[Laughter] so I want to dedicate this talk today to
so I want to dedicate this talk today to
so I want to dedicate this talk today to my dad who’s in the audience right here
my dad who’s in the audience right here
my dad who’s in the audience right here somewhere my dad is a lifelong fan of
somewhere my dad is a lifelong fan of
somewhere my dad is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and as such he
the New York Mets and as such he
the New York Mets and as such he instilled in me a deep empathy and
instilled in me a deep empathy and
instilled in me a deep empathy and respect for the underdog and I hope that
respect for the underdog and I hope that
respect for the underdog and I hope that that empathy and respect is reflected in
that empathy and respect is reflected in
that empathy and respect is reflected in the talk today there’s a growing body of
the talk today there’s a growing body of
the talk today there’s a growing body of scholarship that highlights the cultural
scholarship that highlights the cultural
scholarship that highlights the cultural downside of our obsession with
downside of our obsession with
downside of our obsession with innovation I first got wind of it while
innovation I first got wind of it while
innovation I first got wind of it while driving home from school I’m here and I
driving home from school I’m here and I
driving home from school I’m here and I was listening to the radio interview and
was listening to the radio interview and
was listening to the radio interview and these two scholars came on well these
these two scholars came on well these
these two scholars came on well these two scholars came on Andrew Russell and
two scholars came on Andrew Russell and
two scholars came on Andrew Russell and leave in Seoul are sort of the leading
leave in Seoul are sort of the leading
leave in Seoul are sort of the leading lights of critical innovation studies I
lights of critical innovation studies I
lights of critical innovation studies I didn’t even know there was such a thing
didn’t even know there was such a thing
didn’t even know there was such a thing but it was one of those interviews where
but it was one of those interviews where
but it was one of those interviews where you’re in your car you’re thinking like
you’re in your car you’re thinking like
you’re in your car you’re thinking like yes someone is saying exactly what I’ve
yes someone is saying exactly what I’ve
yes someone is saying exactly what I’ve been wanting to say for so long I was so
been wanting to say for so long I was so
been wanting to say for so long I was so like screaming to myself and looking
like screaming to myself and looking
like screaming to myself and looking probably fairly crazy in any case I’m
probably fairly crazy in any case I’m
probably fairly crazy in any case I’m going to develop some of their ideas
going to develop some of their ideas
going to develop some of their ideas today they’re the ones that inspired
today they’re the ones that inspired
today they’re the ones that inspired this talk and I’m going to personalize
this talk and I’m going to personalize
this talk and I’m going to personalize them tell some stories ultimately with
them tell some stories ultimately with
them tell some stories ultimately with the emphasis on highlighting what I’m
the emphasis on highlighting what I’m
the emphasis on highlighting what I’m going to call the four hidden costs of
going to call the four hidden costs of
going to call the four hidden costs of innovation one of their main point was
innovation one of their main point was
innovation one of their main point was that in an age when we celebrate
that in an age when we celebrate
that in an age when we celebrate innovation we tend to devalue
innovation we tend to devalue
innovation we tend to devalue maintenance we lionize someone like Elon
maintenance we lionize someone like Elon
maintenance we lionize someone like Elon Musk for his innovative automobile ideas
Musk for his innovative automobile ideas
Musk for his innovative automobile ideas and we under appreciate the mechanic who
and we under appreciate the mechanic who
and we under appreciate the mechanic who actually fixes the cars we can afford we
actually fixes the cars we can afford we
actually fixes the cars we can afford we you know balk when we have to go get an
you know balk when we have to go get an
you know balk when we have to go get an oil change and do preventative
oil change and do preventative
oil change and do preventative maintenance on the car because we’d much
maintenance on the car because we’d much
maintenance on the car because we’d much rather go buy a new gadget like let’s
rather go buy a new gadget like let’s
rather go buy a new gadget like let’s spend the money on something fun and
spend the money on something fun and
spend the money on something fun and exciting maintenance isn’t really sexy
exciting maintenance isn’t really sexy
exciting maintenance isn’t really sexy an innovation is maintenance is kind of
an innovation is maintenance is kind of
an innovation is maintenance is kind of a drag an innovation is like the bright
a drag an innovation is like the bright
a drag an innovation is like the bright future we can also call this the shiny
future we can also call this the shiny
future we can also call this the shiny object problem and that is the new the
object problem and that is the new the
object problem and that is the new the now in the Wow seduced us and at the
now in the Wow seduced us and at the
now in the Wow seduced us and at the same time they distract us from
same time they distract us from
same time they distract us from maintaining the infrastructures that
maintaining the infrastructures that
maintaining the infrastructures that support and facilitate our lives which
support and facilitate our lives which
support and facilitate our lives which leads me to the first point
leads me to the first point
leads me to the first point the first hitting cost of innovation is
the first hitting cost of innovation is
the first hitting cost of innovation is that our obsession with innovation is
that our obsession with innovation is
that our obsession with innovation is not only coincidental with our neglect
not only coincidental with our neglect
not only coincidental with our neglect of maintenance it actually enables our
of maintenance it actually enables our
of maintenance it actually enables our neglect of maintenance and I want to
neglect of maintenance and I want to
neglect of maintenance and I want to drive this point home by telling two
drive this point home by telling two
drive this point home by telling two stories the first is a singular tragedy
stories the first is a singular tragedy
stories the first is a singular tragedy and the second is an ongoing crisis on
and the second is an ongoing crisis on
and the second is an ongoing crisis on August 1st
August 1st
August 1st 2007 in Minneapolis Minnesota a bridge
2007 in Minneapolis Minnesota a bridge
2007 in Minneapolis Minnesota a bridge spanning the Mississippi River collapsed
spanning the Mississippi River collapsed
spanning the Mississippi River collapsed and killed 13 people
and killed 13 people
and killed 13 people I myself was here in Providence when it
I myself was here in Providence when it
I myself was here in Providence when it happened but I just recently moved from
happened but I just recently moved from
happened but I just recently moved from Minnesota because I went to the
Minnesota because I went to the
Minnesota because I went to the University of Minnesota and walked by
University of Minnesota and walked by
University of Minnesota and walked by that bridge every single day I remember
that bridge every single day I remember
that bridge every single day I remember that day so well because I was calling
that day so well because I was calling
that day so well because I was calling my loved ones making sure everyone was
my loved ones making sure everyone was
my loved ones making sure everyone was okay and just like frantically trying to
okay and just like frantically trying to
okay and just like frantically trying to like figure out what happened how this
like figure out what happened how this
like figure out what happened how this bridge could have collapsed it had been
bridge could have collapsed it had been
bridge could have collapsed it had been deemed structurally deficient for years
deemed structurally deficient for years
deemed structurally deficient for years there were internal memos that said this
there were internal memos that said this
there were internal memos that said this bridge should be closed or replaced but
bridge should be closed or replaced but
bridge should be closed or replaced but the Department of Transportation
the Department of Transportation
the Department of Transportation ultimately determined that it was a
ultimately determined that it was a
ultimately determined that it was a design flaw nonetheless this tragedy set
design flaw nonetheless this tragedy set
design flaw nonetheless this tragedy set off a wave of maintenance projects
off a wave of maintenance projects
off a wave of maintenance projects across the nation you may have noticed
across the nation you may have noticed
across the nation you may have noticed in the last 10 years an increase in
in the last 10 years an increase in
in the last 10 years an increase in gasoline tax those tax dollars are going
gasoline tax those tax dollars are going
gasoline tax those tax dollars are going towards these maintenance projects and
towards these maintenance projects and
towards these maintenance projects and as far as I’m concerned that’s what
as far as I’m concerned that’s what
as far as I’m concerned that’s what taxes are for to make our lives better
taxes are for to make our lives better
taxes are for to make our lives better to make our roads safer right however
to make our roads safer right however
to make our roads safer right however after 10 years 10 years after the
after 10 years 10 years after the
after 10 years 10 years after the Minneapolis bridge collapsed 54,000 259
Minneapolis bridge collapsed 54,000 259
Minneapolis bridge collapsed 54,000 259 bridges are in need of repair and
bridges are in need of repair and
bridges are in need of repair and replacement in this country in little
replacement in this country in little
replacement in this country in little row D our state right here
row D our state right here
row D our state right here twenty-three point two percent of the
twenty-three point two percent of the
twenty-three point two percent of the bridges are structurally deficient
bridges are structurally deficient
bridges are structurally deficient Ray LaHood the former Transportation
Ray LaHood the former Transportation
Ray LaHood the former Transportation Secretary has even been quoted as saying
Secretary has even been quoted as saying
Secretary has even been quoted as saying that America’s infrastructure is like a
that America’s infrastructure is like a
that America’s infrastructure is like a third world country
third world country
third world country so these stats and statements force the
so these stats and statements force the
so these stats and statements force the question how can the world’s wealthiest
question how can the world’s wealthiest
question how can the world’s wealthiest nation the one that prattles on about
nation the one that prattles on about
nation the one that prattles on about its greatness have such a poor int of
its greatness have such a poor int of
its greatness have such a poor int of infrastructure
infrastructure
infrastructure why have we neglected to maintain our
why have we neglected to maintain our
why have we neglected to maintain our roads our bridges and our transit system
roads our bridges and our transit system
roads our bridges and our transit system I think the next story will hopefully
I think the next story will hopefully
I think the next story will hopefully lead us closer to an answer this one’s
lead us closer to an answer this one’s
lead us closer to an answer this one’s about the T Boston’s public transit
about the T Boston’s public transit
about the T Boston’s public transit system the winter of 2015 was a brutal
system the winter of 2015 was a brutal
system the winter of 2015 was a brutal winter in fact the snowiest winter on
winter in fact the snowiest winter on
winter in fact the snowiest winter on record in Boston I remember hearing then
record in Boston I remember hearing then
record in Boston I remember hearing then about massive delays in the transit
about massive delays in the transit
about massive delays in the transit system the T breakdowns people not being
system the T breakdowns people not being
system the T breakdowns people not being able to get to work their lives
able to get to work their lives
able to get to work their lives livelihoods jeopardized and even their
livelihoods jeopardized and even their
livelihoods jeopardized and even their lives were jeopardized I myself live in
lives were jeopardized I myself live in
lives were jeopardized I myself live in Providence my partner Jim he’s out here
Providence my partner Jim he’s out here
Providence my partner Jim he’s out here too lives in Boston hi Jim so I go to
too lives in Boston hi Jim so I go to
too lives in Boston hi Jim so I go to Boston and use the t take it the
Boston and use the t take it the
Boston and use the t take it the commuter rail from Providence to Boston
commuter rail from Providence to Boston
commuter rail from Providence to Boston but my life in my life livelihood was
but my life in my life livelihood was
but my life in my life livelihood was not at stake in this in these you know
not at stake in this in these you know
not at stake in this in these you know breakdowns nonetheless I remember I
breakdowns nonetheless I remember I
breakdowns nonetheless I remember I wanted to go to the Institute of
wanted to go to the Institute of
wanted to go to the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston which is in
Contemporary Arts in Boston which is in
Contemporary Arts in Boston which is in the Seaport District the bustling new
the Seaport District the bustling new
the Seaport District the bustling new Seaport District called you guessed it
Seaport District called you guessed it
Seaport District called you guessed it the innovation district now I arrived at
the innovation district now I arrived at
the innovation district now I arrived at the Amtrak station the train station in
the Amtrak station the train station in
the Amtrak station the train station in Providence bought my ticket for the tea
Providence bought my ticket for the tea
Providence bought my ticket for the tea waited for my first train canceled okay
waited for my first train canceled okay
waited for my first train canceled okay I’ll wait another hour no problem like
I’ll wait another hour no problem like
I’ll wait another hour no problem like it’s not that big of a delay cancelled
it’s not that big of a delay cancelled
it’s not that big of a delay cancelled also second train cancelled third train
also second train cancelled third train
also second train cancelled third train rolls around and like come on we can do
rolls around and like come on we can do
rolls around and like come on we can do with this nope cancelled it’s like okay
with this nope cancelled it’s like okay
with this nope cancelled it’s like okay I’ll suck it up I’ll pay through the
I’ll suck it up I’ll pay through the
I’ll suck it up I’ll pay through the nose by the Amtrak ticket just to get to
nose by the Amtrak ticket just to get to
nose by the Amtrak ticket just to get to Boston to go to this museum now this was
Boston to go to this museum now this was
Boston to go to this museum now this was supposed to be like a cheap day John to
supposed to be like a cheap day John to
supposed to be like a cheap day John to Boston you know quick round trip just to
Boston you know quick round trip just to
Boston you know quick round trip just to go see some stuff at a museum and it
go see some stuff at a museum and it
go see some stuff at a museum and it turned into a really expensive day and I
turned into a really expensive day and I
turned into a really expensive day and I thought of all the Bostonians who had to
thought of all the Bostonians who had to
thought of all the Bostonians who had to do this in the past year right the many
do this in the past year right the many
do this in the past year right the many Bostonians who had to like because the
Bostonians who had to like because the
Bostonians who had to like because the public transit system wasn’t working
public transit system wasn’t working
public transit system wasn’t working they had to go for these private transit
they had to go for these private transit
they had to go for these private transit systems which cost like three to four
systems which cost like three to four
systems which cost like three to four times more moreover when I arrived at
times more moreover when I arrived at
times more moreover when I arrived at the new innovation district the sort of
the new innovation district the sort of
the new innovation district the sort of enmeshment of how how much were
enmeshment of how how much were
enmeshment of how how much were celebrating innovation and devaluing
celebrating innovation and devaluing
celebrating innovation and devaluing maintenance it became so clear how much
maintenance it became so clear how much
maintenance it became so clear how much we’re investing in private innovative
we’re investing in private innovative
we’re investing in private innovative corporations and simply neglecting our
corporations and simply neglecting our
corporations and simply neglecting our infrastructures it was just like
infrastructures it was just like
infrastructures it was just like all right there what I saw were these
all right there what I saw were these
all right there what I saw were these high-rise condos going up beautiful
high-rise condos going up beautiful
high-rise condos going up beautiful luxury high-rise condos scraping into
luxury high-rise condos scraping into
luxury high-rise condos scraping into the sky on that side on this side there
the sky on that side on this side there
the sky on that side on this side there were these new headquarters for these
were these new headquarters for these
were these new headquarters for these innovative corporations that Boston bent
innovative corporations that Boston bent
innovative corporations that Boston bent over backwards to court and I thought
over backwards to court and I thought
over backwards to court and I thought what about the lowly tee that lowly
what about the lowly tee that lowly
what about the lowly tee that lowly little tee just sort of chugging along
little tee just sort of chugging along
little tee just sort of chugging along they’re like the little engine that
they’re like the little engine that
they’re like the little engine that could it seemed as if those high-rises
could it seemed as if those high-rises
could it seemed as if those high-rises were mocking that little tee saying I’m
were mocking that little tee saying I’m
were mocking that little tee saying I’m innovative you’re loser and the poor tee
innovative you’re loser and the poor tee
innovative you’re loser and the poor tee just saying please fix me this one that
just saying please fix me this one that
just saying please fix me this one that makes this city move I later learned
makes this city move I later learned
makes this city move I later learned that the relationship between these two
that the relationship between these two
that the relationship between these two things was intricately woven in fact all
things was intricately woven in fact all
things was intricately woven in fact all that money that was used to court those
that money that was used to court those
that money that was used to court those innovative corporations with tax
innovative corporations with tax
innovative corporations with tax incentives all the money from those tax
incentives all the money from those tax
incentives all the money from those tax incentives was diverted from those
incentives was diverted from those
incentives was diverted from those maintenance projects so this in fact
maintenance projects so this in fact
maintenance projects so this in fact begets this that’s what I meant by it
begets this that’s what I meant by it
begets this that’s what I meant by it enables our obsession with innovation
enables our obsession with innovation
enables our obsession with innovation enables our neglect of maintenance
enables our neglect of maintenance
enables our neglect of maintenance Boston’s not unique in this you’ve heard
Boston’s not unique in this you’ve heard
Boston’s not unique in this you’ve heard about New York City’s transit systems
about New York City’s transit systems
about New York City’s transit systems public problems problems with their
public problems problems with their
public problems problems with their subway system and I was just recently
subway system and I was just recently
subway system and I was just recently reading that the ones most affected by
reading that the ones most affected by
reading that the ones most affected by that city’s problems are the home health
that city’s problems are the home health
that city’s problems are the home health care workers the ones who take care of
care workers the ones who take care of
care workers the ones who take care of the sick and elderly in their homes so
the sick and elderly in their homes so
the sick and elderly in their homes so that’s going to become an increasing
that’s going to become an increasing
that’s going to become an increasing health care crisis in New York
health care crisis in New York
health care crisis in New York especially to sum it up the urban
especially to sum it up the urban
especially to sum it up the urban planning strategies of the last ten
planning strategies of the last ten
planning strategies of the last ten years four major American cities seems
years four major American cities seems
years four major American cities seems to be don’t maintain innovate and what
to be don’t maintain innovate and what
to be don’t maintain innovate and what that innovation is doing is diverting
that innovation is doing is diverting
that innovation is doing is diverting all the money from the maintenance
all the money from the maintenance
all the money from the maintenance projects the onion recently brilliantly
projects the onion recently brilliantly
projects the onion recently brilliantly parodied this phenomenon confident
parodied this phenomenon confident
parodied this phenomenon confident Philadelphia officials preemptively
Philadelphia officials preemptively
Philadelphia officials preemptively raise Center City to make room for
raise Center City to make room for
raise Center City to make room for Amazon headquarters it’s funny because
Amazon headquarters it’s funny because
Amazon headquarters it’s funny because it’s this close to being true we’re
it’s this close to being true we’re
it’s this close to being true we’re willing to destroy our cities to save
willing to destroy our cities to save
willing to destroy our cities to save them with innovation the truth of the
them with innovation the truth of the
them with innovation the truth of the matter is the majority of the people who
matter is the majority of the people who
matter is the majority of the people who live in these
live in these
live in these city’s the native Bostonians the native
city’s the native Bostonians the native
city’s the native Bostonians the native New Yorker is the ones who make that
New Yorker is the ones who make that
New Yorker is the ones who make that city run give it its lifeblood give it
city run give it its lifeblood give it
city run give it its lifeblood give it its character would benefit so much more
its character would benefit so much more
its character would benefit so much more from maintenance than any sort of future
from maintenance than any sort of future
from maintenance than any sort of future promise of innovation this leads me to
promise of innovation this leads me to
promise of innovation this leads me to the next hitting cost of innovation
the next hitting cost of innovation
the next hitting cost of innovation which is that we’re innovative labor
which is that we’re innovative labor
which is that we’re innovative labor thrives
thrives
thrives so does social inequality now it’s not
so does social inequality now it’s not
so does social inequality now it’s not only that Bostonians are having a harder
only that Bostonians are having a harder
only that Bostonians are having a harder and harder time getting from point A to
and harder time getting from point A to
and harder time getting from point A to point B they’re having a hell of a time
point B they’re having a hell of a time
point B they’re having a hell of a time paying rent because when innovation
paying rent because when innovation
paying rent because when innovation comes to town life gets expensive and
comes to town life gets expensive and
comes to town life gets expensive and regarding the business of innovation the
regarding the business of innovation the
regarding the business of innovation the profits seem to have trickled up into
profits seem to have trickled up into
profits seem to have trickled up into the very hands of the social groups that
the very hands of the social groups that
the very hands of the social groups that have historically held wealth and power
have historically held wealth and power
have historically held wealth and power in this nation our visionary innovators
in this nation our visionary innovators
in this nation our visionary innovators are white and male our unsung maintain
are white and male our unsung maintain
are white and male our unsung maintain errs women and people of color one need
errs women and people of color one need
errs women and people of color one need only do a google search to see it’s just
only do a google search to see it’s just
only do a google search to see it’s just social inequality in Silicon Valley
social inequality in Silicon Valley
social inequality in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley being our innovation
Silicon Valley being our innovation
Silicon Valley being our innovation shangri-la to see how bad it is this is
shangri-la to see how bad it is this is
shangri-la to see how bad it is this is just an I mean I understand the irony of
just an I mean I understand the irony of
just an I mean I understand the irony of doing a Google search to critique Google
doing a Google search to critique Google
doing a Google search to critique Google but you know so be it
but you know so be it
but you know so be it when one does a Google search of social
when one does a Google search of social
when one does a Google search of social inequality and Silicon Valley this when
inequality and Silicon Valley this when
inequality and Silicon Valley this when it comes up Silicon Valley’s wealthy
it comes up Silicon Valley’s wealthy
it comes up Silicon Valley’s wealthy lead have made social inequality worse
lead have made social inequality worse
lead have made social inequality worse opposition to gender equality is rising
opposition to gender equality is rising
opposition to gender equality is rising in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley’s race
in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley’s race
in Silicon Valley Silicon Valley’s race gap is getting worse not better
gap is getting worse not better
gap is getting worse not better and finally San Francisco has become one
and finally San Francisco has become one
and finally San Francisco has become one huge metaphor for economic inequality in
huge metaphor for economic inequality in
huge metaphor for economic inequality in America now my sister who’s also here
America now my sister who’s also here
America now my sister who’s also here used to live in San Francisco and I was
used to live in San Francisco and I was
used to live in San Francisco and I was lucky enough to get to go visit her in
lucky enough to get to go visit her in
lucky enough to get to go visit her in the Mission District which was at that
the Mission District which was at that
the Mission District which was at that time a multicultural hub a place of
time a multicultural hub a place of
time a multicultural hub a place of interracial mingling inter-class contact
interracial mingling inter-class contact
interracial mingling inter-class contact now it’s essentially just a playground
now it’s essentially just a playground
now it’s essentially just a playground for the nouveau Tech reach and that tech
for the nouveau Tech reach and that tech
for the nouveau Tech reach and that tech reach is making Bank San Francisco has
reach is making Bank San Francisco has
reach is making Bank San Francisco has one of the highest per capita incomes in
one of the highest per capita incomes in
one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation and yet when we break that
the nation and yet when we break that
the nation and yet when we break that down in terms of race we’ll see that all
down in terms of race we’ll see that all
down in terms of race we’ll see that all that that tech wealth is skewing white
that that tech wealth is skewing white
that that tech wealth is skewing white Hispanic and Latino families have
Hispanic and Latino families have
Hispanic and Latino families have than half the per-capita income of white
than half the per-capita income of white
than half the per-capita income of white families the innovators like to think
families the innovators like to think
families the innovators like to think that their disruptors that the really
that their disruptors that the really
that their disruptors that the really the game changers are going to really
the game changers are going to really
the game changers are going to really shake things up and transform things my
shake things up and transform things my
shake things up and transform things my questions if innovation is disruption
questions if innovation is disruption
questions if innovation is disruption why hasn’t our social hierarchy been
why hasn’t our social hierarchy been
why hasn’t our social hierarchy been shaken up if innovation is disruption
shaken up if innovation is disruption
shaken up if innovation is disruption why is there still an enormous wage gap
why is there still an enormous wage gap
why is there still an enormous wage gap between men and women and whites and
between men and women and whites and
between men and women and whites and people of color
people of color
people of color why hasn’t wealth been distributed more
why hasn’t wealth been distributed more
why hasn’t wealth been distributed more equitably okay so I’ve been critical of
equitably okay so I’ve been critical of
equitably okay so I’ve been critical of innovation it’s my job I’m a critical
innovation it’s my job I’m a critical
innovation it’s my job I’m a critical studies person but now I’m going to give
studies person but now I’m going to give
studies person but now I’m going to give it a fair shake let’s give the word a
it a fair shake let’s give the word a
it a fair shake let’s give the word a fair shake I’m going to need your help
fair shake I’m going to need your help
fair shake I’m going to need your help for this one so innovation what’s the
for this one so innovation what’s the
for this one so innovation what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you
first thing that comes to mind when you
first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word innovation first
hear the word innovation first
hear the word innovation first Association go okay I know I heard
Association go okay I know I heard
Association go okay I know I heard religious heresy right was that one
religious heresy right was that one
religious heresy right was that one no I did definitely hear political
no I did definitely hear political
no I did definitely hear political revolution I think I heard that
revolution I think I heard that
revolution I think I heard that something along those lines but I know
something along those lines but I know
something along those lines but I know for a fact that I heard someone yell
for a fact that I heard someone yell
for a fact that I heard someone yell botany that had something to do that
botany that had something to do that
botany that had something to do that when I hear innovation I hear botany
when I hear innovation I hear botany
when I hear innovation I hear botany that’s in fact these are the three first
that’s in fact these are the three first
that’s in fact these are the three first definitions of the word historically
definitions of the word historically
definitions of the word historically speaking the three first derivation of
speaking the three first derivation of
speaking the three first derivation of the word innovation are religious heresy
the word innovation are religious heresy
the word innovation are religious heresy political revolution in botany but I
political revolution in botany but I
political revolution in botany but I would wager my dog on that you all and
would wager my dog on that you all and
would wager my dog on that you all and me because we’re all swimming in the
me because we’re all swimming in the
me because we’re all swimming in the same water here had something to do with
same water here had something to do with
same water here had something to do with product development tech development you
product development tech development you
product development tech development you know the bright future of progress right
know the bright future of progress right
know the bright future of progress right we shouldn’t be surprised by this
we shouldn’t be surprised by this
we shouldn’t be surprised by this association since the 1950s business
association since the 1950s business
association since the 1950s business leaders politicians economists have been
leaders politicians economists have been
leaders politicians economists have been telling us that innovation equals tech
telling us that innovation equals tech
telling us that innovation equals tech development equals product development
development equals product development
development equals product development and that’s going to equal the good life
and that’s going to equal the good life
and that’s going to equal the good life that’s going to equal not just more jobs
that’s going to equal not just more jobs
that’s going to equal not just more jobs it’s going to equal a better society and
it’s going to equal a better society and
it’s going to equal a better society and I got to thinking about this Association
I got to thinking about this Association
I got to thinking about this Association this deep Association almost that
this deep Association almost that
this deep Association almost that innovation is so intricately tied to
innovation is so intricately tied to
innovation is so intricately tied to product development to tech development
product development to tech development
product development to tech development and I thought this fuels a pretty
and I thought this fuels a pretty
and I thought this fuels a pretty dangerous narrative and that narrative
dangerous narrative and that narrative
dangerous narrative and that narrative goes something like this
goes something like this
goes something like this although innovation in the past has had
although innovation in the past has had
although innovation in the past has had so many meanings most of them negative
so many meanings most of them negative
so many meanings most of them negative by the way now it’s simply just
by the way now it’s simply just
by the way now it’s simply just doublespeak form or capitalism at any
doublespeak form or capitalism at any
doublespeak form or capitalism at any cost we just seem to invest in the same
cost we just seem to invest in the same
cost we just seem to invest in the same systems and practices and think we’re
systems and practices and think we’re
systems and practices and think we’re going to get different results as the
going to get different results as the
going to get different results as the earth warms as the Seas rise and as our
earth warms as the Seas rise and as our
earth warms as the Seas rise and as our landfills swell we continue to believe
landfills swell we continue to believe
landfills swell we continue to believe that global innovative capitalism will
that global innovative capitalism will
that global innovative capitalism will save us what I’m going to be thinking
save us what I’m going to be thinking
save us what I’m going to be thinking about for the rest of this talk is how
about for the rest of this talk is how
about for the rest of this talk is how to disengage ourselves from these
to disengage ourselves from these
to disengage ourselves from these present practices and systems so that we
present practices and systems so that we
present practices and systems so that we can think of truly innovative solutions
can think of truly innovative solutions
can think of truly innovative solutions and that and by that I mean radical
and that and by that I mean radical
and that and by that I mean radical solutions but first I have to tell you
solutions but first I have to tell you
solutions but first I have to tell you about the new buzzwords I came up with
about the new buzzwords I came up with
about the new buzzwords I came up with to counter innovation so I was talking
to counter innovation so I was talking
to counter innovation so I was talking to a friend my friend Mark in Ottawa and
to a friend my friend Mark in Ottawa and
to a friend my friend Mark in Ottawa and he was like yes I understand what you’re
he was like yes I understand what you’re
he was like yes I understand what you’re saying the innovation is about this
saying the innovation is about this
saying the innovation is about this relentless push forward that’s always
relentless push forward that’s always
relentless push forward that’s always about like more and more
about like more and more
about like more and more or and you want to say less less lesson
or and you want to say less less lesson
or and you want to say less less lesson like yes yes yes and he’s like slow
like yes yes yes and he’s like slow
like yes yes yes and he’s like slow vation that’s where we’re good that’s
vation that’s where we’re good that’s
vation that’s where we’re good that’s the new buzzword it’s going it’s going
the new buzzword it’s going it’s going
the new buzzword it’s going it’s going viral you’re the first to hear it I
thought that’s cool that’s pretty cool
thought that’s cool that’s pretty cool but then I was like I want something a
but then I was like I want something a
but then I was like I want something a little more radical not just slowing
little more radical not just slowing
little more radical not just slowing things down but just like let’s get off
things down but just like let’s get off
things down but just like let’s get off the hamster wheel all together let’s
the hamster wheel all together let’s
the hamster wheel all together let’s like cut the cord get off the grid
like cut the cord get off the grid
like cut the cord get off the grid throw our cell phones in the water so
throw our cell phones in the water so
throw our cell phones in the water so how about Novation nothing like done no
how about Novation nothing like done no
how about Novation nothing like done no one’s gonna be on board that one I
one’s gonna be on board that one I
one’s gonna be on board that one I thought okay I’m a philosopher I teach
thought okay I’m a philosopher I teach
thought okay I’m a philosopher I teach philosophy we reflect we think we try to
philosophy we reflect we think we try to
philosophy we reflect we think we try to honestly assess a problem how about
honestly assess a problem how about
honestly assess a problem how about reflective ation and then I realized I
reflective ation and then I realized I
reflective ation and then I realized I sounded more like a marketer trying to
sounded more like a marketer trying to
sounded more like a marketer trying to invent a product named for some 1950s
invent a product named for some 1950s
invent a product named for some 1950s household appliance or some bizarre
household appliance or some bizarre
household appliance or some bizarre product with and I thought forget it no
product with and I thought forget it no
product with and I thought forget it no more buzz words but the idea of
more buzz words but the idea of
more buzz words but the idea of disengaging from these present systems
disengaging from these present systems
disengaging from these present systems and practices is still very much what I
and practices is still very much what I
and practices is still very much what I want to drive home today as a teacher in
want to drive home today as a teacher in
want to drive home today as a teacher in the age of innovation in the innovation
the age of innovation in the innovation
the age of innovation in the innovation frenzy we’ve been encouraged and as
frenzy we’ve been encouraged and as
frenzy we’ve been encouraged and as students you know to do use all kinds of
students you know to do use all kinds of
students you know to do use all kinds of technological doodads in the classroom
technological doodads in the classroom
technological doodads in the classroom flip the classroom use your phone to do
flip the classroom use your phone to do
flip the classroom use your phone to do instant polling what else yeah various
instant polling what else yeah various
instant polling what else yeah various forms of like teaching you how to thrive
forms of like teaching you how to thrive
forms of like teaching you how to thrive within these systems teaching not
within these systems teaching not
within these systems teaching not teaching you digital natives how to
teaching you digital natives how to
teaching you digital natives how to flourish within our present-day
flourish within our present-day
flourish within our present-day environment my teaching philosophy it’s
environment my teaching philosophy it’s
environment my teaching philosophy it’s pretty old-school I go well it’s more
pretty old-school I go well it’s more
pretty old-school I go well it’s more than old-school it’s ancient it’s like
than old-school it’s ancient it’s like
than old-school it’s ancient it’s like from before Christ
from before Christ
from before Christ it comes from Cicero Cicero is quoted as
it comes from Cicero Cicero is quoted as
it comes from Cicero Cicero is quoted as saying the purpose of education is to
saying the purpose of education is to
saying the purpose of education is to free the students from the tyranny of
free the students from the tyranny of
free the students from the tyranny of the present and I love that phrase
the present and I love that phrase
the present and I love that phrase because the present can be tyrannical we
because the present can be tyrannical we
because the present can be tyrannical we don’t even realize that we’re swimming
don’t even realize that we’re swimming
don’t even realize that we’re swimming in it in these discourses and these
in it in these discourses and these
in it in these discourses and these ideologies and I think the point of
ideologies and I think the point of
ideologies and I think the point of Education is to sort of disengages from
Education is to sort of disengages from
Education is to sort of disengages from it get us out of it so that we can think
it get us out of it so that we can think
it get us out of it so that we can think better we can think about actually
better we can think about actually
better we can think about actually innovative solutions my hidden costs of
innovative solutions my hidden costs of
innovative solutions my hidden costs of innovation for then is specifically
innovation for then is specifically
innovation for then is specifically about teaching that innovative so-called
about teaching that innovative so-called
about teaching that innovative so-called innovative pedagogy in bed students
innovative pedagogy in bed students
innovative pedagogy in bed students firmly in the presence
firmly in the presence
firmly in the presence now there’s good news the silver lining
now there’s good news the silver lining
now there’s good news the silver lining the people have spoken and the people
the people have spoken and the people
the people have spoken and the people don’t want innovative pedagogy what do
don’t want innovative pedagogy what do
don’t want innovative pedagogy what do the people want work with me here
the people want work with me here
the people want work with me here what publicly available educational
what publicly available educational
what publicly available educational forum has attracted millions and
forum has attracted millions and
forum has attracted millions and millions of viewers in the last ten
millions of viewers in the last ten
millions of viewers in the last ten years I’ll say a public event Ted X you
years I’ll say a public event Ted X you
years I’ll say a public event Ted X you pub right so TEDx has attracted millions
pub right so TEDx has attracted millions
pub right so TEDx has attracted millions and millions of our tisanes will full
and millions of our tisanes will full
and millions of our tisanes will full participants they didn’t pay to do what
participants they didn’t pay to do what
participants they didn’t pay to do what they’re said Internet access and they
they’re said Internet access and they
they’re said Internet access and they watched a lecturer and think of the
watched a lecturer and think of the
watched a lecturer and think of the setup of the TED talk it is as old
setup of the TED talk it is as old
setup of the TED talk it is as old fashioned as the day is young it is a
fashioned as the day is young it is a
fashioned as the day is young it is a lecturer and listeners it’s like I could
lecturer and listeners it’s like I could
lecturer and listeners it’s like I could be Cicero right now and you guys could
be Cicero right now and you guys could
be Cicero right now and you guys could be like you know in togas I mean it is
be like you know in togas I mean it is
be like you know in togas I mean it is so ancient what we’re doing here and I’m
so ancient what we’re doing here and I’m
so ancient what we’re doing here and I’m trying to emphasize the fact that TED
trying to emphasize the fact that TED
trying to emphasize the fact that TED talks are not at all innovative TED
talks are not at all innovative TED
talks are not at all innovative TED talks are on the side of the maintainer
talks are on the side of the maintainer
talks are on the side of the maintainer and that’s obviously a compliment coming
and that’s obviously a compliment coming
and that’s obviously a compliment coming from me I’m saying TED talks are not
from me I’m saying TED talks are not
from me I’m saying TED talks are not innovative
innovative
innovative they’re ant they’re like maintaining who
they’re ant they’re like maintaining who
they’re ant they’re like maintaining who we are as a species they’re maintaining
we are as a species they’re maintaining
we are as a species they’re maintaining our oral tradition that’s grounded in
our oral tradition that’s grounded in
our oral tradition that’s grounded in speakers and listeners students and
speakers and listeners students and
speakers and listeners students and teachers they’re also maintaining what I
teachers they’re also maintaining what I
teachers they’re also maintaining what I like to call the five pillars of
like to call the five pillars of
like to call the five pillars of democracy those pillars civil discourse
democracy those pillars civil discourse
democracy those pillars civil discourse rational argument clear articulation
rational argument clear articulation
rational argument clear articulation active listening interdependency those
active listening interdependency those
active listening interdependency those five pillars might be our most
five pillars might be our most
five pillars might be our most innovative things that we can do here
innovative things that we can do here
innovative things that we can do here and the fact that we’re in a forum
and the fact that we’re in a forum
and the fact that we’re in a forum that’s emphasizing these that’s allowing
that’s emphasizing these that’s allowing
that’s emphasizing these that’s allowing us to work through some of these we’re
us to work through some of these we’re
us to work through some of these we’re also now working toward and trying to
also now working toward and trying to
also now working toward and trying to maybe fulfill the dream of democracy so
maybe fulfill the dream of democracy so
maybe fulfill the dream of democracy so give yourself a round of applause for
give yourself a round of applause for
give yourself a round of applause for participating in these five pillars of
participating in these five pillars of
participating in these five pillars of democracy thank you for your time I
democracy thank you for your time I
democracy thank you for your time I appreciate everything and I hope you
appreciate everything and I hope you
appreciate everything and I hope you have a great day
”
Be First to Comment