3 ms·

In a world where we 2x our podcasts some of the historical notes can seem slow but are poignant. The latter part of the lecture has some nuggets that are worth

In a world where we 2x our podcasts some of the historical notes can seem slow but are poignant. The latter part of the lecture has some nuggets that are worth the 50 minutes. To me, I think the key is to balance the universal with the non-universal to forge progress. One interesting connection is that in an earlier lecture Steve Huffman notes they tried categories with Reddit but reverted. Here Kay explains why. Incidentally, someone who calls out UX issues like the absence of a map in the side entrance of the Gates building is my kind of person.

da02 9y ago
I wish he was more direct and too-the-point. But, if he were, people would end up accusing him of being rude. What's the polite way of saying, "If you can't put a damn map on your poorly designed building, how are you going to solve the big problems in the world?!"
- alankay1 9y ago
  The difference between "provocative" and "rude" is probably in the eyes of the beholders. As I alluded, the main job of giving a talk -- whether university or elsewhere -- is to help all wake up, including the speaker!
  - da02 9y ago
    Right. I agree completely. Unfortunately, most people want to stay "asleep" in The Swamp of Familiarity. It also does not help in today's bubble economy: companies are financially engineered and few innovations and inventions get made. A Big Idea to most people now-a-days is: "A small idea that makes big profits". So your job to cut through that and inspire people is a very important one.
    - ontouchstart 9y ago
      How can you tell the difference between "visional laziness" and "visional blindness", i.e., too lazy to see or fail to see?
      - alankay1 9y ago
        If people realize they are effectively blind and are actively trying to see in as many ways as possible, they are not being lazy. If they realize they are blind and are not trying to see, then they are lazy. Most people just think they can see and this is the toughest to get around.
        ontouchstart 9y ago
        Good point. That is why we need powerful telescopes and microscopes as well as powerful mathematical abstractions.

da02 9y ago

I wish he was more direct and too-the-point. But, if he were, people would end up accusing him of being rude. What's the polite way of saying, "If you can't put a damn map on your poorly designed building, how are you going to solve the big problems in the world?!"

alankay1 9y ago
The difference between "provocative" and "rude" is probably in the eyes of the beholders. As I alluded, the main job of giving a talk -- whether university or elsewhere -- is to help all wake up, including the speaker!
- da02 9y ago
  Right. I agree completely. Unfortunately, most people want to stay "asleep" in The Swamp of Familiarity. It also does not help in today's bubble economy: companies are financially engineered and few innovations and inventions get made. A Big Idea to most people now-a-days is: "A small idea that makes big profits". So your job to cut through that and inspire people is a very important one.
  - ontouchstart 9y ago
    How can you tell the difference between "visional laziness" and "visional blindness", i.e., too lazy to see or fail to see?
    - alankay1 9y ago
      If people realize they are effectively blind and are actively trying to see in as many ways as possible, they are not being lazy. If they realize they are blind and are not trying to see, then they are lazy. Most people just think they can see and this is the toughest to get around.
      - ontouchstart 9y ago
        Good point. That is why we need powerful telescopes and microscopes as well as powerful mathematical abstractions.