There's an Art to Getting Brilliant People to Surprise Themselves - Kevin Slavin of The Shed

TL;DR

The interviewee discusses the value of education, the role of institutions, his journey through various industries, and his current work at the Shed cultural center.

Transcript

I had a there were a couple questions from the internet but I figured we could just start with kind of what we were talking before about education in general sure so as you're a dad now and you're thinking about education having now you know been at Cooper Union yeah on the board of Cooper Union I've been at the Media Lab and now kind of the shed t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎓 Higher education: The speaker questions the traditional model of higher education and suggests that it may not be appropriate for the current era. They highlight the importance of academic institutions in providing a sense of continuity and community.
• 🌍 Cultural institutions: The speaker believes that academic institutions and cultural institutions have a common purpose in providing individuals with a sense of connection to a larger community and set of ideas.
• 💡 Cross-disciplinary collaboration: The speaker emphasizes the value of working with people from different disciplines and industries. They highlight their own ability to draw out the best work from individuals in various fields.
• 🔬 Scientific exploration: The speaker discusses their interest in microbiology and the idea of cities as biological superorganisms. They express a desire to explore the role of the human microbiome and its impact on individuals and communities.
• 🔓 Breaking boundaries: The speaker describes their role in bringing art and design to scientific and engineering environments, and vice versa. They believe in blurring or eliminating boundaries between different disciplines to foster creative and innovative thinking.
• 🚀 Embracing new technologies: The speaker believes that virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, but believes that current VR games are limited by traditional gaming models. They encourage thinking about VR games in a new way, focusing on its unique capabilities and possibilities.
• 🌐 Synchronizing signals: The speaker emphasizes the power of cultural institutions to provide synchronizing signals, bringing people together and creating a shared experience. They envision the use of technology to broadcast live cultural events and connect people globally.
• 🏢 The Shed: The speaker discusses their current role at The Shed, a new cultural institution in New York City. They mention the opportunity to be part of building a new institution and the importance of taking risks and pushing boundaries in programming and design. They also share plans to eliminate paper tickets and explore live digital broadcasts.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the interviewee view the role of education and cultural institutions in shaping individuals and communities?

The interviewee believes that education and cultural institutions play a vital role in providing a sense of continuity and community in a changing society. They provide individuals with a larger context and the opportunity to shape positive change.

Q: How does the interviewee believe academic institutions can adapt to better serve their students?

The interviewee suggests that academic institutions should consider the current model of education and explore alternatives that better meet the needs of students. He points out that many universities are struggling financially, and perhaps it is time to reevaluate the traditional model of education.

Q: How does the interviewee view the connection between different industries and disciplines?

The interviewee believes that the ability to work effectively between different industries and disciplines is valuable in today's world. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the pursuit of new ideas, regardless of one's specific field or expertise.

Q: What are the interviewee's thoughts on the potential of virtual reality in the gaming industry?

The interviewee acknowledges that there is potential for great games in virtual reality (VR), but he has yet to see a truly groundbreaking VR game. He believes that current VR games are often created by developers who approach the medium from a traditional console gaming perspective, and that novel ideas and approaches are needed for true innovation in VR gaming.

Q: How does the interviewee approach the process of drawing out the best work from people?

The interviewee believes that drawing out the best work from people requires valuing their skills and contributions, having a clear vision or idea to start with, and connecting individuals with complementary expertise. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding how to demonstrate the value of one's work to potential investors or supporters.

Q: How does the interviewee view the role of technology in cultural institutions?

The interviewee believes that technology can be a powerful tool in enhancing and expanding the reach of cultural institutions. He discusses the use of smartphones for ticketing and the potential for digital broadcasts to connect people from around the world in real-time.

Q: What is the interviewee's vision for the future of cultural institutions?

The interviewee envisions a future where cultural institutions continue to push boundaries and take risks. He believes that institutions should provide synchronizing signals, bringing people together in a shared experience, while also embracing new technologies and forms of expression.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The interviewee reflects on the current state of education and the need for change in higher education institutions.

• He highlights the importance of cultural and academic institutions in providing a sense of continuity and community for individuals.

• The interviewee shares his experience of working in various industries and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.