[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] well whenever I have any family
well whenever I have any family
well whenever I have any family gatherings my grandma greets us with the
gatherings my grandma greets us with the
gatherings my grandma greets us with the same greeting my cousins and I she says
same greeting my cousins and I she says
same greeting my cousins and I she says me Paula which if you’re Chinese means
me Paula which if you’re Chinese means
me Paula which if you’re Chinese means you’ve gotten fatter
you’ve gotten fatter
you’ve gotten fatter she makes other observations like your
she makes other observations like your
she makes other observations like your jackets too tight I don’t really tell
jackets too tight I don’t really tell
jackets too tight I don’t really tell her that the new trend is to have
her that the new trend is to have
her that the new trend is to have tighter jackets or that my head is
tighter jackets or that my head is
tighter jackets or that my head is shaped a little funny and I don’t tell
shaped a little funny and I don’t tell
shaped a little funny and I don’t tell her that my head shape is actually part
her that my head shape is actually part
her that my head shape is actually part of her genetics but I also make
of her genetics but I also make
of her genetics but I also make observations about my grandma’s well she
observations about my grandma’s well she
observations about my grandma’s well she loves to save money which I do as well
loves to save money which I do as well
loves to save money which I do as well but you know here are some examples my
but you know here are some examples my
but you know here are some examples my my grandma she reused his saran wrap
my grandma she reused his saran wrap
my grandma she reused his saran wrap over and over again I’m supposed to be
over and over again I’m supposed to be
over and over again I’m supposed to be used once thrown away she also uses
used once thrown away she also uses
used once thrown away she also uses paper towels as actual kitchen towels so
paper towels as actual kitchen towels so
paper towels as actual kitchen towels so she’ll she’ll dry them out and reuse
she’ll she’ll dry them out and reuse
she’ll she’ll dry them out and reuse them again and most creative of all is
them again and most creative of all is
them again and most creative of all is that well actually she actually also has
that well actually she actually also has
that well actually she actually also has all her Tupperware is Chinese takeout
all her Tupperware is Chinese takeout
all her Tupperware is Chinese takeout that shiri uses in washes but most
that shiri uses in washes but most
that shiri uses in washes but most creative of all that I’ve seen her do is
creative of all that I’ve seen her do is
creative of all that I’ve seen her do is she has whenever she runs out a
she has whenever she runs out a
she has whenever she runs out a toothpaste in her toothpaste tube she
toothpaste in her toothpaste tube she
toothpaste in her toothpaste tube she cuts open the back of the the two things
cuts open the back of the the two things
cuts open the back of the the two things I just saw this the last time I was at
I just saw this the last time I was at
I just saw this the last time I was at home and she scrapes out the rest of the
home and she scrapes out the rest of the
home and she scrapes out the rest of the toothpaste with her with her toothbrush
toothpaste with her with her toothbrush
toothpaste with her with her toothbrush so she’s really really thrifty and we
so she’s really really thrifty and we
so she’s really really thrifty and we all make observations in in one form of
all make observations in in one form of
all make observations in in one form of another or another some subconscious
another or another some subconscious
another or another some subconscious observations and some unconscious
observations and some unconscious
observations and some unconscious observations I grew up in a non
observations I grew up in a non
observations I grew up in a non traditional Chinese family my my father
traditional Chinese family my my father
traditional Chinese family my my father was a musician and my mom was a
was a musician and my mom was a
was a musician and my mom was a journalist my mom came to America
journalist my mom came to America
journalist my mom came to America originally with this dream to be a
originally with this dream to be a
originally with this dream to be a journalist and like her father was a
journalist and like her father was a
journalist and like her father was a journalist and and she started in the
journalist and and she started in the
journalist and and she started in the mail room and eventually she started to
mail room and eventually she started to
mail room and eventually she started to she ended up leading a thousand person
she ended up leading a thousand person
she ended up leading a thousand person news organization and like most journal
news organization and like most journal
news organization and like most journal my mom was really really good at making
my mom was really really good at making
my mom was really really good at making observations my talk today is on the
observations my talk today is on the
observations my talk today is on the power of observation I believe that if
power of observation I believe that if
power of observation I believe that if we make more frequent observations and
we make more frequent observations and
we make more frequent observations and we observe the right things the role
we observe the right things the role
we observe the right things the role will be a place with more ideas more
will be a place with more ideas more
will be a place with more ideas more empathy and more joy I have a three part
empathy and more joy I have a three part
empathy and more joy I have a three part framework to making observations look
framework to making observations look
framework to making observations look for problems look for beauty and look
for problems look for beauty and look
for problems look for beauty and look for lessons and I’ll just go through
for lessons and I’ll just go through
for lessons and I’ll just go through each one so just starting with looking
each one so just starting with looking
each one so just starting with looking for problems over the last four years
for problems over the last four years
for problems over the last four years I’ve worked with over a hundred 50
I’ve worked with over a hundred 50
I’ve worked with over a hundred 50 digital products for different startups
digital products for different startups
digital products for different startups and brands here are some of them and one
and brands here are some of them and one
and brands here are some of them and one of the the attributes that I find most
of the the attributes that I find most
of the the attributes that I find most common among both product owners and
common among both product owners and
common among both product owners and founders is their ability to quickly
founders is their ability to quickly
founders is their ability to quickly identify problems in my own life I keep
identify problems in my own life I keep
identify problems in my own life I keep notebooks of different problems that
notebooks of different problems that
notebooks of different problems that interest me and you you all may have
interest me and you you all may have
interest me and you you all may have different problems that interest you all
different problems that interest you all
different problems that interest you all but my notebook is called business ideas
but my notebook is called business ideas
but my notebook is called business ideas I’m a business person so I love just
I’m a business person so I love just
I’m a business person so I love just finding problems and then thinking about
finding problems and then thinking about
finding problems and then thinking about how they relate with business idea so
how they relate with business idea so
how they relate with business idea so this is actually just an example of one
this is actually just an example of one
this is actually just an example of one of my notebooks it’s a this is actual
of my notebooks it’s a this is actual
of my notebooks it’s a this is actual screenshot from my notebook so it’s just
screenshot from my notebook so it’s just
screenshot from my notebook so it’s just ideas from you know the end of 2016
ideas from you know the end of 2016
ideas from you know the end of 2016 until more recent but you can just see
until more recent but you can just see
until more recent but you can just see some of the problems that I deal with on
some of the problems that I deal with on
some of the problems that I deal with on a daily basis one of them being whenever
a daily basis one of them being whenever
a daily basis one of them being whenever I got on a flight there’s always a baby
I got on a flight there’s always a baby
I got on a flight there’s always a baby that’s screaming on the flight so I
that’s screaming on the flight so I
that’s screaming on the flight so I wrote down create a instrument that
wrote down create a instrument that
wrote down create a instrument that allows baby’s ears to be dealing with
allows baby’s ears to be dealing with
allows baby’s ears to be dealing with the pressure because that’s part of the
the pressure because that’s part of the
the pressure because that’s part of the reason why they’re yelling or get rid of
reason why they’re yelling or get rid of
reason why they’re yelling or get rid of pigeons and outdoor restaurants if you
pigeons and outdoor restaurants if you
pigeons and outdoor restaurants if you know you all have probably had
know you all have probably had
know you all have probably had experience where your outdoor enjoying a
experience where your outdoor enjoying a
experience where your outdoor enjoying a nice meal and a pigeon gets dangerously
nice meal and a pigeon gets dangerously
nice meal and a pigeon gets dangerously close to your foot so it’s like outdoor
close to your foot so it’s like outdoor
close to your foot so it’s like outdoor restaurants need to have some instrument
restaurants need to have some instrument
restaurants need to have some instrument for dealing with these pigeons and
for dealing with these pigeons and
for dealing with these pigeons and there’s other more serious things like
there’s other more serious things like
there’s other more serious things like how to revolutionize a credit score
how to revolutionize a credit score
how to revolutionize a credit score which you know is a painful process but
which you know is a painful process but
which you know is a painful process but if you all have issues finding problems
if you all have issues finding problems
if you all have issues finding problems I start with this framework I start with
I start with this framework I start with
I start with this framework I start with everyday items like something like a
everyday items like something like a
everyday items like something like a toothbrush and I’ll say toothbrushes
toothbrush and I’ll say toothbrushes
toothbrush and I’ll say toothbrushes they are there they’re hugely wasteful
they are there they’re hugely wasteful
they are there they’re hugely wasteful of resources you have to constantly
of resources you have to constantly
of resources you have to constantly throw them away
throw them away
throw them away and reuse them they you have to floss
and reuse them they you have to floss
and reuse them they you have to floss and tooth brush your teeth everybody’s
and tooth brush your teeth everybody’s
and tooth brush your teeth everybody’s mouth is a little bit different and yet
mouth is a little bit different and yet
mouth is a little bit different and yet we all use the similar similar
we all use the similar similar
we all use the similar similar toothbrush it’s also hard to know when
toothbrush it’s also hard to know when
toothbrush it’s also hard to know when you’re done brushing your teeth you know
you’re done brushing your teeth you know
you’re done brushing your teeth you know you might brush your teeth for 30
you might brush your teeth for 30
you might brush your teeth for 30 seconds some people brush their teeth
seconds some people brush their teeth
seconds some people brush their teeth for two minutes but when are you really
for two minutes but when are you really
for two minutes but when are you really done you know toyless is another example
done you know toyless is another example
done you know toyless is another example I could go on and on about toilets they
I could go on and on about toilets they
I could go on and on about toilets they they I mean all of you probably have
they I mean all of you probably have
they I mean all of you probably have experienced something clogging right
experienced something clogging right
experienced something clogging right everybody’s clogged the toilet before
everybody’s clogged the toilet before
everybody’s clogged the toilet before and had an embarrassing situation maybe
and had an embarrassing situation maybe
and had an embarrassing situation maybe you’re at a neighbor’s house and you
you’re at a neighbor’s house and you
you’re at a neighbor’s house and you know you had to ask for a plumber they
know you had to ask for a plumber they
know you had to ask for a plumber they waste tons and tons of water toilets
waste tons and tons of water toilets
waste tons and tons of water toilets haven’t been innovative for a long time
haven’t been innovative for a long time
haven’t been innovative for a long time they’re dirty if you’re in a public
they’re dirty if you’re in a public
they’re dirty if you’re in a public toilet you have to touch the the kind of
toilet you have to touch the the kind of
toilet you have to touch the the kind of handle to bring it up and down and there
handle to bring it up and down and there
handle to bring it up and down and there are sorts of issues that can be solved
are sorts of issues that can be solved
are sorts of issues that can be solved but these are just kind of silly
but these are just kind of silly
but these are just kind of silly examples I next think about more complex
examples I next think about more complex
examples I next think about more complex problems that need to be solved these
problems that need to be solved these
problems that need to be solved these are issues that may be a little bit more
are issues that may be a little bit more
are issues that may be a little bit more nuanced that may not have a direct
nuanced that may not have a direct
nuanced that may not have a direct answer this could be a question like
answer this could be a question like
answer this could be a question like what were American voters thinking when
what were American voters thinking when
what were American voters thinking when they voted for Trump for example or why
they voted for Trump for example or why
they voted for Trump for example or why are why does racism still exist today or
are why does racism still exist today or
are why does racism still exist today or why does some neighborhoods or schools
why does some neighborhoods or schools
why does some neighborhoods or schools thrive while others don’t so really
thrive while others don’t so really
thrive while others don’t so really thinking through those problems and then
thinking through those problems and then
thinking through those problems and then finally I think through the deepest
finally I think through the deepest
finally I think through the deepest human problems and that’s you know
human problems and that’s you know
human problems and that’s you know problems that we as humans have
problems that we as humans have
problems that we as humans have struggled with since the beginning of
struggled with since the beginning of
struggled with since the beginning of time what what is the purpose of our
time what what is the purpose of our
time what what is the purpose of our lives
lives
lives where do we come from what gives us true
where do we come from what gives us true
where do we come from what gives us true happiness and joy many of you probably
happiness and joy many of you probably
happiness and joy many of you probably heard of William Wilberforce who was one
heard of William Wilberforce who was one
heard of William Wilberforce who was one of the main legislative forces behind
of the main legislative forces behind
of the main legislative forces behind the abolishment of slavery in the UK but
the abolishment of slavery in the UK but
the abolishment of slavery in the UK but most people probably haven’t heard of
most people probably haven’t heard of
most people probably haven’t heard of Hannah Moore she was a friend of
Hannah Moore she was a friend of
Hannah Moore she was a friend of Williams and she was a poet a playwright
Williams and she was a poet a playwright
Williams and she was a poet a playwright she was an early advocate for women’s
she was an early advocate for women’s
she was an early advocate for women’s education and she was abolitionist as
education and she was abolitionist as
education and she was abolitionist as well she she wrote a poem called slavery
well she she wrote a poem called slavery
well she she wrote a poem called slavery which ended up being one of the key
which ended up being one of the key
which ended up being one of the key pieces behind legislation and key pieces
pieces behind legislation and key pieces
pieces behind legislation and key pieces that really turned the public tide
that really turned the public tide
that really turned the public tide towards the opposition of slavery and
towards the opposition of slavery and
towards the opposition of slavery and one of the questions that
one of the questions that
one of the questions that I always ask myself well you even before
I always ask myself well you even before
I always ask myself well you even before that the the slave trade during the time
that the the slave trade during the time
that the the slave trade during the time was kind of one of the most heinous
was kind of one of the most heinous
was kind of one of the most heinous trades if you think about UK slave
trades if you think about UK slave
trades if you think about UK slave owners would go and and other slave
owners would go and and other slave
owners would go and and other slave owners would go to Africa they would
owners would go to Africa they would
owners would go to Africa they would kidnap people that were very healthy
kidnap people that were very healthy
kidnap people that were very healthy they would put them on these boats and
they would put them on these boats and
they would put them on these boats and these boats that would travel from
these boats that would travel from
these boats that would travel from Africa to the UK about half of the
Africa to the UK about half of the
Africa to the UK about half of the people would die on those boats so
people would die on those boats so
people would die on those boats so that’s how about a bad the poor how poor
that’s how about a bad the poor how poor
that’s how about a bad the poor how poor the conditions were on the boat and then
the conditions were on the boat and then
the conditions were on the boat and then secondly there were slave owners that
secondly there were slave owners that
secondly there were slave owners that would throw their slaves overboard in an
would throw their slaves overboard in an
would throw their slaves overboard in an effort to collect on an insurance claim
effort to collect on an insurance claim
effort to collect on an insurance claim so they were treated like property so
so they were treated like property so
so they were treated like property so this was something that was very clearly
this was something that was very clearly
this was something that was very clearly wrong but so few people spoke out
wrong but so few people spoke out
wrong but so few people spoke out against it so you know my question to
against it so you know my question to
against it so you know my question to ask is why did she speak up whereas so
ask is why did she speak up whereas so
ask is why did she speak up whereas so others so many others kept silence so
others so many others kept silence so
others so many others kept silence so the first thing that I mentioned was
the first thing that I mentioned was
the first thing that I mentioned was look for problems but it’s not enough to
look for problems but it’s not enough to
look for problems but it’s not enough to just look for problems we need to find
just look for problems we need to find
just look for problems we need to find something that clashes with our value so
something that clashes with our value so
something that clashes with our value so Hanna’s value was that every person is
Hanna’s value was that every person is
Hanna’s value was that every person is made in the image of God and therefore
made in the image of God and therefore
made in the image of God and therefore valuable and then she did something
valuable and then she did something
valuable and then she did something about it and doing something about it is
about it and doing something about it is
about it and doing something about it is often the hardest thing because when you
often the hardest thing because when you
often the hardest thing because when you do something that is against public
do something that is against public
do something that is against public opinion you often face criticism you
opinion you often face criticism you
opinion you often face criticism you face guilt and shame and sometimes
face guilt and shame and sometimes
face guilt and shame and sometimes physical harm as well so you have to be
physical harm as well so you have to be
physical harm as well so you have to be willing to to do those things so looking
willing to to do those things so looking
willing to to do those things so looking for problems is number one looking for
for problems is number one looking for
for problems is number one looking for Beauty number two
Beauty number two
Beauty number two we live in this generation and culture
we live in this generation and culture
we live in this generation and culture that loves doing easy things I
that loves doing easy things I
that loves doing easy things I admittedly after work would love to just
admittedly after work would love to just
admittedly after work would love to just go home sit on the couch and watch
go home sit on the couch and watch
go home sit on the couch and watch Netflix like you know maybe many of you
Netflix like you know maybe many of you
Netflix like you know maybe many of you it’s it’s always easier to sort of
it’s it’s always easier to sort of
it’s it’s always easier to sort of disconnect if you look at some of the
disconnect if you look at some of the
disconnect if you look at some of the biggest companies today Google Facebook
biggest companies today Google Facebook
biggest companies today Google Facebook Apple and Amazon they deliver things
Apple and Amazon they deliver things
Apple and Amazon they deliver things quickly which is why they’re so valuable
quickly which is why they’re so valuable
quickly which is why they’re so valuable and there’s nothing wrong with
and there’s nothing wrong with
and there’s nothing wrong with efficiency and productivity and doing
efficiency and productivity and doing
efficiency and productivity and doing things fast but sometimes it creates an
things fast but sometimes it creates an
things fast but sometimes it creates an association that everything should be
association that everything should be
association that everything should be fast and easy to get and often the most
fast and easy to get and often the most
fast and easy to get and often the most beautiful things are complex and they
beautiful things are complex and they
beautiful things are complex and they take time to appreciate an
take time to appreciate an
take time to appreciate an intentionality working the technology
intentionality working the technology
intentionality working the technology under industry I see on-demand companies
under industry I see on-demand companies
under industry I see on-demand companies all the time some of you are familiar
all the time some of you are familiar
all the time some of you are familiar with uber and Airbnb some of the
with uber and Airbnb some of the
with uber and Airbnb some of the just on-demand companies but there are
just on-demand companies but there are
just on-demand companies but there are hundreds of on-demand companies I hear
hundreds of on-demand companies I hear
hundreds of on-demand companies I hear the most random ideas that you wouldn’t
the most random ideas that you wouldn’t
the most random ideas that you wouldn’t believe that people are coming up with
believe that people are coming up with
believe that people are coming up with you know there’s on-demand dog walking
you know there’s on-demand dog walking
you know there’s on-demand dog walking on demand babysitting
on demand babysitting
on demand babysitting on-demand you name it there they have it
on-demand you name it there they have it
on-demand you name it there they have it so in this generation it’s even more
so in this generation it’s even more
so in this generation it’s even more difficult to take the time to say
difficult to take the time to say
difficult to take the time to say complex things are not necessarily
complex things are not necessarily
complex things are not necessarily complex but things that are rich and
complex but things that are rich and
complex but things that are rich and sometimes take time to process some of
sometimes take time to process some of
sometimes take time to process some of those things are the most beautiful
those things are the most beautiful
those things are the most beautiful things an article in the Atlantic came
things an article in the Atlantic came
things an article in the Atlantic came out more recently that showed that post
out more recently that showed that post
out more recently that showed that post iPhone high schoolers are having getting
iPhone high schoolers are having getting
iPhone high schoolers are having getting their licenses later and later and
their licenses later and later and
their licenses later and later and they’re hanging out with their friends
they’re hanging out with their friends
they’re hanging out with their friends less and less in person and really
less and less in person and really
less and less in person and really showing that people are using social
showing that people are using social
showing that people are using social media to interact with each other but
media to interact with each other but
media to interact with each other but they’re not necessarily talking with
they’re not necessarily talking with
they’re not necessarily talking with each other face-to-face anymore
each other face-to-face anymore
each other face-to-face anymore one of the quotes that I find sums this
one of the quotes that I find sums this
one of the quotes that I find sums this up very well is a quote by one of my
up very well is a quote by one of my
up very well is a quote by one of my favorite pastors and he says raking is
favorite pastors and he says raking is
favorite pastors and he says raking is easy but all you get is leaves digging
easy but all you get is leaves digging
easy but all you get is leaves digging is hard but you might find gold
is hard but you might find gold
is hard but you might find gold beautiful things take effort and time
beautiful things take effort and time
beautiful things take effort and time and I urge you all to kind of look for
and I urge you all to kind of look for
and I urge you all to kind of look for watch a critically acclaimed movie even
watch a critically acclaimed movie even
watch a critically acclaimed movie even though if it’s hard to understand watch
though if it’s hard to understand watch
though if it’s hard to understand watch it over and over and ask yourself why is
it over and over and ask yourself why is
it over and over and ask yourself why is it why is this critically acclaimed read
it why is this critically acclaimed read
it why is this critically acclaimed read a long-form book or article that has
a long-form book or article that has
a long-form book or article that has stood the test of time I find that some
stood the test of time I find that some
stood the test of time I find that some of the things that have lasted
of the things that have lasted
of the things that have lasted throughout time those things have
throughout time those things have
throughout time those things have competed against millions of other
competed against millions of other
competed against millions of other things and therefore you know they stood
things and therefore you know they stood
things and therefore you know they stood the test of time and are you know
the test of time and are you know
the test of time and are you know extremely beautiful or go to a park and
extremely beautiful or go to a park and
extremely beautiful or go to a park and listen to the sounds something as simple
listen to the sounds something as simple
listen to the sounds something as simple as photosynthesis which many of you know
as photosynthesis which many of you know
as photosynthesis which many of you know a plant takes in water and carbon
a plant takes in water and carbon
a plant takes in water and carbon dioxide and then sunlight and then
dioxide and then sunlight and then
dioxide and then sunlight and then produces glucose which is food for
produces glucose which is food for
produces glucose which is food for itself and then oxygen which we breathe
itself and then oxygen which we breathe
itself and then oxygen which we breathe in it’s a miracle that’s happening all
in it’s a miracle that’s happening all
in it’s a miracle that’s happening all around us and we kind of take these
around us and we kind of take these
around us and we kind of take these things for granted because because we
things for granted because because we
things for granted because because we just see it all the time and we don’t
just see it all the time and we don’t
just see it all the time and we don’t think much about it so take the time to
think much about it so take the time to
think much about it so take the time to process these things when I was a kid
process these things when I was a kid
process these things when I was a kid yeah this to me when I was a kid my dad
yeah this to me when I was a kid my dad
yeah this to me when I was a kid my dad used to force me to listen to classical
used to force me to listen to classical
used to force me to listen to classical music he would take us to classical
music he would take us to classical
music he would take us to classical concerts he would play classical music
concerts he would play classical music
concerts he would play classical music in the car and at home and my brother
in the car and at home and my brother
in the car and at home and my brother and I we loved
and I we loved
and I we loved we love Coldplay and u2 and Radiohead
we love Coldplay and u2 and Radiohead
we love Coldplay and u2 and Radiohead and some of these you know rock artists
and some of these you know rock artists
and some of these you know rock artists and we hated when my my dad would take
and we hated when my my dad would take
and we hated when my my dad would take us to these classical concerts but now
us to these classical concerts but now
us to these classical concerts but now growing up I’ve realized that there’s so
growing up I’ve realized that there’s so
growing up I’ve realized that there’s so much richness in classical masterpieces
much richness in classical masterpieces
much richness in classical masterpieces you can listen to them over and over
you can listen to them over and over
you can listen to them over and over again and they don’t get old whereas a
again and they don’t get old whereas a
again and they don’t get old whereas a pop song maybe cliche and you listen to
pop song maybe cliche and you listen to
pop song maybe cliche and you listen to it 10 times in a day and it gets boring
it 10 times in a day and it gets boring
it 10 times in a day and it gets boring try listening to a piece of Chopin or
try listening to a piece of Chopin or
try listening to a piece of Chopin or Beethoven turn off the lights and think
Beethoven turn off the lights and think
Beethoven turn off the lights and think about a problem that you’re dealing with
about a problem that you’re dealing with
about a problem that you’re dealing with and see how music classical music can
and see how music classical music can
and see how music classical music can speak to that look for problems look for
speak to that look for problems look for
speak to that look for problems look for beauty and finally look for lessons
beauty and finally look for lessons
beauty and finally look for lessons lessons you can find anywhere even the
lessons you can find anywhere even the
lessons you can find anywhere even the things that people view there to be no
things that people view there to be no
things that people view there to be no lessons in at all make learning lessons
lessons in at all make learning lessons
lessons in at all make learning lessons a game after every class you’re in
a game after every class you’re in
a game after every class you’re in figure out what the takeaway is if you
figure out what the takeaway is if you
figure out what the takeaway is if you fail at something figure out why you
fail at something figure out why you
fail at something figure out why you failed at it and how you can do better
failed at it and how you can do better
failed at it and how you can do better the next time if you see like a business
the next time if you see like a business
the next time if you see like a business failing or something like that that’s
failing or something like that that’s
failing or something like that that’s why the business failed and try to
why the business failed and try to
why the business failed and try to figure out the solution yourself when I
figure out the solution yourself when I
figure out the solution yourself when I was in in high school I really had two
was in in high school I really had two
was in in high school I really had two interests sports or basketball and
interests sports or basketball and
interests sports or basketball and playing computer games there are so many
playing computer games there are so many
playing computer games there are so many lessons I feel like that could be
lessons I feel like that could be
lessons I feel like that could be learned from these two things but most
learned from these two things but most
learned from these two things but most people at the time it told me stop doing
people at the time it told me stop doing
people at the time it told me stop doing these things because they take away time
these things because they take away time
these things because they take away time from more valuable activities like doing
from more valuable activities like doing
from more valuable activities like doing your schoolwork or whatever it is but
your schoolwork or whatever it is but
your schoolwork or whatever it is but just to give you an example of some of
just to give you an example of some of
just to give you an example of some of the different things I’ve learned this
the different things I’ve learned this
the different things I’ve learned this is me in middle school playing computers
is me in middle school playing computers
is me in middle school playing computers so for computer games obviously I’m a
so for computer games obviously I’m a
so for computer games obviously I’m a technologist today there’s no
technologist today there’s no
technologist today there’s no coincidence that I’m pretty good with
coincidence that I’m pretty good with
coincidence that I’m pretty good with computers and a lot of that has to do
computers and a lot of that has to do
computers and a lot of that has to do with me playing games frankly I also
with me playing games frankly I also
with me playing games frankly I also managed a team at a very young age and
managed a team at a very young age and
managed a team at a very young age and our team became one of the top five
our team became one of the top five
our team became one of the top five worketh teams in the United States and I
worketh teams in the United States and I
worketh teams in the United States and I learned how to be strategic and come up
learned how to be strategic and come up
learned how to be strategic and come up with counter strategies and then finally
with counter strategies and then finally
with counter strategies and then finally I found shortcuts to things in gaming if
I found shortcuts to things in gaming if
I found shortcuts to things in gaming if you’re two or three seconds behind
you’re two or three seconds behind
you’re two or three seconds behind someone then that could cost you a win
someone then that could cost you a win
someone then that could cost you a win or a loss and there have been more
or a loss and there have been more
or a loss and there have been more profound lessons that I learned in in
profound lessons that I learned in in
profound lessons that I learned in in basketball this is me at the Staples
basketball this is me at the Staples
basketball this is me at the Staples Center which with my Wizards Jersey on
Center which with my Wizards Jersey on
Center which with my Wizards Jersey on and some of the some of the best lessons
and some of the some of the best lessons
and some of the some of the best lessons I’ve learned I’ve been in basketball so
I’ve learned I’ve been in basketball so
I’ve learned I’ve been in basketball so for example I come from DC and
for example I come from DC and
for example I come from DC and all the wizards if you’re NBA fan you
all the wizards if you’re NBA fan you
all the wizards if you’re NBA fan you know that the Wizards are horrible over
know that the Wizards are horrible over
know that the Wizards are horrible over the last 30 years we were this we have
the last 30 years we were this we have
the last 30 years we were this we have the second worst record cumulatively in
the second worst record cumulatively in
the second worst record cumulatively in that period of time and so I grew up
that period of time and so I grew up
that period of time and so I grew up really needing to learn the lessons of
really needing to learn the lessons of
really needing to learn the lessons of faithfulness and patience my pastor said
faithfulness and patience my pastor said
faithfulness and patience my pastor said at my my wedding that he knew that it
at my my wedding that he knew that it
at my my wedding that he knew that it would be a faithful husband because I
would be a faithful husband because I
would be a faithful husband because I was a Wizards fan it’s it was painful
was a Wizards fan it’s it was painful
was a Wizards fan it’s it was painful growing up it was always a lost over
growing up it was always a lost over
growing up it was always a lost over time a missed call something always went
time a missed call something always went
time a missed call something always went wrong but it taught me that some of the
wrong but it taught me that some of the
wrong but it taught me that some of the my greatest joys came from following
my greatest joys came from following
my greatest joys came from following this painful team and learned in having
this painful team and learned in having
this painful team and learned in having association with friends secondly
association with friends secondly
association with friends secondly encouragement home court advantage is
encouragement home court advantage is
encouragement home court advantage is one of the most valuable statistics that
one of the most valuable statistics that
one of the most valuable statistics that our that is used nowadays home court
our that is used nowadays home court
our that is used nowadays home court advantage the same team that plays at
advantage the same team that plays at
advantage the same team that plays at home has a much better chance than the
home has a much better chance than the
home has a much better chance than the team that plays away and the main
team that plays away and the main
team that plays away and the main difference is someone cheering for them
difference is someone cheering for them
difference is someone cheering for them my parents growing up always told me
my parents growing up always told me
my parents growing up always told me that I could do anything but I really
that I could do anything but I really
that I could do anything but I really set my heart to and worked hard at and
set my heart to and worked hard at and
set my heart to and worked hard at and that allowed me to go from really a high
that allowed me to go from really a high
that allowed me to go from really a high school student that wasn’t really good
school student that wasn’t really good
school student that wasn’t really good at getting good grades to a gamer to a
at getting good grades to a gamer to a
at getting good grades to a gamer to a hedge fund manager to running a
hedge fund manager to running a
hedge fund manager to running a non-profit to now having a technology
non-profit to now having a technology
non-profit to now having a technology company a foundation and a real estate
company a foundation and a real estate
company a foundation and a real estate company Oscar finally one more thing on
company Oscar finally one more thing on
company Oscar finally one more thing on sports the it also tells me the value of
sports the it also tells me the value of
sports the it also tells me the value of adoration is one of those things where
adoration is one of those things where
adoration is one of those things where if you’ve gone to sports game the
if you’ve gone to sports game the
if you’ve gone to sports game the excitement of scoring a goal or a basket
excitement of scoring a goal or a basket
excitement of scoring a goal or a basket you see strangers hugging each other and
you see strangers hugging each other and
you see strangers hugging each other and giving each other high-fives there’s
giving each other high-fives there’s
giving each other high-fives there’s people from different socioeconomic
people from different socioeconomic
people from different socioeconomic classes different races all together
classes different races all together
classes different races all together being part of this greater picture and
being part of this greater picture and
being part of this greater picture and eyen ran the novelist once said
eyen ran the novelist once said
eyen ran the novelist once said adoration is one of the greatest human
adoration is one of the greatest human
adoration is one of the greatest human desires we’d like to be part of this
desires we’d like to be part of this
desires we’d like to be part of this bigger picture and it’s the same thing
bigger picture and it’s the same thing
bigger picture and it’s the same thing in music when you go to a concert you’re
in music when you go to a concert you’re
in music when you go to a concert you’re you’re you’re euphoric because you’re
you’re you’re euphoric because you’re
you’re you’re euphoric because you’re part of this bigger picture and unified
part of this bigger picture and unified
part of this bigger picture and unified with other people Oscar Wilde had a
with other people Oscar Wilde had a
with other people Oscar Wilde had a quote that said the public have the
quote that said the public have the
quote that said the public have the insatiable curiosity to know everything
insatiable curiosity to know everything
insatiable curiosity to know everything except for what is worth knowing it
except for what is worth knowing it
except for what is worth knowing it turns out in the information age there’s
turns out in the information age there’s
turns out in the information age there’s lots and lots of information but we
lots and lots of information but we
lots and lots of information but we don’t always observe the right things
don’t always observe the right things
don’t always observe the right things it’s not always about knowing everything
it’s not always about knowing everything
it’s not always about knowing everything if you want to make a difference in the
if you want to make a difference in the
if you want to make a difference in the world it’s about knowing the valuable
world it’s about knowing the valuable
world it’s about knowing the valuable things and being willing to live and die
things and being willing to live and die
things and being willing to live and die for those things my wife and I in 2014
for those things my wife and I in 2014
for those things my wife and I in 2014 we moved to South Central Los Angeles
we moved to South Central Los Angeles
we moved to South Central Los Angeles which many people know as the home of
which many people know as the home of
which many people know as the home of the Crips and bloods or to the most
the Crips and bloods or to the most
the Crips and bloods or to the most famous gangs in the US and we moved
famous gangs in the US and we moved
famous gangs in the US and we moved there because as Christians Jesus spent
there because as Christians Jesus spent
there because as Christians Jesus spent time with those that faced in Justices
time with those that faced in Justices
time with those that faced in Justices and that have been marginalized by
and that have been marginalized by
and that have been marginalized by society that was a problem that we were
society that was a problem that we were
society that was a problem that we were extremely passionate about and we moved
extremely passionate about and we moved
extremely passionate about and we moved in order to do that a lot of people when
in order to do that a lot of people when
in order to do that a lot of people when we first moved told us that we were
we first moved told us that we were
we first moved told us that we were crazy there was too dangerous that the
crazy there was too dangerous that the
crazy there was too dangerous that the people there had came from too big of a
people there had came from too big of a
people there had came from too big of a background difference than us but but we
background difference than us but but we
background difference than us but but we found the opposite to be true we learned
found the opposite to be true we learned
found the opposite to be true we learned about the problems of systemic racism in
about the problems of systemic racism in
about the problems of systemic racism in America we learned about the joy and
America we learned about the joy and
America we learned about the joy and beauty of long-term community and we
beauty of long-term community and we
beauty of long-term community and we learn lessons from people with a
learn lessons from people with a
learn lessons from people with a different perspective than us it’s
different perspective than us it’s
different perspective than us it’s estimated today that there are over 30
estimated today that there are over 30
estimated today that there are over 30 million slaves and this is a huge
million slaves and this is a huge
million slaves and this is a huge problem there are so many problems today
problem there are so many problems today
problem there are so many problems today that need light to be shed on and I’m
that need light to be shed on and I’m
that need light to be shed on and I’m just gonna read a poem off the screen
just gonna read a poem off the screen
just gonna read a poem off the screen that if you guys can follow it along
that if you guys can follow it along
that if you guys can follow it along that that I mentioned previously that
that that I mentioned previously that
that that I mentioned previously that Hannah had wrote called slavery to close
Hannah had wrote called slavery to close
Hannah had wrote called slavery to close out by followers only have a face to
out by followers only have a face to
out by followers only have a face to shame inscribed by slavery on the
shame inscribed by slavery on the
shame inscribed by slavery on the Christian name shall Britain where the
Christian name shall Britain where the
Christian name shall Britain where the soul of freedom reigns Ford’s changed
soul of freedom reigns Ford’s changed
soul of freedom reigns Ford’s changed for others she herself disdains
for others she herself disdains
for others she herself disdains forbidded heaven I’ll let the nations
forbidded heaven I’ll let the nations
forbidded heaven I’ll let the nations know the Liberty she taste she will
know the Liberty she taste she will
know the Liberty she taste she will bestow not to herself the glorious gift
bestow not to herself the glorious gift
bestow not to herself the glorious gift confined she spreads the blessing wide
confined she spreads the blessing wide
confined she spreads the blessing wide as humankind and scorning narrow views
as humankind and scorning narrow views
as humankind and scorning narrow views of time and place bids all be free and
of time and place bids all be free and
of time and place bids all be free and Earth’s extended space what page of
Earth’s extended space what page of
Earth’s extended space what page of human annals can record a deed so bright
human annals can record a deed so bright
human annals can record a deed so bright as human rights restored Oh may that
as human rights restored Oh may that
as human rights restored Oh may that godlike deed that shining page redeem
godlike deed that shining page redeem
godlike deed that shining page redeem our fame and consecrate our age use
our fame and consecrate our age use
our fame and consecrate our age use observation as a tool to shed light on
observation as a tool to shed light on
observation as a tool to shed light on in darkness find a problem that you’re
in darkness find a problem that you’re
in darkness find a problem that you’re passionate about find beauty that can
passionate about find beauty that can
passionate about find beauty that can inspire you to action and learn a lesson
inspire you to action and learn a lesson
inspire you to action and learn a lesson to every circumstance thank you
to every circumstance thank you
to every circumstance thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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