Gridlock, Gun Ships and Green Swans: NYC regroups to discuss global challenges
Paul McConnell
Digital Innovation Advisory | Noble ...Former Control Group / Intersection / LinkNYC (Sidewalk Labs), Arup / Digital Product, Strategy & Services / SaaS / Spatial & Urban Tech / Adjunct at Pratt & SVA
September events in New York City cover a broad spectrum. From somber memorials to the vanity of fashion week reminded me that even if I could afford them, I wouldn't know where to buy them. By the middle of the month, the POTUS Marine 1 gunships start flying overhead flexing to ward off potential threats, and we know that the United Nations General Assembly is in town. Historically, this was a closed session for international policymakers and those that influence them, but we are now seeing other conferences and gatherings emerge and intertwine. These programs might be due to an increasing realization that global challenges overlap across many sectors of society.
However, while these events are happening in the same city, more can be done to connect the policy, design, technology, culture, and community. Effective solutions will only emerge from a closer relationship between these groups.?
It has been energizing running around the city (physically and virtually) to take in some of these talks. Below are some links to some events that have stood out. Below is my attempt to link farm a few of these events/ topics and get your thoughts if you attended or plan to dive in. Hopefully, ideas will move into action, and the next "Green Swans" ( a play on Nassim Taleb's Black Swans concept of randomness and innovation) might emerge.
I look forward to that case study next year.??
I will update you with more clips and notes. Please drop a comment to add insights or if you have any suggestions for future events. .
On Climate
Columbia University Climate Week
While a few organizations held #climateweeknyc events, I found the Columbia site informative with various topics and easy access virtually. Specifically, the Doctors Without Borders "How can climate data improve humanitarian action?"
The Earth Shot prize
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Former Mayor Bloomberg, P.M. Jacinta Ardern, Matt Damon, & more! A well-produced event and post-event video covering?The Earth shot Prize, a global prize for the environment led by Prince William, designed to incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next ten years. 彭博资讯 Thanks, Raj Patel for sharing.
On Spaces
AIANY Climate Resilience Boat Tour
AIANY breaks us away from our lecture hall seats and screens with a boat tour focusing on critical developments and sites related to climate change and environmental justice in New York City. The goal is to learn how climate change is affecting our city and people, as well as the actions NYC is taking to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate threats. I hope they do this more often!
On Technology?
Unfinished Conference
领英推荐
There's gold in this agenda hosted at the Shed at Hudson yards. Don't think this is just about the potential of blockchain and web3, and there are great examples of actual impact on climate/ society and inspirational ideas from @AlisonMcCauley & co.??One day left if youre in NYC.
Scan last year's videos until the new ones drop.?
On Interaction Design
As a Pratt Alumni, I'm thrilled the School of Information Ethics Technology is shaping minds to think about how UX can be more than just driving app consumption. Follow Craig MacDonald to find out more or apply.
The speaker series started with?Cliff Kuang's?(via 谷歌 ) lecture on feedback loops and the designer's role in helping break through often opaque systems. Check out his book User Friendly as this concept of feedback loops can be applied to many the topics in the other events mentioned.? Shout out to Rodrigo J. and Mariana Giraldo for the post event recap / nightcap.
On Consumer Product Design
Every designer knows the great work that has come out of Frog from classic industrial design to new services. It's been interesting to see how they have been leaning into sustainability advisory services with their clients, including last year's People x Planet series.https://virtualworld.frogdesign.com/.? For #climateweekNY they hosted a panel with some of their CPG clients and industry enablers.? Great to see how fabrication and infrasstructure impact is getting more attention
Other events of note
Fast Company Innovation Fest
I did not attend this year. Any feedback? Typically FC has great celebrity speakers, tours and amazingly informative and inspiring workshops (disclosure, I ran one years ago with Intersection Co. :)
London Design Week
This is still going on for those in the UK. Shout out to 奥雅纳 foresight team who have premiered a film on future scenarios tied to sustainable choices. More links to come on this recap.
In closing, lots of steps, clicks and waterways covered this week. More to come as we continue to gather.
CEO at DNAMIC | Empowering Healthcare and Life Sciences Companies with Data-Driven AI for Better Outcomes
2 年This is really amazing, I appreciate that you have shared this info with us!
Strategic Design | Innovation | Impact.
2 年Thanks for the write up Paul! Optimistic that as these discussions move from high level plenary sessions to organizations with operational roles (- that intersect in disciplines) we shall hear more about implementation of theory and see clearer Design impact.
Associate Principal, Design Strategy Practice Leader at Perkins&Will
2 年Thanks for sharing, for making the connections and for the shout-out! Let’s plan for Octobers events.
Nice write up PMcC! Would love to hear if workforce was mentioned at any of the climateweek events. We can set climate/carbon goals for future dates all we want but without the workforce to make the change it is all just talk.
I help leaders communicate with confidence, build executive presence, & inspire action through tailored 1:1 and group coaching
2 年Thanks for sharing! Looks like amazing events. I did some work with Alison Smart (no relation) and her team at Probable Futures, you should check them out if you're not familiar with them: https://probablefutures.org/