the music he’s creating the words he’s

the music he’s creating the words he’s

the music he’s creating the words he’s writing and the images he’s making

writing and the images he’s making

writing and the images he’s making absolutely incredible the depth of

absolutely incredible the depth of

absolutely incredible the depth of curiosity of what he’s studying is is

curiosity of what he’s studying is is

curiosity of what he’s studying is is really mind-blowing lee beautiful but my

really mind-blowing lee beautiful but my

really mind-blowing lee beautiful but my concern is for the rest of us this is

concern is for the rest of us this is

concern is for the rest of us this is those are beautiful and aspirational

those are beautiful and aspirational

those are beautiful and aspirational anomalies in a way that found the

anomalies in a way that found the

anomalies in a way that found the conditions for curiosity but this is me

conditions for curiosity but this is me

conditions for curiosity but this is me in 1965 with my sort of curiosity hope

in 1965 with my sort of curiosity hope

in 1965 with my sort of curiosity hope for where the what my role in the world

for where the what my role in the world

for where the what my role in the world might be but it really is for the rest

might be but it really is for the rest

might be but it really is for the rest of us how do we advocate for curiosity

of us how do we advocate for curiosity

of us how do we advocate for curiosity in our educational systems how do we

in our educational systems how do we

in our educational systems how do we advocate for curiosity in places like

advocate for curiosity in places like

advocate for curiosity in places like this through channels and platforms like

this through channels and platforms like

this through channels and platforms like this that’s what we need to protect

this that’s what we need to protect

this that’s what we need to protect because if we’re not getting the

because if we’re not getting the

because if we’re not getting the community and individuals and and people

community and individuals and and people

community and individuals and and people engaged in curiosity we will not move

engaged in curiosity we will not move

engaged in curiosity we will not move forward we certainly won’t move forward

forward we certainly won’t move forward

forward we certainly won’t move forward with empathy and that’s where the

with empathy and that’s where the

with empathy and that’s where the insights are so how might we save

insights are so how might we save

insights are so how might we save curiosity is one of the big questions so

curiosity is one of the big questions so

curiosity is one of the big questions so with all this once you understand the

with all this once you understand the

with all this once you understand the challenge there’s there’s a couple of

challenge there’s there’s a couple of

challenge there’s there’s a couple of things that that I’ve looked to and I’ve

things that that I’ve looked to and I’ve

things that that I’ve looked to and I’ve been experimenting with to trying to

been experimenting with to trying to

been experimenting with to trying to find a way forward so answering with

find a way forward so answering with

find a way forward so answering with action is a big part of what needs to

action is a big part of what needs to

action is a big part of what needs to happen you need to participate you need

happen you need to participate you need

happen you need to participate you need to engage you need to look at physical

to engage you need to look at physical

to engage you need to look at physical interactions look at experiential design

interactions look at experiential design

interactions look at experiential design that is an essential part of it trying

that is an essential part of it trying

that is an essential part of it trying to find intersections not unlike this

to find intersections not unlike this

to find intersections not unlike this but physical intersections where you can

but physical intersections where you can

but physical intersections where you can experience ideas you can experience

experience ideas you can experience

experience ideas you can experience things with other people that’s an

things with other people that’s an

things with other people that’s an important part of the the design of it

important part of the the design of it

important part of the the design of it so it is a multi-sensory idea and don’t

so it is a multi-sensory idea and don’t

so it is a multi-sensory idea and don’t run away and be afraid and

run away and be afraid and

run away and be afraid and additionally just look up actually look

additionally just look up actually look

additionally just look up actually look up look around look in people’s eyes and

up look around look in people’s eyes and

up look around look in people’s eyes and connect and talk that’s one of the most

connect and talk that’s one of the most

connect and talk that’s one of the most profound things you can do and I’ll I’ll

profound things you can do and I’ll I’ll

profound things you can do and I’ll I’ll speak a little more about that in just a

speak a little more about that in just a

speak a little more about that in just a moment so these are a couple of examples

moment so these are a couple of examples

moment so these are a couple of examples of experiments that we’ve done so

of experiments that we’ve done so

of experiments that we’ve done so solidarity of unbridled labor is a

solidarity of unbridled labor is a

solidarity of unbridled labor is a design studio that is basically a social

design studio that is basically a social

design studio that is basically a social sculpture it’s a living idea it’s an

sculpture it’s a living idea it’s an

sculpture it’s a living idea it’s an absolutely transparent relationship

absolutely transparent relationship

absolutely transparent relationship building kind of concept a new way of

building kind of concept a new way of

building kind of concept a new way of designing with people we also are doing

designing with people we also are doing

designing with people we also are doing work with development of an idea called

work with development of an idea called

work with development of an idea called Iskra which is a educational silkscreen

Iskra which is a educational silkscreen

Iskra which is a educational silkscreen studio it’s a nonprofit where we teach

studio it’s a nonprofit where we teach

studio it’s a nonprofit where we teach people how to make art and get it

people how to make art and get it

people how to make art and get it through the entire process and use Sur

through the entire process and use Sur

through the entire process and use Sur ography to to print and then we help

ography to to print and then we help

ography to to print and then we help them do a gallery show and express their

them do a gallery show and express their

them do a gallery show and express their ideas but it’s a it’s something that’s

ideas but it’s a it’s something that’s

ideas but it’s a it’s something that’s about interaction between every age

about interaction between every age

about interaction between every age every every single aspect of society

every every single aspect of society

every every single aspect of society comes into this space to learn and

comes into this space to learn and

comes into this space to learn and create we’ve also created a cafe I’m a

create we’ve also created a cafe I’m a

create we’ve also created a cafe I’m a firm believer that cafes can actually

firm believer that cafes can actually

firm believer that cafes can actually change the world if I if I could go back

change the world if I if I could go back

change the world if I if I could go back in time and be in cabaret voltaire when

in time and be in cabaret voltaire when

in time and be in cabaret voltaire when you know the the whole distilled

you know the the whole distilled

you know the the whole distilled movement happened that’s those moments

movement happened that’s those moments

movement happened that’s those moments of interaction and multi-discipline

of interaction and multi-discipline

of interaction and multi-discipline thinking are the most beautiful so we

thinking are the most beautiful so we

thinking are the most beautiful so we have a cafe that also helps to to fuel

have a cafe that also helps to to fuel

have a cafe that also helps to to fuel this thinking and then karma birdhouse

this thinking and then karma birdhouse

this thinking and then karma birdhouse is a co-working space that has about 60

is a co-working space that has about 60

is a co-working space that has about 60 different groups in it it’s all about

different groups in it it’s all about

different groups in it it’s all about intersections and actually they go into

intersections and actually they go into

intersections and actually they go into the evening as well this is the same

the evening as well this is the same

the evening as well this is the same space at night you need to create the

space at night you need to create the

space at night you need to create the conditions where even underground music

conditions where even underground music

conditions where even underground music scenes can emerge within a space where

scenes can emerge within a space where

scenes can emerge within a space where there’s business going on and there’s

there’s business going on and there’s

there’s business going on and there’s just cross fertilization of ideas that

just cross fertilization of ideas that

just cross fertilization of ideas that needs to act like a super collider of

needs to act like a super collider of

needs to act like a super collider of thinking and curiosity but you have to

thinking and curiosity but you have to

thinking and curiosity but you have to create the conditions for those ideas to

create the conditions for those ideas to

create the conditions for those ideas to happen and for those connections to

happen and for those connections to

happen and for those connections to happen so how do you spark curiosity

happen so how do you spark curiosity

happen so how do you spark curiosity like what it what is it for me one of

like what it what is it for me one of

like what it what is it for me one of the things that’s that’s helpful is

the things that’s that’s helpful is

the things that’s that’s helpful is Kipling’s poem if when he talks about

Kipling’s poem if when he talks about

Kipling’s poem if when he talks about beginning your beginnings that’s a

beginning your beginnings that’s a

beginning your beginnings that’s a lesson that I am reminded of often

lesson that I am reminded of often

lesson that I am reminded of often because it’s a very simple doorway to

because it’s a very simple doorway to

because it’s a very simple doorway to curiosity and I’m gonna tell you a quick

curiosity and I’m gonna tell you a quick

curiosity and I’m gonna tell you a quick story and then offer a challenge

about 12 years ago I was at the Flynn

about 12 years ago I was at the Flynn theater which isn’t far from here up in

theater which isn’t far from here up in

theater which isn’t far from here up in Burlington and at the theater there was

Burlington and at the theater there was

Burlington and at the theater there was the the performer that my son Eli and I

the the performer that my son Eli and I

the the performer that my son Eli and I went to see he was 15 years old and we

went to see he was 15 years old and we

went to see he was 15 years old and we were we were sitting in the audience the

were we were sitting in the audience the

were we were sitting in the audience the performant came out and he was like this

performant came out and he was like this

performant came out and he was like this six foot five character with crazy hair

six foot five character with crazy hair

six foot five character with crazy hair and there was a there was a desk a glass

and there was a there was a desk a glass

and there was a there was a desk a glass of water a chair for him and a second

of water a chair for him and a second

of water a chair for him and a second chair and when he went out on the stage

chair and when he went out on the stage

chair and when he went out on the stage he invited a young woman to come up to

he invited a young woman to come up to

he invited a young woman to come up to the stage it was a ten year old girl

the stage it was a ten year old girl

the stage it was a ten year old girl happen to be from Milton and she came up

happen to be from Milton and she came up

happen to be from Milton and she came up on the stage and he basically

on the stage and he basically

on the stage and he basically interviewed her he went on that evening

interviewed her he went on that evening

interviewed her he went on that evening the entire idea was interviewing people

the entire idea was interviewing people

the entire idea was interviewing people from the audience which he had just met

from the audience which he had just met

from the audience which he had just met standing outside before the show and had

standing outside before the show and had

standing outside before the show and had never really spoken him before other

never really spoken him before other

never really spoken him before other than a few minutes outside that person

than a few minutes outside that person

than a few minutes outside that person was Spalding Gray and Spalding Gray did

was Spalding Gray and Spalding Gray did

was Spalding Gray and Spalding Gray did a national tour titled everyone is

a national tour titled everyone is

a national tour titled everyone is interesting and he literally went around

interesting and he literally went around

interesting and he literally went around the country and mesmerized people just

the country and mesmerized people just

the country and mesmerized people just by sitting on a stage with a glass of

by sitting on a stage with a glass of

by sitting on a stage with a glass of water and a desk talking to people he’d

water and a desk talking to people he’d

water and a desk talking to people he’d never met before because he was

never met before because he was

never met before because he was interested and that is the heart of

interested and that is the heart of

interested and that is the heart of curiosity just saying hello so my

curiosity just saying hello so my

curiosity just saying hello so my challenge to you is based on this idea

challenge to you is based on this idea

challenge to you is based on this idea 52 hellos there’s 52 weeks in every year

52 hellos there’s 52 weeks in every year

52 hellos there’s 52 weeks in every year so every week do yourself the gift of

so every week do yourself the gift of

so every week do yourself the gift of looking someone in the eye that you do

looking someone in the eye that you do

looking someone in the eye that you do not know and say hello and be interested

not know and say hello and be interested

not know and say hello and be interested ask them what they do why they do it why

ask them what they do why they do it why

ask them what they do why they do it why they love it and continue the

they love it and continue the

they love it and continue the conversation because that is the doorway

conversation because that is the doorway

conversation because that is the doorway hello is the doorway to curiosity so I

hello is the doorway to curiosity so I

hello is the doorway to curiosity so I would invite you to do that 52 times a

would invite you to do that 52 times a

would invite you to do that 52 times a year and just see where that takes you

year and just see where that takes you

year and just see where that takes you thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

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