Top talks discovered in 2008

Here are a few of my top talks/podcasts discovered in 2008 in no particular order.

1. [Ted Talks] Ken Robinson (2006) – Do schools kill creativity?

I keep listening to this lecture every now and again. This one gets to me every time.  The story of the dancer is incredible and inspiring. Actually I discovered this one in 2007.  Its just too good not to include here.

2. Joel Spolsky – The Three Ingredients Of Great Products

This is a lecture during a Ruby on Rails conference.  It’s a fun presentation on software design – Joel believes the three ingredients are – making users happy, obsessing over aesthetics, and observing culture code.   Good to listen to even if you’re just trying to figure out how to make your next presentation more fun.  Highly entertaining.

3.  Le Web 08 Paris, France – Gillmore Gang Live

For those who have never heard the Gillmor gang, this is a show that started out as a phone call amongst friends in Silicon Valley who just happen to be some of more influential people in the industry. The gang includes people such as Robert Scoble, Michael Arrington (Techcrunch), Doc Searls (Clue Train Manifesto) etc.  The one key voice missing from this particular show was Jason Calacanis.  I love the format as much as the people and its a great example of bringing the corridor chat (complete is with wine – it is france after all)  to the stage and in a highly entertaining fashion.  Also see the podcast here – http://gillmorgang.techcrunch.com/

4. Juan Enriquez (2008)  PopCast

I caught this one recently c/o Heather Ford’s hblog.  He presents – 10 non-partisan financial commandments for the President elect Obama.   He also presents some pretty scary numbers.  Whether you believe him or not, he has a way of keeping your attention.  It looks like the world leaders including the president elect are not going to follow his advice in regards to spending.

5. Meeting the user input visionary, Doug Engelbart

I had the pleasure to meet Doug a few years ago.  We were in a small workshop together in San Francisco and I still remember him telling me not to be underestimate a users ability to deal with complexity.  I was arguing for simple design and systems.

If you’re not familiar with Doug Engelbart, you should be because many of his ideas are part of the fabric of the socia media we use today.   As well as inventing the mouse and co-inventing the concept of hypertext with Ted Nelson, Doug is known for what is called the ‘mother of all demos‘. Anyone in this socia media field should be thankful we had a Doug to push things forward.   Best of all, he’s still at it, now in his eighties.  A true visionary and innovator.

6. Ted Talk – Richard Branson: Life at 30,000 feet

This is a highly inspiring talk if you thinking about becoming an entrepreneur.    Putting this post together, I couldn’t help but watch this talk again.   I recently have created a new business (Groupsia International) and Richard’s words about how to best treat people as a business leader are very inspiring.  He says in his conversation at TED  -  ” I actually think the best way of actually becoming a successful business leader is dealing with people fairly and well.”

6.  6 ways mushrooms can save the world: Paul Stamets on TED.com

Paul explores new ways to think about energy and how mycelium can help manage our environment.   After watching this Ted Talk I became very interested in mushrooms around my house (as those on facebook will know) and bought a few of  Pauls’s books.  Like Paul, I too have had problems with carpenter ants.  I really look forward to seeing his environment friendly discoveries come on the market.

7. Environmental Challenges & Profit Opportunities – Stanford Discussions – Carter Roberts
President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund

A very interesting look at the interconnections between the environment, consumption, and business supply chains.

8. Elizabeth Churchill, “Place Matters: Social Encounters between the Physical and Digital” from the O’Reilly Etech conference.

I first listened to this one on It Conversations and then had a brief exchange with Elizabeth Churchhill who mentioned how visual her presentations tend to be.  I managed to find the video for it on blip.tv  For all those interested in online and offline communities and the connections between them, this is an excellent presentation and one of highest ranked IT conversations of 2008.

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