Andrew Zuckerman: On Curiosity, Rigor, and Learning As You Go

In this 99% talk, photographer Andrew Zuckerman argues that curiosity is an essential part of the creative's condition. But it's even more powerful when combined with rigorous technique.

In this 99% talk, photographer and filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman argues that curiosity is an essential part of the creative's condition. But it's even more powerful when combined with rigorous technique. He shares the lessons learned from his iconic WISDOM project, in which he interviewed "elders" around the world, including Chuck Close, Bill Withers, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Massimo Vignelli, and many more. Zuckerman talks about the anxiety we feel as we start a new project, how fear can help us get things done, and the importance of honesty and good, old-fashioned hard work.

Simon Sinek: If You Don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business

"We're not good at everything, we're not good by ourselves," says Simon Sinek at the 99% Conference. Our ability to build trust and relationships is the key to our survival as a race, and to thriving as ideamakers.

 via the99percent.com

In this wide-ranging talk, ethnographer and leadership expert Simon Sinek discusses the importance of trust, authenticity, and meaning. Sinek argues that as individuals and companies, everything that we say and do is a symbol of who we are. And it is only when we communicate our beliefs authentically that we can attract others to our cause, and form the bonds that will empower us to achieve truly great things.

If this inspires you, you should check out Simon's TED Talk and his book Start with Why.

Frank Chimero on The Shape of Design at Interlink Conference 2011

Here is Frank’s presentation on design fundamentals and other inspiring topics underpinning his forthcoming book. You can download his slides here to follow along.

via interlinkconference.com

I am very much looking forward to his book.

Chris Chabris: When Intuition Fails

Psychologist and neuroscientist Chris Chabris studies how rarely we see the world as it really is. A creator of the famous “gorilla experiment” and co-author of “The Invisible Gorilla: and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us,” Chabris' work reveals how relying on our institutions is a perilous decision-making strategy.

Psychologist and neuroscientist Chris Chabris studies how rarely we see the world as it really is. A creator of the famous “gorilla experiment” and co-author of The Invisible Gorilla: and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us, Chabris' work reveals how relying on our institutions is a perilous decision-making strategy. 

Kevin Kelly: The Future in 6 Verbs

At the inaugural NExTWORK technology conference Wired co-founder and Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly shared six words to illustrate the major trends he sees in a world speeding towards video, mobile and the cloud: screening, interacting, sharing, flowing, accessing and generating. 

Recommended: Kevin Kelly's What Technology Wants