Friday Fives

1. BLOCKWORKS 2018 - ALL THINGS BLOCKCHAIN

If you’re anything like us, sometimes it seems like you can’t get along to everything you’d like to on the ecosystem front (hurry up with that goddamn cloning technology already!), and for us Blockworks 2018, held at the start of last month in Auckland, was definitely in that bucket.

Luckily, the clever bods at New Zealand’s premier blockchain event were thinking ahead, and for us less organised mortals, the videos of all the conference sessions were released online today, for your (and our) viewing pleasure.

Showcasing the practical applications of Blockchain technology transforming business, government and society; from supply-chain to smart cities, digital identity, finance, transport and services… there’s something in there for even the most hardcore geeks.

And that means our Netflix watchlist here is just going to have to wait a little bit longer now… sorry (not sorry) Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Watch more here: Blockworks 2018 (Youtube playlist)

2. DESIGN THINKING - DOES IT DESERVE THE HYPE

We are as sceptical as the next person about the ubiquitousness of design thinking - with what it seems like every second company incorporating it into their everyday to become “more innovative”. But we've also been lucky enough to have worked on projects and in organisations where the practice has permeated into the culture and values of organisations and fundamentally transformed its very nature.

In this recent interview with Fast Company, IDEO, the doyen of design thinking, discusses why design thinking has got so much flack of late, and delves into the “innovation-washing” (if that’s not already a word it should be!) that we see ad nauseum. As the interviewee, IDEO partner Michael Hendrix, so aptly points out - there is bad design process seen in other disciplines, but that doesn’t mean that the fundamentals are broken. And that with design thinking it is important to find the balance between following a process without being too rigid and stifling the creative process. Not to mention the culture that is required to achieve that balance.

“There’s of course many poor examples of design thinking, and there’s great examples. Just like there’s poor examples of industrial design and graphic design and different processes within organisations.”

Hendrix’s commentary around the culture that is required in order for the practice to be truly impactful, and not just a “theatre of innovation”, resonates strongly with us. Without this fundamental foundation, and the deep understanding of the trust and openness that needs to be cultivated, along with a creative culture, the best processes in the world won’t help drive innovation.

Read more here: “IDEO breaks its silence on design thinking critics”

3. MEET THE CAROUSING, HARMONICA-PLAYING NOBEL PRIZE WINNER

Settle yourself in for quite an extraordinary story of recent Nobel Prize winner Jim Allison who has revolutionised how cancer can be treated. Advances in cancer typically come in 50-year increments; the science that Allison and his co-recipient Tasuku Honjo helped advance, cancer immunotherapy, has made a generational leap seemingly overnight.

Apart from the genius of his and Honjo’s work, and how that journey played out, it is the secondary story that is woven in here of Allison’s love of blues music throughout his career that got our attention.

The connection between having an arts practice (such as music) and improved performance in other fields like science or engineering, is something that is increasingly been proven to be important in driving innovation. Research shows that the more accomplished a scientist or engineer is (ie, a Nobel Prize winner such as Allison), the more likely they are to have an artistic hobby.

The research argues that science as it is typically studied, practiced and taught focuses more on linear and logical thinking. Art, on the other hand, thrives on other systems -- kinetic and associative thinking.

The data here suggests that artistic engagement develops talents necessary to being a more creative scientist, and Jim Allison is an excellent example for this one.

Time for the O/TG team to get the ukulele orchestra back together (we’re taking bookings for your staff Xmas party now, just hit us up on the socials).

4. MIT COLLEGE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The AI freight train just keeps building momentum, and amongst the many initiatives which have been announced recently, including Google’s USD$25m Impact Challenge for Social Good just this week, MIT’s bold step into the fray is the one that caught our eye.

As universities and other education providers grapple with how to prepare students best for the changing technology landscape, MIT has put its money right where its mouth is, committing a whopping USD$1billion to the creation of a new college focused on AI.

The thing that gets us really excited here though (apart from the nine zeros in that huge funding announcement), is the college’s goal to “educate the bilinguals of the future”, by helping non-computer disciplines such as the humanities and politics bring AI tools to their fields.

Smart thinking from one of the smartest institutions out there, and one to watch as the AI titans of the United States and China square off in the coming years.

5. WITHOUT FAIL - FROM NASTY GAL TO GIRLBOSS

If you’re after a good listen check out this episode of Gimlet Media’s Without Fail with accidental entrepreneur and author, Sophia Amourusa. In a free and frank conversation with Gimlet’s CEO Alex Blumberg, Sophia talks about rapid rise and spectacular fall of her online fashion brand, Nasty Gal, once valued at $350million.

“I never for a moment thought I was starting a company. I was just like let me see if I can like not leave the house and sell some stuff and make a few bucks.”

There are some great startup learnings in Sophia’s journey which started with selling vintage clothing on ebay, to running a multimillion dollar company, through to bankruptcy. Like so many other founders Amourusa struggled with lack of experience, who to trust, grappling with massive growth and the sheer learning curve that came with all of this. Particularly fascinating was the explanation on why the profitable company took on venture capital and the impact that had on the business.

Listen here: “From Nasty Gal to Girlboss”

Tracy MoyesNovember 2, 2018Comment