Jeff Skoll: Making movies that make change | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The speaker shares his personal journey of starting eBay, founding Participant Productions, and his mission to bet on good people doing good things to create social change.

Key Insights

• 🌟 There is a shared vision of a future world of peace, prosperity, and sustainability, which requires closing the gaps in opportunity and hope.
• 🧩 Hollywood and Silicon Valley have more in common than initially thought, with sex symbols, rivalries, and power tables.
• 💡 Bet on good people doing good things to make a difference in the long-term issues facing humanity.
• 📽️ Film and TV can be powerful mediums to engage people in social issues and inspire them to take action.
• 🌎 Investing, connecting, and celebrating good people and their work can spark social change.
• 🔥 Urgency and action are needed in addressing global warming, as shown by the impact of Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth".
• 💪 Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in their own way, whether through business, philanthropy, or personal interests.
• 🌍 Closing the opportunity and hope gaps can lead to significant positive changes, such as eradicating diseases and achieving peaceful coexistence.

Transcript

I've actually been waiting by the phone for a call from TED for years. And in fact, in 2000, I was ready to talk about eBay, but no call. In 2003, I was ready to do a talk about the Skoll Foundation and social entrepreneurship. No call. In 2004, I started Participant Productions and we had a really good first year, and no call. And finally, I get a... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's personal experiences shape his mission to bet on good people doing good things?

The speaker's personal experiences, including his father's cancer diagnosis, drove him to realize the importance of making a difference and not knowing how much time one really has. These experiences led him to bet on good people doing good things and support social entrepreneurs who use their skills to solve social problems. His belief in the potential of individuals to make a difference is at the core of his mission.

Q: How did Participant Productions use films to create social change?

Participant Productions produced films that address major issues in the world, such as women's rights, domestic violence, and global warming. They aimed to not only entertain but also inspire and engage audiences to get involved in the issues. They created advocacy and activism programs around the films and partnered with social sector organizations to provide opportunities for people to take action. Through their films, they were able to influence policy renewal and change public perception on important issues.

Q: What is the philosophy of change emphasized by the speaker?

The philosophy of change presented by the speaker is "Invest, connect, and celebrate." He encourages investing in good people who are doing good things, whether it be through financial support or business partnerships. Connecting these individuals and organizations through conferences and networking opportunities creates powerful connections and collaborations. Finally, celebrating the work and stories of these individuals helps inspire others and close the hope gap that an ordinary individual cannot make a difference.

Q: How is Participant Productions different from traditional media companies?

Participant Productions is different from traditional media companies because of its focus on creating entertainment that inspires social change. While traditional media companies might prioritize profit and entertainment value alone, Participant Productions aims to go beyond mere entertainment and engage audiences to take action on important social issues. Their films are designed to leave a lasting impact and stimulate conversations about significant global challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares his journey from starting eBay to founding Participant Productions, a media company focused on the public interest.

• He talks about the importance of betting on good people doing good things and supporting social entrepreneurs who use business skills to solve social problems.

• The speaker highlights the impact of films in creating social change and discusses upcoming projects that address major issues in the world.